Cayetano: Laguna is a province of potential

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday emphasized the vast potential of Laguna province, citing Laguna Lake as one of the most underutilized yet powerful assets. Cayetano said this in an interview with reporters after the Laguna Pastors and Workers Summit 2026 on January 30, 2026.

 “Laguna is a province of potential. Name anything — your people — whether doctors, nurses, farmers, hotel workers, whether you talk about tourism, agriculture (mayaman ang probinsya),” the Minority Leader said in the event held at the Laguna Sports Complex.

Cayetano, who has championed the development of the Laguna Lake since 1998, urged Laguna Governor Marisol “Sol” Aragones to work with stakeholders to make something happen for the lake’s development. “Isang agenda ko kay Governor Sol is to lobby na pagkaisahan natin na may mangyari (sa Laguna Lake). Kasi kung nakikita mo, maganda y’ung mga lupa ng US bases na ginawang Central Business District at nakinabang ang Baguio City, La Union, Clark, at Taguig. But y’ung potential ng Laguna Lake, grabe talaga. Pero siyempre, kailangan ng resources at ng tamang administrasyon,” the senator said.

In recent years, Cayetano has pushed the government to conduct thorough studies and look into the possibility of creating a development plan for Laguna Lake. “Baka dapat bagong batas sa Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) na parang they’re more like BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development Authority) and then more,” he said. _Discerning Laguna’s purpose_ Cayetano urged the residents to discern the area’s purpose given it has been blessed with multiple resources. “I-align sa purpose ni Lord. Bakit ganyan kalaki ang Laguna? Bakit ganyang kaganda ang Laguna? Bakit may Laguna Lake? Kapag na-discover mo y’ung purpose, mas madali na ang planning. Kumbaga sa ilog, susundin mo y’ung agos ng tubig, mas madali,” he said.

The senator expressed trust in Aragones’ leadership, with her previous experience as a news reporter and lawmaker which give her a unique perspective to lead the province. He also urged her to remain focused on public service in the province amid the national government’s watch on numerous issues.

“In-encourage ko lang si Governor kasi habang y’ung ingay nasa national, ang gumagalaw ay governors, mayors, at barangay captains. So I just want to encourage LGUs na we have to deal with those big issues, maingay, pero hindi maghihintay yung kalusugan, edukasyon, kalinisan, agriculture,” he said. Governor Aragones, in turn, thanked Cayetano for taking time to visit Laguna for the Pastors and Workers’ Summit and affirmed their friendship. “Maraming, maraming salamat po kay Senator Kuya Alan Peter Cayetano sa pagpapaunlak sa atin. Isa siyang kaibigan at mentor na sa panahon ng mahirap na yugto ng buhay ko, andoon siya. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako at biyaya siya ng Panginoon sa akin at sa lalawigan ng Laguna,” he said.