Flood control projects get funding commitmentThe Aquino administra-

tion is set to implement soon multi-billion flood control projects that will address the recurring flooding of some areas in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City caused by the swelling of the Mindanao River Basin (MRB).

In a meeting held in Davao city recently, President Benigno Aquino mandated the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to pursue immediate and long-term projects for the rehabilitation and development of the MRB.

In a response of the President’s directive, DPWH committed to include the MRB flood control projects in tis budget allocation for 2014.

With an area of 21,502 square kilometers, the MRB is the second largest river basin in the Philippines that

FLOOD CONTROL Mindanao Development Authority Chair Luwalhati Antonino (center), briefs President Benigno Aquino III on the immediate and long-term projects for the rehabilitation and development of the Mindanao River Basin at a special meeting held in Davao City recently. Also in photo is Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson (far left).

EMERGENCY RESPONSE Mindanao Development Authority Executive Director Janet Lopoz (far right) discusses with Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Director BGen. Ramon Santos (far left ) and OCD Region 12 Officer-In-Charge Regional Director Jerome Barranco the joint Mindanao emergency response mechanism that will be piloted in the Mindanao River Basin.

A newsletter of the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters ProgramOctober 2013 Davao City, Philippines Volume 1 Issue 2

OCD mulls creating emergency response mechanism in MRBThe Office of Civil Defense

in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) is recommending for an emergency reponse mechanism in the areas frequently affected by flooding in the Mindanao River Basin (MRB).

Brigadier General Ramon G. Santos (retired) of OCD-ARMM, presented the proposed emergency response mechanism during the coordination meeting

Flood control / page 7

OCD mulls / page 7

is beset by perennial flooding especially during rainy season.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said that efforts to implement dredging,

construction of dikes, and widening of cut-off channels in identified areas of MRB are being fast-tracked.

“The projects must be implemented the soonest to

mitigate recurring flooding that has been displacing thousands of residents and damaging livelihood and properties in the area

A newsletter of the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program2

The Mindanao Rivers Reconstruction Task Force, a special group organized by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) commenced the rapid assessment of Mindanao’s critical rivers that needed immediate attention but are located outside of the Mindanao River Basin.

A group of experts from the Central Mindanao University (CMU), which also acts as technical advisor to the task force is assisting the evaluation of the 10 critical rivers as well as in identifying investment programs for rehabilitation. The task force will also recommend three immediate interventions for

each of the identified rivers as part of the assessment.

The task force released a final list of rivers that needed assessment, which will be included during the first phase of the project. These are the Iponan river in Cagayan de Oro City, the Mandulog river in Iligan City in region 10, the Kingking

river in Davao del Norte and the Manurigao river in Davao Oriental.

Lake Mainit in Agusan del Norte along with the Surigao river in Surigao del Norte and Tandag, the Tago and Carac-an rivers in Surigao del Sur, and the Matling river in Lanao del Sur in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will also be included in the first phase of the assessment.

The other rivers identified in the priority list but are not part of the first phase of the assessment will be assessed under the project’s phase 2 component.

The Mindanao Rivers Reconstruction Task Force was created through the MinDA Board Resolution No.004 Series of 2013 on January 24, 2013. The board recognized the need to create a body that will identify critical rivers for restoration, conduct rapid assessment on the critical rivers and recommend integrated interventions that will address immediate rehabilitation of these identified critical rivers.

Rapid assessment of Mindanao’s critical rivers kicks off

RIVERS REHAB Members of the Mindanao Rivers Rehabiliation Task Force identify the region’s heavily degraded rivers at a meeting held in Davao City. Co-chaired by the Mindanao Development Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the task force was created to conduct rapid assessment of rivers destroyed by environmental malpractices and the typhoons that recently visited the island-region.

