Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya—As they embark to meet the multi-stakeholder Watershed Management Council of this province today, 35 people’s organizations held a workshop to craft a collective vision and strategic goals for their federation.
The federation, which is present in eight sub-watersheds draining to the Upper Magat River, was named Watershed Development Advocates or WADA.
Both the DENR and the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya have pushed for the establishment and empowerment of the WMC since 2018.
Ansel Cabrera, institutional development specialist at the central project management office of the Forestland Management Project of the DENR, facilitated the two-day workshop held Tuesday and Wednesday here.
“The focus of FMP’s remaining years is to improve livelihood and enterprise development among these POs,” Cabrera said.
Cabrera said only a stable income from agroforestry plantations would enable upland communities to protect the country’s remaining source of water.
POs partnered with the FMP were provided funding for the development of plantations and agro-forestry sites, construction of support facilities (such as roads, bridges, and irrigation), and establishing sustainable community enterprises.
POs are also encouraged to train paralegals to help in the enforcement of forest protection laws.