Laguna Lake ecotourism program can follow Loboc River model

MANILA, Philippines – The showcase ecological tourism being done in Loboc River in Bohol province can be a model for a similar ecotourism program for Laguna Lake, a University of the Philippines-Los Baños researcher-scientist said.

“Real ecotourism, like the Bohol model in Loboc River, can actually be good for Laguna Lake,” says Maria Victoria Espaldon, professor of the School of Environmental Science and Management and 2016 Outstanding Researcher of UPLB. 

Espaldon stressed that “real” ecotourism was a tourism activity featuring an ecological site which preserves the naturalness of the landscape or seascape, and did not involve the construction of dikes or buildings.

“The idea of developing Laguna Lake, with ecotourism as a platform, could actually help bring in more jobs because old boats can engage in tours, people can produce food and handicrafts,” Espaldon said.

UPLB is currently undertaking a number of studies that show the poor water quality in Laguna Lake, in terms of biological, physical and chemical parameters. 

But Espaldon is hopeful that there are ways to improve water quality.

“All that’s needed is a concerted action and strong leadership in terms of improving the water quality of the lake,” she said. 

Espaldon said that there should be an integrated management of Laguna de Bay, wherein all sectors should be engaged and responsible. 

Some published studies show the presence of pollutants, such as pesticides residue in tributaries that can eventually find their way into the lake. Once the people become responsible and accountable, pollution can be reduced.  

Espaldon, however, remains upbeat on the lake’s water quality. It is fresh water, she said, so if it is of good quality it can be a source for domestic and agricultural needs.  

“It is better to make it a source of water supply because if people know that it is the source water that they drink, they will not defecate in it. Water supply normally undergoes treatment process before it comes out. When the lake is used as water supply source, there will be a value formation that’s economically driven. People know that it’s valuable to them so why would they neglect it,” Espaldon explained.

She suggests that the local governments should be more empowered in managing their rivers to help improve the water that goes to the lake. 

Espaldon’s research on an ecotourism project on Laguna Lake was one of the issues the Department of Science and Technology – National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) tackled in its Science and Policy Forum for Sustainable Laguna Lake Management on Nov. 22 to 23 in Summit Ridge Hotel, Tagaytay City.