Phase 1Region X Region XI Caraga ARMM

- Iponan- Mandulog

- Kingking - Manurigao

- Lake Mainit (Puyo)- Surigao- Tago- Tandag- Carac-an

- Matling

Phase 2Region IX Region XI Caraga

- Layawan- Miputak- Sibugay- Polanco- Sindangan- Salug Valley

- Padada - Cabadbaran- Day-one/Claver- Bacuag- Alegria (Magtiaco)

Table 1. List of Mindanao Rivers for Rapid Assessment

Aliwagwag Falls in Davao Oriental displays its full glory with strong currents and rapids that attract thousands of visitors annually.

3

In efforts to sustain advocacies and initiatives for ecological integrity and sustainable development, the MindaNOW! program tied up with private companies, civil society organizations (CSOs) and local government units (LGUs) in implementing various environmental projects in Mindanao.

The participation of these sectors is aimed to strengthen

MindaNOW! ties up with key sectors for envi projects

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) organized a capacity-building seminar-workshop, aimed to enhance basic to advanced knowledge on ecosystem-based approach to planning, policy formulation, and implementation.

Held from June 24 to 27, 2013 in Davao City, the seminar-workshop was participated in by MinDA staff and partners of the MindaNOW! Program.

The activity was aligned with the objectives of the MindaNOW! Program and UNDP’s Building Back Better project on debris management in areas affected by Typhoon Pablo.

Other topics discussed during the workshop were debris management, key messaging and branding, media handling and management, personality development and negotiation skills.

UNDP, MinDA partner for ecosystem-based approach capacity building

DEBRIS MANAGEMENT A facilitator from Mindanao Development Authority demonstrates how debris management interventions are being implemented following a disaster.

MANGROVE REHABILITATION Private corporations and local government units in partnership with the MindaNOW! Program will rehabilitate a portion of a hectare mangrove in Baganga, Davao Oriental that was damaged by Typhoon Pablo in 2012.

and broaden the national and Mindanao multi-sectoral participation to MindaNOW! Program’s initiatives.

Among the five projects identified for possible collaboration with private companies, CSOs and LGUs include:

Adopt A Site: The private companies, CSOs and academe in partnership with

LGUs may engage in a direct tree growing in urban or city parks, forest, riverbank and mangrove areas. They will be encouraged to partner with the LGUs for a certain period.

Piso para sa Kalikasan: Interested LGUs can collect fees for research permits and fees for ecotourism (e.g. right to enter the area, observe wildlife, camping, and hiking). The proceeds of the fees

will be used to maintain the identified sites. Key players from the business sector may provide annual monetary support for water sources management during the partnership.

Adopt an Estero: CSOs and academe in partnership with LGUs may maintain the area through garbage collection, debris clearing, and beautification.

Bantay Ilog: LGUs may build an alliance to protect and rehabilitate a river.

Green Piece: Private companies may showcase their biodiversity-friendly products, eco-friendly practices and eco-friendly technology.

Negotiations for partnership with private companies are ongoing to rehabilitate and maintain the areas in Naawan, Misamis Oriental; Baganga, Davao Oriental; and Silway river in South Cotabato.

A newsletter of the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program4

These projects are part of the long-term solutions to the perennial flooding in some parts of Cotabato City, and the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

The Pantaron Mountain Range in upper Bukidnon Province is MRB’s main headwater, while the Liguasan Marsh, located in South-Central Mindanao is the 140 hectare complex of river channels, small freshwater lakes, and ponds to which the MRB and other smaller rivers converge.

“We see these projects as necessary measures to complement the flood control projects that will be implemented by DPWH,” said MinDA Chair Luwalhati Antonino.

She announced that DENR is currently implementing some of these projects and will intensify the cultivation of vegetative covers in the upland areas and riverbanks to help curb flooding around affected areas.

“Through our MindaNOW! Nurturing our Waters Program (MindaNOW!) in partnership with key government agencies, we are also pushing for erosion control and slope stabilization measures,” explained Antonino, while adding that the successful implementation of flood control projects requires the strong partnership and collaboration of key line

agencies, local government units, and area constituents.

