EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 296 January 22, 1996
ORDERING THE DISMANTLING OF FISH CAGES, FISH PENS, FISH TRAPS AND OTHER AQUA-CULTURE STRUCTURES IN TAAL LAKE AND THE PANSIPIT RIVER
WHEREAS, Taal Lake has around 75 fish species, some of which are rare food delicacies, like Maliputo and Tawilis, which can be found only in this body of water and not in any other part of the world and, as such, should be given maximum protection in an environment that is conductive to their reproduction;
WHEREAS, the existence and proliferation of fish cages, fish pens, fish traps and other aqua-culture structures along Pansipit River and several areas in Taal Lake have:
a. Prevented small fish of such species from entering the said lake, through the Pansipit River, thus preventing the said marine species from propagating;
b. Polluted parts of the lake due to unconsumed feeds from fish cage culture and the indiscriminate disposal of empty plastic feeds bags in the lake;
c. Rendered the Pansipit River unnavigable, except by small bancas and;
d. Caused inundation of lakeshore areas during typhoons and continuous rains.
WHEREAS, non-residents who are financing fish cage enterprises benefit much more from said fish cage industry than the local residents who serve only as caretakers.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. All fish cages, fish pens, fish traps, and other aqua-culture structures in Taal Lake and the Pansipit River, without any exceptions whatsoever, small be dismantled and removed therefrom not later than 30 days from the promulgation of this Executive Order.
SEC. 2. A Task Force on the Dismantling of Fish Cages, Fish Pens, Fish Traps, and other Aqua-culture Structures in Taal Lake and the Pansipit River and Establishment of Permanent Fish Cage Zones in Taal Lake is hereby created as follows:
