BUHISAN WATERSHED INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

By: Archt. Socorro B. Atega

Central Cebu Protected Landscape 29,062 Ha. RA 9486

Profile of the Buhisan Watershed and Forest Reserve

Legal Mandate: Executive Order No. 36 dated July 13, 1911 Area of Coverage: 630.89

Elevation: 100 to 400 masl

Total Length of the River/ Creek/Stream Channel: 12,567 meters No. of Barangays Covered: Upstream Sapangdaku, Pamutan, Buhisan and Toong Downstream Kinasang-an, Pardo Poblacion & Quiot Pardo, Bulacao Vegetative Cover: Teak Mahogany Gmelina Narra Bamboo Fruit Trees Rattan Upstream Total Population: 21, 692 Downstream Total Population: 47, 221 = 50 has. = 450 has. = 110 has. = 10 has. = all banks of major creeks = 10 has. = interplanted

Buhisan Dam

Cebus first dam and MCWDs first surface water source. Constructed in 1912 but still is as strong as when it was first operated. Generates an average of about 150,000 cubic meter/month of potable water for Metro Cebu population during the rainy months and from 50,000 cubic meters/month to almost zero during summer.

ISSUES & CONCERNS

(Multi- Stakeholder Workshop) May 19-20, 2005

15 Hectares of Deforested Area

Hotspot No. 1: Sitios Ukban & Puti, Brgy. Buhisan = 5 hectares

Hotspot No. 2: Sitio Kilat, Brgy. Tisa = 3 hectares

Hotspot No. 3: Sitio Managobtob Hotspot No. 4: Sitio Kaangking, Brgy. Toong

Hotspot No. 5: Sitio Sibukawan, Brgy. Buhisan

5A: Dam Side 5B: Sitio Busay, Brgy. Buhisan 5C: Sitio Kateakan, Brgy. Toong

Sand and gravel extraction at downstream Buhisan

Burning of garbage at the roadside

Cliffs beside Buhisan Dam

Drying of vegetation due to El Nio

Environmental Issues & Concerns

Cause: Exotic species planted Illegal cutting of trees Effect: Poor biodiversity value Siltation / Sedimentation Reduced volume of water in reservoir

Plantation of Exotic Trees Species (Mahogany, Teak, Gmelina)

Severe erosion in the absence of under growth

Reduced water holding capacity of the reservoir

Environmental Issues & Concerns

Future Desired Enhanced biodiversity Healthy Buhisan River

Socio-Economic
Rapid Population Growth
Cause: Lack of family planning / population management Effect: Increased demand for water & basic services (health, education, etc)

Socio-Economic
Unemployment
Cause: Lack of livelihood opportunities / skills Effect: Promotes illegal activities: sand & gravel extraction cutting of trees, charcoal making

Socio-Economic
Illegal squatting along the river banks

Cause: Poverty, lack of government support (housing)

Effect: Poor sanitation & health problems, risk to lives and properties

At the mouth of Kinalumsan at Duljo

Leaking septic tank, canal, and garbage at Duljo

Illegal structures at Punta Princesa

Washing clothes at the filthy river

Socio-Economic
Lack of community cooperation
Cause: Lack of info regarding environmental management, inappropriate practices i.e. waste management
Effect: Conflict of interest, water pollution, obstruction of river flow

Socio-Economic
Future Desired Environment conscious & involved community Socialized housing Sustained & Environment friendly livelihood program Just & effective distribution of water supply

Politico-Legal Problems
Poor Implementation of Environmental Laws:
Easement (Water Code) Forestry & NIPAS Act Solid Waste Management

Cause: Ignorance & lack of political will Fragmented Governance

Effect: Environmental neglect & pollution

Politico-Legal Problems
Unclear Territorial Boundary
Cause: No boundary demarcation on the ground
Effect: Difficulty to identify area of responsibility No barangay ordinance & programs Conflict of interest

Politico-Legal Problems
Lack of Stakeholder Participation in Enforcement
Cause: People do not know their roles & responsibilities
Effect: Lack of community involvement apathy People create problems instead of contributing to environmental management

Politico-Legal Problems
Future Desired: Effective implementation of environmental laws Proper delineation of boundaries

What shall we do then?

INTEGRATED WATER

RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Implementing IWRM process is a matter of getting the Three Pillars right

Ecology and Biodiversity (P25.5M)

Delineation and demarcation of BWFR

Enrichment Planting (using indigenous tree species) and Assisted Natural Regeneration
Rehabilitation and stabilization of river banks Implementation of appropriate soil and water conservation measures

Economic Empowerment & Enterprise Development (P9.8M)

Promotion and support to the off-farm livelihood activities. Promotion and support to the eco-cultural tourism activities Manpower skills development and placement. Promotion of Food Always In The Home (FAITH) organic farming.

Water, Sanitation & Health (WaSH) (P1.3M)

Provision of communal water system and appropriate sanitary toilet facilities. Construction of rainwater catchments

Establishment of materials recovery facility

Ecological Governance & Enforcement (P1.4M)

Organization and strengthening of the Barangay Development Council Creation of the Barangay Environment and Natural Resource Office Reactivation of the Buhisan Protected Area Management Board into a watershed management unit.

Eco-cultural Tourism Site Development (P6M)

Establishment of the Buhisan Environmental Education, Training and Information Center; and management and operations system
Identify eco-cultural tourism circuits (e.g. biking & mountain trekking trails, butterfly sanctuary)

Information, Communication & Education (P1.5M)

Institutionalization of Project Learning Tree (PLT), Project Water Education for Teachers (WET) in the formal education Formulation of a Localized Integrated Water Resource Management Framework for the Barangay Development Council

Proposed Butterfly Sanctuary

Proposed Camping and Picnic Area

Picnic Grounds

Trails for Mountain Trekking

Cycling Trail

Potential Site for View Decks

Historical Sites (World War Tunnels)

REVITALIZE BUHISAN RIVER WATERSHED