Watersheds in Crisis: Philippines Wrestles with Dire Threats to Vital Ecosystem

Manila, Philippines — the state of the country's watersheds is a matter of concern. According to
a report from the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) which's and policy research
institution these vital basins are at risk due to activities like large scale mining and infrastructure
development.

Floods, droughts, and other extreme weather occurrences are controlled by watersheds, which
also provide habitat for animals and manage water supplies. Deforestation, biodiversity loss,
erosion, floods, landslides, and water pollution affect 6.8 million hectares of watershed regions,
according to data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Furthermore, the
irrigation system requires 14.2 million hectares.

However the LRC report emphasizes that 9% of critical watersheds and 55% of agriculturally
critical watersheds have protected status. This means that 6.5 million hectares or 22% of the
country's total land area are safeguarded through presidential proclamations or inclusion in the
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).

According to the LRC reports assessment; "The situation regarding watersheds, in the
Philippines clearly indicates a state of crisis.The current state of affairs is characterized by
conflicts over space, which result in access to water resources, deteriorating water quality, harm
to the environment and heightened susceptibility to water and climate related catastrophes.”

The protection of watersheds has been quite a process as it took 16 years for amendments to the
NIPAS Act to be approved by Congress. According to the report, even though laws like the
NIPAS Act and the Forestry Code allow development activities within watershed systems they
must adhere to standards and regulations. Unfortunately this has resulted in communities and
local people being displaced due to the interests of corporations and influential entities.

A specific example is the Masungi Georeserve located in the Upper Marikina Watershed. It
continues to confront risks from resort encroachments and land projects. LRC proposes that in
order to resolve this issue, local planning procedures should effectively involve watershed
management councils. It suggests directing a portion of the cash to strengthening the skills of
local governments, volunteer groups, and other parties interested in watershed protection.

Additionally LRC recommends implementing a halt on approving or renewing projects related to

agribusinesses, mining, dams and other infrastructure until new legislation is passed that
streamlines watershed regulations. Local governments are also encouraged to use their authority
under the Local Government Code to declare reserves as off limits, for mining operations and
other destructive projects.
An urgent issue that affects the Philippines' water supplies, ecosystems, and communities'
capacity to tolerate hardship is the country's watersheds' worrying state. Before things become
worse, it is imperative to take steps to protect and properly manage these areas.