RIVER BASIN CONTROL OFFICE

Formulation of

In tegrated River Basin Management and

Development Master Plan (IRBMDMP)

for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

DDRAFT FFINAL RREPORT

VVOLUME IIII

MMAIN RREPORT

July 2014

Table of Contents Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abbreviations ...... v List of Tables ...... viii List of Figures...... ix Annexes ...... x

CHAPTER 1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...... 1-1 1.1 RATIONALE ...... 1-1 1.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVE/S...... 1-2 1.3 THE STUDY AREA ...... 1-2

CHAPTER 2 DESCRIPTION AND STATE OF THE RIVER BASIN ...... 2-1 2.1 PHYSICAL CONDITION: CLIMATE, WATER, AND LAND RESOURCES ...... 2-1 2.1.1 Climate ...... 2-1 2.1.2 Water and Land Resources ...... 2-1 2.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ...... 2-2 2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ...... 2-3 2.4 CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION ...... 2-4 2.5 COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ...... 2-4 2.6 CROSS CUTTING CONCERNS ...... 2-4 2.6.1 Research Development and Extension ...... 2-4 2.6.2 River Basin Management Information System ...... 2-5 2.6.3 Capacity Development ...... 2-5 2.6.4 Institutional Development Needs of the AARB ...... 2-5

CHAPTER 3 INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IWRM)-BASED DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY ...... 3-1 3.1 THE STRATEGY ON BASIN DEVELOPMENT ...... 3-1 3.2 THE STRATEGY ON BASIN MANAGEMENT ...... 3-2 3.3 FORMULATION OF POLICIES, GOALS AND STRATEGIES FOR THEMATIC AREAS ...... 3-2 3.3.1 Water Resources Management and Development ...... 3-3 3.3.2 Watershed Protection/Rehabilitation Management ...... 3-3 3.3.3 Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management ...... 3-4 3.3.4 Coastal, Marine, and Aquatic Resources Management ...... 3-5

CHAPTER 4 THEMATIC-BASED DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLANS ...... 4-1 4.1 WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ...... 4-1 4.1.1 Water Resources Potential of Apayao-Abulug River System ...... 4-1 4.1.2 Hydro-Meteorology in the River Basin ...... 4-3 4.1.3 Streamflow ...... 4-7 4.1.4 Land Cover ...... 4-10 4.1.5 Hydrogeology ...... 4-11 4.1.6 Water Balance ...... 4-14 4.1.7 Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources ...... 4-18 4.1.8 Inventory of Water Users in Apayao and Cagayan Provinces ...... 4-26

Main Report i Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

4.1.9 The Status of Water Resource Utilization in AARB ...... 4-27 4.1.10 Irrigation Development and Agriculture in the River Basin ...... 4-28 4.1.11 Hydropower Development Potential ...... 4-34 4.1.12 Water for Domestic Purposes ...... 4-34 4.1.13 Agro-Industrial Development Areas ...... 4-35 4.1.14 Eco-tourism Development Areas ...... 4-35 4.1.15 Present Problems, Issues, and Concerns in Water Sector ...... 4-35 4.1.16 Desired Conditions in the River Basin ...... 4-36 4.1.17 Proposed Water Resources Programs/Projects ...... 4-37 4.1.18 Fund Sourcing ...... 4-39 4.1.19 Intervention Measures ...... 4-39 4.1.20 Indicative Project Cost...... 4-42 4.1.21 Financing and Implementation Scheme ...... 4-42 4.1.22 Implementation Scheme and Institutional Responsibilities...... 4-43 4.1.23 Other programs and projects included in the Urgent (2014-2016), Short Term (2017-2021), and Long Term (2022-2029) Plan Period ...... 4-45 4.2 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ...... 4-47 4.2.1 River Basins ...... 4-47 4.2.2 River System ...... 4-49 4.2.3 Population and Settlements ...... 4-51 4.2.4 Land Use ...... 4-53 4.2.5 Denuded Forests, Critical Watersheds ...... 4-56 4.2.6 Susceptibility to Flooding and Landslides ...... 4-57 4.2.7 Water Quality ...... 4-62 4.2.8 Geological Features ...... 4-63 4.2.9 Mineral Resources ...... 4-64 4.2.10 Certificates Of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) ...... 4-64 4.2.11 Community-Based Forest Management Projects with CBFMAs ...... 4-66 4.2.12 National Greening Program (NGP) ...... 4-67 4.2.13 Biodiversity and Wildlife ...... 4-68 4.2.14 Addressing Climate Change ...... 4-70 4.2.15 Potential Expansion ...... 4-71 4.2.16 Settlements Framework ...... 4-71 4.2.17 Present Problems, Issues, and Concerns ...... 4-71 4.2.18 Addressing Problems, Issues, and Concerns ...... 4-72 4.2.19 Prospective Eco-Tourism Project Potential in Watersheds ...... 4-73 4.2.20 Desired Conditions for the Watershed and Environment Sector ...... 4-75 4.2.21 Proposed Watershed and Environment Programs/Projects ...... 4-75 4.2.22 Fund Sourcing ...... 4-77 4.3 CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT ...... 4-78 4.3.1 Climate of Apayao-Abulug River Basin ...... 4-78 4.3.2 Hydrometeorological Disasters/Hazards ...... 4-80 4.3.3 Ongoing and Proposed Projects ...... 4-91 4.3.4 CCA-DRR Stakeholders, Problem/ Objective Tree, and Strategies ...... 4-93

Main Report ii Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

4.3.5 Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan ...... 4-93 4.4 COASTAL AND AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ...... 4-95 4.4.1 Current Conditions of Coastal and Aquatic Resources and Management ...... 4-95 4.4.2 Desired Condition for Wetlands and River Management ...... 4-102 4.4.3 Problems and Issues ...... 4-103 4.4.4 Proposed Coastal and Aquatic Resources Management Programs and Projects with budget ...... 4-103 4.5 INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK ...... 4-106 4.5.1 Introduction ...... 4-106 4.5.2 Managing River Basins ...... 4-106 4.5.3 Policy Direction of the Philippine Government ...... 4-113 4.5.4 Challenges in Managing AARB ...... 4-114 4.5.5 Integrated River Basin Management ...... 4-115 4.5.6 Proposed AARB Management System ...... 4-116 4.5.7 Organization Structure for the AARB Management ...... 4-116 4.5.8 Investment Cost...... 4-122

CHAPTER 5 DEVELOPMENT OF RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (RBMIS) ...... 5-1 5.1 ESTABLISHING BASIN INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE ...... 5-1 5.1.1 Establishing a Strategy and Action Plan for the Information System ...... 5-1 5.1.2 Adopting Rules that Allow Data to be Shared ...... 5-2 5.1.3 Inventory and Characterization of Data ...... 5-2 5.1.4 Developing Infrastructure to Manage Information ...... 5-3 5.1.5 Developing Human Expertise for Apayao-Abulug RBMIS ..... 5-3 5.1.6 Processing and Information Management ...... 5-3 5.1.7 Budgetary Requirement ...... 5-3

CHAPTER 6 DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS PLAN ...... 6-1 6.1 COMMUNICATION ...... 6-1 6.2 PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS ...... 6-1 6.3 COMMUNICATION TOOLS ...... 6-1 6.3.1 Websites ...... 6-1 6.3.2 Libraries ...... 6-2 6.3.3 Community-Based Information Service ...... 6-2 6.4 COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS (CEPA) PLAN ...... 6-2 6.4.1 Long-Term Objectives of the CEPA ...... 6-2 6.4.2 Innovative Approaches and Methodologies ...... 6-3 6.4.3 CEPA Products...... 6-4 6.5 BUDGETARY REQUIREMENT ...... 6-4

CHAPTER 7 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ...... 7-1 7.1 RATIONALE ...... 7-1 7.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH PROGRAM OF THE RIVER BASIN ...... 7-1 7.2.1 Specific Objectives ...... 7-2 7.2.2 Related Review of Literature on River Basin R&D/E ...... 7-2 7.3 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

Main Report iii Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

FOR RIVER BASIN...... 7-4 7.4 BUDGETARY REQUIREMENT ...... 7-5

CHAPTER 8 SUMMARY OF BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS ...... 8-1

REFERENCES ...... References-1

Main Report iv Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

ABBREVIATIONS

GENERAL

AAIS Apayao-Abulug Irrigation System AARB Apayao-Abulug River Basin ADSDPP Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan ANCRiSDeMC Apayao-Northwest Cagayan Rivers Sustainable Development Management Council ARG automatic rain gauge ASC Apayao State College AVLDA Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance AWS automatic weather station BFAR Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources BSWM Bureau of Soils and Water Management BWSA Barangay Waterworks and Sanitation Association CADT Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title CAR Cordillera Administrative Region CBFMA Community Based Forest Management Agreement CCA-DRRM Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management CCT Conditional Cash Transfer Cepa Communication, Education, and Public Awareness CFSR Climate Forecast System Reanalysis CIS Communal Irrigation Systems CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan CPH Census of Population and Housing CSO Civil Society Organization CSU Cagayan State University DA Department of Agriculture DAR Department of Agrarian Reform DCC Disaster Coordinating Councils DCWMC Davao City Watershed Management Council DD Diversion Dam DEM digital elevation model DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources DILG Department of Interior and Local Government DOE Department of Energy DOST Department of Science and Technology DPWH Department of Public Works and Highways DRRM disaster risk reduction and management DSS decision-support system DSWD Department of Social Welfare and Development EAAIS East Apayao-Abulug Irrigation System EAARIS East Apayao-Abulug River Irrigation System EO Executive Order EMB Environmental Management Bureau FFWS Flood Forecasting and Warning System FSLF Friends of Seven Lakes Foundation GIS Geographic Information System GOCC government owned-and-controlled corporation HRU hydrologic response units

Main Report v Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

IA Irrigators Associations IEC Information, Educational, and Communication IFS irrigation facilities and structures IKP indigenous knowledge and practice ILBM Integrated Lake Basin Management IP Indigenous People IPCC-SRES Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Special Report on Emission Scenarios IPRA Indigenous Peoples Rights Act IRBM Integrated River Basin Management JJA June, July, and August LARAP land acquisition and resettlement action plan LGU Local Government Unit LLDA Laguna Lake Development Authority LWUA Local Water Utilities Administration MAM March, April, and May MARIIS Magat River Integrated Irrigation System MGB Mines and Geosciences Bureau MOC Memorandum of Cooperation MPSA Mineral Production Sharing Agreement MTPDP Medium Term Development Plan NARIMAG Nagan River Management System NCEP National Centers for Environmental Prediction NCIP National Commission on Indigenous Peoples NDRRMP National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan NEDA National Economic and Development Authority NGO Non-Government Organization NGP National Greening Program NIA National Irrigation Administration NIS National Irrigation Systems NPC National Power Corporation NWRB National Water Resources Board OCD Office of Civil Defense ODA Official Development Assistance OP Office of the President O&M operation and maintenance PAGASA Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration PDRRM Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management PEF Philippine Eagle Foundation PENRO Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office PGR population growth rate PIA Philippine Information Agency PIDP Participatory Irrigation Development Project PIS Pump Irrigation Systems PJTI Jasa Tirta I Public Corporation PLGU Provincial Local Government Unit PMO Project Management Office PO Peoples Organization PRECIS Providing Regional Climates for Impact Studies RBCO River Basin Control Office RBG Regional Botanical Garden RBO River Basin Organization RDC Regional Development Council RUPES Rewarding the Upland Poor for Environmental Services

Main Report vi Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

RWSA Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Association R&D Research and Development SCLWMC Seven Crater Lakes Watershed Management Council SFR Small Farm Reservoir SON September, October, and November SSIP Small Scale Irrigation Projects SWAT Soil Water Assessment Tool SWIP Small Water Impounding Project S&T Science and Technology UNDP United Nations Development Programme WAAIS West Apayao Irrigation System WARIS West Apayao River Irrigation System WB World Bank

TECHNICAL ha hectares km kilometer m meter masl meters above sea level mm millimeter MCM million cubic meter MT metric ton MW megawatts m3 cubic meter m3/s cubic meter per second km2 square kilometer

Main Report vii Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1-1 Other important water bodies in the AARB Table 4.1-2 Summary of Apayao-Abulug Irrigation System Service Areas Table 4.1-3 Water Balance of AARB Table 4.1-4 Mean Monthly Water Balance (1980-2012) Table 4.1-5 Estimated Groundwater Recharge per Sub Basin (mm) Table 4.1-6 Estimated Water Yield per Sub Basin (mm) Table 4.1-7 The four storylines developed by the IPCC which defines plausible emission scenarios Table 4.1-8 Seasonal temperature increases (oC) and rainfall change (%) in 2020 and 2050 under the medium-range scenario (A1B) Table 4.1-9 Water Balance of the AARB Table 4.1-10 Mean Monthly Water Balance under Climate Change Scenario Table 4.1-11 Estimated Groundwater Recharge per Sub Basin (mm) under Climate Change Scenario Table 4.1-12 Estimated Stream Discharge (MCM) per Sub Basin under Climate Change Scenario Table 4.1-13 Water Rights for the Provinces Kalinga and Apayao Table 4.1-14 Distribution of Water Rights by Source in Kalinga and Apayao (As of December 31, 2011) Table 4.1-15 Distribution and Classification of Water User Table 4.1-16 Inventory of SSIP’s in AARB Table 4.1-17 Translation of the Identified Problems into Desired Conditions and Priority Rank for Intervention Table 4.1-18 List of Projects and Prioritization Table 4.1-19 Cost Summary for Water Resources Development Projects Table 4.1-20 Cost Sharing scheme for SWIPs and SFRs Table 4.2-1 Major Features of the AARB Table 4.2-2 Population by Census Year Apayao, 1960-2010 Table 4.2-3 Distribution of Existing Land Uses 2003 in hectares Table 4.2-4 Land Cover in 1993 and 2003 in hectares Table 4.2-5 Bird Species Found in Agora Wildlife Sanctuary at Lydia, Pudtol, Apayao Table 4.2-6 Ecotourism in Apayao Table 4.2-7 Translation of the Identified Problems into Desired Conditions and Priority Rank for Intervention Table 4.3-1 Seasonal Temperature increases (in °C) in 2020 and 2050 under medium range emission scenario in Provinces in Region 2 Table 4.3-2 Seasonal Rainfall Change (in %) in 2020 and 2050 under medium- range emission scenario in Provinces of Region 2 Table 4.3-3 Frequency of extreme events in 2020 and 2050 under medium range emission in provinces in Region 2 Table 4.3-4 Cost Summary for CCA-DRRM Projects Table 4.4-1 Estimate Area of Mangrove in Abulug, Cagayan Table 4.4-2 Total Percentage of Seagrass Species in Abulug, Cagayan Table 4.4-3 Survey Estuarine Area/Shoreline of the Three Coastal Barangays of Abulug, Cagayan Table 4.4-4 Fishing Annual Catch of Pamplona, Cagayan Table 4.4-5 Coastal Resources in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan Table 4.4-6 Programs and Policies for Cagayan Valley Coastal and Aquatic Resources Table 4.4-7 Estimated Project Cost Table 4.5-1 Salient Information among Various IRBM Experiences Table 4.5-2 Expected Cost for AARBO Activities

Main Report viii Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Table 5.1-1 Budget Breakdown Table 6.5-1 Budget Breakdown Table 7.4-1 Budget Breakdown Table 8.0-1 Budget Summary of the Integrated Master Plan

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 4.1-1 River Network in Apayao-Abulug River Basin (AARB) Figure 4.1-2 Month Rainfall Distribution in the Philippines Figure 4.1-3 Rainfall Isohytes and Climatic Type Figure 4.1-4 Seasonal Rainfall Pattern from 1961 to 2009 Figure 4.1-5 Frequency Rainfall Extremes during 1961-1990 and 1991-2010 Figure 4.1-6 Season Fluctuation of Maximum and Minimum Air Temperature Figure 4.1-7 Flow Duration Curve Figure 4.1-8 Flood Peak Frequency Curve Figure 4.1-9 Streamflow Hydrograph Figure 4.1-10 Land Cover Map of the AARB Figure 4.1-11 Geologic Map of the AARB Figure 4.1-12 Active Fault System within the vicinity of the River Basin Figure 4.1-13 Ground Potential Map of the AARB Figure 4.1-14 Subwatershed of AARB used in SWAT Model Figure 4.1-15 Water Balance Figure 4.1-16 Simulated Streamflow at the Main Outlet under Different Climatic Scenario Figure 4.1-17 Annual Discharge (MCM) per Subbasin under Different Climate Scenario Figure 4.1-18 Water Users in AARB Figure 4.1-19 Existing and Proposed Water Projects Figure 4.2-1 AARB as one of the 18 Major River Basins of the Philippines Figure 4.2-2 Municipalities covered by the AARB Figure 4.2-3 Total Population by Municipality Apayao, 2010 Figure 4.2-4 Land Cover of AARB Figure 4.2-5 Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Map of Apayao, Cagayan Figure 4.2-6 Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Map of Calanasan Quadrangle Apayao Province, Philippines Figure 4.2-7 Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Map of Kabugao Quadrangle Apayao Province, Philippines Figure 4.2-8 Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Map of Pudtol Quadrangle Apayao Province, Philippines Figure 4.2-9 Flood and Landslide Susceptibility Map of AARB Figure 4.2-10 Water Usage and Classification Figure 4.2-11 Approved Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) in AARB as of 2011 Figure 4.2-12 National Greening Program Sites in AARB as of 2013 Figure 4.2-13 Watershed Management Problem Tree Figure 4.2-14 Watershed Management Objective Tree Figure 4.3-1 Climate Types of AARB Figure 4.3-2 Typhoon Frequency and Tracks in AARB Figure 4.3-3 Population Exposure to Typhoons in AARB Figure 4.3-4 Crops Exposure to Typhoons in AARB Figure 4.3-5 Flood and Landslide-Prone Areas of AARB Figure 4.3-6 Population Exposure to Flooding in AARB Figure 4.3-7 Agricultural Areas Exposure to Flooding in AARB Figure 4.3-8 Population Exposure to Rainfall-induced Landslide

Main Report ix Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Figure 4.3-9 Agricultural Areas Exposure to Rainfall-induced Landslide Figure 4.3-10 Soil erosion susceptibility in AARB (adopted from NWRB) Figure 4.3-11 Historical Rainfall Decrease due to El Nino Figure 4.3-12 Water impounding reservoir structures (adopted from NWRB) Figure 4.3-13 Locations of Existing and Proposed Flood Control Structures in Apayao Province Figure 4.4-1 Barangays of Abulug, Cagayan Figure 4.4-2 Location Map of Ballesteros, Cagayan Figure 4.4-3 Location Map of Pamplona, Cagayan Figure 4.4-4 Location Map of Sanchez Mira, Cagayan Figure 4.4-5 Objective Tree for the Coastal and Aquatic Resources Figure 4.4-6 Problem Tree for the Coastal and Aquatic Resources Figure 4.5-1 Envisioned Organization Structure of a National River Basin Authority Figure 4.5-2 Proposed Structure for AARBO Figure 7.3-1 Research and Development Framework

ANNEXES

Annex A Review of Policy Principles on River Basin Management Annex B Review of the Proposed River Basin Organization for the Apayao- Abulug River Basin Annex C Memorandum of Cooperation of the Apayao-Abulug River Basin Organization

Main Report x

Chapter 1

Project Background Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

CHAPTER 1 PROJECT BACKGROUND

1.1 RATIONALE

The Philippines is richly endowed with natural resources. One of these resources is water that drains its watersheds and river basins. Considering the importance of river basins in the continuous realization of benefits from the water and other resources within these natural systems, the government through EO 510 created in 2006 the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) and in 2009 through EO 816, further strengthened it as the lead government agency for the integrated rehabilitation and development of the country’s river basins.

The River Basin Control Office identified eighteen (18) major river basins located all over the country which have become one of the lifeblood and drivers of Philippine economy in many parts of the country. One of these river basins is the Apayao-Abulug River Basin in northern part of Luzon Island.

In view of watershed size, the Apayao-Abulug River ranks 6th among the Philippine’s largest river systems with drainage area spanning 5,042 km2 and stretching to a length of 175 kilometers.

The Abulug River traces its water origin from the mountains of Apayao in the Cordillera Administration Region (CAR). Considered twin of another river, the Apayao river, it meets the latter in the municipality of Kabugao, then takes a northeasterly course towards the sea. More than 80% of its total drainage area, occupies the Apayao Province (municipalities of Calanasan, Kabugao, Luna, Flora, Sta Marcela and Pudtol) in CAR, while the rest covers the province of Cagayan (particularly the municipalities of Abulug, Sanchez Mira, Pamplona, Allacapan and Ballesteros) in Region II.

Recognizing the enormous water-bearing capacity of the Abulug and Apayao rivers along with other river basins in the Cordillera, dubbed as the watershed cradle of Northern Luzon, the Marcos government has decreed a land area of 195,659 ha as the Apayao-Abulug River Basin (AARB) Forest Reserve to protect its potential for hydropower and irrigation purposes. The Apayao-Abulug River Basin is also classified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as one of the 140 Critical Watersheds in the country in consideration of its vital role in supporting irrigation water for agriculture and its dire need for rehabilitation.

Despite the recognition of Apayao-Abulug River Basin’s importance, a study conducted in 2006 by Richard F. Connor for the Japan Water Forum in cooperation with the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Japan (NILIM), Connor assessed the Basin as one of the three river basins most vulnerable to disaster in the Philippines in terms of Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI), along with Abra and Davao River Basins. In the Study, vulnerability was measured as influenced by four principal factors: Climate Component, Hydrogeological Component, Countermeasure Component and Socio-economic component. The basin’s high vulnerability to disaster was evaluated to be primarily due to the influence of climatic factors (high frequency of heavy rainfall) which is even made more critical by its low countermeasure component rating (inadequate investment for and/or poor state of structural and non-structural countermeasures).

Main Report Chapter 1-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Charged with the job of protecting and rehabilitating critical watershed areas, on March 5, 2006, the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) at the national level was created through Executive Order No. 510. The RBCO is the coordinating body mandated to perform the following:

1. Rationalize the various existing River Basin Projects; 2. Develop a National Master Plan for Flood Control by Integrating the various existing River Basin Projects and developing additional plan components as needed; 3. Rationalize and prioritize reforestation in watersheds; 4. Develop a Master Plan on Integrated River Basin Management and Development; 5. Act as water body that shall coordinate all government projects within the River Basins; and, Implement water-related projects such as river rehabilitation, lake management, and other water resources management and development.

1.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVE/S

The objective of the project is to formulate an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Plan for the River Basin, which shall address concerns on the following:

1. Water Resources Management; 2. Watershed Management; 3. Flood Control/Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Hazard Management; 4. River and River Delta Management; 5. Coastal and Freshwater Resources Management; 6. Biodiversity Conservation; 7. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; 8. Mineral Resources Management; 9. Sustainable Management through Community Participation; 10. Economic Development; and 11. Institutional Linkages and Organizational Structure for River Basin Management.

1.3 THE STUDY AREA

The study area covered by AARB is bounded in the east by the Cagayan and Linao river basins, in the south and west by the central cordillera and in the north by the Pamplona River Basin. Most of the basin area is within Kalinga-Apayao province. Its northernmost parts are delta area is within Cagayan province.

The principal drainageway of the basin is the Abulug River which has its headwaters at Mount Magna of the Central Cordillera. The river runs along semi-circular path in southeasterly direction and curves in northeasterly directions towards the Babuyan Channel. From its headwaters down to Kabugao municipality, the river is known as the Apayao river. A major tributary of the Abulog River is Tauit river which has its headwaters located in Mount Bagucan near the Kabugao-Conner boundary. The Tauit joins the Abulug near Cabinatan in Pudtol municipality.

Main Report Chapter 1-2

Chapter 2 Description and State of the River

Basin Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

CHAPTER 2 DESCRIPTION AND STATE OF THE RIVER BASIN

2.1 PHYSICAL CONDITION: CLIMATE, WATER, AND LAND RESOURCES

2.1.1 Climate

PAGASA utilizes two types of climate classifications. The two (Coronas and Hernandez) are based on rainfall and its length of occurrence. The climate in the western part falls under Type I in the Coronas climatic classification. There are two pronounced seasons, i.e. dry from November to April and wet the rest of the year. The eastern part falls under Type III, where the seasons are not very pronounced, being relatively dry from November to April and wet the rest of the year. A small section in near the sea falls under Type II characterized by having a wet season throughout the year.

The available records from a synoptic station in Aparri Cagayan indicates that, on average, January is the coolest month at 23.2 degrees celcius while June is the warmest month at an average at 29.2 degrees Celsius. Actual evaporation and related climatic data are lacking in the basin. The nearest evaporation and synoptic stations are located at Tuguegarao and Aparri, respectively. Highest recorded monthly evaporation data in Tuguegarao is 67 millimeters observed in December and maximum of 310 millimeters observed in May.

2.1.2 Water and Land Resources

The Apayao river belongs to the Apayao-Abulug Watershed Area that has 18 tributaries that ultimately drains to the Babuyan Channel. Based on the 18-year observatory period conducted by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the average water discharge of the Apayao River is estimated to be at 2,709 m³. This water body is presently being used for irrigation, power generation, communal fishing ground and reliable alternative transport system.

Eighteen percent (18%) of the Cordillera Administrative Region’s irrigable area is in the province of Apayao (33,910 hectares) of which 4,599 hectares or 14% is covered by the West Apayao River Irrigation System (WARIS) administered by the NIA.

There is a very low 28% irrigation development in Apayao with only 9,354 hectares of its potential irrigable area being provided with IFS by 82 CIS/PIS and one NIS.

In total, there are only 45 registered water users in the basin with only 17 in Apayao and 29 in Cagayan. All water users in Apayao and Cagayan are for irrigation purposes.

There are eleven (11) small irrigation systems in the river basin supported by the Department of Agriculture; five (5) in Cagayan and six (6) in Apayao. Out of these, nine (9) are SWIP and two (2) Diversion dams. Total irrigated service is 390 hectares benefiting 298 farmers. However, more than half are reportedly not operational due to damage of embankment, irrigation canal and spillway.

Another major concern in the area is the lack of river bank protection. This has caused damages in irrigation canals and constant flooding of the service areas; There is also a need for major rehabilitation and repair of headworks and canals.

Main Report Chapter 2-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

In addition to rehabilitation and expansion plans, it is recommended to aim at a consolidation and organizational and financial viability of existing schemes. Alternatives for new irrigation schemes could be the production of cash crops with higher value than rice and less water needs, such as vegetables.

For new systems, care should be taken to ensure that the irrigated area is not threatened by river erosion and maintenance is assured financially through the associations.

Further, It is also recommended that checking the proposed schemes or suitability for low-volume irrigation, i.e. for vegetable/fruit production rather rice.

Apayao river potential for hydro-power generation has been estimated by the National Power Corporation (NPC) to produce at least 700 MW. However, no feasibility studies have been reported at present.

While water resources are abundant to supply domestic needs of the population, development of this sector is still very limited. Of all registered water users, none is extracting water from deep aquifer for domestic and commercial purposes. All uses water for domestic purposes from creek and spring sources and categorized under type II and I system.

2.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

The population in Apayao-Abulug River Basin (AARB) is around 27.72 percent of the total population of the two provinces. Among the seven municipalities comprising the province of Apayao, Conner was the most populous with a population size of 24,811 making up 22.0 percent of the total provincial population. The municipality of Luna was second with 16.0 percent share, followed by the municipalities of Flora with 14.9 percent.Kabugao, the provincial capital comprised 14.4 percent, Pudtol with 11.8 percent, Santa Marcela with 10.7 percent, and Calanasan (Bayag) with 10.3 percent of the population.The least populated municipality in 2000 was Santa Marcela with 10.1 percent share of the total provincial population.

According to the recent NSO census, all provinces in CAR, except for Benguet, were among the 16 provinces with the least population density or those with population density of less than 100 persons per square kilometer. Apayao remained the most sparsely populated province in 2010, with a population density of 26 persons per square kilometer.

Among the provinces of CAR, Apayao has the highest poverty incidence with 54.7 percent among families living in Apayao.Poverty incidence is the proportion of families/individuals with per capita income/expenditure less than the per capita poverty threshold to the total number of families/individuals. This means that more than one-half (54.7 percent) of the families live below the poverty threshold in 2012, higher than in 2009 which was 39.9 percent.

In Cagayan, the poverty threshold in 2012 was 18,741 pesos, higher by 875 pesos than in 2009. It is the second lowest among the five provinces. However, the poverty incidence among families was 15.2 percent, lower than Region 02 poverty incidence at 17 percent.

The highest poverty incidence in the river basin municipalities is Conner, Apayao with 40.40 percent which has also the highest population in Apayao with 8,377. This means that 40.40 percent of the residents are poor and is higher than the average of the country. On the average, the municipality and city level poverty incidence estimates was

Main Report Chapter 2-2 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

37.5 percent Thus, on the average, around four out of every ten residents of a municipality or city are said to be poor. All other municipalities covered by the river basis have lower poverty incidence than the average poverty incidence of the 1,622 municipalities. Out of the 15 municipalities covered by the river basin, severn or almost one-half has poverty incidence of less than 25 percent.

The top agricultural commodity in the River Basin areas is still rice with a total production of 96,689 metric tons for Apayao and 616,321 MT in Cagayan for 2010. However, rice production declined for the three years period for both provinces.

2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

Half of Apayao's land area is still covered with forest with an estimated 277,142 ha or an estimated 54.20 percent share of the existing land use. Brushland and grassland combined make up almost 50 percent of the land. Agriculture makes up only 6.42 percent of the land and built up areas take up only 1.48 percent of the land.

Only 13 percent of the province is classified as alienable and disposable (A and D) and the rest are classified as forests lands. Alienable and Disposable lands include agricultural and non-agricultural land including built up and other lands that were formerly agricultural land. Most of the forest lands are categorized into forest reservation, forest timberland, national park, military reservations and civil reservation. Most of the A and D lands are in Lower Apayao.

Based on the compilation of water body monitoring report of DENR-PENRO Apayao, the water of Apayao River is clean as evidenced by clear and colorless water. However, this condition is usually observed only during the month of December to May or during the dry season.

The province rich endowment in mineral resources is evident in the presence of metallic and non-metallic mineral resources like primary copper and manganese in Calanasan. Raw materials for cement manufacturing are found in Luna, gold ore resources estimated to be 35 metric tons are found in Kabugao. Massive limestone deposit is also explored in Butao, Calanasan.

An estimated 55 million metric tons of potential non-metallic resources such as limestone, sandstone, gravel, siliceous sands and guano deemed to be plenty in the area.

Apayao is third largest CADT area at 11,268.03 hectares or 3.3 percent while Benguet has the largest CADT area at 257, 550.50 hectares or 76.5 percent of all ancestral domains in the region.

There are eight Community- based Forest Management Projects with Community Based Forest Management Agreements that were issued in Apayao Province covering a total of 9,644.07 hectares. For Apayao province, NGP areas cover the municipalities of Conner and Kabugao.

Decline in the productivity of rice production system has been experienced by upland farmers for the last seven years due to erratic weather patterns and other environmental factors. Addressing this concern, this project of Apayao State University "Promoting Agrobiodiversity: Strategy for Climate Variability Adaptation in the Uplands of Apayao" has been conceptualized.

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2.4 CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Typhoons are the major hydrometeorological hazards that pose risk of floods, landslides and erosions as well as property and crop damages.

Apayao has been identified by the Department of Agriculture as one of the drought-prone provinces/areas experiencing seasonal aridity together with Ifugao, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet and Mt. Province.

Drought and flood inundation problems has been a main constraint in the promotion of socioeconomic development and improvement of the living condition of the people in the River Basin.

The Abulug River is usually flooded for several hours during heavy rains and is also prone to flashfloods. Luna has low susceptibility ratings to landslides while Calanasan is highly susceptible to landslides. Cabugao, which is the town proper, is also highly susceptible to landslides while Pudtol is only moderately susceptible to landslides.

The municipalities of Kabugao and Calanasan have the highest land area of both perennial and annual crops exposure to rainfall-induced landslides, thus require priority intervention in terms of slope stabilization and protection structures in these areas.

The Department of Interior and Local Government, is tasked to adapt river basin approach in the implementation of Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction as per RA 9729 (Climate Change Act) and RA 10121(Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act) respectively. In the implementation of RA 10121, it is expected that, aside from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan (NDRRMP), Regional and Local Disaster Risk Reduction Plans will be formulated to serve as the principal guide to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) efforts of the country where the staging focus of DILG is on the river basins and the thrust is to build alliances amongst the local government units and other government and non-government agencies.

2.5 COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Coastal resources in the basin are limited to those found in the coastlines of Ballesteros, Sanchez Mira, Pamplona of Cagayan province. Inland aquatic resources on the other hand are those found along the Apayao, Abulug and other minor rivers in the basin.

There is an on-going program on Integrated Coastal resources management in the coastal municipalities of northern Cagayan which addresses concerns on: a) Policy and Institutional Strengthening and Development; b) ICRM and Biodiversity Conservation; c) Enterprise Development and Income Diversification and; d) Social and Environmental Services.

2.6 CROSS CUTTING CONCERNS

2.6.1 Research Development and Extension

Integrated river basin research, development and extension to be lead by Higher Education Institutions in the basin represent a key institutional and intellectual action that can be harnessed to undertake interdisciplinary researches (i.e., basic, applied and case studies). The Cagayan State University (CSU) and Apayao State College (ASC) in collaboration with National and Regional Line Agencies can be mobilized to respond to issues and opportunities through R&D within the basin.

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2.6.2 River Basin Management Information System

The Apayao-Abulug River Basin Organization (AARBO) need to create a basin information system that will meet its particular needs, both for managing the data they collect and for delivering information to different groups of users in formats they can understand and make use of. Sound governance of water in the basin depends on effective information systems. The MIS platform should be capable of managing all types of information: geographic, alphanumeric, text and multimedia.

• The main components of the RBMIS are: o a database and geographic information system (GIS): these are vital tools for managing data and translating them into, for example maps, graphs, indicators; o tools to manage a catalogue of data sources on line; o decision-support and modeling tools; and o a web portal for sharing and disseminating information

2.6.3 Capacity Development

At all levels, capacity development should be undertaken through conduct of trainings, educational tours, development of training manuals and IEC for advocacy and public awareness campaigns.

2.6.4 Institutional Development Needs of the AARB

The Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Chaired by DENR Secretary has approved on May 02, 2012 a resolution “Adopting the 18 Major River Basins in the country as priority areas of the government. The Apayao-abulug River Basin is one of the Priority River Basins identified under this resolution. Hence, an Implementing Body or Structure is needed to oversee and orchestrate the overall implementation of the Apayao-Abulug River Basin Plan which will be a concerted effort of the different RLAs, LGUs and other stakeholders.

Main Report Chapter 2-5

Chapter 3 IWRM-Based Development and Management Strategy Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

CHAPTER 3 INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IWRM)- BASED DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

The IWRM-based Basin Development Strategy for Apayao-Abulug river basin is the articulation of statement of the stakeholders in setting out how they will share, utilize, manage and conserve the water and related resources in the basin. More importantly, this development and management strategy is part of the stakeholders commitment to stronger cooperation amongst them, and in particular a response to government’s call for the formulation of an integrated river basin development and management masterplan. It will provide initial directions for sustainable basin development and management that are subject to regular review and updating.

The development and management strategy also considers and integrates concerns on climate change and disaster risk management in the river basin. It has been generally accepted that climate change and climate variability are expected to have profound effects and impacts on the hydrology of the river basin as well as on the spatial and temporal distribution of water resources. The disproportionate increase in the mean level and in the variability of hydrologic variables such as rainfall and stream flows will lead to more frequent occurrence of extreme hydrologic and climatic events including intense rainfall, strong typhoons, and severe droughts. These can threaten water and food security especially in marginal and vulnerable areas as well as increasing of magnitude of hydro meteorological hazards resulting to slowing of economic development.

The development strategy will contribute to a wider adaptive planning process that links regional, provincial and municipal planning for sustainable development and management of the Apayao-Abulug River Basin. It considers projected development scenarios over a fifteen-year period (2014 to 2029) of basin development and management. It will also provide an integrated basin perspective against which current and future national water resources development plans can be assessed to ensure an acceptable balance between economic, environmental and social outcomes.

Generally, the strategy in explicit and implicit manner:

• defines the scope of opportunities for water resources development (hydropower, irrigation, water supply, flood and drought management), their associated risks and the actions needed to optimize opportunities and minimize risks;

• defines other water-related opportunities (fisheries, environment and ecosystems, watershed management);

• integrates climate change adaptation and disaster risk management; and

• provides a coordinated, participatory and transparent process that promotes sustainable development.

3.1 THE STRATEGY ON BASIN DEVELOPMENT

The Strategy defines a process to move from development opportunities to implementation and sustainable development, including the definition of the following Strategic Priorities for Basin Development:

Main Report Chapter 3-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

• Irrigated agriculture for food security and poverty alleviation expanded and intensified;

• Technical, environmental and social sustainability of hydropower development greatly enhanced;

• Options for sharing development benefits and risks identified;

• Climate Change Adaptation Strategy prepared and its implementation initiated; and

• Basin planning considerations integrated into national, regional and provincial planning and regulatory systems.

3.2 THE STRATEGY ON BASIN MANAGEMENT

The Strategy defines Strategic Priorities for Basin Management, an essential companion to basin development to ensure sustainability, as follows:

• Basin objectives and management strategies defined for water-related sectors, including fisheries, flood and drought management, wetland management and navigation;

• Regional/Provincial-level basic water resources management processes strengthened, including water resources monitoring, water use licensing, and data and information management;

• Basin-level water resources and related management processes strengthened, including the implementation of procedures, state of basin monitoring and reporting, project cycle monitoring, and enhanced stakeholder participation;

• Rigorous basin-wide environmental and social objectives and baseline indicators defined; and

• Water resources management capacity building program implemented, linked to basin’s overall initiatives and complementary to regional and provincial capacity building activities.

