Lakes have always been a favorite retreat for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, offering a sanctuary of freshwater and aviary species, and a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

To many communities, lakes are more than just picturesque sceneries: they are the lifeblood that sustains an intricate web of livelihoods. Fishermen rely on the lakes for their daily catch, local farmers depend on the nutrient-rich water for irrigation, and local businesses thrive on the tourism drawn by the area’s natural beauty. 

Transforming women’s lives: The Tilanggit Project

In 2022, the Center for Lakes Sustainable Development (CLSD) at the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) embarked on a mission that went beyond environmental sustainability. They aimed to uplift the lives of women in the lakeshore communities of Los Baños, Laguna, through the "Community-based Rollout of Tilanggit Production Technology: A Resilience Livelihood Program for Vulnerable Lakeshore Families of Los Baños, Province of Laguna" (Tilanggit Project).

Funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), this initiative was designed to equip mothers and daughters from low-income families with the skills and resources needed to produce and sell "tilanggit," providing an additional source of income for their families. 

Tilanggit is a small-sized tilapia processed similarly to the popular dried fish, danggit.

Before implementing the technology for community-based tilanggit production, the CLSD conducted a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) to ensure that the development plans would address the community's needs. It also involved the local government, people’s organizations, and government agencies concerning the area for a holistic approach. 

Women from Barangays Malinta, Mayondon, and Bayog have received training in business writing, customer segmentation, market analysis, packaging, food safety, and FDA product registration and licensing. They were also provided with the necessary tools, equipment, and raw materials for tilanggit production. Cutting-edge equipment, such as the Multi-Commodity Solar Tunnel Dryer (MCSTD) and the Mechanical Fish Dehydrator, were strategically installed in these communities.

Today, the dried tilanggit produced by these empowered women has been featured in various bazaars and is commercially available through the LSPU Business Affairs Office (BAO). The CLSD Tilanggit Project has not only provided a sustainable livelihood for these women but also fostered a sense of resilience and self-reliance within their communities.

CLSD: Guardians of CALABARZON’s Lakes

In the broader CALABARZON region, which boasts 16 lakes including the famous Laguna Lake and the Seven Crater Lakes of San Pablo City, the CLSD is at the forefront of sustainable lake management, aiming to improve policies and practices for lake health.

Launched in October 2021, CLSD operates with the support of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Science for Change Program, funded under the Niche Center in the Regions for Research and Development (NICER) program. The CLSD facility is situated at the LSPU-Los Baños Campus (LSPU-LBC). 

CLSD collaborates with local government units (LGUs), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 4A, the University of the Philippines Los Baños-School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB-SESAM), the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and the Southeast Asian Limnological Network. Together, they implement four flagship projects designed to foster sustainable lake management through research and development:

Project 1 maps areas with high nutrient levels and uses mathematical models to predict and manage nutrient pollution, enhancing water quality and guiding effective conservation strategies.

Project 2 takes a holistic approach to promoting sustainable practices for fish farming and ecotourism in smaller crater lakes. By relying on scientific data and predictive models, this project aims to balance lake health with community needs.

Project 3 focuses on improving water quality and oxygen levels in the Taytay River and Maningning Creek area through a community-based rehabilitation system.

Project 4 employs advanced DNA techniques to track harmful microbes, identifying and stopping sources of contamination to ensure cleaner water and a safer environment for lakeshore communities.

The center is equipped with laboratories such as Analytical Chemistry Laboratory and the Ecoinformatics Laboratory for its lake resource management activities. Meanwhile, the DOST-PCAARRD also provided equipment for the Center’s Microbiology and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratories. 

Social and economic benefits

The CLSD’s initiatives are set to bring significant benefits to lakeshore communities. Socially, the center aims to enhance lakeshore communities' resilience and adaptation to climate change, improve the quality of lake environments accessible to the public, and create better livelihood opportunities for locals dependent on lake ecosystems. The center will also empower marginalized groups, such as women, through skills training and cultivate environmental stewards or lake champions within the community.

Economically, the CLSD will promote the adoption of beneficial policy recommendations by local government units, create livelihood opportunities for vulnerable families, and boost community resilience. Improved lake water quality will increase the yield of aquaculture and capture fisheries, while the sale of various eco-products will provide alternative income sources. Furthermore, enhancing the lake environment will offer income opportunities for local governments through eco-tourism development initiatives.

Looking ahead

The story of the CLSD and its Tilanggit Project is one of hope, resilience, and transformation. By empowering women and fostering sustainable lake management, the CLSD is not only protecting the environment but also uplifting communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change in CALABARZON.

As the CLSD moves forward, it is expected to develop an online lake database, and a mobile app for estimating lake carrying capacity, install sewage treatment facilities, create various eco-products, and publish scientific articles, research protocol manuals, and information, education, and communication (IEC) materials. Multiple intellectual property rights are also anticipated.

Want to know more about the center? Send an email to:

A/Prof. Christian Paul P. de La Cruz
Program Leader, Lake NICER
Center for Lakes Sustainable Development
Laguna State Polytechnic University-Los Baños Campus
[email protected] 

Photo credit: LSPU-LBC MIS and Tilanggit Project Team