Earth:Laguna de Bay

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Short description: Largest lake in the Philippines
Laguna de Bay
Lawa ng Bay  (Tagalog)
Laguna de Bay 2020 (cropped).jpg
Satellite image of Laguna de Bay in 2020
Laguna de Bay Lawa ng Bay  (Tagalog) is located in Luzon
Laguna de Bay Lawa ng Bay  (Tagalog)
Laguna de Bay
Lawa ng Bay  (Tagalog)
Location within Luzon
Location
Coordinates [ ⚑ ] : 14°23′00″N 121°15′00″E / 14.3833333°N 121.25°E / 14.3833333; 121.25
TypeCaldera lake (theorized)/ Tectonic lake
rivers, streams, precipitation">Primary inflows21 tributaries
rivers, streams, evaporation">Primary outflowsPasig River (via Napindan Channel)
Basin countriesPhilippines
Max. length47.3 km (29.4 mi) (E-W)
Max. width40.5 km (25.2 mi) (N-S)
Surface area911–949 km² (352–366 sq mi)
Average depth2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Max. depth20 m (66 ft) (Diablo pass)
Shore length1285 km (177 mi)
Surface elevationless 2 m (6 ft 7 in)
IslandsTalim Island
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1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Laguna de Bay (Spanish for "Lagoon/Lake of Bay"; Tagalog: Lawa ng Bay, [baɪ]), also known as Laguna Lake and alternatively spelled "Laguna de Bae",[1] is the largest lake in the Philippines . It is located southeast of Metro Manila, between the provinces of Laguna to the south and Rizal to the north. A freshwater lake, it has a surface area of 911–949 km2 (352–366 sq mi), with an average depth of about 2.8 meters (9 ft 2 in) and an elevation of about one meter above sea level. The lake is shaped like a crow's foot, with two peninsulas jutting out from the northern shore and filling the large volcanic Laguna Caldera. In the middle of the lake is the large island of Talim.

The lake is one of the primary sources of freshwater fish in the country. Its water drains to Manila Bay via the Pasig River. Environmental issues such as water quality problems created by population pressure and industrialization, invasive species and overfishing are of concern for the lake, hurting its economic importance to the country. As population expands in the Bay, its expected to rely more heavily on the lake for freshwater supply, thus water quality directly affects human populations.[2]

Etymology

Laguna de Bay surrounded by the province of Laguna and Rizal and Metro Manila on the northwest; the town of Bay highlighted.

Laguna de Bay means "Lagoon of [the town of] Bay" for the lakeshore town of Bay (pronounced Bä'ï), the former provincial capital of Laguna province.[3] Alternate spellings of the town's name include "Bae" or "Ba-i", and in the early colonial times, "Bayi" or "Vahi". The town's name is believed to have come from the Tagalog word for "settlement" (bahayan), and is related to the words for "house" (bahay), "shore" (baybayin), and "boundary" (baybay), among others. The introduction of the English language during the American administration of the Philippines, elicited confusion as the English word "bay", referring to another body of water, was mistakenly substituted to the town name that led to its mispronunciation.[3] However, the word "Bay" in Laguna de Bay has always referred to the town.[4]

The Spanish word laguna refers to not just lagoons but also for freshwater lakes, aside from lago.[5] This would make the lake's alternate name, "Laguna Lake", tautological. However, the "Laguna" in "Laguna Lake" refers to the province of Laguna, the province at the southern shore of the lake, and not the lake itself. The province, though, was in turn named after the lake and was originally called La Laguna until the early 20th century.[6]

In the pre-Hispanic era, the lake was known as "Puliran Kasumuran" (Laguna Copperplate Inscription, c. 900 AD), and later by "Pulilan" (Vocabulario de la lengua tagala, 1613. Pila, Laguna).

Laguna Caldera

Currently, the lake is often incorrectly called "Laguna Bay," including in government websites, or "Laguna Lake", which is used by the Laguna Lake Development Authority.[7]

Geography

Laguna de Bay is a large shallow freshwater body in the heart of Luzon Island with an aggregate area of about 911 km2 (352 sq mi) and a shoreline of 220 km (140 mi).[8] It is considered to be the third largest inland body of water in Southeast Asia after Tonle Sap in Cambodia and Lake Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia. Laguna de Bay is bordered by the province of Laguna in the east, west and southwest, the province of Rizal in the north to northeast, and Metropolitan Manila in the northwest. The lake has an average depth of 2.8 meters (9 ft 2 in) and its excess water is discharged through the Pasig River.[9][10]

