CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM

Background of the Study

In this era, climate change on water availability and

water quality has affected many sectors, including energy
production, infrastructure, human health, agriculture, and
ecosystems. In many areas, climate change is likely to
increase water demand while shrinking water supplies. This
shifting balance would challenge water managers to
simultaneously meet the needs of growing communities,
sensitive ecosystems, farmers, ranchers, energy producers,
and manufacturers (Z. Smith, 2014). One of the major problem
on water resources is the capacity to regenerate and ensure
consistent water supply to serve the people. The Local Water
Districts major concern is to maintain water supply from
natural resources through watershed management.

A watershed is simply the geographic area through which

water flows across the land and drains into a common body of
water, whether a stream, river, lake, or ocean. The quality
and quantity of storm water is affected by all the alterations
to the land--mining, agriculture, roadways, urban
development, and the activities of people within a watershed
(Denver Seigel, 2018).

Watersheds are important because the surface water

features and storm water runoff within a watershed ultimately
drain to other bodies of water. Watershed management should
also identify and include the partners, or "stakeholders," in
the watershed. Development of local partnerships can also

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lead to greater awareness and support from the general public.
Local partnerships can include residents or Land Owners,
municipal government officials, environmental and civic
groups, local business and industry leaders, agricultural
users, developers, teachers and recreational users.

Watershed management should also determine what the

opportunities are to reduce pollution or address other
pressing environmental issues, prioritize those
opportunities, and identify a time frame for accomplishing
pollution reduction and resource and habitat improvements.

The degree of public education and participation in the

process can greatly influence the success of watershed
management. There are many ways to involve and educate the
public in watershed management. The formation of citizen
review groups and advisory committees can gain public support
from the watershed and are an essential component to a
successful, community-based, and locally led effort. These
community-based groups and committees can also provide the
means to keep the project going once the plan has been
finalized to make sure that recommended actions are taken.
(Robert Clee, 2012).

Watershed management needs the full cooperation of

Municipal Officials, the local water district, and the
residence on the area to ensure the success of the program
for the preservation of the ecosystem, basic needs of the
community and the opportunity for innovation and future
improvements.

The Philippines has a land area of 300,000 sq.km and has

annual average rainfall of 2400 mm. As an Island nation, the

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Philippines has 20 major river basins, 421 principal river
basins and 72 lakes. The total area covered by its coastal
bays and coastal waters is about 266,000 sq.km. The annual
dependable water supply is 125,790 mcm/year and the
groundwater potential is 20,200 mcm/year. Water Shed in the
Philippines are the regenerating power of Water Sources for
water supply. The water supply system in the Philippines are
organized by Water Districts, except for Metro Manila, where
water is supplied 24 hours day by two Private Water Utilities.

The LWUA/Water Districts’ Water Service Coverage as of

2017 now covers 851 Water Districts with a total of more than
900 cities and towns out of LWUA’s potential market. Part of
water supply improvement among water districts is the
rainwater harvesting systems to regenerate watersheds to
augment their water supply. The Philippines’ continuous
innovation on Watershed Management is an emerging campaign
for climate resilient community (A. Jacobo et.,al, 2015).

According to the National Water Resources Board (NWRB)

the Bicol Region as the 7th major Water Basin of the
Philippines with 3771 sq.km potential Watershed location.
With 1085 mcm (large diameter) groundwater potential and a
recorded 160.87 mcm (large diameter) groundwater demand by
June 2016 and a Surface Water potential water supply of 3060
mcm but a water demand of 3099.88. Due to climate change a
2025 projected record of 4145 mcm potential water supply and
a 4167 mcm projected water demand by same year leaving a
result of -22, estimated available water in 2025 (Dr.Sevillo
D. David Jr, 2014).

As a campaign to strengthen Water Shed Management

Planning, a Multi-Party Agreement between the Department of

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Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Local Water
Utilities Administration (LWUA) and Philippine Association of
Water Districts Inc dated September 30, 2009 “Whereas, by
virtue of PD 1479, the Local Water Districts were given the
right to take over the management, administration, operation
and maintenance of all watersheds within the territorial
boundaries”. The three Agencies endeavors to provide
watershed and forest management tools and standards and
maintain a database for planning, decision-making and
monitoring purposes in accordance with the watershed and
ecosystem approach and sustainable forest management
principles (GM Stella Gonzalez, 2017).

