Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

RATION UNIT
NO INUEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILLNo,_1799

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Watersheds are known to support life in all forms in the habitats that are found
within them from the lush vegetation in forests to the microorganisms that belong in
the narrowest of streams all the way to bigger bodies of water which the collected
water channels into. The critical benefits that human beings derive from watersheds
are undeniable especially in an agricultural country with abundant river systems like
the Philippines.

The water may be redirected to irrigate farmlands or be accessed through
more modern urban waterworks for consumption and various other forms of
utilization. For example, the Magat Watershed in Isabela plays an important role in
supplying water for irrigation requirements of vast areas of rice lands in Luzon and
the hydropower supply for this region as well. Another example would be the
Manupali Watershed that traverses the upper part of the Pulangui River Basin that
drains water to the Pulangui River that is a source of irrigation water and hydro-
electricity for Bukidnon residents

Right now, the Philippines has 143 watersheds supporting 165 components of
the National Irrigation System with a total area of about 4,318,172 hectares. The
water that comes from these watershed areas and flows to the river systems
provides irrigation water to rice lands and other agricultural lands planted to different
crops

There are only about 483,820 hectares, more or less, being serviced by the
143 River Watersheds, but based on NIA data, 868,509 hectares of agricultural land
are being irrigated and roughly 368,000 hectares of these have existing facilities but
need restoration and rehabilitation. There seems to be a conflict on the actual
figures, but what is important is to ensure that water will flow in these facilities once
they have been rehabilitated, taking into account the denudation of the watersheds
supporting the National Irrigation System


In the Philippines, the agricultural sector has suffered a lot due to the
devastation caused by flash floods and rising levels of waters due to excessive
surface run-offs from forests and other watersheds that can no longer be contained
by the river systems. The damages wrought by the rampaging waters to agriculture
and livelihood are immeasurable. The changing weather patterns that bring damages
to livelinood and agriculture are being attributed to global warming and climate
change is the simplest answer being given every time there is havoc brought about
by the increasing volume of rainfall.

However, it cannot be denied that our groundwater resources are facing
serious threats from unregulated development and forest degradation in watershed
areas. There are man-made actions that are directly contributory to the devastations
brought about by flooding, e.g., man’s insensitivity to his environment, the
uncontrolled use of our forests and watersheds resources and the indiscriminate use
of land resources that should have been reserved for forest use only

“Deforestation and the large scale transformation of the original
vegetation of the country's forest to non-forestry purposes, coupled
with inappropriate land use practices, have in effect disrupted the
hydrological conditions of watersheds. These have brought about to
some extent, flash floods and prolonged drought. Other adverse
consequences are accelerated soil erosion, siltation of water bodies
and reservoirs, and poor water quality. Sedimentation has likewise
reduced the storage capacity of the country’s major reservoirs. These
situations caused considerable reduction in the productivity of forests,
agricultural lands and fisheries and decreased retums from major
investments in domestic, hydroelectric power generation and irrigation
systems.” (Occasional Paper prepared by FMB-Watershed Division)

The forest cover of the Philippines declined vastly in span of almost half a
century. Watersheds in the Philippines used to be characterized by abundant
rainforests which reached an estimated 17 million hectares in 1934." In 1969, after
the completion of the first nationwide forest inventory, the forest cover had declined
to 10.4 million hectares. The second National Forest Inventory which was done in
1988 revealed that forest cover had further decreased to 6.461 million hectares

Out of the estimated 30 million hectares of land area of the Philippines,
15,805,325 hectares were classified as forestland and 14,194,675 hectares were
declared alienable and disposable and were subjected to private ownership. Of the
15,805,325 hectares classified as forestland, only 3,270,146 hectares were declared
as Established Forest Reserves. Out of this, only 1,561,128 million hectares have
been proclaimed as watershed forest reserves. There are 135 proclaimed watershed
forest reserves scattered all over the country which cannot be touched by logging or
mining

* Nera, 1999, Sustainable Management of Philippine Forests: Progress Towards Achieving ITTO Year 200
Objective.


The difference or the remainder which is about 1,709,018 hectares, are the
watersheds which are neither proclaimed, designated or set aside, pursuant to a law,
presidential proclamation, decree or executive order. Most of these areas have been
classified by the Forest Management Bureau as permanent forest or forest lands in
the course of establishing specific limits of lands of the public domain especially
forestlands and national parks pursuant to the provision of Section 4 of the
Constitution, which states (Source-2008 Phil forestry Statistics)

Section 4 Tie Congress shall, as soon as possible
determine by law the specific limits of forest lands and national
parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground.
Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be
conserved and may not be increased nor diminished except by
law. The congress shall provide, for such period as it may
determine measures to prohibit logging in endangered forests
and watershed areas.

The 143 watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System form part of
these unprotected 1,709,018 million hectares and these watershed areas are the
ones providing water to irrigate farms and other uses which ultimately redound in
sustaining our life support system and ensuring continuous food supply

This measure is therefore crafted to ensure the protection, conservation and
rehabilitation of the watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System. It is only
through an enactment of a law that will protect, preserve and rehabilitate these
watersheds that we can be assured that these areas cannot be touched by man's
insensitivity to nature ano nis environment.

The foregoing premises considered, the immediate passage of this bill is
earnestly sought,

lo

LUIS/RAYMUND JAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1795

AN ACT FOR THE PROTECTION, CONSERVATION AND REHABILITATION OF
WATERSHEDS SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM (NIS) TO
ENSURE CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF WATER FOR AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTION AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN FOOD AND PROVIDING FUNDS
FOR THE PURPOSE

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled.

CHAPTER |

SECTION 1. Title - The Act shall be known as the “Protection of Watersheds
Supporting the National Irrigation System Act of 2016”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - In line with the concept of National
Patrimony as embodied in Article XI Section 1 and 2 that all natural resources are
owned by the State and its peoples and in consonance with Section 4 of the
Constitution that provides that Congress shall, as soon as possible determine by law
the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries
on the ground, Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved
and may not be increased nor diminished, except by law.”

Also, it is expressly provided in Sec. 12 of RA 8435 (AFMA) that all
watersheds that are sources of water for existing and potential irrigable areas and
recharge areas of major aquifers identified by the Department of Agriculture and the
Department of Environment and Natural resources shall be preserved as such at all
times. And as such, the watershed being the basic forestland management unit that
plays an important role in sustaining the country’s life support system, the State


hereby adopts an Act for the Protection, Conservation and Rehabilitation of
Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System

Further, the State recognizes the need to protect, conserve and provide the
funding thereof for these watershed areas that are considered environmentally
critical areas, to guarantee a continuous supply of water for irrigation purposes and
for other functions to ensure food production

Also, the State shall adopt rehabilitation and development measures to
preserve and restore these areas in their original status as much as possible and
shall prohibit environmentally critical projects and practices and all other activities
that are inconsistent or shall endanger the environmental stability and hydrological
integrity of these watersheds areas that can cause disruption of their productive
conditions.