3.3 FORMULATION OF POLICIES, GOALS AND STRATEGIES FOR THEMATIC AREAS

Policies and strategies were formulated under thematic classification such watershed, water resources, environmental management, aquatic and marine resources and climate change and disaster risk reduction management. Each strategic theme is supported by goal and strategies leading to several key actions. These key actions are major steps or initiatives required to accomplish the objectives. The specific programs, projects and activities, including other parameters will be defined through the different operational plans to be prepared by different agencies and stakeholder groups at different levels. Furthermore, the discussions for each thematic group were based on the inception report submitted, while the goals, policy statements as well as the strategies presented are based on situational analysis and result of stakeholder forum.

Main Report Chapter 3-2 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

3.3.1 Water Resources Management and Development

The strategy shall anchor with IWRM pillars which recognizes that fresh water is a finite and a vulnerable resource essential to sustain life; for development and the environment; has economic value in all its competing uses and is an economic good, and should therefore be developed and managed collectively by all stakeholders with particular focus on the role of women as major participant in safeguarding of water resources.

Goal:

Promote and implement coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources within hydrological boundaries or basin unit, to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems

Policy Statements:

a) Strengthen the IWRM approaches; b) Rehabilitation and restoration of forest and forest land; c) Enhancement of hydrometeorological instrumentation and measurements; d) Enforcement of EPIRA law on sharing of national wealth tax to upstream communities; e) Land and Water Use Regulation. f) Provision of available water supply during dry season for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses; g) Optimization of the development potentials of the Apayao and minor river systems

Strategies:

a) Promote and facilitate micro-hydropower on municipal level in combination of irrigation and hydropower; b) Conduct studies for projects in the basin for potential candidates for BOT to be promoted by the provinces; c) Intensified provision of support services, particularly; promotion of agro-based enterprises; facilitation of access to credit and financing, improvement/development/ d) establishment of agricultural infrastructures and facilities such as irrigation, nurseries, farm to market roads, post-harvest and tramlines; e) Intensify the promotion and development of location-specific, cost effective, environment-friendly technologies; f) Construction of water distribution systems; g) Use of organic fertilizers; h) Water saving technology/structures; i) Construction of small water impounding dam; and j) Establish flood control structures to protect agricultural areas.

3.3.2 Watershed Protection/Rehabilitation Management

Goal:

The overall goal is to restore, protect, manage and develop the AARB watershed to ensure sustainability of fresh water resources for water supply.

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Policy Statements:

a) Sub-basin clustering is a key organizational menu that should serve to link communities with their LGUs who share the same watersheds; b) Payments for Ecosystem Services for upland farmers and fisherfolks can be effected in demonstrable scales that are quantifiable and manageable; and c) Redeeming forestlands and rehabilitation of watershed in support to national greening program.

Strategies:

a) Provide a venue for consensus and application of common actions within the watershed, generating larger scales of impact, given limited resources; b) Build, leverage and focus resources; c) In the absence of formal and sweeping policies, the scale of river councils or more municipalities) can provide a basic unit for drawing mechanisms, that can be applied to water users; and d) Restoration of natural forests, particularly in steep slopes.

3.3.3 Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management

The policy and strategy for the AARB is to device appropriate and effective flood control and hazard management scheme. To be able to do so, a variety of engineering, environmental protection and planning measures shall be incorporated/integrated, which shall include flood plain management, flood control maintenance activities, storm water management, shoreline management, protection of frequently flooded growth areas, watershed management, other flood hazard mitigation activities, such as drought, and preparation for flood disasters where mitigation activities cannot prevent flooding

Goal:

Build adaptive capacities of communities and local government in the river basin and increase the resilience in the natural ecosystems to climate change and disaster risk reduction and optimize mitigation opportunities towards sustainable development Policy Statements:

a) Adoption of basin-wide Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Policy; b) Use of engineering and non-engineering approaches, techniques and technologies; c) Establish measurable goals and benchmark Information/data and basis for planning and implementation of projects; and d) Establishment of Apayao-Abulug River Basin Organization to implement DRRM.

Strategies:

a) Formulation of a basin-wide Disaster Management Plan; b) Implement projects on flood plain management, storm water management, shoreline/riverbank management and watershed management; c) Provision of criteria relevant to cost, social and environmental impact in prioritization of project implementation; d) Create river basin information center that would facilitate: i) Information sharing among stakeholders; ii) Provide the mechanism and resources for the monitoring of projects; e) Construction of multi-purpose dams and water impounding facilities; f) Construction of structural and vegetative riverbank protection facilities;

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g) Strictly enforce environmental and water laws; h) Conduct research and development studies to generate scientific knowledge and develop appropriate technologies and workable policies in the management of the river system; i) Rationalize disposal of wastes through the conduct of massive campaign on solid waste management; and strict implementation of environmental and water laws; j) Conduct advocacy campaign to encourage farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices and regulation on the use of farm chemicals; k) Strict regulation on the use of the river for sand and gravel extraction; and l) Provide capacity building through degree and non-degree programs to leaders, managers, development workers, researchers, trainers, etc. who will be responsible in the management of the river basin.

3.3.4 Coastal, Marine, and Aquatic Resources Management

The policy and strategy for the Apayao-Abulug River basin shall address critical issues of sustainable management of marine and coastal resources, which may include: i) Development of an institutional framework for integrated coastal resources management, addressing policy weaknesses and legal gaps, clarifying roles of national government agencies concerned and local governments, and addressing their capacity-building needs; ii) Implementation of biodiversity conservation program in priority coastal and marine biodiversity areas; iii) Extension of support for municipal fisher folk, develop sustainable enterprises and livelihoods, and reducing their reliance on fishing; iv) Improvement of water supply, sanitation, and solid waste management; and v) Provision of infrastructure and facilities for mitigating coastal erosion and pollution; among others.

Policy Statements:

a) Conservation of river ecosystem and its various resources; b) Adoption of the Integrated Coastal Resources Management (ICRM)strategy in the municipalities covered by the basin; c) Conservation of habitats and fish species native to the river basin; d) Ensure acceptable water quality in the river basin; e) Reduction of solid wastes dumped into the River Basin and its coastal areas. f) Poverty alleviation and livelihood assistance to fisher folks; and g) Increased productivity and profitability through optimal utilization of coastal and aquatic resources.

Strategies:

a) Research and development on fishery production and processing; b) Adoption/dissemination of appropriate technologies on fishery production (aquaculture/ mariculture) and processing; c) Intensification of hatcheries and fish stations; d) Intensification of fingerlings production; e) Provision of technical and financial support for aquaculture/ mariculture, and fish processing; f) Establishment of processing facilities for fish products; g) Establishment of storage facilities and processing; h) Protection of mangroves; i) Development of wetlands and fish sanctuaries; j) Creation of small and medium scale enterprises on fishery; k) Implementation of the ICRM strategy for coastal municipalities in the river basin; and l) Implementation of RA 8550 or Fisheries Code;

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m) Implementation of Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) in the various cities and municipalities covered; n) Conduct of research studies and establish baseline information for the river ecosystems and coastal resources; and o) Adopt climate change strategies to protect and enhance the river and coastal ecosystems.

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Chapter 4 Thematic-Based Development and Management Plans Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

CHAPTER 4 THEMATIC-BASED DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLANS

4.1 WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

4.1.1 Water Resources Potential of Apayao-Abulug River System

Apayao is rich in water resources. About 75 percent of Apayao’s area is drained by the 180 km-long Apayao River, the largest and most important water body in the province. Other important rivers in the province include the Matalag River in Conner, Maton, and Nagan rivers in Pudtol and the Zumigue-Ziwanan River of Calanasan (Figure 4.1-1). These rivers are the primary sources of irrigation water especially the lowland areas of Lower Apayao and parts of the adjacent province of Cagayan.

Figure 4.1-1 River Network in Apayao-Abulug River Basin (AARB)

Main Report Chapter 4-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

The Apayao River belongs to the Apayao-Abulug watershed area that has 18 tributaries that ultimately drains to the Babuyan Channel. Based on the 18-year observatory period conducted by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the average water discharge of the Apayao River is estimated to be at 2,709 m³. This water body is presently being used for irrigation, power generation, communal fishing ground, and reliable alternative transport system. Apayao River potential for hydro-power generation has been estimated by the National Power Corporation (NPC) to produce at least 700 MW.

Table 4.1-1 Other important water bodies in the AARB

Name Classification Headwater Source Function

Awan River Perennial Secondary Calanasan, Apayao Irrigation

Ayayao River Perennial Secondary Calanasan, Apayao Irrigation

Baliwanan River Perennial Secondary Kabugao, Apayao Irrigation, Fish Habitat

Lenneng, Kabugao, Irrigation, Domestic Binuan River Perennial Secondary Apayao Fish Habitat

Dumayong River Perennial Secondary Luna, Apayao Fish Habitat Dagara, Kabugao, Dagara River Perennial Secondary Fish Habitat, Irrigation Apayao Karagawan River Perennial Secondary Kabugao, Apayao Irrigation Laco, Kabugao, Laco, River Perennial Secondary Fish Habitat, Irrigation Apayao Langnao, Calanasan, Langnao River Perennial Secondary Fish Habitat, Irrigation Apayao

Malabanig River Perennial Secondary Kabugao, Apayao Fish Habitat, Irrigation Upper Maton, Pudtol, Maton River Perennial Secondary Fish Habitat, Irrigation Apayao Nagan River Perennial Secondary Pudtol, Apayao Fish Habitat, Irrigation

Naguillan ,Calanasan, Naguillan River Perennial Secondary Fish Habitat, Irrigation Apayao Musimut, Kabugao, Sicapo River Perennial Secondary Mini Hydro Apayao Paco, Valley, Tawit River Perennial Secondary Fish Habitat, Irrigation Kabugao, Apayao Tagbayan River Perennial Secondary Calanasan, Apayao Fish Habitat, Irrigation

Tumog River Perennial Secondary Tumog, Luna, Apayao Fish Habitat, Irrigation

Malunog River Perennial Secondary Luna, Apayao Irrigation

Currently, there are two irrigation dams across Apayao River. The Dacao dam located at Flora supplies the East Apayao-Abulug Irrigation System (EAAIS) is managed by NIA- Region 2 while the Swan dam in Pudtol supplies the West Apayao Irrigation System

Main Report Chapter 4-2 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

(WAAIS) maintained by NIA-CAR. These dams are the primary source of irrigation for Lower Apayao and Northern Cagayan.

Table 4.1-2 Summary of Apayao-Abulug Irrigation System Service Areas

Apayao East West Total Pudtol 632 632 Luna 1,117 1,117 Flora 372 372 Sta. Marcel 1,536 1,536 Sub-total 1,908 1,749 3,657 Cagayan Ballesteros 2,124 2,124 Allacapan 1,130 1,130 Pamplona 1,405 1,405 Appari 630 630 Abulug 2,383 3,793 Sub-Total 6,267 2,815 9,082 Total 12,739

4.1.2 Hydro-Meteorology in the River Basin

A. Climate Type and Pattern

The Philippines may be classified into four (4) climatological regions based on two climatic classifications namely, Coronas and Hernandez Classifications. Based on the Coronas classification, the western part of the basin falls under Type I climate. This is characterized by two pronounce season, i.e., dry from November to April and wet the rest of the year. The northern part falls under Type II climate. This is characterized as no dry season with a very pronounced rainfall from November to January. The central and eastern part falls under Type III, where the seasons are not very pronounced, being relatively dry from November to April and wet the rest of the year. The heaviest rain occurs during December to February while the month of May is the warmest.

Hernandez classification further defined the basins’ climate as wet (Type A) in the northeastern and humid (Type B) for the rest. Type A climate is described as an almost year round rainy weather where there are only at most 1½ dry months. In the humid Type B climate is evenly distributed throughout the entire year and having at most three dry months.

A map of the basin showing the areas classified under the climatic types are shown in Figure 4.1-2. It also shows the monthly rainfall distribution within and the immediate vicinity of the AARB as compared to the whole Philippine archipelago.

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Figure 4.1-2 Month Rainfall Distribution in the Philippines

B. Rainfall Pattern and Extremes

The AARB has at present no available synoptic station located within its confine. The nearest synoptic station is located in Aparri, Cagayan. In the absence of meteorologic data for the AARB, the available data from Aparri, Laoag, and Tuguegarao synoptic stations were used as an estimate of the basin climatic pattern and trends.

The basin annual rainfall varies from less than 3500 mm in the northern portion to more than 3800 mm in the mountainous areas. The monthly air temperature ranges from 19°C in January to 35°C in May and the annual mean is 27°C at Aparri,

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Cagayan. The rainfall isohytes interpolated from 0.50 rainfall grid from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) is shown in Figure 4.1-3.

Figure 4.1-3 Rainfall Isohytes and Climatic Type

The seasonal rainfall pattern and rainfall amount fluctuate from year to year with occurrences of extreme events. Observed rainfall anomalies are attributed to the occurrences of El Niño and La Niña episodes. Despite of this pattern, mean rainfall amount between 1961-1990 and 1991-2009 showed no significant differences

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(Figure 4.1-4). The frequency of extreme rainfall events however was observed to have increased by about 83% or more from 1961-1990 and 1991-2009 (Figure 4.1- 5). This could be attributed to global climate change that triggers for more intense rainfall.

Observed increase in the frequency of extreme events may have some environmental implications. Extremes events could trigger more landslide and soil erosion especially in areas that are poorly covered with vegetation.

Figure 4.1-4 Seasonal Rainfall Pattern from 1961 to 2009

Figure 4.1-5 Frequency Rainfall Extremes during 1961-1990 and 1991-2010

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C. Seasonal Temperature Patterns and Trends

The seasonal mean maximum and minimum temperature observed within the vicinity of the river basin was analyzed (Figure 4.1-6). In general, the maximum temperature showed increasing trend at a rate of 0.042 to 0.078°C per year. Similarly, the minimum temperature showed an increasing trend at a rate of 0.029 in Aparri while Laoag showed a decreasing trend at a rate of 0.030°C per year.

Figure 4.1-6 Season Fluctuation of Maximum and Minimum Air Temperature

D. Other Climatic Variables

Actual evaporation and related climatic data are lacking in the basin. The nearest evaporation and synoptic stations are located in Tuguegarao and Aparri, respectively. Meanwhile, Isabela State University has installed an Automatic Weather Station in Pudtol, Apayao in August 2013, which is measuring subhourly rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Using the available weather data from these stations, the estimated annual evaporation ranges from 1935 to 2388 mm with an average of 2119 mm. High relative humidity is observed in the basin ranging between 70% and 90%.

4.1.3 Streamflow

A. Dependable flow

There are two stream flow gauging stations in the basin but at present only one is operational in the basin. This is located in Lucban, Abulug, Cagayan and has daily stream flow records from 2002 to 2012. The other gauging station is located in Atoc, Pudtol, Apayao with streamflow records from 1960 to 1970 but with missing data. The data were subjected to a flow duration analysis to determine the percentage of time if a certain discharge is available (Figure 4.1-7). Dependable flow (based on

Main Report Chapter 4-7 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

80% probability) of the river is about 65 m3/s or 5.62 MCM per day. This value is below the estimated 80% dependable (7.55 MCM/day) flow of the river in 1970 by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In the present study, the estimated annual discharge of Apayao-Abulug River is about 7128 MCM. The decrease of dependable from 1970 to 2010 could be attributed to the changes in the biophysical condition of the basin as well as changes in weather parameters.

Figure 4.1-7 Flow Duration Curve

B. Flood Frequency

The annual peak discharges at the Abulug River at Lucban, Abulug, Cagayan were subjected to frequency analysis assuming a Log-Pearson Type III Distribution.

The Results of the flood frequency analysis are shown in Figure 4.1-8. The computed frequency curve together with the 5 percent and 95 percent confidence limit curves are drawn in the same figure. The relatively narrow range of probable values in the estimated peaks manifests a good distribution of the observed flood flows (10 years). The estimated maximum flood at 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 year-return period is 2154 m3/s, 2554 m3/s, 3118 m3/s, 3580 m3/s and 4081 m3/s, respectively.

Main Report Chapter 4-8 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Figure 4.1-8 Flood Peak Frequency Curve

The discharge measurements show that the month discharge varies considerably between dry and wet season (Figure 4.1-9). The lowest discharge of the river is estimated to be 3.40 m3/s, whereas the maximum peak floods measured are in the order of 3180 m3/s.

Figure 4.1-9 Streamflow Hydrograph

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4.1.4 Land Cover

The vast forests of the Cordillera, dubbed as the watershed cradle of Northern Luzon, cater six of Northern Luzon’s major river systems. Because of this, the national government has classified approximately 85 percent of the Cordillera as forestland, and about 30 percent of which is officially designated as forest reserve. As indicated in Figure 4.1-10, aside from forestlands, the land cover also consists of different land classifications such as woodland areas of shrubs, fallow and wooden grassland, natural barren land, marshland, and including developed areas, pasture and cultivated areas, among others.

Figure 4.1-10 Land Cover Map of the AARB

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4.1.5 Hydrogeology

The AARB has a complex lithology and structure. The basin is generally composed of both sedimentary and igneous volcanic formation (Figure 4.1-11). Sedimentary formation are usually found in low elevation area while igneous volcanic formation and diorite intrusion in the upstream draws the area diastrosphism like faulting and other geologic processes that uplifted the whole basin. Based on the report of investigation of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) there are two lithologic units that can be found in the Kabugao and Calanasan area. These are diorite complex, limestone, and meta-volcanics.

The oldest rocks in the province are the Cretaceous Paleogene, which is composed of undifferentiated volcanic flows with locally intercalated sedimentary rocks. Bordering those rocks are folded Neogene sedimentary rocks.

Synorogenic batholithic of diorite elongated along north-south trends dominate the core of the province of Apayao. These plutons discordantly include Middle Miocene and older rock sequences and are responsible for some copper, gold and iron metallization.

In terms of geologic structures, numerous faults and folds characterize the geomorphologic evolution of the area. The Bangui Fault System, one of the major spays of the Philippine Fault Zone, extends into the River basin. On the westernmost part of the basin is the West Ilocos fault System while on the eastern side of the AARB is the Dummon River Fault System. These structures are among the major branches or splays of the Philippine fault zones. Several active faults in the Northern Philippines are shown in Figure 4.1-12.

In terms of its groundwater potential development, National Water Resources Board (NWRB) reported that the basin can be divided into three categories namely, (1) the shallow and deep well area (alluvial), (2) deep well area (diluvium and tertiary), and (3) difficult area (Figure 4.1-13). The shallow and deep well area is formed by the alluvial plain, which distributed in the midstream and downstream areas of Abulug River. This alluvial plain is suitable for groundwater development and forms groundwater basin with several aquifers and aquicludes. The aquifers consist of sand and gravel layers and also impervious layers of clay and/or silt, wherein the area generally have enough magnitude, scale and permeability to produce large quantity of groundwater.

Similarly defined, the deep well area corresponds to diluvium and/or tertiary or terrestrial sediments, which consist mainly of Neogene age. They have low groundwater potentials as compared with that of shallow and deep well area wherein this type of area is best suited to the development of deep well hand pump requiring minimal pumping rates.

In the same manner, the difficult area corresponds to the area where groundwater development is difficult. The geology in this area is mainly formed of intrusive rocks, metamorphosed rocks and volcanic rocks. The difficult areas for groundwater development can be found in the Cordillera Central Mountain Range in the eastern part of the region. The Cordillera Central Mountain Range is made up of metamorphosed volcanic rocks of the geologic age.

Based on the study conducted by National Water Resources Committee (1980), now the NWRB, the total groundwater storage of the basin is estimated at 17085 MCM. The inflow to the groundwater reservoir system is roughly estimated to be about 1197 MCM/year. Furthermore, the study indicated that if a 50-year groundwater mining is allowed, a total of 1539 MCM per year is available in the area. The total recommended groundwater exploitation at safe yield level is about 1197 MCM/year.

Main Report Chapter 4-11 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Figure 4.1-11 Geologic Map of the AARB

Main Report Chapter 4-12 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Figure 4.1-12 Active Fault System within the vicinity of the River Basin

Main Report Chapter 4-13 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Figure 4.1-13 Ground Potential Map of the AARB

4.1.6 Water Balance

Water balance of the AARB was modeled using the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). SWAT is a watershed model widely used to predict water quantity and quality under varying land use and water use regimes. From a digital elevation model (DEM), the watershed was divided into 10 sub-basins that are assigned a stream channel

Main Report Chapter 4-14 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

(Figure 4.1-14). Each sub-basin of the watershed was further subdivided into hydrologic response units (HRUs), which is defined as the coincidence of soil type and land use. The HRU is the smallest unit in the SWAT model and is use to simulate all processes such as rainfall, runoff, infiltration plant dynamics (including uptake of water and nutrients, biomass, etc.), erosion, nutrient recycling, leaching of pesticides and nutrients, and many others. In this particular work, the hydrologic process in the AARB was simulated to understand the hydrologic water balance of the basin. The stream flow data in Abulug gauging station from 2002 to 2010 was use to calibrate the model.

Figure 4.1-14 Subwatershed of AARB used in SWAT Model

Main Report Chapter 4-15 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Results of the calibration indicated that the annual mean runoff of AARB is about 1724 mm (Table 4.1-3). This represents a runoff coefficient (ratio of run-off to rainfall) is about 0.52. The total groundwater recharge in the basin is estimated to about 370 mm per year. Of this, it is estimated that 48 mm per year is recharge to deep aquifers. This accounts about 1.46 percent of the annual rainfall in the basin. Total water yield is estimated to be about 2207 mm per year or 66.70 % of the annual rainfall. Figure 4.1-15 shows the graphical representation of the computed water balance of the river basin.

Table 4.1-3 Water Balance of AARB

PERCENT OF PARAMETERS AMOUNT (mm) RAINFALL Rainfall 3595.5

Surface Runoff 1972.59 54.86 Baseflow 527.17 14.66 Shallow Groundwater recharge 339.74 9.45 Deep Aquifer recharge 50.96 1.42 Total aquifer recharge 390.70 10.87 Total water yield 2499.76 69.52 Evapotranspiration 855.40 23.79

Figure 4.1-15 Water Balance

Main Report Chapter 4-16 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

The mean monthly water balance simulated from 1980 to 2012 is shown in Table 4.1-4. The simulated values showed that large proportion of the rainfall is loss as surface runoff (54.32%) and only a minimal proportion is recharge to the groundwater aquifer (4.01%). Low groundwater recharge is actually governed by the geologic property of the watershed. On the other hand, stream flow (water yield) of the Apayao-Abulug River is adequate all year round making with its peak from June to October. This indicates the potential of surface water passing through the numerous tributaries of the River to be tapped for irrigation system and for hydropower. The estimated groundwater recharge and water yield per sub basin is shown in Table 4.1-5 and Table 4.1-6, respectively.

Table 4.1-4 Mean Monthly Water Balance (1980-2012)

Potential Groundwater Rainfall Runoff Water Yield Month Evapotranspiration Recharge (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) Jan 116.20 72.90 48.52 9.96 79.24 Feb 98.97 84.52 39.90 4.81 61.54 Mar 102.45 124.78 38.93 2.13 53.52 Apr 129.32 140.26 48.46 1.05 63.75 May 311.39 138.37 149.89 2.53 184.08 Jun 426.03 141.42 224.88 4.61 281.61 Jul 518.10 138.28 296.49 12.53 376.70 Aug 484.62 131.51 274.69 20.37 364.06 Sep 500.61 115.85 303.88 26.37 397.29 Oct 406.15 101.69 247.79 24.16 323.55 Nov 287.33 75.72 162.46 18.54 222.58 Dec 223.13 61.17 121.79 17.45 175.94 TOTAL 3,604.29 1,326.48 1,957.69 144.50 2,583.85 Percent of Rainfall 36.80 54.32 4.01 71.69

Table 4.1-5 Estimated Groundwater Recharge per Sub Basin (mm)

Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Month basin basin Basin Basin Basin Basin Basin Basin Basin Basin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Jan 4.50 20.78 2.57 4.59 36.72 7.27 7.72 5.59 4.11 5.77 Feb 2.59 11.38 1.64 2.57 20.83 1.61 4.60 1.02 0.74 1.11 Mar 0.95 5.01 0.78 1.10 8.91 0.65 2.40 0.54 0.37 0.57 Apr 0.06 1.97 0.12 0.42 3.85 0.20 1.64 0.88 0.53 0.79 May 0.06 3.18 0.10 0.68 6.21 1.64 2.77 3.88 2.76 4.01 Jun 0.04 3.30 0.04 0.77 7.36 4.65 3.69 9.66 6.95 9.64 Jul 0.09 7.94 0.08 2.03 19.82 14.78 8.70 26.72 19.23 25.89 Aug 0.09 11.30 0.13 3.14 29.17 24.32 11.78 43.56 33.12 47.05 Sep 0.30 16.53 0.31 4.21 38.24 33.45 13.74 55.24 42.22 59.43 Oct 1.02 25.01 0.79 6.18 55.29 26.17 14.99 40.26 29.72 42.19 Nov 2.50 29.41 1.59 6.99 61.51 16.15 13.42 19.21 14.51 20.09 Dec 4.90 33.46 2.98 7.56 63.64 14.30 12.83 12.50 9.47 12.88 TOTAL 17.08 169.28 11.13 40.22 351.57 145.18 98.29 219.08 163.73 229.41

Main Report Chapter 4-17 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Table 4.1-6 Estimated Water Yield per Sub Basin (mm) Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Month basin basin Basin Basin Basin Basin Basin Basin Basin Basin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Jan 106.91 109.41 119.05 101.72 121.81 43.04 89.26 34.05 33.76 33.35 Feb 78.76 81.81 93.26 83.03 87.01 29.73 79.98 26.93 28.63 26.23 Mar 58.99 65.10 73.31 78.26 62.11 25.99 84.92 27.77 32.50 26.22 Apr 53.61 69.29 61.94 92.31 58.17 36.75 110.07 49.70 57.63 47.96 May 149.69 162.58 130.89 209.96 140.52 153.81 266.36 203.46 221.13 202.40 Jun 176.36 219.73 166.90 279.77 196.97 283.80 355.06 370.19 395.75 371.55 Jul 253.79 292.64 227.20 353.18 277.40 401.98 428.47 501.81 527.09 503.45 Aug 235.31 287.23 232.77 336.88 279.86 373.56 414.69 485.64 503.83 490.85 Sep 323.79 337.06 264.73 377.21 333.70 398.21 441.38 495.34 503.49 497.99 Oct 458.03 342.13 348.40 368.36 347.96 242.68 341.76 261.09 263.23 261.89 Nov 375.31 270.70 299.15 279.94 289.07 125.08 243.20 113.95 115.89 113.47 Dec 239.04 231.25 254.08 222.79 251.16 109.44 195.35 86.28 85.67 84.32 TOTAL 2,509.59 2,468.93 2,271.69 2,783.42 2,445.73 2,224.08 3,050.52 2,656.22 2,768.61 2,659.69

4.1.7 Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources

A. Projected Climate Scenario in the Basin

Climate change is one of the most fundamental challenges ever to confront humanity. Its adverse impacts are already being seen and may intensify exponentially over time if nothing is done to reduce further emissions of greenhouse gases. Meanwhile, detailed information on plausible future climates, such as changes in temperatures, rainfall, and frequency of extreme weather events are important basis for planning for and implementing climate change adaptations. In 2011, PAGASA generated projections of temperature increase and rainfall change in the Philippines using PRECIS (Providing Regional Climates for Impact Studies) model in two time frames; 2020 and 2050. Three of the emission scenarios developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Special Report on Emission Scenarios (IPCC-SRES) were used to run the PRECIS model; namely, A2 (high range), A1B (mid-range), and B2 (low-range). These emission scenarios cover a range of demographic, societal, economic and technological storylines. Table 4.1-7 presents the four different storylines (A1, A2, B1, and B2) as defined in the IPCC- SRES.

Main Report Chapter 4-18 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Table 4.1-7 The four storylines developed by the IPCC which defines plausible emission scenarios

Storyline Description Very rapid economic growth; population peaks mid century; social, cultural and economic convergence among regions; market mechanisms dominate. A1 Subdivision:A1F1 – reliance on fossil fuels; A1T – reliance on non-fossil fuels; A1B – a balance across all fuel sources Self-reliance; preservation on local identities; continuously increasing population; A2 economic growth on regional scales Clean and efficient technologies; reduction in material use; global solutions to B1 economic, social and environmental sustainability; improved equity; populations peaks mid-century Local solutions to sustainability; continuously increasing population at a lower rate B2 than in A2; less rapid technological change than B1 and A1

The projected seasonal temperature increase and rainfall change in 2020 and 2050 under the medium-range emission scenario (A1B) in the provinces covering the AARB is given in Table 4.1-8. The projected climate trends in the basin showed annual mean temperatures (average of maximum and minimum temperatures in the basin are expected to rise 0.8oC to 1.0oC in 2010 and by 1.7oC to 2.2oC in 2050. In terms of seasonal rainfall change, generally, there is a substantial spatial difference in the project changes in rainfall in 2020 and 2050 in adjacent provinces covering the AARB, with reduction in reduction during the summer season (MAM) making the usually dry season drier, while rainfall increases are likely during the southwest monsoon (JJA) and SON seasons, making these season still wetter, and this with likelihood of both droughts and floods in the area. It is worth noting however that in 2050, slight decrease in rainfall is projected during the SON season in the basin.

Table 4.1-8 Seasonal temperature increases (oC) and rainfall change (%) in 2020 and 2050 under the medium-range scenario (A1B)

Temperature Increase (oC) Rainfall Change (%) PROVINCE DJF MAM JJA SON DJF MAM JJA SON ------Change in 2020 (2006-2035) ------Ilocos Norte 0.8 1.0 0.8 0.9 4.4 -3.1 18.0 5.8 Cagayan 0.8 1.0 0.9 0.8 6.9 -3.6 2.9 16.3 Apayao 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.8 2.6 0.4 5.8 16.6 Kalinga 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.0 -9.1 4.5 14.8 ------Change in 2050 (2036-2065) ------Ilocos Norte 2.1 2.2 1.7 1.8 -18.8 -31.3 20.9 4.7 Cagayan 2.0 2.2 2.0 1.8 14.6 -23.3 0.9 -1.0 Apayao 1.9 2.1 1.9 1.8 3.0 -23.7 1.1 -0.3 Kalinga 1.9 2.1 2.0 1.9 4.2 -21.0 3.9 1.1

B. Projected Water Balance of the Basin under A1B Scenario

To understand the impact of increasing temperature and rainfall change on the water balance of the basin, the calibrated SWAT model was used. The computed seasonal temperature and rainfall changes in 2020 and 2050 were used to generate synthetic rainfall and temperature data for the period 2006-2035 and 2036-2065. The

Main Report Chapter 4-19 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

generated data were then used to run the calibrated SWAT model to simulate the water balance of basin.

Results of the simulation showed that stream flow for the basin is expected to increase in 2020 time slice but it will decrease in 2050 time slice (Figure 4.1-16). The increase in 2020 time slice is attributed to the expected increase in rainfall in Apayao to as much as 16.6% during the SON season. In 2050 time slice, stream flow is likely to decrease due to the decrease in rainfall amount especially during MAM season. Table 4.1-9 shows the water balance of the basin in 2020 and 2050. Monthly water balance is also shown in Table 4.1-10. The groundwater recharge per subbasin is also shown in Table 4.1-11. This data will be further analyzed along with the various water users in the basin to come up with best scenario for the water allocation of the various users in the basin.

Figure 4.1-17 showed the annual discharge passing through each subbasin of the AARB. The monthly discharge is shown in Table 4.1-12. From this data, we could observe that the annual discharge is likely to increase in 2020 but may decrease in 2050. The decrease, however, may not be significant compared with the present discharge of the river. Hence, the present discharge of the river maybe considered safe to be used as basis for planning future water resources allocation of the basin. It was assumed however that the present land cover of the area will be sustained or further improved in the future especially the recharge area of the basin.

Figure 4.1-16 Simulated Streamflow at the Main Outlet under Different Climatic Scenario

Main Report Chapter 4-20 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Table 4.1-9 Water Balance of the AARB

2006 – 2035 Climate 2036-2065 Climate Scenario Scenario PARAMETERS Amount Percent of Amount Percent of (mm) Rainfall (mm) Rainfall Rainfall 3595.5 3490.3

Surface Runoff 1972.59 54.86 1891.21 54.18 Baseflow 527.17 14.66 476.95 13.67 Shallow Groundwater recharge 339.74 9.45 317.4 9.09 Deep Aquifer recharge 50.96 1.42 47.61 1.36 Total aquifer recharge 390.70 10.87 365.01 10.46 Total water yield 2499.76 69.52 2368.16 67.85 Evapotranspiration 855.40 23.79 878.1 25.16

Table 4.1-10 Mean Monthly Water Balance under Climate Change Scenario

Rainfall PET Runoff Recharge Water Yield Month (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) ------2020 Climate Change Scenario------Jan 119.22 74.83 50.34 10.54 82.32 Feb 101.55 86.61 41.41 5.02 63.75 Mar 102.86 127.97 38.96 2.10 53.47 Apr 129.83 143.61 48.01 0.94 62.95 May 312.63 141.69 149.13 2.31 182.57 Jun 450.74 144.84 243.80 4.47 302.26 Jul 548.15 141.71 320.25 12.88 403.51 Aug 512.72 134.84 296.55 21.88 389.72 Sep 583.71 118.55 371.79 29.46 474.82 Oct 473.57 104.22 302.50 28.42 388.44 Nov 335.03 77.73 199.78 22.34 269.76 Dec 228.94 62.86 126.19 19.83 184.48 TOTAL 3898.95 1359.46 2188.72 160.19 2858.04 ------2050 Climate Change Scenario------Jan 119.69 77.56 50.45 8.76 79.22 Feb 101.94 89.54 41.52 4.07 61.86 Mar 78.17 132.30 25.11 1.34 35.18 Apr 98.67 148.16 29.07 0.20 38.65 May 237.59 146.19 92.53 0.64 114.12 Jun 430.71 148.71 225.06 2.12 275.94 Jul 523.80 145.59 299.93 7.22 374.02 Aug 489.95 138.61 277.58 14.26 359.03 Sep 499.11 121.98 301.54 21.01 387.29 Oct 404.93 107.45 246.87 20.15 317.76 Nov 286.47 80.32 162.50 16.93 222.34 Dec 229.83 65.25 126.67 16.21 180.32 TOTAL 3500.85 1401.63 1878.83 112.92 2445.72

Main Report Chapter 4-21 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Table 4.1-11 Estimated Groundwater Recharge per Sub Basin (mm) under Climate Change Scenario

Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Month basin basin basin basin basin basin basin basin basin basin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ------2020 Climate Change Scenario------Jan 4.71 22.19 2.54 4.76 38.53 7.72 7.94 5.93 4.45 6.59 Feb 2.43 12.23 1.60 2.66 21.71 1.83 4.72 1.05 0.76 1.23 Mar 0.82 5.10 0.76 1.10 8.81 0.63 2.36 0.52 0.35 0.54 Apr 0.04 1.80 0.10 0.37 3.61 0.15 1.52 0.74 0.43 0.62 May 0.03 2.89 0.09 0.63 5.74 1.41 2.64 3.52 2.47 3.65 Jun 0.03 3.17 0.03 0.74 7.14 4.50 3.56 9.44 6.79 9.34 Jul 0.06 8.11 0.08 2.09 20.28 15.20 8.84 27.48 19.93 26.75 Aug 0.08 12.14 0.12 3.29 30.88 27.23 12.31 47.20 35.69 49.88 Sep 0.25 18.62 0.33 4.71 42.85 38.05 15.36 62.31 47.00 65.11 Oct 0.97 29.74 0.88 7.17 64.64 32.62 17.24 46.85 34.92 49.22 Nov 2.71 34.61 1.82 8.08 71.95 22.03 15.24 23.99 17.90 25.10 Dec 5.32 38.04 3.17 8.26 69.01 17.45 14.14 15.26 11.59 16.07 TOTAL 17.44 188.63 11.53 43.85 385.16 168.82 105.87 244.28 182.27 254.09 ------2050 Climate Change Scenario------Jan 2.00 18.66 2.19 3.97 32.76 5.91 7.45 5.01 3.90 5.74 Feb 1.03 10.14 1.38 2.21 17.94 1.19 4.33 0.87 0.61 0.98 Mar 0.29 3.35 0.55 0.71 5.61 0.44 1.66 0.29 0.20 0.31 Apr 0.00 0.39 0.02 0.07 0.74 0.01 0.60 0.05 0.03 0.06 May 0.00 0.97 0.03 0.22 2.12 0.12 1.28 0.69 0.40 0.56 Jun 0.00 1.39 0.00 0.34 3.34 1.62 1.90 4.61 3.27 4.74 Jul 0.00 3.90 0.02 1.02 9.77 6.92 5.72 16.53 12.04 16.30 Aug 0.00 6.84 0.02 1.92 18.25 15.89 9.05 32.75 24.57 33.33 Sep 0.01 11.79 0.13 3.10 29.31 24.76 12.09 45.22 34.02 49.70 Oct 0.24 19.25 0.39 5.02 46.92 21.13 13.96 33.35 25.24 36.02 Nov 1.07 25.14 0.94 6.32 58.67 15.64 13.03 16.81 13.20 18.48 Dec 2.37 30.11 2.17 6.81 59.65 12.46 13.13 11.90 9.65 13.88 TOTAL 7.00 131.93 7.83 31.70 285.09 106.10 84.20 168.08 127.14 180.10

Main Report Chapter 4-22 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Figure 4.1-17 Annual Discharge (MCM) per Subbasin under Different Climate Scenario

Main Report Chapter 4-23 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Table 4.1-12 Estimated Stream Discharge (MCM) per Sub Basin under Climate Change Scenario

Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub MONTH Basin 1 Basin2 Basin 3 Basin 4 Basin 5 Basin 6 Basin 7 Basin 8 Basin 9 Basin 10

Baseline (1980 – 2010)

Jan 8.38 77.84 218.09 161.35 23.60 22.36 106.19 6.40 39.92 5.70 Feb 6.28 59.17 178.62 133.47 17.15 15.71 90.15 5.16 30.47 4.56 Mar 4.62 46.15 161.89 127.19 12.03 13.43 91.10 5.20 29.25 4.44 Apr 4.19 49.09 198.90 169.70 11.26 19.02 130.12 9.34 47.43 8.19 May 11.73 115.59 562.94 500.79 27.22 80.04 408.29 38.44 192.47 34.80 Jun 13.82 156.30 860.37 781.04 38.16 147.78 655.78 69.98 350.42 63.93 Jul 19.89 208.26 1131.26 1023.14 53.74 209.39 859.15 94.89 481.06 86.66 Aug 18.44 204.41 1092.06 981.25 54.22 194.58 821.93 91.83 455.37 84.49 Sep 25.38 239.96 1164.71 1038.55 64.65 207.43 856.05 93.66 470.01 85.73 Oct 35.90 243.62 890.29 724.12 67.42 126.39 541.53 49.35 263.93 45.06 Nov 29.42 192.78 596.78 453.99 56.00 65.12 310.34 21.52 125.39 19.50 Dec 18.74 164.68 489.05 367.77 48.66 56.98 249.29 16.29 101.90 14.49 TOTAL 196.78 1757.84 7544.95 6462.37 474.12 1158.24 5119.91 502.07 2587.62 457.53

2020 Climate Scenario

Jan 8.66 81.22 226.29 167.68 24.46 23.39 110.56 6.72 41.83 6.08 Feb 6.46 61.58 185.01 138.39 17.72 16.49 93.62 5.38 31.87 4.79 Mar 4.60 46.22 161.90 127.12 11.92 13.38 91.09 5.17 29.13 4.42 Apr 4.12 48.49 196.97 168.01 11.04 18.48 128.78 9.17 46.32 8.03 May 11.60 114.22 559.30 497.15 26.90 78.83 405.16 37.97 190.20 34.41 Jun 14.90 167.57 923.28 837.34 41.03 159.25 702.60 74.93 376.40 68.53

Main Report Chapter 4-24 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub MONTH Basin 1 Basin2 Basin 3 Basin 4 Basin 5 Basin 6 Basin 7 Basin 8 Basin 9 Basin 10 Jul 21.29 223.71 1211.28 1095.07 57.60 224.86 919.54 101.56 515.62 92.94 Aug 19.72 219.28 1168.57 1049.95 58.06 209.11 879.69 98.63 488.45 90.35 Sep 30.45 289.01 1390.95 1239.33 77.66 248.29 1020.93 111.64 561.00 102.00 Oct 42.86 293.64 1068.91 870.15 81.31 153.58 651.26 59.34 319.07 54.31 Nov 35.41 233.46 723.75 552.30 67.67 82.49 379.48 26.66 156.88 24.13 Dec 19.37 173.70 511.61 386.36 50.90 60.69 263.32 17.65 109.20 15.99 TOTAL 219.44 1952.08 8327.80 7128.87 526.26 1288.83 5646.01 554.83 2865.97 505.95

2050 Climate Scenario

Jan 8.38 77.75 219.71 161.30 22.36 21.44 106.72 6.35 39.01 5.74 Feb 6.31 59.37 180.94 134.48 16.29 15.47 91.38 5.20 30.37 4.58 Mar 3.06 30.23 107.11 83.28 7.54 8.08 59.44 3.11 17.61 2.63 Apr 2.54 29.64 123.33 104.63 6.36 10.18 79.95 5.02 25.71 4.31 May 7.63 69.50 356.00 314.76 15.38 44.73 255.49 22.26 112.05 19.94 Jun 13.82 149.27 846.96 766.83 35.80 142.26 643.06 67.89 340.94 62.24 Jul 19.89 205.13 1126.43 1017.29 51.26 207.42 854.97 93.85 477.54 85.96 Aug 18.48 200.60 1080.54 969.14 51.55 190.48 812.36 90.44 447.80 82.34 Sep 25.02 232.83 1138.15 1013.35 61.68 200.01 835.13 90.56 455.15 83.17 Oct 35.81 237.44 875.51 709.71 66.06 122.58 529.29 47.35 255.75 43.43 Nov 29.51 192.27 596.35 454.19 55.50 66.43 311.53 21.39 126.75 19.60 Dec 19.11 167.66 502.58 377.56 48.28 56.83 257.51 17.15 104.17 15.66 TOTAL 189.59 1651.71 7153.60 6106.50 438.07 1085.92 4836.83 470.56 2432.85 429.60

Main Report Chapter 4-25 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

4.1.8 Inventory of Water Users in Apayao and Cagayan Provinces

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is the government agency mandated to regulate all water use in the country. As such, it monitors the various permit grantees/users of surface and ground water resources.

