Pan-ay River BasinCase study written by Edwin Borja Provincial Environment & Natural Resources Officer Department of Environment & Natural R Member, CapizDevelopment Council And Salim Biclar Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office Capiz Provincial Capitol INTRODUCTION A. Geographical Location Capiz is one of the six (6) provinces of Western Visayas located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island; bounded on the north by the Sibuyan Sea; by the provinces of Iloilo on the south and southeast; by Aklan on the west and northwest; and by Antique on the southwest. It has 16 municipalities and one City (Roxas City – the provincial capital); 473 barangays (villages) the country’s smallest political subdivision and 2 Congressional Districts(1st and 2nd districts).The total land area is 263,317hectares. It is 13% of Western Visayas Region and 0.9% of the country’s total land area. The alienable and disposable land is 169,547 hectares (64.39%). 93,770 hectares (35.61%)is classified as public timberland.The total population is 701,664 as of 2007 census of population (male-352,867 andfemale- 348,797). The population density is 266/sq. km. The 2011 projected population is 729,287 at an average annual growth rate of 0.97%.Roxas City airport is 45 minutes flight from Manila and served by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Culasi Port in Roxas City is served by various shipping companies. Pump boats provide ferry services to and from Masbate Island through the Banica wharf. The fish ports are located at Libas and Banica (Roxas City), Pawa (Panay) and Basiao (Ivisan). Roxas City has taxis, multicabs, tricycles and motorcycles. For inter-municipalities/provinces there are buses, jeepneys and L-300 vans. To remote areas are motorcycles and jeepneys (hired or scheduled trip). B. Tourist Attractions 1. Birthplace of Pres. Manuel A. Roxas at Cor. Rizal-Zamora Streets, Roxas City Ethnic groups identified . 78 kms. and Mt. Monica Church. Roxas City 3. on the west by the province of Antique.4 tons I. The stretch in the west along Capiz-Antique-Aklan borders and in the Southeastern border with Iloilo are mountain peaks and ranges.58 years for female. On socio-economic and cultural profile. Island.92 years for male and 65. Most of its population speaks Hiligaynon/Capiznon. Paningraon.Giant statue of Virgin Maryatop a hill at Agtalin. Toctocan. to Kalibo. Agsubay. The province Capiz has a total land area of 263. Bounded in the north by Sibuyan Sea. Capiz has 51 % labor force comprising ages from 15 years and above with an employment rate of 93% based on the data from National Statistics Office. Quipot Cave. Tag-ao. Ruins of Moro Watch tower. Dumalag 9. At the Southeastern portionthe prominent peaks are:Mt. Mt. Karatagan. Opao. Roxas City 4. and Nacuron Mountain Range. Cast from 70 sacks of coins Height : 7 feet Diameter : 5 feet Weight : 10. Mt. away from Iloilo City . Panay where the biggest bell in Southeast Asia is found. and on the south & southeast by the province of Iloilo. Mt. Mansang. Aklan and 155 kms. The prominent peaks at the western border are:Mt. Pilar Cave. Nangtud. Natividad. in the northwest by the province of Aklan. Mt. Consolacion.07%. Magsalom. St. Sta. Mambusao 5. The province of Capiz is located in the island of Panay in the heart of the Philippine archipelago. These mountains serve as the reservoir of rivers and creeks which provide water for domestic irrigation and commercial use. toBoracay. Capiz has a population of 701. Mt. and Average Life Expectancy of 59. Mt.2. 2007) with an annual Population Growth Rate of 1. Baloy.317 hectares divided into two political districts – The First District composed six municipalities and one city the province’s capital and Second District composed of ten municipalities having a total of 473 barangays. Suhot Cave. Roxas City. Population Density of 266 person/sq. Capiz Topography Found in the central part of the province and stretching from north to south bordering the Iloilo province areflat lands and rolling hills. the provincial capital of Capiz is 115 kms. Burias. Dumalag 6. Baybay Beach. Tinayuga. Dulangan. Martin of Tours Church. Yating. Mt. Pilar town 8. Pilar 7. Mt.km.664 (as of August 1. Mt. Karatagan. Mountain peaks and range stretches in the west along Capiz-Antique-Aklan border. Agsubay. in the municipality of Dumarao and Mt. Tag-ao. The province has varied topography consisting of rolling lands and hills to mountain peaks and ranges. In the south towards the eastern portion of Capiz bordering the province of Iloilo found the mountains of Mt. Paningraon in the municipality of Dumalag. Tinayuga. and