SECTION 3. Coverage - This Act shall cover all 143 Identified Watersheds
supporting The National Irrigation System (NIS) and portions of classified forest
lands which have neither been proclaimed, designated nor set aside, pursuant of a
law, presidential proclamation, decree or executive order and all other watershed
areas that are supporting water base infrastructure that may be proclaimed before
and after the passage of this Act. The identified watersheds supporting the National
Irrigation System that form part of the established forest reserves and/or established
timberland, shall not be subjected to disestablishment proceeding pursuant to the
provision of Section 7 of the NIPAS ACT or R.A. 7586.

SECTION 4. Basic Policies - The Philippine Strategy for Sustainable
Development stresses the need to achieve economic growth without degrading
environmental quality and despoiling natural resources. The State hereby adopts the
policies to ensure the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of watersheds
supporting the National Irrigation Systems environmentally critical areas and stop the
incessant denudation of watershed, indiscriminate use of forest resources,
degradation of the hydrological balance thru logging and mining and other activities
that can lead to irreversible damage to the environment that in the end will affect the
socio-political and economic lives of every Filipino.

(a) The State shall protect, conserve and rehabilitate all the Watersheds
Supporting the National Irrigation System to ensure continuous supply of
water for irrigation to sustain food production

(6) The State shall recognize the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities
to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural
well-being in the event that such lands are inside the Watersheds
Supporting National Irrigation System.


(c)

(g)

(h)

@

The State shall protect the Indigenous Peoples occupying the areas
inside the Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System even in
the absence of proof that such areas are parts of their ancestral domain

The State shall respect and protect the rights of rural women, whose
productive and reproductive roles are integral to household and national
food security, and whose status arising from prevailing gender
inequalities add to their vulnerability to impacts of climate change,
calamities and disasters, and non-protection of their sources of
subsistence such as watersheds.

The State shall prohibit the encroachment of settlers/emigrants, and
loggers, to prevent the cutting of trees and denudation of the forest
covers that would endanger the hydrological balance of the watersheds
and shall permanently ban kaingin making or the slash and burn method
of farming.

The State shall prohibit all kinds of mining operations and
environmentally critical projects within the Watersheds Supporting the
National Irrigation System to prevent the destruction of headwaters,
natural waterways and aquifers and to preserve the integrity of the water
resources.

The State shall be guided by the principle that all Filipinos own all the
natural resources and these are part of their heritage. As owners of the
national patrimony, everyone has a social responsibility to protect,
conserve and develop it for the benefit of all and the generations to
come.

The State shall institute measures for the creation of a National
Comprehensive Watershed Management or an Integrated Watershed
Management Plan to ensure the development of a sustainable
management plan that can be adapted to all the Watersheds Supporting
the National Irrigation System.

The State shall ensure that watershed as an ecosystem and a basic
planning and watershed management unit shall be protected, conserved
and developed in a holistic, scientific, rights-based, technology-based,
community-based and collaborative manner for the highest and widest
public benefit and based on the inherent productive capacity and
sustainable use of these resources for the present and future
generations.

The State shall ensure the sustainability of water resources, by
encouraging a meaningful and active participation of stakeholders
especially those who are directly benefited and therefrom, establish a
sustainable and multi-institution capable of addressing natural resources
issues in a watershed


(k) The State shall inculcate the importance of watersheds in building
people's resilience to address the effects of climate change.

SECTION 5. Definition of Terms. -

(a) Ancestral domain — area generally belonging to indigenous cultural
communities/indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) comprising land, inland
waters, coastal areas occupied or possessed by ICCs/IPs, by themselves
or through their ancestors, communally or individually since time
immemorial, continuously through the present except when interrupted by
war, force majeure, deceit, stealth, as a consequence of government
projects or any other voluntary dealings entered into by government and
private individuals/corporations, which are necessary to ensure their
economic, social, and cultural welfare. (RA 8371-IPRA)

(b) Ancestral land — refers to all lands exclusively and actually possessed,
occupied, or utilized by indigenous cultural communities by themselves or
through their ancestors in accordance with their customs and traditions
since time immemorial and as may be defined and delineated by law. (RA
7942-Phil. Mining Act.)

(c) Communal Irrigation System (CIS) is an irrigation system that is managed
by a bona fide Irrigators Association

@

Conservation — Protection of plant and animal habitats including the
management of renewable natural resources with the objective of
sustaining its productivity in perpetuity while providing for human use
compatible with sustainability of the resource.

(e

Critical Watershed — A drainage area of a river system supporting existing
and proposed hydroelectric power, irrigation works or existing water
facilities needing immediate protection and rehabilitation to minimize
erosion and improve water yield. (The above definition is grounded on
Presidential Declaration 1559, amending PD 705 or the Revised Forestry
Code of the Philippines 1978. It is also provided under DAO 1996-40 or in
the Revised IRR of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942)

(f) Encroachment - The act or action of using forest land contrary to the
provisions provided for in forestry laws and regulations with regard to
forest land uses.

(g) Environmentally Critical Areas - Area delineated as environmentally
sensitive such that significant environmental impact are expected if
certain types of proposed projects or programs are located, developed or
implemented in it.

(h) Environmentally critical project - Project or program that has high
potential for significant negative environmental impact


(i) Forest Degradation — Changes within the forest whether natural or
human-induced that negatively affect the structure or function of the
stand or site, and thereby lower the capacity to supply products and/or
services resulting to a degraded forest

(j) Forest Land — Includes public forest, permanent forest or forest reserves,
and forest reservations

(k) Forest Reserves or Permanent Forest — Refers to those lands of the
public domain that have been the subject of the present system of
classification and declared to be needed for forest purposes (PD 1559);
Forest land which has been reserved by the President of the Philippines
for any specific purpose or purposes.

(l) Forest Resources — Includes soil and all elements found on it, above and
below the ground in an area classified as forest land

(m) Headwaters - The upper reaches of a stream or river.

(n

Integrated Watershed Management - The process of guiding and
organizing land and other resource use in a watershed to provide desired
goods and services without affecting adversely soil and water resources
(Brooks et.al. 1990). It involves multiple natural resources and requires
understanding of the relationship among land-use, soil, water and
linkages between uplands and downstream areas.

(0)

Irrigable Lands - refers to lands which display marked characteristics
justifying the operation of an irrigation system.

Irrigated Lands - refers to lands services by natural irrigation or irrigation
facilities

(;

(q

Irrigation System — refers to a system of irrigation facilities covering
contiguous areas

(F)_ Irrigation water — Portion of a run off that is being used in irrigation. The
intentional application of water to the soil usually for the purpose of crop
production.

s

Kaingin making — A farming system based on shifting, or slash and burn
clearing of forest for the planting of agricultural and agro-forestry crops.

