The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Water (Water Center) opened its water forum series last August 28, 2018 in time for the celebration of world water week. The 1^stwater forum revisited watershed management and governance in the Sierra Madre mountain range towards water security. Key stakeholders of Sierra Madre coming from various National Agencies, LGUS, SUCs and NGOs joined the event. The Sierra Madre mountain range lies along the eastern seaboard of Luzon Island, stretching from Cagayan Valley from the north, down to the Province of Quezon in the south.

During the opening program, Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, UPLB Chancellor, reiterated the importance of the longest mountain range of the country as a provider of water for irrigation, industrial and domestic uses and its key role in biodiversity conversion. He further extended to the problem of unsustainable resource management which causes decline in water quality and quantity through the years. 

The water forum aimed to identify existing programs and initiatives related to watershed management and governance in the mountain range; identify gaps and challenges in attaining water security related to watershed management and governance; serve as an avenue for public awareness of watershed management and governance-related policies, plans and programs to all stakeholders.

Four resource speakers representing key stakeholders in Sierra Madre were invited to present their watershed management and government plans. Dir. Antonio Daño, Director of River Basin Council Office, tackled the topic “Operationalizing river basins masterplan: the case of Sierra Madre”. He shared the importance of the lessons learned during their conduct of masterplan operationalization: integration and mainstreaming of watershed management program in development and investment planning process; integration and involvement of LGU structure and local government bodies; and need for continuing education and outreach.

Meanwhile, Mr. Conrado Vargas, Secretary of Save Sierra Madre Network, echoed the importance of organizational development and mobilization of stakeholders for the protection of Sierra Madre during his talk entitled “Mobilizing stakeholders for Sierra Madre: Strengthening the Sierra Madre Network”.

For her part, Ms. Adelina Santos-Borja, manager of Resource Management and Development Department of the Laguna Lake Development Authority, discussed the “Integrated water resources management in small watersheds around Laguna Lake”. She stressed the need for research, data and information through strong partnerships with research institutions for informed policies and decisions to have appropriate watershed management plans.

For. Abelardo H. Angadol, Jr., Environmental and Watershed Management Section of Planning and Programming Division-National Irrigation Administration, talked about the “Watershed Management at the Sierra Madre for Sustaining Irrigations Systems in Luzon”. He pointed out some issues and problems such as lack of jurisdiction and limited resources to rehabilitate watersheds supporting NISs.

Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, Professor, College of Forestry and Natural Resources-UPLB, highlighted the importance of stakeholder participation in watershed governance and inclusion of comprehensive watershed and watershed-based land use planning to come-up with integrated development planning.

The group identified the need to have an apex body to address the issues on watershed management and governance in Sierra Madre. This will focus on harmonization and implementation of plans and facilitate inter-agency collaborative programs.