DRAFT BILL

AN ACT TO PROMOTE THE PROTECTION, CONSERVATION AND REHABILITATION OF WATERSHEDS SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS TO GUARANTEE CONTINUING SUPPLY OF WATER FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF FARMERS TO SUSTAIN FOOD SUFFICIENCY AND PROVIDING THE FUNDING THEREOF.

Short Title: Protection of Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation Systems.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

WATER is essential to life and all living things. It is undisputable

that without water, there can be no life. To plants, water is critical for growth and good production. Insufficiency in water can lead to low yield which could affect the food availability and sufficiency. The Philippines is an agricultural country with abundant river systems that can supply the water needs of the farming community, but the agricultural sector has suffered a lot due to the devastation caused by flash floods and rising levels of flood waters that can no longer be contained by the river systems. The damaged wrought by the rampaging waters to agriculture and livelihood is immeasurable and what is worrisome is its occurrence every year without let up. The changing weather pattern is being attributed to global warming and climate change is the simplest answer being given every time there is havoc brought about by the increasing volume of rainfall. While it may be true that we are experiencing the effects of global warming, but there are other man made actions that are contributory to the devastations brought about by flooding. Mans insensitivity to his environment, the uncontrolled use of our forests and watersheds resources and the indiscriminate use of land resources that should have been reserved for forest use only. Deforestation and the large scale transformation of the original vegetation of the countrys forest to nonforestry purposes, coupled with inappropriate land use

practices, have in effect disrupted the hydrological conditions of watersheds. These have brought about to some extent, flash floods and prolonged drought. Other adverse consequences are accelerated soil erosion, siltation of water bodies and reservoirs, and poor water quality. Sedimentation has likewise reduced the storage capacity of the countrys major reservoirs. These situations caused considerable reduction in the productivity of forests, agricultural lands and fisheries and decreased returns from major investments in domestic, hydroelectric power generation and irrigation systems. (Occasional Paper prepared by FMBWatershed Division)

No less than the Philippine Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP 2004-2010) indicates that there has been mismanagement and underutilization of the countrys natural resources. Major watersheds of the country are in a state of severe degradation which resulted in reduction of capacity to supply water for irrigation, industrial and domestic uses and vital ecological services. The degradation of the watershed has been attributed to the uncontrolled and excessive exploitation caused by the pressure of increasing population growth that oftentimes lead to unsustainable and uncontrolled management of the countrys forest resources. Right now, watersheds provide the socio-economic base to a growing population through the utilization of watershed resources which for many years has not been controlled or necessary safeguards were not put in place. The continuing migration of the lowlanders to the uplands and the encroachment in watershed forest reserves remained unabated. These settlers having no viable economic opportunities in the lowland became dependent on forest resources when they settled in the uplands. The kaingin or the slash-and-burn method was resorted to by the migrant dwellers to be able to plant and increase the area of their tillage. The demand for agricultural land or the conversion of forestlands to non-forest use increased tremendously thereby exerting so much pressure on the watersheds forest reserves areas. The continuous migration accounted to an estimate of 25 million Filipinos out of the 84 million entire Phil. populations or roughly 29% are now leaving in new upland settlements. Another contributory factor to the degradation of watershed forest reserves is the uncontrolled utilization of forest resources. The DENR who has the mandate to protect and conserve the environment is also the one promoting the utilization of forest resources thru mineral resources extraction, forest concessions, logging and other destructive activities which it cannot control.

