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Manila Bulletin

Philippines

Collecting water hyacinths as source of livelihood for Taytay fisherfolk

Philippines

Collecting water hyacinths as source of livelihood for Taytay fisherfolk

By Nel Andrade

Taytay, RIZAL – For one month, fishermen here will have a chance to earn extra income, not for fishing, but for gathering water hyacinths that have become a menace in the town and nearby areas in Metro Manila.

Mayor George Ricardo Gacula II said that Taytay fishermen will have the chance to earn extra money out of the water hyacinths that they will turn over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Gacula said DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda personally made the assurance to the town’s fisherfolk that they will be receiving P1.50 per kilo of water hyacinth they will turn over to the DENR.

Antiporda said the project will be initially done for a month and may be extended depending on the need as overpopulation of water hyacinths is a perennial problem in Laguna Lake.

Floodway area in Barangay San Juan is being targeted for the water hyacinth collection project, leading to Pasig River and Manila Bay.

Boats will be customized to serve as receptacles of the collected water hyacinths according to Usec. Antiporda.

During this period of the year, water hyacinths are blocking the major waterways in Laguna Lake and other tributaries and river systems in the province.

Aside from waterways in Taytay, large portions of Laguna Lake, especially in the Cardona side, are also being populated by water hyacinths affecting the livelihood opportunities of fisherfolk in the lakeshore villages in the town.

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