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Historical Background

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FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF THE AREA
 

The municipality of Kalayaan is an urbanizing agricultural and watershed town.
Through agriculture is considered as a major livelihood activity and land use in the municipality, encroachment of urban activities is very evident. Emerging trends or pattern of development with in the municipality, specifically in its barangay show increasing potentials fo
urbanization. The current gross residential area density of 141 persons per hectares, with Longos having a density of 268 person per hectares shows urbanizing trends.

The available lands and the towns absorptive capacity supports the urban functions of the area. Urbanizable lands which refer to areas still available for urban expansion which are found to be suitable for urban uses at varying degrees based on soil suitability studies (Chapter on Natural Features) is eliminated at 2,684 hectares. Absorptive capacity which refers to the capacity of an area to accommodate anticipated increases in population and the corresponding growth in settlements vis-à-vis available urbanizable lands base on a standard of 150 persons per hectares for low density areas is eliminated at 402,600 persons. Thus, the projected population of 21,098 and 44,267 for year 2000 and 2010 respectively can very well accommodated. In-migration is also a possibility. The inherent soil suitability to agricultural crop production can still supports said much population.

The municipality is a potential tourist destination forming part of the Caliraya Lake Tourism Circuit. There are already some existing tourism establishments in the areas adjacent to Caliraya Lake. The windy cool breeze on the eastern upper portion of the municipality over looking the Laguna de Bay and some parts of Laguna province and even portion of Metro Manila makes the town a favorite resting place from the Metropolis. The proximity to Metro Manila and the relative secrecy and serenity of the place afford urban dwellers a good place to relax and recharge. Those factors are also conductive to making the town a "retirement village" or a place to settle for elder lies and those wanting for peace and serenity. The tourists may then be lived to stay and live in the municipality. Those developments should have corresponding physical or land allocation for the future.

The presents of power projects in the area under the National Power Corporation makes the municipality a major power contribution to the development efforts of the government at present, to the Philippines 2000 and even beyond. The vacant lands presently owned by the NPC will contribute to the provision of electric or power services to the industrialization tourist of the country. The presents of a major input to industrial development may entice industrial expansion in the municipality.

The potential for industrial development in the municipality includes availability of power, water, raw materials such as agricultural and forest products, accessibility to Metro Manila markets and available labor.

The municipality is an environmentally critical area. The towns location vis-à-vis Laguna de Bay and Lake Caliraya, its rolling terrain and it being apart of the forest reserve makes it a watershed area as delineated by the Bureau of Forest Development and Laguna Lake Development Authority. However, at present the once forested areas are denuded and some parts have degenerated and deteriorated to marginal lands covered for grasses, cogon or a few trees. This is essentially due to improper forests management practices particularly illegal logging. To date only those lands having slopes of 18% and above are considered as forest areas. These are mostly at the eastern most tip of the municipality.

The coastal areas of the municipality along the shores of the Laguna de Bay and Caliraya Lake are another critical ecosystem in the municipality. It has approximately 63 kil. of shoreline towards its western and southeastern border along the eastern bay of the Laguna Lake and north western coast of Caliraya lake respectively. Presently these coastal areas are being tapped for marginal fishing, recreational and coastal agricultural activities. This zone extends 200 m. lake ward and at the average, 650 m. in land, coinciding with the establish flood-plain boundary.

The very good land suited for agricultural activity and sites of the irrigated rice lands are also critical ecosystems. These are the main agricultural areas of the municipality which is the backbone of its economic activity. These lands serve as the food basket not only of the municipality but also the neighboring settlements. These are situated at the central portion of the municipality.

The municipality being a lake shore town of Laguna de Bay is under the jurisdiction of a special government agencies undertaking the management and administration of the lake. The Laguna Lake Development Authority exercises jurisdiction over land areas and other regulatory measures in the use of the Lake and in the Lake shore town's. It has lately been included in a Commission undertaking planning for the Laguna de Bay and Makiling Reserved Areas in the province of Laguna de Bay is under jurisdiction of special government agency undertaking the manage and the administration of the lake. The Laguna Lake Development Authority exercises jurisdiction over the land areas and other regulatory measures in the use of the lake and in the lake shore towns. It has lately been included in a Commission undertaking planning for the Laguna de Bay and Makiling Reserved areas in provinces of Laguna, Quezon and Batangas. The municipality is also part of the CALABARZON planning area . The CALABARZON plan takes cognizance of the role of the municipality within the Laguna de Bay and Makiling Reserved Area. In all these plans the municipality is considered as an agricultural and environmentally viatal town in this part of province, the region end the country as well.

There is a need then for municipality to respond to the challenges of the development for the future. It shall be able to exploit the municipality's potential and develop to the fullest for the population. However, any development must be sustainable, thus a development is warranted. The municipality must be able to balance urbanization with agriculture and forestry activities both economic and ecological aspect, thereby utilizing and preserving at the same time the natural resources, assuring a sustainable developing and providing adequate and responsive social services delivery system to its populace.

 

 

 
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