Right now, the Philippines has 143 Watersheds supporting 165 National Irrigation Systems with a total area of 4,318,172 million hectares more or less, The water that comes from these watersheds areas and flows to the River Systems provides irrigation water to rice lands and other agricultural lands planted to different crops. There are only about 483,820 hectares, more or less, being serviced by the 143 River Watersheds, but based on the NIA data, 868,509 hectares of agricultural land are being irrigated and roughly 368,000 hectares of these have existing facilities but need restoration and rehabilitation. There seems to be a conflict on the actual figures, but what is important is to ensure that water will flow in these facilities once it has been rehabilitated, taking into account the denudation of the Watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System. These watersheds must be declared critical and no mining, logging and any other activity which is not in consonance with its actual use must be allowed. Sufficiency in food production or the assurance that there is at least enough food in every Filipinos table can only be realized if protection, conservation and rehabilitation of these watersheds will be prioritized by the government. To date, there are about 1.1 million hectares of riceland which can be irrigated compared to 2.1 million in 1990. Part of the irrigation facilities to ensure that water reaches these riceland have been put in place and so much money have already been spent for its maintenance, but how come instead of increasing the number of hectares that can access water, there is now a consistent decrease in the lands being irrigated. The unabated conversion of irrigated lands is one reason but the bulk of the problem lies on the fact that not so much water is flowing in the irrigation canals that feeds to the ricefields. Another reason is the consistent irritation between the hydro electric concessionaires and the National Irrigation Administration on how much volume of water can be allocated for irrigation purposes. People can live without electricity but they cannot possibly survive without food and water. The Philippine environment plays a very crucial role in sustaining the countrys life, livelihood and development and the protection, preservation and rehabilitation of watersheds supporting water for irrigation is a matter of highest public interest, It is the obligation of the state to secure and ensure that the environment is neither destroyed nor its beneficial effects be spoiled, to protect and preserve the natural resources, to reap more benefits whilst negating the effects inevitably dealt to nature. Natural resources are to be utilized to gear towards economic development. The former status of watersheds in the Philippines was characterized by abundant rainforest which reached an estimated 17 million hectares in 1934.1 In 1969, after the completion of the first nationwide forest inventory, the forest cover had declined to 10.4 million hectares. The second National
1

Nera, 1999, Sustainable Management of Philippine Forests: Progress Towards Achieving ITTO Year 200 Objective.

Forest Inventory which was done in 1988 revealed that forest cover further decreased to 6.461 million hectares. It is such a great loss that our forests cover declined vastly in span of almost half a century. In 2003, the countrys forest cover was pegged at 7.168 million hectare or an increase of about 707 thousand hectare which is mainly due to the much publicized reforestation program being initiated by the government and the public sector to repair the damage brought about by logging, forest clearing for agriculture and upland migration and mining that caused the death of thousands of people and destructions of properties so huge that it dislocated the economies of the provinces that were affected and the agricultural communities that bore the brunt of the devastations. Out of the estimated 30 million hectares land area of the Philippines, 15.792.418 million hectares were classified as forestland and 14.207.582 million hectares were declared alienable and disposable and was subjected to private ownership. Of the 15.792 million hectares classified as forestland, only 3,222.360 million hectares were declared as Established Forest Reserves. Out of this, 1.499 million hectares has been proclaimed as watershed forest reserves! There are 127 proclaimed watershed forest reserves scattered all over the country which cannot be touched by logging. or mining? (get specific law of EO that prohibits mining on this areas). The difference or the remainder which is about 1,729 million hectares are the watersheds which are neither proclaimed, designated or set aside, pursuant of a law, presidential proclamation, decree or executive order. These areas, most of which have been classified by the Forest Management Bureau as permanent forest or forest lands in the course of establishing specific limits of lands of the public domain especially forestlands and national parks pursuant to the provision of Section 4 of the Constitution, which states: Section 4. The Congress shall, as soon as possible determine by law the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground. Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished except by law. The congress shall provide, for such period as it may determine measures to prohibit logging in endangered forests and watershed areas. These areas were clearly established and plotted in the land classification maps which also served as the basis of its legal classification. These areas are now opened to mining operations by virtue of the enactment of the Philippine Mining Act or R.A. 7942, in 1995. Mining is definitely an activity which is not in consonance with the preservation of water resources. The 143 watersheds supporting the national irrigation system form part of these unprotected 1,729 million hectares and these watershed areas are the ones providing water to irrigate farms and other uses which ultimately

redound in sustaining our life support system and ensuring continuous food supply. The activities of every Filipino must always be in harmony with the natural systems of things. The air around us has been dirtied by too much pollution and the water we use to drink is now perceived to be unsafe. What remains are the waters that flow in our river system which has not been touched by mans insensitivity to the natural order of things and this is where we get our life sustaining essentials. We must not therefore alter, interfere, bypass or destroy such systems in the guise of development and progress. It is for this reason that this bill is crafted to ensure the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the watersheds supporting the national irrigation systems. It is only thru an enactment of a law that we can be assured that these areas cannot be touched by mans insensitivity to nature and his environment. We must remember that the environment is not ours to keep but to safeguard, for it is just borrowed from our children.

