7 IRRIGATION WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
7.1 Development Framework
The Irrigation Water Resources Management Plan (IWRMP) for Bito River
Irrigation System hinges on a development framework which highlights
key planning considerations during several workshops. The components of
the development framework include a vision statement, goals and
objectives, and programs and projects.
7.1.1 Vision Statement
The stakeholders of Bito RIS envision itself as:
“Viable Economic Development through Protection and
Conservation of Bito River Irrigation System”
This vision acknowledges the Bito RIS’ functional role extending to a
provincial level. It was crafted during the multi-sectoral workshop
conducted on March 31, 2022, wherein NIA and DENR representatives,
LGU department heads, members of IAs, and other stakeholders actively
participated.
7.1.2 Goals, Objectives, and Strategies
To achieve the overarching vision, four (4) goals are formulated in the
subsectors identified—management, climate change and natural hazards,
abundant irrigation water, and environmental awareness.
1. Sustainably manage and conserve irrigation water resources of Bito
River that will benefit the greatest number of communities.
2. Protect and rehabilitate forest lands within the Bito River Irrigation
System
3. Mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and minimize the
threat to human lives and properties
4. Promote environmental awareness and appreciation of Bito River
Irrigation System
5. Promote responsible utilization of extractive resources that will
enhance economic development while protecting the River Irrigation
System.
6. Achieve sustainable economic development in Bito River.
7. Capacitate and strengthen National Irrigation Administration Region
VIII and other relevant government agencies in the sustainable
management of Bito River Irrigation System.
8. Empower local communities in the development initiatives of
Irrigation System.
7.2 Overall Plan Interventions
The Bito RIS Management Board in the next five (5) years (2022-2026)
shall implement policies, programs and projects based on comprehensive
analysis of the various challenges confronted by the watershed. The main
objective of the comprehensive development planning is to fully capture
the problems/issues faced by its stakeholders, as well as their needs and
aspirations.
The IWRMP shall be the basis as to what policies, programs, projects, and
activities will address the Bito RIS’ thrust towards an ecologically balanced
and resilient river irrigation system that provides ecosystem services and
managed by empowered communities.
Three (3) activities were conducted to identify the final list of programs
and projects that will be subject to the process of investment
programming: (1) sifting of programs and projects; (2) knowing the source
of funds; and (3) ranking based on relevance, urgency, and technical and
financial feasibility of each program and project.
7.2.1 Sifting of Programs and Projects
This activity determines whether the initiative or the proposed
intervention is indeed a program or project, legislation, or service that
needs enhancement. The participants of the planning workshop were
provided guidelines on how to sort out their list of proposed interventions
to determine which are projects and “non-projects”.
Project is a cluster of activities, and sometimes synonymous to program. It
is a specific but complex effort consisting of interrelated activities
performed by various functional units and specialists, has a well-defined
objective, a definite schedule, and a set budget, and may cover a period
of 1-3 years.
“Non-projects”, on the other hand, are regular functions of a given office
and performed by the regular staff of that office using its existing facilities
and budget.
7.2.2 Determination of “Ownership”
It is important to distinguish among the identified programs and projects
which are "owned" or those that would be funded by the NIA, LGU, DENR,
DPWH and other key stakeholders. During the workshop, the participants
were asked to identify the source/s of funds for the identified programs
and projects (i.e., whether the funds would be from the national
government, local government, or private sector/nongovernment
organizations).
7.3 Evaluation and Prioritization
After the identification of the sources of fund for each program/project,
each group was asked to evaluate and rank the programs and projects
using the set of criteria below:
Table 7-1. Degree of Relevance
WEIGH
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION
T
Projects that directly support the achievement
of the GOTS
Project needed to maintain critically needed
Essential 3
program
Projects that are critical/prerequisites to other
downstream projects
Projects that directly support the achievement
of the GOTS but not critical to the completion
Very
of making usable major improvement program 2
Relevant
Projects are required to maintain minimum
standards as part of an ongoing program
Projects that indirectly support the
achievement of the GOTS but directly support
the other GOTS
Relevant 1
Projects that are to replace obsolete or
unsatisfactory facilities or repair/maintain
projects to prolong life of existing facilities
Projects that indirectly support the
achievement of the GOTS, but the
Deferrable 0
implementation can be deferred
Projects that are needed for expansion of
current programs
Projects that are designed to initiate new
programs
Table 7-2. Degree of Urgency
WEIGH
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION
T
Projects that cannot be reasonably postponed
Urgent Projects that would remedy conditions 2
dangerous to welfare of the people
Projects that are needed to meet emergency
situations
Necessary 1
Projects that should be carried out to meet
clearly identified and anticipated needs.
Projects that can be postponed without
detriment to present operations if budget cut is
necessary.
Deferrable 0
Projects that are questionable in terms of
overall needs, adequate planning, or overall
timing.
