COTABATO CITY — A bill seeking to establish a more robust and effective mechanism to safeguard Lake Lanao was formally filed before the Bangsamoro Parliament.
Under Parliament Bill No. 352, also known as the Lake Lanao Management Act, the Government of the Day has proposed the creation of the Lake Lanao Management Authority (LLMA) — a corporate government entity with regulatory, quasi-judicial, and quasi-legislative powers.
The LLMA is envisioned to play a central role in the sustainable protection and management of Lake Lanao, one of the country’s most vital inland bodies of water, which serves as a key source of livelihood, cultural heritage, and energy supply in Mindanao.
If approved, the LLMA will be granted fiscal autonomy, allowing it to retain 50% of revenues collected from environmental fees, charges, and fines. These funds will directly support the agency’s operations and conservation programs, ensuring sufficient and sustained resources for lake protection efforts.
The bill also seeks to declare Lake Lanao and its surrounding watershed, covering portions of Lanao del Sur and neighboring cities and municipalities, as a Special Management Zone. Within this area, the LLMA will enforce a comprehensive 10-Year Lake Lanao Area Management Plan, which will outline policies on land use, zoning, and conservation measures. These policies will be reviewed regularly to ensure their effectiveness and relevance amid changing environmental and social conditions.
A Scientific Advisory Committee will also be created under the LLMA. The committee will consist of experts in fields such as hydrology, energy, agriculture, and forestry, providing evidence-based recommendations to guide policy-making and management decisions for the lake.
Furthermore, the LLMA will be empowered to impose penalties and enforcement actions on violators, including operators running without an environmental compliance certificate or those found intentionally damaging private lands around the lake.
Once enacted, the LLMA will replace the existing Lake Lanao Development Authority, which was established under the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 93, paving the way for a more modern and science-driven institution.
Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has identified the Lake Lanao Management Act as one of the priority legislations under his leadership, underscoring the Bangsamoro Government’s commitment to preserving Lake Lanao for future generations.
Potential Benefits of Establishing LLMA
The establishment of the Lake Lanao Management Authority promises several key benefits:
- Sustainable Protection: By enforcing conservation-based policies and environmental standards, LLMA will help secure Lake Lanao’s ecological balance, protecting its biodiversity and natural resources.
- Localized Revenue Use: With fiscal autonomy, the authority can reinvest collected funds directly into lake protection programs, research, and community-driven environmental initiatives.
- Science-Based Decision-Making: The inclusion of a Scientific Advisory Committee ensures that policies will be guided by accurate data and expert advice, making lake management adaptive and future-proof.
- Stronger Law Enforcement: With clear regulatory and enforcement powers, LLMA will have the capacity to curb illegal activities, such as unregulated construction, unsanctioned extraction, and environmental degradation.
- Community and Economic Resilience: Proper lake management will not only protect water quality and aquatic life but also sustain the lake’s role in agriculture, fisheries, hydropower, and cultural heritage — supporting both the environment and local livelihoods.
If passed into law, the creation of LLMA could mark a significant milestone in the Bangsamoro region’s push for sustainable environmental governance and responsible stewardship of its natural treasures.