executive summary master...

Volume 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Integrated Bicol River Basin Management and Development

Master Plan

July 2015

With Technical Assistance from:

Orient Integrated Development Consultants, Inc.

Formu la t ion o f an In teg ra ted B ico l R iver Bas in Management and Deve lopment Mas te r p lan

V o l 1 : E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y i | P a g e

Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1

2.0 KEY FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BICOL RIVER BASIN ........................... 1

3.0 ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING SITUATION ........................................................................ 3

4.0 DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES ................................................... 9

5.0 VISION, GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES ........................................................... 10

6.0 INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................... 17

7.0 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ................................................................................................. 20

8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED PROJECTS ....................................... 20


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1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Bicol River Basin (BRB) has a total land area of 317,103 hectares and covers the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte. The basin plays a significant role in the development of the region because of the abundant resources within it and the ecological services it provides to support the livelihood of communities. About 77% of the basin area or 243,800 hectares are cultivated agricultural lands. Its rivers and lakes provide irrigation water to these agricultural lands, apart from being used for fishing. The forests and forestlands, including protected areas, contain rich biodiversity resources and non‐timber products, which are used as raw materials for handicrafts. These forestlands are the head waters of the major rivers and tributaries of the BRB, which are sources of water for irrigation, domestic use and power generation. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) identified the BRB as one of the 18 priority river basins in the country for which comprehensive management and development master plans are to be formulated following the integrated watershed resources management (IWRM) approach. This planning framework ensures that the situation in the basin is viewed in a holistic manner and that the interconnections between upstream and downstream activities are taken into account. IWRM provides the context for harmonizing individual and collective resource management actions of various stakeholders and for improving the overall governance system for the river basin. 2.0 KEY FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BICOL RIVER BASIN The Bicol River Basin (BRB) is drained by two major rivers. These are the Bicol River and the Libmanan River, which meet near Aslong, Libmanan before they finally empty into the San Miguel Bay. Based on the topographically delineated watershed divide, 43 local government units (LGUs) are situated wholly or partially within the Bicol River Basin. For management purposes, the entire BRB was divided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) into eight sub‐basins. Close to 81% of the areas within the BRB are relatively flat; only 3,297 hectares of the BRB are situated in elevations above 1,000 meters above sea level. The highest altitude is the peak of Mt. Mayon, which is about 2,500 meters above sea level. The Bicol River Basin falls under three climate types: (a) no dry season with very pronounced rainfall from November to January (for the upper portion of the BRB); (b) rainfall more or less evenly distributed throughout the year (for the central strip); and (c) season not very pronounced dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year (for the lower portion). The river basin also lies within the main typhoon belt of the Philippines and as such, experiences frequent tropical storms and typhoons.

Sub‐Basins within the Bicol River Basin

Sub‐Basin Area (hectares) % Share

Libmanan‐Pulantuna 74,416 23%Naga‐Yabo 8,840 3%Naporog 10,812 3%Pawili 39,441 12%Quinali 59,550 19%Ragay Hills 52,393 17%Thiris 27,687 9%Waras‐Lalo 43,964 14%TOTAL 317,103 100%



Geomorphologic Map of the Bicol River Basin

Source: Nippon Koei Inc., 2003



The BRB’s geomorphology is controlled by the distribution of the major geologic formations, which allows it to be naturally divided into the Volcanic Terrain, the Bicol Plain and the Sedimentary Terrain. The eastern rim is bounded by a line of volcanoes of which one, the Mayon Volcano is active.

Geological and Meteorological Hazards The hazards that can potentially affect the Bicol River Basin fall under the following categories: hydrologic, volcanic, earthquake‐induced, coastal‐related, mass movement, and typhoons. Flooding is the most pervasive hydrologic hazard that threatens the entire Bicol Plain. This hazard is attributed to the combined effect of the regular passage of typhoons, high runoff in the surrounding Volcanic and Sedimentary Terrains and the natural low elevation of the Bicol Plain. The projected flooded area in the BRB for a one‐in‐five‐year return period is estimated to cover 42,124 hectares. This is expected to increase to 50,402 hectares or 16% of the BRB area in a one‐in‐25‐year return period of flooding, affecting significant areas of settlements and agricultural lands, particularly irrigated rice lands. The volcanic hazards include ash fall, pyroclastic and lava flows, earthquakes and lahar or mud flows. These hazards are generally limited around the vicinity of the active Mayon Volcano. Earthquake‐induced hazards include ground rupture, ground shaking, tsunamis and liquefaction. Coastal hazards comprise of tsunamis, storm surges and erosion. The areas susceptible to mass movements or landslides correspond to the upper slopes of the volcanic centers and the edges of the sedimentary terrain; about 51,750 hectares (16% of BRB area) are susceptible to landslide within the BRB. An average of 20 tropical cyclones also pass through the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) every year. BRB has a 21‐30% typhoon occurrence. 3.0 ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING SITUATION Ecosystems, Resources and Uses The existing ecosystems and resources in the BRB as identified from ridge to reef comprise of the following: (1) land resources consisting of forests and forestlands, protected areas (PA), cultivated agricultural lands and settlements and built‐ up areas; (2) surface and ground water resources including rivers and lakes; and (3) mangroves, marshlands, wetlands and coastal resources. Land Resources About 83% (262,246 hectares) of the total land area of BRB are classified as alienable and disposable (A and D) while 12% or 38,232 hectares are forestlands and 4% (12,120 hectares) are protected areas. The A and D lands are generally titled, privately‐owned and used for agriculture, settlements and for other commercial and industrial purposes. Most of the cultivated agricultural lands are located in Libmanan‐ Pulantuna, Quinali and Ragay Hills sub‐basins. Key economic crops where the basin has comparative advantage in terms of agro‐ecological conditions include rice, coconut, coffee, cacao, pili nut, and citrus. In addition,