Mt. Nangtud and Mt.are the Ati and Panayanon/Bukidnon. Magsalom. Toctocan. Mt. PuntaCogon Capiz Bay Province of Aklan TinagongD agat Bay Mambusao River Maayon River Panay River Badbaran River Province of Iloilo Province of Iloilo . Prominent peaks are Mt. Opao in the municipality ofPilar. Mt. Mt. Mt. Famous festival is the SinadyasaHalaran celebrated in the first week of December each year. irrigation and commercial use of the province. Flat and rolling hills lies in the central part of the province and stretches from the northern portion towards the south bordering Iloilo province which are devoted to agricultural production. Baloy. Mt. Yating and Mt. These mountains serve as the reservoir of rivers and creeks which provides water for domestic. Mt. Mansang and Nacuron Mountain range. To protect the existing sources of water for potable and irrigation purposes. 7160. The province coastline stretches to an approximate length of 136 kms.Maayon River in the east with a length of 54. 318. SERIES OF 2008 mandates the preparation of the Integrated Watershed Management Plan for all watersheds through the conduct of watershed characterization and planning with the collaboration between and among LGU. 2005-23 entitled Adoption and Implementation of Collaborative Approach to Watershed Management DENR MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 705. 99-01 entitled Adoption of Watershed and Ecosystems Planning Framework DENR Administrative Order No. Its major tributaries are Mambusao River in the west with a length of 70. DENR. Panay. various agencies and stakeholders.. Guiding Principles for Environmental Protection Legal basis: Presidential Decree No. otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 DENR Administrative Order No. fromSapian in the west to Pilar in the east passing the coastal municipalities of Ivisan.51kms. andBadbaran River in the south east with a length of 72. Environmental Management Some municipalities in the province has started preparing their Forest Land Use Plan to be incorporated in the updating of their Municipal Land Use Plan. Pontevedra. Participation from other government agencies and other sectors pave the way for the conservation of environment and natural resources.Panay River which emanates from upland areas of Tapaz stretches an approximate length of 393.83 kms. otherwise known as Promoting Sustainable Forest Management in the Philippines Republic Act No. Roxas City. otherwise known as Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines Executive Order No. Roxas and Pilar. Pres. DA and DAR establish convergence area in Dumarao as a start off point for agro-forestry development. drain the province of Capiz towards the north to TinagongDagat Bay in Pontevedra and Capiz Bay in Roxas City.94 kilometers following its curvature. The provincial government and some municipalities have already prepared their Environment Code. Memorandum of Agreements were instituted: These were the: . 2008-05.13 kms. Memorandum Of Agreement for the Co-Management of 50 hectares of Ivisan Watershed area signed between LGU of Ivisan and DENR Action towards Environmental Conservation and Rehabilitation Implementation of Reforestation Projects by DENR resulted to the establishment of 537 hectares for the First District of Capiz and 3.48 hectares. Of these. Mambusao River Watershed MaayonRiver Watershed Panay River Watershed BadbaranRiver Watershed . DENR and Dumarao Water District.772.927. Also with the support of 2.95 hectares were transformed into a Community-based Forest Management Area. Capiz State University and DENR.1.688 upland farmers/kaingineros beneficiaries of Integrated Social Forestry Program.16 hectares of San Julian.70 hectares of DumaraoWatershed signed between LGU of Dumarao.051. Memorandum Of Agreement for the Co-Management of 876. Memorandum Of Agreement for the Co-Management of 183.59 hectares and minimized denudation of upland areas. has improved and make productive the 8. 1. Tapaz Watershed signed between LGU of Tapaz. 2. 