(t) Mining operation — means mining activities involving exploration,
feasibility, development, utilization and processing. (RA 7942)

(u

National Irrigation System (NIS) - refers to a major irrigation system
managed by the National Irrigation Administration.


(v) Public forest- the mass of lands of the public domain which has not been
subject to the present system of classification for the determination of
which lands are needed for forest purposes.

(w)

Water Resources — Refers to the quality and quantity of water produced
naturally as one of the earth's major resources

(x) Watershed - A land area drained by a stream or fixed body of water and
its tributaries having a common outlet for surface-runoff. “Areas that have
been identified and evaluated to provide critical and vital natural,
ecological, environmental and physical beneficial services such as water,
biodiversity, energy, irrigation, social and cultural, among others to a
specific area or community and whose existing biophysical condition
demands immediate rehabilitation, protection and management to
prevent its further denudation, deterioration and exploitation” (as
contained in the definition under HB 4382- NLUA Bill)

(y) Watershed Management - The process of guiding and organizing land
and other resource uses in a watershed to provide desired goods and

services without adversely affecting soil and water resources.

(2) Watershed reservation — a forest land reservation established to protect
or improve the conditions of water yield thereof or reduce sedimentation

SECTION 6. Scope - This Act shall cover all 143 identified watersheds

supporting the 165 components of the National Irrigation System of the National
Irrigation Administration, to wit:

CAR

1.

vv

w

Chico River Watershed - supporting the Lower Chico and Upper Chico River
Irrigation System, located in the provinces of Mt. Province, Ifugao, Kalinga
and Apayao, covering the municipalities of Bauko, Sabangan, Bontoc,
Sagada, Sandangan, Barlig, Tinoc, Hugdungan, Tanudan, Lubuagan,
Tinglayan, Pinukpuk, Tabuk, Balbalan, Pasil and Coner with an area of
330,000 hectares, more or less.

. Mallig River Watershed - supporting the Mallig River Irrigation System,

located in the provinces of Kalinga and Mt. Province, covering the
municipalities of Tanudan, Tabuk, and Paracelis, with an area of 45,580
hectares, more or less

. Abulog River Watershed - supporting the Abulog-Apayao River Irrigation

System, located in the province of Apayao, covering the municipalities of
Calanasan, Kabugao, Putol, Flora and Coner, with an area of 205,000
hectares, more or less.


4, Manucotae River Watershed - supporting the Pamplona River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Cagayan and Apayao, covering the
municipalities of Pamplona and Luna, with an area of 1,920 hectares, more
or less

REGION 1

5. Bulu River Watershed - supporting the Bulu River Irrigation System, located
in the province of Ilocos Norte, covering the municipality of Bangui, with an
area of 17,200 hectares, more or less.

6. Laoag River Basin, Magalis-Papa River Watershed and Cura River
Watershed - supporting Bonga Pump No. 1 and 2 and 3, Dingras and Cura
River Irrigation System, located in the province of Ilocos Norte, covering the
municipalities of Sarrat, San Nicolas, and Laoag City, Espiritu, Nueva Era and
Pinili, with an area of 69,700 hectares, more or less

7. Vintar River Watershed - supporting the Laoag-VintarRiver Irrigation System
and NMC PasuquinRIS, located in the province of Ilocos Norte, covering the
municipalities of Vintar, Burgos and Bangui, with an area of 29,000 hectares,
more or less.

8. Sta Maria River Watershed - supporting the Sta Maria-Burgos River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Ilocos Sur, covering the
municipalities of Burgos, Santiago, Banyuyom, Lidlidda and San Emilio, with
an area of 16,400 hectares, more or less.

9. Buaya River Watershed - supporting the BuayaRiver Irrigation System,
located in the province of Ilocos Sur, covering the municipalities of Candon,
Sta Lucia, Gregorio del Pilar, Sta Lucia, Salcedo, Sta Cruz, Suyo and Sigay.,
with an area of 16,800 hectares, more or less.

10.Amburayan River Watershed and Chico-Paduquit River Watershed -
supporting Amburayan and Tagudin River Irrigation System, respectively,
located in the provinces of Ilocos, Sur, La Union and Benguet, covering the
municipalities of Tagudin, Sugpon, Sudipen, Atok, Kibungan, Bakun, Tublay,
Kapangan, Bugias, Suyo, Alilem,Sigay, Cervantes and Bakun with an area of
99,300 hectares more or less.

lL.Aringay River Watershed - supporting Masalip River Irrigation System,
located in the provinces of La Union and Benguet, covering the municipality of
Aringay, Tubao, Pugo, Sablan, Tuba and Baguio City, with an area of 27,300
hectares, more or less.

12.Bued River Watershed - supporting the San Fabian River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Pangasinan, La Union and Benguet, covering the
municipalities of San Fabian, San Jacinto, Pozorrubio, Sison, Pugo, Rosario,
Tuba and Itogon with an area of 29,700 hectares, more or less


13.Dumuloc River Watershed - supporting the DumulocRiver Irrigation System,
located in the provinces of Pangasinan and Zambales, covering the
municipalities of Bugallon and Sta Cruz, with an area of 8,200 hectares, more
or less.

14.Agno River Watershed - supporting the Agno River Irrigation System,
located in the provinces of Benguet, Pangasinan and Nueva Viscaya,
covering the municipalities of Buguias, Kabayan, Bokol, La Trinidad, Itogon,
Baguio City, Sta Maria, San Nicolas, Sto Tomas, Asingan, Tayug, San
Manuel and Kayapa, with an area of 228,400 hectares more or less.

15.Ambayoan River Watershed - supporting the AmbayoanRiver Irrigation
Systemand ADRIS Extension, located in the provinces of Pangasinan, Nueva
Viscaya and Benguet, covering the municipalities of San Nicolas, Sta Fe,
Kayapa and Itogon, with an area of 5, 900 hectares, more or less.

16.Dipalo River Watershed - supporting the DipaloRiver Irrigation System,
located in the provinces of Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija, covering the
municipalities of Umingan and Lupao, with an area of 4,200 hectares, more
or less.

17.Agno-Banawan River Watershed - supporting the Lower Agno-
TotonogenRiver Irrigation System, located in the province of Pangasinan with
an area of more or less.

18.Agno-Sinucalan-Tuboy Watershed - supporting the Agno-SinucalanRiver
Irrigation System, located in the provinces of Pangasinan and Benguet,
covering the municipalities of San Manuel and Itogon with an area of 152,350
hectares, more or less.

REGION 2

19.Magat River Watershed - supporting the Magat River Irrigation System
(MARIS) located in the provinces of Nueva Viscaya, Isabela and Ifugao,
covering the municipalities of Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Aritao,
Bayombong, Solano, Bagabag, Diac, Ramon, Naguilian, llagan, Gamu,
Lagawe and Mayayao with an area of 412,300 hectares, more or less.

20.Baua River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - supporting the Baua River
Irrigation System, located in the provinces of Cagayan, covering the
municipality of Gonzaga, with an area of 5,000 hectares, more or less.

21.Dummun River Watershed - supporting the Dummon River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Cagayan, covering the municipality of
Capissayan, with an area of 20,600 hectares, more or less.


22.Pared River Watershed - supporting Baggao River Irrigation System located
in the province of Cagayan, covering the municipality of Baggao and
Pefiablanca, with an area of 20,950 hectares, more or less.

23.Zinundungan River Watershed - supporting Zinundungan River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Cagayan, covering the municipality of Sto
Nino, with an area of 21,500 hectares, more or less

24.Pinacanauan de Tuguegarao River Watershed - supporting Pinacanauan
River Irrigation System, located in the province of Cagayan, covering the
municipalities of Pefiablanca and Maconancon, with an area of 12,920
hectares, more or less.

25.Pinacanauan de San Pablo Watershed - supporting the San Pablo-
Cabagan River Irrigation System, located in the province of Isabela, covering
the municipalities of San Pablo and Maconancon, with an area of 13,450
hectares, more or less.

26.

inacanauan de Tumauini River Watershed - supporting the Tumauini
River Irrigation System, located in the province of Isabela, covering the
municipalities of Tumauini, Cabagan, Divilacan, and Maconancon, with an
area of 17, 630 hectares, more or less.

REGION 3

27.Tarlac River Watershed and Odonell Watershed - supporting Tarlac,
Odonell and San Miguel River Irrigation System, located in the provinces of
Tarlac and Zambales, covering the municipalities of Capas, Bamban, Tarlac
City and Botolan, with an area of 54,850 hectares, more or less.

28.Camiling River Watershed - supporting Camiling River Irrigation System,
located in the provinces of Tarlac and Zambales, covering the municipalities
of Mayantoc, Candelaria and Masinloc with an area of 8,580 hectares more
or less.

29. Upper Pampanga River Watershed and Coronnel River Watershed -
supporting UPRIS-II and UPRIS III- (Aulo Watershed) located in the province
of Nueva Ecija, covering the municipalities of Pantabangan, Caranglan,
Palayan City and Bongabon with an area of more or less

30.Caulaman River Watershed - supporting the Caulaman River Irrigation
System located in the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga, covering the
municipalities of San Marcelino, Castillejos, Subic and Floridablanca with an
area of 1,800 hectares more or less.

31.Nayom River Watershed - supporting the Nayom River Irrigation System
located in the provinces of Zambales and Pangasinan, covering the


municipalities of Sta Cruz, Infanta and Bugallon with an area of 14,450
hectares, more or less.

32.Cabaluan River Watershed - supporting the BaytoRiver Irrigation System
located in the province of Zambales, covering the municipalities of Sta Cruz
and Candelaria with an area of 11,260 hectares, more or less

33.Sto. Tomas River Watershed - supporting the Sto Tomas River Irrigation
System located in Zambales, covering the municipality of San Narciso with an
area of 18,100 hectares, more or less.

34.Bucao River Watershed - supporting Bucao River Irrigation System, located
in the province of Zambales, covering the municipalities of Botolan,
Cabangan, San Felipe, Iba and San Marcelino with an area of 55,320
hectares, more or less.

35.Porac-Gumain River Watershed - supporting the Porac-Gumain River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Pampanga, covering the
municipalities of Porac and Floridablanca with an area of 22,500 hectares,
more or less.

36.Angat-Maasim River Watershed - supporting the Angat-Maasim RIS,
located in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga, covering the
municipalities of Angat, Norzagaray, San Ildefonso, San Rafael and San Luis
with an area of 61,300 hectares, more or less

37.Angat-Ipo River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - supporting the Ipo Dam
(MWSS), located in the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal, covering the
municipalities of Norzagaray, San Jose del Monte, and Rodriguez
(Montalban) with an area of 6,600 hectares, more or less

38.Pinulot River Watershed - supporting the Colo River Irrigation System
located in the provinces of Bataan and Zambales, covering the municipalities
of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Morong, Olongapo City and Subic with an area of
8,850 hectares, more or less.

39.Dingalan Watershed - located in the province of Aurora, covering the
municipality of Dingalan.

REGION 4A

40.Balanac River Watershed - supporting the Balanac River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Laguna, Quezon covering the municipalities of
Magdalena, Majayjay, Lusiana, and Lucban with an area of 6,600 hectares,
more or less.

10


41.Mabacan River Watershed - supporting the Mabacan River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Laguna, with an area of 4,900 hectares,
more or less.

42.Llano River Watershed - supporting the Mayor River Irrigation System
located in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, with an area of 3,300
hectares, more or less.

43.Sta Cruz River watershed - supporting Sta Cruz River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Laguna with an area of 8,000 hectares, more or
less

44.San Antonio River Watershed - supporting Sta Maria River Irrigation
System, located in the provinces of Laguna, Rizal and Quezon, with an area
of 1,150 hectares, more or less

45.NPC Tailrace and Lewin Creek - supporting the Lumban River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Laguna, with an area of 1,350 hectares,
more or less.

LAGUNA FLIS - 30,630 hectares, more or less

46.Macabling River Watershed - supporting the Macabling River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Laguna, covering the municipality of
Cabuyao.

47.San Cristobal River Watershed - supporting Cabuyao East River Irrigation
System, San Cristobal RIS and Diezmo River Irrigation System, located in the
provinces of Laguna and Cavite, covering the municipalities of Cabuyao,
Canlubang, Calamba, Silang and Tagaytay City

48.San Juan River Watershed - supporting the San Juan River Irrigation
System, located in the provinces of Laguna and Batangas, covering the
municipalities of Calamba, Sto Tomas, Tanauan and Malvar.

CAVITE FLIS - 52,900 hectares, more or less

49.Maragondon River Watershed - supporting the Balayugan A Dam,
Balayugan B Dam, located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipality
of Naic.

50.Caisobo River Watershed - supporting the Culong-Culong Dam, located in
the province of Cavite, covering the municipality of Indang

51.Labac-Alemang River Watershed - supporting the Sahing Dam and Bancud
Dam, located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipalities of Naic and
Indang.

a



52.Timalam River Watershed - supporting the Tres Cruses Dam, located in the

province of Cavite, covering the municipality of Tanza.

53.Canas River Watershed - supporting the Bayan Dam, Plucena Dam
Matanda A Dam, and Matanda B Dam, all located in the province of Cavite
covering the municipalities of General Trias, and Tanza.

54.Ylang-Ylang River Watershed - supporting the Pasong Kastila Dam, Butas
Marcelo Dam, San Agustin Dam and Butas Navarro Dam, all located in the
province of Cavite, covering the municipalities of Imus, General Trias, and
Dasmarinas.

55.Lasong Camachile River Watershed - supporting the Butas Lawang Bato
Dam, located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipality of General
Trias

56.Imus River Watershed - supporting the Julian Dam, Makuling Dam, Luksuhin
Dam and Embarcadero Dam, all located in the province of Cavite, covering
the municipality of Imus, Dasmarinas.

