BERNADETTE LOU K.

LASIN
Environmental Law

The Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL) which is shared by the municipalities of
Talisay, Malvar, Tanauan, Laurel, Agoncillo, Sta. Teresita, Cuenca, Alitagtag, Mataas na
Kahoy, Lipa City, Balete, San Nicolas, Lemery and Taal in Batangas, and Tagaytay City
in Cavite.

The Taal Lake basin was first declared as a national park, the Taal Volcano National
Park, by Proclamation no. 235 on July 22, 1967 covering 62,292 hectares (153,930
acres).

Under Republic Act 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas
System (NIPAS) Act of 1992, the area was reestablished as the Taal Volcano Protected
Landscape by Proc. 906 on October 16, 1996. The protected area is managed by a
Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and has a Chief Operating Officer called a
Protected Area Superintendent. A Management Plan was crafted and approved by the
PAMB in 2009 and now serves as the blueprint for lake conservation.

The lake and its environs is home to many species of flora and fauna a number of which
are endemic to the lake like the "Tawilis" (Sardinella tawilis), the only fresh water
sardine in the world and the Taal Lake Seasnake (Hydrophis semperi or known to locals
as Duhol), the only freshwater sea snake in the world.

Taal Lake are now threatened by stressors such as watershed deterioration, household
and agricultural pollution, sewage discharge and erosion from real estate development,
unregulated mass tourism and unregulated fish farming. Fish cage operators rely on
water and both as an input into the production and as a place to put waste and the
caretakers are living on the cages, without any sanitation facilities, nor any place to
dump their garbage, other than into the lake itself. The fishcage residents are not
covered by local sanitation laws, and local government has no maritime presence with
which to enforce any standards, even if they did exist . An excessive amount of nutrients
accumulating from the cages led to nutrient enrichment, endangering the industry itself
and the lake ecosystem.

The lake is experiencing more and more fishkills caused by red tide, which according to
the Bureau of Fisheries, is the result of underwater gasses trapped under layers meter
thick animal waste, suddenly breaking through the waste, during temperature
inversions. This adversely affects forests and the lake itself, and its diverse species of
fish once present in the lake have significantly decreased throughout the years.

Most of the “indigenous residents” live on or near the shore and are not wealthy. Since
not all that lives in the area near it have septic tanks and not all are literate, thus having
their waste sent to the lake instead.

In 2003, it had the dumpsite near the lake got closed for "environmental reasons" and
left the town without an alternative dumpsite. This forced local residents to dump their
trash off the bridges, into dry creeks that led into the lake, only a few hundred meters
downstream. A new dumpsite was recently established. However, the dumpsite of
Tagaytay, the town above Talisay, is on a creek that leads into the lake.

As a future lawyer, I will talk to the people residing in Taal Lake and nearby places
wherein I will consult, discuss and explain the laws and ensures that everyone
understands the consequence of each one’s action is crucial if the lake is to be kept
from further deterioration.

There should be a maritime eco police who will act as enforcers and will support the
existing laws. They are the one who will dismantle all illegal and excess fish cages fish
pens, and other aquaculture structures in Taal Lake.

Another option is to promote new laws, enforce other rules pertinent to the lake
conservation and issued a moratorium prohibiting the rehabilitation, repair, and
construction of fish cages in the lake. The TVPL-PAMB Executive Committeehas the
final authority over fish cage permits.

“Each and every one of us can make changes in the way we live our lives and become
part of the solution.”
PROJECT PROPOSAL
Education programs just like NSTP wherein the students will and pamphlets to increase
awareness among local voters

There is currently an effort to promote new laws, which will legalize the dumping of
waste into the lake. The effort is for legalizinfg “SOME” fishcage operations. We know
that this is just a ruse. 9 out of 10 fishcages are undoccumented.
We know that there is no way that current political will of the local politicians is adequate
to stop the crisis that is ongoing. We need to stop laws that will legalize pollution, and
we need to force the polluters out.
Even if we are able to remove all the fiscages tomorrow, It will take years, possibly
decades, to clean the lake and put it back where it was. We do not have the luxury of
time.
Main threats include unregulated fishcage culture, overfishing, sewage discharge and erosion from real estate
development and unregulated mass tourism. Fishcages have reached an alarming 10,000 units and still increasing,
even as consultants from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources identified that the numbers are 30-45%
above the carrying capacity of the lake for cages. Up to 40% of the feed used for the cages go uneaten and drift to
the bottom to pollute the lake.

Commercial fishing called Basnig and Suro were the reason for the establishment of a lakewide fisherfolk
organization. While these have decreaesed in the last few years, some are still trying to evade enforcers, especially
Suro operators from Talisay town.

These issues are addressed in Unified Rules and Regulations on Fisheries for the lake, approved by the Protected
Area Management Board and awaiting signature by the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources. Once in
effect, enforcement can be undertaken.

A Technical Drafting Committee was created where all the member experts willingly worked on pro bono as
their counterpart in the conservation of the protected area. In May 2008 the draft was completed and
consultations began the following month for nearly a year. The PAMB Executive Committee approved it line
by line in a marathon meeting at Mambucal, Negros Oriental. It is set to be implemented starting January 2010.

Among the main features of the plan are activities to maintain and monitor water quality, zoning for forests,
fish sanctuary and agro-tourism, a reliance on counterpart contributions by stakeholders, better law
enforcement, keeping current population levels, disaster preparedness and solid waste management.

Meanwhile, the Taal Lake Task Force created by the Governor to implement local government agreements
under the Unified Rules and Regulations for Fisheries is wrapping up efforts at dismantling excess cages. The
Task Force reports having dismantled over 5,000 cages in a year and a half of continuing operations. New
registrations and PAMB clearances in 2010 are expected to further clean up the lists of allowed fish cages and
operators.

