Pandin Lake

Pandin Lake is one of the seven crater lakes in San Pablo City, specifically in Barangay Santo
Angel. It covers a total area of 24.15 hectares, a total perimeter of 1.91 kilometers, a maximum
depth of 63 meters, and is known to be the twin of Yambo lake (LLDA, 2014). It is about 8
kilometers from the city proper and is accessible via Werner Schetelig Avenue in Barangay
Santo Angel. The lake was believed to be formed through a phreatic eruption that ejected lava
from Mt. San Cristobal into groundwater, causing an explosion that resulted in a crater-like
depression (Brillo & Boncocan, 2016). The lake's water comes from rainfall, surface runoff, and
surrounding natural springs, and it discharges through seepage, evaporation, and outflow to
Palakpakin Lake via the Prinsa River (LLDA, 2014).

It is one of the "the most pristine" of the seven lakes. According to the Environmental Laboratory
and Research Division of Laguna Lake Development Authority (2014), Pandin Lake's water
quality was monitored quarterly from 2009 to 2013 in compliance with the DENR
Administrative Order No. 34, Series of 1990. From 2009 to 2013, Pandin Lake had a pH of 7.0
to 7.5, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) concentration of 7 mg/L decreased to 3 mg/L, and
dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration from 4.1 mg/L increased to 6.6 mg/L. Lake Pandin
exhibited all trophic states from oligotrophic (nutrient-poor, low in algal and fish biomass) to
eutrophic (nutrient-rich, abundant in algal and fish biomass). Though the water temperature is
relatively cool, at 26.5 degrees Celsius, it is enriched with ammonia-nitrogen (0.216 mg/L),
which develops during a lake turnover but is subsequently reduced when the concentration of
ammonia-nitrogen increases. Ammonia-nitrogen is the most significant contributor to the lake's
fluctuating total inorganic nitrogen (TIN). The total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN)
levels become maximal during an algal bloom, indicating that phytoplankton can significantly
contribute to the lake's nutrient enrichment.

Furthermore, reactive phosphorus is highest in the lake during a lake overturn, and total
phosphorus in the lake is low most of the year but starts getting replenished during a lake
overturn and reaches peak levels during an algal bloom. This body of water can be categorized as
oligotrophic during most of the year, with little nutrient enrichment. However, it becomes
eutrophic during an algal bloom in summer, when intense cultural eutrophication and minimal
protection are given to the lake (Zafaralla, 2012).

Brillo (2016) notes that small lakes in the Philippines have been used primarily for aquaculture.
The country has experienced an expansion of tilapia fish cage farming, with these operations
becoming widespread across many small lakes. Aquaculture has helped many small lake
communities by providing livelihood and other work opportunities. At the same time, these
benefits have often been offset by detrimental effects to inland water resources, as aquaculture
operations have expanded too far. Contrastingly, the growth of aquaculture in the country has
been limited by increasing prices of commercial feeds, natural calamities (such as typhoons and
fishkills), and laws such as the Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550) or Republic Act 8550,
which imposes a 10-percent-area limit for aqua structures. Because of the inherent problems
associated with aquaculture-based development, many ecotourism enterprises are becoming
alternatives to conventional developments in small lakes. Pandin Lake has received considerable
attention from ecotourism enthusiasts, and several blogs have recommended the lake's
ecotourism project as an effective means of economic growth and development.

The tourism project in Pandin Lake has transformed from the conceptualization stage under the
auspices of the Samahang Mangingisda ng Lawa ng Pandin (SMLP) to a new form of
community-based ecotourism. The SMLP is a non-governmental organization (NGO) whose
mission is to ensure and protect the sustainability of their livelihood as fishing people and
promote a green environment. As a result of their diligence, Pandin Lake has progressed from
being just one of the seven lakes surrounding San Pablo City to becoming a premier tourist
destination, rivaling Sampaloc Lake. Recently, this lake has held several conferences regarding
its ability to serve as an example of sustainable development for small lakes in the Philippines
(Brillo & Boncocan, 2016).