57.Zapote River Watershed - supporting the Molino Dam located in the province
of Cavite, covering the municipality of Bacoor.

58.Palico River Watershed - supporting the Palico River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Batangas, covering the municipalities of Tuy and
Nasugbu, with an area of 11,800 hectares, more less.

59.Lagnas River Watershed - supporting the Lagnas River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Quezon, covering the municipality of Candelaria,
with an area of 1,860 hectares, more or less

60.Hanagdong River Watershed - supporting the Hanagdong River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Quezon, covering the municipalities of
Candelaria and Sariaya, with an area of 1,360 hectares, more or less.

61,Dumacao River Watershed - supporting Dumacao River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Quezon, covering the municipality of Tayabas, with
an area of 8,500 hectares, more or less.

62.Agos River Watershed - supporting Agos River Irrigation System, located in
the province of Quezon and Rizal, covering the municipalities of General
Nakar, Infanta, Real, Tanay, and Teresa, with an area of 91,260 hectares,
more or less.

63.Marikina River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - Supporting the Wawa
Dam, located in the province of Rizal, covering the municipalities of Tanay,
Montalban, Antipolo, Baras and Teresa, with an area of 18,966 hectares,
more or less.


REGION 4B

64.Bansud River Watershed - supporting the Bansud River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Mindoro Oriental, covering the municipalities of
Bongabong and Pinamalayan, with an area of 7,000 hectares, more or less

65.Baco-Bocayao River Watershed - supporting the Baco River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental,
covering the municipalities of Baco, Naujan, San Teodoro, Sablayan and Sta
Cruz, with an area of 26,000 hectares, more or less.

66.Pula River Watershed - supporting the Pulas River Irrigation System, located
in Mindoro Oriental, covering the municipality of Pinamalayan, with an area of
12,970 hectares, more or less.

67.Mag-asawangTubig-Mapalo Rivers Watershed - supporting Mag-asawang
Tubig RIS, located in the province of Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro
Occidental, covering the municipalities Naujan and Sablayan, with an area of
19,565 hectares, more or less.

68.Pagbahan River Watershed - supporting the Pagbahan River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental,
covering the municipalities of San Teodoro, Puerto Galera, Mamburao and
Sta. Cruz. With an area of 23,380 hectares, more or less.

69.Amnay-Patrick River Watershed - supporting Amnay-Patrick River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Mindoro Occidental and Mindoro Oriental,
covering the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Sablayan, Baco and San Teodoro,
with an area of 20,750 hectares, more or less.

70.Mongpong River Watershed - supporting the Mongpong River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Mindoro Occidental, covering the
municipality of Sablayan, with an area of 22,300 hectares, more or less.

71.Cagaray River Watershed - supporting the Cagaray River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental, covering
the municipalities of Mansalay, Bulalacao and San Jose with an area of
12,900 hectares, more or less.

72.Lumintao River Watershed - supporting the Lumintao River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Mindoro Occidental, covering the
municipality of Sablayan, with an area of 38,600 hectares, more or less.

73.Malasgao River Watershed - supporting the Malasgao River Irrigation

System, located in the province of Palawan, covering the municipalities of
Quezon and Aborlan, with an area of 6,360 hectares, more or less.

13


REGION 5

74.Ponso River Watershed - supporting the Hibiga River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Albay, covering the municipalities of Pulangui and
Oas, with an area of 10,900 hectares, more or less.

75.Basay River Watershed - supporting the Mahaba River Irrigation System
located in the province of Albay, covering the municipality of Liago and Oas.

76.Nasisi River Watershed - supporting the Nasisi River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Albay, covering the municipalities of Ligao and
Guinobatan.

77.Bublusan Watershed - supporting the Ogsong River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Albay, covering the municipalities of Guinobatan
and Camalig

78.Buhi-lriga River Watershed - supporting the Buhi-Lalo and Lake Buhi River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Camarines Sur and Albay,
covering the municipalities of Buhi, Nabua, Iriga City, Tiwi, with an area of
41,350 hectares, more or less

79.Nabua River Wartershed - supporting the Barit (Rida) River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Camarines Sur, covering the municipalities
of Baao, Buhi and Iriga City with an area of 19,500 hectares, more or less.

80.Daet River Watershed - supporting the Daet River Irrigation System, located
in the province of Camarines Norte, covering the municipalities of Daet, San
Vicente, and Basud, with an area of 6,320 hectares, more or less.

81.Talisay River Watershed - supporting the Talisay River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Camarines Norte, covering the municipalities of
Daet and San Vicente, with an area of 2,820 hectares, more less

82.Sipocot —Pulantuna Watershed - supporting the Libmanan-Cabusao River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Camarines Sur and Camarines
Norte covering the municipalities of Libmanan, Sipocot, Lupi, Ragay del
Gallego, and Daet, with an area of $4,000 hectares, more or less

83.Pili River Watershed - supporting the Pili River Irrigation System, located in
the province of Camarines Sur, covering the municipality of Pili, with an area
of 2,680 hectares, more or less.

84,Tigman River Watershed - supporting the Tigman Dam, located in the
province of Camarines Sur, covering the municipalities of Calabanga and
Tinambac, with an area of 8,990 hectares, more or less

85, Hinagyanan River Watershed - supporting the Hinagyanan Dam


86.Inainigan/Inarihan Watershed - supporting the Inarihan Dam.

87.Sabang River Watershed - supporting the San Francisco River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Sorsogon

88.Tubugan River Watershed - supporting the San Ramon River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Sorsogon, covering the municipalities of
Bulan, Irosin, and Matnog, with an area of 1,590 hectares, more or less.

REGION 6

89.Tipuluan River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - supporting the Sibalom-
San Jose River Irrigation System, located in the province of Antique, covering
the municipalities of Sibalom and San Jose, with an area of 61,600 hectares,
more or less.

90.Mambusao River Watershed - supporting the Mambusao River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Capiz and Aklan, covering the
municipalities of Sapian, Jamindan, Mambusao and Altavas, with an area of
31,630 hectares, more or less.

91.Aganan River Watershed (joined to Tigum) - supporting the Aganan River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Iloilo, covering the municipalities
of Alimodian, and Maasin with an area of 11,300 hectares, more or less.

92.Barotac Viejo River Watershed - supporting the Barotac-Viejo River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Iloilo, covering the municipalities
of Barotac Viejo, Lemery and Ajuy, with an area of 9,150 hectares, more or
less

93.Jalaur River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - supporting the Jalaur River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Iloilo, covering the municipalities
of Dingle, Pototan, Janiuay, Passi, Duenas, Calinog, Lambunao, Anilao,
Banate and Barotac Viejo, with an area of 107,700 hectares, more or less.

