The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has backed the initiative of the government not to renew the permits to operate fish pens at Laguna de Bay after their expiration this month.
The Chamber also welcomed the announcement of Environment Secretary Regina Lopez to dismantle other big fish pens starting January next year and supported the plan to convert the lake into a eco-tourism zone.
PCCI president George Barcelon said the government initiatives would go a long way in preserving Laguna de Bay. The lake provides livelihood to fisherfolk, and serves as source of water for domestic use and for irrigation.
PCCI director for environment and climate change Felipe Gozon said the government should also look into the conditions of other lakes in the country, such as Taal.
“We need to preserve these lakes as they are major sources of fresh water and are rich in biodiversity,” Gozon said.
Barcelon and Gozon stressed that reducing the number of fish pens and fish cages according to the lake’s carrying capacity and a master plan from the Laguna Lake Development Authority would address domestic waste, urban run-off and agricultural pollution.
Data from LLDA showed that about 81 percent of pollution come from the domestic sector and 19 percent from the fishing industry operating from the lake.
The PCCI as the largest business organization in the country said it can help LLDA in formulating the master plan.
Laguna de Bay is a shallow freshwater lake of about 90,000 hectares. As a watershed, some 21 rivers converge into the third largest inland body of water in Southeast Asia.