While intense heat due to the El Niño weather phenomenon may be drying up the Laguna de Bay, the lake’s water level has not yet dropped to a critical reading because of too much rainwater dumped last year by Typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng,” according to authorities. Carandang said that if the lake would reach its critical low level, the catch of fish pen owners would decline. It will, however, benefit farmers around the lake as this will mean a larger land area for them to farm. Some 135,000 fish pens are found in the Laguna lake.

Cinco, M. (2010, March 25). 'Ondoy' upside: Why lake is till above critical level. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A11.