Calamba city: Sen. Bam Aquino on Thursday renewed his commitment to protect the livelihood of fisherfolk in Laguna amid ongoing discussions on the proposed Laguna Lake Road Network and a planned floating solar project in Laguna de Bay. Aquino returned to Barangay Sampiruhan in Calamba City to personally update members of the Laguna Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council on government actions taken after fishermen raised concerns during a meeting in February 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, Aquino said his office has been coordinating with concerned government agencies and private firms to ensure that development projects around Laguna Lake would not displace fishing communities. Addressing concerns over the proposed 2,000-hectare floating solar project, Aquino said discussions have already been held with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and companies involved in the project to establish protected fishing areas. "Sinisigurado namin na iyong solar project hindi po maaantala ang lugar na inyong pinapangisdaan (We are making sure that the solar project will not disrupt your fishing grounds)," Aquino said.
He added that a memorandum of agreement involving the LLDA, private firms, local officials, and fisherfolk groups is being prepared to clearly identify areas allotted for the project and zones reserved for fishing activities. Aquino also committed to raise with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) the concerns of fishermen over the proposed embankment design of the Laguna Lake Road Network project.
Fisherfolk leaders earlier warned that the embankment could obstruct water flow, worsen flooding, trap water lilies and debris, and make fishing access more difficult for small boats. They instead proposed an elevated viaduct design to lessen the project's impact on communities around the lake. Aquino said he had already initiated talks with DPWH officials regarding possible adjustments to the project design.
"Hindi naman ho natin pinipigilan iyong road network. Gusto natin matuloy pero kailangan lang bigyan ng konting malasakit naman sa mga mamamayan po dito (We are not blocking the road network project. We want it to proceed, but there should also be compassion for the people here)," he said.
Aside from livelihood concerns, Aquino also discussed education initiatives for children of fisherfolk families, including the implementation of the Free College Law and scholarship assistance for allied health students. He urged nursing and allied health students to avail themselves of the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students grant, which provides a one-time PHP25,000 assistance for Related Learning Experience (RLE) expenses.
"Sa June 1, magla-launch kami kasama ng CHED ng scholarship para sa RLE. May PHP25,000 grant para sa nursing students (On June 1, we will launch with CHED a scholarship for RLE. There will be a PHP25,000 grant for nursing students)," Aquino said. Aquino said around 19,000 students are expected to benefit from the assistance program this year.
During his stint as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Aquino secured PHP500 million under the 2026 national budget to help subsidize RLE expenses of allied health sciences students. He is also pushing Senate Bill No. 123, which seeks to make RLE free in state and local universities and colleges, while allowing nursing students in private schools to access tertiary education subsidy assistance for RLE-related costs.
