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The Island Perspective in Watershed Management

Land Waters

The Case of Panay Island


Jessica Calfoforo Salas

FPE

FOUNDATION FOR THE PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENT

This publication was made possible through a grant from the Foundation for the Philippine Environment(FPE). The opinions expressed in this publication are solely of the author and are not necessarily of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment.

Published in 2012 by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment 77 Matahimik Street, Teachers Village, Diliman , Quezon City Telephone: (63 2) 927 21 86 Fax: (63 2) 922 30 22 Email : www.fpe.ph

Correct Citation Salas, Jessica, 2012. Common Land, Common Waters, the Island Perspective in Watershed Management: The Case of Panay Island. Foundation for the Philippine Environment, Quezon City. Philippines

Jessica Calfoforo Salas Kahublagan sang Panimalay Foundation kahublagan@pldtdsl.net


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Preface
This book is a story of communities which endeavored to address the issues surrounding their lives in their localities. They could not fully understand many of these issues but they took the first steps to address these with wholehearted determination coupled with a genuine concern for people, plants, and animals living with them in community. The first steps were made and they vowed to continue to share among themselves the meaning they saw, the doubts and fears they felt, their crude estimates of the future, and their hopes for a better life. Sharing -- they all did with enthusiasm and joy, holding hands of children, women and men, young and old alike, people from the urban streets and those from the forested and denuded hilltops, from fisher folks, river squatters, the learned and the simple, the leaders and the followers, both in the government and in civic groups. The stories of these people and their local leaders acquired this feeling of responsibility over their land and water -- or watersheds -- a long time ago. The awareness was heightened by the campaign of the Philippine Watershed Management Coalition and the Kahublagan sang Panimalay Foundation for integrated watershed management, i.e., minding the upstream and downstream impacts and dabbling on the more technical considerations as ecosystem approach. The sharing of ideas by members of the Coalition provided opportunities for initiatives, enrichment of ideas and correction of false beliefs and long-gestating fallacies. In 2010, the watershed summits in the four provinces of Panay Island; namely Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo; showed their accomplishments in varying degrees in (a) their appreciation of the connectivity of issues in the watershed, (b) awareness of the need for a new generation of watershed management, (c) empowering local government units to guard and protect their resources in their own small watersheds, thus keeping their constituents from harm. Initiatives to actualize this new paradigm of watershed management were reported during the provincial summit and the Panay Island watershed summit. The framework which came out of the summit was anchored on the issues felt collectively by the participants. But the story has to continue. The framework has to be reviewed and the actions monitored. The second summit was conducted in 2012 and the third summit is being planned. Out of these experiences, a new framework for planning was born. Common Land Common Waters tells this story.

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Why island thinking? What make islands special? Unrivaled aesthetic beauty; a picture of serenity. Could be sustainable, as inhabitants work for it, Could be cushioned from cultural and socio-economic domination. Proximity enables inhabitants to easily participate in governance of the islands capital assets Relatively of small physical size, surrounded by expanse of water Limited natural resources, many already stressed. Proneness to natural disasters and extreme events, Relatively thin fresh water lenses that are highly sensitive to sea-level changes. Relative isolation and distance to markets. Large populations with high growth rates and densities. Poorly developed infrastructure, Limited funds, human resources and skills. The perspective of an island, a small island within an archipelago, is a perspective usually missed because of development aggression to consolidate, to expand, to network, to connect. Island thinking has its own advantages and its promise for opportunities. Looking at itself and acting locally is a prerequisite to a meaningful contribution to the whole. Most of all, with the impinging climate change scenario, island opportunities must be enjoyed and its vulnerabilities prepared for. A look at common land and common water resources of watersheds of Panay Island becomes an imperative.

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Acknowledgement
They give- as in yonder valley , the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. Through the hands of such as these God speaks, And from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth. Thus I would echo Kahlil Gibran in honouring the people who have given much to the making of the Panay Island Watershed Summit, which is the substance of Common Land, Common Waters firstly to the host of the Summit, the Honorable Arthur Defensor, Governor, Province of Iloilo; to Governor Victor Tanco, of the Province of Capiz and Chairperson of the Regional Development Council of Region VI; to Governor Exequiel Javier of the Province of Antique; and to Governor Carlito Marquez of the Province of Aklan. The Summit happened because these governors believe in the importance of land and water the watershed. They made the Watershed Summit happen in their respective provinces and they joined hands to realize the Panay Island Summit. The steering committee members of the summit were the sources of energy, creativity, and resoluteness in the difficult task of mobilizing municipal government units and watershed stakeholders in their respective provinces. Much was given by Ms. Julie Cepe, Provincial Planning and Development Officer of Antique; Engr. Roger Esto, Provincial Planning and Development Officer of Aklan; Ms. Salim Biclar, designated Provincial and Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Capiz; and Ms. Soledad Sucaldito, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Iloilo. The main documentation of the Panay Island Summit was done by Ms. Xenia Socorro Jamero of NIA Region VI. The writers in charge of provincial summit documentation, whose reports were the sources of materials for this book were: Reylourd Aragon for Aklan, Antique Human Development Program for Antique, Yvette L. Andion for Capiz and Dolores Madera for Iloilo. The effort of Ms. Elsa Subong who edited these materials is gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks to Ms. Rose Sabidong for her diligent administrative support. The idea of a summit sparked in a discussion with the former chairperson of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment, Atty. Dan Valenzuela. Special thanks to the Foundation for the Philippine Environment for publishing the stories from the project report of Kahublagan sang Panimalay Foundation. In this work, I feel my grateful heart during peaceful moments of the day and during reflective conversations with friends especially Atty. Manong Allen Quimpo, my idol and inspiration in environment work and my maam, Dr. Elma S. Herradura my mentor and a real friend. Through the people who made Panay Island Watershed Summit a reality, and through my friends who inspired and taught me; God smiles upon the Earth.
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Table of Contents
Preface.......................................................iii Acknowledgements................................................ v

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Introducing Panay Island ................................................1 An island profile .............................................................1 Forest Reserves and Important Biodiversity Areas .......... 4 Dams and irrigation ...................................................... 8 Ground water .............................................................. 10 Hazards and Threats .................................................... 11 Watershed Organizing Initiatives ................................. 15 The New Generation of Watershed Management ........ 18 The Provincial Watershed Summits ............................. 20 Province of Antique .................................................... 21 Province of Aklan ....................................................... 23 Province of Capiz ........................................................ 27 Province of Iloilo ....................................................... 30 The Panay Island Watershed Summit ........................ 33 Executive Summary ................................................... 33 The Island Framework Plan, from Ridge to Reef ....... 34 Learning from a Case Study ...................................... 36

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Introducing Panay Island

An Island Profile
Panay Island is located in the Visayas with an area of 12,011 square kilometers with the highest elevation at 2,117 m. It is divided into 4 provinces; namely, Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo. The island population is 3,973,877 (1977) with a density of 330.85/square kilometers. Timberland area is 359,917.62 hectares or 30.75% of the island while the alienable/ disposable land comprises 810,389l.01 ha or 69.25%. The Panay-Negros bio-region is one of the Figure 1. Political Map, Panay Island priority focus areas of the United National Development Program for biodiversity. Although several important biodiversity areas have been identified in this region, it is at the same time recognized that the region is a hot spot. A baseline study was prepared and it was gathered that in spite of the efforts and strategies used by DENR to give protection to the natural resources of the Island. The following issues have plagued the ecological situation of Panay: Forest cover of Panay Island is only 13% 1 Of this forest cover, 2% is considered protection forest and 34% production forest Threatened species are found in important biodiversity areas of Panay Island 2: Threat of all forest forms, 30% of total number of perpetofauna species (100 species)
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Threatened 20 to 23 species of amphibians, 13% are endemics Threatened 77 species of reptiles Of the 236 species of birds, 47% endemic, 16 are threatened. Of the 31` species of mammals, 10/11 endemic, 5/6 are threatened; 1 severely declining, 1 seriously threatened. Several conservation issues have brought about this state. The central Panay mountains, where the remaining forest cover remains to sustain fresh water supply of the island, are threatened by these issues. These are 3: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Poverty in the upland which is translated into the unsustainable use of resources in protected areas. Landslides affecting settlements in the upland and the lowland. Unsettled issues on claims of indigenous communities. Unsustainable agriculture in the upland. Bad road network in the upland which slowed down protection and development work in the upland. Reforestation program involving thousands of hectares of plantation of exotic species, while legally allowed as production forest, the plantations affect water supply 4 and degrades soil which contributes to massive soil erosion and river pollution. Hundreds of hectares of continuous agricultural plantation of bamboos in forest reserves intended to be part of production forests, contributes to soil degradation and massive soil erosion and river pollution 5 . Flooding downstream

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The vegetation cover of the island is an important indicator of the capacity of the island to catch and store water and not just to let it flow to the sea, considering the land area and the mountains in the center of the island. Looking at the land cover (Figure 2), closed forest comprises 4.98% while open forest is 8.88% of the island. The total protection forest area is 13.86% compared to the timberland area of 30.75% Forest plantation, a production area which consumes stores water, has an area almost as wide as the closed forest and that is 4.2%. Other wooded land (shrubs) has an area of 22.53% while the wooded grassland has an area of 10.18%. Cultivated land totals 40.59% vs. the alienable disposable land area of the island which is 62.5%. Of this area, 14.17% has perennial crop and 26.42% has annual crop. Built up area totals 0.58%. The island has three large river basins identified by the River Basin Control Office. These are the Tigum-Aganan Watershed, the Jalaur River Basin and the Panay river Basin. Another critical medium-sized watershed is the Aklan River Basin.
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Figure 2: Vegetation cover of Panay Island 6

The River Basin Control Office has identified the following watershed issues on Panay Island: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Flooding of low lying areas Water pollution for domestic, agricultural and industrial sources Watershed denudation Siltation and sedimentation of rivers and coastal waters. Inefficient management of solid waste which resulted in the closing of waterways and river systems. Proliferation of illegal fishpens/ cages in rivers Over extraction and contamination of ground water Informal settlers/ illegal structures along river banks Absence of a river basin organization in some principal rivers.
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Forest Reserves and Important Biodiversity Areas (IBAs)


A protection forest provides a source of water for the island. Foremost consideration is therefore given to the state of the forest of Panay Island which is a meager 13% of the island area; and only 2% of this is old growth forest. The government protects important biodiversity areas by putting them under the Protected Area status under the NIPAS Act. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region VI reports that there are eight protected areas on Panay Island 7 and these are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Sibalom Natural Park 8, Sibalom, Antique Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park, Antique and Aklan Aklan Watershed Forest Reserve, Aklan Jalaur River Watershed Forest Reserve, Iloilo Dalanas Watershed Forest Reserve, Antique Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve, Maasin, Iloilo Bulabog Puti-an Natural Park, Dingle-San Enrique, Iloilo Pan-ay River Watershed Forest Reserve, Tapaz, Capiz

