Presentation of the

current state of Philippine

Watershed
 Total land area of 30 million hectares of which 70% can be considered as
watersheds areas. These watersheds comprise about 419 principal river basins
with drainage areas of approximately 21 million hectares. The most important
river basins constitute the Agno and the Cagayan River Basins in Northern
Luzon, Pampanga River Basin in Central Luzon, lIog-Hilabangan in the Visayas,
and the Cotabato and the Agusan River Basins in Mindanao Region.
 Total of 142 Critical Watershed
 The rapid transformation of the original vegetation of the Philippine forests,
coupled with inappropriate land use practices, had led to loss of biodiversity
and disrupted the hydrological condition of major watersheds, which has
resulted in accelerated soil erosion, siltation of rivers and valuable reservoirs,
increased incidence and severity of flooding, and decreasing supply of potable
water.
1. What are the contributing factors to
watershed degradation?
 Natural Inherent Features
a) Monsoonal rainfall pattern resulting to excessive rainfall during wet season and
scarce at other times of the year.
b) Climatic cycles such as El Niño and La Niña leading to extended dry periods and
above normal rainfall amount
c) Rugged to rolling mountainous topography

 Human Activities - Various types of human activities can be considered as

direct causes of watershed degradation as follows:
a) Conversion of natural ecosystems coupled with inappropriate land conversion
practices
b) Over-exploitation which causes insufficient protection against erosion
c) Overgrazing leads to soil compaction and decrease in vegetation cover, thus,
increased soil erosion and reduced infiltration
 Human Activities - Various types of human activities can be considered as
direct causes of watershed degradation as follows:
a) Conversion of natural ecosystems coupled with inappropriate land conversion
practices
b) Over-exploitation which causes insufficient protection against erosion
c) Overgrazing leads to soil compaction and decrease in vegetation cover, thus,
increased soil erosion and reduced infiltration
d) Improper land cultivation
e) Unregulated land conversion
f) Poor water management.
Example. The Ormoc City Tragedy of
November 5, 1991
Briefer. Ormoc Tragedy
 Lake Danao located above the Ormoc Watershed overflowed. The causal activities
leading to the flood is the instability of the soils, the poor vegetation landscape
and the flow constrictions that magnified the flood were also results of human
alterations of the catchment topography and hydrology. These alterations were
driven by short term economic benefits, legitimized by unsound legislation and
compounded by neglect in the implementation of appropriate laws.
 Soils in the watershed are naturally cohesion less, and removal of their mechanical
anchoring by forest root systems was a factor if major significance. But, as a result
of the deforestation and clearing of watershed, this anchoring effect was lost.
Since the root systems of the crops that replaced the forest did provide the same
safety margin as did the trees, the shear strength of the soils was reduced,
thereby making the watershed more prone to massive earth movements,
especially during storm.
 In Ormoc, urban development has highly changed the drainage and channel
patterns in the city. Most of these changes have not fully taken flood patterns into
account. They tend to impede the rapid flow of water to Ormoc Bay, and therefore
increase the probability of flooding. The zoning of the city also failed to consider
flood patterns
Problems Facing Watershed Management

