So much has been planned and started in our Province of Laguna in the Philippines on environmental protection last year in 2016.  I would like to see these plans implemented and enforced since they are all for the good of our country.

We have major problems in Laguna Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the country.  When our new President took over, environmental protection was one of his major programs. He specifically mentioned Laguna Lake.  In 2017, I would like to see the dismantling of illegal fishcages and fishpens in Laguna Lake and also in the seven crater lakes of San Pablo.  In fact, I think the government and NGOs should start with the smaller crater lakes in our City so they can be successful in the smaller lakes and work on the bigger lakes after that. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) can start by issuing a moratorium on the new permits for fishcages and fishpens and also with renewals.  Hopefully, if they will have a moratorium on new ones and renewals then there will be less and less fishcages and maybe eventually, there will be no more fishcages and the lake can actually rest and return to its clean and pristine state.

It might also help if the government does something about the industries that have their wastes ending up in the lakes. These industries should be moved or they need to make sure that they cleanup their waste before it gets dumped.  Another problem I would like government to pay more attention to are the illegal structures like residences around the lake.  The local government units also need to make sure that there is adequate sewage systems that will protect the lake from household and domestic wastes.

I hope to see DENR and LLDA allow floating green filters and constructed wetlands to be created in zones or areas in the lakeshore.  These phyto-remediation measures will help in cleaning up the lakes in a natural way.  I think, government should conduct regular scientific water quality testing to ensure the good quality of our lakes water.  Lastly, but most  important is that we continue to have an environmental  educational awareness campaign to be led by our Department of Education.