Some of these protective areas and other important biodiversity areas and described below:

The Sibalom Natural Park


The Sibalom Natural Park was proclaimed as Protected Area under RA 7586 in 2000. It has an area of 5,500 hectares Some of the above protected areas and important biodiversity areas are described below: The area is considered one of the last remaining lowland forests in Panay. It has a mid montane forest, a lowland forest , some brushland and open cogonal or grassland area. The Park is home to a number of bird species, most importantl of which are: the Walden Hornbill, Visayan Hornbill, and mammals (the Visayan Spotted Deer and Visayas Warty Pig). It houses also Rafllesia speciosa, species of the biggest flower in the world and Amorpophallus. Tree species diversity ranges from 23 to 38 species for every 1,000 square meter area with high endemicity of flora. There are 76 bird species, 28 of which are endemic to the Philippines (including Negros Bleeding heart, White winged Duckoo Shrike, Visayan Hornbill and Wladens Hornbill). There are 21 mammalian species, 6 are endemic to the Philippines: 8 bat species with 3 species of fruit bats, five insectivorous species; five species of rats and mice, two species of civets, and one species of deer, pig, cat, monkey and shrew.
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There are 43 herpetofaunal species, 25 are endemic to the Philippines: 12 species of amphibians an 31 species of reptiles. five globally-important species for conservation are found. These are the Swamp Frog, Giant Visayan Frog, Negros Truncated-toed Chorus Frog, Sailfin Water Lizard, Collared Monitor Lizard. The Park has nine river tributaries and is a source of water for five municipalities for domestic and agricultural use. It irrigates more or less 5,500 hectares of riceland in four municipalities of Antique.

The Northwest Panay Forest


The Northwest Panay Forest 9 IBA is a lowland forest of around 2500 to 5,000 hectares of forest found in the municipalities of Libertad and Pandan (Antique) and Buruanga, Malay and Nabas in Aklan. This is considered an Endemic Bird Area for the Negros bleeding-heart, Visayan and Writhed bailed Hornbill as well as mammals (the Philippine Spotted Deer and the Visayan Warty Pig.) Threats to this IBA are: wildlife hunting, kaingin, and conversion of forest for agriculture. In this IBA, the municipality of Libertad has seven marine sanctuaries, namely: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Pucio Marine Sanctuary in the municipality of Libertad. This Sanctuary has 36.48% live corl cover with 438.53 individuals/m2 of reef fish. Tinigbas Marine Sanctuary at Libertad has 35.03% live coral cover with 621.56 individuals/m2 of reef fish Union Marine Sanctuaryat Libertad has 49.02% live coral cover and 176.82 individuals/m2 of reef fish Taboc Marine Sanctuary at Libertad has 35.03% live coral cover and 761.71 individuals/m2 of reef fish Barusbus Marine Sanctuary of Libertad has 43.21% live coral cover and 191.96 individuals/m2 of reef fish. Bulanao Marine Sanctuary at Libertad has 30.93% live coral cover and 666.61 individuals/m2 of reef fish Pajo Marine Sanctuary at Libertad has 58.96% live coral cover and 171.71 individuals/m2 of reef fish

Issues reported are the encroachment of commercial fishing and less livelihood opportunities for the fishermen and their households. Farming and fishing are the primary sources of livelihood. Seaweed is sold as raw materials.
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The IBA is assisted by Hayuma Foundation and the LIPASECU Baywide Management Council. Pandan is another municipality within this Important Biodiversity Area. There are three marine sanctuaries in this municipality: 1. Mag-aba Marine Sanctuary of the Municipality of Pandan, has 48.54% live coral cover and 2,015 individuals of reef fish. 2. Patria Marine Sanctuary at Pandan with 30.46% live coral cover and 922 individuals of reef fish. 3. Tingib Marine Sanctuary at Pandan with 33.44% live coral cover and 1,570 individuals of reef fish. The main livelihood sources of the population are artisanal fishing and seaweed farming. Fishery products are sold in Iloilo and Kalibo. However, threats to the fishing resources are encroachment of commercial fishing, siltation, solid waste pollution and chemical run-off.

The Central Panay Mountains


The Important Biodiversity Area of the Central Panay Mountains 10 straddle the four provinces of Panay Island: Antique, Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo. These are in the municipalities of Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, Lauaan, Valderrama, and San Remegio in Antique; the municipality of Libacao in Aklan; the municipalities of Tapaz and Jamindan in Capiz; and the municipality of Lambunao in Iloilo. Threatened species in the area include restricted range bird Negros bleeding-heart, Spotted Buttonquail, and Philippine Duck. The threatened mammals are the Philippine spotted Deer, Visayan Warty Pig, Panay Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat. The causes of threats top these species are commercial loging, kaingin, and wildlife hunting and trade. The coastal municipalities in this IBA have maintained IBAs in the coastal and marine zone. The municipality of Culasi has eight Important Biodiversity Areas, namely: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
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Malalison Island with five species of seagrass, 40 species of algae and 38 species from 34 families of reef fishes. Northwest reef at Layag-layag, Gatusan and Amihanan has 63-65% live coral cover. The southeast reefs at Kawit and Talisay has 5 to 12 thousand live coral cover. Gui-ob Reef has 24% live coral cover. At the West, Nablag has 69% live coral cover. Batonan Sur Fish Sanctuary Batbatan Island has 43.29% live coral cover with 99 species of reef fish. Maniguin with 56.54% live coral cover and 30 species of reef fish.
COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

The Bulabog-Putian National Park


The Bulabog-Putian National Park was created through Presidential Proclamation No. 760 in 1961 and is an initial component under the National Integrated Protected Areas (NIPAS). It has a total land area of 847.33 hectares. The park contains 13 known caves. Most of these caves have no lights, stairs, nor walkways. The miztanza cave is a dwelling place of an estimated 20,000 fruit bats while the Guiso cave is home to 18 different species of bats. The park is located in the barangays of Moroboro, Lingcud, Camambugan, Caguyuman and Tulatulaan of Dingle and barangay Rumagayray, Campo, Palje and Lip-ac of San Enrique, Iloilo. 11 The Bulabog Putian National Park has mountains with the unique formations. The caves and cave systems have unique features. It has unique geological formation and it is the only limestone mountain formation in the province of Iloilo. Other attractions include mountain cliffs, centuryold trees, cultural festival, historical sites with stone inscriptions indicating the use of caves during the Philippine revolution, as well as a habitat for bats and birds, reptiles, snails, amphibians, endemic trees, and other flora and fauna species. 12

The WVSU Wildlife Mariit Conservation Park


The Mariit Conservation Park located in Lambunao, Iloilo, is part of the West Visayas State University (WVSU) and was declared a reserve area through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by the DENR and the WVSU as custodian in 1993. The total land area is 3,475 hectares. It is also part of the College of Agriculture and Forestry of the University in Lambunao Iloilo. The Park operates as a rescue and captive breeding center for species in the brink of extinction and the endangered species found in the area. The Inventory in 2007 reported five species of birds, eight of snakes, three species of king fishers and five heads of tirik. Of the species identified, four are critically endangered, three are endangered, two are vulnerable and four, non-threatened. Kaingin/ burning is rampant in the area. Hunting serves as the alternative livelihood of the upland communities. Landslides are a common experience in coffee plantation, banana plantation and rice fields.

Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve


The Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve is considered by DENR Region VI as a protected area as it has applied for its inclusion in the national integrated protected area system. A twist of circumstances brought degradation to this Forest Reserve.
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Maasin Watershed located in the town of Maasin, Iloilo, is part of the Central Panay Mountains IBA. The watershed has an area of 6,150 hectares and was declared as a Watershed Forest Reserve in 1923 by Governor Leonard Wood. In 1991, an area of 6,775 hectares was declared as an initial component of the NIPAS. A Protected Area Supervising Unit or PASU and a Protected Area Management Board were established by DENR. By law, the area was given five years to complete the processing of the required documents. To date, such requirements have not been accomplished yet 13. In 1991, the Area was practically denuded by illegal occupants utilizing the area for grazing and farming. Only 7% of the area remained as old growth forest. Since the watershed is the source of domestic water for the City of Iloilo and the neighboring towns and of the irrigation water for 3,000 hectares of rice land, the governor responded to the call of DENR to reforest the area. Five hundred hectares were planted by the residents under the leadership of the governor while DENR made a loan with the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) to reforest 2,685 hectares of denuded areas and 1,075 hectares of riverbank rehabilitation. The Katilingban sang Pumuluyo sa Watershed-Maasin (KAPAWA-Maasin) was organized and was granted a Community-based Forest Management Agreement in 2002. KAPAWA, under the contract with DENR, established a plantation of gmelina, mahogany, and bamboos. With a high survival rate of 85%, an effective 3,000 hectares of plantation of exotic species has been maintained up to this day under a policy of no cutting of trees 14 because the area has been declared by DENR as part of the initial component of NIPAS. Since 2000, there has been a marked decrease of water supply from Maasin Watershed. The report of the Metro Iloilo Water District in 2007 showed that the water supply decreased by 47% with a significant increase of silt slowing down its operation.

Dams and Irrigation


The National Irrigation Administration, (NIA) Region VI, is in charged of maintaining water for irrigated farms in Panay Island. There are seven NIA irrigations systems dams are featured here; four in Iloilo, one in Antique, one in Capiz and another in Aklan. See table next page. In 2009, NIA contributed 19.69% or 434,599 metric tons of palay out of the total regional palay production of 2,206,937 metric tons. (See Figure 3 )

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Figure 3 Rice production vs. consumption in Region VI, showing the provinces of Panay Island

Irrigation Systems of NIA in Region VI

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Groundwater
In 2003, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) reported that in Western Visayas, groundwater is 7.45% of the total water resources potential of 15.344 MCM which is the total of surface water and ground water potential. Surface water of Western Visayas is dependent on three river basins; two on Panay Island and one in Negros Island. The two river basins on Panay Island are Jalaur, with drainage area of 1,503 km2 and Panay River with 1,843 km2. Jalaur has water availability per capita of 1,667 m3 per person and Panay, 6,782 m3 per person 15. A more extensive groundwater quality assessment of MGB6 (2000-2011) showed the following summary results: 1. Saltwater intrusion in some coastal areas of Region 6 (e.g. Iloilo City, Oton, San Joaquin, Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, Boracay Island, Pulupandan) 2. There is a need to protect the current sources of water, or look for alternative sources of water and for ways to improve water quality in Panay Island/ Region 6.

