Gov. Vilma Santos Recto yesterday urged local government officials and workers to spearhead the protection and conservation of the environment to neutralize the effects of global warming and to save Batangas province from any devastation, natural or man-made.
The governor, in her address at the Provincial Capitol , underscored efforts geared at strengthening the Bantay Dagat Network operations of the provincial government “to make sure that the natural beauty of the sea and underwater are maintained and conserved and illegal activities, such as dynamite fishing and other disturbances to fish sanctuaries, are heavily watched by the group.”
In the provincial government’s continuing effort to protect its environment and natural resources, Recto reported that “Taal Lake is on close watch, too, not just our seas.”
Task Force Taal had demolished a total of 7,943 fish cages in the volcanic lake and 280 others at the Pansipit River, the only tributary that connects the lake to Batlayan Bay, the governor added.
However, maintenance of the remaining 6,000 fish cages was also under close monitoring to make sure that fish-kill incidents do not occur, as in previous times. Pansipit River is famous for the maliputo fish while Taal Lake fish cages produce high-quality cultured tilapia.
Fish kills occurs due to high toxicity from sulfur and other elements and low oxygen level. “Watershed areas are continuously being preserved, specifically those in the towns of Lemery and Lobo,” said Recto.
The governor commended leaders of the 522 of the province’s 1,078 barangays in three cities and 31 towns for proper waste management policies.
They implemented the “No Plastic” and Solid Waste Management System policies of the province. Each local government were conscious of the negative effects of plastic use and improper waste disposal to obstruct the further destruction of the ozone layer, remedy pollution and stop clogging of drainage.