94.Jalaur-Suage River Watershed - supporting the Suage River Irrigation
System, located in the province of lloilo, covering the municipalities of
Janiuay, Maasin, Cabatuan, and Lucena, with an area of 17,480 hectares,
more or less.

95.Sibalom River Watershed - Sibalom-Tigbauan River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Iloilo, covering the municipalities of Leon, Alimodian
and Tigbauan, with an area of 11,400 hectares, more or less.

96.Tigum River Watershed (joined to Aganan) - supporting the Sta. Barbara
River Irrigation System, located in the province of Iloilo and Antique, covering

15


the municipalities of Cabatuan, Maasin, Janiuay, Valderama and San
Remigio, with an area of 19,200 hectares, more or less.

97.Bago River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - supporting the Bago River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Negros Occidental, covering the
municipalities of Bago, Murcia, Talisay, San Carlos and Calatrava, with an
area of 62,500 hectares, more or less.

98.Pagiplan River Watershed - supporting the Pagiplan River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Negros Occidental, covering the municipalities of
Binalbagan, with an area of 1,756 hectares, more or less.

99.Ibajay River Watershed - supporting the Panukayan River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Aklan, covering the municipality of Ibajay, with an
area of 23,400 hectares, more or less.

REGION 7

100.Caruod Watershed - located in the province of Bohol, covering the
municipalities of Ubay, Mabini and Alicia

101.Matutinao Watershed - located in the province of Cebu, covering the
municipality of Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc, Alcoy and Dalaguete

REGION 8

102. Magon-Bucan River Watershed - supporting the Balire North River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of La
Paz, Mac Arthur and Inayupan, with an area of 4,500 hectares, more or less.

103. Bao River Watershed - supporting the Bao River Irrigation System, located in
the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Ormoc City, Kananga,
Capoocan and Cariagara with an area of 5,800 hectares, more or less

104. Binahaan River Watershed - supporting the Binahaan South River Irrigation
System, Binahaan North RIS, and Lower Binahaan River System, located in
the province of Leyte, covering the City of Ormoc, Municipalities of Jaro,
Pastrana and Dagami, Tanauan and Palo with an area of 21,910 hectares,
more or less.

10:

a

- Bito River Watershed - supporting the Bito River Irrigation System, located in
the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Inayopan, Abuyog, and
Baybay, with an area of 11,380 hectares, more or less.

106. Daguitan River Watershed - supporting the Daguitan River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of
Burauen, Albuera, and Dagami with an area of 4,300 hectares, more or less.

16


107.

108.

109.

110.

Gibuga River Watershed - supporting the Gibuga River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Burauen, Julita,
Dulag, La Paz and Sta. Cruz, with an area of 5,400 hectares, more or less.

Guinarona River Watershed - supporting the Guinarona River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of
Dagami and Burauen with an area of 1,450 hectares, more or less.

Mainit River Watershed - supporting the Mainit River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Carigara, Jaro,
and Alang-alang with an area of 3,150 hectares, more or less

Pongso River Watershed - supporting the Pongso River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Carigara,
Barugo, and Tunga, with an area of 4,020 hectares, more or less.

. Palo River Watershed - supporting the Suong-Tibak River Irrigation System,

located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Palo, Jaro, Sta
Fe, Alang-alang, and Tacloban City, with an area of 2,350 hectares, more or
less.

2. Salug River Watershed - supporting the Hindang-Hilogos River Irrigation

System, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of
Hindang, Hilongos and Inopacan, with an area of 7,200 hectares, more or
less

REGION 9

113.

114.

115,

Dipolo River Watershed - supporting the Dipolo Dam and Salug River
Irrigation System, located in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, covering
the municipality of Molave with an area of 67,200 hectares, more or less.

Labangan-Pulusan-Lantian-Tiwagan River Watersheds - supporting the
Labangan River Irrigation System, located in Zamboanga del Sur, covering
the municipalities of Labangan, and Pagadian City with an area of 43,360
hectares, more or less.

Sibuguey-Dipili Rivers - supporting the Sibuguey Valley River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Zamboanga del Sur with an area of 21,800
hectares, more or less.

REGION 10

116.

Manupali River (Convergence WFR) - supporting the Manupali River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Bukidnon, with an area of 13,850
hectares, more or less.

7


117.Muleta-Kulaman River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - supporting the
Muleta River Irrigation System, located in the Bukidnon, covering the
municipality of Pangantukan and Maramag, with an area of 21,450 hectares,
more or less.

118. Roxas Kuya River Watershed - supporting the Roxas Kuya River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Bukidnon, covering the municipality of
Maramag, with an area of 9,300 hectares, more or less

119. Dipolo-Maranding River Watrershed - supporting the Maranding River
Irrigation System, located in the province of Lanao del Norte, covering the
municipalities of Nunungan and Kapatagan, with an area of 39,350 hectares,
more or less.

REGION 11

120. Batutu Watershed - supporting the Batutu River Irrigation System, located in
the province of Compostela Valley, covering the municipality of Compostela,
with an area of 10,500 hectares, more or less.

iS}

.Libuganon River Watershed - supporting the Libuganon River Irrigation
System, located in the province of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley,
covering the municipalities of Kapalong, Sto. Tomas, Asuncion, San Vicente,
New Correla, Tagum City, Nabunturan, Moncayo and Montevista, with an
area of 74,730 hectares, more or less.

122.Saug River Watershed - supporting the Saug River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, covering the
municipalities of Kapalong, Asuncion and Nabunturan, with an area of 41,100
hectares, more or less.

123. Lasang River Watershed - supporting the Lasang River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Davao del Norte, covering the municipalities of
Kapalong, Panabo and Davao City, with an area of 39,450 hectares, more or
less.

124,Matanao River Watershed - supporting the Mal River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Davao del Sur, covering the municipality of Digos,
with an area of 35,400 hectares, more or less.

12

a

.Padada River Watershed - supporting the Padada River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, covering the
municipalities of Digos and Makilala, with an area of 81,850 hectares, more
or less.

126. Sumlog River Watershed - supporting the Lupon River Irrigation System,
located in the provinces of Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte, covering the


municipalities of Lupon, Banay-Banay, Mati and Pantukan with an area of
25,540 hectares, more or less.

127. Buayan-Tinagacan Rivers - supporting the Buayan River Irrigation System
located in the province of Davao del Sur, Sarangani and South Cotabato,
covering the municipalities of Malalag, Sta. Maria, Malita, Malungon, Alabel,
Polomolok and General Santos City, with an area of 7,580 hectares, more or
less.

REGION 12

128.Kabacan River Watershed - supporting the Kabacan-Pagalungan River
Irrigation System, located in the province of North Cotabato, covering the
municipalities of Kabacan and Kidapawan with an area of 74,000 hectares,
more or less.

129, Libungan River Wateshed - supporting the Libungan River Irrigation System
located in the province of North Cotabato, covering the municipality of
Libungan, with an area of 51,700 hectares, more or less.

