Municipality of Kalayaan

The towns geologic feature exhibits three major rock components namely: alluvium (QAL), proclastic (Qvp and volcanic (Qv).

Alluvium (Qal) are unconsolidated mixture of sand, gravel and considerable sit and clay found mostly in coastal and flood plain areas. This is the smallest single type of rock found in the municipality. It covers about 9.3% of the total land area covering the entire western section of the town less than one kilometer from the nearest point of Laguna de Bay. It occupies approximately 24.0% of Barangay San Juan and 28.5% of Barangay Longos. Pyroclastic rocks (Qvp) are most agglomerates, volcanic breccia and some tuff and volcanic cinders. They are generally found in the foothills of volcanic cones. In Kalayaan, it is the second largest single type of rock formation occupying most of the northern half of the town along the boundaries with Paete and Mauban, Quezon in the east.

Volcanic rocks (Qv) are chiefly andesite and basalt flows with some intercalated pyroclastic rocks generally found around volcanic vents and also occur as fissure eruptions. IT is the largest single type of rock formation found in the town covering approximately 47.2% of the total municipal area. It is found mostly in the southern half of the town covering approximately 76.0% of San Juan, 16.1% of Longos and 40.4% of San Antonio. (Table 4 Geologic Feature).

The exact land area of the municipality is uncertain up to the present because of the varying figures given by the agencies authoritative on the matter. The National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO) approximate it to be around 4,660 hectares composed of only three but rather large barangays. This figure will be used for planning purposes. Barangay San Juan which is presently considered as the Poblacion of the town is approximately 1,227 hectares of 26.3% of the total municipal land area. (Table 1: Land Area by Barangay).

Kalayaan is rectangular in shape with hilly terrain on most of its eastern side while relatively flat on its western side. Its highest elevations are from 400 to 418 meters. These are found in Sitio Santo Angel, Malaking Pulo and Cabuhayan in Barangay San Juan and Sitio Lamao in Barangay San Antonio. Approximately three-fourths of the total land area are with terrain 300 meters and above. Its lowest points are from five to 20 meters along the western sections of Barangays San Juan and Longos towards Laguna de Bay. Its surface water comes in the form of lakes and numerous rivers, streams and creeks (Table 2: Inventory of Rivers and Creeks 1984). San Juan and Longos Rivers wind up into Laguna de Bay towards the western border of the town. The terrain of the municipality has given rise to famous resorts and picnic grooves known to both local and foreign tourists. Aside from these, however, the town has no other prominent topographic feature. The bigger 91.4% of the town has fair water bearing capacity. This area covers the elevated portion of the town representing the entire area of Barangay San Antonio and 22.7% and 8.3% of Barangay San Juan and Longos, respectively.

Kalayaan, like the rest of the municipality of Laguna, experiences Type I of the Philippine climate that has two pronounced seasons, dry and wet. Dry season occurs during the months of November through April while the wet season occurs during the rest of the year. (Map I: Vicinity and Weather Map). This prevailing climatic condition affected by proximity to hills and lakes is most favorable to agriculture and vegetation.

RAINFALL

Heavy rains usually start in May and continue through September with slight variations in duration, frequently and intensity. In 1982, it was most intense during the months of July, August and September when average monthly readings were recorded at 320.5, 191.6 and 454.4 millimeters, respectively. Understandably, it was lightest at 15 millimeters during dry season particularly in the months of February and March. . In terms of frequency, July, September and November were rainiest during the same period with a total of 23 rainy days each for September and November. (Table 3.3: Climatologican Data, 1982).

The average temperature in 1982 was 27.3 C. Temperature during the same year was highest in May and June at 29.3 C, and lowest in January at 24.5 C.

Relative humidity is highest in September with a reading of 80% and lowest in March with a reading of 73%. This makes the month of September most humid and March driest (Table).

TABLE 3

CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA

1982

The towns geologic feature exhibits three major rock components namely: alluvium (QAL), proclastic (Qvp and volcanic (Qv).

The geologic feature discussed earlier indicates ground water resources, which range from good to fair in classification. (Table 5: Ground Water Resources).

Slope Type D that ranges from 10.1 to 18.0% with moderately sloping or rolling characteristics is the largest single slope area in the municipality. It accounts for about 2,206 hectares representing 47.3% or almost one-half of the total municipal area. It is found in all barangays occupying mostly the southern half of the town extending up to its mid-northwestern section as well as major parts of its northeastern corner. (See Slope Map).