Based on the Tripartite Agreement between Zamboanga City

Water District (ZCWD), Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and City Government of Zamboanga for the co-
management of the Pasonanca Watershed. 85-90% of ZCWD’s Water
Supply comes from the tributaries of the Tumaga River located
inside the Pasonanca Watershed. During the Watershed
Declaration, there are various challenges that being faced by
the ZCWD such as full Control of the Pasonanca Watershed to
ensure its preservation and maintenance, climate change,
illegal cutting of trees, extinction of some species,
residents living inside the buffer zones and treasure hunting
activities. But the ZCWD has pursue being climate resilient
in watershed management to ensure the recharging capability
of their water sources (GM Leonardo Rey D. Vasquez, 2017).

During the Bicol Water Shed Conference conducted on May

25, 2017 at the La Piazza Hotel, Legazpi sponsored by
Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) in
cooperation with the Bicol Water Districts Association
(BIWADA), the Multi-Party agreement was extended to the

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participation of the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) for the Local Government Units holds the
capacity to determine territorial jurisdiction among declared
watershed locations.

Watershed management requires various forms of resources

or capital to support the activities that ‘natural resource
management’ entails. The task is made more challenging by the
fact that most of these watersheds have already been turned
into settlement areas. The institutional capital includes
political (local government unit--LGU) support to the whole
idea of pushing for the watershed-based water resource
management strategy.

The LGU support should come from the political units

closest to the watersheds—which usually consist of the
municipalities and barangays that are found within the
watershed, both those living in the uplands and in the
downstream areas. The creation of watershed management
council or task forces is also an important institutional
infrastructure that could help implement watershed management
initiatives. This council is important given that there are
various interest groups found in the watershed, some of them
having conflicting interests on the resources found therein—
and hence, would have different perspectives on how the
watershed shall be managed. In some cases, the institutions
may simply include different user groups and coalition of
said groups—but whatever forms they take—for as long as they
share the same goal of achieving watershed protection—then,
the watershed management strategy has a good chance of
succeeding (Francisco & Rola, 2004).

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 Bulan, Sorsogon suffered from dry spell during the El
Niño season on the year 2012, in which the town of Bulan has
high probability of excessive rise on temperature due to its
location.9 At Bulan, Sorsogon the Mariboc Spring of Brgy.
Dolos is the main water source of Bulan Water District (BWD)
that supplies more than half of the concessionaires but as
the time goes by the spring, has been depleting to its
critical level due to deforestation, extreme weather
condition, below normal rainfall and absence of watershed
management (PAG-ASA Researchers, 2015).

The Bulan Water District (BWD) suffered from the effects

of El Niño leaving a total of 831 decrease in the number of
concessionaires with 4733 billed connections by 2012 and a
recorded 3942 billed connection by 2014. The BWD has not yet
recovered on the impact of depletion of water supply because
during the year 2015, a total of 898 drop in the number of
concessionaire with a year-end billed connection of 3833. The
BWD only revive moderately by last quarter of 2017 with the
support of the Sitio Pawa Deep Well.

On 2016, a declaration of Water Crisis was promulgated

by the Bulan Water District Board of Directors through
Resolution No. 13 Series of 2016 dated August 23, 2016 and
LGU Bulan declared the SB Resolution No. 110 Series of 2016
dated September 5, 2016 (Engr. Rey Dennis L. Gilbas, 2016).

Bulan Water District endeavors to establish Forest

Protection for Water Support at the Mariboc Spring. Brgy.
Dolos thru Mount Bintacan Water Shed. Mount Bintacan is a
mountain and is located in Province of Sorsogon. The elevation
above sea level is 843 meters, with a latitude of 12° 47’ 42”
and longitude of 123° 56’ 15”. Mt. Bintacan is another

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towering mountain located at the south-western part of the
province occupying two (2) municipalities (Juban and
Magallanes) and North Eastern part of Bulan serving as
watershed area for the Mariboc Spring of Brgy. Dolos,Bulan,
Sorsogon.