 Development of industries.
 Interruption of water flow
 Development of urban centers
 Poor fishing methods.
 Watershed also encompass many different local government unit (LGUs),
settlement, and natural ecosystems, which make decision-making process
a problem
Cont. Problems Facing Watershed
Management
 Development of industries. Despite the numerous efforts put in by global
institutions to reduce pollution through clean technology, Industrial activities
are still emitting toxic chemicals, metal deposits, and petroleum products.
The consequence of this being an increase in health risks, this is so when fish
and wildlife are poisoned and humans consume the fish.
 Interruption of water flow - once flow of natural water flow is interrupted,
there is massive loss that is incurred. Among these is alteration or loss of
habitat all together, increased soil erosion, Blockage of passage for fish and
other aquatic organisms, alteration of water salinity and an overall disruption
of ecosystems. This interruption is realized when there is construction of
dams, diversion of water for irrigation, development, construction, industry,
and household use.
Cont. Problems Facing Watershed
Management
 Development of urban centers- Invasion of natural area by human being with the
aim of converting them to urban center has become a major challenge to
watershed management. It also possesses a challenge of decline in fish and
wildlife because they are forced to migrate and others die. Chemicals, loss of
habitat, alteration of water flow and disposal of waste into water resources by
human beings adversely affect aquatic ecosystems. This problem can be addressed
through legislation, growth, and water management program
 Poor fishing methods. While fishing is beneficial for trade, food, and economic
growth, it is a potential challenge for watershed management. It is so when poor
methods of fishing are used. Overfishing and other methods that can results in
alteration and damage of fish habitats, also this affect the population of some
species and worst, extinction of some species. Communities that depend on fishing
are also affected by this activity as well as economic growth of a country.
Cont. Problems Facing Watershed
Management
 Watershed also encompass many different local government unit (LGUs),
settlement, and natural ecosystems, which make decision-making process
a problem . Community bases organizations, NGOs, LGUs, and national
agencies involved in watershed management planning, implementation and
monitoring should have the financial and human resources to sustain the
delivery of resources. LGUs are also affected by political dynamics, change in
leadership or change in goals and priorities, and in winning the cooperation of
stakeholders in the affected communities.
 Example. Serious deforestation in IPO Watershed

 Ipo watershed is a vital link in the Angat-Umiray-Ipo watersheds

system which supplies around 98% of the water needs of Metro
Manila. Illegal logging, charcoal-making, and slash-and-burn
farming in Ipo Watershed, a 6,600-hectare mountain forest in Rizal
and Bulacan, could lead to a "water crisis" for Metro Manila
 Illegal Road Construction inside IPO Watershed
Issues 2. Presence of the existing laws
relative to Watershed Management
 1987 Philippine Constitution
“The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. It also pointed
to Section 15, Article II which mandates the State "to protect and promote the right
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them".
 NIPAS Act
 Mining Act
 IPRA
 Local Government Code
 DENR Circular
 PD 1067: The Water Code of the Philippines
RA 7160
 Pursuant to Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government
Code of 1991, Presidential Decree 705 as amended, otherwise known as the
Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines ; Executive Order No. 192 defining
the mandates, organization, and functions of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR), DENR Administrative Order No. 30, Series of
1992 prescribing the guidelines for the transfer and implementation of DENR
functions; the following Manual of Procedures is hereby promulgated to
effectively implement devolution of forest management functions and
enhance partnership between the LGUs and the DENR.
DILG and DENR Circulars

 DENR-DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) Joint Memorandum

Circular (JMC) No. 2003-01 stipulates the “strengthening and institutionalizing the
DENR-DILGLGU partnership on devolved and other forest management functions.”
 A recent issuance by DENR on this is DAO 2010-07 which provides for the
continuing devolution of environment and natural resources functions to LGUs.

RATIONALE: The Code emphasizes the LGUs’ role in natural resources management by
stating that “the local government shares with the national government the
responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within their
territorial jurisdiction.” The Code initially devolved certain environmental functions
of DENR to LGUs including the implementation of the Integrated Social Forestry
Projects (ISFP).
Mining Act

 The promotion shall be the combined efforts of the Government and private
sector for the enhancement of national growth in a way that effectively
safeguards the environment and protect the rights of affected communities.
 Mineral agreement or financial or technical assistance agreement applications
shall not be allowed:
(f) Old growth or virgin forests, proclaimed watershed, forest reserves,
wilderness areas, mangrove forests, mossy forests, national parks,
provincial/municipal forests, parks, greenbelts, game refuge and bird
sanctuaries as defined by law and in areas expressly prohibited under the
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) under the R.A. No. 7586,
Department Administrative Order No. 25, series of 1992 and other laws.
IPRA Law

With the enactment of Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) Law, the indigenous
peoples also turned out to be administrators over areas within their area. Some
private individuals and corporations are also authorized to take control or
regulate the utilization of watersheds in the country under contracts like the
Timber License Agreement (TLA) and Industrial Forest Management Agreement
(IFMA).