Under the policies of the NWRB, Filipino citizen, Associations and duly registered cooperatives and corporations organized under the law of the Philippines with at least 60% Filipino capitalization, government entities and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations are qualified to file a water permit application at all NWRB offices and deputized agents (the Department of Public Works, NIA, National Power Corporation and Water Districts) in the province where the point of diversion is situated in the case of appropriation of water or where the project is located for the following purposes:

• Power • Fisheries • Industrial • Livestock • Recreational • Commercial • Domestic • Irrigation

Water Rights by Purpose issued in Kalinga Apayao Provinces, 1975-2011. The Apayao and Kalinga provinces are basically mountainous areas with creeks and rivers providing the much needed water supply for agricultural and industrial development not only for the province but for the country as well. Its abundant water supply is primarily used for power generation. Eighty one percent (81%) of all water rights granted by the NWRB from 1975 to 2011 were intended for power generation. This rate of utilization for power (and also for irrigation) should have been higher had there been no objections raised (primarily on issues of ancestral public domain) to the proposed implementation of the Chico River Irrigation Project (CRIP) in the 1970’s which aimed to build a mammoth dam and reservoir across the Chico river (Table 4.1-13).

On the other hand, only eighteen percent (18%) of the total water rights granted for the same span of time was for irrigation. Utilization for domestic and for industrial uses is still very minimal.

Table 4.1-13 Water Rights for the Provinces Kalinga and Apayao

No. of Permits Granted No. Purpose % Granted Rights in lps 1 Irrigation 66 72,257 18.44 2 Power 9 319,185 81.45 Domestic/ 3 2 458 0.12 Industrial Total 77 391,900 100.00

While the share of granted water rights for power is high, location of power plants are situated in the Kalinga province which is outside of the river basin.

Main Report Chapter 4-26 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Water Rights By Source. There were 77 water rights permits granted in the area 72 of which (94%) were for surface water utilization. Discharge granted from surface water utilization is mostly intended for power generation (82%). In totality of the 391,900 lps granted, 81% is for power generation and 19% for irrigation (Table 4.1-14).

Table 4.1-14 Distribution of Water Rights by Source in Kalinga and Apayao (As of December 31, 2011)

% for Permits Discharge % for Type Source power/ Issued in lps irrigation domestic Surface water Creeks 39 3637 River 33 388,239 81 19 Sub-total 72 391,876 81 19 Groundwater Deep wells 4 24 - - Spring 1 - - - Sub-total 5 24 - - Total 77 391,900 81% 19%

4.1.9 The Status of Water Resource Utilization in AARB

The grantees uses consist of irrigation, municipal, commercial, hydropower (non- consumptive), etc. Meanwhile, the irrigation sector is the largest water users and number of water structures. Based on these water permit holders, their locations within the basin are shown in Figure 4.1-18.

The points represent a registered water user in the identified municipalities of the two provinces inside the AARB namely: whole of Apayao and part of Cagayan. Several points plotted were found outside of the river basin since only part of the municipality/ies were located inside the river basin and for few points, some errors might have occurred in the recording of the coordinates. In total, there are 45 registered water users in the basin with only 17 in Apayao and 29 in Cagayan. All water users in Apayao and Cagayan are for irrigation purposes. Table 4.1-15 and Figure 4.1-18 shows the distribution of water users by municipalities.

Table 4.1-15 Distribution and Classification of Water User

Municipalities Uses No. of users Calanasan, Apayao Irrigation 2 Conner, Apayao Irrigation 10 Flora, Apayao Irrigation 4 Sta. Marcela, Cagayan Irrigation 1 Allacapan, Cagayan Irrigation 7 Abulug, Cagayan Irrigation 2 Pamplona, Cagayan Irrigation 8 Sanchez Mira, Cagayan Irrigation 11

Total 45

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Figure 4.1-18 Water Users in AARB

4.1.10 Irrigation Development and Agriculture in the River Basin

A. Brief History of Irrigation Development in the Philippines

Like other peoples of the ancient world, the early Filipinos developed water resources for irrigation to be able to raise their own food. History postulates that the rice-eating proto-Malays were forced to live in between mountains and plateaus and constructed

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the first rice terraces in the now province of Ifugao in the Cordilleras placing the age of the earliest rice terraces at approximately 2,000 years old and in the process gave the Philippines and the world a breathtaking engineering legacy which up to now continue to awe those who lay eyes upon them. Through the centuries, the early Filipinos living in the mountains of the Cordilleras developed their own system of irrigation which they applied in the rice terraces. No matter how crude their system may be – constructing a large paddy near the water source to serve as a mini reservoir, tapping streams and then conveying the water either from paddy to paddy or through long canals some sections of which are dug through solid rocks, conveying the excess water through gulleys, drainage canals or spillways – these simple and primitive ways of the ingenious highlanders of the Cordilleras not only stand out as a paragon of man’s ceaseless struggle for survival but also undoubtedly as the forerunner of today’s irrigation practices.

B. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

Today, the planning, implementation and management of the irrigation programs of the country is placed under NIA which is a government owned-and-controlled corporation (GOCC) created under Republic Act (RA) 3601 which was signed into law on June 22, 1963. To further broaden its powers and functions as well as its capitalization, its Charter was amended by Presidential Decree (PD) 552 in 1974 and again by PD 1702 in 1980.

Under its Charter, NIA is empowered to:

1) Investigate, study and develop all available water resources in the country, primarily for irrigation purposes; 2) Plan, design, construct and/or improve all types of irrigation projects and appurtenant structures; 3) Operate, maintain and administer all national irrigation systems (NIS); 4) Supervise the operation, maintenance and repair or otherwise administer temporarily all communal irrigation systems (CIS) and pump irrigation systems constructed, improved and/or repaired wholly or partially with government funds; and to 5) Delegate the partial or full management of NIS to duly organized cooperatives or associations.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 further strengthened the government’s resolve to attain a sustainable water resource and irrigation development program by making it policies of the State to “preserve at all times all watersheds that are sources of water for existing and potential irrigation areas and recharge areas. (Section 12)” and “Prevent the further destruction of watersheds, rehabilitate existing irrigation systems and promote the development of irrigation systems that are effective, affordable, appropriate and efficient”

C. Irrigation Development in the Philippines

The Philippine economy is based on agriculture upon which almost 70 percent of the population depended directly or indirectly for its livelihood. Food sufficiency has been pursued vigorously by the country for decades but the rate of progress is outpaced by the rapid increase in population necessitating a comprehensive review of our water resource development program for our major river basins to ensure sustainable water supply primarily for irrigated agriculture. Paddy production (the bulk of which is derived from irrigated areas under NIA) must be increased to a level which can sustain the food needs of the country’s population. As per the latest record of the

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NIA, however, only 783,457 ha is irrigated by its 83 National Irrigation Systems (NIS), 565,805 ha by the NIA-supervised Communal Irrigation Systems (CIS) and 217,329 ha by Private Irrigation Systems (PIS) or a total irrigated area of 1,566,591 ha representing just 50 percent of the country’s 3,126,340 ha potential irrigable area.

Status of Irrigation Development in the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR). As of December 31, 2013, irrigation development in the CAR is at 53%. Out of its potential irrigable area of 185,406 ha, only 97,675 ha is provided with irrigation facilities and structures (IFS) by 1,720 CIS/PIS and 5 NIS. There are still 87,731 ha remaining to be provided with IFS.

Eighteen percent (18%) of the Region’s irrigable area is in the province of Apayao (33,910 ha) of which 4,599 ha or 14% is covered by the West Apayao River Irrigation System (WARIS) administered by the NIA. There is a very low 28% irrigation development in Apayao with only 9,354 ha of its potential irrigable area being provided with IFS by 82 CIS/PIS and one NIS.

Status of Irrigation Development in the Cagayan Valley Region (Region2). Region 2 is home to the second biggest multipurpose irrigation system in the country – the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) in Ramon, Isabela with a service area of 84,795 ha and a potential generating capacity of 540 MW of electricity. Despite the wide area served by MARIIS, however, only 58% of the 472,640 ha potential area of the Region is provided with IFS as of December 31, 2013 leaving a wide area of 200,029 ha still to be irrigated.

There are 21 NIS in Region 2 covering 148,315 ha representing 31% of the potential irrigable area, 57% of which is covered by MARIIS. On the other hand, 16,326 CIS and PIS cover 26% of the total irrigable area.

Thirty percent (30%) of the Region’s irrigable area is in the province of Cagayan (143,610 ha) of which 8,939 ha or 6% is covered by the East Apayao-Abulug River Irrigation System (EAARIS) managed also by the NIA. Irrigation development in Cagayan is quite high at 71% primarily because 13 of the 21 NIS in the Region is located in the province.

Maximum Actual Irrigated Area in CAR. During the many years of operation, these IFS deteriorated with time. This is aggravated by the damage and destruction brought about by the periodic occurrences of natural calamities like typhoons. As of today, the ratio of the maximum irrigated to the service area are as follows: 0.78 in CAR, 0.87 in Apayao and 0.83 in WARIS.

Maximum Actual Irrigated Area in Region 2. The same problem as experienced in CAR is happening in Region 2. As of today, the percentage of the maximum irrigated area to the service area are 79% in CAR, 71% in Cagayan and a very low 57% in EAARIS.

The Participatory Irrigation Development and GAA-Funded Projects Undertaken by the NIA. In support to the food sufficiency program of the government and to optimize the irrigation potential of the different irrigation systems in selected regions, NIA launched the Participatory Irrigation Development Project (PIDP) in 2006 to address the immediate improvement, rehabilitation and modernization needs of a number of NIS. Fourteen (14) NISs were selected under CORE A (major rehabilitation/modernization) and 44 NIS’s under CORE B (sustenance of Irrigation Management Transfer – IMT – program). This is in line with the guideline set under Section 26 of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 under Section

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26 which states that the Department of Agriculture (DA), through its attached agency, the NIA, shall prioritize for rehabilitation only those existing systems whose water sources can ably supply their respective dry season irrigation requirements.

PIDP also aims to raise the level of operation of existing Irrigators Associations (IAs) to become entrepreneurs so that they will not only become strong partners in the operation and maintenance (O&M) of irrigation systems but also become more independent entities that will need less government support and intervention.

D. The Apayao-Abulug River Irrigation System

The Apayao-Abulug Irrigation System (AAIS) is one of the NIS now being improved under PIDP. It covers the towns of Flora, Pudtol, Luna, and Sta. Marcela in Apayao and the towns of Abulug, Allacapan, Ballesteros, Pamplona, and a portion of Aparri in Cagayan. AAIS draws water from Abulug River and Gattu Creek by gravity. The type of diversion at Abulug River is an ogee shape overflow dam with 2 sluice ways, 6 bays in the eastern side of the river, and 4 bays in the western side. The type of diversion at Gattu Creek is also an ogee dam which serves the area of Pamplona.

The present system of irrigation is continuous flow method of irrigation. NIA’s responsibility is to divert irrigation water from the river and convey it to the main canal and laterals. On the other hand, the IAs take responsibility in the distribution from the turnout to their respective farm lots.

Under the PIDP, restoration activities is being undertaken in the service area of WARIS to bridge the gap between the service area and the irrigated area while a total of 2,150 ha new area shall be generated in Region 2 mostly in the province of Cagayan (2,105 ha).

PIDP is complemented by NIA’s GAA-funded projects. A total of 7,739 ha is expected to be generated by CY 2017 in CAR, 1,731 ha of which is in Apayao and 40 ha in the service area of WARIS.

On the other hand, 5,499 ha of new areas shall be put into irrigation also by CY 2017 in Region 2 out of this 765 ha is in Cagayan.

E. Small Scale Irrigation Projects (SSIP)

In the Philippines, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture serves as the governments’ lead agency in the development and implementation of small-scale irrigation program in the country aimed at increasing agricultural productivity in the upland and rain-fed areas. At present, there are two (2) major programs being introduced to communities, farmer’s groups and Local government units for adoption and commercialization as follows:

Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP). A SWIP is an earth dam structure built across a narrow depression or valley to harvest and store rainfall and rim-off for multiple uses. Its structural height is not more than 30 meters and a volume storage not exceeding 50 million cubic meters. The average service area of SWIP is about 60 ha (25-150 ha). Investment cost ranges from Php 75,000 to Php 200,000 per ha of service area. At present, there are now 350 units of SWIP in the country with a service area of 21,000 ha and 16000 farmer beneficiaries. Important functions of the project are:

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• for supplemental irrigation • provide water for livestock • inland fish production • for domestic purposes • as a recreational facility

Diversion Dam (DD). A diversion dam is a concrete or rock-fill structure constructed across a channel or river with continuous flow to raise the water level and cost of watershed area, concrete dam, (ogee shape or broad crested weir), outlet works and irrigation & canal facilities and appurtenant structures. Primary use of Diversion dam is for supplemental irrigation for small farm holders

The Present Status of Small Water Impounding and Diversion Dam Projects. In general, the SWIP’s and DD’s are performing poorly and way below of what it expected due to the following perceived problems:

• Insufficient amount of water and unfair distribution are the two most important problems to address; • Poor involvement of water users’ group members in various meetings and planning workshops. • Non-collection of irrigation service fee resulting to lack of funds for repair and maintenance; • Lack of awareness and scientific knowledge on water management by the farmers particularly on water distribution and irrigation scheduling. • There is lack of internalization of members on the need to internally generate funds to support activities and other projects. • There is inadequate preparation of the farmers to manage and use their organizations as a way to improve their lives. • Watershed management is not given priority attention • Low water productivity because of traditional rice monoculture

Table 4.1-16 shows that as of 2013, there are eleven (11) small irrigation systems in the river basin; five (5) in Cagayan and six (6) in Apayao. Out of these, nine (9) are SWIP and two (2) DDs. Total irrigated service is 390 ha benefiting 298 farmers. However, more than half are reportedly not operational due to damage of embankment, irrigation canal, and spillway.

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Table 4.1-16 Inventory of SSIP’s in AARB

Reported Present Physical Name of Service Farmer Service Farmer Status of Location Project Areas beneficiaries Areas beneficiaries Project (ha) (ha) 1. Baro a Flora 53 13 80 50 Partially Lubong Apayao Operational, SWIP rehabilitation of the embankment 2. Zumige Luna 50 55 100 75 Operational, SWIP Apayao rehabilitation of spillway and irrigation canal 3. Maclit San 25 28 25 50 Not Diversion Mariano, Operational, Dam Pudtol washed out 4. Bacut Sta. 50 50 120 50 Operational, SWIP Marcela improvement Apayao of canal needed 5. Luyon Luyon, 30 35 30 35 Not Diversion Luna operational, Dam Apayao necessary for new construction 6. Puteg Dona 60 33 35 38 Not Diversion Loreta, operational, Dam Pudtol rehabilitation Apayao of walls and installation of canals 7. Battuguit Sanchez, 100 100 Operational SWIP Mira, Cagayan 8. San Sanchez, 80 70 Operational Andres Mira, SWIP Cagayan Rehab Sanchez, 80 60 Operational 9.Marabbun Mira, SWIP Cagayan 10.Bessang Allacapan, 85 60 Operational SWIP Cagayan 11.Iringan Allacapan, 50 45 Operational SWIP Cagayan TOTAL 390 298

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4.1.11 Hydropower Development Potential

Apayao River potential for hydropower generation has been estimated by the National Power Corporation (NPC) to produce at least 700 MW. However, no feasibility studies have been reported at present. Proposed sites are earmarked for development in the Provincial Development Plan of the Apayao Province.

Hydropower investment costs for new installations vary considerably between industrialized and developing countries. In developing countries and emerging economies, the construction of hydropower plants usually involve substantial civil work (dams, deviation of rivers, etc.), the cost of which largely depends on labor costs, which is substantially lower than in industrialized countries. The total investment costs largely depend on site features and availability of grid connections. Generating costs usually range from $ 20/MWh to $ 60/MWh. The investment costs in developing countries result significantly lower than the cost in industrialized countries because of different social and labor conditions which is about 2,000 US dollars on average with internal rate of return of at least 10%.

4.1.12 Water for Domestic Purposes

On water for domestic and sanitation purposes, Apayao ranked first among CAR’s provinces in terms of households with access to sanitary toilets. Sta. Marcela recorded a 100 percent access to sanitary toilets. On the other hand, Flora has the least number of households with access to sanitary toilet with 67.56 percent. On the other hand, only 69.88 percent of the population has access to safe water. Only 2.91 percent of the total population has a level III accessibility while Level I and II has 44.87% and 22.10%, respectively. Across municipalities, Conner registered the highest percentage of households with access to safe water at 97.77 percent followed by Luna at 94.97 percent and Calanasan at 91.64 percent. The rest of the municipalities have lower than 50 percent accessibility to safe water.

Municipal water supply comprises public water supply for urban and rural areas, including privately owned water sources for domestic and commercial uses. The different levels of service are defined by the type of facility used as follows:

1) Level III system, consisting of individual house connections or municipal waterworks system with a source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network, and households taps. It is usually found in densely populated communities and is usually established and operated by Water Districts under the technical assistance of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

2) Level II system, consisting of standpipes or communal faucet system. It has a source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network, and communal faucets located at not more than 25 m from the farthest house. It is designed to serve rural and urban areas where houses are clustered densely for a simple piped system. These facilities are usually operated by Local Government Units (LGUs), Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Associations (RWSAs), Barangay Waterworks and Sanitation Associations (BWSA) or Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).

3) Level I system, consisting of a point source with protected well or spring and an outlet but without a distribution system. This is generally adaptable for rural areas where houses are thinly scattered. It is common in rural barangays where majority of which is owned privately.

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4.1.13 Agro-Industrial Development Areas

Sta. Marcela plays a vital role in the agro-industrial development of the province. The presence of major agricultural processing facilities i.e. Apayao Corn Post Harvest Facility and Processing Center and the East-West Corporation hybrid seed growing activity, in Sta. Marcela strengthens its role as Apayao’s “rice and vegetable basket”. The municipalities of Flora, Luna, and Pudtol will provide support to Sta. Marcela in the agro- industrial development of the province. Kabugao which has the lowest agricultural production will pursue a vigorous program that will provide agricultural support facilities to increase agricultural production. Conner dubbed as the “fruit basket” of Apayao will also play an important role in the agro-forestry development of the province producing significant economic outputs for the realization of the province’ preferred strategy.

4.1.14 Eco-tourism Development Areas

Apayao’s physical endowment and rich cultural legacy provides a mix of attractions and destinations ideal for eco-cultural tourism activities. The province has the potential to be a major tourist destination just like other provinces in the Cordilleras. Calanasan will be at the frontier of tourism as support facilities have already been established in this municipality. The Municipalities of Calanasan, Kabugao, Luna, and Pudtol which all have numerous tourism attractions and facilities will be promoted as alternative eco-tourism destinations.

4.1.15 Present Problems, Issues, and Concerns in Water Sector

Below are the list of issues and problems reported during the public forum and focus group discussion by the participating stakeholders. From this listing, a problem tree was developed and core problems were identified: insufficient water supply and frequent flooding. Further analysis shows that insufficient supply of water for domestic and agricultural purposes can be trace from lack of knowledge, poor water management, and inadequate and dilapidated water supply facilities. The other core problem is frequent flooding brought about by poor flood control and drainage facilities, lack of instruments for rainfall and flood measurements, and siltation which is a result of watershed degradation. Immediate effects are low productivity and damages to properties and facilities. Eventually, this has resulted to low economic productivity and poverty.

List of Problems given by stakeholders from IA’s, NIA, DA, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Cagayan State University (CSU) during the Public Forum and Focus Group Discussion:

• Insufficient water supply • Frequent flooding • Eroded canal bank • Lack of drainage canals • Upgrade the main irrigation canal (downstream) • Poor delivery of water • Poor road systems • Deforestation • Insufficient water supply to support crop production • Damages to crop due to typhoon and drought • Poor Drainage facilities • Siltation along canal • Landslide/river bank erosion • Denuded watershed

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• Insufficient/lack of instrument • Lack of funds • Drought • Climate Change • Poor implementation of laws • No flood forecasting system • Lack of manpower • Lack of information dissemination • Lack of information and advocacy on proper water management among IAs • No local research in water resource conducted

4.1.16 Desired Conditions in the River Basin

Desired condition of river basin’s water resources sector is derived from the translation of the above problems into its positive equivalent also referred to as objective tree analysis.

Table 4.1-17 Translation of the Identified Problems into Desired Conditions and Priority Rank for Intervention

Objective Tree Analysis - Means Ends Objective Translation

• Regulation of ground water • Increased agricultural use production • Improved water management • Availability of water Provision of Adequate Water • Construction and rehabilitation supply during dry season for agriculture and other uses of irrigation systems and facilities • Construction of Small Farm Reservoir and Small Water Impounding System • Construction/ repair of flood • Prevention of flooding in protection in the river banks agricultural areas and irrigation projects • Protection of structures, Mitigate effects of flooding • Enhance advocacy and properties and lives and drought capacity building • Reduced soil erosion and • Provision of soil erosion siltation control structures in the watershed • Construction small water impounding projects • Provision of facilities and instruments for monitoring of impact of climate change • Agricultural Intensification • Sustainable livelihood • Training of manpower projects Introduce livelihood projects resources • Ensured Funding and • Enhance advocacy and financial support capacity building • Provision technological and funding support

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4.1.17 Proposed Water Resources Programs/Projects

Figure 4.1-19 shows the locations of proposed and existing water resources projects particularly on irrigation and hydropower system approved by the provincial government of Apayao which needs immediate implementation in the immediate period.

Figure 4.1-19 Existing and Proposed Water Projects

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A. Structural Intervention

1. Protection of Urban and Agricultural Areas and Infrastructure from Erosion and Inundation. This will involve the stabilization of river banks that are prone to erosion and are near residential areas, agricultural areas and infrastructure facilities.

2. Regulation of Floodwater Inflow from Tributaries. Flood waters from the tributaries contribute to the rising level of the Abulug and Apayao rivers. It is necessary to regulate/ retard water inflow from tributaries to the main river by impounding first the run-offs at the respective upstream flood plains or reservoir.

3. Improvement of existing Irrigation Facilities and construction of new systems including use of groundwater for Irrigation Development. There is a need to increase irrigation efficiency of existing system through repair, maintenance and institutional development and to construct new irrigation project to all irrigable areas in the next five years.

4. Introduction of water-saving technologies for Crop Production through the use of drought tolerant crops and water management techniques, i.e. alternate wetting and drying. Innovative approaches includes use of aerobic rice technologies, alternate wetting and drying to reduce present consumption rate of irrigated rice production system

5. Establishment of support facilities such as construction and improvement of farm to market roads, post-harvest facilities, credit, subsidies to farmers, crop insurance.

6. Agricultural Intensification and Diversification.

7. Introduction of Soil and Water Conservation technologies in agricultural areas.

B. Non-Structural Intervention

1. Promotion of basin-wide approach in the planning and implementation of Watershed Management, Water Resources Development, and Flood Control Works. The basin will continue to advocate and support initiatives for the realization of an integrated and basin-wide approach in planning and project programming for the Apayao River and its watershed area including activities such as:

• Intra and inter-regional collaboration and complementation on watershed management; • Integrated Water Resources Development that shall treat the Apayao River and its tributaries both as protection and a production resource; and • Creation of River Basin Organization to oversee the management and development of the Apayao River Basin

2. Strict implementation of water rights policies and environmental laws. Efforts will be focused in the observance and implementation of water rights policies and environmental laws to ensure river area protection and environmental integrity in the entire basin. Monitoring of developmental activities to include rehabilitation and protection of degraded areas in the valley shall be institutionalized at the different levels of governance in the region.

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3. Strengthening of Disaster Risk Management Capability/System. The different Disaster Coordinating Councils (Regional, Provincial, City/Municipal) shall be strengthened for a more equipped, capable, and responsive teams. The DCCs shall be upgraded in terms of facility, mobility, capability, and preparedness. Flood monitoring, forecasting, and warning systems shall be improved for a more efficient coordination and effective information dissemination.

4. Conduct of pre-feasibility, feasibility and engineering studies in the full development of hydropower potentials in the basin. This will require serious efforts emanating from the soon-to-be-established river basin organization to prepare technical documents for submission to leading agencies and prospective investors for funding.

5. Improvement of Information, Educational, and Communication (IEC) for advocacy and public awareness.

6. Conduct of cross cutting Research and Development (R&D) program on water resources management. An R&D program is needed on a river basin approach in providing state-of-the art science and technology-based solutions for climate change adaptation and disaster risk management focusing on the use of advances in computer technology, particularly geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and decision-support systems (DSS), to improve the basis for decision making in river basin operation and management.

4.1.18 Fund Sourcing

Efforts shall be pursued to hasten the implementation of identified programs and projects in the AARB Master Plan. Fund sourcing of identified projects will be done by concerned agencies with the assistance of the Regional Development Council (RDC). Among the potential fund sources to be tapped shall include Official Development Assistance, National Government, Local Governments and the private sector.

4.1.19 Intervention Measures

The following intervention measures will guide the identification and prioritization of projects and activities that will have to be urgently implemented and those that will be included in the short and medium term of the plan.

A. Urgent Measures (2014-2016)

• Structural Measures

a. Bank protection, river control, and dam rehabilitation in identified critical areas in sites identified along the premises of two major irrigation system and in the municipalities of Sta Marcela, Calanasan, Conner and Kabugao (see Table 4.1-18).

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Table 4.1-18 List of Projects and Prioritization

Location Description Priority

Dacao dam in Flora supplies the East River flood protection, dam Apayao - Abulug Irrigation System repair and rehabilitation of 1 (EAAIS) canals for expansion

River flood protection, dam Swan dam in Pudtol which supplies repair and rehabilitation of 1 West Apayao Irrigation System canals for expansion

Flood protection and river Sta. Marcela 2 control

Flood protection and river Kabugao 2 control

Flood protection and river Conner 2 control

Flood protection and river Calanasan 2 control

It is further recommended to include the introduction of following components in the river control project:

o Pilot structures for the use of local materials (bamboo,etc.) for groynes o Introduction of special zones along river banks together with public education program on the importance of river bank vegetation and maintenance o Technical assistance and training for design and implementation of pilot structures and for further maintenance of structures

b. Expanding the total irrigated area to cover the remaining 3,000 ha of potential irrigable area. One hundred percent irrigation development in the basin can be attained in five years by extending the existing irrigation systems to serve their potential irrigable areas by developing new irrigation systems.

c. Identification and Implementation of 200 units of Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIPs) and Small Farm Reservoir (SFR) in AARB. In cooperation with DA Regional office and DA-BSWM, construction and operation of a total of 200 units of SWIPs or SFR can be made feasible in the immediate and medium-term period. The unit cost of SFR is roughly Php 50,000 while the average cost for SWIP is Php 4 million.

d. Hydropower development. Preparation of feasibility study and engineering design of the hydropower sites identified by Provincial Development.

• Non-Structural Measures

a. Improvement of flood warning and flood forecasting system;

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b. Improvement of the capabilities of local disaster councils on disaster mitigation;

c. Identification and assessment of areas prone to flood, landslides and other geological hazards;

d. Updating/formulation of geo-hazard/flood prone map at the provincial and municipal levels;

e. Mapping and feasibility studies of groundwater utilization for domestic and industrial use;

f. Desilting of waterways within the service area of Irrigation Systems;

g. Agricultural Intensification, Diversification and Extension

B. Short-term measures (5 Years 2017-2021)

• Structural Measures

Feasibility and Construction of Small and Mini hydropower Projects. There is a need to conduct feasibility studies on potentiality of hydropower project for AARB to indicate a comparable assessment of the alternative schemes prioritized according to an economic indicator, in most cases, the benefit/cost ratio, and their corresponding generation cost.

• Non-Structural Measures

a. Operation and maintenance of hydrometeorological stations

b. Formation/Organization/Capacity-building of Peoples Organizations (POs) for irrigation and water management.

c. Agricultural Intensfication, Diversification, and Extension

C. Long-term measures (2021-2029)

• Structural Measures

a. Maintenance works

b. Continue construction of SWIP and Multipurpose Dams

c. Operation of Hydrometeorological stations

• Non-Structural Measures

a. Establishment and Maintenance of Tree Zones along riverbank buffer areas

b. Operation of AARB Authority

c. Agricultural Intensification, Diversification and Extension

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4.1.20 Indicative Project Cost

As shown in Table 4.1-19, the basin’s structural and non-structural measures to mitigate the extent of flooding and its damages to agriculture and infrastructure, as well as to optimize water resources development, spread in a span of 15 years would cost PHP 4.685 billion. Structural measures which include the construction of multi-purpose dams, riverbank protection works, irrigation projects, hydropower development, and other infrastructures would cost a total of PhP 4.025 billion. On the other hand, non-structural measures such as hydrometeorological forecasting, flood warning systems, feasibility studies, institutional development, research, development and extension, advocacy, public awareness would require a total of PhP 660 million.

Table 4.1-19 Cost Summary for Water Resources Development Projects

COST REQUIREMENT (million pesos) 2014 to 2029 Measure/Fund Source Urgent Short-term Long-term Total (2014-2016) (2017-2021) (2018-2029) Structural Flood Protection/River 200 100 300 600 Control Irrigation/drainage 75 100 300 475 Hydro power 1000 1000 300 2300 Domestic 50 100 200 350 Others (SWIPs, Agri., 100 200 1000 1300 tourism) Sub-total 1425 1500 2100 4025 Non-Structural Hydrometeorological 10 20 30 60 stations Research and 50 100 100 250 Development Institutional Development 50 100 200 350 Sub-total 110 220 330 660 Total 1535 1720 2430 5685

4.1.21 Financing and Implementation Scheme

A. Priority Projects for Immediate Funding by the National Government

Critical projects that need immediate funding from the funds of the National government agencies include small water impounding projects (SWIPs), small farm reservoirs (SFRs), irrigation development, feasibility studies for hydro projects, hydrometeorological stations and research and development, and bank/flood protection works. The total amount to be requested from the national government is estimated at PhP 1.425 billion for 3-year implementation.

B. Cost-Sharing Proportion

SWIPs and SFRs will be funded through a cost sharing arrangement among the national government funds, the provincial government, and the municipal government. With this scheme, the national government will provide the seed money for the proposed projects (65% of the total project cost) with project counterpart provided by the provincial and municipal governments (total of 35% of the project

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cost) in terms of a portion of construction materials, equipment, logistics, manpower, and other items which an LGU can commit as shown in Table 4.1-20.

Table 4.1-20 Cost Sharing scheme for SWIPs and SFRs

Percent Share to Project Cost/ Nature of Source of Project Fund Counterpart A. National Government (DA Funds) 65.00%

In the form of cash outlay provided to DA Regional Office CAR for the purchase of construction materials and payment of labor, equipment and other contingencies B. Municipal Government 20.00%

to include one or combination of any of the following: • Provision of construction equipment (dump truck, earth moving, etc.), including equipment operators and oil/fuel expenses • Provision of earth fill, gravel and boulders • Portion of labor expenses; • Waiving of quarrying fees/royalties; and/or • Project Supervision C. Provincial Government 15%

to include one or combination of any of the following: • Provision of construction equipment (dump truck, • earth moving, etc.), including equipment operators and oil/fuel expenses (especially for municipalities with no capability to provide such items; • Provision of earth fill, gravel and boulders; • Provision of a portion of labor expenses; • Waiving of quarrying fees/royalties; and/or • Project Supervision in coordination with the municipality TOTAL 100%

4.1.22 Implementation Scheme and Institutional Responsibilities

The basin’s identified SWIP and SFR Projects shall be implemented by the DA Regional Office-CAR in cooperation/coordination with concerned institutions. The specific role/s of each cooperating agency are as follows:

A. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH):

• Integration of the region’s flood mitigation master plan into the national flood mitigation master plan; and

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• Provision of technical assistance in the conduct of engineering design and other project preparation activities through its regional office as requested by the regional office of the Department of Agriculture.

B. Department of Agriculture (DA):

• Preparation/packaging of specific SWIP project proposals to include project design and specifications, program of work and specific cost-sharing arrangements in coordination with the concerned provincial and municipal governments; • Submission of packaged SWIP projects to the concerned national government for approval and fund release; • Coordination with the concerned provincial and municipal governments in the implementation of approved/funded SWIP projects; and • Overall administration of project implementation in the basin.

C. National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

• Provision of technical assistance in the conduct of engineering design and other project preparation activities through its regional office as requested by the regional office of the Department of Agriculture.

D. Provincial Local Government Units (PLGU)

• Assistance to the Department of Agriculture in the packaging of SWIP projects in the province, particularly in terms of technical assistance in project preparation, logistics (per diems, service vehicle, office/field supplies) in the conduct of project site validation/ocular visits, and in firming-up the commitments of the province in project funding in pursuance of the agreed cost-sharing scheme; • Provision of counterpart costs in the funding/implementation of the projects located in the province; • Assistance to the municipal government in project implementation/supervision; • Assistance to the municipal government in the resolution of implementation issues that may arise such land acquisition, resettlement, and other related problems; and • Provision of other forms of assistance as may be agreed with the regional office of the Department of Agriculture and/or the concerned municipality.

E. Municipal Local Government Units (MLGU)

• Assistance to DA in the packaging of SWIP projects in the municipality, particularly, in terms of technical assistance in project preparation, logistics in the validation of project sites/conduct of ocular visits to project sites and in firming-up the commitments of the municipality in project funding in pursuance of the agreed cost-sharing scheme; • Provision of counterpart costs in the funding/implementation of the projects located in the municipality; • Supervision of project implementation; and • Assumption of overall responsibility in ensuring physical and financial sustainability of implemented SWIP projects in the municipality to include the conduct of activities such as:

a. Organization of farmer beneficiaries; b. Watershed protection and management;

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c. Physical maintenance of structure; and d. Financial sustainability through the implementation of cost-recovery measures such as collection of regular irrigation water fees, income generating activities through agro-forestry, tree plantations, among others.

