NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH
The Seven Crater Lakes Watershed Management Council (SCLWMC) was formally organized on July 31, 2009 in a meeting held at the Siesta Residencia de Arago, San Pablo City. This Council is composed of the LLDA, local goverment units of San Pablo City, Nagcarlan and Rizal towns, San Pablo City Water District, FARMC and organizations (representing fisherfolk/farmers, academe/professionals, industries/business sector, and environment, media, religious and civic groups). The Council is tasked with pursuing a Comprehensive Watershed Management Program for the seven crater lakes. They will have their first capacity building activity and "Lakbay Aral" on September 4-5, 2009 in order to equip the Council members with the necessary expertise and knowledge on the principles of intergrated resource management.
The Board of Trustees is composed of authorized representatives of the different government and non-government organizations.
Officers are: Chairman - Mr. Felimar Torrizo (Academia de San Ignacio), President - Mr. Bobby Azores (FSLF), Vice-President - Dante Capistrano (Bantay Tubig), Secretary - Peping Cortez (Apex Club) and Treasurer - Vic Longno (Christian Brotherhood of Businessmen and Professionals).
WETLANDS CONSERVATION
FSLF Director Bobby Azores participated in the National Conference on Wetlands, Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity Conservation held in Dumaguete City, Philippines from January 12-14, 2009. The conference brought together experts and stakeholders to develop a national policy on wetlands. It also set the stage for the development of a strategy and action plan for the wetlands that would incorporate concerns on biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation. The conference was organized by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. with funding from the German Technical Cooperation.
LLDA Executive Forum
LLDA GM Manda visits San Pablo to discuss seven lakes issues on November 19, 2008. In photo are (seated) Lerma Prudente of Tourism Council, GM Manda, Bobby Azores (FSLF Director); (standing) Tony Lat ( FSLF President), Bob Chan (FSLF VP) and Arvin Carandang (FSLF Treasurer). Also in attendance wereJudge Bienvenido Reyes, Councilor Ares Escudero, CENRO Mon de Roma, PNP Chief Pernito, FARMC representatives and many others. Venue of the executive forum was KKAN Food Complex in San Pablo City.
For more photos and update on issues, see http://www.freewebs.com/fslf/lagunalakedevtauth.htm
Luntiang Pilipinas Turns 10
Senator Loren Legarda officially launched her latest project 10 @ 10: The 10 Million Trees Campaign on October 14, 2008 at the Luneta Park on the occasion of Luntian’s 10th year anniversary. The Senator's online campaign encourages planting of 10 million trees by year 2011 to help minimize the effects of global warming.
Pledges to plant as many trees are registered online through www.luntiangpilipinas.com.ph. Pledgers are responsible for the actual tree- planting, to send in photos or videos to document of the activities, and monitor the growth of the trees that have been planted. Pledges will be acknowledged in the form of a pledge of commitment card to be issued in the participant’s name.
A delegation of San Pablenos including FSLF members were present at the launch.
In photo, first row: Dr. Jose Sargento and Seseng Oblena. Second row: Dr. Rodel Lasco, Kimton DyNing, Bobby Azores, Senator Loren Legarda, Atty. Karen Agapay, Mrs. Agapay and Dr. Rex Victor Cruz.
For more on the Senator's environmental advocacies, visit: http://lorenlegarda.com.ph/advocacies.php
YAKAP SA LAWA 2
Breakfast before going to the Central School Gym for the Yakap sa Lawa program
Over 4,000 people join the Yakap sa Lawa at the Central School Gym.
FSLF joined Lingap sa Pitong Lawa (LSPL), OSAD-M2K and other NGOs of San Pablo in organizing the YAKAP SA LAWA 2, which took plalce on Friday, October 10, 2008. This wa sa celebration of thanksgiving and unity for the eight years of unified efforts of the citizens, non-governmental organizations and the local and provincial officials to protect our seven lakes. Over 4,000 people filled the Central School Gym, which was the new site of the event (due to heavy downpour). Special guests in the persons of Sen. Loren Legarda, Sec. Sonny Alvarez, Former Governor Joey Lina, DENR RED Tamoria, LLDA GM Manda, basketball star Alwind Santos representing Sen Mar Roxas, Miss Earth Philippines Michelle Oblea and many others graced the event. Governor Lazaro and Mayor Amante were onhand to welcome the guests.
The actual Yakap para sa Lawa.
Kapit-kamay all around the Gym.
Senator Loren Legarda turns over tree seedlings as part of her 10 Million Trees Project.
VIPs receive tokens of appreciation from LSPL's Mai Anonuevo and FSLF's Arvin Carandang.
Sec. Alvarez and LLDA GM Ed Manda join the Sectoral Dialogue after lunch.
This year's Yakap sa Lawa focused on thanksgiving and unity for the seven lakes. The event ended with a sectoral dialogue participated in by LLDA GM Ed Manda and Presidential Adviser for Climate Change Sec. Sonny Alvarez. Included in the discussions were the fishcage belt issue and bamboo propagation.