there are a number of valuable non‐timber forest products, notably abaca, with the Bicol Region being one of the main sources for this fiber. The forestlands and protected areas, which cover the higher slopes of Mt. Labo, Mt. Isarog, Mt. Malinao, Mt. Masaraga, Mt. Iriga, Mt. Mayon, Ragay Hills and Bicol National Park contain the remaining 10,175 hectares of closed forests and the 18,310 hectares of open forests in the river basin, including their associated biodiversity resources. The vegetation types generally consist of grasslands, lowland dipterocarp forests, and montane forests with small patches of mossy forests in higher elevations. A comparison of the 2003 and 2010 land cover map of the BRB indicates that closed canopy forests has increased by 83% from 5,576 hectares to 10,175 hectares. However, in the same period, about 5,636 hectares of open canopy forests were also lost, indicating that some of the open forests in 2003 have developed into closed canopy forests with about 1,037 hectares lost to other lower quality vegetation. About 35% of the forestlands covering 13,527 hectares are already CADT and tenured lands. CADT lands are 6,491 hectares while 7,036 hectares are community‐based forest management agreements. At least four protected areas are located in the BRB: Bicol National Park, Mt. Isarog Natural Park, Mayon Volcano Natural Park, and Libmanan Caves Natural Park. These protected areas hold hundreds of terrestrial species of wildlife and serve as sanctuary to endangered species.

Surface and Groundwater Resources The Bicol River Basin is drained by a network of rivers and lakes that occupy an estimated area of 7,309 hectares. The lake ecosystem is an important resource of the river basin. The three major lakes within the BRB are Lake Buhi, Lake Bato and Lake Baao. Lake Bato is the seventh largest lake in the country. The Sinarapan is found in this lake as well as other economically important fish species like tilapia, carp, freshwater shrimp, catfish, and climbing perch. The highest annual rainfall observed within the BRB is in San Lorenzo Ruiz, Camarines Sur with mean annual rainfall of 6,610 mm for the period 2000‐2012. Annual rainfall for Legazpi City (southeast of the basin) and Daet, Camarines Norte (north of the basin) are 3,822 and 3,957 mm, respectively, for the same period. The average rainfall scenario represents most of the flat central areas (Lower and Middle BRB); the mean annual rainfall in these areas is 2,503 mm. There is ground water recharge of up to 4.3% of rainfall in areas where there is average to high rainfall or when the average rainfall is at least 2,500 mm per year. In areas with low rainfall, ground water discharge is experienced on an average of 5.3% of rainfall/year. The water balance computations also indicate that about 50% of the annual rainfall becomes

Land Cover within the Bicol River Basin, 2010

Land Cover (2010) Grand Total % of BRB Annual Crop 123,860 39% Built‐up 8,721 3% Closed Forest 10,178 3% Fishpond 149 0.05% Grassland 6,881 2% Inland Water 7,282 2% Mangrove Forest 2,106 1% Marshland/Swamp 378 0.1% Open Forest 18,304 6% Open/Barren 689 0% Perennial Crop 119,939 38% Shrubs 16,471 5% Wooded grassland 1,846 1% Outliers 299 0.1% Total 317,103 100% Source: 2010 Land Cover Map, NAMRIA



surface runoff. Runoff drops significantly in low rainfall areas as the soil moisture storage is rarely saturated. Combining the surface runoff and ground water recharge, the estimated available water in the BRB is about 9.22 million cubic meters (MCM) per day. The recharge areas are concentrated in the upper section of the Libmanan‐Pulantuna sub‐basin in the vicinity of Mt. Labo and the Bicol National Park. Under a climate change scenario, the available water in the BRB will slightly increase to 11.31 MCM per day. With a projected water demand of 11.387 MCM per day in 2030, there will be a water deficit of about 0.068 MCM per day in 2030.

