AFTER starting to dismantle illegal fish cages at Laguna de Bay, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is now faced with the bigger challenge of relocating some 50,000 squatters to rehabilitate the lake.

This was revealed by Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) general manager Edgar Manda after leading the dismantling of the illegal structures on Wednesday.

So far, a total of illegal 74 fish cages with no pertinent permits have been dismantled.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza commended Manda, but said he will closely monitor the clearing operation to ensure the successful revival of the lake.

The dismantling of the illegal structures will allow water to flow smoothly, which, hopefully, will help reverse its degradation.

“This is just the first phase of the clearing operation.  Fish pens will follow. The dismantling operations will take about two years to allow fish-pen owners to recover their investment and to lessen the impact of zero fish pen and fish cage to Metro Manila’s freshwater-fish supply.”

He added that the gradual phase-out will address the growing concern on freshwater-fish production, especially for Metro Manila, where 30 percent of its supply of milkfish (bangus) and tilapia came from Laguna de Bay.

However, Manda said dealing with solid waste, both domestic and industrial, and the proliferation of squatters in the area is the bigger task at hand for the DENR and the LLDA.

“There are 50,000 squatters on the lake banks and surrounding areas of the lake, adding up to the degradation of the water quality,” Manda said.

He said the dismantling of fish pens and fish cages is just one part of the rehabilitation plan for Laguna de Bay.  Relocation of squatters is another. 

“We cannot fully rehabilitate the lake unless other problems are addressed, like the squatters who immensely contribute to the degradation of the water quality of the lake,” Manda said.

About 77 percent of Laguna de Bay’s pollution load reportedly comes from households, 11 percent from industries and 12 percent from land run-off.

Laguna de Bay is the largest freshwater lake in the country. It is also the largest freshwater basin in Southeast Asia. It is being eyed as a potential source of potable water for Metro Manila, and is currently being utilized for power generation.

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AFTER starting to dismantle illegal fish cages at Laguna de Bay, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is now faced with the bigger challenge of relocating some 50,000 squatters to rehabilitate the lake.

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