F. Small Farm Reservoirs (SFRs)

For small farm reservoirs, funding of these projects shall be sourced from the national government with an estimated cost of PhP 50,000.00 per unit of SFR. Additional funding requirement needed to complete the project/s will be borne by the provincial and/or municipal government. The project beneficiaries, which will be organized by the municipal government, will take care of sustaining the operation of the project/s in their respective localities. These post project activities shall include tree planting and physical maintenance of the SFR.

G. Urgent Bank Protection Works

One hundred percent of the financial requirement for the pre-construction (survey and plan preparation) and construction stage of identified urgent bank protection works shall be sourced from the national government funds. The commitment of LGU beneficiaries shall consist of land and right of way acquisition, and resettlement measures including other entitlements for the directly affected households, including the preparation and conduct of land acquisition and resettlement action plans (LARAPs).

The said scheme could also be adapted in other thematic areas of the master plan.

4.1.23 Other programs and projects included in the Urgent (2014-2016), Short Term (2017-2021), and Long Term (2022-2029) Plan Period

A. Source of Funding

The basin’s water resources programs and projects would require a total of more than PhP 4 billion for implementation. Funds for these would come from a mix of possible funding sources, particularly Official Development Assistance (ODA), national government, local governments, and the private sector.

B. Projects to be funded through ODA

These include the projects classified under capital and technical assistance as follows:

• For Capital Assistance

a. Bank protection and river control works selected by the provincial government and construction of other bank protection works along the Apayao-Abulug River; and b. Improvement of Flood Forecasting and Warning System (FFWS) and hydrometeorological instrumentation.

• For Technical Assistance

Conduct of Feasibility Studies and Engineering designs for hydropower and groundwater utilization.

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C. National Government

Projects proposed for funding by the national government categorized in terms of technical and capital assistance are as follows:

• For Technical Assistance

a. Research and Development in development of decision support system for river operation and river basin management and development; b. Piloting of Soil and Water Conservation technologies in the river basin; and c. Agricultural Intensification and Diversification.

• For Capital Assistance

a. Creation of Apayao-Abulug River Basin Authority; b. Implementation of irrigation projects; c. Implementation of hydropower projects; d. Implementation of agricultural and tourism projects; e. Implementation of bank protection and river control projects; f. Implementation of SWIP and SFR Projects; and g. Implementation of groundwater development projects for domestic and industrial use.

D. Local Governments

• Planning and financing for Land Acquisition and Resettlement for bank protection works; • Support to LARAP of other flood control projects; • Co-financing of SWIPs and SFRs; and • Support the Implementation of tree zones along riverbanks.

E. Support Activities and Institutional Roles

Preparation and Packaging of Feasibility and Detailed Engineering Proposals. Flood control mitigation projects, especially those that are structural in nature (multi- purpose dams, embankment dikes. etc), require enormous financial investments and therefore require feasibility studies and/or detailed engineering studies to ascertain their implementation viability. Since a substantial portion of flood mitigation projects is structural in nature, concerned regional government agencies are expected to prepare and package proposals for the conduct of appropriate feasibility and engineering studies, particularly the DPWH (riverbank protection, dikes embankments), NIA (multi-purpose dams, irrigation systems), PAGASA (flood forecasting and warning), and DENR (watershed management projects).

Inclusion of identified projects in the budget proposals of regional line agencies. Projects identified in the plan could be funded through the annual budget appropriations of the national government. These include the construction of small water impounding reservoirs (SWIPs), Small Farm Reservoirs (SFRs), watershed protection, and feasibility studies for small scale flood control structures. For such type of projects, concerned government agencies shall ensure that these are included in their respective annual budgetary allocations.

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4.2 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

4.2.1 River Basins

The river basins of the Cordillera have enormous water-bearing capacity comprising a total drainage area of 5,447,500 ha and groundwater storage of about 150 m3. According to government development planners, this is more than sufficient for supplying the irrigation and energy requirements of not only the Cordillera but the entirety of Northern Luzon.

The Apayao-Abulug is the sixth largest river system in the Philippines in terms of watershed size. It has an estimated drainage area of 3,375.51 km2 and a length of 175 km from its source in the Mountains of Kalinga in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). More than 84 percent of the drainage area of the river is located in Apayao Province while the remaining is in Cagayan Province.

As shown in Figure 4.2-1, it is bounded on the east by the Cagayan and Linao River Basins, on the south and west by the Central Cordillera Mountain Range, and on the north by the Pamplona River Basin. Most of the basin area is within the province of Apayao. Its northernmost parts and delta area are within the province of Cagayan. The river valley is confined and very narrow in the upper portions and wide and flat in the lower reaches. Although a relatively small basin, there is great variability in its climate as it lies within Types II, III and IV climate regions. The peak runoff season is typically October.

In addition, the municipalities covered by the Apayao-Abulug River Basin (AARB) are presented in Figure 4.2-2.

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Source: NAMRIA, NEDA, USGS DEM, DPWH data 2010

Figure 4.2-1 AARB as one of the 18 Major River Basins of the Philippines

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Source: PHILGIS, DENR-NGP

Figure 4.2-2 Municipalities covered by the AARB

4.2.2 River System

Abulug River has its headwaters at Mount Magna of the Central Cordillera Mountain Range, the principal drainage way of AARB. The river runs along a semicircular path in a southeasterly direction and curves in a northeasterly direction towards the Babuyan Channel. The headwaters down to the municipality of Kabugao, the river is known as the Apayao River.

A major tributary of the Abulug River is the Tauit River which has its headwaters located in Mount Bagucannear in the Kabugao-Conner boundary. The Tauit River, which drains

Main Report Chapter 4-49 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin the areas east of the Abulug River, joins the Abulug near Cabinatan in the Municipality of Pudtol. The minor river tributaries include the Sicapao, Dogata, Malabang, and Nagbayugan Rivers which join the Abulug near Kabugao and drain the southern and central portions of the basin while the Tabgayagan River which drains the southern Calanasan area and the Nagar River in the Municipalities of Pudtol and Luna.1

2Apayao River comprises almost 75 percent of Apayao’s area and is considered to be the largest and most important body of water in the province. There are two irrigation dams across the river which supplies water irrigation to the farming community, the Dacao Dam and Swan Dam. The Dacao Dam located in Flora supplies the East Apayao- Abulug Irrigation System (EAAIS) of which is managed by NIA-Region 2 while the Swan Dam in Pudtol supplies the West Apayao Irrigation System (WAAIS) maintained by NIA- CAR.

In addition to Apayao River, there are also other rivers that serve as the primary sources of irrigation of the province. These rivers are as follows: Matalag River in Conner, Maton and Nagan Rivers in Pudtol, and the Zumigue – Ziwanan River of Calanasan.

The major features of the AARB are summarized in Table 4.2-1.

Table 4.2-1 Major Features of the AARB

River Basin Area, km2 River Length, km Overall Slope Abulug River 3,362 175 1/146 Apayao 1,432

Tauit

Source: National Water Resources Board, Framework Plan for Abulog River Basins, 1983

The province of Apayao is called “Cordillera’s Last Frontier for Nature Richness”. It boasts of a robust collection of natural wonders and resources including underground rivers, lakes, caves, exotic fauna, waterfalls, and the mighty Apayao River.

The powerful Apayao River flows from a wide basin in the elevated geological formation of its western slopes that feed the towns of Kabugao, Calanasan, and Luna. It traverses a total of six Apayao towns and courses into the Pacific at the coastal municipality of Abulug.

One of the cleanest rivers in the country, fish and wildlife abound the streams and surrounding areas. Along its banks, the Apayao people or “Isneg” make their homes and its tributaries, their livelihood.

Most scenic and recreational spots in the area and even the province are influenced by the river. The Swan Hilltop View, Turod View Deck, and the Lada Pond are situated along the river's adjoining areas. There are also a number of waterfalls, of various sizes, that feed into the river.

1 nwin.nwrb.gov.ph/Prog&Proj/JICA/basins/profiles/abulug 2 Apayao Provincial Planning and Development Physical Framework Plan 2011-2016

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4.2.3 Population and Settlements

3Based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH), the province of Apayao posted a total population of 112,636 persons as of May 1, 2010, larger by 15,507 persons compared to its total population of 97,129 persons counted in the 2000 CPH. The increase in the population count from 2000 to 2010 translated to an average annual population growth rate (PGR) of 1.49 percent. This is lower than the 2.66 percent annual PGR of the province between the census years 1990 and 2000. If the average annual PGR recorded at 1.49 percent during the period 2000 to 2010 continues, the population of Apayao would double in 47 years. Fifty years ago, the population of Apayao was only 29,601 persons. This population size is more than one fourth of the population of the province in the 2010 CPH. Table 4.2-2 shows the estimated total population of Apayao every 10 years since 1960.

Table 4.2-2 Population by Census Year Apayao, 1960-2010

Total Population Decennial Census (in thousands) 1960 29.6 1970 49.7 1980 70.7 1990 74.7 2000 97.1 2010 112.6 Source: NSO, 2010

There are two indigenous groups in the area: Isnag4 and Kalinga5. More than half of the population of Apayao is made up of cultural monitories. Of the 10 cultural ethnic tribes, 70 percent or 41,439 belong to the Isnag group. Among the municipalities, Conner has the most number of ethnic groups on record.

The Isneg language is spoken by around 300,000 people. They also speak Ilocano. Approximately nine percent of the population is Christians. As of 2006, the entire New Testament, along with the books of Genesis and Exodus, had been translated into Isnag. The rest of the Isnags are mainly animists. The Isnag settlements are mostly along the river, but they do farming up the hills at certain times of year. Their villages are small and houses, close together, for security and companionship. The traditional house sits on four large wooden posts and has colorful adornments.

6There are two important rituals that bind the Isnag. Say-am is a feast celebrated by an affluent Isnag family, usually accompanied by wining, eating, and dancing. In contrast, pildap is celebrated by the poorer members of the tribe when a family transfers to another place or when someone seeks healing. They speak the Isneg language. Isnag is composed also of the major sub-groups known as the Ymandaya and Imallod. Their places of abode are found in the different municipalities in Apayao as follows: Ymandaya (Isnag) - Calanasan (Bayag), Imallod (Isnag) - Kabugao, Conner, Pudtol, and some part of Luna (Macatel).

3 Philippine Statistics Authority, National Statistics Office, 2010 4 The Isnag (also known as the Isneg and Apayao) are the earliest residents of Apayao Province (Cordillera Administrative Region) and one of the remaining tribes in Luzon, the Isnag are a small ethnoliguistic group inhabiting the wide mountains of the area. Isnag refers to the people and the Tribe. Isneg refers to the dialect of the Isnag. (Wikepedia) 5 The Kalinga Lubuagan inhabit the Kalinga and Apayao provinces; their language widespread and used in almost all the municipalities of Kalinga, and has five dialects. 6 Wikepedia on Isneg people.

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The Isnag are distinguished from the other Cordilleran’s by the fine construction of their houses, resembling that of the lowland Filipinos, and they are particularly conspicuous about cleanliness. Their houses are set on four large and strong straight posts of incorruptible wood resistant to humidity, driven into the earth; instead of being made of bamboo cut in long narrow strips joined by rattan, as the lowland Filipinos do. Their houses are airy and bigger, and they do everything to decorate it the best way they can. They barter for products from their mountains, such as beeswax, cacao, and tobacco.

As of November 2013, there are about 55,000 Isnags living in Apayao Province. They are concentrated mainly in the municipalities of Calanasan, Kabugao, Conner, Luna, and Pudtol. Isnags are also found not only in the Province of Apayao but also in the Eastern part of the Province of Ilocos Norte specifically the municipalities of Adams, Carasi, Dumalneg, and Solsona and in the Northwestern part of the Province of Cagayan specifically the municipalities of Sta. Praxedes, Claveria, and Sanchez Mira.

The Kalinga people are highlanders and the most extensive rice farmers of the Cordillera peoples, having been blessed with some of the most suitable land for both wet and dry rice farming. Like the Ifugao, the Kalinga are prolific terrace builders. The Kalinga are also skilled craftsmen, well-versed in basketry, loom weaving, metalsmithing, and pottery, the last centered in the lower Chico River Valley.

As shown in Figure 4.2-3, among the seven municipalities comprising the province of Apayao, Conner was the most populous with a population size making up 22 percent of the total provincial population. The municipality of Luna was second with 16 percent share, followed by the municipalities of Flora with 14.9 percent, Kabugao, the provincial capital, with 14.4 percent, Pudtol with 11.8 percent, Santa Marcela with 10.7 percent, and Calanasan (Bayag) with 10.3 percent. The least populated municipality in 2000 was Santa Marcela with 10.1 percent share of the total provincial population.

Figure 4.2-3 Total Population by Municipality Apayao, 2010

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Upper Apayao is composed of the upland municipalities of Calanasan, Conner, and Kabugao. Lower Apayao is composed of the lowland municipalities of Luna, Pudtol, Flora and Sta. Marcela. The Municipality of Kabugao remains to be the Capital town, while, the Municipality of Luna is the newly designated provincial government center. Although, Apayao has the lowest population among CAR provinces, it also yields the largest land area which in effect denotes the lowest population density in CAR.

4.2.4 Land Use

7The latest land cover map of Apayao was captured through a satellite image in 2003. The satellite image has a resolution of 30 m; hence small patches of land use could not be detected, particularly in determining built up areas.

Half of Apayao's land area is still covered with forest with an estimated 277,142 ha or an estimated 54.20 percent share of the existing land use. Brushland and grassland combined make up almost 50 percent of the land. Agriculture makes up only 6.42 percent of the land and built up areas take up only 1.48 percent of the land. The detailed distribution of the existing land uses is presented in Table 4.2-3.

Table 4.2-3 Distribution of Existing Land Uses 2003 in hectares

Land Use / Land Cover Area Percentage Share Agriculture 33,022.66 6.46 Built Up 7,583.53 1.48 Forest 277,142.26 54.20 Grassland/Shrubland/Brushland 191,119.85 37.38 Others 126.52 0.03 Water 2316.18 0.45 TOTAL 511,311.00 100.00 Source: computed on a NAMRIA map based on a satellite image of 2003

Only 13 percent of the province is classified as alienable and disposable (A and D) and the rest are classified as forests lands. A and D lands include agricultural and non- agricultural lands including built up and other lands that were formerly agricultural lands. Most of the forest lands are categorized into forest reservation, forest timberland, national park, military reservations, and civil reservation. Most of the A and D lands are in Lower Apayao.

Comparison of 1993 and 2003 land cover, as shown in Table 4.2-4, must be dealt with caution since the basis for comparison were maps and both maps were prepared using satellite images. Since the resolution of the satellite images were also not the same, this led to different classifications or image interpretations. From this table, it can be seen that grassland/brush lands which used to make up only 12 percent of the land now accounted for almost 40 percent of the land. It is possible that areas previously classified as agriculture in 1993 were classified erroneously as grassland in 2003.

7 Apayao provincial government website

Main Report Chapter 4-53 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Table 4.2-4 Land Cover in 1993 and 2003 in hectares

Percentage Percentage Land Cover 2003 1993 Share Share Agriculture 23,936 6.46 36,028 9.56 Built up 5,497 1.48 3,095 0.82 Forest 200,884 54.20 258,473 68.58 Grass/Shrubland 138,531 37.38 43,683 11.59 Others 92 0.02 31,723 8.42 Water 1,679 0.45 3,907 1.04 TOTAL 370,718 100.00 376,908 100.00

However, using the two images, what can be surmised is the decline in forested areas in the last 10 years and the increase in built up areas. For the planning period of the Development Plan, the built-up areas will be expected to expand because of the increase of population and the need to accommodate such. Agricultural areas are at risk to being converted to settlements as most of the settlements are already within the agricultural areas. Figure 4.2-4 shows the land cover of AARB

8The list of the top 10 provinces in the country with forest cover includes: Palawan, Isabela, Agusan del Sur, Cagayan, Apayao, Aurora, Surigao del Sur, Bukidnon, Quezon, and Eastern Samar. In addition, other provinces with the most forest cover include Samar, Lanao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Kalinga, Nueva Ecija, and Occidental Mindoro. These mentioned provinces have a total area of about 100,000 hectares.

8 Environmental Science for Social Change, Philippine Forest Cover 2002

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Figure 4.2-4 Land Cover of AARB

Main Report Chapter 4-55 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

4.2.5 Denuded Forests, Critical Watersheds9

Most of the forests that support these river systems have been declared as reservations. The classification of forests as watershed reservations has largely been associated with hydropower and irrigation dam projects.

Long before any dam project was undertaken in the Cordillera, the Central Cordillera Forest Reservation was already created. The American colonial government in the Philippines decreed its creation in 1929, setting aside 74,631 ha of land for the purpose.

All of the forest reservations in the Cordillera region are now in a critical state. This was confirmed also by the residents of the Apayao watershed during the last stakeholder’s consultation and forum held at Luna, Apayao last March 18, 2014.

Natural resources present in the area are copper, manganese, gold, phosphate, agricultural and pasture lands, and forests. It has mineral reserves of gold, copper, manganese, nickel, and non-metallic minerals of soft clay, limestone, sulphur, and shale. The interest for the copper, gold, and silver in the Apayao is dominated by Cordillera Exploration Company, Inc. (CEXCI) with an exploration permit (MPSA)10 for over 4,996 ha in Conner, Apayao. However their official website (nickelasia.com) indicated, that their Manmanok property located within the Municipality of Conner in Apayao, which is the most advanced of the properties in terms of exploration work, covers an area of 7,802 ha, which is 2,806 ha more of their original permit of 4,996 ha. CEXCI’s rights to the property are governed by an Exploration Permit (EP-004-2006-CAR), first granted in October 16, 2006 and subsequently renewed on March 4, 2009.

The province is characterized by two distinct topographies: Upper Apayao is mountainous with towering peaks, plateaus, and intermittent patches of valleys. Lower Apayao, on the other hand, is generally flat with rolling hills and plateaus. The elevation of the province ranges from 70 m to 1,644 meters above sea level (masl). Mount Sulo, the highest registered mountain peak of Apayao has an elevation of 1,503 m. Low elevations areas are mostly found in Lower Apayao. Low lying areas are notable to municipalities of Luna and Sta. Marcela which experience periodic flooding during rainy season.

As already mentioned, the province of Apayao is dubbed as the “Last Forest Frontier in the North,” due to its forest resource covering almost 50 percent of its total land area. Threatened with the increasing number of upland dwellers, the Apayao State College, Local Government Unit of Luna, and the DENR came together for a common goal of establishing the Regional Botanical Garden, as model for forest protection. The Regional Botanical Garden (RBG) is situated at Marag Valley, once the haven of the New People’s Army during the 80’s, and now habituated by various indigenous people such as Isnags, Ibanags, Igorots, and others. The RBG has a total land area of 1,025 ha. Impact of the project includes biodiversity conservation, a climate change mitigation measure to reduce risk of drought and other natural disaster, and increase awareness of communities on forest conservation.

In a recent stakeholders forum held last March 18, 2014, spearheaded by the DENR and the Provincial Government of Apayao, the group identified the Apayao-Abulug watershed as denuded forest and needs immediate rehabilitation.

9 DAMS IN THE CORDILLERA . The River Systems of the Cordillera and their Watersheds prepared by Cordillera People's Alliance, Public Information Commission 2001 10 Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) - an agreement wherein the Government grants to the contractor the exclusive right to conduct mining operations within, but not title over, the contract area and shares in the production whether in kind or in value as the owner of the minerals therein. The Contractor shall provide the necessary financing technology, management and personnel; (Highlights of the Mining Act of 1995 and its Revised IRR)

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Apayao has also been identified by the DA as one of the drought-prone provinces/areas experiencing seasonal aridity together with Ifugao, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, and Mt. Province.

4.2.6 Susceptibility to Flooding and Landslides

The Abulug River is usually flooded for several hours during heavy rains and is also prone to flashfloods. Luna has low susceptibility ratings to landslides while Calanasan is highly susceptible to landslides. Cabugao, which is the town proper, is also highly susceptible to landslides while Pudtol is only moderately susceptible to landslides. The flood and landslide susceptibility maps are shown in Figures 4.2-5 to 4.2-9.

Field observation showed that the Apayao-Abulug River is aggrading11 resulting to increase elevation of riverbeds. In response to this change in the river morphology, the river is experiencing migration of the river channel resulting to riverbank erosion, occupation of old riverbeds, and thereafter, flooding.

11 to raise the grade or level of (a river valley, a stream bed, etc.) by depositing detritus, sediment, or the like.

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Figures 4.2-5 Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Map of Apayao, Cagayan

Main Report Chapter 4-58 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Figures 4.2-6 Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Map of Calanasan Quadrangle Apayao Province, Philippines

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Figure 4.2-7 Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Map of Kabugao Quadrangle Apayao Province, Philippines ______Main Report Chapter 4-60 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Figure 4.2-8 Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Map of Pudtol Quadrangle Apayao Province, Philippines

______Main Report Chapter 4-61 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Sources: PhilGIS, DENR-NGP, DENR-MGB

Figure 4.2-9 Flood and Landslide Susceptibility Map of AARB

4.2.7 Water Quality

Based on the compilation of water body monitoring report of DENR-PENRO Apayao, the water of Apayao River is clean as evidenced by clear and colorless water. However, this condition is usually observed during the month of December to May or during the dry season. The visual description of the river changes during the rainy season, typhoon, and thunderstorm. As reported, the color of the water condition is reddish brown that

Main Report Chapter 4-62 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin indicates to be affected by the occurrence of soil erosion. Based on the result of the laboratory analysis, the classification of the river is Class C. (Class C is defined as waters protected for uses such as secondary recreation, fishing, wildlife, fish consumption, aquatic life including propagation, survival, and maintenance of biological integrity, and agriculture).12 Out of the 18 tributaries of Apayao-Abulug River only Nagan River at Pudtol, Apayao was classified as AA (defined as requiring only minimal disinfection). In the late 90’s, Nagan River was adjudged as the Cleanest Inland Body in the Cordilleras and the First Runner Up in the National Level during the late 90’s Search for the Cleanest Inland body of Water

The water usage and classification of fresh surface water of DENR and the water quality standard are presented in Figure 4.2-10.

Figure 4.2-10 Water Usage and Classification

4.2.8 Geological Features

13Apayao has a complex lithology and structure. The area is generally composed of both sedimentary and igneous volcanic formation. Sedimentary formation are usually found in low elevation area while igneous volcanic formation and diorite intrusion in Upper Apayao draws the area diastrophism like faulting, folding and other geologic processes that uplifted the whole area. Based on the report of investigation of the MGB there are two lithologic units that can be found in the Kabugao and Calanasan area. These are diorite complex, limestone and meta-volcanic.

The oldest rocks in the province are the Cretaceous Paleogene, which is composed of undifferentiated volcanic flows with locally intercalated sedimentary rocks. Bordering those rocks are folded Neogene sedimentary rocks. Synorogenic batholithic of diorite

12 ncdenr.org NC water classifications by NC river basins 13 Apayao Provincial Planning and Development Physical Framework Plan 2011-2016

Main Report Chapter 4-63 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin elongated along north-south trends dominate the core of the province. These plutons discordantly include Middle Miocene and older rock sequences and are responsible for some copper, gold, and iron metallization.

In terms of geologic structures, numerous faults and folds characterize the geomorphologic evolution of the area. Probable major fault lines exist mostly towards the northeast direction. These structures are among the major branches or splays of the Philippine fault zones.

4.2.9 Mineral Resources

14The province, located within AARB, has rich endowment in mineral resources is evident in the presence of metallic and non-metallic mineral resources like primary copper and manganese in Calanasan. Raw materials for cement manufacturing are found in Luna while gold ores, resources estimated to be 35 MT, are found in Kabugao. In fact, the whole province of Apayao claimed to be covering about 90 percent of the total gold reserves of the entire Cordillera Region. Massive limestone deposit is also explored in Butao, Calanasan. An estimated 55 million metric tons of potential non- metallic resources such as limestone, sandstone, gravel, siliceous sands and guano deemed to be plenty in the area.

Four mining companies were given Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) by the MGB for offshore areas exploration for magnetite and other associated mineral deposits which will all expire in June 2035. The companies are Peniel Resources Mining Corporation, Bo Go Resources Mining Corporation, T and T Resources and Mining Corporation, and J and M Resources and Mining Corporation. The first three companies are registered under the same name, Mr. Victor Lee as president while J and M Resources are registered under Hur Hyung as president.

Offshore areas granted permit to be explored includes the following: Sanchez Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Buguey, and Gonzaga in Cagayan Province covering a cumulative area of 52,664 ha.

4.2.10 Certificates Of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT)

Ancestral domains formally recognized by the Philippine government make up 18.4 percent or nearly one-fifth of the entire land area of the CAR. 15From 2002 to 2010, a total of 20 CADT for indigenous peoples (IPs) were awarded by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) covering a cumulative area of 336,660.06 ha. Beneficiaries are IPs from the following ethnolinguistic groups: Ayangan, Bago, Ibaloi, Isneg, I’wak, Kankanaey, Kalanguya, Tuwali, Tingguian, and others.

As per Republic Act No. 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, ancestral domains refer to “all areas generally belonging to IPs composed of lands, inland waters, coastal areas, and natural resources held under a claim of collective or individual ownership, continuously occupied or possessed by IPs by themselves or their ancestors since time immemorial...".

Out of the total of 20 CADTs awarded in CAR, 13 titles were awarded in Benguet; two titles were awarded in Ifugao; while one CADT was awarded each to Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt.Province, and the City of Baguio.

14 Apayao Provincial Planning and Development Physical Framework Plan 2011-2016 15 NSCB CAR Factsheet, October 2010 ISSN 0119-4038

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As of October 2010, Apayao is third largest CADT area at 11,268.03 ha or 3.3 percent while Benguet has the largest CADT area at 257,550.50 ha or 76.5 percent of all ancestral domains in the region. Ifugao is second at 47,187.53 ha or 14 percent. Happy Hollow in Baguio City is the smallest ancestral domain in the region at 146.42 ha or only 0.04 percent of total area awarded.

Other CAR provinces each comprised less than three percent of the total. No CADTs were awarded in CAR for the years 2003 and 2007.

Benguet has the distinction of having been awarded with the very first CADT in the Philippines when CADT No. CAR-BAK-0702-001 covering a total of 29,444.34 ha was awarded on February 2002 to the Bago and Kankanaey of Bakun, Benguet. Figure 4.2- 11 shows the area of an approved CADT located in AARB.

As reflected in the NCIP annual accomplishment report, Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plans (ADSDPPs) were formulated; funded by NCIP from its regular fund. One of these is the Eva Garden, Calanasan, Apayao populated by about 852 Isnags covering an area of 11,268.0255 ha under CADT CAR-CAL-1005-031.

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Figure 4.2-11 Approved Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) in AARB as of 2011

4.2.11 Community-Based Forest Management Projects with CBFMAs

16As of December 2003, there were eight Community-based Forest Management Projects with Community Based Forest Management Agreements (CBFMAs) that were issued in Apayao Province covering a total of 9,644.07 ha. Three were issued in

16 FMB/DENR Community Based Forest Management Projects with CBFMAs (as of December 2003)

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Calanasan covering 7,306.32 ha and 297 households, two in Conner with 1,035.75 ha and 72 households, two in Kabugao covering 1,166 ha, 370 households, and one in Luna 113 ha with 23 households as beneficiaries.

4.2.12 National Greening Program (NGP)

The 17National Greening Program (NGP) is a massive forest rehabilitation program of the government established by virtue of Executive Order No. 26 issued on February 24, 2011 by President Benigno S. Aquino III. It seeks to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide within a period of six years, from 2011 to 2016.

Aside from being a reforestation initiative, the NGP is also seen as a climate change mitigation strategy as it seeks to enhance the country’s forest stock to absorb carbon dioxide, which is largely blamed for global warming. It is also designed to reduce poverty, providing alternative livelihood activities for marginalized upland and lowland households relating to seedling production and care and maintenance of newly-planted trees.

As a convergence initiative among the DA, DAR and DENR, half of the targeted trees to be planted under the program would constitute forest tree species intended for timber production and protection as well. The other 50 percent would comprise of agro forestry species.

Areas eligible for rehabilitation under the program include all lands of the public domain. Specifically, these include forestlands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservation, urban greening areas, inactive and abandoned mine sites, and other suitable lands.

For Apayao province, NGP areas cover the municipalities of Conner and Kabugao. 18As of 2012, 687 ha (61 percent) were planted in Apayao. For the seedlings planted, out of the 4,832,431 seedlings planted in the whole CAR, 612,310 seedlings were planted in Apayao. Figure 4.2-12 shows the NGP sites in AARB.

17 Official site of the National Greening Program of the DENR 18 http://car.pia.gov.ph/

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Figure 4.2-12 National Greening Program Sites in AARB as of 2013

4.2.13 Biodiversity and Wildlife

19DENR recently recognized the Cordillera mountains in northern Philippines, particularly areas within Apayao, as the new site of the endangered Philippine Eagle, together with Iligan City in Lanao del Norte and central part of the province of Leyte. This is after

19 Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on June 24, 2013

Main Report Chapter 4-68 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin sightings of the Philippine Eagle in Apayao and Leyte provinces were by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and University of the Philippines (UP), respectively.

These sightings offered "new beacons of hope" for the Philippine Eagle. A team from DENR is now conducting studies and research in Apayao to determine if the endangered eagles have nesting sites so that it would be protected and preserved. The University of Alaska Museum and the National Museum of the Philippines are presently undertaking a study in the area. The complete list of the bird species collected and sighted by the study team from the forest of the Agora Wildlife Sanctuary is presented in Table 4.2-5. It should be noted that initial study shows that this may be the best area for bird biodiversity in all Central and Northern Luzon due to minimal disturbances of the habitats.

The environmental condition of the area is very promising as a protected area given the sensitivity of the environment and the high degree of biodiversity present at the site including many threatened and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed species. CITES helps to ensure that international trade does not threaten species with extinction and protects about 5,000 species of animals and 30,000 species of plants.

Table 4.2-5 Bird Species Found in Agora Wildlife Sanctuary at Lydia, Pudtol, Apayao

English Name Scientific Name Isnag Name

1. Philippine Falconet Microhierax erythrogenys Malabuk-kaw 2. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus philippensis Kasi 3. Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides Angnga’ 4. White-breasted waterhen Amauromis phoenicurus Mangubog 5. White-eared Brown-Dove Phapitreron leucotis Alimoan 6. Amethyst Brown-Dove Phapitreron amethystina Alimoan 7. Cream-bellied Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus merrilli Punay 8. Common Emerald-Dove Chalcophaps indica Burading 9. Luzon Bleeding-Heart Gallicolumba luzonica Ladahan 10. Guaiabero Bolbopsittacus lunulatus Huringab 11. Drongo Cuckoo Sumiculus lugubris Sibulbog 12. Scale-feathered Malkoha Phaenicophaeus cumingi Sikat 13. Red-crested Malkoha Phaenicophaeus superciliosus Silsil 14. Rufous Coucal Centropus unirufus Sibag 15. Philippine Scops-Owl Otus megalotis Karoh 16. Philippine Hawk-Owl Ninox philippensis Buwagkaw 17. Philippine Frogmouth Batrachostomus septimus Salipak 18. Philippine Trogon Harpactes ardens Tabalala 19. Philippine Dwarf-Kingfisher Ceyx melanurus Bihing 20. Spotted Wood-Kingfisher Actenoides lindsayi Siyon 21. Rufous Hornbill Buceros hydrocorax Kallaw 22. Sooty Woodpecker Mulleripicus funebris Kaulttaha’ 23. Greater Flameback Chrysocoloptes lucidus Kaulttaha’ 24. Red-bellied Pitta Pitta erythrogaster Kabaw 25. Hooded Pitta Pitta sordida Panalaktaan 26. Bar-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina striata Bibig 27. Yellow-wattled Bulbul Pycnonotous urostictus Takkit 28. Philippine Bulbul Hypsipetes philippinus Takkit 29. Balicassiao Dicrurus balicassius Sibulbog 30. Philippine Oriole Oriolus steerii Tamot

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English Name Scientific Name Isnag Name

31. Philippine Fairy-Bluebird Irena cyanogaster -- 32. Slender-billed Crow Corvus enca Siguggog 33. Golden-crowned Babbler Stachyris dennistouni Pirpiruka’ 34. White-browed Shama Copsychus luzoniensis Kidkidaro 35. Scaly Ground-Thrush Zoothera dauma Pahakpak 36. Brown-headed Thrush Turdus chrysolaus Tamot 37. Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis -- 38. Lemon-throated Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus cebuensis -- 39. Mountain Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus trivirgatus -- 40. Philippine Tailorbird Orthotomus casteneiceps Bulbulsahit 41. Ashy-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa randi Taret 42. Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra Taret 43. Blue-breasted Flycatcher Cyomis herioti Taret 44. Blue-headed Fantail Rhipidura cyaniceps Labag 45. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea 46. Yellow-bellied Whistler Pachycephala philippinensis 47. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Taret 48. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 49. Plain-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis Bulbulsahit 50. Flaming Sunbird Aethopyga flagrans Bulbulsahit 51. Olive-backed Flowerpecker Prinochilus olivaceus Ballit 52. Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus -- 53. Crested-Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela -- 54. Philippine Eagle Pithecophaga jefferyi* -- 55. Pink-necked Green-Pigeon Treron vernans -- 56. Racquet-tail species Prionotururs spp -- 57. Philippine Eagle-Owl Bubo philippensis -- 58. Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta -- 59. Pygmy Swiflet Collocalia troglodytes -- 60. White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis -- 61. Tarictic Hornbill Penelopides Panini -- 62. Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos maculates -- 63. White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis -- 64. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava -- 65. White-breasted Wood-Swallow Artamus leucorynchus -- 66. Coleto Sarcops calvus -- Source: Assessing influenza reservoirs and the avian viral transport system among Philippine birds, University of Alaska Museum *Probable sighting -- Not specified

4.2.14 Addressing Climate Change

The Nagan and Maton River, located at Pudtol, Apayao are the main river tributaries of Apayao River. The Apayao River supports irrigation of thousands hectares of farmland in the municipalities of Pudtol, Luna and, some parts of Abulug. To conserve and protect the river systems and their watershed (the Agora Wildlife Sanctuary), the Isnags headed by Mayor Batara Laoat organized the Nagan River Management System (NARIMAG). NARIMAG utilizes indigenous knowledge and practice (IKP) in protecting Nagan and Maton River including Agora Wildlife Sanctuary. The IKP is interfaced with government laws on water management. The impact of NARIMAG to climate change mitigation includes: reduction of drought incidence, provision of haven to flora and fauna species (aquatic and terrestrial), lessening the threat to loss of biodiversity, reduction of expenditures especially on imports of major food crops (rice and corn), and

Main Report Chapter 4-70 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin strengthening social capital to sustain indigenous knowledge on climate change mitigation measures.20

Conventional farming system in the uplands of Apayao follows monocropping system, usually rice. Decline in the productivity of rice production system has been experienced by upland farmers for the last seven years due to erratic weather patterns and other environmental factors. Addressing this concern, this project of Apayao State University "Promoting Agrobiodiversity: Strategy for Climate Variability Adaptation in the Uplands of Apayao" has been conceptualized. It focuses on the promotion of agrobiodiversity as a strategy for enhancing adaptive capacity of upland farming communities in the province of Apayao. It utilizes various modalities for promoting diversified farming system models which could withstand the erratic weather condition of the province. Agrobiodiversity system utilizes various crop combination models to newly established plantations and enhances existing agroforestry farms. This was spearheaded by Dr. Ronald O. Ocampo of Apayao State College, Isidro Sur, Luna, and Apayao.

AARB falls within Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (CCA-DRRM) Project with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - River Basin Control Office (DENR-RBCO). There are five municipalities that were prioritized in Apayao and three municipalities in Cagayan by the DILG.

4.2.15 Potential Expansion

As population increases, changes in land use are inevitable. However, this can also lead to pressures for protection or production lands to be converted. Forest lands may be cleared to increase agricultural areas and agricultural areas may give way to settlements.

To address the problem, a carefully laid out land use framework that defines areas for settlement, production and protection needs to be established and stringently followed in every municipality. This will avoid conflicts on land use and will identify the best use for the land.

4.2.16 Settlements Framework

In the hierarchy of centers by year 2016, the municipality of Luna will eventually become medium town due to its role as government center in the province and playing a major role in agricultural development because of its vast agricultural land. The municipalities of Flora, Kabugao, and Pudtol will remain its classification as small town. On the other hand, the municipality of Sta. Marcela will become small town attributing to its role as major agricultural center and due to the presence of essential facilities for agricultural development. The municipalities of Calanasan and Conner will remain in village classification.

For the urban population by year 2016, Luna will experience rapid increase of urban population. Existing urban settlements in the municipalities of Calanasan, Conner, Kabugao, and Pudtol is expected to still accommodate their projected urban growth.