130. M'lang River Watershed - supporting the M'lang River Irrigation System,
located in the province of North Cotabato, covering the municipalities of
Mlang and Makilala with an area of 20,100 hectares, more or less.

131, Malasila River Watershed - supporting the Malasila River Irrigation System,
located in the province of North Cotabato, covering the municipalities of
Tuluran and Makilala with an area of 31,200 hectares, more or less.

132. Allah River Watershed - supporting Allah | RIS and Allah Il —Lambayong
River Irrigation System, located in the province of South Cotabato, covering
the municipalities of T’boli, Norala and Surallah, with an area of 158,290
hectares, more or less.

133. Banga River Watershed - supporting the Banga River Irrigation System,
located in the province of South Cotabato, covering the municipality of Banga,
with an area of 28,800 hectares, more or less.

134, Silway River Watershed - supporting the Silway River Irrigation System,
located in the province of South Cotabato, covering the municipalities of
Dadiangas, Polomolok and Koronadal, with an area of §3,300 hectares, more
or less.

135. Palian River Watershed - supporting the Marbel River Irrigation System1&2,
located in the province of South Cotabato, covering the municipalities of
Marbel and Tupi with an area of 20,675 hectares, more or less.


136. Alip River Watershed - supporting the Alp River Irrigation System, located in
the province of Sultan Kudarat, covering the municipalities of Columbio,
Lutavan, with an area of 37,950 hectares, more or less.

REGION 13

137.Cabadbaran River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - supporting the
Cabadbaran River Irrigation System, located in the province of Agusan del
Norte, covering the municipality of Cabadbaran, with an area of 7,350
hectares, more or less.

138. Taguibo River Watershed - supporting Taguibo River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Agusan del Norte, covering the municipality of
Butuan City and Cabadbaran with an area of 8,430 hectares, more or less.

139, Andanan River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - supporting the Andanan
River Irrigation System, located in the province of Agusan del Sur, covering
the municipality of Bayugan with an area of 19,200 hectares, more or less.

140. Simulao River Watershed - supporting the Simulao River Irrigation System,
located in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, covering the
municipalities of Bunawan, Trento, Bislig and Lingig with an area of 42,900
hectares, more or less

14

. Caracan River Watershed - supporting the Cantilan River Irrigation System,
located in the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte, covering
the municipalities of Madrid and Jagupit, with an area of 12,180 hectares,
more or less.

ry
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. Tago River Watershed - supporting the Tago River Irrigation System, located

in the province of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur, covering the
municipalities of Tago, Cagwit and Bayugan with an area of 118,000
hectares, more or less.

ARMM

143. Gata River Watershed - supporting the Rugnan River Irrigation System,
located in the province of Lanao del Sur, covering the municipalities of
Maguindanao, Lumba-Bayabao, with an area of 18,500 hectares, more or
less

SECTION 7. Inclusions of other areas that can form part of the Watershed
Supporting the National Irrigation System.-Lands of the public domain that have
been classified as forestland or timberland pursuant to Section 3 of the 1987
Constitution and unclassified forestlands that are actually, directly and found to be
essential for irrigation purposes and all other watershed areas that are supporting

20


water-based infrastructure, can be included in the list after the passage of this Act
thru the following procedures:

a) Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, The DENR, thru the

b)

°)

Forest Management Bureau, upon the recommendation of the Department
of Agriculture thru the National Irrigation Administration, shall submit to the
Office of the President, application/s for inclusion in the List of Watersheds
Supporting the National Irrigation System, which shall contain the
following:

1. Topographic maps ascertaining the location of the watersheds to avert
any trans- boundary issues especially if the watershed embraces two
or more municipalities.

2. Maps including characterization of the watershed with legal
descriptions of boundaries.

3. Sangguniang Barangay, Sanguniang Bayan, and Sangguniang
Panlalawigan Resolutions asserting the need for the inclusion of the
watershed in the List of Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation
System, for the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the same.

4. Copy of Joint LGU Resolutions, MOA/MOU or any agreements for the
protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the watershed, especially
if the coverage is within two or more municipalities to avoid duplication
in the filing of application and to prevent possible irritants on boundary
issues.

5. Copy of watershed management plan

6. Copy of a watershed resource profile, specifically, information on the to
the following:

6.1) estimated water run-off
6.2) forest cover of the watershed

6.3) estimated area to be serviced by the watershed (in hectares)
6.4) multiple uses of water resources

The President shall issue a presidential proclamation designating the
recommended watershed/s to form part of the List of Watersheds
Supporting the National Irrigation System and provide for the same
protection, conservation and rehabilitation

Forest lands and timberland being primary classification of public lands
pursuant to the provision of Section 3 of Article 12 of the 1987
Constitution, and the President having been vested the responsibility over
primary classification of lands of the public domain pursuant to the
provision of Commonwealth Act No.141 [1936], Sec. 6 and Executive
Order No. 192 [1987], shall exercise such function upon the

aa


recommendation of the DENR and such classification/s does not warrant
concurrence of Congress.

CHAPTER II
ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT PLANS

SECTION 8. Jurisdiction, Control and Management of Watersheds Supporting
The National Irrigation System - The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources thru the Bureau of Forests Management in collaboration with the
Department of Agriculture thru the National Irrigation Authority shall have exclusive
and primary jurisdiction, control and management on all identified watersheds
supporting the National Irrigation System.

SECTION 9. Creation of Watershed Management Council Supporting the
National Irrigation System - The DENR and the DA shall create a Watershed
Management Council supporting the National Irrigation System, which shall be
composed of the Secretary of DENR and Secretary of DA, acting as Co-Chairmen
and the Director of the Forest Management Bureau and the Administrator of the
National Irrigation Administration as Vice Chairmen and the following as members:

Department of Budget and Management
Department of Local Government

DPWH

Land Bank of the Philippines

NPC (Hydro-electric)

PNOC -EDC (Geothermal)

NWRB ( Domestic-Industrial Water)

LWUA (Domestic Water)

. 4 Representatives from the affected sectors (Rotational-based on regional
concern), Local Waterworks, Local Hydro-Electric Concessionaire and
Local Government Unit

CHONDARON=

SECTION 10. Participation of LGUs and other stakeholders in the Watershed
Management Plans - All Local Government Units where the watersheds supporting
the National Irrigation System are situated shall be involved in the planning,
development and implementation of a comprehensive watershed management plan
that must be holistic, scientific, rights-based, technology based and community-
based and that shall be done in a collaborative manner to ensure that the protection
of the watershed, the conservation of its water resources and the preservation of its
inherent productive capacity will be sustained to bring about the highest and widest
benefit for the present and future generations The sustainability of water resources
must be ensured by encouraging the meaningful and active participation of
stakeholders especially those who are directly benefited and there from, establish a
sustainable and multi-institution capable of addressing natural resources issues in a
watershed.


