Working towards Common Goals

Representatives from partner Government Agencies and Local Government Units of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Benguet attended the First Stakeholder’s Meeting for the project, Protecting and Defending the Amburayan River Basin and Watershed through Good Governance and Active Peoples’ Participation held last December 5, 2014 in San Fernando City, La Union.

One of the major concerns during the activity was the designation of the Amburayan River as a Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) to ensure its protection. Engineer Remedios Jimenez of the Environmental Management Bureau-Region 1 was present to review and clarify the process towards this goal. She emphasized the work that this would entail and the importance of everyone’s participation.

Progress is not built upon grand proclamations but on the hard work of people determined to make a difference. The river that runs through Benguet, Ilocos Sur and La Union affects thousands of communities and sustains the livelihood of many.

Protecting and Defending the Amburayan River Basin and Watershed through Good Governance and Active People’s Participation is a project funded by the USAID through the Gerry Roxas Foundation and is implemented by the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc. (JVOFI).