On September 12, through a Memorandum of Agreement Signing, the first ever Watershed Management Council in the province of Cavite was created - The Timalan River Watershed Management Council.

Stakeholders and concerned Local and National Government Agencies signified their commitment for the management of the watershed. “Alam naman po natin na ang pag-ma-manage ng kapaligiran ay hindi trabaho ng isang ahensya lamang. Ito ay kailangang pagtulung-tulungan ng bawat isa sa atin” said by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Cavite For. Januel R. Peras.

DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria also pointed the role of each sector in the council to harmonize their efforts affecting the watershed based on their mandates. The Council is co-chaired by the DENR CALABARZON and the Provincial Government of Cavite. Members of the Council also include the Department of Agriculture Region IV-A, PENRO Cavite, National Irrigation Administration, Provincial Agrarian Reform, Department of Public Works and Highways, Local Government of Tanza, Naic, and Trece Martires, Capipisa Fishermen's Association, Samahang Magtatalaba at Mangingisda ng Sitio Lontoc, Trece Martires City Farmer's Association Incorporated, and Cavite Province Association of Water District. "Gusto ko pong bigyang diin ang usapin ng governance…Ang esensya ng pamamahala na involved ang lahat ng may taya", Tamoria said in his remarks.

Meanwhile, the signing ceremony also coincides with the commemoration of the 13 martyrs (Trece Martires) who fought for the independence of the country. "Kung ang pinag sakripisyo-han ng Trece Martires ay para sa kalayaan ng bayan, iyon pong ginagawa natin ay pagpapatuloy lamang para sa kalayaan natin sa sitwasyon ng ating kapaligiran at likas na yaman" said by RED Tamoria as he relates the two momentous activities. 

Further, City Mayor of Trece Martires Hon. Gemma B. Lubigan delivered a message on behalf of the Provincial Governor Hon. Juanito Victor C. Remulla. She urged the members of the council for a proactive collaboration for the watershed. “Dapat po huwag na tayong maghintay na dumating sa punto na critical na ang ating watershed bagkus as early as we can ay atin na pong pagplanuhan lahat…Hindi man po kami eksperto sa larangang ito, bigyan niyo po kami ng trabaho at gagawin po namin", Lubigan commits.

She also reiterated the role of the council to walk the talk as role models of the youth. "Sa ating panahon ang pagiging martir ay hindi na pagbubuwis ng buhay kundi pagsasabuhay ng mga halimbawang tutularan ng ating mga kabataan at ng mga susunod pang henerasyon…pagiging makaDiyos, may respeto sa kapwa, at higit sa lahat may malasakit sa kalikasan."

As part of the duties of the Management Council, an Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) shall be developed. With this, RED Tamoria encouraged the inclusion of the plans and programs in the IWMP to the local development plans of the LGUs especially in their Comprehensive Land Use Plans.

Based on the 2021 Forestry Statistics of the Forest Management Bureau, out of the 108 Proclaimed Watershed Forest Reserves and 131 Critical River Watersheds in the country that support the National Irrigation System, 14 of which are in CALABARZON. Specific in the province of Cavite, 7 critical watersheds were identified serving as a source of potable water for domestic, agricultural, industrial, commercial, and recreational purposes. One of which is Timalan River which has an area of 4,532 hectares covering three municipalities including Tanza, Naic and Trece Martires City. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Press Releases
Published: 03 October 2023