She said that in adopting the ‘ridge-to-reef’ approach, MinDA will take the lead in coordinating with DENR, NEDA, DILG, and provincial local government units in regions 10, 12, ARMM, for the successful implementation of these erosion and flood-control projects.

The projects include the rehabilitation of a 45-hectare mangrove near the coastal areas of Cotabato City, the reforestation of

5,000 hectares in the Upper Pulangi in Bukidnon, and the implementation of the river bank protection projects along the Ala River, Ambal-Simuay River, and Lower Pulangi River in Regions 12 and the ARMM.

MinDA is also studying the use of vetiver grass in developing vegetative measures to be planted along with kakawate commonly known as madre de cacao and bamboo for the riverbank protection.

Vetiver grass is now being

used by DPWH for its bio-engineering projects in the country. The plant is proven to be effective in regulating water flow and has superb soil-trapping capacities that can reduce siltation.

MinDA will endorse to DENR the inclusion of vetiver grass as a type of commodity for the National Greening Project (NGP) or to the Community-Based Forest Management Program (CBFM) - Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

App

roxi

mat

ely

150

cm Converted into briquettes for cooking

Soil stabilization,erosion control,and groundwater retention

Droughtand fire resistant

Carbon sequesteringRemove nitrates, phosphates and heavymetal components

Tolerant to soilswith high and low ph,salinity, and heavy metals

Essential oil and craft for market

Used as thatch for roofing

Livestock feed,ground mulch,and soil reconditioning

3 m

GRASS

ROOTS

P

C

Industrial and natural benefits of vetiver grass

The cultivation of vegetative covers, rehabilitation of mangroves, the reforestation of ‘headwaters’ or river sources, and the proclamation of Pantaron Mountain Range and Liguasan Marsh as protected areas are currently being pushed to complement the proposed multi-billion peso flood control projects within the Mindanao River Basin (MRB).

Non-structural measures to complement flood control projects

5

Daguma mountain range

Central Cordillera mountain rangeLiguasan Marsh

Pantaron mountain range

Kitanglad mountain range

Mapantao mountain range

Ambal-Simuay River

Rio Grande de Mindanao

Lower Pulangi

Upper Pulangi

Ala River

Structural interventions in MRB:

Non-structural* interventions in MRB include:

Construction of revetments/dike along the right bank of Ala River downstream section will protect Lambayong municipality from severe flooding (Isulan-Cotabato national road and other important structures).

Dredging, construction of dikes and Tunggol Bridge Expansion (for feasibility study) will help minimize the flooding in the municipalities of Pagalungan and Datu Montawal in Maguindanao and Pikit, Kabacan and Carmen in North Cotabato.

Dredging of 7.5-km stretch of Rio Grande from Delta Bridge downstream to river delta and dike construction along two (2) outlet rivers and will protect Cotabato City and surrounding areas.

Ambal-Simuay channel modification and will increase the carrying capacity of Ambal-Simuay River, divert to Illana Bay, minimizing siltation in Rio Grande, and protect Cotabato City from severe flooding.

Mangrove rehabilitation

Planting of Bamboo

Planting of vetiver

Planting of kakawate

Declaration of protected areas under National Integrated Protected Area Systems

Non-structural measures to complement flood control projects

* The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is also implementing the National Greening Program (NGP) in the following areas: (1) 5154 has along Ala River; (2) 76 has along Ambal-Simuay River; (3) 30 has in Tamontaka River; (4) 3197 has in North Cotabato province; (5) 625 has in Lower Pulangi River and portions of North Cotabato; and, (6) 5000 has programmed for 2014 in Upper Pulangi River.

A newsletter of the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program6

A Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM) Action Plan for Mindanao was crafted by the Mindanao Development Forum-Climate Change Cluster, a group of experts composed of representatives of national government agencies, academe, private sector, and official donor agencies.