Summary of Annual Water Balance in the Bicol River Basin

Rainfall Model Units Mean Precipitation

Mean Surface Run Off

Actual Evapo‐transpiration

Ground Water Recharge

High

mm 3,957 2,409 1,378 169% of P 61% 35% 4.30%

Average

mm 2,511 1,217 1,293 1% of P 48% 51% 1%

Moderate

mm 3,175 1,712 1,387 76% of P 54% 44% 2.40%

Low

mm 1,921 778 1,245 ‐102% of P 40% 65% ‐5.30%

Water demand in the Bicol River Basin is generally categorized according to its major uses: (a) municipal for domestic, commercial and industrial uses, and (b) agricultural for irrigation, fishery, poultry and livestock uses. Irrigation uses will dominate the water requirements in the BRB by 2030, amounting to 94% of the total water demand. The domestic water requirements will only comprise 2.2% of the total. The projections are based on a 2002 study under the World Bank financed by the River Basin and Watershed Management Program, with further adjustments to current data and water requirements. According to the water quality study commissioned by the DENR Environmental Management Bureau in 2010, the common sources of pollution in the water are rural runoff, urban runoff, domestic sources, market sources, and industrial and commercial sources. The Libmanan, Pulantuna and Bicol rivers are classified as Class A waters. The Naga River is designated as a Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) and classified as Class C. The Pawili and Quinale rivers are also Class C; the Waras River is unclassified. Lake Buhi is also designated as a WQMA and classified as Class B. The Libmanan River has the lowest estimated pollution load at 967.5 MT BOD/year. The Naga and Quinali Rivers have the highest pollution load at 7,696.8 MT BOD/yr and 10,116 MT BOD/yr, respectively. It is recommended that monitoring of groundwater for fertilizer and pesticide contaminants be put in place to better assess the quality of water supply, the large section of the BRB that is devoted to rice farming being the potential source of these contaminants.

Coastal Resources The coastal resources of the Bicol River Basin are located in San Miguel Bay (SMB) where the Bicol River and the Libmanan River drain. The study by Sumalde and Pedroso in 2001 cited that San Miguel Bay has three significant coastal habitats: coral reefs, mangroves and soft‐bottom communities.



Mangroves and marshlands/wetlands within the BRB are estimated to cover about 2,488 hectares. These are generally located within the Libmanan‐Pulantuna, Thiris, and Naga‐Yabo sub‐basin, including a small patch within Ragay Hills adjacent to Lake Bato. The DENR has declared 27 hectares in Cabusao at the mouth of the Bicol River as Cabusao Wetlands.

The San Miguel Bay is economically important since it is a major source of livelihood for the coastal communities. It is estimated that around 9,572 fishers from the coastal municipalities are engaged in fishing in the bay as their primary source of income.

Socio‐Economic Condition The Bicol region, where the Bicol River Basin is located, serves as the gateway of Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao. It is accessible by land from Manila and the rest of Luzon and by water from Visayas and Mindanao. It is also accessible by air transport via the Legaspi airport in Albay and Pili airport in Camarines Sur. Aggregate population in the BRB municipalities/cities was placed at around two million in 2010.

Overall population density in the BRB is estimated at around seven persons per hectare, signifying that the BRB is still relatively sparsely populated. Among the sub‐basins, Naga‐Yabo has the highest population density at 23 persons per hectare. Indigenous peoples (IP) comprising of the Agtas and their sub‐tribes inhabit most sub‐basins. They are most prominent though in the Waras‐Lalo, Pawili, Naporog, Ragay Hills and Thiris sub‐basins where CADCs and CADTs have been delineated and/or awarded to them.

Poverty is pervasive all throughout the BRB. Incidence of poverty among families averaged nearly 40% in 2009, ranging from a low of 24% to as high as 53%. This is almost twice the national poverty incidence rate (at 23%) for the same period. Poverty is most pronounced in the Ragay Hills and Libmanan‐Pulantuna sub‐basins.

Summary of the Demographic Features of Bicol River Basin by Sub‐Basin

Sub‐Basin Area within

Sub‐Basin

% to Total BRB

Popn* (2010)

% to Total BRB Pop’n

Pop’n (2000)

Pop’n Growth Rate (%)

Pop’n Density

Poverty Incidence(2009)**

Libmanan‐Pulantuna 74,416 23 398,765 19.8 351,860 1.26% 5.36 44.7

Naga‐Yabo 8,840 3 203,405 10.1 160,445 2.40% 22.97 30.5Naporog 10,812 3 42,770 2.1 36,231 1.67% 3.96 40.2Pawili 39,441 12 82,307 4.1 67,393 2.02% 2.09 33.1Quinali 59,550 19 511,391 25.4 461,281 1.04% 8.59 40.1Ragay Hills 52,393 17 154,958 7.7 129,293 1.83% 2.96 45.6Thiris 27,687 9 234,909 11.7 203,730 1.43% 8.48 40.1Waras‐Lalo 43,964 14 382,821 19.0 331,731 1.44% 8.71 35.6TOTAL 317,103 100 2,011,326 100.0 1,741,964 1.45% 6.34 38.7* Since municipalities/cities straddle several sub‐basins, LGU population is applied only once in areas where a large proportion of the LGU is located relative to the sub‐basin (Corrected from the Stakeholders Analysis Report based on new data).

