Learning Task/ Activities No.

1. Identify one major watershed in your municipality (specify the name, and the location like barangay
and municipality). You can use Google Earth for this purpose if possible.

➢ Sibalom Natural Park (Mau-it- Tipuluan Watershed) Barangay Imparayan, Tordesillas, and
Cabladan in the municipality of Sibalom, province of Antique.

As stipulated in Proclamation No. 282, the Tipulu-An Mau-It Watershed Forest Reserve,
located in the Municipality of Sibalom, Province of Antique, shall be designated as Sibalom
Natural Park in accordance with Republic Act 7586 (Nipas Act of 1992). Formerly referred to
as the Mau-it-Tipuluan Watershed, the Sibalom Natural Park (SNP) comprises a vast expanse
of 5,511.47 hectares of land enclosed within a protected area. Since its inception in April 2000,
the SNP has garnered considerable attention as a popular tourist destination owing to the
splendor of the forest. Situated in the municipality of Sibalom, the lowland rainforest of the
SNP is advantageous in southern Antique due to its proximity to the San Remigio Forest, a
Central Panay Mountains extension.
2. Submit three photos showing three major components inside the watershed (e.g. forest, river,
farms, residential areas, and others).

1. Farms

VanzPaduganao.https://www.facebook.com/220348138093414/posts/experience-the-gems-of-mau-it-river-and-sibalom-
natural-park-a-place-you-must-vi/2999213256873541/

2. Forest

Protected Area Information System. https://pais.bmb.gov.ph/pas/home/info/DENRR600001.com

3. River/ Streams

Tourist spots Municipality of Sibalom. Bato Kipot. https://sibalom.gov.ph/566-2/.com

Assessment

1. What are the major land uses in the identified watershed in your municipality?

• The major land uses in the given watershed were primarily used for agriculture, forestry, and
rivers and streams. A survey conducted by the Haribon Foundation in 2000 revealed that
agricultural farming accounted for the largest portion of land use in the identified watershed
area of the municipality. Sibalom is predominantly an agricultural region, with approximately
90% of its land area dedicated to rice cultivation. Rice production serves as the primary source
of income for the area's residents, who practice mono-cropping for both rice and corn.
Additionally, coconut, banana, vegetable, fruit tree, and peanut crops are also grown, with root
crops serving as supplementary crops to the local community.

Furthermore, forested areas in Sibalom are limited to SNP and its surrounding areas, making
up less than 7% of the municipality's total area. In the municipality of Sibalom, a majority of
the forested areas, about 98%. However, only 13% of forestlands are actually covered in trees.
The forests of SNP, with an elevation of less than 1,000 meters above sea level, are primarily
lowland rainforests, specifically on Mt. Poras and Mt. Banagon. The old-growth forest in this
area is composed of 672 mixed species, according to the Provincial Environment and Natural
Resources Office (PENRO) of Antique. Of the total 5,511.47 hectares in SNP, only 8.7%, or
672 hectares, is old growth forest, 186.66 hectares is brush land or non-commercial forest, and
the remaining 88.9% is open cogonal or grassland.

Additionally, among the prominent land uses observed in the watershed were rivers and
streams. The Sibalom Watershed consists of 9 river tributaries, specifically: Sibalom, Mau-it,
Tipuluan, Bongbongan, Belison, Malinao, Pis-anan, Initan, and San Juan. The total area
covered is around 70,000 hectares, with forests accounting for 18% of this land. It facilitates
the agricultural operations in the towns of Sibalom, San Jose, Hamtic, Belison, and San
Remigio. The Mau-it-Tipuluan Watershed is a significant branch of the Sibalom River and
constitutes a portion of the larger Sibalom Watershed. The watershed mostly encompasses two
municipalities, San Remigio and Sibalom, with San Remigio being the predominant area.
2. Explain why resources management is essential for that given watershed.