The action plan, finalized during a forum held on June 7, 2013 in Davao City is expected to be implemented from 2013 to 2016, and will focus on addressing three major agenda for Mindanao.

These include climate change adaptive land use plans, development plans and regulatory tools; the promotion of strong multi-sectoral coordination and community participation; and the implementation of CCAM measures both natural resources management and infrastructure development.

Three research agenda were firmed up in consultation with academe and line agencies during a research agenda prioritization workshop held on June 6, 2013, at the Pinnacle Hotel in Davao City.

The three research

agenda identified during the workshop included the following:

• Assessment on measuring the risk of Mindanao provinces to climate change and disaster

• Estimating the economic and social contribution of the

mineral industry in Mindanao• Sustainability of Marine

and Coastal Resources The active participation of

the researchers and academe will pave the way for an integrated and harmonized knowledge and science-based information on Mindanao.

Mindanao constituents prioritize three research agenda

Immediate and long-term interventions will be identified and validated by the Agusan River Basin Technical Working Group (ARB TWG) through an assessment that will be conducted within the Agusan river basin (ARB).

The assessment is a step leading to the updating of the ARB master plan, which will become the blueprint of the ARB governing board in effectively managing the natural resources of the river basin.

A draft of the terms of reference of the ARB governing board was completed which will be presented to the stakeholders for adoption.

To jumpstart the assessment, the Mindanao Development Authority together with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the National Economic Development Authority will send a mission that will identify critical sections of the Agusan River and validate urgent flood control interventions that can be implemented immediately.

The TWG will also map out conflicting claims in the ARB for possible policy recommendations.

Technical Working Group to assess Agusan River Basin

AGUSAN RIVER BASIN The third largest river basin of the Philippines with drainage area of 10,921 km², the Agusan River Basin is located in the Northeastern part of Mindanao. The basin passes mainly through three provinces in Region XI and Caraga, and originates from the slopes of Davao Oriental and Bukidnon. It traverses northward through Compostela Valley, Agusan Marsh in Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte, before draining into Butuan Bay.

RESEARCH PRIORITIZATION Experts from academe and key government agencies discuss priority research agenda for an integrated and harmonized science-based information on Mindanao.

Mindanao climate change cluster

crafts action plan

7

protect the Tunggol Bridge that connects the Davao-Cotabato National Highway and adjacent communities,” said Secretary Antonino.

She added that a riverbank protection project in Ala River will also be constructed to avoid flooding in the Municipality of Lambayong.

By virtue of Executive Order 50 signed by President Aquino in 2011, MinDA is tasked to coordinate the formulation, implementation, and finalization of the MRB relief, rehabilitation, and long-term development plan of MRB together with the

River Basin Control Office (RBCO) of DENR and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Antonino added that MinDA sees to it that the MRB master plan, which outlines the rehabilitation and development of the river basin, is moving forward.

“Aside from convening the MRB technical working group regularly, MinDA is also doing resource mobilization activities for identified MRB projects,” she said, adding that aside from DPWH, MinDA is also tapping the Official Development Assistance (ODA) to fund the rest of MRB projects.

especially during torrential rains,” said Singson.

In a meeting with President Benigno Aquino, MinDA Chair Luwalhati Antonino and Governors Emmy Lou Taliño-Mendoza of North Cotabato, Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao, Daisy Avance-Fuentes of South Cotabato, and Suharto Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat, held at the sidelines of the 22nd Mindanao Business conference held here recently, Singson said that these projects “are not merely band-aid solutions to the perennial flooding in

MRB.”MinDA endorsed to DPWH

the flood control projects with an estimated cost of P6.9 billion that include the dredging and widening of the 7.7 km cut-off channel to divert flood water from Ambal-Simuay River directly to Illana Bay without passing through the Rio Grande de Mindanao to protect the populated areas of Cotabato City and the municipality of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

“The dredging of Rio Grande de Mindanao and construction of dike along the Tunggol cut-off channel in Pulangui River will also

Flood control / from page 1

OCD / from page 1with the concerned agencies

and Local Government Units

(LGUs).

