Basically the administration of the site is with the local government of Taytay. When plans push through, an institution with consistent policy, standard management scheme should manage the lake, and agreement should be executed between the local residents and the management to arrive into harmonious relationship and cooperation. Another recommendation is that the site should be categorized into a managed resource protected area and should be managed under the concept of the National Integrated Protected Area Programme.

As early as 1987, a few resolutions of the local government unit address about the protection and development of the site. The local government sees it as a potential site for ecotourism since the site abounds with a rich flora, fauna, and unique biodiversity characteristic of the whole of Palawan, though not much effort was exerted to accomplish any further development.

Some of the faunal population that could be cited within the forest area like monkeys, squirrel, wild pigs, monitor lizards, gecko, frogs, parrots, peacock, cockatoo, wild ducks and insects are real treat to nature lover. Endemic fish species abound in the lake where assessment by the Department of Environment and Natural resources revealed at least two endemic species of Puntius bantolanensis, and Puntius manguaoensis from the cyprinid family. There are several interesting features of the fish fauna that sets it apart from those of most of the Philippine lakes. Unlike that of most Philippine lakes, the fish fauna is because of the presence of cyprinids that moved across from Southeast Asia and which are confined in Palawan, the Calamianes islands and to parts of Mindanao. Lack of a surface connection to the sea means that migratory fish component is lacking, which is a characteristic of most Philippine lakes.

In 1992, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources introduced 50,000 Tilapia nilotica fingerlings into the lake. At least 70 registered families directly benefited from fishing to augment their income. Unregistered settlers were not disclosed.

Earlier, it was planned by the Crocodile Farming Institute, a special project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to be established as a crocodile sanctuary of the two endangered species of Philippine crocodiles, the Crocodilus mindorensis and Crocodilus porosus which was successfully bred in captivity. This plan was set aside as it faced a hostile reaction from the local community for fear of being pushed out from the lake, which is their primary source of income and livelihood. Though the DENR assured that this coexistence of human and nature would eventually leads to a more awareness, love and respect of nature as always been advocated by various agencies concerned with the environment and economic potential not only for the local community but for the whole region as well, this plan was set aside.

Few preliminary assessments were done by DENR such as resources basic inventory, water analysis, turbidity, Carbon-Oxygen demand, and freshwater fauna. With regards to the physico-chemical parameters, invertebrate fauna, flora, and the general ecology of Palawans freshwater, there is almost no information.

The most extensive work was for the fish fauna but limited to collection and identifications only, which was carried out during the 20s. Nothing is known of the ecology of these fishes and what effects environmental degradation is having upon them. There seem to have no update or few if there is.

The population pressure around the lake is very low. Originally, the Tagbanua, a tribe that has probably moved to Palawan from Borneo during the Pleistocene through inland migration or through bancas, populated the area. Now it seems to be that this indigenous people were displaced by the new settlers and driven to remote and higher grounds.

The first settlers arrived in the 1950's from nearby islands where pressure for scarce resources forced people to migrate to less populated islands. More recently, it seems that settlers are coming from the more impoverished islands such as Negros. With the continuing problems of poverty and landlessness affecting most of the other parts of the country, the number of settlers around the lake will doubtless increase greatly in the future.

Forest clearance by burning followed by cultivation of crops such as cassava is the main activity within the lakes nearby area. Fishing pressure is less since the area lies proximate to the sea both from the east and the west. Settlers who originated from small islands find freshwater fish as unfamiliar food and greatly prefer saltwater fish.

When the lake is given protected status, this should be accorded to the entire catchment's area to the east of the lake where it outflows via the marsh to the sea. This is essential since the whole area is connected hydrologically and comprises a distinct ecological unit.

Concerned agencies must be able to design a good management plan that would eventually involve the local community to ensure a very effective community based ecologically sustainable management plan.