Groundwater Resources of Panay Island


Fairly Extensive and Productive Aquifers - with ave. annual potential recharge of 0.3 to 0.8 meters; greater influent rivers; with known production well yields mostly about 20 L/s but as high as 60 L/s in some sites. Moderate to high permeability. Local and Less Productive Aquifers - well yields mostly about 2 L/s but as high as 20 L/s in some site. Very low to moderate permeability. Fairly to Less Extensive and Productive Aquifers - with low to moderate potential recharge Rocks with limited potential, Low to Moderate Permeability Rocks without any known significant groundwater obtainable through drilled wells. Largely untested.
Source: PTFWRDM DENR, 1999

Figure 4 Groundwater Map of Panay Island

Figure 3 shows the groundwater resources map of Panay Island as presented by MGB Region VI. This map shows the following groundwater resources identified on Panay Island. 1. Fairly Extensive and Productive Aquifers are found in Iloilo City, Oton, San Miguel, Pavia, Sta . Barbara, Leganes, Pototan, Dumangas and Barotac Nuevo.
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2. Local and Less Productive Aquifers are found in the most of southern and central part of Iloilo, central portion of Capiz, eastern section of Aklan, and southwestern part of Antique 3. Fairly to Less Extensive and Productive Aquifers With Low to Moderate Potential Recharge are found in the western portion of Guimaras Island. 4. Rocks with limited potential, low to moderate permeability are found in the northern and western part of Iloilo, northern and south-central portion of Antique, western section of Capiz and Aklan, and central part of Guimaras Island. 5. Rocks Without Any Known Significant Groundwater Obtainable Through Drilled Wells can be said of the Panay mountain ranges, northern Iloilo, eastern section of Capiz, eastern and southern part of Guimaras Island. These areas are largely untested, according to the report. Availability of water can also be mapped with substitute indicators such as the presence of wells of water districts. The map in Figure 5 shows operational and non-operational water districts on Panay Island. Solid circles show the non-operational water districts while circles with a dot in the center are operational water districts. In summary, MGB Region VI reported that there are some concerns on the water quantity and quality in Panay Island. In addition, there are data gaps between 1998 and 2003 and evidently, the rapid increase in the population of Iloilo City contributes to water quantity and quality issues.

Figure 5 Operational and non-operational water districts on Panay Island

Hazards and Threats


At the Panay Island Watershed Summit, the hazards and threats from existing conditions were reported 16 as follows: Forest cover of Panay Island is only 13% Of this forest cover, 2% is considered protection forest and 34% production forest. Threat of all forest species forms, 30% The central Panay mountains, where the remaining forest cover is situated, is faced by many issues, among them: Poverty in the upland which is translated into unsustainable use of resources Land slides affecting settlements in the upland and lowland Flooding issues Unsettled issues on claims of indigenous communities Unsustainable agriculture practices
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Reforestation program involving thousands of hectares of plantation of exotic species, while legally allowed as production forest, has affected water supply and degraded the soil which contributes to massive soil erosion and river pollution.

The extent of production forest consisting of a plantation of exotic species in Iloilo has outnumbered the area of protection forest which stores water. See Figure 6.

Figure 6 Extent of Protection and Production Forest in the province of Iloilo (PAWCZM VI)

Climate Change Impact Aside from addressing the issues of water and land protection of an island, the most important reason for taking a holistic look at Panay Island is climate change. The impact of climate change has been seriously felt by the water sector. The watersheds catch all the rain and could wreck havoc on the island just like what Typhoon Frank did in 2008. In June, 2008, an average one-month rainfall fell in a matter of several hours. This caused massive landslide and erosion bringing an estimated 100,000 tons of soil to the city. Along with the silt and sand are uprooted trees inventoried to be 79,000 trees by DENR. This caused flooding all around the island; leaving 300 people dead, and thousands homeless and dislocated. Marks of this destruction are still apparent and not healed. This could not be prevented, but if other areas were not so damaged and were better protected, the environment and its habitat could easily have returned to normal life.
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It is thus important to conserve existing natural resources during this time of ferocious weather and changing climate. Communities would be better prepared if they and examine the state of their watershed and they plan on how to protect it. First, they have to identify the watershed where they live, their ecological address. Then, together with the other stakeholders of the same watershed, they start dialogue and make an action plan. This could possibly be done under the auspices of the local government as all watershed stakeholders belong to its constituency. But since water respects no political boundaries, it is important for local government units within the watershed to work together. The source of sustainable water the forest needs to be understood and that it is not only planting of trees which responds to the problem, but most importantly, preserving biodiversity in the place so that rainwater can be stored in forest soil, recharge the ground water and aquifers, and support the river systems of the island which flow from the ridge to the sea. The protected forest is more important than production forest, when water is concerned. The water producing forest is the protected forest and not the production forest. In fact, production forest is the highest consumer of water among vegetation types. However, oftentimes, this understanding run, counter to the turf issues of agencies thus politics becomes the guiding line. Sources of threats according to IPCC 2007 1. Population growth is expected to rise from the present 6.5 billion to 8.9 billion by 2050. Water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century. Increased urbanization will focus on the demand for water among a more concentrated population. Asian cities alone are expected to grow by 1 billion people in the next 20 years. High level of consumption: as the world becomes more developed, the amount of domestic water used by each person is expected to rise significantly.

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As for the Philippines, Dr. Steve Godillano of the Department of Agriculture, 17 drew a scenario for the country. He reported, that climate change will shrink the resources of freshwater. Rainfall will decrease by 20 percent, but increase in intensity. Number of rainy days will decrease but intensity will be higher than normal. Frequency of typhoon will increase together with an increase in intensity. Temperature will increase by 3 % and will increase evaporation. There will be more frequent and persistent El Nio and La Nia episodes. Flooding will increase in depth, frequency, intensity, and will cause severe landslides. Ground water potential will be affected as water availability will decrease. There will be problems of salt intrusion and poor quality of ground water. Humidity will have an upward trend and can alter geographic distribution of pest and diseases. As a result, cloud cover will increase thus decreasing photosynthesis.
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In general, there will be massive erosion, land will have poor soils and there will be more forest fires and wider land degradation. This scenario will have an impact of flooding in 17 million hectares or 58% of the total country area. Drought will affect 13 million hectares or 43% of the country. There will be a very high probability of landslides in 1.87 million hectares of mountainous areas and severe erosion will cover 5.28 million hectares. In totality, approximately 20 million hectares or 67% of the countrys total area will be affected. These conclusions were drawn by Dr. Godillano from a GIS study of the country taking into consideration important geological factors. A scenario for Panay Island is shown in Figure 7 identifying types of hazards probable to happen on the island.

LEGEND Dryland + Flooding + Landslide Dryland + Flooding Flooding + Landslide Dryland + Landslide Dryland Only Landslide Only Flooding Only Not Affected

Figure 7 Types of geophysical hazards and threats in Panay Island

The only safe place on Panay Island is the green spots hown in Figure 8.

Figure 8. A safe spot on Panay Island

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Watershed Organizing Initiatives


Purposes The truth, the reason not too obvious to most people, why people in the watershed should be organized is that everyone lives inside a watershed. This concept was explained during the provincial summits on the topic New generation of watershed management: ridge to reef ecosystem-based collaborative management. Watershed is defined as an area of land that drains down slope until it reaches a common point. Watershed is synonymous with other terms such as drainage basin and catchment area. All precipitation that falls within a watershed, but not used by existing vegetation or are evaporated, will ultimately seek the lowest points. These low points are bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and finally the ocean. This means that every stream, brook, tributary, and river that we see will eventually reach a larger body of water within its associated watershed. The Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines (PD 705) defined watershed as the land drained by a stream or fixed body of water and its tributaries having a common outlet for surface runoff. To dramatize the definition, a picture borrowed from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources of Victoria, Australia is shown (Fig 9) This figure was tagged, the good, the bad and the ugly. (The Good: The Watershed as a catchment working sustainably; The Bad: The Watershed as a catchment with land degradation; The Ugly: People are unaware that they exist within a watershed, and hence, do not take good care of it).

Figure 9. The good, the bad and the ugly


COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 15

The purposes of organizing watershed summit for Panay Island were: To bring together watershed stakeholders to realize the urgency of protecting what was left (2%) of the protection forest of the island, To facilitate commitments and action programs of various stakeholders To promote watershed organizations and understanding of the watershed ecosystem approach or the ridge-to-reef. One climate change adaptation strategy is for local government units to adopt a watershed management and conservation policy. The national government has committed to the principle of IWRM or Integrated Water Resources Management and has institutionalized River Basin Organizations (catchments over 1,000 hectares). Tributaries of the river basins have smaller catchments called watersheds which could be organized to effectively decentralize the management of the Basin.

Legal Bases No less than the Philippine Constitution provides for the protection of natural resources and watersheds, Atty. Danny Valenzuela reported during the Panay Watershed Summit. Specifically, Article XII of the Philippine Constitution, Section 4, states that The Congress shall, as soon as possible, determine, by law, the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground. Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished, except by law. The Congress shall provide for such period as it may determine, measures to prohibit logging in endangered forests and watershed areas. R.A. 7586 The NIPAS Law of 1992 SEC. 10. Administration and Management of the System. - The National Integrated Protected Area System is hereby placed under the control and administration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. For this purpose, there is hereby created a division in the regional offices of the Department to be called the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division in regions where protected areas have been established, which shall be under the supervision of a Regional Technical Director, and shall include subordinate officers, clerks, and employees as may be proposed by the Secretary, duly approved by the Department of Budget and Management, and appropriated for by Congress. The Service thus established shall manage protected areas and promote the permanent preservation, to the greatest extent possible of their natural conditions.
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The Water Code of the Philippines of 1976 sets the national objectives and principles concerning water resources of the country. The local government recognizes the role, responsibilities and authority of the National Water Resources Board which is mandated to regulate and control the utilization, exploitation, development, conservation and protection of the countrys water resources. Other environment and watershed-related laws implemented by the provinces are the Philippine Environment Code of 1977, the Philippine Fisheries Code, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and the Philippine Clean Water Act. The local government of the province of Iloilo based its actions for watershed protection basically on Article 11 of the Constitution which maintains that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The constitution provides for the promotion of social justice, political and economic decision making; encourages administrative decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of local government units and to accelerate the economic and social growth and development therein. The responsibility of the local government is expressed in Section 17 (Basic Services and Facilities) of the Local Government Code of the Philippines in 1991, to wit: Local government units shall endeavour to be self reliant and shall continue exercising the power and discharging the duties and functions currently vested upon them. They shall also discharge the functions and responsibilities of national agencies and offices devolved to them pursuant to this Code. Local government units shall likewise exercise such other powers and discharge such other functions and responsibilities as are necessary appropriate, or incidental to efficient and effective provision of the basic services and facilities, enumerated therein. The Philippine Agenda 21 (PA 21) expresses desire and deep mandate for sustainable development -- an international commitment of the Philippine government. Aligned with the Local Government Code of 1991, the Code directs and authorizes local governments to establish, maintain, preserve, protect and conserve communal forest and watershed. To implement this, Memorandum Order No. 399 in 1966 directs all government agencies, local government units to realign plans/ policies/ progress with PA 21. Memorandum Order 47 of 1999 directs local government units to formulate and implement their respective sustainable integrated development plans. According to Agenda 21, development is sustainable when the following conditions are present: When communities stimulate local economy When there is partnership among sectors: business, government and civil society When development is anchored on natural systems.

COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

17

The new generation of watershed management During the International Year of the Mountains, FAO or the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, undertook a large scale assessment and global review of the current status and future trends in integrated and participatory watershed management. Experiences on watershed management for ten years were the subject of the review. A set of new paradigm, insights, for sustainable mountain development came out of the study and a new generation of watershed management programs and projects were defined. Broadly, this new perspective has the following characteristics 18: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Watershed management is embedded in socio-economic development programs of the local government unit. There is multi-sector collaboration. The program design is flexible and adjusted to the over-all program and strategies of local governance. Light institutions are promoted There is focus on upstream-downstream linkages and long-term impacts Action research is a way for gaining local and scientific knowledge. Conflicts are managed through continuing negotiation as they are rooted in society and politics.

Embedded management One significant change in watershed governance process is embedded management. This has become necessary because of the ridge-to-reef concept being adopted (another significant paradigm change) as it is necessary to look at the whole river basin and the impact of its dynamics on land, water, and population of flora, fauna and people inside the watershed. Watershed management will not be seen as a project but as a program embedded in larger programs of the local government. The rationale for this approach is that most environment problems are related to socio-economic issues and this could best be approached in a holistic manner by the local government. A watershed management program under the broad socioeconomic program should focus on how to improve natural resources for sustainable livelihood. A specific sector program focusing on developing watersheds natural capital assets could be under the infrastructure as other concerns are already addressed in the broad socio-economic program of the local government. Collaborative management Another new concept in the new generation of watershed management is collaborative management. This concept focuses on civil society and targets a variety of social and institutional actors including government line agencies, unions, businesses, other CSOs , technical experts, policy makers. This collaboration is based on the recognition that stakeholders have particular, at
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times, contrasting interests on natural resources which need to be accommodated. In this process, stakeholders aspiration is merged with interest in technology and policy guidance through bottom up and top-down negotiations. The process is centered on local governance with water management programme such as the water management council acting as facilitator and supporter. Ecosystem-based management (science based) Ecosystem management is a new perspective or way of thinking about existing management of land and water resources (e.g., farming, forestry, supply of water, recreation and tourism or biodiversity conservation). An ecosystem management perspective helps to achieve the objectives for using land and water resources by including understanding of how the natural environment works or operates as an ecosystem. Understanding the natural world as an ecosystem helps to design management activities that are more likely to produce intended results on a sustainable basis 19. The functioning of ecosystems, that is, how they work or operate as an ecological system, can be understood in terms of four core ecosystem processes and how these interact with the structure of the ecosystem and landscape. The four ecosystem processes that are part of the functioning of ecosystems at all scales are: 1. 2. 3. 4. Water cycling Mineral cycling Solar energy flow Biological growth

Understanding these ecosystem functioning is important to watershed management in order to understand the impact of actions or interventions in the watershed. Much of the fallacies related to water and watersheds persists because of non-understanding of these ecosystem functioning.

COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

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2.0 Provincial Watershed Summits


Aklan Province Watershed Summit
The summit held on April 13, 2011 was attended by about 80 participants led by Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Executive Director of the Aklan Rivers Development Council, who welcomed the participants, underscoring the need for people of Aklan to act as one, united in protecting and conserving the watersheds of the province as the first important and urgent step toward considering the welfare of the present and future generations.

Atty. Allen Quimpo, Executive Director of the Aklan Rivers Development Council (ARDC) presents Mangroves, the Story of New Buswang, in one of the sessions.

In her message, Vice Governor Calizo pointed out that water is a very critical natural resource which must seriously be handled and disposed of according to nature and Gods design, stressing that the excess of this particular resource will mean the destruction of properties and extinction of humankind, but the lack of it will spell doomsday for all humanity. She illustrated how excess of water, as in the experience of Aklan during and after super typhoon Frank in 2008 ravaged the province when Aklan river and the other river systems overflowed, submerged Kalibo under six feet deep of flood waters, buried it in mud. This because, she said, people have abused the watersheds. Further, the governor expressed her concern saying that climate change tends to dump excess water all over and adversely affects everybody. She pointed to Boracay Beach lines which
20 COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

are now being eaten up by the rise of tidal waves, and the danger of isolating the town of New Washington from Kalibo, posing the threat of turning it into an island municipality. There is also the erosion of 100-meter span of Jal-o/Balete River banks tending to destroy the bridge connecting the towns of Balete and Altavas with the mainland Aklan, while the crystal clear waters of Gibon River in Nabas are now becoming murky, even with slight drizzle. On the other hand, the Gibon River tributaries Basang and the famous Hurom-hurom Cold Springs are now endangered to extinction if the trend continues, while the Alimbo River also in Nabas has already lost its mouth preventing the river to drain to the Sibuyan Sea and instead, spills its waters right towards the heart of the town during floods, because of the unscrupulous developers who erected structures on top of the waterways. She also added that she feared the Aklan Rivers System is all endangered, hence, it cannot remain as a life support system for the Aklanon and to the economy of the province during the next generations and instead, posing as agents of destruction to human lives and economic infrastructure, if everyone will not move and act now. It was difficult to think of Aklan River not being able to water thousands of hectares of croplands and provide potable water to significant number of households in Aklan. I must say that the topics you have crafted for todays summit are not only relevant but the most appropriate that can contribute to moderating the adverse impact of global warming and watershed destruction, Vice Governor Quimpo said. The challenge remains, that even if the province takes pride in having still the widest forest cover in any part of Panay, yet the people do not move to preserve or improve the cover, the threat to human to human destruction will become very imminent if not immediate. Topics discussed in the summit were given by the following resource persons. Rivers and Watersheds of Aklan by Aklan PENRO/DENR Director Ivene R. Reyes; Forest and Climate Protection Project in the Mountain Ranges of Panay by its Project Coordinator, Melvin Purzuelo; Mangroves, the Story of New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan by ARDC Executive Director, Atty. Allen S. Quimpo; Watershed Management Process by Director Ben Eusebio of the La Sallean Institute for the Environment, Manila What Else Can We Do? (Organizing Watershed Stakeholders) by Dr. Jessica C. Salas, Chairperson, Kahublagan Sang Panimalay Foundation, Inc.

Concerns during the open forum The case of the strong current of tidal waves destroying the Tambak Seawall was allegedly the cause and effect by the Bakhaw Mangrove Plantation Project of the Kasama headed by Atty. Allen Quimpo. Atty Quimpo said there were no scientific study or findings to support the
COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 21

allegations and added that based on observation and experience, Bakhaw trees play a vital role on natural land reclamation instead. Another concern was the event wherein a pending mining application be approved, the GIZfunded ForClim Protection Project in Panay will have to withdraw as mining would hamper the objectives of the project and even destroy the undertakings, including the Forest Land Use Plan. For the closing program, the participants crafted a Pledge of Commitment which was printed and all participants signed. The Pledge read as follows: We, the participants of the Aklan Watersheds Stakeholders Summit, held on April 13, 2011, at the Governor Cortazon L. Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center, Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan, do hereby declare, for and in consideration of the following, to commit ourselves to take holistic approach in promoting protection and conservation of our watersheds: Our watersheds are the source of water for life; Our watersheds are the only hope for the present and future generations; Our watersheds would be source of destruction if we could not take care of them.

In declaring so, we hereby set our hands and signed our names this 13th day of April, 2011 at Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines. So help us God.
Figure 10 IDENTIFIED WATERSHEDS IN THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN

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COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

Antique Province Watershed Summit


The provincial watershed summit of Antique was held on April 12, 2011 at Femos Centrospere, Atabay, San Jose. The Summit was convened by the Provincial Development Council (PDC), chaired by the Honorable Governor Exequiel B. Javier, in a joint PDC-Watershed Summit. The summit was attended by the members of the PDC and invited guests. Congressman Hon. Paulo Everardo S. Javier and Vice Governor Hon. Rose Dimamay were present as well as the members of the Sanggunihang Panlalawigan led by the chairperson of the environment committee, Hon. Victor R. Condez. The non-government/ private sector led by AFON or Antique Federation of Non-Government Organizations. All in all, 49 participants attended the summit which included chief executives of the towns of Antique, the government agencies, the non-government organizations which comprise the membership of the Provincial Development Council of Antique. The summit started with a report on the provincial environment situation, given by Ms. Mirza G. Samillano, OIC Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer, highlighting the state of the forestland which comprise 43% of the total provincial land area and a forest cover of 28.56%. CENRO Samillano cited the programs implemented which included Reforestation, National Forestation Program, the Sibalom Natural Park, the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park, the Proclaimed Watersheds of Mau-it-Tipulan River Watershed Forest Reserve, the Dalanas River Watershed Forest Reserve and the Panukayan Watershed. Continuous rehabilitation of denuded areas in these projects were reported. Aside from reforestation, there are agroforestry projects and assisted natural regeneration projects. The province also participates in the National Greening Program. Ms Marilou R. Llavan, program director of Antique Human Development Program and chair of AFON, presented the Sibalom River Watershed/ Sibalom Natural Park case study. A physical description of the Watershed was given as well as its biodiversity status. The report also included interventions/ activities the AHDP conducted in order to reach the protection and rehabilitation objectives of the watershed. The reports highlight was a list of stakeholders roles presented during the watershed summit workshop held August 20, 2010.
The third plenary speaker was Dr. Jessica C. Salas of Kahublagan sang Panimalay Foundation who discussed the new generation of watershed management: ridge to reef ecosystem-based collaborative management. Her talk was followed by a presentation of Forester Annabelle BuenaBriones, OIC Forest Resources Development Division of the Forest Management Services of DENR Region VI.
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COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