3. The Panay River Watershed Panay River watershed embraces almost the entire province of Capiz and portion of Northern Iloilo covering an estimated area of 219.349 hectares for the Second District of Capiz from 1989-2010 plus the contribution of private land tree farmers which improves the vegetative cover of the province from 7% in 1990 to 11% in 2008. Binilanga. These areas are being drained by Badbaran and MaayonRivers . Yating in the municipality of Pilar.088 meters above sea level. Mt. Capiz. and Mt. Average elevation is posted at 866 meters above sea level. The lowest elevation of the province is posted at 0. Flat and rolling hills is observe in the central part of the province and stretches from north to south bordering Iloilo province while mountain range stretches in the west along Capiz Capiz-Antique-Aklan Aklan border where the headwaters of Mambusao River and main Pa Panay nay River emanates. Karatagan. Musugbu in the municipality of Lemery. Prominent peaks are: Mt. Taganghin. Mt. Guiscan. Mt. Agsubay. These are found in the western and southern portion of the province which constitutes the forestlands. and its tributaries: the Mambusao River in the west. Iloilo. Upland areas of the Panay River Watershed embraces 70. in the municipality of Dumarao. Mt. Mt. Igabon. Nacuron Mountain range located in the of Municipality Jamindan as reflected in the topographic map prepared by National Mapping and Resource Information Administration (NAMRIA) AMRIA) posted the highest elevation of 1. Paningraon raon in the municipality of Dumalag. Pula.25 meter above sea level. Mt.80 percent of the total provincial land area. Maayon River in the east and Badbaran River in the southeast. Mt. Mountains found in the south to the eastern portion of Capiz bordering the province of Iloilo are Mt. and Mt. Mt. Mt.91 hectares or about 26. Agudo in San Dionisio. These areas are Proclaimed Military Reservation . Iloilo. Agpalali. Physical Attributes The Panay River Watershed comprise a topography ranging from flat to rolling lands and hills to mountain peaks and ranges. Tag Mt. Tag-ao. and Nacuron Mountain Range. Capiz.568. Angas.Panay River watershed is made up of a river system comprising the Main Panay River. Capiz. Large portion has been laid idle which can be developed into reforestation sites. 67 covering 33. and capital as major inputs. Data from National Census and Statistics Office shows that province of Capiz has a population of 701. labor. Natural Assets of Watersheds Forests: • Water • Timber and non-timber products • Food • Fiber • Minerals • Medicine and many intangible goods such as: • Aesthetics & wholesome environment with solar radiation. develop and protect the existing vegetation. Likewise it aims to respond to the existing problem of perennial flooding affecting the low lying areas of the province and to minimize soil erosion and rapid siltation of Panay River bed and TinagongDagat Bay Area in the municipality of Pontevedra. Stakeholders Panay River Watershed affects fourteen municipalities in the province of Capiz and eight municipalities in the province of Iloilo. land.07% having an average life expectancy of 59. and other areas within the Panay River Basin. reforest. precipitation. 2007) with an Annual Population Growth Rate of 1.km. The intention of which is to rehabilitate. and grasses such as talahib and cogon which are the dominant species growing in the area. 599.92 years for male and 65. most of whom occupies upland areas. 1990 as Panay River Watershed Forest Reserve under Presidential Proclamation No. Records of NCSO also shows that 51% of the province’s population (15 years and above) comprise the labor force and a Population Density of 266 person/sq.664 (as of August 1. Their presence plays vital role in the protection and conservation of the uplands plus the participation and cooperation of upland farmers in implementing environment friendly farming activities will bring justice to the degradation of forest cover. Part of the timberland area in Tapaz outside military reservation covering an area 4.sparsely covered by patches of residual trees.58 years for female.350 hectares was proclaimed on June 28.310 hectares but not all of these have been utilized for the purpose. Ethnic/indigenous people groups identified are the Ati and Panayanon/Bukidnon. shrubs. BENEFITS from WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Economic • Water supply • Forestry • Agriculture • Livestock . Wide span of forest lands in the municipality of Tapaz and Jamindan was proclaimed on December 21. brushes. 1962 as Military Reservation under Presidential Proclamation No. Rapid population growth and influx of migrant in the upland Lukewarm support from local . (Slash and burn/Kaingin System) Resistance of upland farmers to forest rehabilitation program for fear of losing farmland. Strengthening of existing upland organizations comprising the devolved Integrated Social Forestry Projects supervise by Local Government Units and Community-Based Forest Management program supervised by DENR will minimize the degradation of upland environment.