Undergraduate Thesis Bachelor of Secondary Education University of Rizal System, Rodriguez, Rizal
2019

This study aimed to identify and find out the Anthropogenic impact on aquatic biodiversity of Rodriguez, Rizal particularly in Sitio Wawa. Furthermore, researchers have chosen this kind of study to contribute awareness on the impact of human activities prevailing in the locality.

This study made used of a qualitative methods of research which was done through an interview of the respondents and observation of the phenomenal situation of the Wawa River. The respondents in this study were 15 from the residents of Sitio Wawa and 10 from the barangay rescuer, tour guide, and LGU.

From the gathered data, it was found that the River 20 years ago was clean. clear, potable, deep, and used in NAWASA system. At present, it is contaminated and fuzzy in appearance. At present, carpa, palos, hito, tilapia, water lily, frogs, pagong, janitor fish and gabi are the organism found in the river while dalag and susuwe are slowly diminishing. Furthermore, there are also organisms that are already extinct in the area which are the ayungin and banak. With the help of these aquatic biodiversity that are present in the Wawa River, the respondents considered those organisms as beneficial before to them in terms of providing income in the people living in that area but unlike today, it is not as beneficial as what it was before. Anthropogenic factors like; population growth, migration, and unregulated tourism were considered as the primary cause of biodiversity loss in the area. However, stakeholders agree that casual activities like improper waste disposal, piggery in the foremost area, selling the stones found in the River, and small-scale mining in the nearby mountains of the Wawa River indirectly impacts biodiversity loss.

The Local Government Unit Officials of the Sitio Wawa Rodriguez, Rizal had initiated programs, actions, and implementations to preserve and protect the River's Biodiversity. Among those programs are: Stakeholder's Consultation on River Conservation; Appointing Commitees for Accountability, Rescuer and Guides training and seminar on Regulations on Tourism; Weekly Clean and Grreen drive along the River Banks, Monthly Specie Check by DENR and PENRO: and strict implementation of "No septic tank: NO building permit policy. Stakeholders also view the deterioration of the aquatic Biodiversity of their area and considers their situation as timely and needs immediate actions. Most of them are willing to cooperate with efforts to preserve the natural biodiversity of their area for they believed that it will be beneficial to them.

In conclusion, Population growth and casual human activities contribute greatly to aquatic biodiversity loss of the Wawa River. In addition, stakeholders assume great responsibility over their area as they feel accountable for reserving their area. They are cooperative in taking actions to address the problem at hand.

As a recommendation, Stakeholders of Wawa are advised to be responsible in regulating their activities which pose threat to the river ecosystem. They should value sustainability over commercialization because the importance of nature does not only benefit humans but the entire ecosystem of Wawa as well.