Through the Vulnerability Assessment conducted by the

Bulan Water District for its Water Source, it is a strong and
rational belief that the declaration of watershed at Mount
Bintacan shall improve the water supply and strengthen the
recharging capability of Mariboc Spring.

Along the way, obstacles and challenges are faced to

pursue on such program, such as the LGU-Bulan shall create an
agreement compromising two (2) Municipalities that has a
jurisdiction on other parts of Mount Bintacan and the private
land owners needed to seek approval for the right of way and
controlled utilization of Water Shed Natural Resources (Engr.
Rey Dennis L. Gilbas, 2017).

This information has instigated the researcher to pursue

of revealing the perception of LGU Officials, BWD Employees
and Residence of Brgy. Dolos about the Status of Watershed
Management in the Municipality of Bulan.

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Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the status of Watershed

Management in Brgy. Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon as perceived by

LGU Officials, BWD Employees and its residents for C.Y 2017-

2018. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following

questions:

1. What is the status of Watershed Management in Brgy. Dolos

as perceived by LGU Officials, BWD Employees and

Residents in terms of:

1.1. Location

1.2. Income and Opportunities

1.3. Environmental Factors

2. Is there a significant difference among the perception

of the LGU Officials, BWD Employees and residence of

Brgy. Dolos on the Status of Watershed Management?

3. What programs and projects can be proposed based on the

results of the study?

Significance of the Study

This study aims to determine the status of Watershed

Management in Brgy. Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon as perceived by
LGU Officials, BWD Employees and its residents for C.Y 2017-
2018. Specifically, the result of this study is significant
and helpful to the following:

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 Bulan Water District. The result of this study may be

beneficial to the Bulan Water District, for they are the

primary agency promulgated by the law to exercise supervision

on watersheds of Bulan, Sorsogon. This agency shall handle

all the operations in maintaining the watershed once

approved.

Land Owners at Brgy. Dolos. The result of this study may

provide strong insights if are to agree on declaring a

watershed on the nearby area. This may be used as an

information dissemination manual to inform the land owners

about the benefits of having a watershed.

Local Government Unit of Bulan (LGU). Findings of this

study may serve as basis to verify the urgency of creating

programs and projects regarding watershed management. This

may serve as a basis too for determining the finances needed

to execute programs about watershed management.

Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer

(MENRO). The conclusion of this study may support their

environmental programs and projects suitable for the forest

protection and conservation. This study may provide them

important views in the preservation of ecosystem and

protection of the environment.

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 Concessionaires. Results of this study may develop

programs and projects to improve water supply that may be

beneficial to the needs of the concessionaires of Bulan. The

programs and projects arising from this study may be

beneficial to the concessionaires of Bulan Water District for

they are the primary consumer of water services.

Non-Governmental Organization. Findings of the study may

provide them locations of future environmental projects such

as tree plantings and nature conservation. This may also

attract Environmental Organization on the conduct of their

advocacy to preserve the environment through watershed

management.

Researchers. This study can be a reference

material for future researchers who aims to study the same

topic. This may serve as a related study on their chosen

research that is genuinely in accordance to the topic.

Definition of Terms

These are the following terms used in the study. They

are defined conceptually and operationally to provide further

understanding of it:

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 Watershed. This is the geographic area through which
water flows across the land and drains into a common body of
water, whether a stream, river, lake, or ocean (MBGNet, 2002).
In this study, watershed is the location to regenerate water
supply of the Bulan Wawter District Water Source at Brgy.
Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon.

Management. This is the administration of an

organization, whether it is a business, a not-for-profit
organization, or government body. Management includes the
activities of setting the strategy of an organization and
coordinating the efforts of its employees (or of volunteers)
to accomplish its objectives through the application of
available resources, such as financial, natural,
technological, and human resources (Simandan, D., 2018).

Watershed Management. It is the study of the relevant

characteristics of a watershed aimed at the sustainable
distribution of its resources and the process of creating and
implementing plans, programs, and projects to sustain and
enhance watershed functions that affect the plant, animal,
and human communities within the watershed boundary (Evans J,
2012).

