On World Lake Day, environmental campaigners are raising the alarm over Laguna de Bay, a crucial Philippine freshwater ecosystem suffering from mounting urban pollution. Ringed by 18 municipalities, the body of water is the country's largest lake and the third-largest in Southeast Asia, serving as a vital lifeline for local fishing communities. Despite maintaining an official Class C classification reserved for fishery protection, the lake is under heavy strain from urban expansion and agricultural runoff. Inflows of domestic waste and coliform bacteria are degrading water quality, leading to dwindling fish harvests and worsening economic hardship for nearby families.