Slope Type A which ranges from 0.0% to 2.5% with level nearly characteristics is the second largest slope area in the town accounting for approximately 25.7% of the total municipal and area. It is concentrated in two major points of the town: one covering its entire western end less than one kilometer from the nearest point of Laguna de Bay in Barangay San Juan and Longos; the other, right in the middle of the town extending northward. These areas are very favorable to crop cultivation and urban utilization slopewise.

Slope Type E and F which range from strongly sloping to mountainous account for another 715 hectares representing about 15.4% of the total north to south intersecting the mis-western portion of the town in Barangays Longos and San Juan and in three more points in Barangay San Antonio specifically in this barangay's north easternmost corner, mid-eastern section along the boundary with Quezon Province and right in the center also running eastward.

Being strongly rolling and mountainous, they are highly susceptible to soil erosion and are difficult to develop making it unfavorable for agricultural production and urban development. With slope range above 18%, they may permanently from part of the town's forest reserves if part of the public domain.

Slope Type C that ranges from 5.1 to 10.0% with gently sloping or undulating characteristics accounts for another 318 hectares approximately 6.8% of the total municipal area. It is found in the northeastern part of Longos along the boundary with Paete and in a patch in the mid-northern section of San Antonio. With its gently sloping or undulating terrain, it is classified as fairly tolerant to development. Slope Type B, which ranges from 2.6 to 5.0% with very gently sloping or undulating characteristics accounts for the smallest single slope-area with 223 hectares share approximately 4.8% of the total land area. It is found in two patches in the middle of Barangay San Antonio.

There are five basic soil types in the municipality. These are Tidal fresh water marsh series Mf4, Bay clay series ByBA, Paete clay loam series PeHA, PeHC2, PeHD3, PeHE4 and PeHF4, Luisiana clay series LuBA, LuBD3, and LuBF4; and undifferentiated mountain soil series MsUB, MsUC2, MsUD3, MsUE4 and MSUF4.(Table 7: Basic Soil Classification).

BASIC SOIL TYPES	AREA
BASIC SOIL TYPES	HECTARES	PERCENT DISTRIBUTION
Tidal Fresh Water Marsh Bay Clay Paete Clay Loam Luisiana Clay Undifferentiated Mountain Soil	171 212 1,278 1,461 4,660	3.7 4.5 27.5 31.4 100.0

Source: LLDA Soil Study

Soil series are groups of soils derived from the same parent material that are similar in profile characteristics, relief and drainage except for the surface texture.

Tidal fresh water marsh series Mf4 is the smallest single type in the municipality accounting for only 171 hectares or 3.7% of the total municipal area. It is found in the watermost section of the town along the shore of Laguna de Bay specifically in Barangays San Juan and Longos.

Bay clay series ByBA is similar not extensive in the municipality covering only about 212 hectares or 4.5% of the total municipal area. This soil series is normally utilized for paddy rice production. They are generally poorly drained due to their low based position and poor permeability due to clayey solum textures. They are highly suitable for the cultivation of rice, tree crops and diversified crops as well as for urban uses. Their surface texture is clay loam with clayey textures of minor extent included. They are found in the western side of the municipality specifically in Barangays San Juan and Longos next to the tidal fresh mater marsh.

Paete series' soil formation is derived from the physical and chemical weathering of igneous rocks of basalt and andesites. It is quite extensive in the municipality covering about 1,278 hectares or 27.4% of the total municipal area. Its profile characteristics are moderately deep-to-deep reddish brown granular clay loam to clay. Its external drainage is rated good to excessive while fair to poor internally. This soil, mostly found in the western half of the town, covers large areas of Barangays San Juan and Longos. This soil is not suitable for paddy rice, for diversified crops and marginally to moderately suitable for tree crops.

Luisiana soil is formed from weathered products of igneous rocks of basalt and andesites. Its relief varies from undulating to rolling and mountainous causing variation in th degree and extent of soil erosion hazards. It is the second largest single soil type in the town covering 1,461 hectares or 31.4% of the total municipal area. This soil type exhibits a deep well-drained relief with friable granular clay loam to clay profile textures. It is found in the southern half of the town extending at a decreasing proportion mid-northward covering the Barangays of San Juan and San Antonio. This soil is generally suitable for paddy rice, tree crops, diversified crops and grazing depending on slope characteristics. In Kalayaan, they are mostly in areas with slope 10.1% to 18.0% which renders them only marginally suitable for tree and diversified crops and not suitable for paddy rice cultivation.