Yakap sa Lawa 2 is one of the activities that hopes to draw attention to Project 747. This project, spearheaded by LSPL, brings together business and civic groups, and religious, non-government and people's organizations in pursuit of one goal...and that is to raise 7 million pesos for 7 lakes (or 747). These funds will be used for social development projects that support initiatives on: Education & Youth Development, Entrereneurship, Environment Protection, and Ecotourism. This is a project of San Pablenos wherever they may be. For more information call +6349-800-0082.
More photos of Yakap sa Lawa 2 at http://carilevazores.multiply.com/photos/album/44
FSLF organized the first Yakap sa Lawa on February 29, 2000. Check out http://www.freewebs.com/fslf/yakapsalawa2000.htm for more on the 2000 Yakap sa Lawa in which over 8,000 people joined hands around the 3.8 km stretch of perimeter road around Sampaloc Lake
Scenes from 2000 Yakap sa Lawa
FSLF Organizational History
Photo of Sampaloc Lake, largest of the city's seven lakes, with Mount Cristobal in the background
In the sixties, a road was built around
In the seventies, floating cages were introduced resulting in the explosion of the number of fishcages, most of them illegal and major contributors to pollution. The overuse of commercial fish feeds has resulted in high nitrogen levels, low dissolved oxygen and a proliferation of water lilies. These have led to fishkills in the early and late nineties. In January 2004, there were fishkills in six of the seven lakes.
In an effort to protect and preserve our seven lakes, the Save the Lakes Movement (SLM) was formed by concerned citizens from San Pablo City in early 1999 to ensure that the established rehabilitation master plan set for the lakes by the local and provincial governments, and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) are actually implemented and monitored. In addition, SLM was formed to promote environmental awareness -- giving light to the importance of protecting and preserving our limited natural resources for future generations to come. SLM held a city-wide prayer rally to inform the community of the impending environmental disaster threatening the seven lakes. The following month, a group composed of concerned citizens started meeting on lake issues and on what they could do to address them. The result was the Friends of the Seven Lakes Foundation, Inc (FSLF), which was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-profit organization in August 2000.
The FSLF encourages membership from individuals and groups with a deeper level of commitment to the lakes.
FSLF Founding Members: Fortunata Azores, Dr. Cesar De Mesa Fule, Encarnacion Laurel, Nonieluna Raymundo, Armando Marino, Librado Fule, Athena Soto, Sulpicia Azores, Frank Denton, Apolinar Cortez and Bobby Azores.
Advisers: Msgr. Jerry V. Bitoon (St. Peter's College Seminary Rector), Dante Capistrano (Bantay Tubig President), Pando Espallardo (SIL-FARMC President) and Engr. Mon San Andres (Geologist).
Contact us: friends7lakes@gmail.com
Webmaster: carilevazores@yahoo.com.ph
Your Visitor number
FSLF, Inc. envisions a healthy and beneficial seven lakes of
"Kung hindi tayo, sino? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan?"
If we don't do it, who will? If not now, when?
Msgr. Jerry Bitoon Visits FSLF 2008
Msgr. Jerry Bitoon visited with FSLF members and guests on August 12, 2008, The gathering was held at KKAN, Farmers Building, San Pablo City. Msgr. Jerry updated the group on Project 747, initiated by Lingap sa Pitong Lawa, which aims to raise P7million pesos for community development projects of the seven lakes and the city. Also discussed at the gathering is the upcoming YAKAP SA LAWA, Part 2, which is the community's symbolic embrace in thanksgiving and unity for the environment to be held on October 10, 2008.
With the Monsignor in photo are seated: Kathy Chan, Daida San Andres, Ed Jaramillo, Sue Azores and Judge Bienvenido Reyes. Standing are: Cari Azores, Remz Devanadera, Vic Anyayahan, Atty. Tony Lat, Arvin Carandang and Bobby Azores.
World Water Day 2008 and 2007
San Pablo City, March 27, 2008 - The FSLF welcomed Chairman Ramon Alikpala and members of the Philippine Water Partnerships organizations to San Pablo City on March 27, 2008. The group spent the day in San Pablo City to learn about the seven lakes and the watershed as their way of celebrating World Water Day. They began their visit with a meeting with City Mayor, Vicente Amante, joined by the FSLF ofiicers. They then transferred to the Tahanan ni Aling Meding along Dagatan Blvd where presentations were made by the FSLF and the San Pablo City Water District. This was followed by lunch. The group then visited Sampaloc Lake, the Gawad Kalinga relocation site and Palakpakin Lake accompanied by members of the FSLF, FARMC and GK. They also drove to Pandin Lake, but the heavy rains prevented them from actually walking to the lake. For more photos, please check out: http://www.freewebs.com/fslf/philwaterpartnerships.htm
Manila, March 22, 2007 - The FSLF Kids/Youth represented the Friends of the Seven Lakes Foundation at the celebration of World Water Day at the Philippine Water Summit. This was held at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Quezon City, Philippines. The kids sang the UNICEF theme song for water entitled "WE RISE" composed by Fil-Am, Gemma Bulos. Ms. Bulos is founder of A Single Drop, an NGO doing water protection and conservation work in rural communities around the world. The children's performance coincided with the singing of the song in several local communities around the country. The FSLF Kids/Youth were joined by the Canossa College Oyayi Children's Choir. DENR Secretary joins the children in a photo after the song. In his speech, the Secretary quoted the saying printed on the children's shirts: "With great power comes great responsibility."
