By Manuel L. Morato
The Laguna Lake Development Authority is a very important and powerful branch of government that sees to it that no polluted water from Metro Manila goes to Laguna Lake. It is said that LLDA must use its power to safeguard the supply of freshwater to Metro Manila and its environs. The late President Ferdinand E. Marcos created the LLDA to ensure the supply of clean water to Metro Manila from the Laguna de Bay.
I’ve said that there was a need to dredge the lake that was already silted during the presidency of Madame Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But the Belgian company was not able to go on with the project for some reason or another.
As I said in my previous column last Tuesday, I will continue to explain how saltwater from the China Sea is filtered into freshwater.
In my discussion with friends who have been connected before with the LLDA, the China Sea is the main source of water. I asked: But how is that possible when what we need is fresh, potable water? Hindi naman maiinom ang tubig na maalat.
Ganito po daw ang nangyayari. The saltwater from the China Sea, on the Batangas side in particular, the saltwater from the China Sea goes through the coastline of the Pansipit River and converts it to freshwater. The water of Laguna Lake and Taal Lake both come from the China Sea. The salt water enters the Pansipit River and enters the Taal Lake no longer saltwater. Unbelievable but true. God only knows!
The same thing happens with the Pasig River. The saltwater from the China Sea in Manila Bay, in particular, enters the Pasig River leading to Laguna Lake as freshwater.
In the case of Taal Lake, the fishes name Maliputo or Talakitok and Tawilis originally came from the China Sea. The Talakitok enter the Pansipit River and goes to Taal Lake. Eventually, Talakitok became Maliputo through this natural process. From a saltwater fish to a freshwater fish; from Talakitok to Maliputo, considered the most expensive fish in the Philippines found in Taal Lake.
The Pansipit River is 9 kilometers from Balayan Bay to Taal Lake. There are 3 towns na sakop ng Pansipit River: Lemery, San Nicolas, and Sta. Teresita along the river. The Spanish Galleons used to pass the Pansipit River for repair and trade. But, because of reclamation along the Pansipit River, lumiit, kumitid at halos kalahati ang nawala because of reclamation on both sides by so-called “developers.”
The China Sea is the main supplier, an endless supplier of water to Taal Lake through the Pansipit River; and through the Pasig River to Laguna Lake. Both Pansipit River and Pasig River dapat natin alagaan as the life-blood of our potable water supply in Metro Manila and its neighboring towns and cities. Dapat lamang alagaan at ‘yan ay bigay ng Ating Mahal na Panginoong Diyos.
Looking back, I keep remembering the late Gina Lopez for being concerned about the cleaning up of the Pasig River; and the environment in general. No one can deny that she gave it her all to preserve the environment. No matter what others may say, the late Gina Lopez definitely caused awareness, attention, and concern to one and all that our environment must be protected and taken care of. May she rest in peace. She had contributed much to our people in her lifetime.
I would like to add that many of us still remember the late Mrs. Macra Cruz as LLDA Administrator during the time of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She was the topnotcher of MAPUA as a Hydro Engineer. She was number one as an Engineer.
Bless her soul for she indeed protected the Laguna Lake very well during her stewardship. I do believe and I will take a guess that she might have given the suggestion to dredge the Laguna Lake to protect it from drying up. Maraming nagsasabi noon pa na mababaw na ang Laguna Lake dahil sa trash being dumped from Metro Manila and towns around it.
For comments and suggestions email at mlmorato@yahoo.com