cited in toto from the petition written by Atty. Abet Hidalgo

We are on all fours with the manifestation of petitioner Laguna Lake Development Authority that “Laguna de Bay, like any other single body of water has its own unique natural ecosystem. The 900 km² lake surface water, the eight (8) major river tributaries and several other smaller rivers that drain into the lake, the 2,920 km² basin or watershed transcending the boundaries of Laguna and Rizal provinces, greater portion of Metro Manila, parts of Cavite, Batangas, and Quezon provinces, constitute one integrated delicate natural ecosystem that needs to be protected with uniform set of policies; if we are to be serious in our aims of attaining sustainable development. This is an exhaustible natural resource — a very limited one — which requires judicious management and optimal utilization to ensure renewability and preserve its ecological integrity and balance.”

“Managing the lake resources would mean the implementation of a national policy geared towards the protection, conservation, balanced growth and sustainable development of the region with due regard to the inter-generational use of its resources by the inhabitants in this part of the earth. The authors of Republic Act 4850 have foreseen this need when they passed this LLDA law — the special law designed to govern the management of our Laguna de Bay lake resources.”

“Laguna de Bay therefore cannot be subjected to fragmented concepts of management policies where lakeshore local government units exercise exclusive dominion over specific portions of the lake water. The garbage thrown or sewage discharged into the lake, abstraction of water therefrom or construction of fishpens by enclosing its certain area, affect not only that specific portion but the entire 900 km² of lake water. The implementation of a cohesive and integrated lake water resource management policy, therefore, is necessary to conserve, protect and sustainably develop Laguna de Bay.” 5

The power of the local government units to issue fishing privileges was clearly granted for revenue purposes. This is evident from the fact that Section 149 of the New Local Government Code empowering local governments to issue fishing permits is embodied in Chapter 2, Book II, of Republic Act No. 7160 under the heading, “Specific Provisions On The Taxing And Other Revenue Raising Power Of Local Government Units.”

Artist  : John Denver
Song : Higher Ground
 
This song appears on two albums, and was first
released on the higher ground album, and has also
been released on the john denver collection -
rocky mountain high album.

There are those who can live
With the things they don’t believe in
They are giving up their lives
For something that is less than it can be

Some have longed for a home
In a place of inspiration
Some will find the emptiness inside
By giving it all for the things that they
believe
They believe

Maybe it’s just a dream in me
Maybe it’s just my style
Maybe it’s juat the freedom that I’ve found
Given the possibility
Of living up to the dream in me
You know I’ll be reaching for higher ground

I will stand on my own
I will live up to the vision
I will trust in what I feel
I’d follow my heart until it brings me home
Brings me home

Maybe it’s just a dream in me
Maybe it’s just my style
Maybe it’s juat the freedom that I’ve found
Given the possibility
Of living up to the dream in me
You know I’ll be reaching for higher ground

Keep me through the night
Lead me to the light
Teach me the magic of wonder
Give me the spirit to fly

Maybe it’s just a dream in me
Maybe it’s just my style
Maybe it’s juat the freedom that I’ve found
Given the possibility
Of living up to the dream in me
You know I’ll be reaching for higher ground

Maybe it’s just a dream in me
Maybe it’s just my style
Maybe it’s juat the freedom that I’ve found
Given the possibility
Of living up to the dream in me
You know I’ll be reaching for higher ground

Music by john denver and lee holdridge, words by
john denver and joe henry