The true stewards of Laguna de Bay

(Conclusion)

Genuine stewardship of the Laguna de Bay rests not only on the government but more so on those who live around the lake.

While we believe that the first level of concern should emanate from those directly affected, we also understand that they have to have the means to do so and the awareness to offer or be part of solutions.

As it were, the lake is dying. Its transience will definitely have an effect on the lives of 14 million people living in the Laguna de Bay region.

Partnership

Getting constantly in touch, supplying necessary information, initiating community involvement, and sustaining partnerships established are the best moves that the Laguna Lake Development Authority has been made sure of all through the years of its 40 years of existence.

For four decades, under the regimes of six presidents - from Diosdado Macapagal to Gloria Arroyo - and, from 1987, 14 board chairmen and 14 other general managers, LLDA has been carrying out its mandate through clear-cut and strong policies to protect the lake and the natural resources of the region.

Effectively, LLDA, which is an attached and self-sustaining agency of the Department of Natural Resources, is deemed responsible for the preservation, development and sustainability of the Laguna de Bay Region and 21 water bodies that flow in and out of it. Its operation is financed through income from regulatory fees and fines, laboratory services, aquaculture operation and resource users’ fees, river rehabilitation, and from its corporate investments. LLDA’s environmental management role focuses on water quality monitoring, conservation of natural resources, and community-based natural resource management, among others.

Stakeholders are of great import to LLDA. Its considered partners - local government, non-governmental organizations, farmers and fisherfolk, those living in the region, including informal settlers, and industries - play a significant role in looking after the lake.

Humanize the lake

Consider this: Humanize the lake.

It is not immortal. The lake has a life span. It breathes. It has life

For centuries, Laguna de Bay has lived up to its name, bai, meaning mother. Mother Lake gives life and offers comfort. Many are dependent on it.

The lake thrives on the environment and finds pleasure and happiness when others are left in awe in appreciation of its natural beauty.

Like you and me, the lake has basic requisites to live, too.

It needs clean air and clean water. An uncontaminated atmosphere is ideal.

Naturally, it exists in a human world. While others admire it for its grandeur, influence, magnificence, and motherly munificence, the rest are envious and jealous.

By a combination of careless abandon, sheer ignorance and resentment that the lake is completely affected. Living within an unhealthy environment - unwholesome daily grind, unhygienic surround, and injurious activities - has kept it out of shape.

Stress and pressure took its toll.

Whence it used to do all the caring and life-giving, Mother Lake now hankers for attention and tending.

Mother Lake dependents are now aware of the matriarch’s mortality.

The lake needs to be healthy again for others to live. She needs not just a caregiver but a whole community to see through her wellbeing.

Keepers of Mother Lake

Adopting the African adage “it takes a village....” is most appropriate although this was literally and originally intended in raising “a village child”. Africans believe that the whole community - not just that of the kid’s immediate family - influences a child’s total being.

Indeed, it also takes a village to make necessary changes and implement policies on a newborn. No single individual can do this single-handedly.

A humanized bigger-than-life Mother Lake will call for a convergence of keepers.

Among our biggest concern as we grow old and sickly is to shake off that innate ability to live how we wish. Given these circumstances, Mother Lake has no choice.

LLDA needs its partners - the bona fide stewards of the lake - who are more than willing to be part of the solution.