Flora and Fauna
The LdB Region is endowed with rich natural resources. The LLDA, in year 1991 indicate that there were 31 species in Laguna de Bay. Now, there are only 16 remaining fish species in Laguna de Bay. Some of these include palos, kanduli, dalag, bangus, hito, karpa, biang bato at puti, tilapia, dulong and ayungin.
The flora of the region consists mostly of tree seedlings, sampaguita flowers, orchids, and exotic plants. Cut flower farms are found mostly in towns of Calamba, Los Baños and Bae. Sweet tropical fruits abound, such as the lanzones from Paete, pineapple from Calauan, chico, banana, mango, rambutan, and avocado.
Uses
- Aquaculture and fisheries
- Water for irrigation
- Transport route
- Power generation
- Industrial Cooling
- Recreation
- Domestic use
Importance
1. The Lake is a major lifeline for most of the countryside townspeople. Fisheries is still the lake's most dominant use as of the present, with an estimated annual potential yield of 80,000 to 90,000 MT for both fishpens and open water fisheries. Croplands in the lakeshore towns, aside from feeding locals constribute significantly to the food supply of Metro Manila.
2. Many workers in the Metro Manila area take up residence in the nearby lakeshore towns, notably San Pedro, Calamba, Los Baños, Taytay, Pateros and Binangonan, to name a few. Not only are the residential developments in these areas more affordable, they are also relatively more peaceful and less polluted compared to the Big City.
Manggahan Floodway
3. Laguna de Bay provides a major transport route that makes mobility within the lake and around the lakeshore towns easier. The Lake also serves as a reservoir for floodwaters to save Metropolitan Manila from flooding during the rainy season. The Manggahan Floodway as constructed to divert floodwaters from Marikina River into the lake.
4. The waters of the lake are also used to generate power to a limited extent. A pump storage hydroelectric power station is operated in Kalayaan, Laguna producing about 300 megawatts of electricity. Efforts are underway to increase this capacity to 600 megawatts. The Lake offers sufficient water for a year round source of irrigation for farmlands in the Laguna de Bay area. However, these areas targeted for irrigation are rapidly being converted into industrial and residential land use.
5. At present, the lake is also a source of domestic water supply although on a very limited basis. In the long term, however, Laguna de Bay is being considered as a major resource that will help supply the domestic water requirements of nearby towns. In fact, it could be considered as the only alternative source of domestic fresh water for southern Manila provinces.
6. Laguna de Bay inspired a rich culture and a wealth of traditions in the lakeshore communities. The area is proud of its heritage which evolved through centuries of varied cultural influences. The most prominent son of the lake is the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who was born in the lakeshore town of Calamba, Laguna. Laguna de Bay was romanticized in his two novels which sowed the seeds of independence from the Spanish conquerors.
7. Laguna de Bay is home to a variety of organisms that comprise its biodiversity pool. Of note are the 16 species of fishes (previously 31), 154 species of phytoplankton, 36 species of zooplankton, and 24 species of macrophytes. Other organisms thriving in the lake include different species of mollusks, crustaceans, and birds that feed on the lake’s resources.
8. The Lake also serves as habitat for various species of birds. It is believed that 17 bird species may be found in the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, while 20 species can be found in the Pakil and Real ares. These are restricted-range birds of the Luzon endemic area.