**Poverty incidence by municipality Source: Area based on GIS estimates; Population from PSA; Poverty Incidence from NSCB



Agriculture and fishing are the main economic activities in the BRB. The main farm product is rice followed by corn, coconuts, abaca, and root crops. Parts of the BRB are sources of the pineapple “Formosa” (also called the Queen Pineapple), which the Bicol Region is known for. The town of Mercedes in Camarines Norte is a major fishing center that exports fish, crabs and shrimp to Manila. Livestock production is primarily on small‐scale basis and mostly backyard farming. However, Baao in Camarines Sur is noted for egg production, being the biggest source of eggs in the region. Naga City is the region’s center of commercialization and industrialization. Parts of the Bicol River Basin also serve as good sources of non‐metallic minerals such as diatomaceous earth (white clay), sand, gravel and boulders. Majority of the municipalities in the BRB get water supply services from LGU‐run water systems. Only 13 municipalities have water districts; on the average, they serve about 20% to 40% of households in their respective service areas. Various irrigation infrastructure had been constructed in the BRB, mostly serving rice farms. These consist of either the pump or gravity irrigation systems managed by the national government, the Irrigators’ Associations or by private individuals. The total service area of these irrigation structures is about 40,527 hectares. The other existing river and related structures are: a) road bridges; b) irrigation system diversion weirs and barrages; c) flood diversion spillways; d) flood embankment dikes; e) riverbanks revetment work; f) seawalls and g) drainage outlet structures in the tidal zone. The competitive goods and services common to the sub‐basins are rice, and coconut in the cultivated lands, water for irrigation and domestic use in forestlands and protected areas including biodiversity resources and existing forests, which can be enrolled under the REDD+ program (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation). Aside from this, the Quinali, Naga‐Yabo, Pawili, Waras‐Lalo, and Quinali sub‐basins have comparative advantages in terms of recreation and tourism because of the presence Mt. Isarog, Mt. Masaraga, Mt. Mayon and Lakes Buhi and Bato.

Vulnerabilities to Hazards The ecosystems within the BRB and their associated biodiversity resources will be impacted by climate changes. Areas in higher elevations, particularly in the upper slopes of Mt. Mayon, Mt. Isarog and Mt. Labo, will be most vulnerable to temperature change. Data indicates that the sea‐level rise, combined with more frequent and severe storms and flooding affects low‐lying communities during storm surges. Based on the current projection for sea level rise at one meter, around 6,978 hectares of land, including farmlands, will be inundated, located along the southern rim of San Miguel Bay covering the Bonbon, Cabusao, Calabanga, Libmanan, Magarao, Sipocot and Tinambac. The BRB is also considered as high‐risk to rainfall pattern changes. Although generally, the area has no pronounced wet and dry season, changes in rainfall pattern will have an impact on water supply. The projections made for the region indicate that rainfall will decrease during the dry season by 11% to 18% for 2020 and rising through 40% by 2050. This will cause intense competition to water resources. Aside from the deficit in the estimated supply from precipitation, salt water intrusion due to rising sea levels will contaminate water supply. Higher concentration of salts in irrigation waters will affect soil fertility.



Locations of Irrigation Dams and Flood Control Structures in the Bicol River Basin



Stakeholders The identified stakeholders in the BRB are Farmers’ Groups and Irrigators’ Associations; Fisher folk (lake, river, estuary and coastal/marine fishers); Agta IP;, Water Districts and Waterworks groups; PA Supervisors, PA Management Boards (PAMB) and associated POs and NGOs; CBFM/CSC/ISF holders; BRB LGUs; private enterprises; and NGAs operating in the BRB.

Current Institutional Arrangements From 2010 to present, the BRB Watershed Management Plan remains the basis of development and management initiatives in the BRB for most DENR and LGU‐driven projects, promoting and implementing the IWRM/Integrated Ecosystems Management (IEM) approach. The BRB Management Committee (BRB MC) was established as a permanent special committee of the Regional Development Council in 2012. A July 2012 DENR Region 5 Special Order created the BRB Program Coordinating Office (PCO) to provide the technical and administrative support to the BRB MC and its Technical Working Group (TWG). But the BRB PCO may need a more interdisciplinary staff complement, particularly if the IEM approach will be determinedly pursued in the BRB. Locally‐based resource management structures have also been established in the BRB in compliance with policies providing for localized, site specific management of water and other natural resources and as part of efforts to address local water‐related issues and concerns. The Libmanan‐Pulantuna Watershed Management Council (LPWMC) was established in April 2008. The LPWMC was replicated in the Quinali sub‐basin, which is also a pilot site for National Convergence Initiative. It is also pilot site of USAID’s Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program and the Bicol Agri Water Project (BAWP). It is still early to tell which of the two management models is more responsive and effective in addressing the issues and concerns in the sub‐basins. Area‐ and program‐based management bodies also exist that have management jurisdiction over specific portions of the BRB. These are the PAMBs, WQMA Governing Boards, Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMC), Multi‐Sectoral Barangay ENR Management Committees in the Libmanan‐Pulantuna watershed, and the Metro Naga Development Council. 4.0 DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES The various resources within the Bicol River Basin have great potential for sustaining and enhancing the economic development of the LGUs found within. Enhanced development of its vast agricultural areas can support livelihood of a large segment of the population who are traditionally dependent on farming as their primary source of income. The lakes and rivers, if properly managed, can continue to provide additional livelihood opportunities to communities living near these resources through fishing. These lakes and rivers can continue to supply the irrigation water requirements of most of the rice production areas in the basin. Unfortunately, because of environmental and institutional constraints/limitations, opportunities within the basin are not effectively harnessed. The typhoons that pass the region annually damage developed agricultural lands, infrastructure and properties. Apart