Space Shuttle view of Central and Southern Luzon showing Laguna de Bay (upper center, gray water)

The middle part of Laguna de Bay between Mount Sembrano and Talim Island, is the Laguna Caldera believed to have been formed by two major volcanic eruptions, around 1 million and 27,000–29,000 years ago. Remnants of its volcanic history are shown by the presence of series of maars around the area of Tadlac Lake and Mayondon hill in Los Baños, Laguna,[11] another maar at the southern end of Talim Island, and a solfataric field in Jala Jala.[12]

Islands

Known lake islands include Talim, the largest and most populated island on the lake;[13] Calamba Island, which is completely occupied by the Wonder Island resort in Calamba, Laguna;[13] Cielito Lindo, a privately owned island off the coast of mainland Cardona, Rizal;[13][14] Malahi Island which used to be the site of Maligi Island military reservation, near the southern tip of Talim;[13][15] the nearby islands of Bonga and Pihan, also in Cardona; and Bay Island off the coast of Bay, Laguna, which is closely associated with the precolonial crocodile-deity myths of that town.[4]

Tributaries

The lake is fed by 45,000 km2 (17,000 sq mi) of catchment areas and its 21 major tributaries. Among these are the Pagsanjan River which is the source of 35% of the Lake's water, the Santa Cruz River which is the source of 15% of the Lake's water, the Marikina River (through the Manggahan Floodway), the Mangangate River, the Tunasan River, the San Pedro River, the Cabuyao River, the San Cristobal River, the San Juan River, the Bay, Calo and Maitem rivers in Bay, the Molawin, Dampalit and Pele rivers in Los Baños, the Pangil River, the Tanay River, the Morong River, the Siniloan River and the Sapang Baho River.[8] [16]

The lake is primarily drained through the Pasig River, which is technically a tidal estuary instead of a unidirectional "river."

Uses

Morning view, Laguna de Bay, from Muntinlupa
A lakeside in Calamba

The lake is a multipurpose resource,[17] used for fishery, transportation, irrigation of agricultural lands, power generation, and as a reservoir for regional flood management, among other things.

The lake has been used as a navigation lane for passenger boats since the Spanish colonial era. It is also used as a source of water for the Kalayaan Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Project in Kalayaan, Laguna. Other uses include fishery, aquaculture, recreation, food support for the growing duck industry, irrigation and a "virtual" cistern for domestic, agricultural, and industrial effluents.[9]

Environmental issues

Because of its importance in the development of the Laguna de Bay Region, unlike other lakes in the country, its water quality and general condition are closely monitored.[18] This important water resource has been greatly affected by development pressures like population growth, rapid industrialization, and resources allocation.[19]

Invasive species

At least 18 fish species are known from Laguna de Bay; none are strictly endemic to the lake, but 3 are endemic to the Philippines: Gobiopterus lacustris, Leiopotherapon plumbeus and Zenarchopterus philippinus.[20] Aquaculture is widespread in Laguna de Bay, but often involves non-native species.[21] Some of these, such as the janitor fish, clown knifefish, Thai catfish, and blackchin tilapia,[22] have escaped and have become invasive species, representing a threat to the native fish.[23]

Pollution

Government data showed that about 60% of the estimated 8.4 million people residing in the Laguna de Bay Region discharge their solid and liquid wastes indirectly to the lake through its tributaries. A large percentage of these wastes are mainly agricultural while the rest are either domestic or industrial[24] According to DENR (1997), domestic and industrial wastes contribute almost equally at 30% each. Meanwhile, agricultural wastes take up the remaining 40%. In a recent sensitivity waste load model ran by the Laguna Lake Development Authority's (LLDA) Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) division, it revealed that 70% of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) loadings came from households, 19% from industries, and 11% came from land run-off or erosion (LLDA, 2005).

As far as industries and factories are concerned, there are about 1,481 and increase is expected.[10] Of the said figure, about 695 have wastewater treatment facilities. Despite this, the lake is absorbing huge amounts of pollution from these industries in the forms of discharges of industrial cooling water, toxic spills from barges and transport operations, and hazardous chemicals like lead, mercury, aluminum and cyanide.[25] Based from the said figure, 65% are classified as "pollutive" industries.