Roles of various stakeholders in a watershed


STAKEHOLDER Beneficiaries / consumers LGUs: Provincial, municipal and barangay levels National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Irrigators Association Water Districts / Waterworks PAMB Farmers ROLES / INTERVENTIONS Conservation at the household and institutional levels Financial allocation Formulation and implementation of policies / legislations Protection and conservation through nursery establishments and tree growing activities Lead agency in local water conservation Management and maintenance of irrigation system for the efficient utilization of water Provide potable water to consumers Provide funds for protection / rehabilitation of watershed through users fee. Use of rainwater harvesting, waterless urinals and other eco-friendly practices Provide funds for watershed rehabilitation Watershed rehabilitation, conservation through rainforestation, Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR)Protection of watershed / forest areas Implement forest laws / regulations Techno-transfer / capacity building Bantay gubat trainings and support Make and implement policies for watershed protection and conservation Adoption of appropriate farming technologies such as Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT), Crop Intensification and Diversification (CID), organic farming Information, education campaigns

Commercial establishments, businesses, SMEs DENR / ENRO

Media, Govt Information Agencies Academe Police, Bantay Gubat, MFPC (law enforcers) Fisher folks (inland and marine), BFAR

Research and information sharing Mobilization of students for tree growing Implementation, enforcement of laws and ordinances Mangrove forest, sea grass and coral reef protection Support to marketing and promotions of local products IEC, Capacity building, Water conservation, Advocacy Linking, networking for fund sourcing Community organization and mobilization Monitoring and evaluation
COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

Consumer groups / cooperatives / civic organizations, church-based organizations, Pos, NGOs, environmental groups
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1. Libertad Rivers Watershed 2. Pandan Rivers Watershed 3. Sebaste Rivers Watershed 4. Culasi Rivers Watershed 5. Tibiao Rivers Watershed 6. Dalanas Rivers Watershed 7. Lauaan Rivers Watershed 8. Paliuan Rivers Watershed 9. Cangaranan Rivers Wshd 10. Patnongon Rivers Wshd 11. Sibalom River Watershed 12. San Jose Rivers Watershed 13. Hamtic Rivers Watershed 14. Dao Rivers Watershed 15. Anini-y Rivers Watershed

Figure 11. Map of Rivers and watershed clusters of Antique

Gov. Exequil B. Javier presides over the Antique Watershed Summit.


COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 25

An Open Forum followed the plenary speakers and the following were the points raised and discussed: 1. Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR). In spite of the existence of natural grass and pasture lands, a method in reforestation called assisted natural regeneration (ANR) can still be implemented. ANR is a method for enhancing the establishment of secondary forest from grassland and shrub vegetation by protecting and nurturing the mother trees and their wildlings inherently present in the area. 2. Preferred types of trees for planting. While it is said that exotic species hamper the restoration of biodiversity, no definite study has been made to support this. However DENR highly recommends the use of native or indigenous tree species in natural forest areas. Exotic species such as mahogany and gmelina can still be planted in production areas. Bamboo, made more in demand because of engineered bamboo, can also be planted along river easements to prevent erosion in these areas. However, making bamboo plantations in upland or natural forest areas would not be helpful in biodiversity restoration. Diversification and sitespecies matching should be observed in planting trees especially in natural forest areas. 3. National Greening Program (NGP). The NGP implemented by the DENR is capable of providing seedlings for the targeted 864 hectares to be reforested in Antique. The Department of Education the local government units at the provincial, municipal and barangay levels, on the other hand, have been tasked to establish their own nurseries through a memorandum from the DILG.The Provincial government of Antique, in response to the NGP, has also committed to plant 500,000-1,000,000 seedlings. 4. Other than reforestation, what else? a. Awareness of water footprints, as indicator of water use. b. Rainwater harvesting c. Inconsistencies in the laws relating to environment, particularly watershed protection and mining concessions. The summit paved the way for the creation of a Provincial Core Group to set directions for watershed management in the province, which was scheduled to meet on May 10, 2011 and submit their outputs afterwards.

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COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

Capiz Province Watershed Summit


The watershed summit of the province of Capiz was held on June 22, 2011 at the Capiz Provincial Capitol, attended by about 30 provincial and municipal environment officers, members of the Capiz Sustainable Development Council (CSDC), the organizer of the summit, headed by Capiz Governor Hon. Victor A. Tanco. The head of the Committee on Environment of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Hon. Eduardo Magallanes, led the Summit. The body decided on two important concerns before they discussed the draft report to be presented during the Island Watershed Summit in Iloilo City. 1. Adoption of the Capiz Sustainable Development Council (CSDC) as the umbrella organization of all councils/groups whose concern is the environment to include Watershed Management, Coastal Resource Management, Forest Management and Protection, Solid Waste Management, mines and other Natural Resources Management. 2. Amendments to the Executive Order Creating the CSDC, to expand its membership to include theDPWH of the 1st and 2nd districts, MENROs of the different municipalities, NGOs on environment and other related groups. Suggestions/Comments on the draft report: 1. Verification as to the extent of the Panay River and its tributaries. 2. Legal basis for the creation of the Watershed Management Council or support for it to include the Executive Orders, Resolution, and Ordinance passed by the province. 3. Non-government organizations with focus on environment be included as members, but they should be accredited first by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) of Capiz.

Participants share ideas on issues and threats to their ecosystem, during the summit. COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 27

Issues and threats to the watershed identified during the workshop Previous to this Summit, the group has been introduced to the new generation of watershed management particularly the ridge-to-reef ecosystem approach. This was done, in several meetings in December, 2010, March and May, 2011. During these workshops, the case of the Mambusao River Watershed was also discussed.

Figure 12. Watersheds in Capiz province

There are eight watersheds in the province, namely, the Panay River Basin, Mambusao River, Roxas City Rivers/Creeks, Pilar Rivers/Creeks, Maayon River, Badbaran River, and Pres. Roxas Rivers/Creeks, estimated to have more or less 20 percent forest or vegetarian cover, as perceived by the participants.
In the absence of baseline data on the watersheds, the participants decided to focus on issues and threats faced by the different ecosystems, such as, forestland, agricultural areas, settlement areas, and coastal, marine and riverene.
28 COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

Forestland The issues identified surrounding the forestland include disregard for nature, illegal cutting of trees, destruction of forest, kaingin, denudation, no regulation or program for protection, nonimplementation of laws, lack of government, including local government support, indiscriminate upland farming, resistance to forest rehabilitation, rapid population growth, and influx of migrants/illegal settlers, political divisiveness. As to threats in relation to the issues raised, there are possible landslides and flooding, loss of wildlife, soil erosion, pollution, lack of water supply, lack of productivity, soil infertility, squatting, illness and death, hunger, poverty and even unrest. Agricultural Areas Issues identified are on the use of toxic chemicals/pesticides, lack of irrigation, low production, poor farming system and agricultural malpractices, and lack of support and assistance. These issues result to threats that include fish kill, pollution, soil erosion, poor food production, hunger and malnutrition and poverty. Settlement Areas Issues identified along this are improper zonification and/or non-implementation of the Zoning Ordinance, no program for resettlement as resettlement areas are found in environmentally-critical sites, and lack of government support. The threats posed by these issues are landslides and flooding, hazards to life and property, squatting and congestion and conflict and unrest. Coastal, Marine and Riverine The issues involved in this ecosystem are those of illegal structures in waterways, conversion of mangroves to fishpond, illegal fishing, activities, non-implementation of the zoning ordinance, pollution of rivers and creeks, high siltation level, poor fishing practices, and encroachment of state lands. The threats include sedimentation, siltation, inundation of esturaries, pollution, fish kill, flooding, loss of lives and property, food insecurity, poverty, hunger and malnutrition, increase in water level, water contamination. After, having discussed the above, the body decided to adjourn the activity while they requested Mrs Biclar to consolidate their discussions.
COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 29

Iloilo Province Watershed Summit


The summit, conducted on June 7, 2011, and anchored on the theme Working Together for Sustainable Forest and Water Resources, gathered some 91 representatives from the 23 watersheds in the province, and the provincial officials, led by Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias. The opening messages centered on the initiatives of the governor dubbed ART or Action for Re-Greening and Transformation Program, to mitigate the impact of climate change. It involves the planting of one million trees on two occasions, June 25, Arbor Day and September 17, the annual Piyesta sa Kakahuyan. The first plenary speaker was Engr. Ronnie Jagorin of the National Irrigation Administration who presented the 23 different watershedsin the province. (See Figure 13.) The second plenary topic was about Climate Change and Water Security. This was handled by Dr. Jessica C. Salas of Kahublagan sang Panimalay Fnd, Vice Chair of the TWG of Iloilo Watershed Management Council. The main message was that climate change is already in our system and nothing can change it, even if the most stringent mitigation efforts will be implemented to reduce green house gas emission. The impact canbe felt on or before the year 2040. After citing the projected climate change impact globally and nationally, the impact on Panay Island was reported, taken from the work of Steve Godilano (2010). For Panay Island,

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor,Sr. chairman of the Iloilo Watershed Management Council, delivers an inspirational message, citing the initiatives of his ART (Action for Regreening and Transformation) Program.
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Figure 13. Watersheds Map of Iloilo Province

occurrences of three events: flooding, drought and landslides were mapped out. Other effects are decrease in rainy days and that of rainfall by 20 percent but its intensity increases, higher than normal, with typhoon increasing in occurrence and intensity, flooding in depth, frequency and intensity along with severe landslides. Some Recommendations for the Ecosystems Forest Ecosystem - Creation of protection forest, where area for recreation and tourism is limited, as well as limiting also the resource extraction by the Indigenous Peoples. Introduction of agro forestry and rainforestation are also recommended. Farm Agricultural Areas - For upland ecosystems: organic agriculture, use of appropriate upland farming system, agro forestry technology, water impounding structures, and controlled settlement.
COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 31

For lowland ecosystems, organic agriculture, appropriate farming systems, irrigation systems, should be strengthened, together with fish farming, and appropriate water harvesting technology. Settlement Areas For these areas the following can be promoted and undertaken, urban agriculture, rainwater harvesting technology, water impounding, mini-hydro, regulations for domestic supply and industrial use and promotion, regulation of water rights. Coastal, Marine - Mangrove plantation, seaweed or grass farming, fish sanctuary, captured fishery, coral reef enhancement conservation of coastal and marine resources, ecotourism and deep sea fishing.