4.2.17 Present Problems, Issues, and Concerns

Following are the present problems, issues and concerns raised during the public forums and focus group discussions held:

20 FAO publication AGRIS, Managing Water Resources :Climate change mitigation lessons from the indigenous people of Apayao

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• rapid population growth • biodiversity conservation • payment for environmental services • planting of bamboo/trees along river banks • each LGU shall formulate their own respective forest land use plan • approval of CBFMP in National Greening Program (NGP) areas • livelihood for NGP recipients • slash and burn farming (kaingin) • continuous flow of water in the big canal • flooding • budgetary requirements for the National Greening Program • safeguard the participation of the upland communities in the preparation of the Apayao River Basin Master Plan • illegal cutting of trees • informal settlers within the watershed areas • absence of farm to market roads • water impounding system • irrigation dams do not have fish ladders • watershed degradation • opening of roads going to NGP sites • establishment of power generating plants to potential sites • quarrying at the unlicensed areas • insufficient school buildings and teachers • only downstream gets more benefits from watershed conservation

4.2.18 Addressing Problems, Issues, and Concerns

• formulate sustainable programs for upland farmers. • need to come up flood control programs river basin wide • declaration of communal forest for each barangay, as part of the forest land use plan of every municipality • protection of watershed as well as identification of watershed reservation in each municipality • need to integrate cultural practices of Isnag tribes in forest and watershed conservation and utilization including its participation • empowerment of upland communities • livelihood and enterprise development for upland dwellers/sustainable livelihood program • organization of watershed management councils • uplift the quality of life of upland farmers specially the NGP areas • provision of sustainable programs for the upland dwellers and informal settlers • promotion of sustainable agricultural programs • promotion of sustainable forest resources • biodiversity conservation • sustainable ecotourism promotion to emphasize on integration and enhancement of cultural practices • formulation and implementation of environmental user's fees

From this listing, a problem tree was developed and core problem was identified as watershed degradation. Effects of watershed degradation resulted to loss of biodiversity, soil erosion/siltation, poverty, pollution, low agricultural production, flash flood, lack of clean water for inland fishponds, only downstream gets benefits from watershed

Main Report Chapter 4-72 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin conservation. Abulug River is also highly silted and its water holding capacity during the summer months is impaired. The second issue raised on unregulated quarrying and mining is due to the poor implementation of mining laws, lack of political will, absence of alternative income sources, high demand for sand and gravel for government and private construction. The third issue raised is the problem of denuded watershed areas. The major culprits being illegal logging and kaingin system, inadequate financial resources for the protection of conservation and watershed areas, lack of sound watershed or forest protection conservation plan which has been the cause of inadequate forest cover.

The problem tree for watershed and environmental management as well as the objective tree of the issues presented is shown in Figure 4.2-13.

Figure 4.2-13 Watershed Management Problem Tree

Also, the stakeholders were asked to identify measures on how they can best solved the pressing issues they presented. These are enumerated in the proceedings of the consultative forum held in Luna, Apayao held last March 18, 2024. Some of them are planting of bamboos/trees along riverbanks, formulation of sustainable program for upland areas like the forest land use plan done initially in Calanasan with an objective of controlling or minimizing the degradation of the watershed areas. What is noteworthy to mention is the suggestion of the stakeholders for the establishment of communal forest for every barangay as part of their Forest Land Use Plan.

4.2.19 Prospective Eco-Tourism Project Potential in Watersheds

Apayao is located deep in the Cordillera Mountains of Northern Luzon. These mountain range form a natural boundary between the Ilocos Region in the west and the Cagayan Valley in the east. The Apayao River rises from its extensive watershed along its western

Main Report Chapter 4-73 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin slope and peaks. The river courses along the heartlands of the province, meanders beside the town of Kabugao following a northward route towards the Pacific Ocean through the coastal town of Abulug, Apayao.

The province is classified into upper and lower. Upper Apayao with three municipalities occupies 67.2 percent of the total land area and has mountainous topography classified by towering peaks, plateaus and intermittent patches of valleys. Lower Apayao on the other hand with four municipalities is 32.8 percent of the total land area is generally flat with rolling mountains and plateaus.

Delve deep into underwater splendor being offered by Malabisin Lake and Underground River as well as Waton Subterranean River. Come up the surface to gape at fish and wildlife, which are highly visible in the unpolluted waters of Apayao River. And do stop to admire the myriad of picturesque waterfalls of varying sizes that are found along the river. Commune with nature and marvel at wondrous sights at the Agamata, Agora, and Anag-Sicapo wildlife sanctuaries. Scale the heights of Mount Solo, the highest peak in Apayao. Stumble into untold discoveries at Purit, Anganupan, Nalvo, and countless other caves that make Apayao a whole lot more than simply interesting.

• Points of Interest21

The Apayao River traversing six Apayao municipalities can be navigated by motor boats, with wildlife and fishes still visible along its banks. There are also various waterfalls of different sizes along Aparayo River. The Lussok Crystal Cave is located in Luna, Apayao Philippines. It is a perfect example of the beauty of the natural wonders of the country. With its three room cave that holds various stalagmite formations, it’s a must see for anyone visiting Apayao.

Table 4.2-6 presents the potential scenic spots, potential games and recreation sites on Apayao.

Table 4.2-6 Ecotourism in Apayao

Potential scenic spots Potential Games and Recreation Sites Dacao Irrigation Intake - Flora Waton Subterrian River - Pudtol Negritos village Agora Wildlife Sanctuary - Pudtol Jamboree site - Flora Anag-Sicapo Wildlife Sanctuary - Kabugao Swan Hilltop view - Pudtol (overlooking Apayao Apayao River - Calanasan to Luna river and 4 municipalities of Apayao) Mt. Solo - Pudtol, the highest peak in Apayao Purit Cave and Danao Lake - Calanasan Lizardo Brooks - Pudtol Anganupan Cave - Paco Valley Turod View Deck - Luna Gululan Falls - Bacubac, Paco Valley Blue Haven - Calanasan Bayugao Lake - Dibagat, Kabugao Agamata Park - Calanasan Ladda Pond - Musimut, Kabugao Various Water Falls of different sizes along Bacut Dam - Sta. Marcela Apayao river Proposed Panay Airport Site - Sta. Marcela Abbot Cave and Lover's Lane - Luna Swan Ogee Dam - Pudtol Lussok caves,Nalvo and six other caves – Luna

21 http://www.nscb.gov.ph/rucar/fnf_apayao.htm

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4.2.20 Desired Conditions for the Watershed and Environment Sector

Figure 4.2-14 shows the Watershed Management Objective Tree that was made by the stakeholders of AARB during the Stakeholders Workshop.

Figure 4.2-14 Watershed Management Objective Tree

4.2.21 Proposed Watershed and Environment Programs/Projects

Table 4.2-7 shows the list of identified problems and the translation of each problem to desired situation. The problem and its translation is then ranked according to priority.

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Table 4.2-7 Translation of the Identified Problems into Desired Conditions and Priority Rank for Intervention

Stakeholders’ Participatory Planning Matrix (Objective Tree Means Ends Priority Rank Analysis) Objective Translation (+) • Increased water supply Improve water quality Enforce RA 9003 • 2 and supply Increased volume of water • Regulate quarrying • Decreased erosion and mining activities Regulate quarrying • Minimized bad effects • Strict enforcement of 3 and mining activities of quarrying/mining to appropriate quarrying a manageable level and mining laws • Increased forest • Forest enrichment cover Improve watershed • Reforestation • In 1 quality • National Greening creased Program n umber of trees Increase production of • Increase agricultural Higher income agricultural farms production 4 Improved irrigation

1. Formulation of Forest Land Use Plan for each municipality.

2. Organization of Watershed Management Councils including capability building 3. Participation in the National Greening Program (NGP). The National Greening Program (NGP) created the opportunity to provide Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) to poor people participating in reforestation activities. However, the transfers are only linked to educational and health goals. They are not geared towards specific environmental goals. 4. Protection of the Remaining Forest Stands should be provided with clear mandates. 5. Piloting the Philippine National REDD plus Strategy and Renewable Energy. In 2010, the Philippine government became a member of the REDD-plus Partnership and started collaboration with the United Nations’ initiative (UN- REDD Program). Private investors see opportunities in forest carbon projects which offer potential for forest financing, but also bear risks if basic safeguards are being disregarded. The Philippine Development Plan for 2011-2016 also stresses REDD-plus and biodiversity conservation. 6. Rewarding the Upland Poor for Environmental Services (RUPES).The Rewarding the Upland Poor for Environmental Services (RUPES) could work if leaders of LGUs could harness the various stakeholders of the Abra River Basin to pay for watershed rehabilitation work as shown in Maasin Watershed, Making Watershed and other examples.

Piloting a similar scheme in the Abulug watershed could provide a way of engaging the primary stakeholders in the rehabilitation of the watershed.

7. Promotion of ecotourism spots of the province via tri media.

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• Indicative Project Cost

Table 4.2-8 presents the proposed intervention measures and estimated budget requirement. The projects include research, piloting, project establishments and institutional development. Total cost for the 15-year period is Php 845 million.

Table 4.2-8 Estimated Budget

Immediate Short-term Long-Term Item Total (2014-2016) (2017-2021) (2022-2029) Conduct of Research and feasibility studies on: a)Basin Sediment 50,000,000 50,000,000 100,000,000 200,000,000 Transport Modeling b) Soil Erosion Modeling c) Research and development on soil and water management

Establishment of For 10,000 For 15,000 industrial and agro- hectares: hectares: forestry crops for reforestation and 150,000,000 225,000,000 100,000,000 475,000,000 livelihood (i.e. rubber, cacao, coffee, etc) for 25,000 hectares of grassland areas at 20,000 pesos per hectare per year

Introduction of 20,000,000 20,000,000 20,000,000 60,000,000 Renewable Energy system (i.e. solar, biomass, wind) Institutional Devt.: IEC 30,000,000 30,000,000 50,000,000 110,000,000 for advocacy, strengthening of law enforcement and capacity building Total 250,000,000 325,000,000 270,000,000 845,000,000

4.2.22 Fund Sourcing

Efforts shall be pursued to hasten the implementation of identified programs and projects in the Abulug River Basin Master Plan. Fund sourcing of identified projects will be done by concerned agencies with the assistance of the Regional Development Council. Among the potential fund sources to be tapped shall include Official Development Assistance, National government, local governments and the private sector.

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4.3 CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

4.3.1 Climate of Apayao-Abulug River Basin

A. Climate Types

The AARB has three climate types based on Corona’s classification. The western mountainous areas belongs to Type I Climate, which is characterized by two pronounced seasons dry from November to April and wet for the rest of the year (Figure 4.3-1). The western coastal areas belongs to Type II climate, which is characterized by a uniformly distributed rainfall pattern, while the largest portion belongs to Type III climate, which is characterized as seasons not very pronounced, dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

Figure 4.3-1 Climate Types of AARB

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B. Climate Trends and Projections

Seasonal Temperature Increase. Based on Pagasa (2011) data, the provinces of Apayao and Cagayan indicated the months of June, July and August (JJA) the highest recorded temperatures (1971-2000 observed baseline) (Table 4.3-1). For 2020, the months with the highest change in seasonal temperature are MAM in Cagayan while there is a constant change in Apayao Province. While for 2050, the months of MAM have the highest change in seasonal temperature in both provinces of Cagayan and Apayao under medium-range emission scenarios.

Table 4.3-1 Seasonal Temperature increases (in °C) in 2020 and 2050 under medium range emission scenario in Provinces in Region 2

Observed Baseline Change in 2020 Change in 2050 Provinces (1971-2000) (2006-2035) (2036-2065) DJF MAM JJA SON DJF MAM JJA SON DJF MAM JJA SON

Cagayan 24.5 28.1 28.9 27.1 0.8 1.0 0.9 0.8 2.0 2.2 2.0 1.8 Apayao 24.8 28 28.4 27.1 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.9 2.1 1.9 1.8 Source : PAGASA, 2011

Seasonal Rainfall Changes. Based on Pagasa (2011) data, in Cagayan province, the months of SON had the highest change (increase) in observed baseline (1971- 2000) as well as change in 2020 seasonal rainfall, but DJF will have the highest change in 2050. In Apayao province, JJA, SON and DJF had the highest change in observed baseline, change in 2020 and change in 2050, respectively (Table 4.3-2).

Table 4.3-2 Seasonal Rainfall Change (in %) in 2020 and 2050 under medium-range emission scenario in Provinces of Region 2

Observed Baseline Change in 2020 Change in 2050 Provinces (1971-2000) (2006-2035) (2036-2065) DJF MAM JJA SON DJF MAM JJA SON DJF MAM JJA SON

Cagayan 284.4 207.7 538.4 832.1 6.9 -3.6 2.9 16.3 14.6 -23.3 0.9 -1.0 Apayao 144.6 184.0 822.7 720.1 2.6 0.4 5.8 16.6 3.0 -23.7 1.1 -0.3 Source : PAGASA, 2011

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Frequency of Extreme Events. In terms of frequency of extreme events, Aparri and Tuguegarao will increase their number of dry days and rainfall > 300 mm for 2020 and 2050 under medium-range emission scenarios (Table 4.3-3).

Table 4.3-3 Frequency of extreme events in 2020 and 2050 under medium range emission in provinces in Region 2

No. of Days w/ No. of Dry No. of Days w/ Rainfall Tmax >35°C Days >200mm Provinces Stations OBS (1971- 2020 2050 OBS 2020 2050 OBS 2020 2050 2000) Aparri 273 1276 2403 8156 6498 6770 16 33 24 CAGAYAN Tuguegarao 2769 3930 5119 8573 6513 6580 6 25 22 Note: • For Northern Cagayan, use values of Appari • For Apayao, use values of Tuguegarao City

4.3.2 Hydrometeorological Disasters/Hazards

A. Typhoons

Typhoons are the major hydro meteorological hazards that pose risk of floods, landslides and erosions as well as property and crop damages. Typhoons in Apayao- Abulug River Basin (Figure 4.3-2) occur more frequently during the months of July to October with a usual frequency of 11-15/yr. In terms of average tracks, the nearest typhoon tracks are in the month of July, which usually pass south of the basin.

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Figure 4.3-2 Typhoon Frequency and Tracks in AARB

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Population Exposure to Typhoon. Using visual comparison between the population map (2010) typhoon and the typhoon frequency and tracks map as basis, the municipalities with very high population exposure to more frequent typhoons as well as near typhoon tracks is Conner, followed by Kabugao, then Calanasan (Figure 4.3- 3).

Figure 4.3-3 Population Exposure to Typhoons in AARB

Crops Exposure to Typhoons. Also, with the visual comparison between the land cover and the typhoon frequency and tracks maps, the municipalities of Kabugao and Calanasan have both perennial and annual crop which are highly exposed to more frequent and near the tracks of typhoons (Figure 4.3-4).

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Figure 4.3-4 Crops Exposure to Typhoons in AARB

B. Floods and Rainfall-induced Landslides

Floods are caused by heavy/continuous (monsoon) rains, and typhoons. The lower municipalities of Apayao and the coastal municipalities of Abulug are the most flood- prone. Within Apayao Province, the most flood-prone municipalities are Sta Marcela, Flora and Pudtol. While within the Cagayan Province, the most flood-prone areas are the coastal municipalities of Abulug, Pamplona, Ballesteros and Western Aparri flood-plains before draining off the mouth of Abulug River to the Babuyan Channel. For rainfall-induced landslides, all the upper mountainous and hilly municipalities of Apayao have high susceptibility to rainfall-induced landslides (Calanasan, Kabugao, Pudtol and Luna) (Figure 4.3-5).

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Figure 4.3-5 Flood and Landslide-Prone Areas of AARB

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Population Exposure to Flooding. Visual comparison between the flood hazard and the population maps shows that the municipalities with very high population exposure to flooding are Western Aparri, followed by Ballesteros and Abulug, then Pamplona (Figure 4.3-6).

Figure 4.3-6 Population Exposure to Flooding in AARB

Agricultural Areas Exposure to Flooding. As shown in the visual comparison of the Land cover and flood maps, the municipalities of Sta. Marcela, Pudtol and Flora have the highest land area of both perennial and annual crops exposure to flooding, thus require priority intervention in terms of flood control in these areas (Figure 4.3- 7).

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Figure 4.3-7 Agricultural Areas Exposure to Flooding in AARB

C. Landslides

Population Exposure to Rainfall-induced Landslide. Visual comparison between the landslide hazard and the population maps shows that the municipalities with very high population exposure to landslides are Northwestern Conner, followed by Kabugao and Luna, then Calanasan with lower population (Figure 4.3-8).

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Figure 4.3-8 Population Exposure to Rainfall-induced Landslide

Agricultural Areas Exposure to Rain-induced Landslide. The municipalities of Kabugao and Calanasan have the highest land area of both perennial and annual crops exposure to rainfall-induced landslides, thus require priority intervention in terms of slope stabilization and protection structures in these areas (Figure 4.3-9).

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Figure 4.3-9 Agricultural Areas Exposure to Rainfall-induced Landslide

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D. Soil Erosion

The municipalities of Kabugao, Pudtol, and Flora have moderate erosion while Sta. Marcela has no apparent erosion. Calanasan and some parts of Luna have slight erosion (Figure 4.3-10).

Figure 4.3-10 Soil erosion susceptibility in AARB (adopted from NWRB)

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E. Drought

Based from the Manila Observatory data, all the areas of the AARB had very low decrease on historical decrease in rainfall due to El Nino (Figure 4.3-11). This is so because the rainfall at the northern part of the basin is uniformly distributed throughout the year (Type 2 Climate).

Figure 4.3-11 Historical Rainfall Decrease due to El Nino

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4.3.3 Ongoing and Proposed Projects

The ongoing and proposed projects related to CCA-DRRM are basically infrastructure in nature such as water impounding reservoir that addresses water scarcity during drought events and flood control structures that regulate heavy streamflows along the Apayao- Abulug River.

A. Water Impounding Reservoir Projects

The following were the water impounding reservoir projects, which are mostly small dams within the AARB (Figure 4.3-12).

Figure 4.3-12 Water impounding reservoir structures (adopted from NWRB)

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B. Flood Control Projects

For Apayao Province covering the greatest part of the AARB, there are existing flood control structures along the Apayao River in Calanasan, Kabugao, and Pudtol-Flora boundary, while most of the proposed flood control structures are located in the flood-prone municipality of Sta. Marcela (Figure 4.3-13).

Figure 4.3-13 Locations of Existing and Proposed Flood Control Structures in Apayao Province

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4.3.4 CCA-DRR Stakeholders, Problem/ Objective Tree, and Strategies

Based from the Apayao-Abulug River Basin zonal stakeholders’ analytical planning workshop conducted in Luna, Apayao on March 18, 2014, the stakeholders that were interested in addressing CCA-DRR in Apayao-Abulug River Basin were composed of diverse groups from farmers (Irrigators Associations), fishermen, Government Line agencies (DOST, DILG), LGUs, Academe and NGOs.

The core CCA-DRR problem identified by stakeholders in Apayao-Abulug River Basin was the increased vulnerability of people to climate change disasters (flooding, drought, typhoons) caused by the following:

• Inadequate early warning system • High poverty incidence • Maximum land Utilization and Management/ Land degradation • Non-integration of Climate change/ environment responsiveness • Lack of awareness and integration of climate change/risk management in coop strategic plans, vision/ mission goals • Insufficient knowledge skills and strategies on reduction and preparedness • Non adoption of designs of structures • Lack of coping mechanisms in times of extreme climate change like flood and drought • Low adoption of appropriate technologies • Poor reception of communities • Poor Solid Waste Management

The objective translated from the CCA-DRR-related problems in Apayao-Abulug River Basin was to reduce the vulnerability and increase the resilience to climate change and disasters. The identified means to address CCA-DRR-related problems were the following:

• Operationalization of cost-effective, and appropriate early warning systems • Educate People on Cause & Effect of illegal fishing, mining, agricultural waste burning & deforestation • Dissemination to increase knowledge skills/ strategies on disaster reduction/ preparedness • Increase involvement political groups in planning workshops • Implement laws on solid waste management • Integration of DRRM-CCA in dev’t plans (capacity of LGUs to formulate local climate change adaptation plans) • Promotion of appropriate technologies • Increase Poverty alleviation projects (livelihood) in the area • Increased promotion of better structural designs

4.3.5 Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan

The strategies for CCA-DRRM plan include both structural and non-structural towards the attainment of short, medium and long term goals of developing the adaptive capacity of all stakeholders in the AARB for climate change resilient development and in line with the Climate Change Act of 2009 or the RA 9729 and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Act of 2010 or the RA 10121 recognizing multi- stakeholders participation including the academe, LGUs, private sector in addressing climate change and help the vulnerable sectors to cope with disasters.

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A. Proposed CCA-DRRM Projects

Structural Projects. These structural projects are setting-up of green infrastructure, facilities and equipment to directly regulate climate change-related hazards such as typhoons, floods, landslides, erosion, and drought.

These include construction of new and rehabilitation of existing/old flood control and slope protection structures, setting up of automatic weather/raingage stations (AWSs/ARGs), and search and rescue and evacuation facilities and small water impounding projects (SWIPs).

Non-structural Projects. These non-structural projects include the establishment of S&T-based technologies, information and decision-support systems to avoid the adverse effects of climate change hazards and risks.

These include establishment of early warning systems, IEC on cropping calendars, drought-tolerant crops and forest species, tropical fruits and bamboo for windbreaks, water harvesting technologies, and geohazard mapping to be integrated into the comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs) of the municipalities covered.

B. Indicative Project Costs and Fund Sourcing

The structural project with an estimated cost of Php 6.216 million was expected to be much higher than the non-structural projects with only Php 410 million (Table 4.3-4).

Table 4.3-4 Cost Summary for CCA-DRRM Projects

COST REQUIREMENT (million pesos) 2014 to 2029 Projects/Strategies Urgent Short-term Long-term Total (2014-2016) (2017-2021) (2018-2029) Structural Flood Control/Weirs 256 100 300 656 Slope/River Protection 1,500 1,500 300 3,300 Evacuation Centers 100 200 300 600 AWSs/ARGs 10 20 30 60 SWIPs 400 200 1,000 1,600 Sub-total 2,266 2,020 1,930 6,216 Non-Structural Weather Monitoring & 10 20 30 60 Early Warning Systems Research and Dev. 50 100 200 350 (vulnerability assessment, cropping calendar, drought-tolerant crops, agroforestry/windbreaks) Sub-total 60 120 230 410 Total 2,326 2,140 2,160 6,626

Efforts shall be pursued to hasten the implementation of identified CCA-DRRM projects in the AARB Master Plan. Fund sourcing of identified projects will be done by concerned agencies with the assistance of the Regional Development Council. Among the potential fund sources to be tapped shall include Official Development Assistance, National government, local governments, and the private sector.

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4.4 COASTAL AND AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

4.4.1 Current Conditions of Coastal and Aquatic Resources and Management

The AARB covers the two provinces of Apayao and Cagayan. The mountainous areas belong to Apayao while the coastal areas are all from Cagayan. Sanchez Mira, Pamplona, Abulug and Ballesteros are the coastal municipalities within the river basin. The fishing grounds in the coastal water of Cagayan are Babuyan Channel, Balintang Channel and Pacific Ocean.

A. Abulug Coastal Environment Profile

• Location and Area

Located at the northern part of Cagayan Province, Abulug has a total area of 19,969 ha of which only contributed to 2.22 percent of the total land area of Cagayan. It is bounded by Babuyan Channel on the north, province of Apayao on the south, municipality of Ballesteros on the east and municipality of Pamplona on the east. It is traversed by the Abulug River and its permanent and intermittent tributaries. These water bodies drain the runoff from higher areas towards Babuyan Channel.

As presented in Figure 4.4-1, Abulug comprises 21 barangays of which three are considered to be coastal barangays. These coastal barangays of which has an average of nine kilometer coastline are as follows: Bagu, Centro and Siguiran.

Figure 4.4-1 Barangays of Abulug, Cagayan

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• Fishery and Aquatic Resources

Based on the actual PCRA survey, approximately 15,000 ha of fishing zone shared by 1,962 fishing households are found within the municipality. Although the average catch per year is not being monitored on a regular basis, it was observed that there is insufficiency of the local fish supply during rainy season that made the residents result to outside sources.

Data also revealed that there are 9,392 m3 of fish cage, 50 ha of fish pen and 88 fishponds (25 ha) of which are mostly located in Vargas Beach Resort. Estimated total annual volume of production according to MAO is around 483 MT. The rivers, creeks and even rice fields were also being utilized as additional grounds of the fisher folks.

• Coastal Resources

Mangrove. As per the study during the ICRMP, the approximate aggregate area of the mangrove forest located in the three coastal municipalities of Abulug is 1,044.56 hectares. It is considered to be “fair” since less than 41 percent of the mangroves still remain and most were already been cut down, heavily eroded and silted.

The data collected per barangay through the conduct of actual PCRA using the belt transect method is presented in Table 4.4-1. The mangrove species identified on the area are Nypa, bakawan lalake at babae, pagatpat, tabigi, Avicenia, Candelia candel, saging-saging, Barakbak and Ancanthus species.

Table 4.4-1 Estimate Area of Mangrove in Abulug, Cagayan

Length of Barangay Beach area (ha) Mangrove (ha) Seagrass (ha) coastline (km) 1. Bagu 4.3 30.1 - - 2. Centro 5.4 37.8 75 - 3. Siguiran 9.2 64.4 732 0.5 Total 19.9 132.3 807 0.5 Source: ICRMP of Abulug (Actual PCRA survey in 2009)

Seagrass Meadows. According to the survey conducted during the study for the ICRMP, the estimated area of five hectares of seagrass can only be found in Barangay Siguiran. It was also observed that during the survey, there are accelerated erosions along the Abulug Ruver. The two species of seagrass are shown in Table 4.4-2.

Table 4.4-2 Total Percentage of Seagrass Species in Abulug, Cagayan

Location Halophila Halodule Siguiran 52.22 39.78 Source: ICRMP of Abulug (Actual PCRA survey in 2009)

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Estuarine Areas. The estuarine areas as shown in Table 4.4-3 are being utilized by the municipality but the accumulation of garbage that can cause pollution that will further affect the water quality. The cutting of mangroves due to the rampant conversion of these areas for fishpond development can also bring negative impact on these ecosystems that serve as breeding grounds for fish and other aquatic resources.

Table 4.4-3 Survey Estuarine Area/Shoreline of the Three Coastal Barangays of Abulug, Cagayan

Barangay Existing Uses Remarks/Observation 1. Bagu • Fish landing • Migratory birds sightings 2. Centro • Fishpond development • Prohobited • Garbage dumping site • Migratory birds sightings • Fishing ground • Fish port • Docking area • Mangrove reforestation area 3. Siguiran • Fishpond development • They cut mangrove tress • Garbage dumping site and used it as fish shelter in • Fishing ground the river. • Docking area • Migratory birds sightings • Cutting of mangrove Source: ICRMP of Abulug (Actual PCRA survey in 2009)

Fisheries. Fishing is still considered to be the primary source of livelihood in the communities along the coastline of Abulug despite of an evident and continuous decline of fish catch through the years.

B. Ballesteros Coastal Environment Profile

• Location and Area

The Municipality of Ballesteros, which covers a total land area of 12,550 ha, is a roughly rectangular coastal area situated in the northwestern portion of Cagayan Province. It is bounded by the municipality of Abulug on the west, by the municipality of Aparri on the east, by Allacapan and the northern part of Apayao Province on the south, and by the waters of Babuyan Channel on the north. Ballesteros is composed of 19 barangays and has a coastline of about 10.40 km. The coastal barangays are Sta. Cruz, Ammubuan and Palloc in the eastern side of the urban area, and the other two coastal barangays in the west is situated in Cabaritan East and Cabaritan West. The location map of the municipality is shown in Figure 4.4-2.

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Figure 4.4-2 Location Map of Ballesteros, Cagayan

• Fisheries

During the PCRA Survey, it was observed that there are a total of 82 boats in the municipality of which 69 are motorized and the remaining 13 non-motorized. About 400 fisher folks were also identified, wherein 131 are full time fishers while the remaining 269 are part time. The type of fishing gear being used by these fisher folks are as follows: sigay (patapaw), bantak, tabukul, taku, banniit, baguybuy, sagap, tanggar, tarik/bubo, daklis, pana, kitang, hook and line, and sirut.

The historical trend, catch level and composition within the past 10 years revealed that there is a decline of fish catch within the past 10 year period. Fishery resource of the municipality are composed of the following fish and marine species: Bilis, Bulung- ungas, Kadis, Talibuknu, Galunggong, Kabalyas, Balaki, Dadali, Aber, Tanigue, Talakitok Maya-maya, Oso-os, Baraungan, Tagaru, Pagi, Tulingan, Payo, Mangaramang, Baraniti, Mamata, Billlangan, Kugaw, Sidingan, Gakka, Karibuyu, Squid, Pasayan, Kusimay, and Tarukoy.

• Aquaculture

Fish pond within the municipality are scattered in coastal and uplang barangays. The aquaculture facilities have an average area of 35.15 hectares. According to the MAO, the average production level of tilapia on the said fishponds is about 2MT/ha/year. In addition, there are still lots of coastal barangays that are potentially suited for the development of fishponds because of the swampy nature of some barangays.

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C. Pamplona Coastal Environment Profile

Pamplona, the capital and the regional center of the Province of Cagayan, has a total land area of 17,176 hectares. It is bounded on the north by the Babuyan Channel, on the northwest by the Municipality of Sanchez Mira, on the south by the Province of Apayao and on the east by the Municipality of Abulug. It is composed of 18 barangays of which 10 are coastal municipalities. These coastal barangays are as follows: Allasitan, Bidduang, Cabaggan, Nagattatan, Nagtupacan, San Juan, Tabba and Tupanna. The location map of Pamplona is shown in Figure 4.4-3.

Figure 4.4-3 Location Map of Pamplona, Cagayan

• Surface Drainage

Pamplona is composed of major and minor water bodies that serve as surface drainage for the municipality. Some of these intermittent or permanent rivers and streams are Pamplona River and its two tributaries, the Ziunan River and Zimigui River and other significant waterways and bodies of water.

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• Fishery and Aquatic Resources

Fishing is considered to be the second major livelihood of the municipality. The area, annual catch with the different fishing grounds of the municipality is shown in Table 4.4-4. There are also fish culture activities like fish cages, fish pens, and fishponds in the area. Most of the fish cages are situated in Abbangkeraun and Tabba. Meanwhile, the fish pens are operated in Tupanna and Tabba, and commercial fishponds located in Tupanna and Casitan. There are also fishponds and other fish culturing activities in other barangays which are only considered as “backyard/experimental” fishponds since it is used mainly for family consumption.

Table 4.4-4 Fishing Annual Catch of Pamplona, Cagayan

Body of water Area (ha) Annual Catch (MT) 1. Coastal areas 180 200 2. Pamplona River 160 50.55 3. Inland bodies of water 50 7

• Coastal Resources

Mangrove. According to the PRCA Survey, the current mangrove area of Pamplona covers an approximate aggregate area of 702 hectares composed mostly of inland nipa swamps. The nipa swamps are located in barangay Tupanna, Tabba, Cabaggan, and Nagtupakan and draws inward in strip form up to barangay San Juan following river tributaries. There is also a 10 meter long strip of nipa clamps along Bangan River in barangay Allasitan and Bidduang.

The species of mangroves that were observed to be growing dominantly and in good condition by the survey team are bungalon puti, tui, bagu, malabagu, talisai, bitaog, buta-buta, tabigi. There is also a mixture of vines, runo, grasses coconuts and bamboo observed on the area. Being used as raw materials, the nipa swamps are noted to be well managed and protected by private individuals.

D. Sanchez-Mira Coastal Environment Profile

• Location and Area

Situated in the northwestern part of the province of Cagayan, Sanchez Mira has a total land area of 19,880 ha. It is bounded on the north by the Babuyan Channel, on the south by the municipality of Luna, Apayao; on the east by the municipality of Pamplona and on the west by the municipality of Claveria, Cagayan. The municipality of composed of 18 barangays of which nine are coastal. These coastal barangays are as follows: Bangan, Dammang, Dagueray, Dacal, Magacan, Masisit, Marzan, Namuac and Tokitok. Its total coastline is 16.9 km stretching from Sitio Minanga of Brgy. Namuac to Sitio Baleg of Brgy Bangan. The location map of Sanchez Mira is shown in Figure 4.4-4.

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Figure 4.4-4 Location Map of Sanchez Mira, Cagayan

• Coastal Resources

Coastal potion in Sanchez Mira is considered to be having a rugged/hilly terrain and predominantly sandy. The coastal resources found in the municipality are presented in detail in Table 4.4-5.

Table 4.4-5 Coastal Resources in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan

Length of Coastline Barangay Beach Area (ha) Mangrove (ha) (km) 1. Banggan 1.5 7.5 2. Dammang 1.8 18.0 5 3. Dagueray 1.8 9.0 2 4. Dacal - - 5. Magacan 2.3 11.5 6. Masisit 4.0 20.0 50 7. Marzan 2.0 10.0 3 8. Namurak 1.5 15.0 10 9. Tokitok 2.0 20.0 Total 16.90 111.0 70 Source: Actual PCRA conducted in each coastal barangay and CLUP 2009

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Mangrove area. The mangrove species surveyed in Barangay Masisit are in good condition. The said species of mangroves are several stand of pedada (Sonneratia caseoralis), pagatpat (Sonneratia alba), lapis-lapis and tualis (Osbornia octodonta)

Fisheries. The most popular river in the municipality is the Namuac-Pata River. The existing natural and man-made fishery areas are estimated to be 21 ha. The most common fish species grown and sold in the market of the municipality are tilapia and bangus.

4.4.2 Desired Condition for Wetlands and River Management

Upon the identification of the current problems and situation on the coastal and aquatic resource of the province that mostly affected the livelihood of the fisher folks, there have been initiatives from the stakeholders that in order for them to address the current problems they are facing there must be a need to rehabilitate and restore fish habitat. This objective can likewise be achieved by increasing the awareness and responsible stewardship. In addition, the perceived problems could also be addressed by practicing responsible fishing by the fisher folks, enforcement of laws and ordinances of the LGUs, strict implementation of the mining laws and policies and watershed protection, restoration and management.

Notably, if the problems and unsustainable practices will be eradicated, the end result will be the intensification of enforcement of fishery laws/ordinance, increased fish catch, increased supply of fingerlings and better nutrition and livelihood.

Figure 4.4-5 Objective Tree for the Coastal and Aquatic Resources

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4.4.3 Problems and Issues

The core problem that was identified by the stakeholders during the stakeholder’s forum for the aquatic and resource management of the AARB was the destruction of fish habitat. The main reason for the said destruction were the different anthropogenic activities identified to have been currently happening within the river basin of which are not limited to the following observed activities: obstruction or catching of migratory fish, mangrove cutting for fuel use wood for sale, siltation and sedimentation, accumulation of solid waste in bodies of water and mining. All of the identified activities have been rooted to the poor awareness on stewardship for the environment, rampant illegal fishing practices and flooding within the area. The effects of the said destruction of fish habitat resulted to decreasing fish population, declining fish catch, inadequate supply of fingerlings, fish kills and occurrence of water borne diseases.

Figure 4.4-6 Problem Tree for the Coastal and Aquatic Resources

4.4.4 Proposed Coastal and Aquatic Resources Management Programs and Projects with budget

A. Ongoing Programs

The programs, projects and initiatives of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for Cagayan were arranged on three categories as presented in Table 4.4-6.

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Table 4.4-6 Programs and Policies for Cagayan Valley Coastal and Aquatic Resources

Category 2: Appropriate Category 1: Modernized Category 3: Plans, Policies and Comprehensive and Socially – Equitable and Project Formulation, Regulations and Standards Agriculture and Fisheries Coordination, Monitoring Developed, Implemented Support Services Dispersal and Evaluation Services and Monitored

• Fish Seed Production • Anti-Poaching Campaign • Policy Actions: Ludong and Dispersal • Quick Response Team Conservation, Eel • Assistance to Capture • Coastal Resource Conservation and Anti- Fisheries Technology Management poaching Demonstration Projects • Issuance of Commercial • Foreign and Local • Upland Aquaculture Fishing Vessel and Gear Trainings • Integrated Farming License • Gender and Pond Culture • Fishpond Lease Development • Marine Fish Cage Agreements • Organic Farming • Fish Health • Freshwater Cages Management • Shellfish Culture • National Stock • Fish Polyculture Assessment Program • Seaweed Farming • Catfish Culture • Shrimp Culture • Aquasilvi Culture • Post harvest Development • Agribusiness Activities • Information Activities • Trainings and Technical Assistance • Fisherfolk Regional Director Program Annual Technology Caravan • FARMC Program Management Center • Fisheries Scholarship Program • Management and Operation of RDE Network

B. Proposed Programs

The proposed projects for the Apayao-Abulug River Basin Master Plan are presented in detail in Table 4.4-7.

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Table 4.4-7 Estimated Project Cost

Immediate Short-term Long-Term Item Total (2014-2016) (2017-2021) (2022-2029)

Policy and Institutional Strengthening and 25,000,000 25,000,000 55,000,000 105,000,000 Development

ICRM and Biodiversity Conservation with Research 50,000,000 50,000,000 100,000,000 200,000,000 and Development

Enterprise Development and 20,000,000 100,000,000 150,000,000 270,000,000 Income Diversification

Social and Environmental 15,000,000 25,000,000 35,000,000 75,000,000 Services

Inland/Coastal Solid waste 10,000,000 20,000,000 30,000,000 60,000,000 Mgt.

Research & development 10,000,000 20,000,000 30,000,000 60,000,000

Total 130,000,000 240,000,000 400,000,000 770,000,000

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4.5 INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

4.5.1 Introduction

The word institution is defined as “a well-established and structured pattern of behavior or of relationships that is accepted as a fundamental part of a culture”1. The structured pattern of behavior evolves into a commonly accepted set of codes and rules that is believed to facilitate the attainment of social goals. Meanwhile, relationships define how the power (authority) to enact and implement the accepted codes and rules are to be exercised by one or several party over the rest of an organization. Organizations, it should be noted, are formal structures with legal mandates, well defined functions, and structured processes that are established to achieve specific goals and can over time become institutionalized.”2

Hence, establishing institutions require foremost a common acceptance of a way of thinking and a way of translating those thoughts into actions in order to achieve the agreed aspirations. The adoption of the principles and the application of an integrated river basin management for the development and management of the Apayao-Abulug River Basin (AARB) is one such challenge.

This chapter aims to present an institutional development framework that will respond to the challenge of managing the river basin. The discussion will begin by probing into the existing thoughts and prevailing management practices of basin governance both from other countries and from the Philippines (both at the national and local level).It will, of necessity discuss current Philippine policy on river basin management, identify institutional stakeholders (both at the national and local level), describe the capacity of these stakeholders to implement IRBM, and lastly, explore the options for managing the AARB that is consistent with the principles and approach of IRBM.

