The Laguna Lake is fast deteriorating into the country’s “biggest septic tank,” Biñan City Rep. Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr. warned on Saturday, August 2.
In an interview on DZRH News’ Special on Saturday, Rep. Dimaguila urged the Marcos Jr. administration to take urgent and science-based action to rehabilitate the vital water body affecting millions across Southern Luzon and Metro Manila.
“Magkakaroon na po tayo ng pinakamalaking septic tank. ‘Yan po ang mangyayari sa ating lawa. Disaster hindi lang sa Laguna, hindi lang sa Rizal, kundi sa Metro Manila,” Rep. Dimaguila said.
This as the lawmaker filed a resolution urging Congress to summon the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to reevaluate the effectiveness of current flood control projects.
For his part, the Biñan City lawmaker said the government should consider large-scale dredging of the lake to restore its natural water-absorbing capacity
“Napansin namin, hindi naman talaga iyon [flood control in rivers] ang naging solusyon. In some cases, mas naging worse pa ang sitwasyon,” said Rep. Dimaguila.
He added that the quality of water in Laguna Lake continues to worsen while billions of pesos are poured into ineffective infrastructure.
Born and raised in Barangay Malaban in Biñan, the Laguna solon recounted his firsthand experience of the lake’s decline.
“Nakakapag-swimming pa po kami sa lawa noon… ngayon, burak na po siya. Walang tulya, walang halaman,” he lamented.
“Walang kapalit ang aking actual experience dito sa Laguna Lake.”
Dimaguila said the frequency of flooding has also intensified alarmingly: “Every 7 years ang baha, naging 4, naging 2, ngayon tatlong taon sunod-sunod.”
He noted that during July alone, water levels in Laguna Lake rose by over a meter, with several barangays in Biñan still submerged months after last year’s floods.
He described the lake as having a thick layer of sludge that stretches “from the chest to the knees” of wading residents.
“More than 90,000 hectares ang ganito po ang sitwasyon,” he said.
He warned of year-round flooding, worsening disease outbreaks, and prolonged displacement for residents in Laguna, Rizal, and Metro Manila.
“Sa Metro Manila, isang oras lang ang baha, sa amin tatlong buwan. Maitim ang tubig, tapos magiging kulay green, babaho lalo, dadami ang magkakasakit.”
Expressing frustration, Dimaguila said he will raise the issue forcefully in Congress: “Manggugulo ho tayo.”
Noting that while he is part of the majority, he will “bang the doors of national agencies” to draw attention to the crisis.
He called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to listen to local officials, including Laguna Governor Sol Aragones and other congressmen, in a direct meeting to fast-track solutions.
“We’re not asking for endless committee hearings. Isang salpukan lang, matatapos po ito,” Dimaguila said. “Mr. President, we’re willing to sit down. It’s not a ticking bomb anymore—it’s about to explode.”
