Pan-ay River Basin Case 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, multi-cabs, 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

2. Baybay Beach, Roxas City 3. Ruins of Moro Watch tower, Roxas City 4. Quipot Cave, Burias, Mambusao 5. Suhot Cave, Consolacion, Dumalag 6. Pilar Cave, Natividad, Pilar 7.Giant statue of Virgin Maryatop a hill at Agtalin, Dulangan, Pilar town 8. St. Martin of Tours Church, Dumalag 9. Sta. Monica Church, Panay where the biggest bell in Southeast Asia is found; Cast from 70 sacks of coins Height : 7 feet Diameter : 5 feet Weight : 10.4 tons I. 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 stretch in the west along Capiz-Antique-Aklan borders and in the Southeastern border with Iloilo are mountain peaks and ranges.

The prominent peaks at the western border are:Mt. Baloy, Mt. Magsalom, Mt. Toctocan, Mt.

Tinayuga, Mt. Nangtud, Mt. Mansang, and Nacuron Mountain Range. At the Southeastern portionthe prominent peaks are:Mt. Paningraon, Mt. Tag-ao, Mt. Agsubay, Mt. Karatagan, Mt. Yating, and Mt. Opao. These mountains serve as the reservoir of rivers and creeks which provide water for domestic irrigation and commercial use.

The province of Capiz is located in the island of Panay in the heart of the Philippine archipelago. Bounded in the north by Sibuyan Sea, in the northwest by the province of Aklan, on the west by the province of Antique, and on the south & southeast by the province of Iloilo.

Roxas City, the provincial capital of Capiz is 115 kms. away from Iloilo City , 78 kms.

to Kalibo, Aklan and 155 kms. toBoracay, Island. The province Capiz has a total land area of 263,317 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.

Capiz has a population of 701,664 (as of August 1, 2007) with an annual Population Growth Rate of 1.07%, Population Density of 266 person/sq.km. and Average Life Expectancy of 59.92 years for male and 65.58 years for female.

On socio-economic and cultural profile, 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. Most of its population speaks Hiligaynon/Capiznon. Ethnic groups identified

are the Ati and Panayanon/Bukidnon. Famous festival is the SinadyasaHalaran celebrated in the first week of December each year.

The province has varied topography consisting of rolling lands and hills to mountain

peaks and ranges. 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.

Mountain peaks and range stretches in the west along Capiz-Antique-Aklan border. Prominent peaks are Mt. Baloy, Mt. Magsalom, Mt. Toctocan, Mt. Tinayuga, Mt. Nangtud and Mt. Mansang and Nacuron Mountain range. 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; Mt. Tag-ao, Mt. Agsubay, and Mt. Karatagan, in the municipality of Dumarao and Mt. Yating and Mt. Opao in the municipality ofPilar. These mountains serve as the reservoir of rivers and creeks which provides water for domestic, irrigation and commercial use of the province.

Mambusao River

Panay River

Badbaran River

Maayon River

Province of Aklan

Province of Iloilo

Province of Iloilo

TinagongDagat Bay

Capiz Bay

PuntaCogon

Panay River which emanates from upland areas of Tapaz stretches an approximate length of 393.94 kilometers following its curvature, drain the province of Capiz towards the north to TinagongDagat Bay in Pontevedra and Capiz Bay in Roxas City. Its major tributaries are Mambusao River in the west with a length of 70.51kms.,Maayon River in the east with a length of 54.83 kms. andBadbaran River in the south east with a length of 72.13 kms.

The province coastline stretches to an approximate length of 136 kms. fromSapian in the west to Pilar in the east passing the coastal municipalities of Ivisan, Roxas City, Panay, Pontevedra, Pres. Roxas and Pilar. Guiding Principles for Environmental Protection Legal basis: � Presidential Decree No. 705, otherwise known as Forestry Reform Code of the

Philippines

� Executive Order No. 318, otherwise known as Promoting Sustainable Forest Management in the Philippines

� Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991

� DENR Administrative Order No. 99-01 entitled Adoption of Watershed and Ecosystems Planning Framework

� DENR Administrative Order No. 2005-23 entitled Adoption and Implementation of Collaborative Approach to Watershed Management

� DENR MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2008-05, 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, various agencies and stakeholders.

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. The provincial government and some municipalities have already prepared their Environment Code.

Participation from other government agencies and other sectors pave the way for the

conservation of environment and natural resources. DENR, DA and DAR establish convergence area in Dumarao as a start off point for agro-forestry development.

To protect the existing sources of water for potable and irrigation purposes,

Memorandum of Agreements were instituted: These were the:

1. Memorandum Of Agreement for the Co-Management of 876.70 hectares of DumaraoWatershed signed between LGU of Dumarao, DENR and Dumarao Water District.