Undifferentiated mountain soil covers the largest single soil type in the municipality accounting for an approximate total of 1,538 hectares, about 33.0% of the entire municipal area. It is found in the eastern section of the town affecting a large area of Barangay San Antonio.

For a more comprehensive discussion of the suitability, capability, drainage, erosion and flooding implications of these soil types, refer to the preceding sections of this chapter.

Land Capability

The physical characteristics of the municipality particular its soils and slope, exhibit a generally fairly good land in terms of capability.

Very good land (a) is the second biggest slice of land comprising about 876 hectares representing 18.8% of the total municipal area. It is found in the level to nearly level central portions of the municipality extending northward covering the northeastern section of Longos and a big proportion of San Antonio. These lands are highly suitable for urban use and can be cultivated safely requiring only simple but good farm management practices.

Good lands (Be and Bw) total 414 hectares or 8.9% of the total municipal area and are found at two points contiguous to the very good lands in San Antonio (be) and in the western section of the town (Bw) in Barangays Longos and San Juan along the shore of Laguna de Bay at one point and, thereafter, at an average of less than one kilometer from the shore until the national highway. Good lands classified Bw are nearly level occurring in depression. It can be cultivated safely but requires protection from occasional overflow and easily applied conservation techniques and soil management practices. Good land classified Be are nearly level of undulating and slightly to moderately eroded. It could be cultivated safely but requires erosion control measures and easily applied conservation. Both lands can be urbanized.

Moderately good lands (Ce and Cw) account for 10.1% of the total municipal area. Ce are moderately good land which are nearly level in terrain found mostly in the foothills of very steep and strongly sloping lands in two. These lands could be cultivated safely but requires protection from frequent overflows, carefully designed drainage system and careful management practices. Only San Antonio and Longos exhibit this land capability.

Cw, on the other hand, are those lands found along the shores of Laguna de Bay which could be taken as swamps and marshlands because they are constantly under water being part of the lake bed. They are also rated moderately good in land capability with slope rated as nearly level. They are not suitable for urban utilization because they are classified as flood prone areas. Similar to the Ce, they can be cultivated productively but require protection from frequent overflow, carefully designed drainage system and careful management practices. These lands alone comprise around 158 hectares or 3.4% of the municipal area and are found only in Barangays San Juan and Longos.

Fairly good lands (De) account for the bigger 2,200 hectares or almost one-half (47.2%) of the total municipal area. These are found in all barangays occupying mostly the southern half of the town extending up to its mid-northwestern section as well as major parts of its northeastern corner. Strongly sloping or rolling terrains, which are severely susceptible for urban development, characterizes fairly good lands. It can be cultivated occasionally of handled with proper care complemented with careful management as well as complex conservation practices. It is best for pasture and forest purposes.

Steep (m) and very steep (N) lands account for another 701 hectares or 15.0% of the total municipal area. These are found running from north to south intersecting the western portion of Barangays Longos and San Juan and in four more points in Barangay San Antonio specifically in the northeastern corner, mid-eastern section along the boundary with Quezon Province, right the middle also running eastward and in the mid-northern section along the boundary with Paete running eastward up to the middle of the Barangay. Both lands have very severe erosion potential classified as strongly rolling to mountainous. Like the fairly good lands, they are generally classified as poor to not suitable for urban use nor cultivation because of the inhibitive cost associated with their development. Steep land (M) are also best suited for pasture or forest purposes with careful management practices. Very steep lands (N) are similarly rough for cultivation but can be used for grazing with careful management techniques and restrictions. If is, however, best suited for forest purposes with careful management practices. (Table 8: Land Capability).