There shall be common responsibility from the LGU/s and the stakeholders in
the implementation of the Watershed Management Plan for the conservation,
protection and rehabilitation of the Watershed Supporting the National Irrigation
System.

SECTION 11.Creation of Provincial Watershed Co-Management Board - To
enable to sustain the effort of rehabilitation, conservation and protection of the
watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System, a Provincial Watershed Co-
Management Board shall be established to facilitate joint efforts in the management
of the watersheds common in their areas and oversee the utilization of water
resources and conduct resource accounting to ascertain the biophysical and
economic viability of the watersheds.

The Watershed Co-Management Board shall be composed of:

1. Provincial Governor
Concerned LGUs within the province (cities, municipalities, and
barangays)

Water Districts or Water Utility Firms operating and using the water that
directly comes from the watershed thru the river systems.

DENR-FMB

DA-NIA

Local Stakeholders-Water consumers and concessionaires

NGO-PO- existing and operating within the area

Industrial Users

Academe

o

OONOAR

CHAPTER III
FUNDING SOURCE

SECTION 12. Funding Allocation- Upon the enactment of this Act, the amount
needed to implement the conservation, protection and rehabilitation measures shall
be taken from the budget of Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) and shall be equivalent to no less
than 5% of the annual appropriation of each Department.

SECTION 13. Creation of Fund for the Watersheds Supporting the National
Irrigation System - In order to cover the expenses and cost of supporting the efforts
to conserve, protect and rehabilitate the Watersheds Supporting the National
Irrigation System, the yearly appropriation of 5% coming from the DENR and the DA
budget shall be immediately set aside and placed in a Special Fund that will be
called Watersheds Supporting The National Irrigation System Special Fund (WSNIS-
Fund)

SECTION 14. Management and control of the WSNIS Special Fund- The
Watershed Management Council Supporting the National Irrigation System shall be

23


in charge of the management, control and disposition of all funds for the purpose of
financing projects for the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the
watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System.

SECTION 15. Additional Funds - Additional funds are hereby authorized to be
added to the special fund to augment the funding requirements to fully implement the
conservation, protection and rehabilitation measures for the watersheds. Sources of
funding shall include the following:

1. Collection of five (5) centavos for every peso being paid as irrigation fees.

2. Collection of five (5) centavos for every cubic meter of water based on the
actual billing and collection from the local waterworks utilities that are
using portion of the water for household use.

3. Collections of five (5) centavos for every kilowatt hour produced by local
hydro electric cooperatives or concessionaires.

4, Proceeds from local or foreign grants, donations, endowments,
solicitations and all forms of contributions

SECTION 16. Compensation of Host Communities - Ancestral/indigenous
peoples’ communities and other host communities living within or on the periphery of
the watersheds and found to be directly protecting the watersheds shall be
compensated out of the watershed fees or from any income derive from watershed
resources or out of the use of water from the watershed. The compensation shall be
determined by the Provincial and Municipal Co-Management Board.

SECTION 17. Exemption from taxes - All additional funds accruing to the
WSNIS Special Fund shall be exempted from income taxes, charges and fees and
all other taxes that may be imposed by the National Government or the Local
Government where the income was derived.

Alll income derive as payments for value of the water resources coming from
the Watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System shall be utilized solely and
directly for the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of all the WSNIS.

CHAPTER IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 18. Prohibitions - In line with the provision of Section 4 of the
Constitution, whereby the specific limits of forestlands shall be determined by law,
marking clearly their boundaries on the ground, thereafter, such forestland shall be
conserved and may not be increased nor diminished except by law. The following
acts shall be prohibited:

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Watershed as an integral part of established forest reserves shall not be
subjected to disestablishment proceedings pursuant to the provision of
Section 7 of the National Integrated Protected Areas Act or R.A. 7586.

Watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System shall not be
subjected to a Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA) by the
PAWB, to determine their suitability or non-suitability for preservation as a
protected area. Rather, watersheds supporting the National Irrigation
System if found to be degraded shall be maintained, protected and
rehabilitated and restore it to its former growth and vegetation

The inclusion of Watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System
according to the appropriate categories as protected areas under the
NIPAS framework shall no longer apply

Multiple uses of watershed resources shall be strictly prohibited. The water
resources which are the inherent contribution of watershed must be
conserved, protected and enhanced to produce its optimum capacity

SECTION 19. Diminution of Watershed Areas -There shall be no diminution of
Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System. The determination of Congress
pursuant to the provisions of Sec. 4, Chapter 12 of the Constitution, of the specific
limits of forest lands shall be maintained and protected when it comes to all proclaimed
watershed and WS-NIS. All attempts to re-classify and remove portion of watershed
area to be converted to other uses shall not be allowed

SECTION 20.Disposition of Watershed Areas -The following activities are
considered environmentally critical projects and activities that are detrimental to the
integrity of the water resources and hydrological balance of the Watersheds supporting
the National Irrigation System and may bring irreversible damage to the watershed's
water bearing capacity, and therefore shall not be allowed and strictly prohibited

1

eo

ONOaR

All forms of mining operations.
Granting of Mineral, Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) or Financial
or Technical Assistance Agreement FTAA.

. Granting of mining permits or licenses, for extraction of minerals and

Quarry Permits for the extraction and utilization of quarry resources.
All forms of logging operations.

. Kaingin type of Agriculture.
. Any form of human settlements except IP community.

Harvesting of trees or parts of trees for charcoal making
Unlawful Occupation or encroachment or destruction of watershed

SECTION 21.Penalties- Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the
provision of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of no less than one (1) year,
to not more than three (3 )years or a fine of no less than five hundred thousand
(500,000) pesos or both, at the discretion of the court. For tenured migrants, and

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settlers living inside the watershed that unknowingly violate the provisions of this Act;
they shall be subjected to a month of rigid training and capability development in lieu
of fines and imprisonment. Repeat of violations shall be dealt with fines or
imprisonment and ejectment.

SECTION 22. Suppletory Application of Existing Legislation - The provision of
Presidential Decree No. 705 (Revised Forestry Code); Republic Act 7586 (NIPAS.
Act); Commonwealth Act No. 141 [1936]; Phil. Clean Water Act; Water Code of the
Philippines; Executive Order No. 192 Series of 1987; Executive Order 224 Series of
1987; Executive Order No. 510 Series of 2006; and other laws not inconsistent with
this Act shall have suppletory effect.

SECTION 23. Repealing Clause-Section 7 and Section 5 (a) & (d) of the R. A.
No. 7586 (NIPAS ACT); Executive Order No. 224; Section 18 of R.A. 7942 (Phil
Mining Act of 1995 and all other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or amended accordingly.

SECTION 24. Separability Clause- If for any reason, any section or provision
of this Act is declared null and void, no other section, provision, or part thereof shall
be affected and the same shall remain in full force and effect

SECTION 25. Effectivity Clause-This Act shall take effect immediately after
publication in at least two (2) national newspaper of general circulation

Approved,

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