ALEARTH
NEWS ALEARTH
Show cause orders issued by DENR to structure owners in Laguna 'protected areas'
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of CALABARZON issued over a hundred show cause orders (SCO’s) against people who have built structures in state protected areas around Laguna.
A hundred and eleven individuals have built their structures designated as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and game preserves according to the Laguna Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO).
The SCO’s were issued under Presidential Proclamation No. 1636, s. 1977.
The DENR Calabarzon has also issued notices to those who failed to follow the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) Act.
Forester Daniel Arthur said that the penalties under the act are more severe adding that there are protected areas within the third and fourth districts of Laguna.
Reference:
Microplastics found in Laguna Bay, study shows
New evidence shows that microplastics are present in Laguna Bay’s surface water.
A study published by scientists from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology showed that microplastics were found the highest in concentration around areas with ‘intensive’ human activities.
The plastics found include polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and polyethylene terephthalate. These kinds of plastics can be found almost in every household product and are also used for packaging.
According to the researchers, microplastics cause threats to fish and their natural meals, particularly invertebrates, and the potential relationship to human health must be explored.
Reference: https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/07/11/laguna-de-bay-needs-whole-of-community-to-control-pollution
Laguna fishermen endure displacement and loss of livelihood due to road construction
Residents of Sitio Ronggot, Calamba City face displacement and loss of livelihood with the implementation of Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN).
They’re not alone as 400 other families also face getting evicted from the places they have lived in for years and built their livelihoods in.
The LLRN Program is a 37.4-kilometer expressway from Lower Bicutan in the National Capital Region (NCR) to Calamba in Laguna Province. The project led by the Department of Public Works and National Highways (DPWH) aims to give drivers a more secure and quicker option for those that want to go either north or south.
Residents worry that the program might affect the lake by disrupting the lake’s ecosystem affecting fish breeding grounds and the availability of fish stocks.
So far the project is still in its development phase according to DPWH and the CALABARZON Infrastructure Committee is still pushing for its approval.