.jpg)
LLDA GM Visits San Pablo City
LLDA General Manager Casimiro Ynares III and his staff visited San Pablo City on January 18, 2007 on the invitation of the Friends of the Seven Lakes Foundation. City Administrator Amben Amante, CENHRRO's Mon de Roma, City officer for environment Milo Tirones and FARMC's Pando Espallardo joined FSLF officers and members. They discussed several issues and concerns including demolition of illegal structures, water quality monitoring, etc.
For more on the meeting: http://www.freewebs.com/fslf/lagunalakedevtauth.htm
Manila Bay Book Launch
FSLF officers attended the launch of the MANILA BAY: THE CROSSROADS OF ASIA, a coffeetable book on the historic Manila Bay. This was held at the Manila Hotel's Centennial Hall on November 27, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. The book completes the water series trilogy published by Unilever
This was also an Appreciation Night for Unilever's friends in government, NGOs, and civil society as Howard Belton steps down as Unilever
FSLF was represented by Bobby Azores (President), Che Aquino (Vice-President), Lora Quitain (Secretary and FSLF Kids Coordinator), Arvin Carandang (FSLF) and Maia Azores (FSLF Youth).
Jun Alvarez, Bobby Azores, Che Aquino, Chito Macapagal (Unilever) Maia Azores and Lora Quitain with some framed photos of Manila Bay scenes.
2008 TUNZA in Norway
2008 TUNZA UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE
ON THE ENVIRONMENT
The Friends of the Seven Lakes Foundation (FSLF) is pleased to announce the participation of three child delegates to the 2008 TUNZA United Nations International Childrens Conference on the Environment (UN-ICCE) in Stavanger, Norway from June 17-22, 2008. The children are Samuel Loyola (14) and his sister, Veronica (11) and Roberto Azores Jr. (10). The three children are accompanied by Mrs. Marylene Loyola. Also part of the Philippine delegation are Samuel Sapuay of Cainta, Rizal and Shelley Gonzalez of Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Samuel Loyola (center, in photo) is a member of the 12-member Junior Board consisting of children from different countries. They helped UNEP in organizing the conference and served as environmental ambassadors to children on the global stage during the period of preparation. The Junior Board is elected every to years by child delegates participating in the TUNZA conferences.
Children from 100 countries are participating in the 2008 TUNZA UN-ICCE. The Conference increased the children's understanding of environmental issues from a global perspective and provided opportunities for building new friendships among children from different countries.
For more on the 2008 TUNZA, please see: http://www.unep.org/tunza/children/events/icc_2008/
Also available are photos of the 2006 TUNZA in Malaysia, check: http://www.freewebs.com/fslfkids/tunza2006malaysia.htm
Msgr. Jerry Bitoon Visits from the Vatican
Msgr. Jerry Bitoon was assigned to Vatican City in 2005. He came for a brief vacation in July 2006 and honored the FSLF with a visit. Below are photos of a luncheon tendered in his honor on July 22, 2006 at the residence of Mrs. Fortunata M. Azores.
Seated: (left to right) Tania Gunter, Naty Azores and Daida San Andres; Standing: Nonie Raymundo, Pando & Lucy Espallardo, Msgr. Jerry Bitoon, Susie Azores, Judge Bienvenido Reyes, Dr. Cesar de Mesa Fule, Bobby Azores and Kim Dy Ning.
Tito Monsi with some of the FSLF Kids and Youth: Arneil Cariquitan, Ms. Lora Quitain (FSLF Kids Moderator), Bam-Bam Azores, Tito Monsi, Bobby Azores, Vea Cariquitan, Nitoy Azores, Lois Locson, Tania Gunter, Veerah Locson, Milen Inacay and Mimi Locson
Looking out into the garden: Infront are Msgr. Jerry Bitoon and FSLF Honorary Chair Naty Azores. Second row: Milen Inacay, Cari Azores, Irene Albajera, Pando Espallardo, Tania Gunter, Dr. Cesar de Mesa Fule, Susie Azores, Daida and Mon San Andres. In back (partly hidden) is Lora Quitain.
With Sampaloc Lake in the background: Infront are Councilor Gelo Adriano, Msgr. Jerry Bitoon and Susie Azores; In the second row are: Tania Gunter, Maia Azores, Bobby Azores, Victor Locson, Milen and Bong Inacay and Mike Recuenco.
Tribute to Engr. Ramon San Andres
IN MEMORIAM
Engineer Ramon San Andres, FSLF Director and active member of the Foundation, passed away on December 20, 2007 at the age of 58.
Mon has provided technical knowledge to the FSLF through his many researches and work experiences. In recent months, Mon turned over many of his researches and documentation to the FSLF. He lobbied for causes to protect the seven lakes and proposed ways to protect the watershed. He was also a mentor to the younger members of the FSLF Youth and the FSLF Kids through his willingness to share in simplest terms all about hydrology.
We will truly miss our dear friend and colleague, Mon.