As tasked by the

Executive Order No. 50,

Mindanao Development

Authority (MinDA) will lead

the coordination with key

agencies within the MRB

to identify the Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management

(DRRM) Protocol. The

mechanism will enable

MinDA, concerned agencies

and LGUs to respond to the

overwhelming natural and

man-made disasters in a

timely and efficient manner.

Furthermore, a study

group will be engaged to

review existing mechanism

and processes, study the

inter-regional information

sharing, conduct multi-

hazard simulation, and draft

recommendations.

It will be led by OCD-

ARMM with OCD in regions

10, 12, DILG 10, 12, and

ARMM, DOST 10, 12, and

ARMM, DENR 10, 12 and

ARMM, and MinDA as

members.

To enhance the

capability of key partner

agencies in implementing

the ridge-to-reef approach,

a baseline study is being

pursued by the Mindanao

Development Authority

(MinDA) in partnership

with the Mindanao Studies

Consortium Foundation

Incorporated (MSCFI).

Part of the results of the

study is the production of a

guidebook on effective river

basin management designed

for River Basin Organizations

(RBOs) and other key

stakeholders.

The study, expected to

be completed by December

this year will also provide

the baseline information

that will guide planners and

policy makers on appropriate

support for the ridge-to-reef

approach.

MSCFI will assess the

capacities, needs and

interventions of MinDA

and MindaNOW! Program

partners on their ridge-to-

reef planning and policy

formulation.

MindaNOW! spearheads ridge to reef baseline study

RIDGE TO REEF A holistic ecosystem approach for sustainable resource management, ridge to reef provides connectivity between the uplands, lowlands, and the coastal waters. Utilization of land has changed a great deal over the last few years and many of the planet’s forests, wetlands, grasslands, and other wilderness areas have been replaced with houses, farms, pastures, factories, stores, businesses, roads, and other uses. These changes have proven to have altered the characteristics of majority of the earth’s watersheds.

A newsletter of the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program8

Join the MindaNOW! Experts’ Forum!

Sulog is a quarterly publication of the Mindanao Development Authority through its flagship program called the MindaNOW: Nurturing Our Waters

Program. The term Sulog is a Bisayan word for current, but specifically defines the current that is present in bodies of water like streams, rivers,

lakes, and oceans. It connotes strength, power, and consistency. Sulog plays major role in the formation of the Earth’s landscape and acts as key element that connects the ridge to the reef. You want your stories published in the

succeeding Sulog issues? Please send your contributions to now@minda.gov.ph.

Staff: Yvette Valderia Rolando Pinsoy Kenny Nodalo

Janet M. LopozEditor-in-Chief

Editorial Board: Reyzaldy Tan Joan Barrera Leoncio Rodaje

The MindaNOW Sulog Editorial Staff

Editors’ PicsStaff members of the Mindanao Development

Authority (MinDA) participate in a series of

capacity building activities aimed to enhance

understanding and appreciation of the Mindanao

2020’s ridge-to-reef approach. MinDA Executive

Director Janet Lopoz (top left photo) briefs

Department of Interior and Local Government

Secretary Mar Roxas on the flood plains around the

Mindanao River Basin.

Triv aDid you know that the Mindanao River Basin is the second largest river basin in the Philippines covering major portions of the provinces of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao?

?

Environment experts and interested parties are encouraged to participate in the Experts’ Forum being organized by the Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program.

The forum will serve as a mechanism for knowledge development and sharing among individuals, institutions, and organizations both as service providers and service recipients.

Expected to be held in the third quarter of this year, the forum also aims to make services, expertise, tools, and technologies accessible to individuals and institutions for economic and environment initiatives in Mindanao.

Interested experts may visit the MindaNOW! Portal at www.minda.gov.ph or call MinDA at telephone number (082) 221-7195 for further information.