LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 1 has endorsed a significant plan to improve the management of two key watersheds in Ilocos Norte: Padsan River in Laoag City and Santo Domingo River in Pasuquin.
This initiative involves the creation of Watershed Management Councils (WMCs) and the implementation of Integrated Watershed Management Plans (IWMPs).
The IWMPs, designed to span 25 years, aim to ensure the long-term health of these vital water sources.
Victor Dabalos, the provincial environment and natural resources officer for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Ilocos Norte, emphasizes the collaborative approach.
The WMCs will guarantee a participatory, multi-sectoral approach to managing the watersheds.
The newly formed WMCs will be responsible for overseeing operations and maintenance of the watershed facilities.
These councils will also develop detailed plans for the protection and rehabilitation of the watersheds, water quality monitoring, and establishment of buffer zones around the rivers.
The project carries an estimated price tag of P1 billion.
Funding will come from a consortium of stakeholders within the WMCs, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Irrigation Administration, and local government units.
A Memorandum of Agreement will solidify the commitment of each member agency.
“This is to harmonize our stakeholder’s efforts in managing and conserving the watersheds. The IWMP for Padsan River was approved on November 19, 2022, and for Santo Domingo on October 19, 2023, by the DENR’s watershed multi-sectoral technical and evaluation committee,” Dabalos said.
Padsan River Watershed, encompassing over 132,843 hectares, serves Laoag City and several surrounding towns such as Banna, Carasi, Dingras, Marcos, Nueva Era, Piddig, San Nicolas, Sarrat, and Solsona.