The hastened agricultural modernization throughout the region took its toll on the lake. This paved the way for massive and intensified use of chemical based fertilizers and pesticides whose residues eventually find their way to the lake basin. These chemicals induce rapid algal growth in the area that depleted oxygen levels in the water. Hence, oxygen available to the lake is being used up thereby depleting the available oxygen for the fish, causing massive fish kills.[26] A 2012 study found excessive pesticide use largely attributed to overapplication of pesticides close to the waterways.[27]

As far as domestic wastes are concerned, around 10% of the 4,100 metric tons (4,000 long tons; 4,500 short tons) of waste generated by residents of Metro Manila are dumped into the lake, causing siltation of the lake. As reported by the now defunct Metropolitan Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), only 15% of the residents in the area have an effective waste disposal system. Moreover, around 85% of the families living along the shoreline do not have toilets and/or septic tanks.[19][26]

In 2018 a survey on Microplastics were conducted by researchers from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and have found out that the Laguna de Bay is heavily polluted with microplastics. The study involved three (3) barangays and these are Napindan, San Isidro, and Sampiruhan. Among the barangays, Sampiruhan in Calamba, Laguna has the most microplastics, with a median of 15 ranging from 11 to 24 microplastics per 1000 liters of lake water.[28] The data from the conducted survey is available in Mendeley Data.[29]

Overfishing

On January 29, 2008, the Mamamayan Para sa Pagpapanatili ng Pagpapaunlad ng Lawa ng Laguna (Mapagpala) accused the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) of the deterioration of Laguna de Bay due to multiplication of fish pens beyond the allowable limit.[30]

Infrastructure

Manggahan floodway

This section is an excerpt from Manggahan Floodway[ edit ]

Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike

People of Bay/Bae in the Laguna de Bay area, south of Manila, were affected in the aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana. Part of the image collection of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike
This section is an excerpt from Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike[ edit ]

Eastbay Submarine Pipeline and Pakil Water Treatment Plant Projects

The Manila Water began laying down in 2021 two high density polyethylene (HDPE) underground and 21 km submarine pipes from Binangonan, Cardona, Morong, and Pililla to expand their services under the East Bay Phase 1 Project. These two pipes once completed will deliver 50 million liters per day (MLD) to the said area. The environmental impact of the project was worked on by the University of the Philippines Los Baños.[31][32]

East Bay Phase 2 Project will involve construction of a water treatment plant (WTP) at Bgy. Kabulusan, Pakil, Laguna beginning 2023. The WTP once completed will produce 200 MLD for the Metro Manila East Zone through the submarine pipeline under the lake.[33][34]

Governance

The main agency tasked to oversee the programs that aimed to develop and protect Laguna de Bay is the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), signed into law under Republic Act (RA) 4850 in 1966 during the Marcos administration.[35] Originally only created as a quasi-government agency with regulatory and proprietary functions, its charter was strengthened by Presidential Decree (PD) 817 in 1975 and by Executive Order (EO) 927 in 1983 to include environmental protection and jurisdiction over the surface waters of the lake basin. In 1993, by virtue of the devolution, the administrative supervision of the LLDA was transferred to the DENR by EO 149.[36]

Clean Water Act

The technical aspect regarding the quality of wastewater is given in DENR Administrative Order 1990–35. The order defines the critical water parameters' value versus the classification of the body of water (e.g., lake or river). Discharge permits are issued by the LLDA only if the wastewater being discharged complied with the said order.[37]

According to the Clean Water Act of 2004, the DENR (through the LLDA) shall implement a wastewater charge system in all management areas including the Laguna Lake region and Regional Industrial Centers through the collection of wastewater charges/fees. The system shall be established on the basis of payment to the government for discharging wastewater into the water bodies. Wastewater charges shall be established taking into consideration the following: a) to provide strong economic inducement for polluters to modify their production or management processes or to invest in pollution control technology in order to reduce the amount of water pollutants generated; b) to cover the cost of administering water quality management or improvement programs, including the cost of administering the discharge permitting and water pollution charge system; c) reflect damages caused by water pollution on the surrounding environment, including the cost of rehabilitation; d) type of pollutant; e) classification of the receiving water body; and f) other special attributes of the water body.[38]

Integrated Coastal Ecosystem Conservation and Adaptive Management

CECAM is a 5-year research cooperation between Japanese and Filipino scientists. Seven monitoring instruments are being used as part of the Continuous and Comprehensive Monitoring System (CCMS) provided by the Japanese government.[39]