• • Fishery Mining Social Services • Tourism • Recreation • Historical • Cultural • Health • Social Services Environmental Services • Biodiversity • Soil Conservation • Water Conservation • Carbon Sequestration • Oxygen Generation • Micro-climate Amelioration Protection of Natural Assets Strong support and collaborative efforts from different sectors of society is needed to protect and sustain these natural assets. Issues and threats to Natural Assets Forest - - - Continued indiscriminate upland farming scheme. massive conversion of mangroves to fishpond to rapid siltation of Economic Implication Unabated loss of forest cover and unprotected watershed will result to loss of wildlife.Malpractice in agricultural activities leading to massive soil erosion Built-up Areas . loss of lives and property. All of these can be avoided when all the stakeholders will unite and draw proper and effective watershed management towards a wholesome environment. massive soil erosion.construction of illegal structures within waterways will lead riverbeds. . reduced water supply. Occurrence of drought results to low agricultural productions which also affect food security.government units Agricultural Land .Establishment of settlement in environmentally critical areas Coastal and Marine Areas .Improper zonification of settlement . Occurrence of constant flooding does not only affect agriculture but cause damage to infrastructures.Use of non-environment friendly agricultural chemicals resulting to land and water pollution . occurrence of drought. global warming and climate change. lakes and bays and inundation of estuaries . Siltation in the bay affects the fishing and seafood industry of the province. flooding. Maayon. Panayanon/Bukidnon) and the farmers. ethnic/Indigenous People (Ati. 2011 to deliberate issues and threats as well as recommendations for the Watershed areas namely. Pilar. Dumarao. Pontevedra. eight (8) municipalities in the Province of Iloilo. Settlement Areas Issues Threats Squatters/Informal settlers Disrespect to Nature Kaingin illegal cutting of trees Landslides Ineffective implementation Soil erosion of laws / programs Limited support from the Poverty Unrest Government Wild fires Indiscriminate upland farming Resistance to forest rehabilitation Pollution Rapid population growth Poverty Influx of migrants / informal Conversion of agricultural settlers areas to other uses Perennial flooding Indiscriminate use of toxic Water quality agricultural chemicals Low production Wrong farming methods Inadequate irrigation system Poor waste management Flooding Peace and order Squatting Fish kill Poverty Settlement Congestion/inaccessibility Flood Improper implementation of Zoning Ordinance Inadequate basic social services Settlement areas found in environmentally critical sites Limited government . Pres. Jamindan. Ecosystem 1. Issues and Threats to the Ecosystems A Watershed Management Workshop meeting was conducted last June 22. The Provincial Technical Working Group of the Capiz Sustainable Development Council also attended the workshop. Agricultural Areas 3. Mambusao.The Stakeholders of the Watershed are: the sixteen (16) municipalities and one (1) city in the Province of Capiz. Roxas. Roxas City and Tapaz. Forest Land 2. and precipitation. Benefits from the Natural Assets of the Watershed Economic Social Environmental Water supply Forestry Agriculture Livestock Fishery Mining Tourism Recreation Historical Cultural Health Biodiversity Soil Conservation Water Conservation Carbon Sequestration Oxygen Generation 5. Coastal. Natural Assets of the Watershed include forest.4. timber and non-timber products. intangible goods. Way Forward 1. water. aesthetics. execute the laws on environmentalmanagement and protection. V. wholesome environment. monitor and evaluate the impact of such programs and projects. Marine and Riverine along waterways obstruction and encroachment Conversion of mangroves to fishponds Illegal fishing activities Ineffective implementation of laws Improper fishing practices Siltation Pollution Siltation Inundation of estuaries Pollution Flood Poverty Water contamination Improper use of chemicals 4. food. fiber. Recommendations for Action * Create the Provincial Environment and Management Office. implement the programs and projects on environment. 2. * Conduct research on environment * Organize Community watershed groups and provide funds thereof * Solicit support from other agencies / sectors * Strengthen existing organizations * Seek support of LCEs and legislators * Develop Panay River Flood Control Project . On the protection of the natural resources is the strong support and collaborative efforts from the different sectors of the society and the presence of upland organizations: Integrated Social Forestry (ISF) / Community Based Forestry Management (CBFM) Project. medicines. solar energy. minerals.