Ilocos Region stakeholders unite for sustainable management of vital watershed

Affirming the importance of watersheds for the survival and well-being of communities, all stakeholders in the Ilocos region have united for the sustainable management of the Gama-Nayom River Watershed (GNRW).

The questions they ask: What if the well-being of our communities depended on the health of our watersheds? How can we keep our ecosystem resilient amid challenges like climate change and soil erosion?

For the Ilocos Region, these were not questions— they are a call to action.

The GNRW, spanning 21,837.47 hectares across Pangasinan and Zambales, plays a crucial role in providing water for irrigation, sustaining biodiversity, and protecting communities from the effects of climate change.

Recognizing its importance, the Regional Development Council (RDC) Ilocos endorsed a long-term plan to safeguard the GNRW for future generations.

During its fourth-quarter meeting at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center II in Lingayen, the council approved RDC-1 Resolution No. 72, s. 2024, adopting the Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) and forwarding it to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for implementation.

“Watersheds are vital for maintaining ecosystem health, preventing soil erosion, recharging groundwater, and ensuring sustainable water resources for communities,” stated in the resolution signed and approved by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc, who is also the RDC 1 chairperson.

Towards a roadmap of sustainability

The IWMP 2025-2049 provides a comprehensive, participatory approach to conservation, focusing on:

  •       Preventing soil erosion and protecting farmlands;
  •       Enhancing water conservation and groundwater recharge;
  •       Strengthening climate resilience through sustainable land use; and
  •       Encouraging community participation in watershed protection.

The plan aligns with key national policies, including the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Moreover, the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2021-41 mandates the creation of Watershed Management Councils (WMCs) to oversee the plan’s implementation, ensuring transparency, accountability, and local involvement.

Empowering farmers by ensuring water security

For farmers like 62-year-old Cenon Bautista from Malasiqui, Pangasinan, the said plan will have a significant impact, particularly in boosting water security and providing a reliable water supply for irrigation during crucial seasons.

“Para sa mga magsasaka tulad ko, mahalaga ang pagkakaroon ng matatag na pinagkukunan ng tubig. Ang planong ito ay magbibigay ng pag-asa upang maprotektahan ang aming mga sakahan at masuportahan ang aming kabuhayan, lalo na sa mga tuyo o tagtuyot na panahon,” Bautista stated in a phone interview on Feb. 4.

(For farmers like me, having a stable source of water is essential. This plan will give us hope to protect our farms and support our livelihoods, especially during dry or drought periods.)

Ensuring water security through this plan will empower farmers like Bautista, providing them with a reliable resource to protect their livelihoods and secure a sustainable future for agriculture in Pangasinan.

Effective collaboration for a sustainable future

Its adoption highlights the government’s commitment to integrating environmental sustainability with socioeconomic development.

Effective environmental stewardship requires a collective effort from government agencies, local stakeholders, and communities to safeguard vital natural resources.

With RDC 1’s endorsement of the plan to the DENR, its implementation is expected to preserve the GNRW’s ecological functions and serve as a model for sustainable watershed management.

This initiative will pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future for the Ilocos Region and beyond. (CCMT/JCDR, PIA Pangasinan)

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