Cultural impact

Laguna de Bay has had a significant impact on the cultures of the communities that grew up around its shores, ranging from folk medicine to architecture. For example, the traditional cure for a child constantly experiencing nose bleed in Victoria, Laguna is to have the child submerge his or her head in the lake water at daybreak.[40] When nipa huts were more common, huts made in the lake area were constructed out of bamboo that would first be cured in the waters of Laguna de Bay.[41] Some experts on the evolution of local mythologies suggest that the legend of Mariang Makiling may have started out as that of the Lady (Ba'i) of Laguna de Bay, before the legend was transmuted to Mount Makiling.[42]

See also

  • Laguna Lake Development Authority
  • Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike
  • Rehabilitation of the Pasig River

References

  1. ↑ Ilarde, Eddie (2018-08-04). "The bay, the river, the lake: abandoned and dying" (in en). https://www.gulf-times.com/story/601723/the-bay-the-river-the-lake-abandoned-and-dying. 
  2. ↑ Tanganco, Lexxel JJ U.; Alberto, Maria Angelica J.; Gotangco, Charlotte Kendra Z. (December 2019). "Forecast of Potential Areas of Urban Expansion in the Laguna de Bay Basin and Its Implications to Water Supply Security". Philippine Journal of Science 148 (4): 715–724. ISSN 0031-7683. https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/images/pdf/pjs_pdf/vol148no4/forecast_of_potential_areas_of_urban_expansion_in_laguna_de_bay_basin_.pdf. Retrieved May 16, 2022. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sheniak, David; Feleo, Anita (2002), "Rizal and Laguna: Lakeside Sister Provinces (Coastal Towns of Rizal and Metro Manila)", in Alejandro, Reynaldo Gamboa, Laguna de Bay: The Living Lake, Unilever Philippines, ISBN 971-922-721-4 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Odal-Devora, Grace P. (2002), "'Bae' or 'Bai': The Lady of the Lake", in Alejandro, Reynaldo Gamboa, Laguna de Bay: The Living Lake, Unilever Philippines, ISBN 971-922-721-4 
  5. ↑ "Laguna". Spanish Dict. Retrieved on October 18, 2012.
  6. ↑ U.S. Bureau of Census (1905). "Census of the Philippine Islands, 1903, Vol. II". Government Printing Office, Washington.
  7. ↑ "Official Website of the Laguna Lake Development Authority". http://www.llda.gov.ph/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 LLDA 1995, p. 4.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Gonzales, E. (1987). "A socio economics geography (1961–85) of the Laguna lake resources and its implications to aquatic resources management and development of the Philippine islands" Dissertation. Cambridge University, England, United Kingdom
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Guerrero, R. & Calpe, A. T. (1998). "Water resources management : A global priority". National Academy of Science and Technology, Manila, Philippines
  11. ↑ Santos-Borja, Adelina C. (2008). "Multi-Stakeholders' Efforts for the Sustainable Management of Tadlac Lake, The Philippines" . Research Center for Sustainability and Environment, Shiga University.
  12. ↑ "Laguna Caldera". Smithsonian Institution. https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=273080. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 U.S. Army corps of Engineers (1954). "Manila (topographical map)". University of Texas in Austin Library. Retrieved on 2014-08-03.
  14. ↑ "The Kentex Fire: A Conversation with Walden Bello". http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/05/26/1458669/kentex-fire-conversation-walden-bello. 
  15. ↑ Westfall, Matthew (6 September 2012). Devil's Causeway: The True Story of America's First Prisoners of War in the Philippines, and the Heroic Expedition Sen. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-7627-8747-0. https://books.google.com/books?id=BmNBBAAAQBAJ&q=malahi+island+laguna+de+bay&pg=PA388. 
  16. ↑ Nepomuceno, Dolora N. (2005-02-15). "The Laguna de Bay and Its Tributaries Water Quality Problems, Issues and Responses". Indonesia: Network of Asian River Basin Organizations. http://www.adb.org/documents/events/2006/NARBO/second-gen-mtg/Presentation-WQ-Dolora.pdf. Retrieved 18 February 2007. 
  17. ↑ LLDA 1995, pp. 4–6.
  18. ↑ Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 1996
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Batu, M. (1996) Factors affecting productivity of selected inland bodies of water in the Philippines: The case of the Laguna Lake 1986 to 1996. Undergraduate thesis. San Beda College, Manila.
