Click on the links below to view data and insights. 

• According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources—Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), the seven lakes of San Pablo are classified as Class C water. The intended beneficial uses for bodies of water under such classification are the propagation and growth of fish, non-contact water activities such as boating and fishing, and agriculture, irrigation, and livestock.

• However, the study results show that these lakes have been utilized for contact activities such as swimming, bathing, laundry, and cooking. 

• During the 1980s, aquaculture became widespread as a form of livelihood across most of the lakes. The number of fish cages has increased. However, this rapid expansion proved unsustainable. 

• The high quantity of fish cages has negatively affected the lakes causing a decline in water quality. The excess nutrients from fish feeds could result in eutrophication, leading to reduced oxygen levels and fish kills. The government addressed this problem by limiting the fish cages to 10 percent (10 %)carrying capacity striking a balance between economic benefits and environmental conservation.

• This limit was effectively enforced in some of the seven lakes. Specifically, the LGU has successfully enforced the designated zones and has been constantly monitoring Sampaloc Lake since it is much closer to the Municipal Office. 

• However, the local communities in other lakes still struggle to comply with the 10% limit. This is especially true for lake communities that consider aquaculture as their primary source of livelihood, such as Calibato Lake (see graph above). Calibato’s total surface area (27.71 ha) was allotted for aquaculture, in contrast to Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code, which states that aquaculture can only occupy 10% of the water surface area of lakes and rivers. This highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing economic interests with long-term sustainability.

• The seven lakes likewise offer a potential for tourism development. This is grounded in the inherent ecological characteristics of these lakes, especially their high aesthetic value. 

• Pandin Lake illustrates a good transformation or transition in livelihood— from aquaculture activities (i.e., managing fish cages) to implementing different ecotourism-related activities (e.g., bamboo rafting). As shown in the graph above, only Pandin had an area (0.18 ha) largely dedicated to tourism and only a small area dedicated to aquaculture (0.40 ha- smaller among the seven lakes).