Status. The Official position of a person employed or

the current situation of an organization (Cambridge, 2017).
In this study, this was used to determine the current
situation of the Watershed Management in Bulan, Sorsogon

Municipality of Bulan. is a 1st class municipality in

the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2015
census, it has a population of 100,076 people. It is located
at the south-westernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula of the

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island of Luzon (Wikipedia, 2015). In this study, this is the
primary location of the research to be conducted.

Perceived. To become aware of (something) by the use of

one of the senses, especially that of sight interpret or look
on (someone or something) in a particular way (Merriam
Dictionary, 2014). In this study, this was use to see the
perception of three group of people about the watershed
management.

Location. A particular place or position or an actual

place or natural setting in which a film or broadcast is made,
as distinct from a simulation in a studio (Merriam Webster,
2017).

Income. Income is money that an individual or business

receives in exchange for providing a good or service or
through investing capital. Income is used to fund day-to-day
expenditures (Investopedia, 2016). In this study, income is
used to determine the opportunity that a watershed can provide
to the perception of three (3) groups.

Environmental Awareness. A broad philosophy, ideology,

and social movement regarding concerns for environmental
protection and improvement of the health of the environment,
particularly as the measure for this health seeks to
incorporate the impact of changes to the environment on
humans, animals, plants and non-living matter (Merriam
Dictionary, 2010).

Local Government Unit. Is a system divided into three

levels – provinces and independent cities; component cities
and municipalities; and barangays. In one area, above
provinces and independent cities, is an autonomous region,
the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. Below barangays in

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some cities and municipalities are sitios and puroks
(Wikipedia, 2014). In this study, the Local Government Unit
of Bulan, Sorsogon was utilized to seek on their perception
of the watershed management.

Bulan Water District. Bulan Water District, a Government

Owned and Controlled Corporation created by a special law, is
located at De Vera St., Zone 4, Bulan, Sorsogon. It is one
of over 500 water districts in operation throughout the
country formed pursuant to the provisions of P.D. 198 dated
May 25, 1973, otherwise known as the Provincial Water
Utilities Act of 1973 as amended by P.D. Nos. 768 and
1479(LWUA,2010). In this study, the researcher seeks their
perception about watershed management for they are the
primary agency involve.

Land Owners. is a holder of the estate in land with

considerable rights of ownership or, simply put, an owner of
land (Merriam Dictionary, 2011). In this study, they are the
residence of Brgy. Lajong in which the watershed location is
being develop.

Scope and Delimitation

This study aims to determine the status of Watershed

Management in Brgy. Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon as perceived by
LGU Officials, BWD Employees and its residents for C.Y 2017-
2018. Specifically it seeks to know the status of Watershed
Management in Brgy. Dolos as perceived by LGU Officials, BWD
Employees and Residents in terms of location, income and
environmental awareness.

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 The researcher would like to know if there is a
significant difference among the perception of the LGU
Officials, BWD Employees and residence of Brgy. Dolos on the
Status of Watershed Management. It also seeks new programs
and projects that can be proposed after the findings and
results of this study.

This study is only limited to the perception 231

Respondents about Watershed Management at Brgy. Dolos, Bulan,
Sorsogon that is composed of 12 LGU – Officials (1 Mayor, 1
Vice Mayor, 8 SB Councilors, 1 MENRO and 1 MDRRMC Officer),
186 residences of Brgy. Dolos and 33 BWD Employees.

It is concentrated to the perception of the three group

of individuals about status of watershed management at the
Brgy. Dolos Bulan, Sorsogon in terms of Location, Income and
Environmental Awareness.

It does not tackle other agencies that are not involve

in the formulation of watershed management. It is limited to
the perception only of the LGU Officials, BWD Employees and
the Residence of Brgy. Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon.

Through the perception of the primary people involved in

this study, the researcher is determined to acquire results
that may be use as basis to create programs and projects
regarding watershed.

This study seeks to determine the status of Watershed

Management as to the perception of the LGU Officials, BWD
Employees and the residence of Brgy. Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon.

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