Table 7-3. Degree of Financial Implementability
WEIGH
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION
T
Projects that have firm budget allocation
Desirable 3
Projects that are self-liquidating
Projects that have firm budget allocation
Implementa from other national line agencies
2
ble Projects for which external funding is already
available or has been firmly committed
Projects with potential donor or loan
Acceptable Projects that can be jointly funded by NIA, 1
LGUs and other agencies.
Deferrable Projects with no identified funding 0
Table 7-4. Degree of Technical Implementability
WEIGH
CRITERIA DESCRIPTION
T
Projects with available equipped staff and
Urgent 2
support logistics
Projects with available support logistics but
Necessary 1
unequipped staff or vice versa
Projects with no available staff and support
Deficient 0
logistics
7.4 Bito River Development Programs
Development should not only focus on economic development. Vital to the
achievement of the Bito RIS’ inclusive growth is the improvement of its
environment and natural resources (ENR). Sustaining the services that will
improve Bito RIS will support critical growth sectors and resource-
dependent communities amidst risks posed by climate change and natural
disasters.
In accordance with the Bito RIS’ vision, four (4) major programs have been
identified and designed to properly utilize and manage the river irrigation
environment and natural resources. These include the following:
7.4.1.1 Forestlands Management Program
Bito RIS is endowed with forest lands and resources. The protection and
rehabilitation of these resources for its full use are very important in
fulfilling the watershed’s vision of having an ecologically balanced and
resilient watershed that provides ecosystem services and managed by
empowered communities.
The program will involve the protection and conservation of forest
ecosystem and its resources by judicious allocation of these resources for
protection and production purposes to benefit resource-dependent
communities in concerned LGUS and barangays and at the same time
protect the forest ecosystem from degradation and denudation. Its key
components are forest inventory, mapping and land use planning,
formulation of forest land use plan (FLUP), reforestation of denuded
forestlands, upland reforestation, regular water and air quality monitoring,
IEC campaign on proper environmental management and biodiversity
conservation, and provision of training and education to MENRO and local
forest managers.
Being a community-based program means that the people in the
community have a big role in implementing the program. Since they are
the ones who are considered as the primary stakeholder of the forest
ecosystem, who get benefits from it and at the same time get affected
whenever negative impacts happened because of the degradation and
denudation of forest, they should also take the lead role in properly
managing the forest lands.
7.4.1.2 Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change
Adaptation Program
The program will involve the conservation of soil resources to sustain their
productivity and provide other sources of income for the marginalized
upland farmers especially kaingin farmers. It will involve the education of
the farmers on appropriate soil and water conservation technologies that
would further enhance their production and income. Another component
of the project is the protection of prime agricultural lands to ensure food
self-sufficiency in Bito RIS while promoting soil conservation.
Institutionalization of early warning system, preparedness measures and
designation of areas for evacuation for communities living in areas
vulnerable to erosion. This program shall focus on the installation of flood
monitoring equipment and proper information dissemination and the
preparation of possible temporary settlement for those who will get
affected by the disaster.
7.4.1.3 Irrigation Water Resources Management Program
Adoption of Riparian Erosion and Sedimentation Control Measures
(Riverbanks Protection) will minimize erosion and landslides, improve
water yield, and reduce surface water run-off causing flash floods
downstream thus, protecting and supporting the residents of the LGUs.
This will benefit the local government and the residents living near
environmentally critical areas particularly those identified by DENR-MGB
as hazard prone due to erosion and landslides.
7.4.1.4 Environmental Management Capacity Building Program
The DENR, LGUs, and people’s organization (POs)/irrigator’s association
which are mandated to manage and protect the forest areas should be
given proper training and education in forest management. These
trainings and education will also provide them appropriate programs and
projects in managing the forest ecosystem and resources sustainably and
at the same time providing their needs and protecting their livelihood.
One of the most important components of any program is the
participation of the people. Thus, to be able to get their participation, the
communities within should be properly informed and educated and the
ordinances, laws, programs, and projects should be well-communicated
with them. An area with environmentally aware communities can produce
more volunteer local forest managers with care for their environment and
for their lives. The IEC will be given to the residents of each barangay and
the students in elementary and high schools.
7.5 Projects
Taken as a comprehensive and integrated package of interventions, the
proposed sub-project components will address the interlaced major
drivers of the degradation of forests, biodiversity, land, and water. The
proposed sub-project components are geared to improve the degraded
conditions of Bito RIS, particularly the rehabilitation of the degraded forest
cover, protection of the remaining natural forests and reduction of
pollution (sediments and toxic substances) loading in rivers that will
directly redound to the improvement of water resources and biodiversity
in the watersheds.
The proposed sub-project components consist of policy and institutional
development interventions and ground development interventions. Policy
and institutional interventions will likely encompass the entire watershed.
The areas of implementation of ground development interventions were
identified using land cover, slope, elevation, and land classification as
decision criteria.