FOURTEENTH CONGRESS REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._________ _____________________________________________________________ Introduced by

AN ACT TO PROMOTE THE PROTECTION, CONSERVATION AND REHABILITATION OF WATERSHEDS SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS TO GUARANTEE CONTINUING SUPPLY OF WATER FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF FARMERS TO SUSTAIN FOOD SUFFICIENCY AND PROVIDING THE FUNDING THEREOF.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled.

CHAPTER I

SECTION 1. Title - The Act shall be known as the Protection of

Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation Systems

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.- In line with the concept of national patrimony as embodied in Article XII Section 1 and 2 that all natural resources are owned by the State and its peoples and in consonance with Section 4 of the of the Constitution that provides that such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished, except by law and watershed being the basic forestland management unit that plays an important role in sustaining the countrys life support system, the State hereby adopts an Act for the Protection, Conservation and Rehabilitation of Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation Systems.

Further, the State also recognizes the need to protect, conserve and provide the funding thereof to these watersheds areas which are considered environmentally critical areas, to guarantee a continuous supply of water for irrigation purposes and for other functions to ensure food production. Also, the State shall adopts rehabilitation and development measures to preserve and restore these areas in its original status and shall prohibit environmentally critical projects and practices and all other activities which are inconsistent or will endanger the environmental stability and hydrological integrity of these watersheds areas which can cause disruption its productive condition. SECTION 3. Coverage - This Act shall cover all 143 Identified Watersheds supporting The National Irrigation Systems and portions of classified forest lands which were neither proclaimed, designated or set aside, pursuant of a law, presidential proclamation, decree or executive order and all other watershed areas which are supporting water base infrastructure that may be proclaimed before and after the passage of this Act. The identified watersheds supporting the National Irrigation Systems which form part of the established forest reserves and/or established timberland, shall not be subjected to disestablishment proceeding pursuant to the provision of Section 7 of the NIPAS ACT or R.A. 7586. SECTION 4. Basic Policies- In Line with the Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development which stresses the need to achieve economic growth without degrading environmental quality and disputing natural resources, the State hereby adopts the policies to ensure the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of watersheds supporting the national irrigation systems as an environmentally critical areas and to stop the incessant denudation of watershed, indiscriminate use of forest resources, degradation of the hydrological balance thru logging and mining and other activities which can lead to irreversible damage to the environment which in the end will affect the socio-political and economic lives of every Filipino. (a) The State shall protect, conserve and rehabilitate all the Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System to ensure continuous supply of water for irrigation to sustain food production. (b) The State shall recognize the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being in the event that such lands would be inside the Watersheds Supporting National Irrigation Systems. (c) The State shall protect the Indigenous Peoples occupying the areas inside the Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System even in the absence of proof that it is part of their ancestral domain but shall ban kaingin making or the slash and burn method of farming as source of livelihood for the IPs. (d) The State shall prohibit the encroachment of settlers/emigrants, and loggers, to prevent the cutting of trees and denudation of the

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

forest covers that would endanger the hydrological balance of the watersheds. The State shall prohibit all kinds of mining operation and environmentally critical projects within the Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System to prevent the destruction of headwaters, natural waterways and aquifers and to preserve the integrity of the water resources. The State shall be guided by the principle that every Filipino owns all the natural resources and it is part of their heritage. As owners of the national patrimony, everyone has a social responsibility to protect, conserve and develop it for the benefit of all and the generation to come. The State shall institute measures for the creation of Comprehensive Watershed Management or an Integrated Watershed Management Plan to ensure the development of a sustainable management plan that can be adapted to all the Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation Systems. The State shall ensure that watershed as an ecosystem and as basic planning and watershed management unit shall be protected, conserved and developed in a holistic, scientific, rights-based, technology based, community-based and collaborative manner for the highest and widest public benefit and based on the inherent productive capacity and sustainable use of these resources for the present and future generations. The State shall ensure the sustainability of water resources, by encouraging a meaningful and active participation of stakeholders especially those who are directly benefited and there from, establish a sustainable and multi-institution capable of addressing natural resources issues in a watershed.

