Makabayan bet raises quarrying, ecotourism issues in Batangas, Laguna

Makabayan senatorial candidate Liza Maza (left) talking with town representatives —Photo courtesy of Makabayan Coalition

MANILA, Philippines — Makabayan senatorial candidate and former Gabriela Partylist Rep. Liza Maza has called on the government to address concerns related to the environmental resources of some areas nationwide due to destructive projects, such as ecotourism and quarrying operations.

Maza particularly mentioned the provinces of Batangas and Laguna, which she visited along with fellow senatorial bet Jerome Adonis and the Bayan Muna party-list group for campaign sorties.

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“Many of these projects also cause affected communities’ physical and economic dislocation,” Maza said in a statement on Monday.

Maza shared that she specifically visited Sto. Tomas in Batangas and her hometown in San Pablo in Laguna.

In Laguna, Maza revealed that the ecotourism industry had already caused “serious environmental and social concerns in communities around the Seven Lakes.”

She noted the city government’s promotion of these lakes—Bunot, Calibato, Mohicap, Palakpakin, Pandin, Sampaloc, and Yambo—as tourist destinations.

“These projects have raised fears of forced relocation among residents around the lakes to make way for large-scale tourism infrastructure such as resorts and other facilities. Most local farmers and fishers in these communities have insecure land tenure, making them highly vulnerable to displacements,” Maza stressed.

“There are also concerns about privatizing access to the lakes, which could restrict traditional fishing and farming activities,” she further said.

Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority, the senatorial candidate said mining and quarrying is a P200-billion industry, which attracts local and foreign investments.

“I strongly urge the local government of San Pablo and concerned agencies like the environment and tourism departments to listen to the people’s legitimate issues in relation to large-scale ecotourism’s impacts on the communities and environment of Laguna,” she said.

“Marami sa ating mga kababayan sa Seven Lakes ang umaasa sa maliitang pangingisda at pagsasaka (So many of our countrymen around Seven Lakes rely on small-scale fishing and farming). The introduction of ecotourism, especially large-scale projects, will disrupt their livelihood, either through competition for resources or environmental degradation,” she added.