Project Background

This project shall emphasize greater citizen participation of IP communities in the governance of their important and critical river system and watersheds by upholding the roles of local government units and the government agencies in accountability and transparency. Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc. (JVOFI) has been at the forefront in protecting watersheds in Benguet province because of their significance to the local economy, culture and environment. JVOFI has turned its attention to the Amburayan River basin and watershed, a major water source in the western part of the Benguet province which is beset with issues that need attention:

  • Activities on Benguet’s Amburayan River upstream and watersheds have wide reaching effects in La Union and Ilocos Sur such as polluted irrigation water and flooding.
  • The Amburayan River spans three provinces and 15 municipalities yet there is no venue or formal structure that will stand for the common good of the people. There is an absence of geopolitical framework and measures, accurate information and mechanism to promote participation/avoid corruption on dealings with the private sector for the utilization of shared resources.
  • Lack of understanding of communities of the true value of   the Amburayan River and watersheds, presence of problems related to improper land use and unregulated development and impacts on water resources.  Majority of the LGUs do not prioritize local funds for the river basin and watershed protection and management.

Brief Project Description

This project shall demonstrate a participatory and sustainable governance in river basin and watersheds management.  It will bring to the table, LGUs, Indigenous People Organizations (IPOs), and government agencies with differing views on resource management, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), academe and other relevant stakeholders.  The Philippine Water Code defines the legal framework for the extraction, allocation, and management of water resources in the country.

The project will establish a well-represented stakeholders coalition or council that will effectively manage the Amburayan River and its watersheds which shall become a model or learning venue for other LGUs, government agencies and NGOs on river basin and watershed management.

The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Philippine-American (Phil-Am) Fund, a grant facility managed by the Gerry Roxas foundation. The Phil-Am Fund finances local activities for inclusive and sustainable growth in the Philippines.

Project Title

Protecting and Defending the Amburayan River Basin through Good Governance and Active People’s Participation

Project Areas

  • Benguet Province: Atok, Tublay,Bakun, Buguias, Kapangan & Kibungan
  • La Union Province: Municipality of Santol, Bangar & Sudipen
  • Ilocos Sur: Municipality of Sugpon, Alilem, Tagudin, Suyo, Sigay & Cervantes

Project Partners

  • Local Government Units: Province of Benguet, Ilocos Sur & La Union, Municipal LGU of Atok, Bakun, Buguias, Kapangan, Kibungan, Tublay, Santol, Bangar, Sudipen, Sugpon, Alilem, Tagudin, Suyo, Sigay & Cervantes
  • Government Offices: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)
  • Academe: Benguet State University (BSU), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, University of the Philippines – Baguio, University of Northern Philippines

Project Objectives

  • Overall Objective: The project will bring together concerned stakeholders in the management of the Amburayan River Basin and Watershed and institutionalize a collaborative agreement that would ensure the protection of indigenous people’s rights as well as the interests of all stakeholders to protect the integrity of the watershed.
  • Specific Objectives:

    • Amburayan Integrated Water Resource Management Plan, including integrated water quality management plan utilized and implemented by the Amburayan Multistakeholder Council in managing the Amburayan River Basin and Watersheds.
      • Administrative Ordinance (AO) legalizing the council/ coalition ; implementing rules & guidelines outlining responsibilities of the coalition and the mechanism/guidelines for conflict resolution on resource use (forest, mining, water, land).
      • Memorandum of Agreement/Covenant among stakeholders on the protection of the Amburayan River Basin and Watersheds
      • Provincial policies enacted on the protection of the Amburayan River Basin and Watersheds & resource use (forests, mining, water & land)
    • Amburayan River Council composed of all stakeholders (LGU, Indigenous People Organization, Business sectors, Government Agencies, Academe) organized & capacitated ably assuming management functions.
      • Administrative Orders (AO) or ordinance legalizing the council/coalition; implementing rules & guidelines outlining responsibilities of the coalition and the mechanism/guidelines for conflict resolution on resource use (forest, mining, water, land)
      • Active engagement of the community stakeholders in watershed/river protection activities such as treeplanting, slope protection, fire prevention.
      • Council has enrolled Amburayan as a water quality management area under DENR social acceptability for any energy project.
      • At least 30 IP organization members per municipality deputized to safeguard Amburayan watersheds and river basin.
    • Feedback system, monitoring and evaluation & IECs in place for the Amburayan river basin and watersheds.
      • Presence of feedback system M&E systems in manuals, IECs (on policies & important information) installed at strategic areas.
      • Other Provincial or other region LGUs/NGOs/Government Agencies and personnel to learn from this project.
    • Project exit & sustainability plans in place
      • Council financial requirement are on LGU approved annual budget
      • Watershed and river basin protection projects are Integrated in LGU plans & budgets
      • Accreditation of the Council in the Provincial Development Councils.
      • Sustainability plans in place
      • Project Impact Evaluation

Others

  • Project Partnership Agreement (Download PDF)
  • RDC – CAR – RDC CAR Resolution No. 1 Series, 2016 recommending the designation of UARS as WQMA (Download PDF)
  • Benguet Province – Provincial Resolution No. 15-433 recommending the designation of UARS as WQMA (Download PDF)
  • Regional Development Council – Region 1 Resolution No. 38 Series of 2016 Recommending to the DENR Secretary the Designation of LARS as WQMA (Download PDF)
  • PLGU La Union Resolution No. 090-2016 Recommending to the DENR Secretary the Designation of LARS as WQMA (Download PDF)
  • PLGU Ilocos Sur Resolution No. 535-XV Series of 2015 Recommending to the DENR Secretary the Designation of LARS as WQMA (Download PDF)