MANILA – Sen. Bam Aquino met with fisherfolk in Laguna and renewed his commitment to safeguard their livelihoods amid concerns over the proposed Laguna Lake Road Network and a planned floating solar project in Laguna Lake.

Aquino returned to Barangay Sampiruhan in Calamba City, where he previously met the community in February 2025, to provide updates on actions taken regarding their concerns over livelihood and development projects in the area.

Before officers and members of the Laguna Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, Aquino said his office is coordinating with government agencies and private entities to ensure that fishing livelihoods will not be adversely affected by ongoing and planned developments.

On concerns over the proposed 2,000-hectare floating solar project, Aquino said meetings have already been held with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and project proponents, and that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is being drafted to clearly define protected fishing zones.

“Sinisigurado namin na iyong solar project hindi po maaantala ang lugar na inyong pinapangangisdaan,” assured Aquino.

“Pero inayos namin na kapag matuloy po iyan, meron tayong MOA signing kasama ng mga kompanya, kasama ng LLDA, kasama ng grupong ito at ng probinsya para malinaw kung saan nila itatayo iyong proyekto at saan iyong lugar ng ating pangingisdaan,” he added.

Aquino also addressed concerns over the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed Laguna Lake Road Network project, particularly the planned embankment design along parts of the lake.

Fisherfolk leaders warned that the embankment could block water flow, worsen flooding, trap water lilies and debris, and limit access to fishing areas for small boats, and proposed a viaduct or elevated-road alternative instead.

Aquino said his office has already held initial discussions with the DPWH, where he raised the concerns of fisherfolk regarding the project’s design and possible impact on livelihoods.

He added that he would facilitate further dialogue between the DPWH, local residents, and private stakeholders to explore possible design adjustments.

“Hindi naman ho natin pinipigilan iyong road network. Gusto natin matuloy pero kailangan lang bigyan ng konting malasakit naman sa mga mamamayan po dito,” Aquino said.

Aside from infrastructure concerns, Aquino also discussed education initiatives, including the Free College Law and scholarship assistance for students from fisherfolk families.

He urged nursing and allied health sciences students to avail of a new one-time P25,000 financial assistance for Related Learning Experience (RLE) expenses under the Commission on Higher Education’s Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students (AHEAD) Grant.

“Sa June 1, magla-launch kami kasama ng CHED ng scholarship para sa RLE. May P25,000 grant para sa nursing students. Ngayong taon lang iyan ila-launch at pinaglaban talaga namin iyan. May slot iyan para sa 19,000 students na makakatanggap ng tulong para sa kanilang RLE,” Aquino said.

Aquino also noted that during his tenure as chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education, he secured P500 million in the 2026 national budget to help fund RLE expenses of allied health sciences students.

He is likewise pushing Senate Bill No. 123, which seeks to make RLE free in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), while allowing private university students to access TES assistance for related expenses.