It should be noted at the onset that the offered framework and organizational structure is by no means written on stone as river basin organization typically evolve over time to adjust to changing dynamics of the river environment, as well as national and local development priorities. Further, a vertical linkage with a national institutional framework is also presented in recognition of the RBCO efforts of completing the formulation of the eighteen major river basins in the country. The national institutional development framework is meant to highlight the link between the basin-level organizations and the nation-wide effort on river governance.

4.5.2 Managing River Basins

River basins are complicated systems with multifarious and diverse components that are interdependently linked: an action on one component necessarily impacts other components. It behooves river basin managers to seriously consider the interdependencies of each component and ensure a coordinated and integrated governance approach. The integrated river basin management (and development), or IRBM, is a management principle and approach that has shown a large degree of success.

IRBM is defined as a "process of coordinating conservation, management and development of water, land and related resources across sectors within a given river

1 Random House Webster’s College Dictionary (Newly Revised and Updated): Other definitions were given and the choice of the cited definition is based solely on the Author of the Chapter 2 Social Analysis Sourcebook: Incorporating Social Dimensions into Bank-supported Projects. Social Development Department, The World Bank. Washington, D.C. December 2003

Main Report Chapter 4-106 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin basin, in order to maximise the economic and social benefits derived from water resources in an equitable manner while preserving and, where necessary, restoring freshwater ecosystems."3. It is a planning and management approach that integrates the physical “Successful river basin environment with the larger socio-economic and political management requires effective framework. implementation and enforcement, which in turn Within the context of IRBM, coordination involves the depends partly on the direct and active participation of all basin stakeholders resources, priorities and political working together in synchronicity towards the will of those in position of achievement of shared goals, acting cooperatively authority, and partly on the according to the principle of subsidiarity and local understanding and support of local people.” empowerment, and taking cognizance of the basin’s geo- physical boundaries as the planning and operational area - IWRM Guidelines of management and development.

At this juncture, it is necessary to state that there is no single operational model for the adoption and implementation of IRBM although there are many documented best practices. In order to draw maximum benefit from these cases, an iterative assessment had been taken. The criteria used in the assessment included the following: organization type; source of power and authority; funding; and, multi-sectoral participation. Table 4.5- 1 shows a simplified presentation of key data for each of the cases.

3 Global Water Partnership, 2000

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Table 4.5-1 Salient Information among Various IRBM Experiences

Name of Managing Type of Private sector Legal Basis Fund Source Status of Operation Basin Organization Organization Participation Philippine Experience Laguna Lake Laguna Lake Government- RA. 4850 (1966) General Functional More as Clientele Development Owned and PD. 813 (1975) Appropriations Authority (LLDA) Controlled EO. 927 (1983) Act-DENR Corporation; EO. 121 (1993) attached to the EO. 149 (1993) DENR EO. 349 (1996) Bicol River Bicol River Basin Ad-Hoc, PMO EO. 412 (1973) General Functional (but already Broad-based participation Basin Development attached to Office PD. 926 (1976) Appropriations abolished for 2011) Program Office of the President EO. 374 (1989) Act- Office of the EO. 359 (2004) President EO. 711 (2008) Agno River Agno River Basin Inter-agency body None Not functional Broad-based participation EO. 442 (1997) Basin Development under the Office of Commission the President EO. 140 (1999) Davao River Davao Watershed LGU- created but Davao City LGU Functional Broad-based participation Basin Management in partnership with Watershed institutionalized thru the Council; Barangay NGO (People Management Code Multi-sectoral Monitoring WMCs; Watershed Collaborating for (2007) Team Multipartite Environmental and LGU EO. 22 (2009) Monitoring Teams Economic Management (PCEEM)) Seven Crater Seven Crater Lakes Private-Public Private-Public Functional Friends of Seven Lakes Lakes of San Watershed Organization Foundation; Bantay-Tubig Pablo City Management Council International Experience Murray- Murray-Darling National Commonwealth National Functional Participation Darling Basin Basin Authority Government Water Act 2007/8 Government institutionalized through (Australia) the Basin Community Committee;

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Name of Managing Type of Private sector Legal Basis Fund Source Status of Operation Basin Organization Organization Participation Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Committee created in 2008 Ganges River Ganges Bilateral Government Sovereign Functional Local NGOs, spiritual (India) Conservation agreements corporation government leaders are key members Committee among sovereign based on of the Committee state stakeholders bilateral agreement Brantas River Water Resource Local Government Creation of the Revenues from Functional Minimal, although 1 Basin Management Unit; Government- GOCC by the operation of the PO/NGO rep, 1 business (Indonesia) Committee; Jasa Owned and national GOCC to cover sector rep and 2 expert Tirta I Public Controlled government; O&M while academician are members Corporation; and, Corporation approved Brantas infrastructure of the WRMC Provincial Water River Basin investment Resource Services Development Plan; borne by creation of two national bodies by the LGU government Yangtze River State Flood Control Central Government body Government Functional China Youth Development Basin (China) and Drought Relief government with appropriation Foundation Headquarter vertical integration with local government units Mekong River Mekong River International Government Government Functional Academe, government Basin Commission Agency corporation through appropriation and communities established by the a multilateral treaty from each of the sovereign among the sovereign stakeholders sovereign states member states; own revenue generation through its services

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A. Experience of Other Countries

• Murray-Darling Bay

The Murray-Darling Basin is the sixth largest basin in the world with an area covering 1.07 million km2 (approximately 14% of Austalia’s land area) and contains the three largest rivers in Australia: the Darling River, the Murray River and the Murrumbidgee River, as well as two major lakes (Menindee and Victoria). The basin covers three States in south-eastern Australia (New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia with significant portion of Queensland).

The basin is managed by the Murray-Darling Bay Authority- an off-shoot of the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement that was ratified way back in 1915 by the State and the Commonwealth Governments. The experiences in the basin yields important lessons of a water body with water use conflict.

• Ganges River Basin

A composite of Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basins, the Ganges River Basin covers more than 1.7 million km2 spanning four countries: China (Tibet), Nepal, India (64% of the basin), Bhutan and Bangladesh. More than 630 million people is settled in the basin making the Ganges Basin the most populated in the world.

Management of the basin is based on bilateral agreements notably between India and the other sovereign states, i.e. Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal based on specific basin water resource uses. A multi-lateral agreement among the sovereign stakeholders is deemed necessary although not yet in place.

At the Ganges River, meanwhile, a Committee was organized and mobilized through the active participation of respected local leaders and spiritual leaders. Currently, the national government of India, through its State Forest Department, has assumed authority for implementing IRBM within its domain of the basin.

• Brantas River Basin

Located in the eastern side of Java Island of Indonesia, Brantas River is considered as the second largest stretching 320 km and with a catchment area covering 12,000 km2. The river runs through nine regencies and six municipalities.

Tasked to managed and maintain the facilities within the river basin is the Jasa Tirta I Public Corporation (PJTI), a state company (government-owned and controlled corporation) established by the central government of the Republic of Indonesia.

• Yangtze River Basin

The Yangtze River, stretching 6,300 km, is the largest in China and the third longest in the world. It runs through eleven provinces: Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai. The basin is more than 1.8 million km2 and contains China’s two biggest freshwater lakes: the Dongting Lake and the Poyang Lake. About a third of China’s population, approximately 420 million, finds settlement within the basin. Further, the basin contains the largest hydro- electric power station in the world (Three Gorges Dam).

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarter, supported by the Ministry of Water Resources, and accountable to the State Council, is the central authority in

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the management of the river basin with operative governance functionaries vertically cascaded down to the city/county level.

• Mekong River Basin

The Mekong River, stretching 4,909 km, is the world’s 10th longest in the world. It is a trans-boundary river system that runs through six countries: China, Myanmar (Burma), Lao PDR, Thailand, Kampuchea (Cambodia) and Viet Nam. The basin has an area of 795,000 km2.

The basin is managed by the Mekong River Commission- a body jointly established by the sovereign states of Lao PDR, Thailand, Kampuchea and Viet Nam way back in 1995 with China and Myanmar as dialogue partners.

B. Philippine Experience

• Laguna Lake Basin

The lake has an aggregate area of 911 km2 and a shoreline stretching 284 km. It is the largest lake in the Philippines and the third largest in Southeast Asia. The watershed area, composed of all cities and municipalities located in Laguna and Rizal, covers 3,820 km2 although the administrative area of the LLDA covers more.

The Laguna Lake Development Authority was established in 1966 through acts of Congress. It was the first such agency to be created to manage the use of, and the development of a water body. It was established, and continues to operate, as a quasi-government body. It has evolved through the years and has transferred from one mother agency to another. The LLDA is one of the leading adopter of IWRM and had recently adopted an integrated lake basin management (ILBM) approach.

Its mandate has remained the same: to develop and manage the use of the water resource. As a government-owned and controlled corporation, it is expected to generate its own revenues to defray the cost of its operation. The revenue stream comes from its exercise of regulatory function on the use of the lake, notably usage and discharge permits.

• Bicol River Basin

The Bicol River, stretching 94 km, is the 8th largest river in the country with a catchment area of 3,770 km2. The river passes through three provinces in the Bicol Province: Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay.

From 1973-87, the basin had been the subject of initiatives for management and development (Bicol River Basin Development Project). Then, from 1989-94, a Bicol River Basin Flood Control and Irrigation Development Program was implemented. A grant from the World Bank (WB) to undertake a master plan was conducted in 2002- 03 which led to the creation of a Project Management Office (PMO). The PMO did not survive after the WB support had ceased. The national government, through the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), had re-activated and has re- packaged the program and in 2007, the approved program has received national government funding for DPWH and DENR projects. The proposed river basin management council has not seen fruition.

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• Agno River Basin

The basin covers seventy municipalities in nine provinces (Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Benguet, Mt. Province and Ifugao) in four regions (I, II, III and CAR) before draining into the Soth China Sea. Within the basin are six major rivers: Tarlac, Pila, Camiling, O’Donnell, Amabayanbang and Ambayuan. The basin is considered the 5th largest in the country with drainage area of 5,809 km2. Agno River is 206 km long.

At one point, the Agno River Basin Development Commission, an inter-agency body under the aegis of the Office of the President with the DENR Secretary as Chairperson, the Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary as Co-Chairperson and the governors of the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Benguet as Vice-Chairperson, was established to managed the absin. Further, 16 government agencies are members of the Commission in addition the local government units (LGUs) of San Manuel, Pangasinan, Itogon. Benguet, and Moncada, Tarlac. The Commission is now defunct.

• Davao River Basin

The Davao River Basin covers eight municipalities in four provinces (Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Cotabato). It is considered to be the 3rd largest river in Mindanao; the watershed covers an area of 4,200 km2.

The Davao City Watershed Management Council (DCWMC) was created by the local government of Davao City through the enactment of a Watershed Management Code by the local legislative body, and the issuance of an executive edict by the local chief executive to manage the basin. Together with the creation of the DCWMC, the Barangay Watershed Management Council and the Watershed Mulitipartite Monitoring Team were formed as operating entity at the ground level. For sometime until 2011, there was a slack in the activities of the council.

• Seven Crater Lakes

The Seven Crater Lakes Watershed Management Council (SCLWMC), initiated locally by the Friends of Seven Lakes Foundation (FSLF) - a private sector organization, aims to protect, preserve and manage the water bodies in San Pablo City, Laguna. There is strong stakeholder participation in the affairs of the council.

The LLDA is supporting the council and had introduced it to the integrated lake basin management principle and approach.

C. Lessons from the Experiences

There are three critical elements that figures prominently among well-managed river basins and these are:

• Basin-level decentralized operation

The principle of subsidiarity and local empowerment is key is truly managing a river basin. While it is truly imperative that there should be “champions” at the higher echelon of central governments, it is equally imperative that management of the basin is not done through long-distance remote.

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The physical presence of the river basin administrators is an effective means to establish rapport among the stakeholders, and sends the message of true concern on the welfare and well-being of the basin and its stakeholders.

• Institutionalized stakeholders’ participation

Participation of basin stakeholders must be encouraged to ensure ownership and commitment. The participation of the stakeholders should lead to their empowerment thus their involvement should commence from the planning stage up to the full cycle of evaluation stage. Issue-based consultation results in significant accomplishments; institutionalized stakeholder participation results in exemplary achievements. Hence, mechanisms for stakeholder participation should be institutionalized. True and meaningful participation is a form of entitlement.

• Solid legal foundation

All the RBOs in the review were legally established: either by national or local government through executive edicts, or by legislative bodies through proper legislation; either by bilateral agreements or by multilateral treaties among sovereign entities. In whichever case, the stability and performance of the organized RBO is hinged on how much it has been institutionalized: becoming a way of thinking and doing as a deep-seated pattern of behavior by its patrons.

• Fund source and fiscal autonomy

An RBOs with specific and sufficient resource to carry out its mandate and function ar enable to perform well. These resources include the 5M’s: men, machine, money, materials and methods. Appropriation of resources should be continuous coming from either mandatory government appropriations or through revenue-generating measures by the RBO.

Notwithstanding, RBOs given autonomy in the use of its resources and with appropriate check-and-balance mechanism are made accountable in the performance of its mandate. Allowing them to be responsible for its own performance and revenue generation, and making them accountable for its proper and legitimate use provides opportunities for organizational growth.

• Knowledge management

RBOs serve as the central repository of data, information and knowledge about the river basin. The adoption and optimum utilization of appropriate technology has significantly helped RBOs in improving its management capabilities and in ensuring synchronized actions within the basin. Decision support systems has greatly assisted river basin managers.

4.5.3 Policy Direction of the Philippine Government

The IRBM approach emphasizes the biophysical characteristics of a basin rather than the geo-political and jurisdictional boundaries of the area. The geo-bio-physical characteristic of the basin is the unitary planning parameter and the point of convergence, integration and coordination.

The IRBM had been expressed as the primal principle and approach in managing river basins in the Philippines. It is consistent with the adopted integrated water resource management principle and approach. In the Philippine Medium Term Development Plan

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(MTPDP) of the Arroyo regime, and continuing into the present Administration, the focus had been to adopt and apply an integrated management of the river basins. Even prior to the crafting of the MTPDP, the creation of the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) through Executive Order No. 510 s. 05 March 2006 and then reinforced through Executive Order No. 816 s. 06 July 2009, within the aegis of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) signified an unequivocal stand on the part of the Philippine Government in terms of rationalizing the management and development of its basins. Still, the current condition is that more three dozen agencies are involved in the management and development of water resources in the Philippines. Annex “A” shows a separate review of current policy and management practices for water and water-related concerns.

At present, the RBCO had commissioned the formulation of strategic plans for the eighteen major river basins across the country. The current undertaking (the Apayao- Abulug River Basin Master Plannning) is part of the initiative. Further, it has been expressed that a new bill had been drafted towards the institutionalization of an over- sight and coordinating body which would at the higher echelon of the national government. This would function as the primary policy and panning agency for all the river basin organizations within the country.

4.5.4 Challenges in Managing AARB

Based on the list of the River Basin Control Office (RBCO), the AARB is ranked 9th among the eighteen major river basin in the country. As stated in the earlier part of this Report, the characteristics of the concerned river basins are: located within two provinces (Apayao and Cagayan) of two regions (Regions CAR and II) and traverses a total of 11 municipalities (six in Apayao and five in Cagayan). Similar to all major river basins of note, the AARB crosses several geo-political and administrative boundaries, is populated with people of divergent cultures, ethnicity and interests, and is administered by several sector-based government agencies.

In the public forum and planning workshop conducted last 18 March 2014 at Luna, Apayao, the participants - representing sectors and interest groups from Regions CAR and II, had identified issues, concerns and problems besetting the people and the basin. These could be summarized as follows:

. Social Dimension • Poverty • Lack of livelihood and livelihood opportunities • Political intervention (lack of political will) • Low climate change adaptive capacity and resiliency • Increasing population • Informal settlers in watershed areas • Inadequate delivery of social protection services (due to road inadequacy) • Incidence of water-borne diseases

. Environmental Dimension • Watershed degradation • Deforestation due to Illegal cutting of trees/illegal logging • River degradation (siltation & sedimentation) • Flooding (especially in the downstream areas) • Erosion (of river banks) • Solid waste management • Poaching in water bodies

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• Kaingin practices especially in the upland • Disaster risks management • Illegal quarrying • Inappropriate land use • Illegal fishing • Proliferation of coastal/river bank resorts • Mangrove harvesting • Declining water quality

. Economic Dimension • Poverty • Low job generation • Disaster risks management • Inadequate clean freshwater for fishponds • Inadequate water impounding projects • Illegal quarrying

It can be gleaned from the enumeration above that problems are mutually shared across the three major components for a sustainable development: social, environment and economic. It behoves then that the way to manage these problems require cross-cutting measures that should converge on a common focus, that initiatives in any one particular concern area should be coordinated and synchronized, and efforts must be integrated in recognition of the relationships of each concern to the others.

It is noteworthy that these problems are common across all the various river basins in the country, and in other countries although at varying degrees and magnitude. Hence, the challenges faced by the people, the environment and the related economy in the AARB are similarly confronted by other basin stakeholders all over the world. The experiences in these areas, as discussed previously, are therefore relevant as tools for learning the means to manage the AARB.

4.5.5 Integrated River Basin Management

Integrated river basin management (IRBM) is a process that requires multi-stakeholder participation at the basin and national level. It is a management approach that crosses geo-political and administrative boundaries, as well as sector concerns. IRBM considers the entire basin as part of its operational and administrative territory and inter-, as well as cross-sector concerns are addressed holistically.

Geo-political boundaries hinder the seamless collaboration among agencies while the geo-physical character of the river system could not be contained within administrative jurisdiction: the laws of nature hardly conform to the laws of humans, nor does it follow deep-seated social norms.

IRBM is best suited as a river basin management principle and approach to address the following key concerns of basin stakeholders:

• Trans-boundary: rivers are beyond boundaries set by politics or administrative actions. Rivers are defined by its hydrology and physical environment. An activity in any part of river impacts on the rest of the river course and its environs. Hence, managing it should be undertaken in a trans-boundary method.

• Fragmented governance: most organizations (especially government bodies) are given mandate to manage specific and bounded physical areas. Further, these

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government bodies are usually established along sectoral concerns. A river basin is a complicated system composed of living and non-living components: land, water, forest, animals, plants and people. All these components are sub-systems that are inter-dependent to each other. The best means to manage a river basin is to manage the inter- and intra-sector problems in an integrated and coordinated framework.

4.5.6 Proposed AARB Management System

The experiences from other IRBM river basin organizations indicated an iterative institutional formation and growth. Consistent with other planning and decision making activities within the basin, the final institutional framework and structure of the AARBO4 shall be derived from broad-based local consultations. And like in other experiences, the AARBO will evolve through time along the path of maturing organizational capacity and stakeholder demands. A continuing conduct of focus group discussions, formal and informal stakeholder interviews and consultation workshops will contribute towards the evolution.

The need to create a new institutional arrangement (that will ensure the desired management and development of the basin) had been unanimously recognized by the basin stakeholders. At this juncture, and without losing sight of the penultimate institutional form, focus should be in organizing the AARBO.

4.5.7 Organization Structure for the AARB Management

A. Vertical Linkage

The AARBO, based on parameters already discussed earlier, shall be organized preferably as a public corporate entity. It will be vertically integrated to the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the River Basin Control Office5 (RBCO) which shall exercise oversight function over it. As a government agency, it shall exercise authority necessary to regulate and supervise the management and development of the resources within the basin. As a corporate entity, it shall have authority to generate revenue to perpetuate its own corporate operations and contribute to the national coffers. Below is a draft organizational structure for the national river basin authority showing the vertical linkage between the AARBO (and other similar RBOs) and the DENR. The vertical linkage, as discussed earlier, is consistent with the twin principles of subsidiarity and solidarity. Figure 4.5-1 shows the envisioned organizational structure for a national river basin body with the vertical linkage with individual river basin organizations.

4 The use of “AARBO” is simply to differentiate a generic-named river basin organization from the one currently being organized and is named “Apayao-Northwest Cagayan Rivers Sustainable Development and Management Council (ANCRiSDeMC). For all intents and purposes, the author remains convinced that the organization name, while relevant, is less in importance than the mandate and function that the RBO should have.

5 Until such time when a national river basin authority shall have been duly created

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Figure 4.5-1 Envisioned Organization Structure of a National River Basin Authority

B. Horizontal Linkage

The AARBO, as a local agency, will become a member of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and actively contribute to regional development. At the RDC, it can better perform its development coordination work and advocate for the sustainable development of the basin.

Further, it shall become a member of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. It shall contribute actively towards the formulation of a basin- wide DRRM & CCA programs, plans and activities.

Other regional inter-agency bodies whose functions, programs and services will impact on or will be impacted by programs, projects and services on the river basin or by the AARB are potential partners. This will ensure wider latitude of engagement in regional development planning and decision-making.

C. Legal Framework and Mandate

Primordial in the organization of the AARBO is ensuring a legal basis for its formation. Penultimately, a legislated action creating the AARBO is the best and ideal arrangement especially considering the preferred organization type. However, legislative action takes time and actions on the river basin are urgent. Hence, while

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continuously working for the legislated measure, the AARBO will have to satisfy itself with other forms of legal instruments to legitimize its existence.

An Executive Order issued from the Office of the President (OP) is a powerful alternative. However, the issuance of such an edict can also take time and maybe politically tarnished. An alternative is an executive edict from the provincial LGUs. While the time to effect the issuance may be shorter, there remains the concern that the action maybe politically motivated.

An Administrative Order issued unilaterally by the DENR, or jointly with other line agencies, is a viable option. However, its bind on other entities like the academe, civil society and private groups can be considered quite loose. Further, it creates the impression that the issuing agency will provide for the resources needed to make the AARBO function. This will prove to be a challenging option.

As it is, another option, which had been proven to work effectively is through a legal form of a social contract: an inter-agency alliance. The Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLDA) is a typical example and it has been replicated several times in Mindanao. It is essentially an inter-LGU alliance participated in by select line agencies. It draws its legitimacy from the Local Government Code as well as from the laws on contract. Actually, the proposed Apayao-Northwest Cagayan Rivers Sustainable Development Management Council (ANCRiSDeMC)6 is a social contract binding the provincial and municipal LGUS, regional line agencies, academe and the private sector into an alliance. Cognizant that there is already a momentum towards this effort, it should be the best viable option to take. Refer to Annex “B” for the review of ANCRiSDeMC Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC).

Furthermore, with an organized AARBO, a legislative action creating a national river basin body could simply integrate all the existing RBOs in the country thus facilitating the operational capacity of the national river basin body while further empowering and strengthening the basin-level RBOs. On the other hand, a federated alliance- a confederation of all basin-level RBOs could advocate towards the legislation of a national policy on river basin management and development. In essence, the formation of the AARBO through an inter-agency alliance, in the interregnum, gives it a legal basis, defines it mandate, and contributes towards the establishment of a national river basin administrative and policy instrument. More importantly, it gives the AARBO the opportunity for first-hand experience to build its capacity in basin governance.

D. Organization Structure

The structure of the AARBO must reflect its governance framework and level of organizational maturity. A three-tiered governance framework is recommended consisting of: a basin-level policy making executive body, a basin-level management body and sub-basin field operating offices. A structured technical group will function as the core think-tank.

At the initiation phase (when legislated creation of the AARB remains to be achieved), all human resource and logistical support shall be source through resource sharing and donations. It can also come from revenue generating measures that can be instituted later by the AARBO. In some RBO cases, the RBO is named a council at the initiation phase, gradually maturing into a river basin commission until it

6 A separate Paper on the review of the proposed Apayao-Northwest Cagayan Rivers Sustainable Development and Management Council (ANCRiSDeMC) has been prepared. The discussion hence on the proposed institutional arrangement already considered the result of the review.

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finally becomes a river basin authority. There are instances as well that while there is no change in the RBO name, it undergoes substantial growth and expansion in its mandate, authority and functions. Hence, what matters really are the mandate, authority and function that determines the quality of the RBO. Figure 4.5-2 shows the proposed organizational structure for the AARBO.

Figure 4.5-2 Proposed Structure for AARBO

The constitution of the AARBO and its governance function are as follows:

• The Executive Board is the highest policy making executive body of the AARBO. It ensures that there is seamless high-level coordination and integration among the various actors within the basin and within the region (CAR and II).

• The Secretariat is the basin-level management body that oversees the daily operation of the AARBO. It is composed of contractually hired professionals who will undertake the actual work activities of the AARBO such as, but not limited to, coordinating the programs, plans and activities of the AARBO, the operating sub- RBOs and the technical working group. It will manage research activities, information and knowledge management centers and consolidation of required administrative and technical reports.

• The Technical Working Group is the basin-level think tank for the AARBO. It will be composed of technical persons mostly from the cooperating regional line agencies who will formulate research agenda, design the basin-wide information and knowledge management center, review development plans and ensure its integration in respective agency development plans.

• The sub-RBOs (Upper Sub-basin RBO, Lower Sub-basin RBO and Coastal Area Sub-basin RBO) will be the main operating units of the AARBO. They are based on their respective sub-basins and are mostly composed of the municipal officers and representative from business and civil society organizations.

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The proposed new structure should be clearly reflected in the contract instrument. As such, a new draft of the contract had been prepared. Annex “C” shows the new contract. If the contracting parties wish to retain the name they have ascribed for the AARBO, they are always at liberty to do so. The most important and relevant matter is the mandate and function of the organization.

E. Organization Composition

Within the context of IRBM, collaboration and stakeholder participation is considered a critical and indispensable basin administration mechanism. Hence, the AARBO is heavily set on institutionalizing stakeholder participation and coordination: trans- boundary, cross-sector and integrative basin management is meant to maximize existing institution as much as practicable. Specifically, the AARBO shall coordinate, collaborate and consult with the Regional Development Councils of the two regions (CAR and II), and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (CAR and II). In the enumeration below, it is understood that representatives from the two regions are being referred to.

• Provincial Government of Apayao; • Provincial Government of Cagayan; • Municipal Governments of Calanasan, Kabugao, Conner, Pudtol, Flora, Luna, and Sta. Marcela of Apayao Province; • Municipal Governments of Abulog, Pamplona, Claveria, Sanches Mira, Ballesteros, Allacapan and Sta. Praxedes of Cagayan Province; • Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) • Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); • National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); • Office of Civil Defense (OCD); • Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); • Department of Agriculture (DA); • Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB); • Environmental Management Bureau (EMB); • National Irrigation Administration (NIA); • Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); • Department of Science and Technology (DOST); • Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); • National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP); • Philippine Information Agency (PIA); • Apayao State College (ASC); • Cagayan State University (CSU); • Representative from Indigenous Peoples’ Group (IPG); • Representative Business Sector; and, • Representative from Civil Society Organization (CSO).

Other offices may be invited by the Board to participate in Board activities either on a permanent, semi-permanent or temporary basis as exigencies so requires.

From among the membership of the AARBO, a 15-member Executive Board shall be elected by the member-cooperators. And from the members of the Executive Board, the Chairperson and two Vice-Chairpersons shall be chosen. Further, heads of the Technical Working Groups shall be elected by the AARBO from among themselves. No individual organization or person shall occupy more than one position in concurrent capacity unless in a holdover or limited acting capacity.

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The Executive Board shall determine the qualification, pay scale and terms of employment for the hiring of professional contractual personnel who will man the AARBO Secretariat. The head of the Secretariat shall have the rank equivalent to not less than a division chief.

The members of the Technical Working Groups shall come from the member- cooperators of the AARB based on agency and individual area of specialization. Other potential members maybe invited after prior approval of the Executive Board. The Technical Working Groups shall focus on each of the development thematic basin concerns, to wit: Watershed Management; Water Resource; Coastal Area Management; Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; and Institutional Development.

The members of the Sub-basin RBOs shall come from municipal officers, water district officers, and representatives from the business and civil society sectors. The Executive Board shall appoint an RBO Officer who shall act as the sub-RBO leader- manager.

F. Role and Function of the AARBO

An organization must be able to fulfill a specific societal role for society to sustain it. The AARBO must ensure that it alone can effectively address the fragmentation caused by sectoral approach on managing and regulating river basin resources: water, watershed, forest, land, river and coastal areas. It must also be able to respond adequately to the concerns on flooding and other geo-hazards within the basin and help communities develop resiliency. And more than this, it must be able to fulfill its role of developing the capacities of people and institutions on sustainably using natural resources without adversely impacting its ecosystems services.

Content-wise, the function of AARBO should revolve around the following critical development areas:

• Flood mitigation; • Disaster risk reduction and management of water-related and geo-hazards • Improvement of watershed, forest, river and coastal area management • Ensure sustainability of groundwater/aquifer • Improvement of water quality monitoring and management • Enhance institutional capacity • Establish an effective and people-oriented information system • Establish a center for coordination and management

A revised draft Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) for the creation of the AARBO is found in Annex “C”. In the document, the specific role and function of the proposed AARBO is enumerated.

G. Funding

It is often said that if there is a will, there is a way: the experience of many self- organized RBOs like the AVLDA (and several others in Mindanao) proves that the cliché is not just a cliché but a solid truth. Through the diligent and dedicated contributions of each member of the alliance, substantial resources can be mobilized along with the creativity to generate additional revenues.

For the initial stages of the AARBO, it should look only to itself to propel it towards its goals, fulfill its societal role, carry out its mandate and perform its functions.

Main Report Chapter 4-121 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Presently, the number of cooperating agencies is nearly fifty and if each contributes even a modest amount (for instance, from portion of its project monitoring budgetary allocation), there will be substantial resource to commence the activities of the AARBO. This is cost-sharing at the seminal stage. And one of its early activities should perhaps focus on researching possible revenue sources such as preparing for a menu of ecosystems services that can be used as market instruments. And this can be packaged in the form of resource-benefit transfer.

Again, it is often said that action speaks louder than words. International funding agencies are continuously scoping for innovative approaches in basin governance and the indigenous “lapat” system is an age-old rights-based model that works.

As the AARBO matures and evolves, resources will undoubtedly stream in but it depends on how much dedication, spirit and right action are devoted by the people and communities of the basin. Government has made the initial move, the public constituents must now be mobilized and its creativity released; these are institutional capital resources that remains untapped in many instances.

4.5.8 Investment Cost

For the fifteen-year planning horizon, it is expected that an investment cost amounting to nearly Php 145 million is needed: an average investment of nearly Php 10 million per annum that will benefit roughly 315 thousand individuals or a paltry per capita investment of Php 31. Table 4.5-2 shows the investment cost, source of fund, and implementing agency of the river basin activities and projects.

Table 4.5-2 Expected Cost for AARBO Activities

Source of Fund: Implementing Agency: GAA, Contributions, donations, revenues Apayao-Abulog River Basin Org’n. ITEM Year 1-3 Year 4-8 Year 9-15 Total Personnel Services (PS) 6,191,472 13,472,816 23,985,931 43,650,219 Maintenance & Operating Expenses 12,382,944 26,945,632 47,971,862 87,300,438 (MOE) Capital Outlay 2,000,000 4,000,000 8,000,000 14,000,000 TOTAL 20,574,416 44,418,448 79,957,793 144,950,657

For the province of Apayao, the entire investment amount translates to a per capita investment of about P140 for each poor.

Main Report Chapter 4-122

Chapter 5 Development of River Basin Management

Information System Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

CHAPTER 5 DEVELOPMENT OF RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (RBMIS)

5.1 ESTABLISHING BASIN INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE

In order to manage water resources at the basin level, it is important for decision makers to have easy access to comprehensive, representative and reliable information, at all relevant levels, on:

• the quality and quantity of both surface and groundwater resources, as well as seasonal and yearly fluctuations; • biotopes and aquatic environments, and their degrees of sensitivity; • water use (withdrawals), particularly for irrigation, industry and drinking water, and pollution sources (discharges), whether point or non-point; • the risks of recurrent extreme phenomena, such as floods, droughts and accidental pollution; and • social and economic indicators, for example costs, prices.

Basin organization need to create a basin information system that will meet its particular needs, both for managing the data they collect and for delivering information to different groups of users in formats they can understand and make use of .in order to develop such information systems it is important to have strong support from decision makers. Sound governance of water depends on effective information systems. It is therefore very important to make decision makers aware that a basin information system is apriority tool for water resources governance. Basin information systems are also important for participatory management of the river basin. They provide stakeholders with easy access to relevant information and away for water users and resource managers to interact.

A basin information system allows information on basin management to be shared clearly and transparently, on progress made(or the lack of it) for example. Information needs to be to the task in hand, proven through research and development, tested in the field and pitched to the capacity of institutions, practitioners and stakeholders to understand and use it. Information needs to be, preferably free, so that there is no discrimination between information providers and users because of lack of funds. Information needs to be to all practitioners through the channels they normally use, not dependent on major upgrades of technical infrastructure. And, information processes should be. This means that information systems should respect cultural needs, gender issues and embrace stakeholders distanced from decision making because of their location, or economic or social status.

5.1.1 Establishing a Strategy and Action Plan for the Information System

In many cases the need for collaboration leads, in the first instance, to the creation of an inter-institutional network of partners willing to work together on data management. The next stage is the creation of thematic working groups to implement an action plan for the development of the basin information system. The basin information system is a tool for information users. Their needs for information – to solve the priority issues of water resources management in the basin – must therefore guide the development of the system. Based on the information needs assessment and on an analysis of the existing situation (legislation, actors, dataflow, existing information systems), the organizational and technical aspects of the water information system can be specified. The next step is

Main Report Chapter 5-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin to develop a multi-year action and financial plan which indicates what will be done, how much it will cost and where the money will come from.

5.1.2 Adopting Rules that Allow Data to be Shared

The problems related to availability, accessibility and sharing of water data and information are widespread and occur at all levels (regional, national, local).Solving these problems means that those involved in water resources management need to adopt rules for sharing, accessing and using data and data services. Common measures and rules specifically concern:

1) Sharing Responsibility for producing, gathering, processing and disseminating data and information (who does what and access rules) in order to avoid duplication and create synergies; 2) Sharing Data. Public authorities should have easy access to data and data services related to water resources management. This access can be hindered when it depends on ad hoc negotiations between public authorities each time data is required. Partners should remove practical obstacles to data sharing by setting up, for example, agreements between public authorities. 3) Interoperability of information systems and the organization of network services to facilitate, for example, data identification, consultation and downloading.

5.1.3 Inventory and Characterization of Data

The first task in setting up a basin data and information system is usually to take an Inventory of available data at basin level. This inventory should cover various types of data. The time and expense involved in searching for water data, and then establishing how useful it is, are major obstacles. Thus, ,making an inventory of existing data series and information is essential to:

• identify existing data and information and whether or not it is accessible; • determine the rules for producing and accessing data; and • check that the quality of available data meets users' needs.

Basin information inventories include data and information relevant to basin management, to include:

• biophysical characteristics (soils, topography) • water yield • wetlands • basin hydrology and hydrogeology • land use (anticipated changes in land use, best management, practices) • water quantity and quality data • ecosystems • nutrients • point and non point sources of pollution • resource use, withdrawals and discharges • demography • population • social and economic indicators

Main Report Chapter 5-2 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

5.1.4 Developing Infrastructure to Manage Information

The basin information system must be structured so that it can generate information from data provided by the various data producers. Developing such a system means acquiring or reinforcing the basin water information system platform (servers, software) to manage data effectively. To make collaboration between partners easier this platform should, as far as possible, build on the existing information infrastructure of each partner. The basin information system platform should reinforce their capacities to produce, manage and provide information for water resources management.

The platform should be capable of managing all types of information: geographic, alphanumeric, text and multimedia. The main components are usually :a database and geographic information system (GIS): these are vital tools for managing data and translating them into, for example maps, graphs, indicators and performance charts ;tools to manage a catalogue of data sources on line; decision-support and modeling tools; and a web portal for sharing and disseminating information.

5.1.5 Developing Human Expertise for Apayao-Abulug RBMIS

A basin information system needs trained people to run it. Training should be based on a needs analysis, should focus on data administration methods and tools, and be very hands-on. A training program will include:

5.1.6 Processing and Information Management

If the water information system is to be useful, it must allow all categories of users to retrieve data in a form they can easily understand. As far as possible, the information system should be structured to allow users to retrieve information and accomplish routine tasks easily. For example, users may want to study strategies, master plans for water management and development, action program, budget simulations or the basis for setting water taxes. They may want to issue authorizations, regulate public works, set up warning systems, evaluate the results of policies or inform the general public.

5.1.7 Budgetary Requirement

For this component, a total budget of 59 million pesos is proposed for the 15-year period of the master plan. Breakdown is shown in Table 5.1-1.

Table 5.1-1 Budget Breakdown

Source of Fund: DENR-RBCO/Other sources Implementing Agency: AARBO ITEM Year 1 to 3 Year 4 to 8 Year 9 to15 Total Personnel Services 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 15,000,000 (Salaries and honoraria) Maintenance and Operating Expenses 8,000,000 8,000,000 8,000,000 24,000,000 (Travel, Supplies and Materials, Communication and Other Services including Administrative Cost Capital Outlay 5,000,000 5,000,000 10,000,000 20,000,000 (Equipment) Total 18,000,000 18,000,000 23,000,000 59,000,000

Main Report Chapter 5-3

Chapter 6 Development of Communication and Public Awareness

Plan Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

CHAPTER 6 DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS PLAN

6.1 COMMUNICATION

Good communication boosts ownership of basin management. Public awareness campaigns and education program encourage support for basin management.

Basin public awareness campaigns and education program keep those who live and work in a basin informed about basin issues and how the basin is being managed. The target audiences are many and varied, and include those who live in the basin, businesses (including water utilities, industries, tourism resorts, fishermen and farmers), researchers, and government departments operating inside and outside the basin. These programs support basin management by communicating clear messages about issues, actions and progress. Often, new basin organizations need to build their capacity to communicate and educate. At first, they may need to bring in communication specialists to make sure messages are clear. Likewise, they may need education specialists to tailor education program to meet the specific needs of their particular basin. Basin organization planning major public awareness and education campaigns may also need to engage specialists.

Public awareness and education program cost money. Advertising, organizing events, setting up and operating public information services incur both one-off and ongoing costs. Basin management budgets need to include budget lines for capital, operating and staff costs for communication programs. Strategies and plans for communication should be part of overall basin planning and management.

