ILOILO City – Alarmed by accelerating forest loss and the rising risks of destructive flooding, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified 12 priority critical watersheds in Western Visayas, warning that several remain open and operational despite the urgent need for rehabilitation.
Under Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Revised Forest Code, a critical watershed is defined as a river system basin “supporting existing and proposed hydro-electric power and irrigation systems needing immediate rehabilitation as it is being subjected to a fast denudation causing accelerated erosion and destructive floods. It is closed from logging until it is fully rehabilitated.”
The 12 priority critical watersheds are: Aklan River, Bago River, Bangul River, Barotac Viejo River, Hamulauon River, Ibajay River, Jalaur River, Malogo River, Sibalom-Tigbauan River, Sibalom-Tipuluan River, Tanolo River, and Tigum-Aganan-Jaro River.
DENR Region 6 regional executive director Raul Lorilla explained that the term “critical” also reflects the economic and social dependence placed on these ecosystems.
“Basta ang watershed nga may ginasuportaran nga industry, may economic activity, and may proyekto sa idalom, ginahambal nga critical. That’s why ‘critical’ connotes the immediate protection of that watersheds because that watershed sustain life sa overall,” Lorilla said.
Many watersheds remain open, unfunded for rehab
Lorilla confirmed that some of the 12 watersheds continue to operate and have not undergone rehabilitation, largely because restoration efforts depend on available funding.
He said rehabilitation activities follow an Integrated Watershed Management Plan that outlines required interventions. However, implementation is inconsistent.
“The schedule of rehab is dependent upon the allocation pero ang gina-obra naton kon wala sang budget, continuous man gihapon rehabilitation. We are doing into some Public-Private-Partnership,” he said.
According to Lorilla, certain companies that secure Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) from the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau conduct environmental initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility programs.
LGUs urged: align your projects with DENR plan
Lorilla appealed to local government units and development proponents, emphasizing that any project within the identified watersheds must comply with the DENR’s integrated management strategy.
“Gina-emphasize namon nga ang tanan namon nga players nga gusto nga mag-implementar kag local government units sa sulod sang critical watershed, dapat respetuhon nila ang Integrated Watershed Management Plan… dapat ang inyo plano ma-align sa plano sang DENR,” he said.
He urged LGUs to communicate with the agency before implementing any plan “para masiguro nga makabulig kag beneficial ini sa mga tawo.”
Water supply threats growing
DENR-6 assistant regional director for Technical Services Edgardo Rostata said a watershed becomes “critical” when its degradation threatens essential resources.
He noted that these watersheds provide water for commercial and domestic needs but have experienced declining volume due to shrinking forest cover over the years.
This is why the agency conducts Watershed Characterization and Vulnerability Assessments, he added, “para mahatagan sang solution kag attention ang different watersheds.”/PN