Provincial Environment Officer Raul L. Lorilla presented the programs of the agency, namely, the Upland /development Program, under the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP),, where a total of 418 hectares were established in 2009, and 390 hectares in 2010. Under the National Greening Program, it is targeting 470 hectares for forest plantation in protected areas, 835 hectares in CBFM areas, and 1,398 hectares under the jurisdiction of the local government units. Following the plenary speakers was the presentation of Watershed Plans. The watershed plan of Tigum-Aganan was presented by Alimodian Mayor Juanito Alipao, chairperson of the watershed board; the Magapa-Suage Watershed plan by Mr. Ricardo Minurtio, MENRO, Janiuay; Ulian Watershed Plan by Mr. Arturo Repospolo, MENRO, Duenas; Janipa-an-Jelicu-on Watershed, and that of the Sigangaw Watershed, by Mr. Wilfredo Sulit, MENRO, Zarraga; Jalaud Watershed by Mr. Angelito Dasmarinas, MENRO, Barotac Nuevo, all from Central Iloilo. For Southern Iloilo, the Sibalom-Baguingin Watershed Plan was presented by Mr. Nilo Tribunsay, Technical Working Group Chair. For Northern Iloilo, the Anilao Dangula-an Watershed Plan and that of the Tambunak Watershed were presented by Mr. Nicanor Jagorin, MPDC, Anilao; AsisigLamunan Watershed, by engr. Rey Pascua, City Plannin and Development Coordinator, City of Passi; Sibajao-Balantiann-Binon-an Watershed by Ma. Teresa Sayat, MPDC, Batad; Estancia Island Watershed by Mr. Glenn Beup, Mun. consultant on SWM, Estancia; and the Concepcion Island Watershed by Ms. Emelinda Abian, Environmental Management Specialist, Concepcion. The different watershed groups also presented their respective issues and problems that hamper the development of their watersheds, based on the four ecosystems, namely, forestland, farmland, settlement, coastal zone, including socio-economic, legal, institutional, political and cultural situations.
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3.0

Panay Island Watershed Summit

Executive Summary
The Panay Island Watershed Summit is a one day activity gathering together various stakeholders from the four provinces of Island, Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo, at the Grand Hotel, Iloilo City on August 4, 2011 attended by 139 participants. The objectives of the summit were to: (a) bring together watershed stakeholders to listen to the urgency of protecting fresh water supply, understand the link between water supply and the watershed; (b) create awareness on the state of the ecological functioning of the forest, agricultural land, river systems and other ecosystems in the watersheds; (c) facilitate commitment and action programs of various stakeholders in the preservation of the forests and watersheds, including strengthening of the watershed councils. Welcome messages were given by Regional Executive Director Julian Amador, DENR-6, represented by Regional Technical Director Livino Duran; by Asst. Regional Director Margie Biligan of the Department of Interior and Local Government VI; and by Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, read by Victor Facultad. Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr, in his message, said that as people suffer the effects of global warming, it is important that they work together, plan together, pray together, as they have common watersheds, common boundaries, and ensure an all our fight against climate change. Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez said it was encouraging that they have the support of various sectors in the protection of the environment, as they remember the devastations of Typhoon Frank which taught them bitter lessons. He said a happy postscript to the tragedy is Participants signing the Pledge of Commitment rebuilding, and the establishment of biodiversity conservation measures can be a way out of environmental predicament. Invited speakers talked about situations and efforts on coastal, forest and agriculture areas. Dr. Vicente Tuddao Jr., Executive Director of the River Basin Control Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, discussed the management of land and water in the river basin; Department of Agriculture Regional Technical Director Remie Recoter shared the convergence of services at the river basin; Dr. Leilanie Suerte of MGB talked about protecting the groundwater;
COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 33

Mr. Melvin Purzuelo discussed the realities in the forest areas of Panay and Atty. Danny Valenzuela presented the various legal basis for LGU involvement in watershed protection. Individual reports on provincial watershed summits in the different provinces were also presented. The results of the Aklan Summit was presented by Atty. Allen Quimpo; Antique results were presented by SP Member Victor Condes; Capiz results by SP Member Eduardo Magallanes; and results of the Iloilo summit were presented by SP Member Jett Rojas. The delegates later convened in separate workshop groups to discuss pressing issues facing the forests, coastal, settlement and agriculture and to come up with the framework plan which includes their recommended doable actions to address such issues. These will be consolidated to be presented as the Framework Plan for Panay Island Watersheds in the National Summit. The activity was closed by everyone signing the resolution and commitment to protect and conserve the watersheds of Panay Island.

The Island Framework Plan, From Ridge to Reef


THE FOREST ZONE Issues Deforestation and forest denudation Titling of timberlands Unregulated fuel wood gathering (charcoal making) Mining explorations Lack of training/IEs for the upland residents Poverty Commitment to doable actions Formulation of a forest land use plan in the municipality and for the MENRO to implement compliance and strict implementation of forest laws. Let the community protect the whole forest as their source of livelihood by: o Expansion of primary forest through rain-forestation o Expansion of agro-forestry areas as the buffer zone of the primary forest o Allocation for a wood lot for a sustainable charcoal production area in each barangay o Construction of access roads in buffer zones o Continuous information, education and communication Stop/ recommend cancellation of titles in the timberland Total moratorium on mining. THE AGRICULTURAL LAND Issues Low productivity due to excessive use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides leading to high production cost and decreasing yield. The farmers and households have little knowledge and low awareness, of appropriate technologies available to help them address the issue of sustainability. As a consequence, farmers and households prefer to sell or convert agricultural land to other uses.
34 COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

Commitment to doable actions The local government, particularly the office of provincial and municipal agriculturist should enhance agricultural program by first assessing existing programs and making recommendations to improve to address the issue of sustainability. Organic agriculture with soil and water protection, shall be the major thrust of the local governments on the island. Panay Island agriculture should adopt the initiatives and indicators of the DA-DENR- DAR convergence project. Provincial and municipal governments to review effort and ordinances for strict compliance of adoption and implementation of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. THE BUILT-UP / SETTLEMENT AREAS / URBAN & RURAL Issues Encroachment or settlement in forest areas and water ways Ineffective implementation of the solid waste and liquid waste program Non-attention to disaster-prone areas and non-intervention for communities in these areas Uneducated consumption Commitment to Doable Action Enhancement and updating of CLUP Information, education campaign for values transformation Passing of ordinance to support solid waste management including piloting barangays for waste segregation Identification of hazard prone areas and initiating action programs with the community. Promote local economy in the island THE COASTAL ZONE Issues: Poor implementation of fishery laws such as illegal fishing, construction of illegal structures in the waterways and unmanaged utilization of the mangrove forest. Inadequate vegetation of upper and mid-watershed and degraded land which led to the increase of silt and pollution in the coastal and marine waters. Inadequate data and information Commitment to doable actions: Provinces and municipalities shall endeavour to appoint their respective Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PENROs) and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENROs) to focus on protection of the coastal zone and land issues. Laws for coastal waters protection including laws relative to soil protection that destroys fish habitat with massive erosion should be passed and implemented. On the issue of mangroves used for charcoal, the Summit recommends that stakeholders look into the success story of Kalibo mangroves which are now being pruned for charcoal brisket with permit from DENR and with a certification for sustainable mangrove forest management plan The provinces also committed to share, consolidate, and update data to improve implementation of the coastal protection/ resource conservation laws.
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4.0 Learning from Case Studies

Tigum-Aganan Watershed: A Case Study


Tigum Aganan Watershed is located in the province of Iloilo on Panay Island. Its upper watershed touches the Antique province and merges with the forest ecosystem in this mountainous area. Its downstream tip crosses the City of Iloilo and channels water to the Guimaras Strait. As of 2008, the province of Iloilo has a forest cover of 38,422.26 hectares or 8% of the province land area with the natural forest of 16, 032l.68 hectares comprising the residual forest (5,225 has), virgin forest (7,016 has) and mossy forest of 3,790 hectares 20. A total of 23 watersheds were identified as management units in the province. There were about 175 rivers and creeks traversing the entire province and these are sources of irrigation water and water for domestic use. As of 2007, the province has a total population of 1,718,878 with a population density of 363 persons/km2 and annual population grown rate of 1.13. Poverty incidence is 30.4% Legal Basis for Environmental Protection The local government of the province of Iloilo based its actions for watershed protection basically on Article 11 of the Constitution which maintains that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The constitution provides for the promotion of social justice, political and economic decision making; encourages administrative decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of local government units and to accelerate the economic and social growth and development therein. The Philippine Agenda 21 (PA 21) expresses desire and deep mandate for sustainable development -- an international commitment of the Philippine government. Aligned with the Local Government Code of 1991, the Code directs and authorizes local governments to establish, maintain, preserve,
36 COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

protect and conserve communal forest and watershed. To implement this, Memorandum Order No. 399 in 1966 directs all government agencies, local government units to realign plans/ policies/ progress with PA 21. Memorandum Order 47 of 1999 directs local government units to formulate and implement their respective sustainable integrated development plans. In the province of Iloilo, initiatives to implement the above laws and regulations included the creation of the Iloilo Watershed Management Council or IWMC through ordinance No. 2000 41, on October 2, 2000. The Ordinance also empowers the IWMC to create watershed board or multi-sector bodies that will look into the watershed management of an area where their municipalities belong. The Tigum Aganan Watershed 21 is one of the watersheds created by IWMC with a memorandum of agreement signed by the nine local government units and nine representatives from other sectors. The watershed divide straddles eight municipalities and one city namely: Maasin, Cabatuan, Sta Barbara, Pavia, Leon, Alimodian, San Miguel, Oton and Iloilo City. There is a total of 309 barangays inside the watershed as shown in Table 1. Table 1. The barangays of Tigum Aganan Watershed22
Barangays Inside the Watershed No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Maasin upland Alimodian, upland Leon, upland Cabatuan, lowland San Miguel, lowland Sta. Barbara, lowland Pavia, coastal Oton, coastal Iloilo City, coastal TOTAL 49 52 9 68 24 50 17 17 23 309 98 85 11 100 100 83 94 46 13 53 1 9 76 0 0 10 1 20 157 274 2 15 74 0 0 17 6 54 87 47 50 61 85 68 24 60 18 37 180 583 % No. Barangays outside the watershed %

Municipality

TOTAL

Physical characteristics. The natural topographic condition of the Tigum-Aganan watershed ranges from mountains to flood plains and coast. In terms of geological characteristics, the soil originated from volcanic rocks of Panpanan Basalt and sedimentary rocks and rocks of Sewaragon formation and Lagdo formation. These are found on mountaintop and upstream reach. The eastern side is characterized by sandstone and shale. There were few cases of small scale collapses on the upper reaches of the Aganan River side before Typhoon Frank in 2008.
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Figure 2. Topography/Elevation Map 23