2. Memorandum Of Agreement for the Co-Management of 183.16 hectares of San Julian, Tapaz Watershed signed between LGU of Tapaz, Capiz State University and DENR.

3. 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 3,349 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.

Also with the support of 2,688 upland farmers/kaingineros beneficiaries of Integrated

Social Forestry Program, has improved and make productive the 8,051.59 hectares and minimized denudation of upland areas. Of these, 1,927.95 hectares were transformed into a Community-based Forest Management Area. The Panay River Watershed

Panay River watershed embraces almost the entire province of Capiz and portion of

Northern Iloilo covering an estimated area of 219,772.48 hectares.

Mambusao River Watershed

Panay River Watershed BadbaranRiver Watershed

MaayonRiver Watershed

Panay River watershed is made up of a river system comprising the Main Panay River, and its tributaries: the Mambusao River in the west, Maayon River in the east and Badbaran River in the southeast. Physical Attributes

The Panay River Watershed

comprise a topography ranging from flat to rolling lands and hills to mountain peaks and ranges.

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 Capizheadwaters of Mambusao River and main PaAgpalali, Mt. Pula, Mt. Binilanga, Mt. Igabon, Mt. Angas, Mt. Taganghin, and Nacuron Mountain Range.

Mountains found in the south to the eastern portion of Capiz bordering the province of

Iloilo are Mt. Paningraon in the municipality of Dumalag, Capiz; Mt. TagAgsubay, and Mt. Karatagan, in the municipality of Dumarao, Capiz, Mt. Yating in the municipality of Pilar, Capiz, Mt. Musugbu in the municipality of Lemery, Iloilo, and Mt. Agudo in San Dionisio, Iloilo. These areas are being drained by Badbaran and MaayonRivers .

Nacuron Mountain range located in the of Municipality Jamindan as reflected in the

topographic map prepared by National Mapping and Resource Information Administration (NAMRIA) posted the highest elevation of 1,088 meters above sea level. The lowest elevation of the province is posted at 0.25 meter above sea level. Average elevation is posted at 866 meters above sea level.

Upland areas of the

Panay River Watershed embraces 70,568.91 hectares or about 26.80 percent of the total provincial land area. These are found in the western and southern portion of the province which constitutes the forestlands. These areas are

Panay River watershed is made up of a river system comprising the Main Panay River, and its tributaries: the Mambusao River in the west, Maayon River in the east and Badbaran River in the

The Panay River Watershed comprise a topography ranging from flat to rolling lands and hills to mountain peaks and

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-Antique-Aklan border where the headwaters of Mambusao River and main Panay River emanates. Prominent peaks are: Mt. Agpalali, Mt. Pula, Mt. Binilanga, Mt. Igabon, Mt. Angas, Mt. Taganghin, and Nacuron

Mountains found in the south to the eastern portion of Capiz bordering the province of raon in the municipality of Dumalag, Capiz; Mt. Tag

Agsubay, and Mt. Karatagan, in the municipality of Dumarao, Capiz, Mt. Yating in the municipality of Pilar, Capiz, Mt. Musugbu in the municipality of Lemery, Iloilo, and Mt. Agudo

San Dionisio, Iloilo. These areas are being drained by Badbaran and MaayonRivers .

Nacuron Mountain range located in the of Municipality Jamindan as reflected in the topographic map prepared by National Mapping and Resource Information Administration

AMRIA) posted the highest elevation of 1,088 meters above sea level. The lowest elevation of the province is posted at 0.25 meter above sea level. Average elevation is posted at 866

Upland areas of the Panay River Watershed embraces 70,568.91 hectares or about 26.80 percent of the total provincial land area. These are found in the western and southern portion of the province

the forestlands. These areas are

Proclaimed Military

Reservation

Panay River watershed is made up of a river system comprising the Main Panay River, and its tributaries: the Mambusao River in the west, Maayon River in the east and Badbaran River in the

Aklan border where the nay River emanates. Prominent peaks are: Mt.

Agpalali, Mt. Pula, Mt. Binilanga, Mt. Igabon, Mt. Angas, Mt. Taganghin, and Nacuron

Mountains found in the south to the eastern portion of Capiz bordering the province of raon in the municipality of Dumalag, Capiz; Mt. Tag-ao, Mt. Guiscan, Mt.

Agsubay, and Mt. Karatagan, in the municipality of Dumarao, Capiz, Mt. Yating in the municipality of Pilar, Capiz, Mt. Musugbu in the municipality of Lemery, Iloilo, and Mt. Agudo

San Dionisio, Iloilo. These areas are being drained by Badbaran and MaayonRivers .