It seems to be unrealistic to give it a status of a strict protected area or to deny access to the area. The local people and increasing number of settlers should be managed and controlled only to enable them to partake on the preservation and conservation efforts and benefits. The local government unit must be serious and honest in dealing with its own economic problem and if people given a due recognition would be able to contribute much more on its developmental thrust. The type of protection must be considered as to giving it a status of a managed resource area. In this type of protected area, zones can be established with areas for sustainable development of the resources as the main priority.

The fish fauna as per research by the DENR is concentrated on the littoral zone; thus conservation on this area should be the priority. An area of one or more of the bays, preferably the innermost parts should be declared, as fish sanctuaries where fishing will be prohibited, thus would be able to protect wild fowls as well. No commercial logging should be allowed within the catchment's area since the lake basically supports its life from this water supply. Certain areas of forest should be left intact most especially on the upper slopes and steep headlands jutting into the lake.

This should be done in order to control siltation in the lake and to prevent more widely fluctuating lake level. Areas of forest on gentler slopes could be given over to agro forestry, but guidance as to appropriate farming techniques for the area should be given, along the lines of the DENR's Upland Stabilization Project that is being implemented. Careful management and guidance of the development of the area must necessarily involve close liaison with settlers. Any projects must include community organizing, education, and technical help for the settlers. Although community participation in management is recognized as important to achieving conservation values, the degree to which it has been possible has been severely limited by the socio-economic circumstances of the local peoples who require additional support to enable them to replace environmentally unsustainable practices with alternative livelihoods.

As for tourism development considerations, infrastructure should be closely designed to cater on the need of a potential market and enable the local community to play an active role with a primary consideration on environmental impacts. Research and monitoring should be done on ecotourism and its impact on its natural ecosystem. Forest and lake's resources should be assessed as well as its microbial biodiversity, its genetic resources, wildlife, and habitats.

Policies, strategies, and legislation should be consistent and well defined to be able to effectively manage and conserve the well being of the site. Proper and strict implementation of SEP using ECAN as its major strategy will enhance its sustainable land use. Promotion and awareness would be set to enhance its socio-cultural values. Induce new management style to include management of tourist activities in natural sites. Minimize negative impacts or rehabilitate some natural and cultural sites to manage the site in a sustainable manner.

Management and conservation requires an up to date review and update information on the network of protected area. Promotion on nature sighting and sustainable sport fishing and such activities would be able to encourage an intelligent use of resources for amusement.

It would be best to encourage universities and scientific institutions to include genetic resources in their teaching and research agenda and establish and update the network of forest reserves and built up the capacity of its management.

The degree of protection and development for each zone should be taken into great consideration and proper management strategy should be formulated into sustainable management of Lake Manguao, its surrounding areas extending into influenced marine areas. The area of the lake itself is small and should be extended to include its surrounding catchment areas to enable it to sustain its ecosystem. It would have been better if the plans will include the whole area of the proposed protected area of Malampaya Sound. This would enhance as well as ensure much more of the protection and conservation effort extended to the area. As what have been discussed in the preceding pages, the concerned agencies should look into the establishment of a well defined institutional structure that would take charge of the overall management as well as designing a workable and feasible locally based, ecologically friendly and sustainable management plan.

• Guidelines for the Conduct of Resources Basic Inventory (RBI) Within Protected Areas, DENR Memorandum Order No. 10, Series of 1991
• Guidelines for Planning and Managing Natural Heritage, UNEP 1998, UNDP, 1998, UNESCO 1999, WWF 1998
• Hall, Geoffrey, Ecological Reserves, and Protected areas: The Challenge of Ecotourism, February 1993
• Implementing Rules and Regulations, DAO 25, Series of 1992
• Local Government of Taytay, Palawan,Resolutions no. 019, May 3-4, 1978, no. 056, June 1, 1987, nos. 074 and 075, October 19, 1996, no. 019, December 17-19, 1990.
• Preece, Noel, and Penny van Oosterzee, Ecoz-Ecology Australia, Biodiversity Series, Paper No. 5, June 6, 1996
• Protected Area Suitability Assessment, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, July 1991
• Protected Area Suitability of Lake Manguao Managed Resource Protected Area, September 1999
• Republic Act No. 7586, NIPAS ACT 1992