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from climate‐related constraints, development within the BRB is constrained by other issues, such as the following:

a) Forest cover continues to decline; b) The production capacity of agricultural lands, particularly the irrigated rice lands, is

still constrained by deteriorated irrigation systems; c) Declining fish catch in the lakes and rivers; d) Saline water intrusion into the Bicol River; and e) From the institutional perspective, insufficient funding, inadequate logistical support

and trained manpower, and the fragmented interventions within the basin have constrained efficient management of BRB.

Taken together, the situation has resulted in continuing poverty in rural areas, contributing further to the degradation of the Bicol River Basin as local communities adopt more resource extractive practices.

5.0 VISION, GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES Vision Based on previous studies, the assessment of the biophysical conditions, the stakeholders and institutions working within the BRB, the agreed vision statement is as follow:

A sustainably managed Bicol River Basin with high ecosystem biodiversity, providing stable, dependable, and sustained high quality water supply for agricultural, domestic and industrial use and contributing to the socio‐economic development of local communities.

Goal Reduce poverty in local communities such that those within the Bicol River Basin are able to sustain their livelihoods without resorting to environmentally destructive practices and empower them to become co‐custodians of the river basin.

Purpose

Sustain the increase in income of farmers and fishers.

Outputs

1) Sustain and enhance agricultural productivity. 2) Increase income from diversified NTFP‐based livelihood opportunities as a result of

the recovery of forest biodiversity. 3) Increase fish catch as a result of rehabilitated marine ecosystems and improved

water quality. 4) Secure the lives, shelter and sources of livelihood through relocation to safe

communities.



The objectives within 10‐15 years to achieve the vision and goal of the BRB Master plan are the following:

1) Increase productivity of major crops and commodities. 2) Increase of and protection of remaining forest cover. 3) Improved water quality of major rivers and lakes in the BRB. 4) Rehabilitated mangrove areas. 5) Reduced losses due to natural disasters and hazards.

Furthermore, the following immediate objectives of the BRB Master plan are aimed to be realized:

1) Minimize incidences of flooding through improved storage capacity of rivers and lakes by constructing 12 flood control structures, by 2030, in strategic locations within the BRB;

2) Provide sufficient irrigation facilities through rehabilitation and upgrading of existing facilities or construction of new systems for an additional 31,000 hectares of irrigable land within the BRB;

3) Rehabilitate at least 18,000 hectares of degraded forestlands and develop at least 100,000 hectares in A and D lands through multi‐storey agroforestry plantations;

4) Improved waste disposal by developing sanitary landfill facilities in seven cluster LGUs, establishing wastewater facilities in government offices and in 28 markets/abattoir or priority LGUs, and developing septage treatment facilities in 14 priority LGUs;

5) Resettle at least 6,000 families in high disaster risk areas, particularly those informally settled in river easements;

6) Comprehensively identify vulnerabilities and corresponding adaptation actions for communities within the BRB by completing detailed vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans for 43 LGUs within the BRB by 2017.

Key Strategies The general approach adopted in this master plan is to properly align land uses from ridge to reef so that activities undertaken in one ecosystem do not adversely affect the other ecosystems. Thus, zoning of the entire BRB was undertaken for this purpose as indicated in the table below:

Management Zones in the BRB

Sub‐basins Boundary Outliers

Hazard Zones

Production Zones

Protection Zones

Settlement Zones

Grand Total

Libmanan‐Pulantuna 122 6,388 40,609 23,457 3,841 74,416Naga‐Yabo 973 6,289 730 847 8,840Naporog 25 10,426 315 45 10,812Pawili River 3,037 27,367 8,351 686 39,441Quinali 16,883 34,465 1,144 7,059 59,550Ragay Hills 11,084 32,568 8,193 548 52,393Thiris 13,068 11,508 2,990 121 27,687Waras‐Lalo 8,043 25,839 2,830 7,252 43,964Grand Total 122 59,501 189,071 48,011 20,399 317,103



The identified strategies for the BRB also address the root causes of the problems as indicated in the problem tree to achieve the vision, goals and objectives. They include the following:

Strategies to Promote Resilience of Ecosystems and Communities to Climate Related Hazards The range of ecosystems services provided by the BRB is threatened by human induced activities such as kaingin making, timber poaching, mangrove conversion, and over fishing, among others. The adverse effects of these unsustainable resource practices will be aggravated further as climate change intensifies. Hence, it is imperative to adopt measures and strategies that will strengthen resilience of ecosystems and communities to climate related hazards.

1) Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Planning 2) Protection of Existing Natural Forests 3) Rehabilitation of Degraded Forestlands and Protected Areas 4) Management of Mangroves, Wetlands and Coastal Resources 5) Improvement of Flood Control Structures 6) Management of River Easements, including resettlement planning and

implementation

Strategies to Promote Investments in Production Areas to Meet Demands for Ecosystems Goods and Services

The following are the comparative advantage of the Bicol River Basin:

1) It has vast areas of plain agricultural lands comprising about 87% of its total area, which can be developed to support the food requirement of its growing population. The irrigated rice lands alone represents 58% of the total irrigated rice lands in the province of Albay and Camarines Sur, supplying significant percentage of the rice requirements of these provinces.

2) Its inland water bodies (rivers and lakes) and coastal resources in San Miguel Bay contain rich fisheries resources providing livelihood to local populations.

3) It has water resources (surface and underground) which if managed properly, can continue to provide water to communities for domestic and agricultural purposes.

4) Its existing natural forests contain non‐timber resources which can be enhanced further to support handicraft making in selected communities and provide additional sources of livelihood.

With increasing population, demand for rice, water, and fisheries resources will correspondingly increase. Communities will also require more livelihoods to support the basic needs of their families. As such, it is necessary to enhance the productive assets of BRB to meet the increasing demands for ecosystems goods and services. The master plan has identified strategies to encourage private sector investments so that increasing demands for various goods and services can be met.

1) Upgrading of Irrigation Facilities 2) Management of Rivers, Lakes and Ground Water Resources to Ensure Water Quality 3) Development of Sustainable Livelihood



Proposed Management Zones

Settlement Zone



Existing Road Systems within the Bicol River Basin Relative to Production Areas



Strategies to Improve Local Governance of BRB Governance of the Bicol River Basin has been complicated by the existence of a number of organizations and inter‐agency environment and economic development councils and groups at different levels with closely related or seemingly overlapping mandates. With many on‐site stakeholders and institutions operating in the BRB, collaborative management becomes the most appropriate governance mechanism at the basin and sub‐basin level. The establishment of collaborative management structures can potentially resolve many of the operational issues arising from overlaps in institutional mandates, and allow various agencies and institutions, communities and stakeholders to work together and clarify roles and responsibilities in the management of the basin. The Bicol River Basin Management Committee (BRB MC) under the RDC will remain as the regional and basin‐level coordinating and management body for the BRB and as a special committee under the RDC 5. A mandated function of the BRB MC is the formulation of a BRB strategic management plan that incorporates climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction management (DRRM). In relation to the implementation of the master plan, its functions will be expanded and made more specific to include the following tasks: a) review and monitor strategic action plans of national agencies and LGUs in BRB that support or can be integrated into the BRB management plan; b) promote public and private investments to identified priority interventions or areas in BRB; c) define the investments and uses of BRB resources that need to be regulated or disallowed in BRB; d) facilitate resolution of program implementation issues and resource‐related conflicts that may arise among LGUs and BRB stakeholders; e) spearhead advocacies and campaigns that will promote good practices in resource and biodiversity conservation, DRRM, solid waste management and pollution control; f) formulate and implement a comprehensive and gender sensitive technical assistance and capacity development program for LGUs and other stakeholders; g) set up a database for BRB; and h) set up a results‐based monitoring and evaluation system for BRB, with clear performance indicators, reporting flows and feedback mechanism. The BRB Program Coordinating Office (PCO) will continue to provide the technical and administrative support to the BRB MC. It will need to be strengthened through the assignment of a full‐time team. Among its key functions are: coordination and networking, capability‐building and IEC, and database and M and E. Sub‐basin management councils will be set up for each of the seven sub‐basins and these will be reporting to the BRBMC. The sub‐basin management councils will serve as the implementation planning and coordination body for the sub‐basin. Key members of the sub‐basin councils should include: LGUs, field units of national implementing agencies, PAMB, water districts, academe, business sector, FARMC, representative farmer PO or irrigators’ association, relevant NGOs, CADT holder (in the sub‐basin with CADT), head of WQMA Board, other inter‐agency/multi‐sectoral bodies in the sub‐basin. It is recommended that the sub‐basin management councils are headed by the Provincial local chief executive with the DENR PENRO as co‐chair.



At the area level, there are three key actors that have mandates to manage certain areas of the BRB based on existing national laws and policies. These are the LGUs, national implementing agencies and CADT and tenure holders. They will be the ultimate implementing units of the BRB master plan, with the support of their partners from the public, private and non‐government sector.

Proposed Structure for Implementing the BRB Master plan

In addition to the operations of the BRB MC and PCO, several vital activities are also critical to improving BRB governance: (a) training and capacity building, (b) IEC and social marketing, (c) M and E, and (d) database development. These are to be continuously carried out throughout the duration of the plan period but more intensively during the initial years. These will require resources to implement, thus were considered in the master plan investment requirements. These activities will cover LGUs, DENR, NCIP and other implementing agencies and local resource management units to improve their capability to lead and implement the BRB master plan. The training and capability building required will range from values formation, gender sensitivity, and leadership to very specific crop production or forest rehabilitation technologies.



