Munti LGU partners with LLDA to address algal bloom in Laguna Lake

The local government of Muntinlupa and Laguna Lake Development Authority commit to address the algae proliferation in Laguna de Bay in light of recent algal bloom incident causing the spread of foul smell in the city.

LLDA General Manager Jaime Medina and other execs visited Mayor Jaime Fresnedi last July 10 to discuss plans and collaboration projects between the agency and the LGU in preventing algal bloom in the lake.

Medina turned over P1-M to Muntinlupa LGU as funding for emergency response and the clean-up of Laguna de Bay and other water tributaries.

Citing algal bloom as a global and to be a yearly phenomenon, Medina said the LLDA will be in close coordination with the local government to resolve the issue through medium and long-term interventions.

LLDA General Manager Jaime Medina (2nd from left) and other execs visited Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (left) last July 10 to discuss plans and collaboration projects between the agency and the LGU in preventing algal bloom in the lake. LLDA turned over P1-M to Muntinlupa LGU as funding for emergency response and the clean-up of Laguna de Bay and other water tributaries. Last June, Muntinlupa residents near Laguna de Bay were complaining about the spread of foul odor due to algal bloom.

LLDA expressed commitment in providing technical assistance to Muntinlupa including analysis of water samples, among others.

The agency will also facilitate prospective installation of treatment facilities in riverbanks of Brgy. Tunasan and Brgy. Sucat.

Fresnedi thanked the LLDA for partnering with Muntinlupa LGU and providing assistance in addressing the issue on algal bloom.

He said that the local government will continue to conduct clean-up drives in the lake shoreline and river ways.

The local exec added that LGU is also planning to purchase algae skimmers to help extract algae, locally called “liya,” from the lake.

Officials who also attended the meeting were LLDA Resource Management & Dev’t Department Manager Adelina Santos-Borja, LLDA Community Dev’t Division chief Reena Buena, LLDA Community Dev’t Officers Marigold del Prado and Raquel Paje, Muntinlupa Environmental Sanitation Center chief Lorna Misa, and Muntinlupa Lake Management Officer Hermie dela Cruz.

Last June, Muntinlupa residents near Laguna de Bay were complaining about the foul odor coming from the lake due to algal bloom likening the smell to stench from pig pens.

The local City Health Office explained the proliferation of algae as a natural phenomenon especially during warmer months.

According to the health advisory from the department, the presence of “liya” in Laguna de Bay is a natural part of the aquatic ecosystem and is not a threat to public health unlike the impact of blue green algae.