TABLE 8
LAND CAPABILITY

BASIC SOIL TYPES	AREA
BASIC SOIL TYPES	HECTARES	PERCENT DISTRIBUTION
A - Very good land Be - Good Land Bw - Good Land Ce - Moderately Good land Cw - Moderately Good land De - Fairly Good land M - Steep N - Very steep land	876 215 199 311 158 2,200 292 409	18.8 4.6 4.3 6.7 3.4 47.2 6.2 8.8
TOTAL	4660	100.00

Source: LLDA

Soil Suitability

As reflected by its land capabilities, the soil characteristics of the town is generally not suitable for the cultivation of rice, marginally suitable for tree crops and diversified crops and moderately suitable for urban use. (See Soil Suitability Map).

Soil Suitability for Rice Crop

The area generally not suitable for rice cultivation covers 2,880 hectares of 61.8% of the entire municipal area. They are found in all three barangays occupying almost the entire southern half of the town extending up to its mid-northwestern section as well as upper northeaster corner. These areas are characterized principally by Paete clay loam, Luisiana clay and undifferentiated mountain soil and slope types D, E and F which range from 10.1% to 25.1% and above, moderately sloping or rolling to strongly hilly to mountainous. Rice crop cultivation in this area is not suitable due to the presence of very serious limitations and restrictions such as high degree of erosion potential due to steep slope, which renders the soil not economical to use under any management technique.

Areas highly suitable for rice cultivation cover only 1.075 hectares or 23.0% of the total municipal area. They cover portions of all three barangays but are more extensive in Barangay San Antonio. Specifically, they are found in the western side of the town along the shore of Laguna de Bay at one point and thereafter, less than an average of one kilometer from the same. They are also found right in the middle of the town extending mid-northward towards Paete mostly in the periphery of Barangay San Antonio. These areas are characterized by Bay clay soil and the three other soil types earlier mentioned and slope Type A or 0.0 to 2.5%, level to nearly level. Rice crop cultivation in this area is relatively profitable even with simple farming techniques with good management practices. Slight soil limitations, if any, are easy to overcome.

The remaining 15.2% of the total municipal land area range moderately to marginally suitable for rice production, the marginally suitable portion being the larger 10.1% composed mainly of Paete clay loam and undifferentiated mountain soil with slope ranging from 0.0 to 10.0%. They are found along the northeastern border with Paete, in the mid-northern section of San Antonio and in the immediate shores of Laguna de Bay in the west. Moderately suitable for rice cultivation account for the least area, only 5.1% of total municipal land composed mainly of undifferentiated mountain soil with slope ranging from 2.6 to 5.0%. They are found in two patches north of the highly suitable lands in San Antonio. Rice cultivation in these areas is hampered by the presence of minor to serious soil limitations or restrictions, which could still be overcome with easily applied farming practices and special management techniques. (Table 9: Soil Suitability and Map in Soil Suitability for Rice Crop).

TABLE 9
SOIL SUITABILITIES

SOIL SUITABILITY	RICE CROP		TREE CROP		DIVERSIFIED CROP		URBAN USE
SOIL SUITABILITY	Has.	%	Has.	%	Has.	%	Has.	%
High Moderate Marginal Not Suitable	1,075 236 469 2,880	23.0 5.1 10.1 61.8	1,269 332 2,880 179	27.2 7.2 61.8 3.8	1,075 526 2,221 838	23.0 11.3 47.7 18.0	1,583 2,197 313 567	34 47 6 12
TOTAL	4,660	100.0	4,660	100.0	4,660	100.0	4,660	100.0

Soil Suitability for Tree Crops

Only about 27.2% of the total land area is highly suitable for tree crop cultivation. These are the same areas rated highly suitable for rice production, which expanded to include those that are only moderately suitable for the same. These soils are suitable for tree crops under simple but good management practices. Slight soil limitations, if any, are easily overcome.

Rated moderately or fairly suitable for the same purposes are those areas rated marginally suitable for rice crops in two points along the boundary with Paete. These lands total to approximately 332 hectares or 7.2% of the total municipal area and are characterized by the presence of minor or moderate soil limitations or restrictions that can be overcome with easily applied farming practices.

Poor or marginally suitable for tree crops cultivation accounts for the largest 61.8%. These are the same areas rated not suitable for rice cultivation due to the presence of serious soil limitations, which could be overcome with intensive and complex farming practices as well as special management techniques. The other 3.8% is rated not suitable for the same purpose. These are the areas found in the immediate periphery of the lake. The presence of very serious soil limitations or restrictions in these areas render the soil not suitable or economical to use under management techniques. (Table 9 and Soil Suitability For Tree Crops Map).

