Saving San Pablo’s Seven Lakes

Inland fishery in San Pablo City became a major source of income of the fisherfolk. Eventually, the fish cages and fish pens occupied 25.2% of the total lake area, exceeding the limits set by RA 8550 (Fisheries Code 1998) that only 10-12% of the total surface area of the lakes can be occupied by the structures. In the latter period of this aquaculture practice, a decrease in the growth rate of tilapia became noticeable so that fish cage operators started to supplement the natural lake food with commercially produced feed. This feeding practice hastened the deterioration of the lake’s water quality.

Formal studies and ecological assessments of Sampaloc Lake by LLDA, University of the Philippines-Los Baños, and Ateneo de Manila University have determined that the proliferation of fish cages and unregulated feeding practices have led to the deterioration of the lake’s water quality. This condition is worsened by the yearly overturn of the lake where water with inadequate oxygen content from the bottom circulates, causing massive fish kills in the cages. With the increased activity of the aquaculture industry together with the growing population, the community became increasingly conscious of the implications on water quality and the long-term use of the lakes as a resource.

A critical people’s organization for the seven lakes is FARMC, whose role is to help achieve the sustainable use of the lakes. A set of officers is elected by the fisherfolk themselves as the governing council for all seven lakes. Each lake also has a set of officers where the president is a member of the governing council. FARMC emphasizes the empowerment of the major stakeholders in the coastal community, particularly the fisherfolk, and gives them opportunities for meaningful participation in fisheries management. Through this organization, the community actively participates in projects such as the regular clean-up of the lakeshore, reforestation of the lake’s periphery with an indigenous aquatic woody plant, and proper disposal of waste. FARMC organized the Bantay Lawa and have police powers to further protect the lakes. To attain further empowerment, the Bantay Lawa are trained to understand the ecology of the lakes and have merged this with their indigenous knowledge of this resource. The Bantay Lawa also helps in the awareness campaign for the rest of the fisherfolk.

NGOs such as the Alyansa ng mga Samahan sa Timog Katagalugan para sa Kaunlaran, a federation of fisherfolk, is likewise concerned with the sustainability of the lakes. They commissioned scientists to investigate the impact of aquaculture in Sampaloc Lake, and, in line with the experiences of the fisherfolk, formulated actions in coordination with the other stakeholders to minimize the effects of aquaculture. Friends of the Seven Lakes, a local NGO based in San Pablo City, also took initiatives to save the lakes by helping the LLDA and LGU fund the relocation of the informal settlers along the lakeshore area of Sampaloc Lake. The Friends of the Seven Lakes monitored pH and dissolved oxygen, posting the results on a big board in Sampaloc Lake for the lakeshore community to keep informed about the water quality status.

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