6.0 INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS

Over a 15‐year planning period, the total investment requirement to implement the BRB master plan is about Php31.332 billion. The first five years of implementation will require Php8.46 billion while Year 6 to Year 10 year would need Php13.95 billion. The last five years up to Year 15 year requires Php8.93 billion. About 62% of the proposed budget or Php19.5 billion will support programs to promote investment in production areas, mostly designed to improve irrigation facilities (29% of total costs). The program on enhancing resilience of ecosystems and communities would require 34% of the total estimated cost of the master plan or Php10.7 billion, which is almost equally divided into the watershed management, DRRM enhancement and flood mitigation programs. The governance‐strengthening program would require Php1.1 billion, representing 3% of the total estimated costs. LGUs would need Php9.6 billion (31% of the total budget) to enhance their capabilities in DRRM, update their CLUPs, implement waste management and support other livelihood activities. The rehabilitation and restoration of irrigation facilities and development of new irrigation systems by NIA account for 29.2% of the investment requirement or Php9.2 billion. Implementation costs of other infrastructure projects to be sourced from DPWH total Php4.6 billion or 14.7% of total costs. Other major funding sources would be the DENR, Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Summary of Costs for Implementing the BRB Master plan

Plan component Target Location Cost (Php’000) Implem.

Agency Fund

Sources Yr 1‐5 Yr 6‐10 Yr 11‐15 Total

A. Programs to Enhance Resilience of Ecosystems and Communities

1. Disaster risk management enhancement program

a. Vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning

43 All LGUs 21,500 0 21,500 43,000 LGUs LGUs

b. CLUP updating (integrating FLUP, BRB master plan, PA plans, CCA and DRRM plan and other related plans)

43 All LGUs 43,000 0 43,000 86,000 LGUs LGUs

c. DRRM training, EWS, rescue equipment

43 LGUs 238,000 21,500 21,500 281,000 LGUs LGUs

d. Automatic weather stations (AWS)

67,500 7,500 7,500 82,500 PAGASA PAGASA

e. River easements mgm’t: Mapping and demarcation of river easements and resettlement planning

43 LGUs 45,100 0 0 45,100 LGUs LGUs/ sourcing

f. Resettlement of settlers of river easements

6000 families 0 1,125,000 1,575,000 2,700,000 LGUs/ DILG

HUDCC/ sourcing

2. Watershed Management Program

a. IEC and capability strengthening

43 LGUs 172,000 129,000 64,500 365,500 LGUs LGUs

b. Natural forests protection and conservation project

30,595 a 15,298 15,298 15,298 45,894 DENR DENR

c. Rehabilitation of degraded forestlands and protected areas

18,000 b 270,000 270,000 0 540,000 DENR DENR




Agency Fund


d. Multi‐storey agroforestry development project in A and D lands

100,000 c 1,800,000 585,000 615,000 3,000,000 LGUs LGUS/ private owners

e. Marketing support project to farmer cooperators

43 LGUs 43,000 43,000 43,000 129,000 DTI DTI

f. Mangrove rehabilitation 1000 Cabusao Calabanga, Bonbon

30,000 0 0 30,000 DENR DENR

3. Flood Control/ Mitigation 12 d 132,000 2,588,550 639,900 3,360,450 DPWH Nat'l gov’t/ sourcing

Sub Total 2,877,398 4,784,848 3,046,198 10,708,444

B. Programs to Promote Investments in Production Areas to Meet Demands for Ecosystems Goods and Services

1. Irrigation facilities improvement

a. Rehabilitation and restoration of existing facilities

4,933 ha Based on assessment

655,450 0 0 655,450 NIA NIA

b. Development of new irrigation systems

31,130 ha.

Camarines Sur and Albay

0 3,891,250 3,891,250 7,782,500 NIA Nat'l gov't/ sourcing

c. Construction of Water Retention Basins (sites)

7 sites Camarines Sur and Albay

300,000 400,000 0 700,000 NIA Nat'l gov't/ sourcing

d. Training for IAs 10 do 14,250 0 0 14,250 NIA NIA

2. Water quality management

a. Water quality monitoring 117 stations

existing stations

126,000 126,000 126,000 378,000 DENR DENR

b. Development of sanitary landfill

8 clusters (Metro Naga; Cam. Sur; Albay, Naga City)

