The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued on Saturday its “last call” to owners and operators of fish pens and cages in Laguna de Bay to conduct “self-demolitions” before it starts clearing the freshwater lake of illegal structures later this month. He said all aquaculture facilities in the lake area will be covered by the dismantling operations, since permits given to operators expired on Dec. 31, and the DENR would implement a moratorium on permit renewal and application this year. According to the LLDA, the lake’s current carrying capacity allows only 9,000 hectares for aquaculture, but pens and cages have occupied about 12,375 ha, 3,375 more than what is allowed.

Gamil, J. (2017, January 15). DENR: last call for fish pens ‘self-demolition’ order stressed. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A3.