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Final Report Project Reference Number: CBA2014-03NSY-CRUZ COLLABORATIVE MONITORING FOR ENHANCED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES - Making a Difference – Sciientiifiic Capaciity Buiilldiing & Enhancement for Sustaiinablle Devellopment iin Devellopiing Countriies The following collaborators worked on this project: 1. Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz, Professor, University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna ([email protected]; [email protected]) 2. Dr. Wilfredo M. Carandang, Professor, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UP Los Banos, College, Laguna([email protected]; [email protected]) 3. Dr. Vida Q. Carandang, Assistant Professor, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UP Los Banos, College, Laguna([email protected]; [email protected]) 4. Ms. Catherine C. de Luna, University Researcher , College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UP Los Banos, College, Laguna ([email protected]) 5. Genevieve A. Galapia, Project Researcher, Environmental Forestry Program, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UP Los Banos, College, Laguna ([email protected]) Project Reference Number: CBA2014-03NSY-Cruz “Collaborative Monitoring Systems for Enhanced Watershed Management in the Philippines” Final Report submitted to APN ©Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research OVERVIEW OF PROJECT WORK AND OUTCOMES Minimum 2pages (maximum 4 pages) Non-technical summary To promote science-and technology based watershed management in the Philippines, long-term watershed monitoring was initiated in three selected watersheds in 2011 and another 3 watersheds in 2014 to fast track the build up of empirical databases, technologies and other knowledge products. To facilitate the monitoring of other watersheds in the country, this project aimed to hasten the development of capacity of local stakeholders in Baroro Watershed from which case best practices in capacity building shall be distilled for wider application in other watersheds. This project conducted an adaptive capacity building program to empower the LGUs, local communities, teachers and students, NGOs and technical personnel of private corporations, other local stakeholders to conduct collaborative and participatory watershed monitoring. A combination of lectures, workshops, demonstrations, field visits, online learning methods, and experiential learning were conducted. Three training courses specifically for 1) LGU personnel and farmers; 2) secondary students and their teachers; and 3) other stakeholders were held. The watershed monitoring system included instruments like Automated Water Level System and the Automated Weather Station that were installed along the Baroro River. The stakeholders were trained to maintain as well as manage and process the data from these instruments along with other information being gathered for planning, disaster risk reduction and other purposes. Database of Baroro Watershed can be viewed at www.philwatershed.org. Keywords Science-based watershed management, collaborative management, watershed management decision support, watershed instrumentation Objectives This capacity building program was envisioned to help enhance the capability of the identified stakeholders of the Baroro Watershed for collaborative and participatory long term monitoring and assessment of the overall health, vulnerabilities and development potentials of selected watersheds in the Philippines to promote science-based watershed management in general and to promote climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, conservation of soil, water and biodiversity in particular. Amount received and number of years supported The Grant awarded to this project was US$ 44,950 for the whole duration of the Project of one year. Activities undertaken The following activities were undertaken by the project: 1. Mobilization and organization of key stakeholders in the pilot watershed. 2. Capacity building and enrichment of indigenous knowledge and skills of local stakeholders especially the local communities with the infusion of science and innovative tools and methods 3. Establishment of watershed monitoring systems in the pilot watershed 4. Enhancement of the capability of local governments and local communities to access various domains of watershed knowledge and information 5. Participation in the network of learning watersheds across the country. Results The Baroro River Watershed (BRW) is located at the northeastern portion of the province of La Union. It lies within 16o36’59’’ to 16o44’7” latitude and 120o20’20”to 120o32’6” longitude. BRW is bounded on the North by portions of the municipalities of Santol and Bacnotan, on the east by portions of the municipality San Gabriel, on the south by portions of the municipality of Bagulin and the city of San Fernando and on the west by the China Sea where the Baroro River finally drains. The BRW has a total land area of 19,603.07 has covering the Municipalities of San Gabriel, Bagulin, San Juan, Bacnotan and Santol and the City of San Fernando, in La Union. Out of the 19,063.07 ha area of the watershed, only 28.08% or 5,353.86194 ha are timberland. Alienable and Disposable land is 71.91% or equivalent to 13,709.20806 has. A water intake pipe was installed by the La Union Water District (LUWD) at barangay Lon-oy, San Gabriel and the reservoir is constructed in Poblacion, San Gabriel. This provides water supply to the municipalities of San Gabriel, San Juan and San Fernando City. Mobilization and organization of key stakeholders in the pilot watershed Understanding the current situation of the Baroro Watershed was vital in mobilizing and organizing the key stakeholders in the implementation of development activities. On September 18, 2014, the Forum on the Management of Baroro Watershed was held at the San Gabriel Municipal Hall, San Gabriel, La Union. Jointly organized by the Municipal LGU of San Gabriel, La Union, Provincial LGU of La Union, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-DENR, Fostering Education and Environment for Development, Inc. and the University of the Philippines Los Banos, all stakeholders within the watershed were represented during the forum including school teachers, community members, officials of the barangay, municipal and provincial local government units, personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Water District of La Union. The forum was implemented to: identify key stakeholders of BRW and their current and future roles; formulate a common vision for BRW; identify problems, land-uses, programs, best practices and opportunities in BRW; and identify training needs of stakeholders for effective management of the BRW. Currently, the BRW serves as sources of water, food, livelihood, power and recreation for the stakeholders. In order to mobilize the stakeholders to implement development activities, vision formulation was conducted so that the stakeholders’ planned initiatives are unified. For those in the municipalities of Bagulin, Santol and Bacnotan, the BRW is envisioned to be the best watershed in the Philippines. While for San Gabriel, the vision is to have a protected watershed that is able to reduce disaster risks. Those from the Municipality of San Juan and the City of San Fernando envision the watershed as a source of sustainable, clean and safe water for all. Other stakeholders envision a community-led model for successful watershed management in the Philippines. Just like most watersheds in the Philippines, the BRW faces problems like deforestation, extraction of wild plants and animals, water pollution, land-use changes, urbanization, erosion, non-implementation of comprehensive land-use plans, policies and ordinances regarding the watershed, lack of public awareness and improper waste disposal. Programs implemented in the watershed so far are mostly of the tree planting activities. The participants proposed that aside from tree planting, programs on the implementation of policies for the protection of the watershed, and creation of a watershed management council/committee that will oversee the development and management of the BRW should also be made possible. Perennial tree planting (timber, fruit, and coconut), rearing of fish or shrimp, and vegetable production were identified as potential livelihood opportunities. Other livelihood opportunities include ecotourism, biodiversity sanctuary and renewable energy source. Potential ecotourism activities include tree parks, river cruise, and non-motorized sports. Implementing capacity-building activities There was the need to create awareness on effective watershed management, waste management, pollution control from the households, community organizing, and health, safety and sanitation. Hence, before the training courses were conducted, the needs assessment was conducted during the Forum held last September 18, 2014 at San Gabriel, La Union. As a result of the needs assessment, three training courses were implemented for the project. These courses were for 1) LGU and farmers; 2) secondary students and their teachers; and 3) other stakeholders. A total of 90 participants were able to gain knowledge and skills on participatory watershed management, climate change and agroforestry in all the three courses held. The courses were conducted to provide awareness to the participants on the value of our watershed. The participants were also exposed to various watershed monitoring equipment and procedures as well as the different sustainable sloping land farming systems in the provinces of