880,000 440,000 440,000 1,760,000 LGU LGUs/ sourcing

c. Establishment of waste water treatment facilities

Gov't fac. and 28 markets

**

122,100 590,150 81,400 793,650 LGU LGUs/ sourcing

d. Construction of septage treatment facilities

9 sludge and 14 clusters

*** 0 168,000 190,450 358,450 LGU LGUs/

sourcing

e. Enforcement of the installation of septic tanks and waste water treatment

43 LGUs All LGUs 64,500 64,500 64,500 193,500 LGU LGUs/ sourcing

f. Lake zoning 3 lakes (Buhi, Bato, Baao) 9,000 0 0 9,000 BFAR BFAR

3. Socio‐Economic Development Program

a. Development of bamboo plantation

13,000 **** 100,000 100,000 60,000 260,000 LGU LGU/ Private

b. Organic farming 45,000 All LGUs 225,000 225,000 225,000 675,000 LGU DA

c. Farm‐to‐market roads 250 kms/ TBD 250,000 500,000 500,000 1,250,000 DPWH DPWH

d. Water regulation and potable water development

7 Sub‐basins 140,000 140,000 0 280,000 LGUs LGUs/ sourcing

e. Nature‐based tourism development

6 Mt. Isarog, BNP, SMB, Mt. Mayon, lakes

120,000 0 0 120,000 DOT DOT

f. Fisheries support project (Micro‐financing)

4 San Miguel Bay and 3 lakes

400,000 400,000 0 800,000 BFAR BFAR




Agency Fund


g. Provision of post‐ harvest facilities

7 Sub‐basins 1,750,000 1,750,000 0 3,500,000 DA DA

Sub Total 5,156,300 8,794,900 5,578,600 19,529,800

C. Program on Strengthening Governance of the BRB

1. Organization of Sub‐Basin Management Councils

5 sub‐ basins 2,500 0 0 2,500 DENR DENR

Capability training for Sub‐Basin Management Councils

7 councils 17,500 10,500 0 28,000 DENR DENR

2. Capability enhancement training

46 All LGUs 115,000 69,000 69,000 253,000 DENR DENR

3. IEC 46 All LGUs 69,000 69,000 69,000 207,000 DENR DENR

4. Installation/ maintenance of database management system

53 All LGUs/ councils

53,000 53,000 53,000 159,000 DENR DENR

5. Monitoring and evaluation 46 All LGUs 115,000 115,000 115,000 345,000 DENR/ LGU

DENR/ LGU

6. Research variable 50,000 50,000 0 100,000 DENR DENR

Sub Total 422,000 366,500 306,000 1,094,500

TOTAL 8,455,698 13,946,248 8,930,798 31,332,744

27% 45% 28%a ‐ San Lorenzo Ruiz, Del Gallego, Lupi, Basud, Mercedes, Sipocot, Tinambac, Naga City, Calabanga, Pili, Ocampo, Tigaon, Libmanan, Iriga

City, Buhi, Oas, Polangui, Ligao city, Libon and Guinobatan b ‐ Libmanan, Lupi, Sipocot, Basud, Calabanga, Naga city, Baao, Ocampo, Iriga City, Tinambac, Bato, and Libon C ‐ San Lorenzo Ruiz, Lupi, Sipocot, Libmanan, Tinambac, Calabanga, Pamplona, San Fernando, Minalabac, Bula, Guinobatan, Camalig,

Ligao, Oas, Libon, Polangui, Bato d ‐ Proposed locations: Naga, Ligao & Iriga city; along Pawili, Waras, Talisay & Bicol river (see location map)

Summary of Investment Cost by Implementing Agency

Agency/Sector Cost (Php’000) %LGU 9,641,150 30.77%NIA 9,152,200 29.21%

DPWH 4,610,450 14.71% DA 3,500,000 11.17%

DENR 1,915,894 6.11% HUDCC/DILG 1,372,550 4.38%BFAR 809,000 2.58%DTI 129,000 0.41%DOT 120,000 0.38%PAGASA 82,500 0.26%

TOTAL 31,332,744.00 100.00%



7.0 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS The proposed interventions in the BRB master plan have a total financial cost of Php31.33 billion. The economic value of each of the programs and components were determined by adjusting costs according to the shadow exchange rate factor of 1.10 for costs with foreign currency requirements; and shadow wage rate factor of 60% of the nominal wage rate for unskilled labor. Based on these adjustments, the total economic cost of all BRB master plan interventions were valued at Php31.63 billion. It was determined that, overall, the proposed interventions are economically viable by satisfying the hurdle rates of a positive (greater than nil) net present value for benefits, at Php4.43 billion, and at least 15% internal rate of return, which was computed to be 22%. The proposed investments yield both market and non‐market benefits. Among the environmental benefits will be improved ecosystem resiliency, better ecological stability, improved water quality, improved biodiversity, among others, which are all public benefits. The investments in flood control such as the retarding basins were also studied from the perspective of its public benefits, especially in reducing damages from floods. Sensitivity analyses of (1) a 10% increase in investment costs, (2) 10% decrease in benefits, and (3) combination of 10% increase in costs and 10% decrease in benefits indicate that the proposed interventions are still economically viable. 8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED PROJECTS The proposed project investments aim to optimize the quality and use of BRB’s water resources. The wastewater treatment facility plants will help improve the water quality of surface waters in the downstream area and will have positive impacts on communities that are adjacent to the public markets. The construction of a retarding basin will address the flooding hazards in the BRB. However, the investment will have positive and negative social and environmental impacts during and after construction. These and other proposed investments are provided with a preliminary assessment to serve as basis for more detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Studies to be undertaken and submitted to DENR‐Environmental Management Bureau once the plans are finalized.

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