During the workshop, the stakeholders identified potential strategies in
the form of policies, programs, projects (PPAs) that can contribute to the
achievement of the plan’s vision. They are as follow:
Table 7-5. Programs, and Projects
PROGRAMS PROJECTS
Forestlands Formulation and Strict Adoption/Implementation of
Management Forest Land Use Plan
Program Mapping of Forest Land Uses and Existing Tenures
and Agreements with the DENR
Establishment of Nursery for Endemic Trees
Upland Reforestation
Agroforestry Development Project
Monitoring of Mining Activities
PROGRAMS PROJECTS
Monitoring of Logging Activities
Water Quality Monitoring Program
Air Quality Monitoring Program
Construction of Sanitary Landfill
Construction of new and/or improvement of
existing Materials Recovery Facilities
Establishment of SWM-related Livelihood Programs
(e.g. vermiculture)
Strengthening Program for Environmental
Management Offices and Groups (MENRO, forest
rangers)
Communication, Education and Public Awareness
Activities on Environmental Laws
Adoption & Implementation of Environment Code
Adoption of Riparian Erosion and Sedimentation
Disaster Risk Control Measures (Riverbank Protection)
Reduction and IEC Campaign on Disaster Preparedness against
Climate Change landslide, and flooding
Adaptation Program Installation of flood monitoring equipment
Dredging along the riverways and creeks
Riparian Development /Stream Bank Stabilization
Irrigation Water
Project
Resources
Soil and Water Conservation Measures
Management
Construction of flood control and drainage
Program
improvement
Strengthening Program for Environmental
Environmental Management Offices and Groups (MENRO, forest
Management rangers)
Capacity Building Communication, Education and Public Awareness
Program Activities on Environmental Laws
Adoption & Implementation of Environment Code
7.6 Work and Financial Schedule
The total cost for the implementation of the Irrigation Water Resources
Management Plan for the Bito River Irrigation System is estimated at PhP
113,910,316.45. The budget includes costs for the implementation of
various projects, services and legislation needed to realize the goals and
objectives of the said plan. Based on the table below, it shows the
different government agencies tasked to lead in the implementation of
projects. As this will be discussed further in the succeeding chapters, the
implementation of the plan will be managed at two (2) levels, the Bito RIS
Management Board and Project Management Unit. The plan covers the
period from 2022 to 2026.
Table 7-6. Bito RIS Work and Financial Schedule
Type of Project Period of Cost
Implementing
Project Proje Servic Legislati Implementat Estimate
Agency
ct es on ion (PhP)
Formulation and Strict
Adoption/Implementation of X LGUs 2022-2027 1,500,000.00
Forest Land Use Plan
Mapping of Forest Land Uses
and Existing Tenures and X DENR and LGUs 2023 2,500,000.00
Agreements with the DENR
Establishment of Nursery for
X DENR and LGUs 2023-2024 1,500,000.00
Endemic Trees
Upland Reforestation X DENR and LGUs 2023-2028 2,000,000.00
Agroforestry Development
X NIA 2026 289,858.80
Project
Monitoring of Mining Activities X DENR and LGUs 2023-2028 1,000,000.00
Monitoring of Logging Activities X DENR and LGUs 2023-2028 1,000,000.00
Water Quality Monitoring
X DENR 2023-2028 1,000,000.00
Program
Air Quality Monitoring Program X DENR 2023-2028 1,000,000.00
70,000,000.0
Construction of Sanitary Landfill X LGUs 2022-2023
0
Construction of new and/or
improvement of existing X LGUs 2022-2023 200,000.00
Materials Recovery Facilities
Establishment of SWM-related
X LGUs 2022-2023 450,000.00
Livelihood Programs (e.g.,
vermiculture)
Strengthening Program for
Environmental Management DENR, NIA and
X 2023-2028 1,000,000.00
Offices and Groups (MENRO, LGUs
forest rangers)
Communication, Education and
Public Awareness Activities on X DENR and LGUs 2023-2028 1,000,000.00
Environmental Laws
Adoption & Implementation of
X DENR and LGUs 2023-2028 200,000.00
Environment Code
Adoption of Riparian Erosion and
11,671,809.1
Sedimentation Control Measures X NIA 2022-2023
7
(Riverbank Protection)
Soil and Water Conservation
X NIA 2024-2026 1,598,648.48
Measures
IEC Campaign on Disaster
Preparedness against landslide, X DENR and LGUs 2023-2028 1,000,000.00
and flooding
Installation of flood monitoring
X LGUs 2022-2023 5,000,000.00
equipment
Dredging along the riverways 10,000,000.0
X NIA and LGUs 2022-2023
and creeks 0
TOTAL BUDGETARY 113,910,316
REQUIREMENT .45
7.6.1 Budgetary Requirement
To implement the above-mentioned projects, the National Irrigation
Administration would need to allocated funds amounting to PhP
113,910,316.45 for the whole 5-year implementation.