• The efficient allocation and utilization of resources is of utmost importance in Sibalom Natural
Park, given its designation as a protected area that serves as a crucial catalyst for the
conservation of natural marvels. More precisely, the park's watershed functions as the main
system for collecting and channeling water for the region's water supply. Resource management
optimizes the value of water resources by maximizing their economic, social, and
environmental advantages, particularly in relation to protecting watersheds. Consequently,
effective management of the watershed will guarantee a consistent provision of water
supply. Furthermore, proper resource management in Sibalom Natural Park ensures the
preservation of biodiversity and the protection of endangered species. The park is home
to a wide range of flora and fauna, some of which cannot be found anywhere else in the
world. By managing the watershed and implementing conservation measures, the park
can continue to provide a safe and sustainable habitat for these species. Additionally,
effective resource management helps to maintain the park's aesthetic value, attracting
tourists and boosting the local economy through eco-tourism initiatives.

Moreover, the effective administration of natural resources is crucial for ensuring the
long-term viability of watersheds. The SNP's proposed protection program seeks to
alleviate detrimental practices such as illicit deforestation, slash-and-burn farming,
forest conflagrations, unlawful hunting of wildlife, and unauthorized occupation of
land. This program aims to improve the management of the watershed, resulting in a
consistent water supply that is more abundant during drought periods, while also
reducing the likelihood of flooding. In addition, the watershed will offer a dependable
supply of recreational amenities, delivering a wide array of advantages to both people
and society. In addition, implementing more effective watershed management practices
will enhance the availability of irrigation water in the forest-bordering barangays inside
the SNP. This will greatly benefit the local farmers and boost agricultural productivity
in the area. By ensuring a reliable irrigation water supply, the forest-bordering
barangays will be able to cultivate their crops more efficiently and sustainably. This
will not only improve their livelihoods but also contribute to food security in the region.
Additionally, the implementation of effective watershed management practices will
help preserve the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the forest, safeguarding the
habitats of numerous plant and animal species.
3. Are there existing programs or ordinances for watershed management in your locality? Kindly
enumerate and provide highlights on these programs.

The following existing programs or ordinances for watershed management were the following:

1. Ordinance No. 12, Series of 1998- To conserve and preserve this natural heritage,
LGU Sibalom has passed banning the hauling and transport of gemstones and semi-
precious stones within the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Sibalom. The Sibalom
River, Tipuluan River, and Mau-it River in Sibalom, Antique, Philippines have the
biggest gemstone reserves in the whole of Southeast Asia. Dubbed as “Antique's
Gemstone Capital", its riverbeds are rich in boulders of semi-precious gemstones
such as jade, jasper, chert, onyx, and agate.
2. Municipal Tree-Planting Day every last Friday of June- This program is in
partnership with the local DENR, the 76 barangay LGU, and the DepEd participate in
the program. Most of the seedlings are provided by the local DENR and the local
community.
3. Sibalom Tree Planting Movement (STPM)- is not yet a legal entity but its officers
are working for an SEC registration. This organization was formed by a group of people
who organized the Sibalom Chess Association (SCA) and later became a tree-planting
movement.
4. Proclamation No. 282 series of 2000 Declaring the Tipulu-An Mau-It Watershed
Forest Reserve Situated In The Municipality Of Sibalom, Province Of Antique As
A Protected Area Under Republic Act 7586 (Nipas Act Of 1992) And Shall Be
Known As Sibalom Natural Park. These areas shall be under the administrative
jurisdiction of the DENR and shall be administered by the provisions of the NIPAS Act
of 1992.

References:

De Alban, Jose Don & Condeno, Ruth & Gonzales, Mithi & Resurreccion, Noel & Jalbuena, Joan.
(2004). Sibalom Natural Park, Antique: Integrating Forest Conservation with Local
Governance: Technical Report. Retrieved from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/293826522_Sibalom_Natural_Park_Antique_Integr
ating_Forest_Conservation_with_Local_Governance_Technical_Report/.com

PROCLAMATION NO. 282 of 2000. Official Gazette. Retrieved from:

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2000/04/23/proclamation-no-282-s-2000/