FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 993 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This measure recognizes the principles of Integrated Water Resources 
Management, Ramsar Convention, Bonn Convention, The Philippine Strategy for 
Sustainable Development (Philippine Agenda 21), The National Biodiversity Strategy 
and Action Plan and other relevant international and national commitments as guides in 
developing and implementing effective and efficient management for the Philippine lake 
basins. 
The p,hilippines is endowed with rich natural resources that provide the resource 
base for a majority of its population. About 30% of its more than 90-million population in 
the country live and depend on our major lakes for their survival. Most if not all of the 
major lakes in the country are now being threatened by degradation due to the 
compelling pressures of globalization, trade liberalization coupled with population 
growth, and demand for livelihood. As the per capita consumption of water in the 
Philippines is likely to increase with increasing population (expected to reach 115 million 
by 2025), this will place an even greater demand on available water resources. Water 
will then become scarcer and will involve major economic and environmental issues. 
Our major lakes in the country sustain life by providing goods, services and 
aesthetic and spiritual values. Our country's lake ecosystems are fragile and their 
integrity bears on the quality of life. Data from the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR) indicate that there are 211 lakes distributed all over the 
archipelago, some of which are even home to various species of freshwater fish. 
However, due to the heavy demand on this natural resource to sustain the population, 
lakes have been vulnerable to pollution and degradation. Industrialization, urbanization 
and population increase placed serious threats to the freshwater bodies in the country. 
This proposed measure seeks to regulate the development and management of 
lakes in the country in order to protect and preserve these sources of food and clean 
water through the creation of a Lake Development and Management Board in all 
provinces. These Lake Development and Management Boards will be empowered to 
regulate the development, preservation and rehabilitation of the country's lakes. This 
intervention is being pursued in order to ensure the sustainable use, development, 
management, and conservation of the country.'s lakes for present and future 
generations. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sou9~h 
.. tjio' _ ....... 
MA"'L~TO" M. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH, CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 993 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF LAKES IN 
THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. -
This act shall be known as the "Lake 
Development and Management Act of 2010". 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. -
It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to ensure the sustainable use, development, management and conservation of 
the country's lakes, including the protection and enhancement of the quality lakes for 
the present and future generations, under the principles of viable, sound and broad-
based economic development, ecological soundness, social equity and sustainability, 
SEC. 3. 
Coverage. - In accordance with the aforesaid policy, this Act shall 
regulate the use, development, management and conservation of public natural and 
, 
artificial lakes that are not officially managed by any body or authority, as well as 
activities which impact the said resource to maintain its ecological character. 
This Act shall cover all provinces of the Republic of the Philippines that have 
lakes, as defined in Section 5(h) hereof, within their territorial jurisdiction. 
SEC. 4. 
Framework. - This Act shall embody the principles of sustainable 
development, tourism development, economic growth, environmental protection, 
community development and involvement, and institutional strengthening. 
Its management framework shall include: 
(a) 
inventory and assessment of prevailing conditions and resources of lakes; 
(b) 
evaluation of carrying capacity; 
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(c) 
identification of conflicts in resource use; 
(d) 
adaptation to climate change; 
(e) 
disaster preparedness; 
(f) 
review and monitoring of development initiatives, resource development 
and utilization of lakes; and 
(g) 
capacity-building and active stakeholder participation, 
SEC. 5. 
Definition of Terms, -
Under this Act, the following terms are 
hereby defined: 
(a) 
"Alienable and disposable lands (A and OJ" refers to lands of the public 
domain which have been classified and declared as such and available for disposition 
under Commonwealth Act No, 141, as amended, otherwise known as the "Public land 
Act", 
(b) 
"Carrying capacity" refers to the number of individuals who can be 
supported in a given area within natural resource limits and without degrading the 
natural, social, cultural and economic environment for present and future generations, 
(c) 
"Development activities" refers to activities that involve all forms of 
improvement, construction or enhancement of land and other resources within islands 
or island groups that would likely impact the environment 
(d) 
"Ecological character" refers to the combination of ecosystems 
components, processes and benefits people receive from the lake, 
(e) 
"Ecological destination" refers to site that shows a unique feature of a 
landscape that benefits people because of its aesthetic, recreational and scientific 
value, 
(f) 
"Eutrophic lakes" refers to nutrient-rich lakes which have good plant 
growth and possible algal bloom, 
(g) 
"Impoundment" refers to an "artificial lake" which is characterized by 
fluctuating water levels, high turbidity and where the production of benthos is often 
lesser than in natural lakes, 
(h) 
"Lake" refers to a slow moving or standing body of water which may be 
saline, occupying a hallow in the earth's surface which is entirely or nearly surrounded 
by land, 
(i) 
"Lakeshore" refers to the land along the edge of a lake, 
(j) 
"Oligotrophic lakes" refers to nutrient poor lakes which have low 
concentration of plant life, 
(k) 
"Sustainable development" refers to the development objective of 
meeting the needs and aspirations of the present generation of Filipinos without 
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compromising the capabilities and opportunities of future generations to fulfill theirs, 
consistent with the principles of social equity, efficiency and environmental integrity. 
(I) 
"Tourism development areas" refers to specific sites for tourism 
development located in areas identified as priorities in the national and regional tourism 
master plans as well as those designated through legislative and executive issuances 
as tourist spots and tourist zones which can be developed into tourism estates or 
integrated resort, leisure and recreation complexes, and other tourism-related facilities. 
SEC. 6. 
Creation of the Lake Development and Management Board 
(LOMB). -
Upon the effectivity of this Act, the Lake Development and Management 
Board shall be created in provinces that have lakes within their territorial jurisdiction to 
exercise their powers and functions as stated in Section 8 hereof. 
SEC. 7. 
Composition of the Lake Development and Management 
Board. - The Board shall be headed by the governor of the province who shall serve as 
the chairman of the Board, with the following representatives who shall serve as 
members: 
(a) 
The city or muniCipal mayor where lakes are within the said official's 
territorial jurisdiction; 
(b) 
A representative from the Department of tourism (DOT); 
(c) 
A representative from the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA); 
(d) ,A representative from the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources .(DENR); and 
(e) 
Two (2) representative from local sectors which are affected by 
regulations and development initiatives in the island. 
SEC. 8. 
Powers and Functions of the Board. -
The LDMB shall be 
guided by the framework stated in Section 4 hereof and shall have the following powers 
and functions: 
(a) 
Formulate and update site specific rules and regulations on the utilization 
and development of lakes; 
(b) 
Integrate and harmonize all laws and poliCies relevant to lake use; 
(c) 
Regulate the approval of development activities in order to maintain the 
carrying capacity of lakes as mentioned in Section 5(b) hereof; 
(d) 
Ensure the protection of all lakes covered by Republic Act No. 7586, 
otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 
1992, and other areas outside NIPAS which include protection forests, rehabilitated 
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and/or reforested degraded mining areas, critical ecosystems, environmentally-
constrained areas, critical watershed areas and all agricultural lands that are 
ecologically fragile; 
(e) 
Ensure that the regulations will be consistent with other environmental 
laws; and 
(f) 
Approve and oversee the implementation of site specific work plans, 
action plans and programs consistent with the framework. 
, 
SEC. 9. 
Quorum. -
A majority of all the members of the Board shall 
constitute quorum. The Board shall not transact business without a quorum. 
SEC. 10. 
Separability Clause. -
The provisions of this Act are hereby 
declared separable and, in the event that one (1 lor more of such provisions are held 
unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected. 
SEC. 11. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules 
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 12. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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