Soil Suitability for Diversified Crops

Soils highly suitable for diversified crop cultivation are similarly not extensive, only 23.0% of the entire municipal area. They cover the same areas in the western and middle part of the town which are also highly suitable for rice and tree crop cultivation extending to all lands with slopes classified level to nearly level (0.0 - 2.5%). Portions of all three barangays reflect this soil suitability but is most extensive in San Antonio as earlier mentioned. Rated fair or moderately suitable for diversified crop cultivation are those areas with very gently sloping or undulating terrain (2.6 - 10.0%) found mostly in Barangay San Antonio. Marginally or poor suitable areas account for the largest 47.7% of the total municipal area and are found extensive in all three barangays especially San Juan and San Antonio. Classified poor or not suitable are the same areas classified strongly sloping to mountainous in slope and those in the immediate vicinity of Laguna de Bay. The same limitations and constraints mentioned earlier were used in classifying these lands as such. (Table 9 and Soil Suitability For Diversified Crops Map).Soil Suitability For Urban Use Typical to areas with mostly moderately sloping or rolling terrain, the municipality is rated generally, only moderately suitable for urban use with almost one-half of its total land area falling under this classification and the rest either highly, marginally or not suitable.

Rated highly suitable for urban use are some 1,538 hectares of land or 34.0% of the total municipal area. Basically, these are the same areas rated highly suitable for rice, tree crops and diversified crop cultivation in the previous soil suitability discussion. (Please refer) all barangays exhibit areas of this classification but are more extensive in San Antonio.

Soils moderately suitable for urban use are similarly found in all barangays but rather more extensively with its 2,197 hectares or 47.1% share of total land area, the biggest share as earlier mentioned. These are the areas with moderately sloping or rolling terrain, a soil profile characteristics rated as such primarily because of severe erosion potential. (Refer to the Section on Erosion Potential).

Lands rated poorly and not suitable for this purpose are generally strongly hilly to mountainous with urban development constraints ranging from very severe erosion potential and other unfavorable soil properties which are most difficult and costly to overcome. All three barangays have soil of these classification at varying extent.

Likewise rated not suitable for this use are the areas in the immediate periphery of Laguna de Bay. Although plain and level in slope, these areas are rated as such because of flooding hazards brought about by occasional lake overflow. (Table 9 and Soil Suitability For Urban Use Map)

EROSION POTENTIAL

Erosion is the process by which soil particles are removed and transported by run-off water. The degree and length of the slope of an area well as the absence of adverse relief and pressure on the soil are major contributory factors to its erosion potential.

The soil and slope of Kalayaan (Section 3.6 and 3.7) exhibit an area that range from no apparent erosion to severe erosion potential. (Table 10: Erosion Potential)

TABLE 10
EROSION POTENTIAL

BASIC SOIL TYPES	HECTARES	PERCENT DISTRIBUTION
None Slight Severe Very Severe	1,406 332 2,221 701	30.2 7.1 47.7 15.0
TOTAL	4,600	100.00

The greater portion of the town (47.7%) shows severe erosion potential. These are the moderately sloping or rolling parts, which occupy the greater portion of the municipality with concentration on its lower southern half. Slope Type D or 10.1 to 18.0% and a mixture of Paete clay loam, Luisiana clay and undifferentiated mountain soil characterize these parts of the town (see Table 6 and Soil Erosion Map).

Areas with no apparent erosion occupied another, 1,406 hectares accounting for approximately 30.2% of the total municipal land area. These are the same areas with slope 0.0 to 2.5%, which are level to nearly level in description. They are found in he westernmost section of the town along Laguna de Bay and in the middle section of the town running northward on one end and eastward on the other. It is seen to be most extensive in San Antonio.

The erosion potential of the rest of the municipality vary from slight to very severe. Areas with very severe erosion potential accounts for approximately 15.0% of total area. These are those areas with slope types E to F or 18.1% and above which are strongly sloping and mountainous found running from north to south in the mid-western section of the municipality in four different points in the northeastern corner in Barangay San Antonio. Areas with slight erosion potential, on the other hand, account for the least 7.1% and are found in two points in the north along the boundary with Paete. These are the areas with slope 2.6% to 5.0% which are classified as very gently sloping or undulating.