MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur— After the successful identification of nine (9) suitable sampling points for Lake Dapao in the municipality of Pualas,  the Environment Management Services (EMS) of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) of the Bangsamoro region conducted the first sampling activity at the said water body on March 14. 

Provincial ENRE Officer of Lanao del Sur Asmarie Labao, Chief Environmental Management Specialist Amier Ashan Aplal, Senior EM Specialists Mahid Gayak, Diyanarah Baulo and Rhaez Mustapha collected water samples of Lake Dapao in compliance with the Water Bodies Classification Program of the said Ministry’s sectoral service.

“Collection of water samples in Lake Dapao will be held for 10 months. After which, a public hearing will be scheduled after the consolidation of the laboratory results,” Aplal said.

The primary survey will help the monitoring team identify the beneficial uses of Lake Dapao and the factors that may affect its water quality.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), classification means the categorization of all water bodies and the identification of its water quality. To be identified as well are the existing and potential use of said water bodies and the lands bordering them, such as for residential, agricultural, aquacultural, commercial, industrial, navigational, recreational, wildlife conservation, and aesthetic purposes, among others.

Moreover, beneficial use means the use of the environment or any present element conducive to public or private welfare, safety, and health. This includes the use of water for domestic, municipal, irrigation, power generation, fisheries, livestock raising, industrial, recreational and other purposes.

Meanwhile, Labao said a communication, education, and public awareness campaign must be conducted for the communities residing around the lake to raise their understanding of the importance of having a clean water body. (MENRE/PIA Lanao del Sur)