Fishpens not only cause of flooding - LLDA executive

MANILA, Philippines - Fishpens should not be solely blamed for the flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, an official of the Laguna Lake Development Authority said today (Oct. 4).

LLDA general manager Edgardo Manda said the government must also look into the vanishing vegetation and trees in watersheds surrounding Laguna de Bay.

"Dapat pagtuunan din natin ng pansin yung mga watershed sa paligid ng lake. Dapat yung massive reforestration ang gawin," Manda said in a radio interview.

Manda made the appeal as a reply to the threat of Environment Secretary Lito Atienza who accused the LLDA executive of failing to dismantle the numerous fishpens in the lake.

Due to the lack of an enforcement arm, Manda said the problem of illegal fishpens has been dealt with by previous LLDA heads.

"Ten to 15 years ago ay problema na yan. Di naman ako pwedeng magmilagro at maglalaho nang lahat yan," he said, citing that the area to be cleared of illegal settlers is about 3,000 hectares.

"Last year, marami na kaming natanggal na illegal fishpens. Hindi kami natutulog sa pansitan," Manda added.