6.2 PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

Many basin organizations run public awareness campaigns in newspapers, on television and radio, and through the Internet to create interest in basin management and to change attitudes and behavior of the general public.

Printed materials are another tried and tested way of raising awareness, for example newsletters, state of the basin reports and basin scorecards. These can complement public awareness campaigns and, as well as informing the general public, can be particularly useful for targeting particular groups of stakeholders. Strong working relationships with local media can also serve basin organizations well. Basin organizations that contact journalists regularly usually get good coverage and raise their profile significantly.

6.3 COMMUNICATION TOOLS

6.3.1 Websites

Open or restricted access websites are common tools for basin managers and stakeholders to share and access information. For those without Internet connections, the same sets of information can be shared on CD-ROMs. Other tools, such as online discussions, encourage regular interaction and feedback among basin stakeholders. Discussion topics can be catalogued and searchable, generating an archive of comments for future reference. Interactive websites can put a vast range of information in a variety of media, such as voice, graphics, movies, photos and data, as well as text, at stakeholders' fingertips. Many basin websites post information about best

Main Report Chapter 6-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin management practices, the research the practices are based on, and the contact details for people who can discuss the pros and cons of each. Some websites provide user- friendly decision-support and modeling tools. Although the Internet is effective for information sharing it may not be the most suitable tool for information sharing in basins where rural and poor communities do not have access to such technology. Basin organizations thus need to consider different options including newsletters in local languages, radio program and face-to-face meetings.

6.3.2 Libraries

Depositing basin information in public libraries makes it easily accessible to stakeholders. Often, libraries have special collections that are ideal for keeping reports, strategies and plans related to basin management. Importantly too, librarians are experts in cataloguing and can organize basin management materials systematically. University libraries in both, as repositories of research, collect and preserve a wide range of material, from specialist international publications to anecdotal information. Because of this, university libraries are often valuable partners in basin information exchange programs. From the users' perspective, basin documents lodged in libraries are easy to consult and borrow in hard copy. Often, especially in the case of university libraries, individuals and basin management organizations can also sign up to access materials electronically – a very simple and quick way of getting information. Many basin organizations have developed their own documentation centers which are open to the general public, students and scientists.

6.3.3 Community-Based Information Service

A community-based information service typically holds collections of information on the basin and provides a range of other services. These centers may operate a phone-in service for water managers, maintain mailing lists for distribution of reports and updates by fax or email develop and maintain websites, run community education programs, and develop and implement conservation partnership agreements. In general, such centers are located in the headquarters of the basin organization. They are excellent 'shop fronts' for local stakeholders and, in large basins where there are good Internet connections. .

6.4 COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS (CEPA) PLAN

An enhanced program to improve awareness and encourage exchange of information with and among communities in the river basin will be necessary if they are to meaningfully participate in the planning process.

The initial CEPA Plan implementation will include advocacy activities, the primary purpose of which is to lobby for the:

a) Inclusion of the protection of Apayao-Abulug River Basin in public school curriculum; and, b) Adoption of the Apayao-Abulug River basin Management Plan as a legal document, through a provincial ordinance.

6.4.1 Long-Term Objectives of the CEPA

1) Develop and utilize print, broadcast and web-based communication materials on management of river basin for farmers, business groups, NGOs and other stakeholders.

Main Report Chapter 6-2 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

2) Plan and conduct seminars and public dialogues on various issues and concerns confronting management of the river basin.

3) Formulate and advocate policies on river basin protections in collaboration with local government units.

4) Develop training manuals on integrated river management.

6.4.2 Innovative Approaches and Methodologies

1) Piloting of good practices on various areas of river basin management and later on promote for adoption in other parts of the basin;

2) A strategic and integrated communication approach (communication campaign) will be pursued in the basin. This approach calls for communicating customized messages on river basin management with focused audiences (students, farmers, businesses, etc.) to achieve more impact. Moreover, it will deploy the best mix of communication approaches (e.g., mediated and interpersonal approaches) to share innovations on river basin management to various stakeholders. This could be achieved through participatory approaches, where decisions on messages, approaches and implementation shall be in consultation with the stakeholders.

3) Being a popular communication medium, radio will be utilized as the flagship channel for sharing messages. This will be carried out through academe-based community radio stations to include; Cagayan State University (CSU) with a campus at Sanchez Mira Cagayan and Apayao State College(ASC), and local radio stations based in other municipalities within the basin.

a) Regular panel discussions will be aired where subject matter specialists will be invited to share knowledge and expertise on river basin management.

b) Communication strategy using radio also include the conduct of structured learning systems and modules such as the implementation of School-on-the- Air programs dedicated to river basin management underscoring protection and conservation measures. This activity aims to educate, inform and make the various stakeholders act in the effort to protect the River Basin and push for its sustainable development.

c) Print materials like popularized leaflets and flyers in Ilocano will be also be produced, based on the original material developed.

4) Local government units (provincial, municipal and barangay) will be harnessed in project implementation. More specifically, communication messages and materials will be deployed through local government officials, extensionists and local leaders through inclusion of river basin sustainable management as programs/subject matters to existing extension modalities employed in the LGUs for better reception and impact.

5) The agriculture and environments committees of LGUs will be tapped to introduce appropriate policies on institutionalizing and enforcing river basin management beginning at the household level.

Main Report Chapter 6-3 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

6.4.3 CEPA Products

1) A compendium of best practices documented and compiled from the experiences of River Basin implementers, and stakeholders, which could later on be further processed to serve as a guide or manual for river basin management;

2) Subject matters on river basin management included in public schools curriculum at all levels.

3) Multi-lingual leaflets and flyers on integrated river basin management and corresponding practices;

4) Multi-lingual broadcast materials and plugs on river basin management;

5) Seminar modules and policy dialogues on river basin management;

6) An established network of communities capacitated to exchange information and knowledge within and among themselves in line with river basin sustainable use, and protection

7) E-learning modules;

To this end, partnerships shall be forged with other line agencies, civic groups, business sectors, the academe and the grassroots communities. The CEPA Plan formulation and initial implementation could be contracted out to a local consulting firm, university or NGO.

6.5 BUDGETARY REQUIREMENT

For this component, a total budget of Php 54 million is proposed for the 15-year period of the masterplan. Breakdown is shown in Table 6.5-1.

Table 6.5-1 Budget Breakdown

Source of Fund: DENR-RBCO/Other sources Implementing Agency: AbRBO ITEM Year 1to 3 Year 4 to Year 9 to Total 8 15 Personnel Services 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 15,000,000 (Salaries and honoraria) Maintenance and Operating Expenses 8,000,000 8,000,000 8,000,000 24,000,000 (Travel, Supplies & Materials, Communication and Other Services including Administrative Cost Capital Outlay 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 15,000,000 (Equipment) Total 18,000,000 18,000,000 18,000,000 54,000,000

Main Report Chapter 6-4

Chapter 7 Research and

Development Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

CHAPTER 7 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

7.1 RATIONALE

Integrated River Basin Management as a way of consolidating all government effort to manage, rehabilitate, protect and conserve river basin resources in the light of increased frequency and Incidence of flooding, drought, water-borne diseases and other water- related hazards. It aimed to rationalize river basin management including its governance, and veer away from fragmented programming, planning and implementation by various agencies and instead encourage coordinated and collaborative actions among the National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, the Private Sector Groups and the Civil Society. Further, in 2009, recognizing the need to further plug in additional operational and governance requirements to strengthen river basin governance and management in the Philippines, Executive Order no. 816 was issued by the Philippine President. It aims to: 1) Rationalize and integrate all national plans, projects and programs within the country's river catchment basins, with relevant and related river basin initiatives, projects and programs such as, but not limited to, river basin infrastructure development, flood control, environmental protection and integrated water resources management.

Pursuant to the foregoing, the Department of Interior and Local Government, is tasked to adapt river basin approach in the implementation of Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction as per RA 9729 (Climate Change Act) and RA 10121 (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act) respectively. In the implementation of RA 10121, it is expected that, aside from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan (NDRRMP), Regional and Local Disaster Risk Reduction Plans will be formulated to serve as the principal guide to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) efforts of the country where the staging focus of DILG is on the river basins and the thrust is to build alliances amongst the local government units and other government and non- government agencies.

This R&D program will embark on a river basin approach in providing state-of-the art science and technology-based solutions for climate change adaptation and disaster risk management focusing on the use of advances in computer technology, particularly geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and decision-support systems (DSS), to improve the basis for decision making in river basin operation and management.

On this backdrop, there is an overwhelming need to: 1) support through R&D a focused and science-based innovative solutions in mitigating the risks and impacts of climate change and hazards in the river basin; 2) initiate development of an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral network of researchers and practitioners to enhance the understanding and prediction of climate change and hydrometeorological hazard impacts and; 3) strengthen linkages with the national and local government to facilitate capacity building in the delivery and use of disaster risk reduction and management measures and climate change adaptation solutions.

7.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH PROGRAM OF THE RIVER BASIN

This research and development project aims to advance our knowledge and capacities for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) through Science and Technology(S&T) – enabled effective river basin management in AARB.

Main Report Chapter 7-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

7.2.1 Specific Objectives

1. Gain state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding on the existing condition and current management practices in the river basin in reference to climate change and disaster risk reduction;

2. Harness cutting-edge computer technologies in describing and forecasting of hydrometeorological hazards in the river basin;

3. Introduce innovative knowledge management system and capacity building modalities in climate change resilient river basin management

7.2.2 Related Review of Literature on River Basin R&D/E

Internationally, integrated river basin management (IRBM) is now recognized as the tool, perhaps the most appropriate tool, to deliver Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) at the basin scale. This recognition is illustrated in an agreement reached at the 3rd World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan (GWP, 2003). Similarly, the importance of the river basin as the ‘place’ to implement water resources management is recognized and the Helsinki (2000)convention on transboundary watercourses and international lakes (Council of the European Union, 1995) and the European Water Framework Directive.

Along this platform, rivers and environmental services perspective has to be considered as one important element in the knowledge base for basin-level planning and management. Summarizing 12 cases, (Lenton and Mueller 2010) concludes that responding to very different challenges faced at different scales in integrated river basin management should recognized the need for an institutional framework that will bring stakeholders together in an equitable manner that give voice to the weak as well as to the powerful and to develop an organization able to promote the IWRM approach.

GWP 2013 defines and explains the significance of a decision support system (DSS) for hydrological, hydro-economic, or water resources processes as follows: “A DSS is a framework that links together a database and processing environment, a knowledge and information system, a modelling and analysis framework, a socio-economic analysis framework and a communication framework. A fully developed DSS can greatly assist many parts of the IWRM cycle, which describes the IWRM process right from the identification of water resources issues, over action planning, to the monitoring of the impact of interventions. The river basin level is the most common level at which a DSS assists the decision-makers in their quest for sustainable water resources management.

The basis for climate change impact analysis at the river basin scale is formed of climate change projections at the global scale using General Circulation Models (GCM). These models simulate the future climate (up to the year 2100) according to different development scenarios quantified in terms of emission scenarios for CO2 and other greenhouse gases. In reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, results from GCMs are reported, each considering several emission scenarios. The GCMs model the atmosphere on a rather coarse horizontal scale (typically of the order of 200-300 km). For climate change studies, therefore, it is necessary to downscale the climate change projections. Dynamic downscaling is based on Regional Climate Models (RCM), which use GCMs as boundary conditions to simulate the state of the atmosphere in a region with a smaller grid resolution than that used in the GCM. Statistical downscaling procedures may be required for different types of applications, ranging from simple mean correction (delta change) procedures to more complex stochastic weather generator procedures which provide more reliable downscaling of extreme events. In order to facilitate the analysis of climate change impact and adaptation, a Decision

Main Report Chapter 7-2 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Support System should be able to use the climate change projection data produced by the GCM simulations (GWP, 2008).

The Decision Support Framework (DSF) for the Lower Mekong Basin is an example of a transboundary decision support system where four countries – Lao People's Democratic Republic, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand –together have developed a system which allows them to assess development scenarios and their impacts. The Mekong River has immense socioeconomic and environmental value for the four countries and is a determining factor in the livelihoods in the basin. Water supplies, irrigation, hydropower, fisheries and river transport are among the sectors depending on the river system. The applications of the DSF have greatly assisted in understanding the river regime, its robustness, and the impacts of infrastructure developments. Development of a comprehensive knowledge base and a suite of numerical basin models and modeling tools, collectively known as the Mekong River Commission's Decision Support Framework, were undertaken under the Water Utilization Program of the MRC during the period 2002 to 2007. The objective was to enable description of the changes in river flow and assessment of related biophysical, social and economic impacts that may occur as a result of infrastructure development – mainly Irrigation and hydropower – and climatic variations within the basin (MRC, 2002).

The intergovernmental panel for climate change (IPCC) in its recent report (IPCC, 2007) makes clear that water is in the eye of the climate management. Accordingly, rainfall will increase in some areas and decrease in others. In some larger regions, there is already substantial consensus, based on the results of many modeling studies, about what changes are likely. In other areas, there is still disagreement. Changes – both increases and decreases - in average rainfall of up to 20% are predicted in many cases. A related issue is the size of extreme water events such as floods and droughts. There are sound reasons to expect that there will be more powerful, intense, storms and floods and longer, more intense droughts. As important as the size of extreme events is how often they occur. It is predicted that extreme events will occur more often; floods and droughts that previously occurred once in a lifetime, every 50 years, may now occur every 5 or 10 years.

In addressing water related disasters, The Philippine government is putting serious efforts in institutionalizing actions in local context in accordance to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) adopted in January 2005 during the World Conference on Disaster Reduction. The HFA calls for the effective implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) efforts to substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015 and beyond in terms of lives and in the social, economic, and environmental assets of communities and countries, as an essential condition for sustainable development. The HFA specifically called on governments to mainstream risk reduction within development and land use planning, ensure that scientific inputs influence risk assessment processes and that risk factors are addressed through sound environmental and natural resource management and social and economic development practices, among others (NEDA, 2008).

The DILG has prepared a climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction management (CCA-DRRM) intervention framework that aims to share knowledge, promote tools and methodologies in mainstreaming to Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), and develop capabilities of LGUs and communities to be safe and resilient. The DILG has refocused its targets from the 27 vulnerable provinces to the contiguous local government units (LGUs) in the periphery of the 18 major river basins in the country consisting of 47 Provinces.

Main Report Chapter 7-3 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

7.3 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR RIVER BASIN

Figure 7.3-1 Research and Development Framework

The components and activities in the AARB are described/explained as follows:

A. Utilization of Existing Models, Data, and Facilities

The research program will utilize research products of existing DOST sponsored projects such as NOAH, WISE, LIDAR MAPPING and other agencies as primary data input in the development of decision support system for the river basins. Furthermore, available computer models such as HEC, SWAT, AQUACROP will be calibrated and validated for simulating hydrometeorological events and development of early warning forecast of hazards including future climate scenarios

B. Thematic Areas n Integrated River Basin Management

River basin management will be categorized in four thematic components:

a) flood control, drought and other hazard; b) water resources management c) watershed management and restoration d) coastal resources management

Main Report Chapter 7-4 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

C. Cross-Cutting Support Services

• River Basin Management Information System

River basin organizations need to create a basin information system that will meet their own particular needs, both for managing the data they collect and for delivering information to different groups of users in formats they can understand and make use of. Sound governance of water in the basin depends on effective information systems. The MIS platform should be capable of managing all types of information: geographic, alphanumeric, text and multimedia. The main components of the RBMIS are:

o a database and geographic information system (GIS): these are vital tools for managing data and translating them into, for example maps, graphs, indicators; o tools to manage a catalogue of data sources on line; o decision-support and modeling tools; and o a web portal for sharing and disseminating information

• Capacity Development

Conduct of trainings, educational tours, development of training manuals and IEC for advocacy and public awareness campaigns.

• Establishment of Water Resource Center

7.4 BUDGETARY REQUIREMENT

For this component, a total budget of 89 million pesos is proposed for the 15-year period of the master plan. Breakdown is shown in Table 7.4-1.

Table 7.4-1 Budgetary Breakdown

Source of Fund: DENR-RBCO/Other sources Implementing Agency: AARBO ITEM Year 1 to 3 Year 4 to 8 Year 9 to 15 Total Personnel Services 8,000,000 8,000,000 10,000,000 26,000,000 (Salaries and honoraria) Maintenance and Operating Expenses 5,000,000 8,000,000 20,000,000 33,000,000 (Travel, Supplies & Materials, Communication and Other Services including Administrative Cost Capital Outlay 5,000,000 5,000,000 20,000,000 30,000,000 (Equipment) Total 18,000,000 21,000,000 50,000,000 89,000,000

Main Report Chapter 7-5

Chapter 8 Summary of Budgetary

Requirements Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

CHAPTER 8 SUMMARY OF BUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS

Table 8.0-1 shows the indicative budget broken down into thematic (water resources, watershed, CCA-DRRM and coastal and aquatic) and cross-cutting (creation of RBO, communication, education and public awareness plan, river basin management information system and research and development) areas. The total cost is 15.3595 billion pesos.

Table 8.0-1 Budget Summary of the Integrated Master Plan

Budget (in million pesos) Item Year 1 to 3 Year 4 to 8 Year 9 to 15 Total

Water Resources 1,535.0 1,720.0 2,430.0 5,685.0

Watershed and 250.0 325.0 270.0 845.0 Environment

CCA-DRRM 2,326.0 2,140.0 2,160.0 6,626.0

Coastal and 130.0 240.0 400.0 770.0 Aquatic

Creation of RBO 20.6 44.5 80.0 145.1

Cross-Cutting Cost (RBMIS, PAP and 54.0 57.0 91.0 202.0 R&D) Total 4,315.6 4,526.5 5,431.1 14,273.1

Main Report Chapter 8-1

References Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

REFERENCES

1999 Tourism Situationer. Department of Tourism. Cordillera Administrative Region

A Handbook for Integrated Water Resources Management in Basins. 2009. International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO)/ Global Water Partnership (GWP)

Abra River Basin Integrted Management and Development Master Plan

Abulug River Basin Framework Plan. November 1981. National Water Resources Council. Quezon City.

Abulug River Basin Framework Plan. November 1981. National Water Resources Council. Quezon City.

Apayao Provincial Development & Physical Framework Plan 2011-2016

Apayao Provincial Development Plan and Physical Framework Plan. 2011-2016

Assessing influenza reservoirs and the avian viral transport system among Philippine birds, University of Alaska Museum

Cagayan Provincial Development Plan and Physical Framework Plan. 2011-2016

Cagayan River Basin Integrated Management and Development Master Plan

Cagayan Valley Regional Development Plan 2011-2016

Cordillera Almanac Vol. I - Local Government Units. 1999. Department of the Interior and Local Government. Cordillera Administrative Region

Cordillera Regional Development Plan 2011-2016

Council of the European Union. 1995, Helsinki Convention: trans-boundary watercourses and international lakes.

De Leon, B. D. Agno River Basin Development Commission. Powerpoint presentation entitled “Role of the Agno River Basin Development Commission (ARBDC) in River Basin Master Planning.

Department of Agriculture

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, CAR , RBCO, PENRO Apayao

Department of Interior and Local Government

Draft Memorandum of Agreement for the ANCRiSDeMC

Ecosystem Approaches in Integared Water Resources Management (IWRM): A Review of Transboundary River Basins. Roy, D. Barr, J., & Venena, H.D. International Institute for Sustainabale Development & UNEP-DHI Centre for Water and Environment. August 2011

Main Report References-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Endarwati, M. C. One River, One Plan, One Management, How Difficult to adopt?. Powerpoint presentation: 15th International River Symposium, Rivers in Rapidly Urbanising World. Melbourne, Australia. 08-12 October 2012.

Environment and Management Bureau

EU Joint Programme Initiative: Water Challenges for a Changing World. 2010

Forest Management Bureau, CAR

Global Water Partnership Technical Focus Paper. 2013. The role of decisionsupport systems and models in integrated river basin management. Technical Advisory Committee, Stockholm, Sweden.

Global Water Partnership. 2000. Integrated Water Resources Management. TAC Background Papers No.4, Global Water Partnership, Technical Advisory Committee, Stockholm, Sweden.

Global Water Partnership. 2003. Effective Water Governance: Learning from the Dialogues. Report from "3rd World Water Forum" Kyoto, Japan.

Hooper, B. P Integrated Water Resources Management and River Basin Governance. Water Resource Update Issue 126, p. 12-20, November 2003. Universities Countries on Water Resources

IEA ETSAP – Technology Brief E12 – May 2010 - www.etsap.org

Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan (Main Report- Vol. II): A National Plan on Sustainable and Ecosystem Management and Development of the Philippine River Basins. River Basin Control Office. 2006

Integrated River Basin Management: From Concepts to Good Practice. Briefing Note 1. An Introduction to Integrated River Basin Management. Millington, P. The World Bank. 2006

IPCC, 2007: Summary for Policy makers.In: Climate Change2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC.

IWRM in the Davao Watersheds. Declan Hearne. Center for River Basin Organizations and Management. September 2011.

Koulopoulos, T. and C. Frappaolo. 2000. Smart Things to Know About Knowledge Management.

Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Subnational Development and Land Use/Physical Planning in the Philippines. 2008.

Mekong River Commission (MRC). 2002. Decision Support Framework (DSF) – Basin Modelling and Knowledge Base developed under the Water Utilization Programme (2002-2007)

Mindanao River Basin Integrated Management and Development Master Plan

Main Report References-2 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Mines and GeoSciences Bureau, CAR

National Irrigation Administration 2011-2016 Development Plan. 2011.Quezon City

National Irrigation Administration. Region 02. 2011. Irrigation Development Plan. 2011- 2017. Cauayan City

National Irrigation Adminstration – Cordillera Administrative Region. 2011. Irrigation Development Plan. 2011-2017. Baguio City

NEDA - Cordillera Administrative Region. 2011. Regional Development Plan 2011- 2016 Baguio City.

NEDA- Cordillera Administrative Region. 2011. Regional Development Plan 2011- 2016 Baguio City.

NEDA- Region 02. 2011. Regional Development Plan 2011-2016. Tuguegarao City.

NEDA- Region 02. 2011. Regional Development Plan. 2011-2016. Tuguegarao City.

Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan Province of Apayao. 2011-2016

Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan Province of Cagayan. 2011-2016

Report on “Sustainabale Traditional and Indigenous Forest Resources Management System and Practice (STIFRMSP)-Pudtol, Apayao. DENR

River Basin Control Office. 2011.Midterm Report on the Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Cagayan River Basin. Philippines

River Basin Management. Handbook 9. Ramsar Handbooks 4 ed. 2010. Ramsar Convention Secretariat.

The Handbook for Integrated Water Resources Management in Transboundary Basins of Rivers, Lakes and Aquifers. March 2012. Global Water Partnership (GWP)/ International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO)

Tuddao, V. B. Jr. August 2012. Powerpoint presentation entitled “River Basin Organization: Concept, Creation, Roles and Responsibilities”.

Usman, A. R.. 2001. Comprehensive Development of the Brantas River Basin. The Republic of Indonesia.

Vischer, R. K. 2001. Subsidiarity as a Principle of Governance: Beyond Devolution. Indiana Law Review

Water Report 37: Aquastat. Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River Basin. www.fao.org

Main Report References-3

Annexes Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

ANNEX A REVIEW OF POLICY PRINCIPLES ON RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT1

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

In 1987, the Brundtland Commission Report entitled “Our Common Future,” stirred a broad global consensus to improve water management and sustainability in recognition of the importance of water as a global issue.

The International Conference on Water and the Environment in Ireland in 1992 called for immediate action to reverse the trends of over-consumption, pollution and threats from drought and floods. The World Council on Environment and Development (WCED) reached a consensus that modern water resources management should be based on four (4) fundamental principles (known as the Dublin Principles), which are closely related to the social, economic and environmental aspects of water. First, the ecological principle holds that water is a finite and vulnerable resource that is essential to sustain life, development and the environment; it argues for an ecosystem and basin-based approach to water management rather than a sectoral strategy. Second, the institutional principle argues that water management should be participatory involving users, planners and policy makers at the lowest appropriate level, including women. Third, the gender principle recognizes the central role of women in the provision, management, and safeguarding of water; and whose participation and empowerment would have to be initiated through positive policies. Finally, the instrument principle argues that water is a social and economic good that should be valued in all its competing uses, with appropriate economic incentives to improve allocation and enhance quality.

The UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil later in 1992 prescribed integrated approaches to the development, management and use of water resources in Agenda 21. Watershed protection and management, key to IWRM, is enshrined in Agenda 21 in its call for sustainable management interventions for forest ecosystems and woodlands.

The World Bank (WB), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and other institutions through the Global Water Partnership (GWP) in Stockholm, Sweden in 1996 carried on the momentum in the evolving principle in the water sector. In the succeeding years until 2003, the World Water Council (WWC) conducted three (3) World Water Forums (WWFs) that led to the identification of the following key action areas to address water issues: (1) pro-poor water governance; (2) improvement of access to quality water services; (3) improvement of investments in water-using sectors that will enhance access by the poor to economic and livelihood opportunities; (4) capacitating the poor to access and manage water resources; (5) improving the resilience of the poor to water-related disasters through preventive, adaptive and mitigation measures; and (6) community-based, participatory and shared management of water as a common resource.

The changes in the development principle and the consequent policy priorities led to the formulation and universal acceptance of the Integrated Water Resource Development

1 This Paper was part of the diagnostic analysis report for the project on Mindanao River Basin Integrated Management and Development Master Plan. It is reproduced here in its updated form by its main author. Solomon F. Paz, Social Development Expert/Institutional Development Specialist, as literature reference for the project “Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for the Apayao-Abulog River Basin”

Main Report Annex A-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin and Management (IWRM) and the Integrated River Basin Development and Management (IRBM).

Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)

The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is the new paradigm – a process that requires cross-sector, trans-boundary, coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems and the environment. [GWP] The word “management” in IWRM means “development and management”.

IWRM is an approach in protecting the environment which allows optimum economic use of water resources within the ambit of democratic participation of resource stakeholders and guided by good governance. Unlike the traditional water resource management approach: that is fragmented, sector-based, territory-bound and top- down, IWRM is cross-sector or inter-sector, crosses administrative boundaries (because it considers the geo-physical characteristics of the water source), and applies a bottom-up basin-level development and management style. Figure 2.1-1 shows the integration process in IWRM involving the various water sectors.

Adapted from GWP

Figure 1 Integration Process of Water Sectors in IWRM

IWRM is based on the principle that water resources are an integral component of the ecosystem, a natural resource, and a social and economic good: a principle popularly known as the Dublin Principle.

Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM)

The development strategy that shall be applied in the development and management of the Philippine River Basins is the integrated river basin management approach. The IRBM is used to guide the formulation of the river basin strategic action plans (SAP)/master plans, in the identification of the appropriate institutional framework and structure, and in the crafting of the river basin monitoring and evaluation system. To apply an integrated river basin management (IRBM) approach will ensure a coherent, focused and integrated administration and implementation of the various development themes.

Main Report Annex A-2 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Since the policies and principles of IRBM are general, overarching, cross-geopolitical boundary, integrative, and comprehensive, its appropriateness to address the development challenges within a basin is never going to be an issue. However, the approach and operation of IRBM for any specific river basin should consider the particular uniqueness and actual development requirements of the basin area. Figure 2 shows the conventional RBM strategy while Figure 3 shows the IRBM strategy.

Sector Agencies

Poverty

Water Resources Watershed

Wetlands Flood Control Management

Figure 2 Traditional, Sector-based, Administratively-bounded RBM Approach

Cross-Sector Trans-boundary

Water Resources Watershed Management Management & Rehabilitation

Socio- Economic Growth

Wetland Resource Disaster Management Management

Figure 3 Integrated River Basin Development and Management (IRBM) Approach

The IRBM strategy should be applied within the particular uniqueness of the basin area, as well as on the specific challenges that needs to be responded to. The integration is

Main Report Annex A-3 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin compelled by the need to ensure, and to magnify, the centrality of human development for the river basin management.

POLICY ENVIRONMENT ON RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

POLICY FRAMEWORK AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIONS

1) Millennium Development Goals (MDG), 2000-2015

The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) is drawn from the United Nation’s Millennium Declaration in 2000. The MDG is a set of eight time-bounded, concrete and specific goals. These eight (8) millennium goals are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improved maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.

With the shift in paradigm in the water sector, which boldly recognizes the relevance of the interplay among natural capital (environment), institutional capital (organizations, policies), and human capital in the management of water resources, the MDG serves as a goal and a performance indicator of how much impact and significant the “new” water resource management principles and strategic policies have on the emancipation of the poor, especially the most vulnerable groups composed of children and women.

Specifically, an improvement in the water resource management has a direct impact on the MDG by ensuring environmental sustainability and halving the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, among others. On the other hand, a rational development of the MRB may create favorable conditions for investments which will create employment opportunities. This possibility will likewise impact on reducing the proportion of MRB population living below food and poverty threshold.

2) Philippine Development Plan (PDP), 2011-2016

The PDP 2011-2016 is the present administration’s blue print for manifesting its commitment to transformational leadership and is formulated based on the President’s social contract with the people. The PDP adopts a framework of “inclusive growth” defined as sustainable growth that generates mass employment and reduces poverty within the ambit of good governance and anti-corruption.

The Plan adopts the following broad thrusts: massive infrastructure development, higher governance standards, human development & human capital formation, direct poverty- relief and employment generation. Ensuring ecological integrity and mitigating the effects of climate change is recognized as essential in ensuring success as disasters are developmental impediment.

In essence, the PDP has put more stress on good governance as an over-arching driver towards the attainment of economic growth. It also lays down its commitment to social protection measures to alleviate the plight of the poor

Main Report Annex A-4 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

3) Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP), 2004-2010

In the previous MTPDP, the adoption of the IWRM was clearly spelled out in terms of using eco-system and watershed approach to optimize economic and social welfare. In the updated MTPDP, Chapter 3 had been re-titled Green Philippines in order to stress the importance of environmental concerns, and the relationship for a resource-based development. The MTPDP had identified five major thrust, to wit:

• Sustainable and more productive use of natural resources to promote investment and entrepreneurship; • Sustainable mining that adheres to the principles of sustainable: economic growth, environmental protection and social equity; • Protection of vulnerable and ecologically fragile areas, especially watersheds and areas where bio-diversity is threatened;

• Creation of a healthier environment for the population; and, • Mitigating the occurrence of national disasters to prevent the loss of lives and properties.

4) National Wetland Action Plan

The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) presented a framework for a National Wetland Action Plan to serve as the guidepost for wetland management in the country. As of 2011, the action plan is still undergoing various consultations with various government agencies, non- government organizations and academic institutions concerned with the use and conservation of wetlands.

Essentially, the Action Plan conforms to the two tenets advocated in the Ramsar Convention Treaty: protection and wise use of wetland resources.

5) National IWRM Framework Plan, 2007

A National IWRM Framework Plan had been prepared by a task force coordinated by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and was composed of 18 government agencies, 3 non-government organizations and a representative from the academe.

The Plan is the Philippines’ official act signifying its adoption of IWRM in water resource management and initiating the formulation of appropriate policy instruments for its implementation. Specifically, the Plan is intended to meet the challenges in: centralized, fragmented and sub-sectoral management approach; mainstreaming IWRM at the regional and local level; insufficient investments in water supply and sanitation; lack of technical capability of implementing agencies (including LGUs and ARMM); need for an efficient and effective information flow; and a need to link freshwater management with coastal management.

Furthermore, the Plan is seen to address the following: effective protection and regulation for water security and ecosystem health; sustainable water resources and responsive services for present and future needs; improved effectiveness, accountability, and synergy among the water-related institutions and stakeholders; and, innovative responses to future challenges.

6) National IRBM Framework Plan

Main Report Annex A-5 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

A national IRBM Framework Plan has been drawn up by the RBCO to provide guidance and direction. The IRBM Framework Plan adopts IWRM as a process and an approach in dealing with water resources development and rehabilitation; employs integrated and holistic strategies to harmonize and rationalize river basin plans and programs; and, covers river basin in scope and strategies to achieve manageable spatial boundaries for effective planning and river basin management. The Framework Plan also includes four supplemental framework components: water quality protection and monitoring; information and decision-support systems; river and coastal area protection and rehabilitation; and river basin organization and governance.

The Framework Plan also includes four supplemental framework components: water quality protection and monitoring; information and decision-support systems; river and coastal area protection and rehabilitation; and river basin organization and governance.

Other than the formulation of the framework plan, the Philippines do not have a declared policy on river basin management. Often, reference to river basin management is based on loose collection of policies on water, watershed and flood control. While there is a recognition and adoption of IWRM/IRBM as the “approach and process”, it falls short of declaring the same as the national policy. Even with a de facto application of the IWRM/IRBM, there is a need for a legal management instrument to promote its application.

7) Philippine Strategy for Improved Watershed Resources Management (PSIWRM), 1998

In 1995, a water summit was held in the Philippine. This signaled the shift in government planning and investments towards the general framework of IWRM. This planning direction led to the crafting of the “Philippine Strategy for Improved Watershed Resources Management (PSIWRM)” in 1998. The strategy served as the basis for sustainable Philippine watershed management.

The Strategy advocated for a demand-driven and community-based approach to watershed management: the “demand” being the national priorities and concerns and the “participation” was meant to underscore the need to ensure the active participation of direct stakeholders in planning, decision-making and in using local watershed resources.

8) Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development (PSSD), 1996

The formulation of the PSSD was in response to the Philippine commitment to the global Agenda 21. Hence, the formulation of the PSSD led to the crafting of the Philippine Agenda 21 (PA21).

The PSSD, as well as the PA21, serves as the country’s blueprint for promoting sustainable development (SD) and integrating the same in all its development plans, programs and projects.

Water and environment-related objectives rank high in Philippine Agenda 21, and those with relevant importance to the MRB Project include (i) ensuring sustainable utilization of the country’s natural resources such as forests, croplands, marine, and freshwater ecosystems; (ii) achieving and maintaining an acceptable quality of air and water; and (iii) enhancing access to safe and adequate water for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses.

9) Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 1994

Main Report Annex A-6 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also called the Ramsar Convention (owing to the place where it was held: Ramsar, Iran) was an international treaty among sovereign governments that provides a framework for national and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and its resources. It is recognized as the only treaty of its kind which focuses on a specific eco- system. Under the convention, the word wetlands include lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas, tidal flats, near-shore marine areas, mangroves, coral reefs and even man-made sites like fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.

In 1994, the Philippine government adhered to the treaty and has since made it part of national policy on wetland resource management. However, the country remains without a specific policy on wetlands other than those that concerns wetlands considered as protected areas.

10) National Wetland Action Plan

The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) presented a framework for a National Wetland Action Plan to serve as the guidepost for wetland management in the country. As of 2011, the action plan is still undergoing various consultations with various government agencies, non- government organizations and academic institutions concerned with the use and conservation of wetlands. Nonetheless, a specific legal instrument that would promote an integrated and coordinated approach to protect and manage wetlands remains an illusive advocacy.

11) Business Agenda 21

The Agenda is about the participation of the private sector, particularly the small to medium enterprises in environmental management. The Business Agenda 21 was adopted by 83 major industry associations and calls for environmental self-governance just as in the area of wastewater discharges into water bodies where each corporate entity is expected to prepare and submit self-monitoring reports to the Environmental Management Bureau.

Policy on Environment and Natural Resources

1) State Policy

The Philippine Constitution of 1987 is the highest law of the land: all policies, laws, statues, ordinances, orders and circulars issued by government and all its instrumentalities emanate from it. Notwithstanding, legislating enabling laws that would clearly translate constitutional proviso into do-able and measurable actions is required.

The following constitutional provision is significant and relevant:

a. Article II Sec 16 which stipulates that the right of the people to a balanced ecology in accord with nature shall be protected and advanced. b. Article II Sec 21 states that it shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform. c. Article II Sec 25 which ensures the autonomy of local governments. d. Article X Sec 13 allows local government units to group themselves, consolidate their efforts, services and resources for mutual benefits.

Main Report Annex A-7 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

e. Article XII Sec 2 declares that all lands of the public domain, water, fisheries, forests, wildlife and all other natural resources are owned by the State and cannot be alienated. However, it allows for its exploration, development and utilization under its direct supervision and control. f. Article XII Sec 9 states that Congress may establish independent economic and planning agency headed by the President to implement a continuing integrated and coordinated programs and policies for national development. g. Article XII Sec 16 allows Congress to create or establish, by special charter, government-owned or controlled corporations in the interest of the common good.

It is easy to note that most international advocacies on protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development are broadly covered in the Constitution. And from the provisions of the Constitution, sector policies were promulgated through implementing laws, executive orders, department or administrative orders, circulars and ordinances. These sector policies are evidenced by the legal instruments on which it is premised.

Curiously though, there are numerous sector policies that were based on an earlier version of the constitutions---the 1935 Philippine Constitution and the 1973 Philippine Constitution--- while others were promulgated during the Martial Law years (1972-1981) through Letters of Instructions (LOIs) and Presidential Decrees (PDs), and the Revolutionary Era of the Cory Aquino administration (1986-1987) through Executive Orders (EOs) when the country’s head executive had law-making powers. It may do well to review and update these in the light of recent developments in knowledge and technology fields.

2) Sector Policies

Cognizant that the concern on environment and natural resources is vast and diverse, and that not all ecological and environmental aspects have specific commonality, specific sector policies were promulgated. These policies are:

• Civil Code of the Philippines (RA 386 s. 1949)

One of the oldest policy instruments in the annals of environmental legislation in the country, the Civil Code provides a comprehensive translation of the provisions of the 1935 Constitution. Its Book II Chapter 1 defined what is considered as public domain and is dedicated to the description of waters: ownership, use and other pertinent proviso.

Specifically, Section 1 of Article 501 of the chapter states that ownership of waters found in the public domain in the country is an inalienable sovereign property that cannot be privatized or owned. It however recognizes that waters found on private lands is owned by the private land owner (as long as it stays within the owners property boundary) provided that the latter does not alter or cause to be altered changes in the natural course of water flow to detriment of others.

