Creation of an entity (Ranao Development Authority) to conserve, protect and develop Lake Lanao and its watersheds and environs to serve the interest of the communities around it and the economic development of the Bangsamoro.
The first consultation on Lake Lanao was organized on the issue of saving, rehabilitating and developing Ranao (Lake Lanao) was conducted in July 2019, Marawi City. It was well attended by various stakeholders, among others CSO Leader Pipalawan Naga of Save Lake Lanao Movement (SALLAM), Jeff Saro Adiong Board Member of Lanao del Sur, Prof. Danilo Mero of Mindanao State University (MSU) College of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Mr. Alikhan Abuat of Marawi City and representatives from Ministry of Interior and Local Government, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Aquatic Resources, National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), as well as from Women, Youth, Fisherfolk and other environmental groups.
There were a lot of concerns raised during the consultation and learning experience about Ranao. From the current status of the lake, down to legislations that can be had for its rehabilitation. What was striking was the lack of Solid Waste Management implementation in the Province of Lanao. According to a local official representing the Ministry of Interior and Local Government, there is a need to identify a Sanitary Landfill for the Province. In the absence of a viable landfill, Lake Lanao becomes a huge dumping ground. This is a sad reality for Maranaos. That the lake is dying because of our neglect in solid waste management. The first consultation opened our eyes once more to the urgency of saving Ranao for us and our children. One of the main suggestion came up was to create a body that has the power to protect, manage and develop the Lake in a sustainable manner.
Technical Working Group
Following the public consultation, to have more information on the mechanism to set up a development authority – office of MP Maisara has conducted meetings with Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). LLDA is the first and until now the only lake authority throughout the Philippines. After the initial meeting, supported by the BARMM Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy, the office of MP Latiph finally hosted the Technical Working Group in Marawi City, 7 November 2019. Several resource persons were invited to give technical feedback for the Ranao Development Authority Bill. Among these people, are Pipalawan Naga from Sallam, Prof. Danilo Mero of MSU Forestry Department, Alinor Gamon from PENRIO office, as well as Adelina Santos-Borja and Atty. Zenaida Lapuz from LLDA. Ms. Borja from LLDA is coincidentally also the Vice-Chairperson, Scientific Committee of International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) and has worked for 43 years with the LLDA. As a result, the RDA Bill was enriched with many technical feedback and experiences of lake management.