Nacuron Mountain range located in the of Municipality Jamindan as reflected in the topographic map prepared by National Mapping and Resource Information Administration

AMRIA) posted the highest elevation of 1,088 meters above sea level. The lowest elevation of

sparsely covered by patches of residual trees, shrubs, brushes, and grasses such as talahib and cogon which are the dominant species growing in the area. Wide span of forest lands in the municipality of Tapaz and Jamindan was proclaimed on December 21, 1962 as Military Reservation under Presidential Proclamation No. 67 covering 33,310 hectares but not all of these have been utilized for the purpose. Large portion has been laid idle which can be developed into reforestation sites. Part of the timberland area in Tapaz outside military reservation covering an area 4,350 hectares was proclaimed on June 28, 1990 as Panay River Watershed Forest Reserve under Presidential Proclamation No. 599. The intention of which is to rehabilitate, reforest, 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, and other areas within the Panay River Basin. Stakeholders

Panay River Watershed affects fourteen municipalities in the province of Capiz and eight

municipalities in the province of Iloilo. Data from National Census and Statistics Office shows that province of Capiz has a population of 701,664 (as of August 1, 2007) with an Annual Population Growth Rate of 1.07% having an average life expectancy of 59.92 years for male and 65.58 years for female. 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.km.

Ethnic/indigenous people groups identified are the Ati and Panayanon/Bukidnon, most of

whom occupies upland areas. 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. 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, precipitation, land, labor, and

capital as major inputs.

BENEFITS from WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Economic

• Water supply • Forestry • Agriculture • Livestock

• 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. 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.

Issues and threats to Natural Assets Forest

- Continued indiscriminate upland farming scheme. (Slash and burn/Kaingin System)

- Resistance of upland farmers to forest rehabilitation program for fear of losing farmland.

- Rapid population growth and influx of migrant in the upland

- Lukewarm support from local

government units

Agricultural Land - Use of non-environment friendly agricultural chemicals resulting to land and water

pollution - Malpractice in agricultural activities leading to massive soil erosion

Built-up Areas

- Improper zonification of settlement - Establishment of settlement in environmentally critical areas

Coastal and Marine Areas

- construction of illegal structures within waterways will lead to rapid siltation of riverbeds, lakes and bays and inundation of estuaries

- massive conversion of mangroves to fishpond Economic Implication

Unabated loss of forest cover and unprotected watershed will result to loss of wildlife, reduced water supply, massive soil erosion, occurrence of drought, flooding, global warming and climate change.

Occurrence of drought results to low agricultural productions which also affect food security. Occurrence of constant flooding does not only affect agriculture but cause damage to infrastructures, loss of lives and property.

Siltation in the bay affects the fishing and seafood industry of the province. All of these can be avoided when all the stakeholders will unite and draw proper and effective watershed management towards a wholesome environment.

The Stakeholders of the Watershed are: the sixteen (16) municipalities and one (1) city in the Province of Capiz; eight (8) municipalities in the Province of Iloilo; ethnic/Indigenous People (Ati, Panayanon/Bukidnon) and the farmers.

Issues and Threats to the Ecosystems

A Watershed Management Workshop meeting was conducted last June 22, 2011 to deliberate issues and threats as well as recommendations for the Watershed areas namely; Dumarao, Jamindan, Maayon, Mambusao, Pilar, Pontevedra, Pres. Roxas, Roxas City and Tapaz. The Provincial Technical Working Group of the Capiz Sustainable Development Council also attended the workshop.

Ecosystem

1. Forest Land

2. Agricultural Areas

3. Settlement Areas

Issues Disrespect to Nature illegal cutting of trees Ineffective implementation

of laws / programs Limited support from the Government Indiscriminate upland farming Resistance to forest rehabilitation Rapid population growth Influx of migrants / informal settlers Indiscriminate use of toxic

agricultural chemicals Low production Wrong farming methods Inadequate irrigation system Flooding Fish kill Settlement Improper implementation of Zoning Ordinance Settlement areas found in

environmentally critical sites Limited government

Threats Squatters/Informal settlers Kaingin Landslides Soil erosion Poverty Unrest Wild fires Pollution Poverty Conversion of agricultural

areas to other uses Perennial flooding

Water quality Poor waste management Peace and order Squatting Poverty Congestion/inaccessibility Flood Inadequate basic social services

4. Coastal, 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. Benefits from the Natural Assets of the Watershed

Economic

Water supply Forestry Agriculture Livestock Fishery Mining

Social Tourism Recreation Historical

Cultural Health

Environmental Biodiversity Soil Conservation Water Conservation Carbon Sequestration Oxygen Generation

5. Natural Assets of the Watershed include forest, water, timber and non-timber products, food, fiber, minerals, medicines, intangible goods, aesthetics, wholesome environment, solar energy, and precipitation. V. Way Forward 1. 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. 2. Recommendations for Action

* Create the Provincial Environment and Management Office; execute the laws on environmentalmanagement and protection; implement the programs and projects on environment; monitor and evaluate the impact of such programs and projects. * 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