• Philippine Environmental Policy (PD 1151 s. 1977) and the Philippine Environmental Code (PD 11512 s. 1977)

Both the Code and the Policy established standards for air and water quality. It has likewise set forth guidelines for land use management, natural resources, ground water and solid/liquid waste management.

The Code remains as a primal policy instrument that has stood the challenges of emerging needs. Through the years, Implementing Rules and Regulations issued via

Main Report Annex A-8 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Department Orders and/or Memorandum Orders/Circulars have clarified and expanded on specific key and critical sectoral policies. At times, the Code serves as the jumping board for other legislative measures and policy instrument to be enunciated.

• Water Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 10762 s. 1976)

The Code established the principles relating to appropriation, control and conservation of water resources, and defined the extent of the rights and obligations of water users as well the protection and regulation of such rights.

Specifically, the Code provides the rules governing the rights and obligations of water users. Required under the Code is the securing of water rights permit. Major water users are those sectors related to agriculture, commerce and industry and household. Violation of standards will result in the revocation or suspension of the granted water rights permit.

Executive fiats and orders are issued from time to time to make adjustments on certain features of the policy such as those concerning fees, tariffs and operational procedures.

• Environmental Impact Statement System (Presidential Decree No. 1586 s. 1979)

The law declared the policy of the State to attain and maintain a rational and orderly balance between socio-economic growth and environmental protection through the establishment of an Environmental Impact Statement System.

While PD 1151 had recognized the need for environmental impact aspects in all government and private sector projects, the issuance of the EIS System had clearly institutionalized the procedure and process for conducting environmental impact studies. From time to time, the procedures and the appropriate fees are adjusted through Department Orders. But the basic legal basis for the EIS system in the country remains to be PD 1586.

• Sanitation Code of the Philippines (PD 856 s. 1975)

The Sanitation Code confers the authority and responsibility to the Department of Health (DOH) to prescribe the standards and procedures in ensuring safe drinking water by establishing standards for drinking water through a National Drinking Water Standards (NSDW). The National Drinking Water Standards ensures safe water quality on sites of water sources, in the course of delivery and the operation of water systems.

Drinking waters are required to undergo examination to determine its safeness. In 1993, the NSDW 1993 outlined various parameters to be used in the analysis of drinking water quality. There are currently 56 bacteriological, physical, chemical, radiological, and biological parameters that are subject for monitoring.

• Pollution Control Law (PD 984 s. 1976)

The decree strengthened the implementation of pollution control programs and projects, as well as enhanced the mandate of the National Pollution Control Commission.

Previously, RA 3931 created the National Water and Air Pollution Control Commission and its regulatory and executive function was limited to water and air pollution. Cognizant that there were various types of pollution, then President F. Marcos issued PD 984 which revised RA 3991.

2 The Implementing Rules and Regulations of PD 1067 had been amended last 21 March 2005 during the 29th meeting of the NWRB

Main Report Annex A-9 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

The issuance of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act made further clarification and enhancement of pollution monitoring in the country.

• Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003 s. 26 January 2001)

The law stipulates the need to enforce solid waste management in all locales of the country and mandates local government units to establish sanitary landfills or other sustainable waste management system. The law provides a prescriptive period by which the LGUs are expected to have fully and faithfully complied with shutting down open dumpsites and other unsustainable and ecologically degrading methods of waste disposal.

Curiously, current land use plans of many LGUs do not identify possible sites for sanitary landfills or other solid waste management areas. This may be caused by resistance from communities where the possible sites are expected to be located. At this time, solid waste management is more of a political concern as the environmental science and engineering knowledge-base is available.

• Forestry Code of the Philippines (RA 7161 s. 1991), Revised Forestry Code (PD 705 s. 1975 as revised by PD 1175 s. 1981)

The Revised Forestry Code of 1981 is a primal legislation which prohibits the categorization of watersheds as alienable and disposable lands, and strictly prohibits logging in critical watersheds. It is entitled as such because it actually revises another legislative measure---PD 389 (Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines). The Code defines categorically what it considers as critical watersheds: “drainage areas of river systems supporting existing and proposed hydroelectric and irrigation works, and requiring immediate rehabilitation from long-time and rapid denudation activities”.

The Forestry Code of 1991 focused its proviso on the fees being charged in the extraction and use of forest resources by incorporating revenue function from the then internal revenue office to the Forest Management Bureau. Hence, there is hardly any substantive change in terms of regulatory requirements or procedures relative to forest management and development.

• Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147 s. 2001)

The WRCPA prescribes the legal framework and procedure in the management of the country’s wildlife resources in terms of preservation, scientific studies and/or trading. It further defines the species of wildlife that must be conserved and protected.

In the Act, wildlife covers both flora and fauna which are either bred or in its natural habitat. Of special concern of the Act are wildlife that are considered endemic but are threatened, or exotic but are regulated as it may have adverse impact on the country’s natural habitat.

• Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973 (PD 198 s. 1973)

The PWUA empowers the local government units in developing and managing local water utilities with the aim of promoting and developing water services to its constituents. It was envisioned that through this Act, access to potable safe drinking water will be enhanced.

Main Report Annex A-10 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

The enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) had further strengthened the authority and accountability of the local government units in the provision and delivery of water services within its own locality, or in collaboration with other LGUs could jointly unite their resources to provide these services.

• Clean Water Act of 2004 (RA 9275 s. 2004)

The Act institutionalized the standardization of water quality for several usages and provided the regulatory framework and requirement for wastewater discharges into water bodies. It mandates a comprehensive water quality management for all water bodies, as well as in the control and abatement of pollution from the land-based sources. The water quality standards and regulations are being enforced irrespective of sources of pollution.

The act provides, among others, that DENR in coordination with NWRB designate certain areas as water quality management areas (WQMA) using appropriate physiographic units such as watersheds, river basins or water resources regions. Further, to ensure community participation in promoting water quality standards, WQMA boards are promoted to be established.

The designation of a WQMA will enable its multi-sectoral governing board in the formulation of focused interventions or actions that are designed to address specific water quality issues involving water quality problem/s, sources of pollution, and the beneficial uses of the receiving water body to include possible combination of control measures that could effectively achieve water quality objectives or improvements.

• National Water Crisis Act of 1995 (RA 8041 s.1995)

The passage of the law allowed for the privatization of water service providers under the supervision of the government. The Act recognized the emerging need to improve the efficiency and affordability of water services.

• Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (RA 8435 s. 1997) and Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA 8550 s. 1998)

The AFMA provided the appropriate budgetary and logistical requirements for the modernization of the country’s entire agricultural base with the view of attaining global competitiveness. Its main focus was on mechanism that will result in sustained increase in production, agro-industrialization and full employment for the agriculture sector. In keeping with this aim, AFMA advocates for the identification and establishment of Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZ) at the local government level.

Meanwhile, the Code is related to the AFMA in so far as both focus on the rational use of resources to spur agriculture and fisheries productivity. However, the Code is concerned more on coastal resource management which emphasizes the management, conservation and protection of fishery and aquatic resources, optional utilization of existing resources, and the maintenance of ecological balance and the quality of the environment.

• Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (RA 6657 s. 1988)

The resolution of the centuries-old problem of land distribution was the penultimate aim of the policy instrument. It was the realization of the asset reform agenda of the then Aquino Administration

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To this day, and with numerous extensions on the duration of completing the distribution of land to the landless farmers, the asset reform program continues to be elusive.

One of the articulated issues regarding the agrarian reform program is the inadequacy of support services to farmer-beneficiaries: inadequacy in terms of sustained support services (primarily on credit facilities) and the degree of the relevance of these services (network of support services).

Another issue is the ease in which prime agricultural lands are converted into non- agricultural land category. Other land owners deliberately sub-divide their lands into small parcels leading to its exemption from the program.

While the apparent failure of the comprehensive agrarian reform program does not directly impact on food production, it does however affect social stability.

• National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (RA 7586 s. 1992)

The NIPAS Act has made headway in the drive to protect critical ecosystems in the country. These critical ecosystems included swamps, marshes, mangroves, lakes etc.

At best, the legal base for protecting our ecosystems is present albeit there are weaknesses in the operating procedure for declaring areas as protected regions.

• People’s Small Scale Mining Act (RA 7076 s. 1991) and the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942 s. 1995)

RA 7076 recognizes small scale mining as a means to promote employment considering that such mining activities rely heavily on manual labor. Under the law, small scale mining are regulated by an LGU-based Board but is chaired by the DENR Secretary (or his/her authorized representative usually the DENR Regional Office).

Unbeknown to most people, small scale mining is a regulated mining activity, and the small scale mining site requires a declaration from the LGU-based Board. In practice, most small scale mining activities operate even without the required procedural requirements, and are clandestinely operated. Clandestine small scale mining operations are believed to substantially contribute to massive erosion and cause heavy siltation on water bodies.

Meanwhile, the Mining Act provides the regulatory guidelines in the exploration, extraction and mining operations of mining corporations in the country. Small scale mining operations are given preferential area approximating not more than 25% of the mining area of large mining activities. The specific role of the LGUs or of communities is implicit through the conduct of the EIS system which requires a tri-partite ECC monitoring teams.

Further, the Act provides incentives to mining corporations to invest and engage in mining.

• Indigenous People’s Right Act (RA 8371 s. 1997)

The IPRA is meant to protect, promote and respect the rights of the IP to their culture and ancestral domain. It allows communal or clan ownership to ancestral lands, as well as institutionalize the consultation process and participation of IP in development

Main Report Annex A-12 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin projects located in their lands. The Act provides three types of legal instruments to be issued as documentary evidence of ownership and participation: certificate of ancestral domain claim (CADC); certificate of ancestral domain title (CADT); and free and prior informed consent (FPIC).

There are several laws which impacts on the IPRA: NIPAS Act; CARL; AFMA; WRCPA; Small Scale Mining Act; and Mining Act. Implementing rules and regulations for each of the legal instruments need to be reviewed in a coordinated and integrated fashion so as to prevent actual and anticipated overlaps in interpretation and implementation. In IRBM, these overlaps are analyzed with the view of balancing all perspectives in a synergistic forward-looking collaboration among all stakeholders in the basin. The usual sector- oriented and fragmented approach will only cause social division and polarization.

The above policy measures attempts to present pertinent policy measures that will impact in the development and management of river basins. Notwithstanding, it is notable that there are at least two crucially specific policy instruments that have not been promulgated thus far: a comprehensive wetland resource management and development law; and a comprehensive river and river basin management and development law.

It is not surprising therefore that several wetland and river basins in the country are in dire condition. It is also not surprising that the lack of an integrated and comprehensive management framework for these two crucial eco-systems is causing and/or aggravating the incidence of disasters and natural hazards, as well as environmental degradation.

Policy on Governance

The Philippine national government has three broad priority governance policies, to wit:

1) Localization3 – which means to bring down governance to the local level by decentralizing and/or devolving several programs and services which are usually frontline services needed and availed of by the citizenry. It is the operational translation of the principle of subsidiarity.

The Local Government Code (RA 7160 enacted in 1991) broadened the mandate of the LGUs and re-defined its relationship and linkages to the national government notably in the areas where erstwhile national government programs and services were devolved to them. This meant that the LGUs now play a larger role in planning and implementing local infrastructure and utility programs and projects including water supply and sanitation sector.

On 17 February 2010, RA 9996 was enacted creating the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). The law solidifies the position of government to bring effective governance at the level where its programs and services is most needed by its constituents. Further, the law institutionalizes coordination and integration of development initiatives across geo-political boundaries and sectoral agencies.

The Organic Act of ARMM (RA 6734 s. 1989 as amended by RA 9054 s. 2001) led to the creation, and the subsequent expansion, of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. In the Act, the powers, authority and mandate of the Regional

3 Localization is often used interchangeably with devolution or decentralization owing to the pattern of “localizing” programs and services from national delivery agencies

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Government had been expanded and more clearly defined especially in relation to the Local Government Code, as well as to the other national policies.

Attempts to institutionalize the creation of an autonomous Cordillera region has been made in Congress at least twice but was defeated in the plebiscites held for the purpose. Nonetheless, efforts continue for its eventual establishment as there appears to growing perception that this will hasten the growth and progress in the said area.

2) Privatization – that aims to limit government participation in areas where the private sector can best provide market-based goods and services at a more efficient and effective manner such as in water services, power, and infrastructure development.

The National Water Crisis Act (RA 8041, s. 1995) set out the urgency of water reforms in the Philippines. Supported initiatives not only encompassed the supply, distribution, finance, and privatization of state-run water facilities but also the protection and conservation of watersheds and the waste and pilferage of water, including the serious matter of graft and corruption in all water agencies.

The Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law (RA 7718, s. 1994), recognizes the important role of the private sector as the main engine for national growth and development, and provides appropriate incentives to mobilize private resources for financing the construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure and development projects normally financed and undertaken by the Government. Under this law almost all development projects, including water supply and related investments such as hydro- power, may be undertaken through the build-operate- transfer (BOT) scheme.

Currently, the effort for Joint Venture schemes and public-private partnership (PPP) had been given impetus as indicated in the PDP 2011-2016.

3) Good governance – which intends to enhance the administration of the state and government affairs through efforts that will ensure efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability.

The Administrative Code of 1987 gave the Philippine President the power and the authority to reorganize and streamline the bureaucracy.

Executive Order No. 123 of 1987 provided the impetus for government agencies to undergo a rationalization and streamlining program immediately upon ascension to power of the Aquino (C.) administration. At the moment, there are still agencies which are finalizing its Rationalization Action Plan (RAP).

The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121 s. 2010) aims to strengthen the country’s disaster risk reduction and management system by incorporating international norms, principles and standards in disaster risk management.

The Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729 s. 2009) is a recognition of the need to mainstream climate change in formulating government policies and development plans in synch with DRRM and has created a commission (Climate Change Commission) to work on crafting the country’s strategic framework. The framework would henceforth serve as the basis for climate change planning, research & development, extension services and monitoring.

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Each of the pertinent sector laws provide for governance mechanism in translating the provision in the Constitution. Cognizant that there are overlapping concerns among the various implementing government agencies, inter-agency collaboration mechanisms were establish to streamline operation and unify concern into cohesive whole. In addition to efforts of coordination and collaboration, the latest paradigm is on convergence and it is oft heard of government functionaries conveying “convergence policy”.

The IRBM strategy institutionalizes a higher level of integration, collaboration and coordination and ensures that the entire milieu of planning, management and administration are converged and focused on the basin.

Policy Synthesis

In the implementation of laws and policies related to water use and management, about 32 government agencies and offices are involved with functions ranging from water supply, irrigation, hydropower, flood control, pollution control and watershed management. Taking into account the number of players in water use and management with their respective sector functions and mandates, the existing set-up in water use and management is quite complicated and poses problems on conflicts of interests and possible overlapping of responsibilities that hinders effective water resources management. Some of the key agencies are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Some Key Government Agencies in Water Resource Management

AGENCY NAME AGENCY DESCRIPTION MANDATE/FUNCTION Department of Environment One of 20 Line Agencies Environment and natural and Natural Resources resource protection, (DENR) preservation and development National Water Resources Line bureau of the Control, supervision and Board (NWRB) Department of regulation of the use, Environment and Natural exploitation, development and Resources (DENR) protection of water resources; administer and enforce suitable policies and directions in water resources management Department of Public Works One of 20 Line Agencies Formulate policies, implement and Highways national infrastructure project on roads, bridges and flood controls National Economic One of 20 Line Agencies Central planning body; Development Authority coordinates all development (NEDA) plans of government National Irrigation Attached to the Govern the construction and Administration (NIA) Department of Agriculture management of irrigation (DA) systems Local Water Utilities Attached to the Provide technical, financial and Administration (LWUA) Department of Health regulatory services to Local (DOH) Water Districts

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ANNEX B REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED RIVER BASIN ORGANIZATION FOR THE APAYAO-ABULUG RIVER BASIN

Introduction Even before the commencement of the master plan formulation for the Apayao-Abulug River Basin, initiatives were on-going for the creation of a river basin organization which will be given the task of implementing the master plan once it is completed. However, the Institutional Development expert assigned to study and to formulate the appropriate institutional arrangement was belatedly informed of such initiative. Pertinent information and official supporting documents were given only after the completion and presentation of the mid-term report although a chapter on a separate volume of the report already described the initiative.

Notwithstanding, a review of the information and the supporting documents were done consistent with the requirements for the rational formulation of an appropriate IRBM institutional arrangement. This Paper reports the result of the review. It is presented here (separately from the main report) so that the discussion in the main report could proceed in a focused and smoother way.

The Apayao-Northwest Cagayan Rivers Sustainable Development and Management Council

Organization. The proposed river basin organization, to be called the Apayao-Northwest Cagayan Rivers Sustainable Development and Management Council (ANCRiSDeMC), is being organized as an inter-agency cooperation body led by the provincial governments of Apayao and Cagayan and the respective local governments of municipalities within the geo-physical coverage of the basin. National line agencies from the two regions of CAR and II led by the DENR & DILG comprised the lead co-operators. Other line agency co- operators are from DA, NIA, DPWH, NEDA, BFAR, NCIP, DOST, DSWD, PIA and OCD. The Apayao State College and the Cagayan State University are also co-operators including unnamed private and business sector representatives.

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Structure. The ANCRiSDeMC is structured with a River Basin Executive Committee composed of all the co-operators. A Secretariat for the council composed of DENR-CAR, DENR-II and RBCO will provide coordinative functions and services to include organization operations, budget management, fund sourcing, technical review and endorsement for approval (to the Council) of programs, projects and activities, capacity building, information dissemination and data management, and other functions required or assigned to it by the Executive Committee. Further, three standing committees shall be formed: Watershed Unit I (Apayao Cluster), Watershed Unit II (Cagayan Cluster) and Outside Watershed (Business and Private Cluster) although only two committees are actually described. Each committee will have its own Secretariat to coordinate the activities within it.

Figure 1 Existing Proposed Organization Structure

Function. The general function of the Council is to coordinate, advise, formulate policy and manage the Apayao-Abulog River Basin. Specifically, the Council has the following functions: 1. To cause the formulation of a development plan, land use, watershed management plan and investment program coming from the Apayao- Abulug River Basin. 2. Harmonize the activities of all local government units and government agencies irrespective of their mandates as well as the efforts of civil society groups to

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undertake Integrated River Basin Management and Integrated Water Resource Management; 3. Facilitate or cause the collection, processing and dissemination of data including maps on land and water resources as quantitative inputs to decision support systems that the body may utilize for decision-making on water resources and river basin programs and projects; 4. Promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and involvement in water resources and river basins through proper mechanism to improve governance; 5. Initiate the review of water resource and river basin management policies and recommend appropriate amendments for consideration and possible adoption by the concerned agencies and appropriate bodies; 6. Lead in the sourcing and mobilization of financial assistance from external sources (international and local) for the implementation of PPAs; and 7. Create committees/sub-Committees and/or technical working groups as may be necessary to discharge its functions effectively.

It is tasked to adhere to the integrated watershed and ecosystems resource management strategy and to adopt the integrated river basin management and integrated water resource management approach.

Roles and Responsibilities. 1. Each cooperating agency has specific roles which can be summarized as: 2. Provide technical assistance/support; 3. Conduct research consistent with own agency mandate and functions; 4. Monitor and enforce compliance to laws, rules and regulations; 5. Allocate funds and/or resources to the Council; 6. Assign personnel to the Secretariat and the Committee(s); and, 7. Implement respective agency programs, projects and services.

Terms and Conditions of Cooperation. The cooperation agreement has a lifespan of five years. The agreement can be revoked or amended and can be terminated by mutual consent of all co-operators.

ANALYSIS The parameters used in the analysis of the proposed RBO are the following:

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Legal Framework. Local government units are authorized, as a body polity and corporate entity, to organize for a common and shared purpose as enshrined in the Local Government Code. Government agencies are likewise given such authority to enter into alliances and/or associations. The Memorandum of Cooperation is a form of contract and is governed by the law on contract and is a legal instrument that binds entities party to the contract. Hence, the legal basis for the inter-agency cooperating body has a solid legal basis for corporate existence especially so it such a contract is made public and notarized.

Structure. The proposed two standing committees comprising the clusters are based on the existing geo-political boundaries (Apayao & Cagayan) instead of geo-physical boundaries. Also, the third committee represent sectoral interest (business and private). It is recommended that the formation of these standing committees be reconsidered in favour of simply creating ad-hoc technical working committees. The Ad-hoc Technical Working Committees will be on call to act on specific technical task requirements. In lieu, sub-basin operating units should be established. Based on best practices of IRBM cases, RBOs are most effective if the institutional arrangement is based on the geo-physical characteristics of the basin. Considering that the geo-physical characteristic of the AARB is composed of upper1 and lower watershed areas and a coastal area, it may be better to have RBO operating units each at the upper and lower watershed areas and another for the coastal area. In this structural arrangement, it is consistent with the master plan and the management approaches that were considered, i.e. integrated watershed and ecosystems resource management, integrated water resource management, the integrated river basin management as well as the ridge to reef approach in integrated natural resource management. Further, for purposes of practicality, it may not be suitable to assign administrative functions to agency personnel as they may be burdened with the additional workload and functional responsibility. Instead, it is strongly recommended that the Council hire full- time contractual personnel to man the Council Secretariat. If all co-operators will fulfil the commitment for resource- and cost-sharing, there may be sufficient resources and funds to defray the cost for maintaining a full-time Council Secretariat office and personnel2. The Council Secretariat shall over-see the operation of the sub-basin operating units discussed in the preceding paragraph.

1 The Upper Watershed areas will be composed of the following sub-basin as indicated in Chapter 4 Figure 4.6.1 of the Final Report: Basin 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Meanwhile, the Lower Watershed areas will be composed of: Basins 2, 3, 4, and 5 while the Coastal Area will be composed of Basins 1, 2 (lower portion only) and 3 (lower portion only). 2 The case of the Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLDA) is a typical example of the practicality of this recommendation.

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The naming of the RBCO as a member of the Council Secretariat3 is misplaced: a vertical linkage between a basin-level RBO and a national river basin authority is planned and discussed in the main final report. At this instance, the figure below is the proposed new structure for the Council.

Figure 2 Proposed Revision on Structure

Function. The functions of the Council need to be reviewed. The main report elucidates on the functions that is recommended. In whichever case, it is worthy to mention that in spite of the functions recommended for the Council, the Council must concentrate initially on the simple and do-able functions building their capacity through time until such time that it can handle the more complex and demanding functions. In a sense, the fulfillment of the Council function should evolve and grow along with it institutional maturity. One of the proviso in the MOC is the statement that the Council will respect the current mandates and authority of respective government entities. This may not be case in the future and this should not be the envisioned situation because the Council may have to acquire functions that other government agencies are currently performing. Therefore, such a statement already limits what the Council can and should perform once it has matured as an RBO. It should be noted that an RBO is meant to manage holistically the basin and its resources. Hence, the statement concerned should be deleted. At any rate, this aspect of the basin-level RBO is discussed more thoroughly in the main report.

3 Refer to original copy of the organizational structure of ANCRiSDeMC on last page

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Figure 3 Original copy of Structure

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ANNEX C MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION OF THE APAYAO-ABULUG RIVER BASIN ORGANIZATION

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

This AGREEMENT made and entered into this by and among:

The Provincial Government of Apayao represented herein by Hon. Elias C. Bulut Jr. with official address at Provincial Capitol, Luna, Apayao;

The Provincial Government of Cagayan represented herein by Hon. Alvaro T. Antonio with official address at Capitol Hills, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan;

The Municipal Governments of Calanasan, Kabugao, Pudtol, Flora, Luna, and Sta. Marcela within the Province of Apayao; and, Abulug, Pamplona, Claveria, Sanches Mira, Ballesteros, Allacapan, and Sta. Praxedes within the Province of Cagayan represented herein by its respective Municipal Mayors;

The concerned Department of Environment and Natural Resources of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Executive Directors (REDs);

The concerned Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in its capacity as Chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office (RDDMO) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned Department of Agriculture (DA) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

Main Report Annex C-1 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

The concerned Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned National Irrigation Administration (NIA) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The concerned Philippine Information Agency (PIA) of Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II represented herein by its respective Regional Directors;

The Apayao State College represented herein by its respective President;

The Cagayan State University (CSU) represented herein by its respective President;

The Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of Apayao represented herein by ______with address at ______and the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) from Cagayan represented herein by ______with address at ______;

The Business Sector of Apayao represented herein by ______with address at ______and the Business Sector from Cagayan represented herein by ______with address at ______;

The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of Apayao represented herein by ______with address at ______and the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Cagayan represented herein by ______with address at ______.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution provides for the protection and advancement of the right of the Filipino people to a healthful and balanced ecology;

WHEREAS, the Government has adopted Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) as a national strategy for sustainable development per DENR MC 2008-05, Series 2008;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Government, through the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has funded the “Formulation of an Integrated Management and Development of the Apayao- Abulog River Basin Master Plan”;

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WHEREAS, the Apayao-Abulug River, one of the priority river basins in the country, covers the seven municipalities of the province of Apayao and the seven municipalities of Cagayan;

WHEREAS, the vast potentials of the Apayao-Abulug River should be harnessed to alleviate poverty in the Apayao-Abulug River Basin (AARB);

WHEREAS, the present state of the Apayao-Abulug River Basin calls for immediate protection, conservation and rehabilitation to improve the water yield capacities of its aquifers and rivers to ensure sustainable water supply for domestic, energy, fisheries, agricultural and industrial use;

WHEREAS, the Government recognizes the vital role of various stakeholders in the protection, rehabilitation, development, management, and utilization of natural resources inside the Apayao-Abulug River Basin;

WHEREAS, the DENR, by virtue of Executive Order No. 192 series of 1987 is the primary government agency responsible for the sustainable management and development of the country’s environment and natural resources to include watersheds, river basins and coastal areas;

WHEREAS, to address the growing concerns of the country’s water resources, the National Government created on March 5, 2006 through Executive Order (EO) No. 510, the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) where it is mandated among others to: 1) Rationalize the various existing river basin projects; 2) Develop a national master plan for flood control by integrating the various existing river basin projects and developing additional plan components as needed; and 3) Develop a master plan on integrated river basin management and development;

WHEREAS, by virtue of EO 816, the RBCO under the DENR is mandated to develop the integrated river basin master plans of the country as well as to mobilize river basin organizations to act as implementing body or structure to oversee and orchestrate the overall implementation of the plan;

WHEREAS, the LGUs share with the National Government the responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction, subject to the condition as provided under the Local Government Code;

WHEREAS, the DILG is tasked to adapt river basin approach in the implementation of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction Management(DRRM) as per RA 9729 (Climate Change Act) and RA 10121(Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act) respectively;

WHEREAS, all State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) are mandated to pursue instruction, research, extension and production functions within their respective disciplinal expertise and areas of jurisdiction;

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as the Water Code of the Philippines, a decree instituting a water code, thereby revising and consolidating the laws governing the ownership, appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development, conservation and protection of water resources.

WHEREAS, the DENR, DILG, NEDA OCD, DPWH, DA, MGB, EMB, NIA, BFAR, DOST, DSWD, NCIP, and PIA are government agencies concerned with aspects on water

Main Report Annex C-3 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin resources management and recognize the need to share responsibilities with the LGUs, academe, industry organizations/private sectors and civil society groups in the protection, management and development of the Apayao-Abulug River Basin resources in conformity with existing laws and policies;

WHEREAS, the religious sector, civil society groups, non-government organizations and business enterprises are advocates for sustainable development and environmental protection and potential providers of assistance to development endeavors in the Apayao-Abulug River Basin;

WHEREAS, water and other natural resources within the Apayao-Abulug River Basin are recognized as vital resources that need to be properly managed to support the social and economic development of regions CAR and Region II;

WHEREAS, the people within the Apayao-Abulug River Basin recognize the urgency to satisfy the various accessibility and water quality that influence people’s health, social welfare, and economic progress; and NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, the Parties herein commit to bind themselves and agree as follows:

I. Formation of the AARBO

1. The Apayao-Abulog River Basin Organization (AARBO), herein referred to as the Organization, is hereby established to function as the coordinative, advisory, policy planning and management body for the Apayao-Abulug River Basin.

2. The parties to this Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) hereby constitute the general membership of the Organization. 3. From among the general membership shall be elected a fifteen-member Executive Board. 4. From among the members of the Executive Board, the Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson shall be elected. 5. From among the remaining members of the Organization shall be elected the heads of the Technical Working Groups: Watershed Management & Development, Water Resource Management and Development, Coastal and Marine Resource Management and Development, Disaster Risk Reduction- Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Development. 6. The AARBO shall have three operating units representing sub-basins: Upper Watershed, Lower Watershed and Coastal Area. Members of the Sub-basin Operating Units shall come from the municipal officers of covered municipal LGUs, municipal officers of regional line agencies, representatives from the business sector and the civil society organizations. 7. A Secretariat shall be formed to handle the day-to-day operations of the AARBO. It will be manned by full time personnel. At the very least, the Secretariat shall be composed of a Manager, technical officers and project coordinators.

8. The Organization, upon the concurrence of the majority of the general membership assembled, may create or dissolve committees, pass resolutions, issue advisories, and call on members for coordination.

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II. Roles and Functions of the Executive Board:

The Executive Board shall: 1. Manage and coordinate the implementation of the Apayao-Abulog River Basin Master Plan and such other similar, parallel or supplemental integrated plans, conduct periodic review and updating of these plans, and ensure the implementation of programs, projects and activities within the basin that leads to the attainment of the vision for the river basin, its watershed, its resources and its environment;

2. Harmonize the activities of all local government units and government agencies irrespective of their mandates as well as the efforts of civil society groups to ensure an Integrated River Basin Management/Integrated Water Resource Management for the basin and its environs;

3. Facilitate or cause the collection, processing and dissemination of data and information including maps on land and water resources;

4. Promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and involvement in water resources and river basins through proper mechanism to improve governance;

5. Initiate the review of water resource and river basin management policies and recommend appropriate amendments for consideration and possible adoption by the concerned agencies and appropriate bodies;

6. Lead in the sourcing and mobilization of financial assistance from external sources (international and local) for the implementation of PPAs; and

7. Create committees/sub-Committees and/or technical working groups as may be necessary to discharge its functions effectively.

III. Role of the Secretariat

The Secretariat shall;

1. Manage the daily operations of the AARBO and ensure its smooth, effective and efficient operations, as well as provide secretariat support to the Executive Board.

2. Prepare AARBO manual of operations, annual budget, annual work and financial plans, annual administrative and performance reports and such other reports that the Executive Board deem proper and important to prepare.

3. Other function/s as required by the Executive committee

IV. Role of the Technical Working Group

The Technical Working Group shall:

1. Serve as the lead technical think tank of the AARBO;

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2. Prepare research agenda and design, and prepare appropriate or coordinate the preparation of technical reports; and, 3. Conduct technical review for the AARBO.

V. Role of the Sub-basin Operating Units

The Sub-basin Operating Units shall:

1. Lead and/or coordinate the actual implementation of programs, plans and services/activities within their area of coverage; and,

2. Conduct periodic monitoring of project implementation and compliance of basin actors to existing laws, policies and ordinances.

VI. Roles and Responsibilities of the Parties

1. The DENR shall:

a. Issue appropriate and necessary administrative orders, special orders and memorandum orders supportive of the programs, projects and services/activities of the AARBO;

b. supportive Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

c. Lead in compliance monitoring of all environment and natural resources (ENR) laws, rules and regulations;

d. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

e. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed;

2. THE DILG shall:

a. Issue appropriate and necessary administrative orders, special orders and memorandum orders supportive of the programs, projects and services/activities of the AARBO;

b. Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

c. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

d. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed.

3. The NEDA shall:

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a. Issue appropriate and necessary administrative orders, special orders and memorandum orders supportive of the programs, projects and services/activities of the AARBO;

b. Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

c. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

d. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed.

4. The DPWH shall:

a. Issue appropriate and necessary administrative orders, special orders and memorandum orders supportive of the programs, projects and services/activities of the AARBO;

b. Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

c. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

d. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed.

5. The OCD shall:

a. Issue appropriate and necessary administrative orders, special orders and memorandum orders supportive of the programs, projects and services/activities of the AARBO;

b. Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

c. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

d. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed.

6. The DA, DOST, DSWD, NCIP, MGB, EMB, NIA, PIA shall:

a. Issue appropriate and necessary administrative orders, special orders and memorandum orders supportive of the programs, projects and services/activities of the AARBO;

b. Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

Main Report Annex C-7 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

c. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

d. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed.

7. The Provinces of Apayao and Cagayan shall:

a. Issue appropriate and necessary local ordinances and executive orders, special orders and memorandum orders supportive of the mandate and function of the AARBO;

b. Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

c. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

d. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed.

8. The Municipalities of Calanasan, Kabugao, Conner, Pudtol, Flora, Luna and Sta. Marcela, within the province of Apayao; and the Municipalities of Abulug, Pamplona, Claveria, Sanchez Mira, Ballesteros, Allacapan, Sta. Praxedes within the province of Cagayan shall:

a. Take charge in clearing of obstructions such as illegal encroachments within the AARB river systems and in declared hazard areas within its respective territories;

b. Issue appropriate and necessary local ordinances and executive orders, special orders and memorandum orders supportive of the mandate and function of the AARBO;

c. Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

d. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

e. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed.

9. The Apayao State College and Cagayan State University shall:

a. Issue appropriate and necessary administrative orders, special orders and memorandum orders supportive of the programs, projects and services/activities of the AARBO;

b. Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

Main Report Annex C-8 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

c. Make available to other member-agencies research facilities and personnel for the conduct of collaborative research and development/ extension activities;

d. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

e. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed.

10. The Private and Business Sector Representatives shall:

a. Collaborate with various stakeholders and/or participate in sustainable AARB management programs;

b. Provide data, information and technical assistance to the AARBO and its stakeholders;

c. Provide funds and other needed logistical resources for the operation of the AARBO; and,

d. Assign personnel as member of the AARBO, its technical working group and various committees as needed.

VII. General Provisions

1. The Secretariat shall prepare and finalize the AARBO Manual of Operations to guide the AARBO.

2. A separate trust account shall be set up by the AARBO in any government depository bank for the purpose of financial transaction of the AARBO.

3. This agreement may be revoked or amended in whole or in part for the purpose or reason of non-compliance and/or violation of the terms and conditions mutually agreed upon by the parties.

4. This agreement is subject to periodic review and the provisions hereof shall only be terminated or amended within the effectivity period by mutual consent of all parties concerned.

VIII. EFFECTIVITY

This Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) shall take effect and becomes binding to all parties hereto for the period of five (5) years, unless earlier extended, and shall remain in force upon signing by all parties involved. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto affixed our signatures this ______day of ______, 2013 in ______.

Main Report Annex C-9 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

HON. ELIAS C. BULUT, JR. HON. ALVARO T. ANTONIO Governor, Province of Apayao Governor, Province of Cagayan

HON. ELIAS K. BULUT, SR. HON. JESUS EMMANUEL P. VARGAS Municipal Mayor of Calanasan, Apayao Municipal Mayor of Abulug, Cagayan

HON. JOSEPH C. AMID HON. LEONILA C. ONIA Municipal Mayor of Kabugao, Apayao Municipal Mayor of Allacapan, Cagayan

HON. HON. VIOLETA V. UNITE Municipal Mayor of Conner, Apayao Municipal Mayor of Ballesteros, Cagayan

HON. EFREN U. DE SAN JOSE HON. CELIA T. LAYUS Municipal Mayor of Flora, Apayao Municipal Mayor of Claveria, Cagayan

HON. JOSEPHINE M. BANGSIL HON. AARON P. SAMPAGA Municipal Mayor of Luna, Apayao Municipal Mayor of Pamplona, Cagayan

HON. BATARA P. LAOAT HON. ASELA B. SACRAMED Municipal Mayor of Pudtol, Apayao Municipal Mayor of Sanchez-Mira, Cagayan

HON. ROLLY U. GUIANG HON. ESTERLINA A. AGUINALDO Municipal Mayor of Sta. Marcela, Apayao Municipal Mayor of Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan

ENGR. CLARENCE M. BAGUILAT FOR. BENJAMIN T. TUMALIUAN

Main Report Annex C-10 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

Regional Executive Director, DENR-CAR Regional Executive director, DENR-R II

JOHN M. CASTAṄEDA ENGR. MARLO L. IRINGAN Regional Director, DILG-CAR Regional Director, DILG R II

ENGR. MILAGROS A. RIMAND MARY ANNE E.R. DARAUAY Regional Director, NEDA-CAR Regional Director, NEDA-R II

ENGR. JOHN SOCALO ENGR. VICENTE E. GALVEZ Regional Manager, NIA-CAR Regional Manager, NIA-R II

DR. MARILYN V. STA. CATALINA DR. LUCRECIO R. ALVIAR, JR. Regional Executive Director, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director, DA-R II

LILIBETH L. SIGNEY DR. JOVITA P. AYSON Regional Director, BFAR-CAR Regional Director, BFAR-R II

ANDREW ALEX H. UY NORMA C. TALOSIG Regional Director, OCD-CAR Regional Director, OCD-R II

ENGR. EDILBERTO CARABBACAN ENGR. MELVIN B. NAVARRO Regional Director, DPWH-CAR Regional Director, DPWH-R II

DR. JULIUS CAESAR V. SICAT DR. URDUJAH A. TEJADA Regional Director, DOST-CAR Regional Director, DOST-R II

Field Office Director, DSWD FO CAR Field Office Director, DSWD FO II

Main Report Annex C-11 Formulation of an Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan for Apayao-Abulug River Basin

ATTY. AMADOR P. BATAY-AN RUBEN S. BASTERO Regional Director, NCIP-CAR Regional Director, NCIP-R II

PURITA S. LICAS Regional Director, PIA-R CAR Regional Director, PIA-R II

Regional Director, MGB-R CAR Regional Director, MGB-R II

Regional Director, EMB-R CAR Regional Director, EMB-R II

DR. NIEVES DACYON DR. ROMEO R. QUILANG President, Apayao State College President, Cagayan State University

Business Sector CAR Business Sector EMB-R II

Civil Society Organization, CAR Civil Society Organization, R II

Indigenous Peoples’ Group CAR Indigenous Peoples’ Group R II

Main Report Annex C-12