Figure 3. Slope Map

Figure 4. Land use Map and Runoff Curve Number

Figure 5. River/Stream Structure

The watershed has two distinct seasons: dry from November to May and wet during the rest of the year although occasional rain extends up to February. Maximum daily rainfall was recorded at 319.8 while the mean annual temperature is 26.2C to 29.1C. The Tigum-Aganan watershed has a total drainage area of 434 km2. The Tigum River and Aganan River flows into Jaro River which is characterized with a poor base flow and comparatively sharp flood peaks. Generally, land use may be described as follows:
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A mountain environment or upland forest for municipalities of Maasin, Alimodian, and Leon; lowland area for Cabatuan, Sta Barbara, San Miguel, Pavia and Oton; and coastal /sea environment for Iloilo City and Oton. The watershed is divided into public land/ timber land of 17.5% and alienable and disposable land of 82.5% Water quality has been classified by EMB as generally Class C except in the upstream of the Maasin watershed which is Class A. Sediment yield was estimated at 355 m3/ km2/ year and the sedimentation rate is 2.26 ton/hectare/year as reported in 2002. The average flow capacity of Tigum River is 500 m3/s while that of Aganan River is 400 m3/s. Jaro River has an average flow from 150 m3/s to 400 m3/s. This situation has significantly changed after a plantation of exotic species were established in 3000 hectares at the headwaters of Tigum River. Structures constructed in the river are limited. After the confluence of Tigum and Aganan Rivers, Jaro River is partially protected by revetments. The Metro Iloilo Water District has a water intake facility for domestic water supply. The National Irrigation Administration has intake facilities at Sta Barbara for the Tigum River and at San Miguel for Aganan River. Degradation of the riverbed can be seen in the middle stream to downstream with some bridge footings exposed above the river bed. These were caused by an imbalance of sedimentation and quarrying. Quarrying is not properly regulated. River encroachments can be seen in river banks in Iloilo City. There is also downstream pollution due to improper disposal of solid and liquid wastes. Iloilo City (2003) has 111 tons/ day of self-disposed garbage. Watershed population. Based on 2000 CLUP (Comprehensive Land Use Plan) statistics, there is an estimated 247,400 people living in the Tigum-Aganan Watershed. The upland area is estimated to have 22,780 hectares with 98 barangays and a population of 47,662. There is a population of 3,994 indigenous people as recorded in the Office of Southern Cultural Communities in Iloilo. The minority group has been identified as Bukidnon. Most of the Tigum-Aganan watershed population are in the low land area, 114,289 or 44%. Total households are 22,375 with an average household size of 5.1 and the land area is 15,708.47 hectares, giving a population density of 7 persons/hectare. In the lowland, there are 34 doctors and nurses and 77 midwives in the two hospitals and 6 rural health units. However, these health service providers and facilities seem inadequate to address the health needs of the lowland population. During the focus group discussion for data gathering, findings show lingering diseases mostly associated with lifestyle and diet. The population in the built-up zone may be classified as permanent residents and transients. The permanent residents are those found in residential areas, subdivisions, slums and relocation sites while the transients are those working in industries (construction etc.), schools (students) and commercial establishments. Thirty two per cent of the watershed population were located in the built-up zone and 61% of these are in Iloilo City and the rest in Pavia. Despite the limited area in the watershed (9% only), the urban population of 82,689 is more than that of the upland. Total number of households was 17,289 with an average size of 4.78. This zone is the most densely populated area in the watershed at 23 persons/ ha.
COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 39

Compared with other zones in the watershed, the urban area has better access to health services and facilities. The Metro Iloilo Water District delivers water through Level 1 connections to 57% of the urban population, the bottled mineral water and refilling stations served as sources of potable water for households. This percentage, however, dwindled to 10% to 20% after the Maasin Forest Reserve was reforested. The coastal area of the Tigum-Aganan watershed consisted of three barangays located along the coast of Guimaras Strait in Iloilo City. The total population is 4,995 with 968 households. The health situation in the coastal was comparable to, if not worse than, to that of the urban/builtup area. No government health service providers are based in the coastal barangay except for community volunteers. In one barangay, 70% do not have toilets and human wastes are disposed of in the river or the sea. Garbage collection trucks collect 42% of household trash while 38% throw them in open pits. The socio-economic study reported the following reasons why in this coastal area, fishing is not a major source of income. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Absence/ loss of coral reefs. River pollution reflecting the activities in the watershed Loss of mangroves Increased sedimentation and silt Construction of fish pens along the coast Inappropriate fishing methods used by commercial fishermen Operation of Panay power plant

Upstream-downstream dynamics. Population density in the timberland is even higher than the upland area; 9.74 and 2.67 respectively. Population density in the urban built up is 37.6. The socio-economic data from Tigum Aganan watershed shows a distinct inequity in terms of income and delivery of social services. In health, for example, urban built-up area has more medical facilities and medical personnel than other areas. In infrastructures, electricity is available more in the urban and coastal areas. In the education sector, schools, teachers and other educational opportunities are found in the urban zone. Products from the upland and lowland areas, although less fish from the coastal; are available in the city. However, the upland produce suffers from competition with the imported goods in the city. With less opportunities outside the city, the result is lower income for the upland communities. For the upland communities, coping mechanisms for their poor living condition include getting into the forest zones, using inappropriate and less expensive technologies in farming, timber poaching, illegal squatting in public lands and these have negative impact on the environment bringing problems to lowland communities such as flood, water pollution, siltation, increasing nutrient load and destruction of fish habitat.

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On the other hand, downstream communities appropriate more public funds for themselves to cope with the negative impact of a degraded environment, since most decision makers are from the downstream communities. It is easy to appropriate higher budget for infrastructures, more education, more investment for external trades, more profitable businesses, and more rich individuals. The result is not enough investment is made for the upland populations basic needs. These actions create unintended pressure on upstream communities in terms of less attention, less budget for their own infrastructures, less access to social services, resulting in low income. The upland conditions are seldom seen clearly by policy makers as many of them have never been to the upland and could not imagine the upland situation. Central decision-making, low priority of upland programs and projects, lack of genuine participation contribute to this iniquitous process. The cause of destruction and demise of the fishing industry of Tigum Aganan was hardly known or attributed to this iniquitous process. The pollution and the two-kilometer silt which covered the fish habitat on the shorelines of Iloilo City is a living testimony of a destroyed ecosystem and inattention to the problems of the Tigum-Aganan Watershed. The newest contributions to the erosion cascade from Tigum Aganan Watershed are the two recent projects of the national government: the reforestation of Maasin Watershed and the flood control projects. Opposition from professionals and concerned citizens in the city were of no avail. The socio-economic dynamics described above created a pattern of vicious circle. Unless development is seen in the perspective of the watershed, it is difficult to recognize the pattern and the surreptitious impact on the degradation of the ecosystem. Organizational Structures. Attempts to implement the watershed approach were initiated by advocates in the government and in the civil society. The Iloilo Watershed Management Council was created as the management unit for an integrated watershed management in the province. The following are the members of the council: Chairperson the governor of the province; Co-Chairperson Regional Executive Director of DENR Members: Sanggunihan Panlalawigan Committee on Environment, League of Municipalities, City of Iloilo, Sanggunihan Panglungsod Committee on Environment of Iloilo City, NIA, PIA, MIWD, DPWH, DAR, DECS, NEDA, PNP, NGO Kahublagan sang Panimalay Foundation, City of Iloilo, Iloilo Business Club, Peoples organization - KAPAWAMaasin. Supporting the Council is a Technical Working Group whose members come from agencies helping the tasks of the IWMC. The following are members of the TWG: Committee on Environment, Sanggunihan Panlalawigan, Province of Iloilo; Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, (PENRO) LGU; Provincial Planning and
COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 41

Development Office (PPDO); Office of the Provincial Agriculturist; League of Municipalities; Cityof Iloilo; SP Committee on Environment, City of Iloilo; National Irrigation Administration; Philippine Information Agency; Metro Iloilo Water District; Department of Public Works and Highways; Department of Agrarian Reform; Philippine National Police; Kahublagan sang Panimalay Fnd.; KAPAWA-Maasin
Iloilo Watershed Management Council (IWMC) Technical Working Group 23 River Boards/ Watershed Mgt units Municipal Watershed Mgt Council

Peoples Initiatives

Barangay Info Centers (BIC)

Figure 6. Organization Chart of Iloilo Watershed Management Cpouncil

One of these 23 watershed management units is the Tigum-Aganan Watershed Management Board. The members of the Board are as follows: Municipality of Maasin, Municipality of Alimodian. Municipality of Cabatuan, Municipality of Sta Barbara, Municipality of Pavia, Municipality of Leon, Municipality of San Miguel, Municipality of Oton, Iloilo City, Sta Barbara Irrigators Federation Association, CENRO- DENR, DPWH, NIA, and Kahublagan sang Panimalay Fnd., Metro Iloilo Water District, Central Philippine University, Philippine Information Agency- Iloilo province, Katilingban sang mga Pumuluyo sa Watershed-Maasin Summary of Issues and Recommendations. In 2003, and in 2006, separate assessments of the management of the Tigum-Aganan Watershed were conducted. In 2009, a vulnerability study of the Maasin Watershed also included a set of recommendations for the Tigum-Aganan Watershed. These three studies and a review of the minutes of TAWMB meetings and its stakeholders assemblies were used as basis for this summary of issues and recommendations.
42 COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

ON WATER SECURITY The purpose of conducting the rehabilitation of the Maasin Watershed in 1992 was to secure the source of drinking water for Iloilo City and the neighboring towns. The Feasibility Study conducted in 1990 recommended for agroforestry and assisted natural regeneration (ANR) for the denuded portion of the watershed. Although approved by the Regional Development Council VI, this recommendation, was overturned by a project design prepared by DENR Central Office. After five years, what was implemented by both the national project and local initiatives was a 3,000 hectare plantation of exotic species. In 2004 a serious drying of the Tigum River happened. Every summer, since then, the drying of the river has taken place and the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) announced the reduction of its services to only 10-20% of the population. There was a serious increase in erosion according to MIWD. Various studies showed that the 3,000 hectares of plantation of exotic species in the Maasin Watershed and the increasing bamboo plantation promoted by certain businessmen were the causes of the destruction of the soil structure of the Forest Reserve at Maasin Watershed. The Typhoon Frank in 2008 exacerbated the erosion problem. Efforts of TAWMB to initiate change in the Maasin Watershed were all thwarted. The national agency does not believe that the 3,000 hectare plantation of exotic species and the bamboo plantation were the cause of the decrease in stream flow especially during summer when there is a decreased rainfall. The Typhoon Frank, which happened three years after the first drying episode, is blamed by the national agency. The restoration of the Maasin Watershed is imperative for water security of the people living in the Tigum-AgananWatershed both for irrigation and domestic use.

