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As I sit on the veranda of our rest house on the shores of Taal
Lake, it is a glorious day. The sun is shining brightly on the blue
waters. Though it is the height of summer and people are cursing the
heat in Metro Manila, here at the foot of Mount Makulot, there is a
strong cool breeze that is coming in from the lake.
Off in the distance, the summit of Mount
Makiling is covered with clouds. The Tagaytay ridge is hazy as a
band of clouds floats gently above it. Eight kilometers in the
distance, Volcano Island stands quietly, at least for the time
being.
It is a sight that clears the mind and refreshes
the soul. A scene that causes me to contemplate the incredible power
and creativity of God. A moment ago, I thought of how peaceful are
the days of my life here.
But all is not well here in this beautiful
wonderland. Like just about every place of natural beauty on planet
Earth, men have done their best to exploit it for all that it is
worth. For years now, powerful men of means have built hundreds of
fish pens around the lake. In the process, they have polluted the
waters and endangered the livelihood of the poor fishermen who count
on the waters of Taal to feed their families.
Worse, they have flouted the law and built pens
on parts of the lake that are declared sanctuaries and off-limits.
The barrio where our rest house is located, Calumayen, is a case in
point. Once free of fish pens, a few years ago we spotted one, then
two, then perhaps as many as sixty pens to the right and left of us.
We complained. The fishermen complained, but we suspected what you
suspect. Money must have moved around for the financiers of these
pens to be able to break the law with impunity.
Well, nature did what we could not do. Today
there are no more fish pens in our area. All the tilapia died and
the financiers lost a lot of money. The waters have become so
polluted that according to a latest report, “the said fish species
‘ay naglalasang putik na’ [taste like mud]. This situation is
being blamed on pollution of the lake and heavy siltation of the
lake bottom, causing lack of oxygen.” As usual, there are those
who are now panicking because the situation has reached the critical
point of no return. Unless government moves fast to rectify the
situation it has allowed to deteriorate, Taal Lake will become
another sad tragedy of neglect on the part of those who were tasked
to protect it.
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If you have problems about drugs, alcohol and
behavior/attitude call my office at 8206107 or 8251771 or e-mail me
at gvcbuenca@vasia.com or write me at P.O. Box 2099 MCPO, Makati
City.
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