LLDA holds summit on Laguna de Bay

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — The First Laguna de Bay Summit will be held tomorrow at the Ayala Greenfield Estate Clubhouse in Maunong, Calamba City.

Dr. Casimiro Ynares III, general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), said the summit is a major event under the Laguna de Bay Institutional Strengthening and Community Participation (LISCOP) project.

The activity is an annual learning forum where fisherfolk, farmers, leaders of the business and industry sectors, local government units, non-government and people’s organizations and members of the academe can discuss matters concerning the sustainability of the Laguna de Bay region.

The forum aims to inform and transform public apathy to a concerted care-giving action for the lake.

It is the first of a five-year series of fora to be conducted annually. This year’s theme is "Our Lake, Our Children, Our Future: Preserve, Protect, and Prepare Laguna de Bay for the Next Generation."

One of the highlights of the summit is the "pinaka" contest — a competition among fisherfolk who can bring the biggest bangus, tilapia, biya, ayungin, and janitor fish.

There are also contests for the biggest squash, saba banana, and other vegetables and fruits. A token price of P500 and a certificate of recognition will be awarded to the winners of each category.

Farmers and fisherfolk can also sell their fish and vegetables during the summit.

The other activities include a motorcade around Calamba City, exhibits, on-the-spot painting contest among high school students, and a short program which includes the launching of the Laguna de Bay environment monitor, a public disclosure program, and a design contest of the learning resource center.