THE government started Thursday the massive operation to clear Laguna de Bay of illegal structures.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ National Anti-Environmental Crime Task Force, together with the Laguna Lake Development Authority, National Bureau of Investigation-Environmental Crime Division, the Philippine Army and the Philippine Coast Guard conducted the dismantling operation.
DENR said the demolition team was able to tear down two huge fish pens occupying 100 hectares in Binangonan, Rizal.
Authorities were joined by 150 coast guard personnel, 14 NBI agents, five Army contingents and PNP officers at Talim Island detachment for the operation.
The PCG also deployed 15 aluminum speedboats, three rubber boats, and two skipper vessels.
“The DENR-NAECTF will see to it that Laguna Lake is cleared of fish pens before President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his second State of the Nation Address in July,” said DENR Undersecretary and NAECTF head Art Valdez.
Duterte earlier ordered the dismantling of big fish pens and cages in Laguna Lake to allow small fishermen to gain access to traditional fishing grounds.
LLDA General Manager Joey Medina said his office would clear 2,000 hectares of fish pens by June this year.
DENR Secretary Regina Lopez plans to convert the Laguna Lake into an eco-tourism area and bring it back to its old glory.