Atty. Mark Peñalver, Policy Advocacy Specialist of the Inerface Development Interventions (IDIS) (davaotoday.com file photo by Robby Joy D. Salveron)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The 6th Watershed Stakeholders Summit on June 28, 2018 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel will forge the collaboration between the Province of Bukidnon and City of Davao in protecting and managing the Davao River Basin, as one of the 17 major river basins in the country.
Anchored to the summit’s theme, ‘Scaling-Up Participatory Watershed Protection and Sustainable Management by Promoting Community-Led Initiatives,’ an estimated 200 participants from various sectors will witness the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for the Davao River Basin Management.
“Since the headwaters of the Davao River originates in Bukidnon, protection or management efforts done there directly affect our basin here thus, shared responsibility is necessary,” Atty. Mark Peñalver of Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) explained.
Another highlight of the event centers on the promotion and commendation of community-led activities in protecting and managing Davao City watersheds. This would include the Bantay Bukid and Bantay Dagat accomplishment reports.
Idris pointed out that initiatives such as the Bantay Bukid patrol sprouted from the spirit of volunteerism as the IDIS and the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Davao City Water District organized its formation in 2012.
The Bantay Dagat, on the other hand, is monitored by the City Agriculturist Office and was crafted as a complementary project for the Bantay Bukid just last year.
Today, there are about 290 members dispatched under the said task forces and they are supported by the Local Government Unit (LGU) via honorariums as compensation for their services.
Moreover, outputs to be presented in the 2018 Watershed Stakeholders Summit would include the characterization study of the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed as well as the overview of Davao River Basin Management Plan.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria R. Zubiri, Jr. are among the expected personalities on the Summit in addition to representatives from people’s organizations, non-government organizations, national and local government agencies, indigenous people, academe, and other stakeholders.
The Davao City Watershed Stakeholders Summit is an annual gathering of the watershed stakeholders in the city since 2013. This annual event is being spearheaded by the Watershed Management Council in partnership with various local government agencies, environmental networks, non-government organizations and civil society organizations. (davaotoday.com)
