Issues, challenges, and lessons learned in lake resources management in the Philippines

The Philippines is endowed with more than 200 lakes that are abundant in water, fisheries and other resources. With the exception of five major lakes (Laguna de Bay, Lake Lanao, Lake Taal, Lake Naujan and Lake Buhi), there is little or no information on resources management of other lakes in the country. The main issues and problems identified regarding lake resources management are the decline in their fisheries production and loss of biodiversity due to overfishing, destruction of habitat, pollution, introduction of exotic species and multiple-use conflicts. These challenges need an effective management framework, a national management plan for lakes with the ecosystems or integrated approach for their sustainable development and the capability-building of local government units (LGUs) and other institutions for lake management. The lessons learned from the management of the Laguna de Bay by the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), the Master Plan for Lake Taal, and the case studies of Lake Buhi for the sinarapan, and the cyprinids of Lake Lanao will be highlighted