PARTICULARS

 Importance of Taal Lake environmentally

Taal Lake is of International importance because it hosts 2 types of fish, that can be found only in this lake.
These fish are oceanic fish in the ocean, commonly used for food internationally, that have adapted to this
high sulfur, but fresh water, environment.

The dwindling catch of these fish, is already having an impact on local fishermen. The potential loss of the
entire species, before they can be cultured and used to feed the hungry in other places, is an even bigger loss
to the population of the world.

The “MALIPUTO” is a fresh water version of an oceanic Jack, commonly referred to, as “PAMPANO” is its salt
water version.

The “TAWILIS” is a fresh water version of the common sardine. These fish are now under threat of extinction,
due to the farming of TILAPIA in the lake.
Social Value
Stress relief:
The view of Taal Lake, from Tagaytay ridge, has long been the country’s number 1 tourist attraction. Having a
large expanse, which is seemingly unpopulated, gives a feeling of relief to those who enjoy the view in this
grossly overpopulated country. It should stay that way.

Decentralization
Until year 2000, the lake was relatively inaccessible. There was very little influx of people or business to the
lake itself. Recent road building projects have changed this dramatically. Decentralization from Manila is now
taking place, with the lake becoming a tourist attraction, and residents are now staying, and getting jobs in
tourism establishments, or in the local economy, instead of flocking to Manila, and worsening THAT crisis.

Economic Importance
Plant Nurseries
Plant nurseries have been the mainstay of the local economy for decades. the soil is very fertile, and the
business has improved with the construction of farm to market roads built in the last 10- 15 years. This
business suits the area, and keeps many of the populace employed.

Tourism Establishments
Resorts dot much of the lakeshore. The local economy is also growing due to the trickle down effect of wages
now being paid to workers in local establishments. The local government is taxing trips to the volcano, bringing
in new money from thousands of tourists annually.

Fishing
Fishcage operations
A source of revenue for outside investors, fishcages cost around P1 Million each, on the average, and are
therefore too expensive for the indigenous lake population. They are cash cows for their owners, as long as
security of the fish is preserved.

This is very clear from the explosion of fishcages on the lake. There were virtually no fishcages in 1995. today,
there are tens of thousands. The numbers are not recorded, because most do not have permits. The local
government is tasked with issuing licenses, but the local governments do not have any boats or field force to
monitor this largest potential source of revenue for government coffers. There does not seem to be any
interest in monitoring the fishcages. We leave it to the reader to make their own conclusion as to why that
might be.

Soon after our exploration of the nearby beach, I was given a chance to try
kayaking. It was a truly exhilarating experience and the slight drizzle and
darkness in the sky gave added a natural thrill to the experience. As we were
about to leave we were reminded of our responsibility to our environment,
especially here in the Philippines where we rely on it heavily though we may
not realize it. We were tasked to someday comeback and give a helping hand in
the center’s bigger mission of converting the place into a real heritage site
where adults and children alike could come and appreciate everything the
island has to offer whilst discovering for themselves the value of its
conservation. I immediately sympathized with their cause and vowed to return
eventually so I could repay them for opening my eyes to such a breathtaking
place and giving me a new cause to fight for. I went home tired but fulfilled
that day, with a new found appreciation for the things that I once showed no
interest in at all.
Living in an urban area, tall buildings everywhere, technology being considered
as a necessity rather than just a desire, I have forgotten the value of the nature
and the true happiness I feel whenever I see it in front of me. Through this trip,
I was reminded of the beauty of Mother Nature and it has inspired me to work
hard to preserve its beauty. It has given us so much, now it is our turn to give
back to her. I want to do whatever it takes to save the environment and I hope
everyone will do the same because one person cannot do it alone. We can
achieve this goal if we work together. Even if we do the simplest and smallest
things like recycling, together, it will have a great impact to our environment.

Taal Lake Conservation Center is one of the many resource places which were
made with the goal to help sustain the current good condition of living species
and land formations. To be specific, the Pusod Taal Lake Conservation Center
primarily looks out for the natural resources found surrounding the Taal
volcano. In addition to this, the people behind this foundation seek to uplift the
economic circumstances in the place with the thoughts of keeping the
resources intact when doing so. As part of their development plan, kayak- a fun
yet healthy for the environment boat adventure can be done in the place. Plus,
a tour around the gardens is possible too. Indeed, there are still many fun and
not at all destructive activities that can be done with all the natural resources
there is.

At first glance, the evident features that can be found in the area are: the lake,
a few mountains, some trees, the volcano can be seen from afar, and there are
other lake creatures. But just as the idiom goes, there is “more than meets the
eye”. In all these natural resources live different species. Although it will only be
visible through the use of magnifying materials, these species keep the other
species alive. Given this, these too small and almost invisible species’ existence
should be kept secured. More than hundreds of varying kinds of plants and
animals are present in the area. The Philippines is definitely lucked out to be
one of the most blessed countries when it comes to diverse natural resources.
Fortunately, there are people in the country who stand for the maintenance
and conservation of these natural resources.

At present, there may have been a number of resources that have already been
destroyed but there are still many as well that are alive and healthy. Preserving
natural resources does not necessarily mean not having to touch these
resources, but it is more of using the natural resources properly. Environmental
concerns that want to help save the planet can be found everywhere. Ironic
how these arguments are redundant but destructive environmental issues are
still happening. In all cases, no matter how many pro-environment
organizations will be formed, for as long as there will still be people who refuse
to choose to do what’s good for the environment, environmental damages
could still continue. Environmental preservation is not a one man work but it
should be considered as a duty of every living human.