'World’s biggest septic tank is Laguna de Bay'

At least 70 percent of the pollution load of the Laguna de Bay comes from domestic waste, earning for the lake the distinction of being the world’s largest septic tank, a government official said.

Thus, Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) general manager Ed Manda called on local government units to take drastic steps to arrest the worsening condition of the lake before it’s too late.

According to Manda, one step is to demolish the shanties of informal settlers occupying at least 500 hectares on the banks of the Laguna Lake.

“It’s about time (these illegal structures) be demolished,” said Manda, noting that 80 percent of domestic waste dumped into Laguna Lake comes from these informal settlers.

Manda revealed the worsening condition of the Laguna de Bay during a consultation meeting for the Public Disclosure of Local Government Units’ Environmental Governance at the Legend Villas in Mandaluyong City.