State of the ABANGAY-MANANIW Watershed Report

The State of the Watershed Report (SoWR) is

designed to capture data and information that will
guide the Abangay-Mananiw Watershed Management
Board in formulating plans and development
programs. This report will assist in achieving the
objectives of: securing sustainable supplies of water

for future generations; enhancing and protecting

biodiversity; building institutional and technical
capacity for watershed management, and identifying Photo Credit of PENRO Iloilo
Provincial Government, 2013
weaknesses and solutions for flood prone areas
through disaster risk management.

It is meant to be a “living” document which is built upon through ongoing analysis, data
gathering, and dialogue. The Abangay-Mananiw Watershed covers six (6) Municipalities namely
Lambunao, Dueñas, Badiangan, Janiuay, Dingle and Pototan, which are located at the central
part of Iloilo Province, approximately 35kilometers from Iloilo City. The Abangay River starts at
Abangay Creek in Brgy. Abangay, Janiuay & Brgy. Magbato, in Lambunao, and flows downstream
to the Municipality of Dueñas, then meets with Mananiw Creek in the Municipality of Badiangan.
The Abangay-Mananiw River joins to the Jalaur River in the municipality of Pototan, as its
tributary. Hence, It has a total land area of 14,050.80 hectares.

Major ground water resources are situated at Barangay Abangay and Dapitan where these
serves the water district for residential and commercial consumption. However, most of the
households in the watershed dispose their waste water onto the land and into creeks that
sometime drain into the river. Thus, surface water in the watershed is unable to be tapped as a
source of potable water. Hence, the abundance of ground water is considered as the main
potential source of potable water for households.

Through the interpretation of the SoWR, main issues, threats, and challenges to
watershed health identified in the report are Erosion and siltation, Scarcity of groundwater, Use
of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, Designated MENRO’s/ limited capacity (e.g. Technical &
Financial), Lack of livelihood opportunities for farmers and residents of the watershed, Lack of a
watershed management board and to regulate quarry permittee. Map overlaying, analysis and
GIS-software were used to determine the status of the watersheds. Through Focus Group
Discussion (FGD), the roles and interests of various stakeholders in the watershed were
determined. These exercises were conducted to understand their group dynamics and how this
will affect the planning and management of the Abangay-Mananiw watershed resources.

In conclusion, the formulation of SoWR for the different watersheds in the whole province of
Iloilo is the starting point from which the implementation of plans, programs and initiatives can
be carried out. Moreover, this will help develop the capacity of different stakeholders with regards
to the protection and preservation of the watershed.
 It will also serve as the guide for land owners, stakeholders, municipalities and other government
agencies mainly in the observance of the easement areas, the identification of issues and

concerns, and what programs and project need to be implemented based on this information. 


Copyright of Abangay-Mananiw Watershed Management

Board and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources
Office (PENRO), Iloilo Provincial Government, 2013