The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) have renewed their commitment for the rehabilitation of the Magat Watershed Forest Reserve (MWFR) covering the municipalities of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya in the Cagayan Valley Region.

 

Witnessed by Senator Imee Marcos during the Stakeholders’ Convergence cum IA Congress at the Casa Jardin in Santiago City Isabela, Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of DENR R2 and NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie Guillen inked on April 22 Earth Day a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enhance the Magat watershed governance.

 

In the agreement, the DENR shall provide watershed and forest management standards for planning, decision-making and monitoring purposes; facilitate the issuance of appropriate DENR permits and clearances; lead in the enforcement of forestry laws, rules and regulations; issue deputation orders to qualified NIA-MARIIS field officers; confiscate and take custody of forestry products illegally-cut, harvested and collected; and organize multi-sectoral watershed management council among stakeholders to provide oversight functions on watershed management planning and implementation in the area.

 

Meanwhile the NIA shall be responsible in managing the 15,728.12 hectares watershed area of the MWFR; secure environment clearances and permits when necessary; identify and recommend priority areas for immediate rehabilitation and development; prepare, formulate and implement the Integrated Watershed Management Plans and Programs; and assist the DENR in the enforcement of forestry laws rules and regulations.

 

In November 2022 Multi-Sectoral Convergence Meeting, Director Bambalan proposed to revisit the agreements committed by the DENR and NIA for updating and integration of the stakeholders’ roles and mandates to ensure a holistic environmental and climate-responsive partnership.

 

Also in January this year, the two agencies met to set institutional arrangement among concerned government and private stakeholders to plan rehabilitation and management mechanisms for Magat watershed improvement.

 

The provisions in the agreements crafted in 1980 and 2019 between the DENR and the NIA are now integrated in the new MOA to ensure holistic partnership for sustainability of the Magat reservoir and protection of the watershed.

 

RED Bambalan has earlier emphasized that revisiting the existing MOA signed between the environment and irrigation sectors with the local government on the management and development of all critical watersheds will espouse stronger collaboration and partnership among government agencies and institutions.

 

By virtue of Letter of Instruction No. 1002 issued by former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1980, the NIA was authorized to manage, protect, develop and rehabilitate over 15,000-hectare watershed administered by the NIA-MARIIS. The Magat Watershed was declared Forest Reservation Area by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 573 on June 26, 1969.#