In the recent months, Taal has been clouded by controversies due to some plans to build tourism facilities near the crater of the volcano which threatens to destroy its natural wonders and may effect some volcanic movements and even eruption. Despite the project being shelved because of rising protests, there are still some man-made problems around Taal Volcano that are not as controversial but as threatening and is left behind public scrutiny. Among these are unregulated number of fish pens that crowd the lake and pollution due to sand quarrying, erosion and sewage discharge. These problems lead to the decrease in the number of fishes endemic to the lake most important of which is a kind of sardine called tawilis, which can only be found in Taal.
“It’s the people who will be greatly affected by the neglect of God’s gifts,” said Lipa Bishop Ramon Arguelles, pertaining to the activities that endanger the natural habitat of the tawilis. “It is our duty to protect it, and we should not forget our Godly responsibilities.”
To push for the protection of the Taal Lake and preservation of the volcano, Arguelles, along with Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, members of Taal Volcano Protected Landscape Area Management Board, employees of the DENR and the provincial government of Batangas, hiked through Taal Volcano to lead the tree-planting activity of appropriate tree species in the area. More than 200 participants braved the chilly morning, rugged trail and the long hike up to show their support of the program. One of the priority areas of the tree planting was the part near the crater which was turned into a rough road by the Korean firm who was supposed to build spa facilities in Taal.
Meanwhile, Secretary Atienza was overwhelmed by the concerted efforts of the local government units, the Church and the people of Batangas in the initiative to protect Taal. He also remained firm in his stand against the illegal fish pens which count to almost 4,000 around the town of Talisay. “We must have zero fish pens and fish cages in all lakes and rivers throughout the country. Taal Lake is a declared protected landscape and therefore, we must protect it by all means from human activities that would cause its degradation.” Apart from the ill effects of the fish cages, Atienza also said that the lake should be available for everyone to fish, not just for limited group who were able to put up their fish pens.
Present in the press conference is Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto who appealed to her constituents for proper garbage management. Sharing the same sentiment with her is Vice Gov. Leviste who reminds everyone that the best way to curb the garbage problem in Taal is through discipline. Leviste credited a big part of Batangas’ progress to Taal Volcano, it being the heart of the province. He also revealed plans and programs of the local government to create unified rules and regulations for the operation of the fish pens in Taal.
“We will not allow irresponsible people to take away the beauty of Taal Lake. We will talk to stakeholders and to the concerned groups for the most effective way to protect the lake and the volcano,” added Leviste.
Formerly called the Taal Volcano Natural Park but was later declared Taal Volcano Protected Landscape through Presidential Proclamation 906, TPVL measures 65,292,1369 hectares and considered as the biggest protected area in Calabarzon. The Taal Lake used to be of salt water while it was still connected to the Balayan Bay, but through constant weathering and rains turned into fresh water and linked to the sea only through the Pansipit River.
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