The CSIRO Vulnerability Assessment of Tigum-Aganan Watershed24 prepared a list of recommendations, some of which are cited below: 1. Work with TAWMB to model the hydrological and sediment budgets for the watershed under various climate and land management scenarios in order to inform land use planning and implementation in the catchment. 2. Work with TAWMB to develop better and common understanding of the effect of climate change, El Nino conditions, and land management on river flow and aquifer recharge dynamics. 3. Establish and resource a committee within the TAWMB to develop and oversee the monitoring of recharges and extraction of groundwater. 4. Work with the Metro Iloilo Water Department and the Governors office to develop plans and policies for conservative supply and demand management.

COMMON Land, COMMON Waters

43

5. 6.

Develop low technology options for personal or community rainwater harvesting, with tanks, impoundment in rice paddies or created wetlands, etc. Develop comprehensive watershed management plans to vegetate protected areas with suitable vegetation types.

ON SEDIMENTATION AND RIVER PROTECTION According to the 2003 study, the four immediate causes of sedimentation were: inappropriate farming practices, minimal forest cover, inadequate river protection and ineffective or non-existent government program for soil and water protection. With regard to inadequate river protection, two factors were identified. These were improper utilization of river easement and indiscriminate quarrying. The Problem Tree instrument for analysis showed that there are socio-economic root causes resulting in sedimentation problem. These are poverty, inadequate information and poor governance. The 2003 recommendations were: (a) IWMC to urge the Department of Agriculture to review impact of modern agricultural practices and inform farmers its results in order to promote sustainable farming. (b) IWMC to promote implementation of the watershed approach through integration of the services of DENR, DA, DAR, NIA, DPWH at the local government units level (c) effective information campaign at the watershed. As to these recommendations, DA-DENRDAR convergence program is promoting the watershed approach nationwide but this is not implemented by these agencies in the Tigum-Aganan Watershed. The information campaign arm of the watershed, The Ugat sang Tubig: school on air which started in 1997 was stopped in 2010 due to lack of fund support. IWMC and Kahublagan sang Panimalay Foundation implemented rainwater harvesting projects from 2007 to 2010 to respond to these recommendations. Recommendations were not yet included by the TAWMB Watershed Plan as the planning process was delayed in 2010-2012.

ON DEALING WITH NATURAL HAZARDS The CSIRO assessment recommended, among other things, the development of a community early warning system, a vulnerability assessment of all communities, planning and regulating land use, replanting mangroves and diverting or storing flood water in wetland systems.

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ON SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS The socio-economic issues highlighted in the 2003 study and reinforced by other studies, were poverty and inadequate delivery of basic services. The problem of creeping population density that threatens the fragile mountain and river ecosystems was not adequately addressed. Delivery of basic services was also tainted by corrupt practices. The recommendation in the 2003 study includes: (a) DPWH to determine the bio-physical carrying capacity of the upland and other vulnerable zones in order to guide its installation of infrastructures for development (b) LGU to support watershed approach to planning starting from the barangay level (c) Relevant national agencies to work hand in hand with IWMC and to support its initiatives in the Tigum-Aganan Watershed. The members of the Community-based Forest Management (CBFM) organization which is the KAPAWA-Maasin or the Katilingban sang mga Pumuluyo sa Maasin Watershed, were not allowed to cut the trees planted in the reforested area but are allowed to harvest fruits in their agroforestry area where fruit trees were planted. They were also allowed to plant bamboo, coffee, pepper, and rattan in between the trees for their livelihood. In mid-2000, a businessman put up a bamboo processing plant in the municipality of Maasin and this encouraged farmers to plant more bamboos inside the Maasin Reserved Forest. A picture taken in 2007 (Figure 7) shows the extent of bamboos in the area. According to a soil scientist in the Bureau of Soils, a massive bamboo plantation destroys the fertility of the soil and its capacity to hold water.

Figure 7. An aerial picture of a portion of the Maasin Forest Reserve showing extensive bamboo plantation. The dark green hue areas are the exotic tree plantations. (MGB Photo)

The 2009 CSIRO Vulnerability study has specific recommendations for livelihood options. Among these are the creation of cooperatives, development of ecotourism, and improvement of planning capacity.
COMMON Land, COMMON Waters 45

ON INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND GOVERNANCE The local governments mandate to protect and enhance the welfare of its constituents is the rational key element in ecological governance. The 2006 organizational study recommended that the TAWMB shall focus on coordination of the Watershed Management Plan, monitoring and evaluating it, and preparing resolutions from the evaluation feedback to guide member towns in the conduct of their municipal watershed councils. The TAWMB shall also take charge of the information-education campaign through the BICs in the watershed. As part of its monitoring function, TAWMB can device and use score cards. From these feedbacks, TAWMB may recommend policies to the IWMC. Strategic planning sessions should include upstream-downstream issues. Resource mobilization and resource management should take into account other community capital assets, not just focus on financial assets. Transfer or exchange of assets between upstream and downstream communities should be encouraged even at the micro watershed level.

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END NOTES
Dalawis, Arlene, DENR Initiatives on Environmental Protection in Panay and Guimaras Islands, Stakeholders Workshop for the Environmental Baseline Study of Panay and Guimaras Islands. Kahublagan sang Panimalay Fnd, Haribon Fnd, UNDP/SGP/GEF, Iloilo City Dec 6 and 7, 2007. 2 Paalan, Renee B. (Siliman University), An Assessment of the Threaqtened Species of Negros-Panay, Philippines. Ibid. 3 Negros-Panay Biodiversity Baseline Studies, Report submitted to Haribon Foundation by Kahublagan sang Panimalay Fnd., April 15, 2008. 4 Miller, C. Et al, Tigum-Aganan Watershed Management Project, Part 1: Exploring vulnerability to climate change, 5 January 2010. CSIRO-AusAID Alliance Project. Iloilo City, 2010 Interview with Mr. Reyes, soil specialist, Bureau of Soil & Water Management, July, 2010. 6 River Basin Control Office, 2011 from a base map of 2003. 7 Arlene T. Dalawis, Status of Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives in Panay and Guimaras Islands, a presentation during the Stakeholders workshop for the Environmental Baseline Study, Panay and Guimaras Islands, December 6-7, 2007., Iloilo City. 8 Data from the report of Marylou Llavan of Antique Human Development Program Inc., The Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation and Protection Project during the Stakeholders Workshop for the Environmental Baseline Study, Panay & Guimaras Islands. (Kahublagan sang Panimalay Fnd., 2007) 9 Gregorio de la Rosa of Haribon Fnd Loc Cit., citing the works of Mallari et al 2001, Bongalonta 2003 and Mercado and dela Rosa 2005. 10 Gregorio de la Rosa of Haribon Fnd., Report to the Stakeholders Workshop for the Environmental Baseline Study, Panay and Guimaras Islands (Kahublagan sang Panimalay Fnd, 2007) citing the works of Mallari et al 2001, Garcia et al 2002, Haribon Fnd 2005, and Bongalontal 2003. 11 Soledad Sucaldito, PENRO, Iloilo Province, Loc cit 12 Arlene T. Dalawis, PAWCZM, DENR Region VI, Loc Cit 13 Interview with Forester Damaso Fuentes of PAWZM, DENR Region VI, March, 2008, cited in the Negros Panay Baseline Studies, Kahublagan, 2008. 14 Statement made by RED Lormelyn Claudio during the Economic Development Committee meeting of the Regional Development Council VI, March, 2008, as cited in the Negros-Panay Baseline Studies, Kahublagan, 2008. 15 Philippine Monitor, 2003 16 Jessica Salas presentation during the Panay Island Watershed Summit, August, 2011. 17 Esteban Godillano, Spatial impact of climate change in the Philippines: Challenges and opportunities for food and water security presented during the Charting our Water Future: A multi Policy Program Dialogue Visayas. National Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 2010. 18 FAO Forestry Paper No. 150. The new generation of watershed management programmes and projects. FAO Rome, 2006. 19 Ecosystem Management: Concept to local-scale implementation. UNEP and IISD. Nairobi, 2011. 20 Data about the province were supplied by LGU PENRO, Iloilo. 21 The physical characteristics description of the watershed was taken from Study on sediment condition in the Jaro and Iloilo river basins, DPWH, 2007. 22 CLUP of municipalities and a city in the Tigum-Aganan Watershed, 2004 23 Maps of the Tigum-Aganan Watershed used in Figures 2 to 5 were taken from the Rainwater Harvesting for Climate Change Report of Kahublagan sang Panimalay Fnd., 2008. 24 CSIRO or the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization assisted Tigum-Aganan in its vulnerability assessment in response to the request of Kahublagan sang Panimalay Foundation in xxx
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47

ACRONYMS
AFON AHDP ANR ARDC ART BFAR CBFM CENRO CID CLEEP CSDC CSIRO DA DAR DECS DENR DILG DPWH EMB FAO FGD FPE GIS IBAs IISD IPCC IWMC IWRM KAPAWA LGU Antique Federation of Non-Govt Organizations Antique Human Development Program Assisted Natural Regeneration Aklan Rivers Development Council Action for Re-Greening and Transformation Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Community-based Forest Management Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Crop Intensification and Diversification Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program Capiz Sustainable Development Council Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization Department of Agriculture Department of Agrarian Reform Department of Education Culture and Sports Department of Environment and Natural Resources Department of Interior and Local Government Department of Public Works and Highways Environmental Management Bureau Food and Agriculture Organization Focus Group Discussion Foundation for the Philippine Environment Geographic Information System Important Biodiversity Areas International Institute (for) Sustainable Development Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Iloilo Watershed Management Council Integrated Water Resources Management Katilingban sang Pumuluyo sa Watershed Local Government Unit PDC PENRO PIA PNP PPDO SALT SWM TAWMB TWG UNEP WM WVSU LIPASECU MENRO MGB MIWD MPDC NEDA NGOs NGP NIA NIPAS NWRB OECF PA PAMB PASU Libertad, Pandan , Sebaste and Culasi Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Mines and Geo Science Bureau Metro Iloilo Water District Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator National Economic Development Authority Non-Government Organizations National Greening Program National Irrigation Administration National Integrated Protected Areas National Water Resources Board Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund Philippine Agenda Protected Area Management Bureau Protected Area Supervising Unit & Management Services Provincial Development Council Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Philippine Information Agency Philippine National Police Provincial Planning and Development Office Sloping Agricultural Land Technology Solid Waste Management Tigum-Aganan Watershed Management Board Technical Working Group United Nations Environment Program Watershed Management West Visayas State University

PAWCZMS Protected Area Wildlife Conservation and Coastal Zone

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