Hosting of the 10th Living Lakes Conference

       The SCPW, through the membership of Laguna de Bay, had played host to the 10th Living Lakes Conference on 15 to 19 2005 in Tagaytay City.

       The conference theme"The Lake and its People: Responsible Stewardship by Lake Communities" was centered on the interaction between the lake and its people.  It was focused on how communities in densely populated lake regions seek a balance between complex resource uses and sustainable development.

       Participants had the opportunity to learn more about how the issue is being addressed by the various lake stakeholders during the field trips in Lucban (Quezon Province), Tanay (Rizal Province) and Calamba (Laguna Province).

Day 1, 15 May 2005
Guided Field Trip to -
Ayala Greenfields (Calamba, Laguna), and Lucban (Quezon)

      The first activity was the field trip to Calamba, Laguna.  From the view point of the Ayala Greenfields Estate, the participants  were able to see the panoramic view of Laguna de Bay and its surrounding environment, including Mt. Makiling.

       The group then proceeded to Lucban, Quezon, a major watershed of Laguna de Bay.  A warm reception was given by the townpeople and the municipal mayor of Lucban, Hon. Moises Villase�or.  The participants had the chance to experience the culture and festivities at the Pahiyas Festival.

Conference Director Amy Lecciones welcoming the participants at the Ayala Greenfields Estate 

 

GNF Executive Director Udo Gattenloehner with Lucban Mayor Moises Villaseñor

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Day 2, 16 May 2005
Guided Field Trip to -
   Tanay (Rizal), and
   Light Industry and Science Park (Calamba, Laguna)

       Every community has a role to play  in the overall stewardship of the lake.  In the Laguna de Bay region, this is underscored by the involvement of the local government units, the non-government organizations, the academe, the youth, and most importantly, the business sector, in the planning and implementation of lake stewardship projects. 

       During the field trips to the Municipalities of Tanay, Rizal and  Calamba, Laguna, the participants had the opportunity to meet the local community, the local government officials, and the members of the Federation of River Basin Councils in the Laguna de Bay region, and the members of the Eco-Industrial Exchange Network, and the chance to learn about their involvement in the stewardship of Laguna de Bay.

Meeting the River Basin Councils in the Laguna de Bay Region

 

... a chat with the President of the Eco-Industrial Exchange Network, Mr. Hector Dimacali Meeting the members of Eco-Industrial Exchange Network

Day 3, 17 May 2005
Conference Day 1
Sampaguita Ballroom, Taal Vista Hotel (Tagaytay City)

      The opening of the conference was graced by Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (who had cocktails with the participants), the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Michael Defensor (who delivered the key note speech), the past and present presidents of the SCPW (Mr. Carlo Custodio, Ms. Adelina Borja, Ms. Amy Lecciones, Mr. Filemon Romero and Dr. Ben Malayang III), among others.

       The topic discussed in the first session was Issues on Lake Stewardship, focusing on the Legislation and Legal Framework for Managing Lake Communities; while the next session was focused on Communities as Effective Lake Stewards

SCPW President Ben S. Malayang III welcoming the participants DENR Secretary Michael Defensor delivering the keynotre speech

 

  Global Nature Fund President Marion Hammerl-Resch giving her welcome remarks .... a pose with the President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (click here for a bigger copy)

Day 4, 18 May 2005
Conference Day 2
Sampaguita Hall, Waling-Waling 1 & 2, Ilang-Ilang 1 & 2
Taal Vista Hotel (Tagaytay City)

      The second day of the Conference was opened by a session on Sustainable Development in Lake Communities.  This was later followed by presentations of Best Practices in Lake Stewardship and the Tangible Examples of Water and Lake Stewardship from the Corporate Sector.

       Four workshops and a youth forum were conducted simultaneously in the afternoon. Four different topics on Sustainable Development in Practice - Finding a Compromise were tackled by the four groups.

  • Water for Cities versus Water for Lake Ecosystems?
  • Rural Development - Regulating Urban Growth and Settlements
  • Corporate Social Responsibility - Model Strategies and Projects
  • Examples for Environmental Initiatives of Business Companies

      The participating youth in the Youth Forum were coming from six different groups: the Eco-Campers (Kilos Kabataan Para sa Lawa) from Tanay and Los Ba�os, the officers of ASAPhil (Architectural Students Association of the Philippines) - UP Chapter, and the three winning teams in the Lumban Delta Design Competition.

       The outputs of the groups were then presented in the plenary later in the afternoon.  Before the Conference was closed, the "Best Conservation Practice Award" was given by the Living Lakes Network to the Federation of River Basin Councils in the Laguna de Bay Region.  The President of the Federation Lina Tanjuatco and some Council Presidents were there to receive the award.

Youth Forum (Facilitators: Mr. Filemon Romero and Ms. Che Prudente) Workshop on "Water for Cities versus Water for Lake Ecosystems?" (Resource Speaker: Engr. Francisco Arellano, Facilitator: Ms. Adelina S. Borja) Workshop on "Rural Development - Regulating Urban Growth and Settlements" (Resource Speaker: Dr. Obiero Ong'ang'a, Facilitator: Mr. Joey Cariño)

 

Workshop on "Corporate Social Responsibility - Model Strategies and Projects" (Resource Speaker: Vice Admiral Virgilio Marcelo, Facilitator: Ms. Jika Dalupan) Workshop on "Examples for Environmental Initiatives of Business Companies" (Resource Speaker: Mr. Frank Schad, Facilitator: Ms. Liza Antonio)  Federation of River Basin Councils in the Laguna de Bay Region, the recipient of "Best Conservation Practice Award"

Day 5, 19 May 2005
Internal Session for Member Lakes/Organizations
Bougainvillea Pavillion, Taal Vista Hotel (Tagaytay City)

conference website
more pictures

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