  20. ↑ "DNA barcoding of fishes of Laguna de Bay, Philippines". Mitochondrial DNA 22 (4): 143–153. 2011. doi:10.3109/19401736.2011.624613. PMID 22040082. 
  21. ↑ Santos-Borja, A., and D.N. Nepomuceno (2005). Laguna de Bay, Experiences and lessons learned brief , pp. in: 225–258 in: Lake Basin Management Initiative. Retrieved 13 November 2012
  22. ↑ Fernandez, Rudy (January 16, 2016). "Imported 'invasive' species threaten Philippine fishery industry". The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/01/16/1543458/imported-invasive-species-threaten-philippine-fishery-industry. 
  23. ↑ Cuvin-Aralar, M.L.A. (2016). "Impacts of aquaculture on fish biodiversity in the freshwater lake Laguna de Bay, Philippines". Lakes & Reservoirs 21 (1): 31–39. doi:10.1111/lre.12118. 
  24. ↑ DENR, 1997
  25. ↑ Sly, 1984
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Solidarity for People's Power (1992) Laguna de bay: Racing against time. Pamphlet article. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.
  27. ↑ Varca, Leonila M. (2012-04-01). "Pesticide residues in surface waters of Pagsanjan-Lumban catchment of Laguna de Bay, Philippines" (in en). Agricultural Water Management. Assessing off-site migration of sediments and agrochemicals from agricultural/horticultural catchments in Philippines and Australia 106: 35–41. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2011.08.006. ISSN 0378-3774. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377411001946. 
  28. ↑ Deocaris, C.C., Fernandez, M.C., Lee, A.R., Miao, S.L.A., and Padolina, J.B.P.(2023). Identification and Characterization of Microplastics on the Surface Water in Laguna de Bay, Philippines. Nature Environment and Pollution Technology. Volume 22, Issue 2, Pages: 1073-1080. Retrieved from: https://neptjournal.com/upload-images/(55)D-1429.pdf
  29. ↑ Deocaris, Chester; Fernandez, Martin ; Lee, Angelika; Miao, Sermel Louie; Padolina, Jan Bernel (2022), "Survey of Microplastics in Laguna de Bay 2018", Mendeley Data, V1, doi: 10.17632/bxd3k2yntp.1
  30. ↑ "Group blames LLDA for Laguna Lake's deterioration". philstar.com. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=41445. 
  31. ↑ "Manila Water on LinkedIn: Manila Water Submarine Pipe" (in en). https://www.linkedin.com/posts/manilawater_manila-water-submarine-pipe-activity-6924869947282112512-VW0s/. 
  32. ↑ Gutierrez, Dennis (27 July 2022). "Manila Water building Laguna Lake water treatment plant to serve more Rizal towns" (in en). INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1635403/manila-water-builds-another-water-treatment-plant-at-laguna-lake-to-serve-more-rizal-towns. 
  33. ↑ "Manila Water to start construction of P7.84-B water treatment plant in East Bay of Laguna Lake". https://www.manilawater.com/corporate/agos/2023-07-21/manila-water-to-start-construction-of-p7-84-b-water-treatment-plant-in-east-bay-of-laguna-lake. 
  34. ↑ Wong, Agatha (18 July 2022). "Manila Water builds water treatment plant at Laguna Lake to serve more Rizal towns | Water & Wastewater Asia". https://waterwastewaterasia.com/manila-water-builds-water-treatment-plant-at-laguna-lake-to-serve-more-rizal-towns/. 
  35. ↑ "Republic Act no. 4850"[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]. Laguna Lake Development Authority. Retrieved on 2012-10-22.
  36. ↑ LLDA 2009, p. 9.
  37. ↑ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (1990). Administrative Order No. 35, March 20, 1990 'Revised Effluent Regulations of 1990, Revising and Amending the Effluent Regulations of 1982'. DENR Website. Retrieved on 2012-10-20.
  38. ↑ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (2005). "Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act no. 9275)." DENR Website. Retrieved on 2012-10-20.
  39. ↑ "Why JICA is deploying sensors in Laguna Lake". http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/04/21/15/why-jica-deploying-sensors-laguna-lake. 
  40. ↑ Remi E. de Leon (2005). Health Knowledge Processes and Flows in a Coastal Community in Victoria, Laguna Philippines (Master thesis). University of the Philippines Los Baños Graduate School.
  41. ↑ Morales, Izah (2008-09-22). "Being Filipino: Constructing a Modern-Day 'Bahay Kubo'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. http://blogs.inquirer.net/beingfilipino/2008/09/22/constructing-a-modern-day-bahay-kubo/. 
  42. ↑ Odal-Devora, Grace P. (2002). ""Bae" or "Bai": The Lady of the Lake". in Alejandro, Reyndaldo Gamboa. Laguna de Bay: The Living Lake. Unilever Philippines. ISBN 971-922-721-4. 

Sources

Further reading

External links



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