Policy Landscape Evolution

The major laws that govern the seven lakes are RA 4850, the Laguna Lake Development Authority Act; RA 7160, the Local Government Code; RA 8550, the Philippine Fisheries Code; and RA 9593, or the Tourism Act. Brillo added that there was misalignment with the theory and practice of these laws as on the ground, implementation is overlapping and becomes a “source of divergence.”

Although these four laws serve as the basis for governing the Seven Lakes, various amendments, board resolutions, memorandum circulars, kautusan, presidential decrees, administrative orders, and implementing rules and regulations provide the specifics of the management of the Seven Lakes. Although it was in the best interest of this study to include all policies that are directly and indirectly relevant to the management of the seven lakes, the team was limited to the copies available on the internet and provided by the stakeholders. 

The policies that govern the management of the lakes are divided into eight types: 

1.  Republic Act

2. Presidential Decree

3. Executive Order

4. Administrative Order

5. Board Resolution

6. Memorandum Circular

7. Kautusan

8. City Ordinance)

 Furthermore, the policies were categorized into three:

1. Planning, 

2. Monitoring 

3. Evaluation

Lastly, policies were enacted at two levels- the national and the local. At the local level, these policies include policies enacted by the provincial and municipal/city LGUs. 

To provide a brief description of the differences between the types of these policies as used in this study, according to the Official Gazette, a Republic Act is based on the Constitution, can only be proposed, passed, and repealed by Congress, and approved by the President. Presidential decrees and executive orders, on the other hand, are issued exclusively by the President. Administrative orders can be issued by the head of departments, such as the head of DENR or the president as administrative head. Meanwhile, MCs, BRs, and Kautusan are issued by the departments, specifically LLDA and DILG. Lastly, city ordinances are issued by the municipal government of a city regarding specific topics such as solid waste management.