SECTION 5. Definition of Terms. (a) Ancestral domain area generally belonging to indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) comprising land, inland waters, coastal areas occupied or possessed by ICCs/IPs, by themselves or through their ancestors, communally or individually since time immemorial, continuously through the present except when interrupted by war, force majeure, deceit, stealth, as a consequence of government projects or any other voluntary dealings entered into by government and private individuals/corporations, which are necessary to ensure their economic, social, and cultural welfare. (RA 8371-IPRA) (b) Ancestral land refers to all lands exclusively and actually possessed, occupied, or utilized by indigenous cultural communities by themselves or through their ancestors in accordance with their customs and traditions since time immemorial and as may be defined and delineated by law. (RA 7942-Phil. Mining Act.)

(c) Conservation Protection of plant and animal habitat including the management of renewable natural resource with the objective of sustaining its productivity in perpetuity while providing for human use compatible with sustainability of the resource. (d) Critical Watershed A drainage area of a river system supporting existing and proposed hydroelectric power, irrigation works or existing water facilities needing immediate protection and rehabilitation to minimize erosion and improve water yield. (e) Encroachment The act or action of using forest land contrary to the provisions provided for in forestry laws and regulations with regard to forest land uses. (f) Environmentally critical areas Area delineated as environmentally sensitive such that significant environmental impact are expected if certain type of proposed projects or programs are located, developed or implemented in it. (g) Environmentally critical project Project or program that has high potential for significant negative environmental impact. (h) Forest degradation Changes within the forest whether natural or human-induced which negatively affect the structure or function of the stand or site, and thereby lower the capacity to supply products and/or services resulting to a degraded forest. (i) Forest land Includes public forest, permanent forest or forest reserves, and forest reservations. (j) Forest reserves or permanent forest Refer to those lands of the public domain which have been the subject of the present system of classification and DECLARED to be needed for forest purposes (PD 1559); Forest land which has been reserved by the President of the Philippines for any specific purpose or purposes. (k) Forest resources Includes soil and all elements found on it, above and below the ground in an area classified as forest land. (l) Headwaters - The upper reaches of a stream or river. (m) Irrigation water Portion of a runoff that is being used in irrigation. The intentional application of water to the soil usually for the purpose of crop production. (n) Kaingin making A farming system based on shifting, or slash and burn clearing of forest for the planting of agricultural and agroforestry crops. (o) Mining operation means mining activities involving exploration, feasibility, development, utilization and processing. (RA 7942) (p) National Irrigation System (NIS)- refers to a major irrigation system managed by the National Irrigation Administration. (q) Water Resources Refers to the quality and quantity of water produced naturally as one of the earths major resources. (r) Watershed - A land area drained by a stream or fixed body of water and its tributaries having a common outlet for surface-runoff. (s) Watershed Management - The process of guiding and organizing land and other resource uses in a watershed to provide desired goods and services without adversely affecting soil and water resources. Integrated Watershed Management The process of
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guiding and organizing land and other resource use in a watershed to provide desired goods and services without affecting adversely soil and water resources (Brooks et.al. 19990). It involves multiple natural resources and requires understanding of the relationship among land-use, soil, water and linkages between uplands and downstream areas

(t) Watershed reservation a forest land reservation established to protect or improve the conditions of water yield thereof or reduce sedimentation. SECTION 6. SCOPE- This Act shall cover all 143 Identified Watersheds Supporting the 165 National Irrigation Systems of the National Irrigation Administration, to wit: CAR 1. Chico River Watershed, supporting the Lower Chico and Upper Chico River
Irrigation Ssystems, located in the provinces of Mt. Province, Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao, covering the municipalities of Bauko, Sabangan, Bontoc, Sagada, Sandangan, Barlig, Tinoc, Hugdungan, Tanudan, Lubuagan, Tinglayan, Pinukpuk, Tabuk, Balbalan, Pasil and Coner with an area of 330,000 hectares, more or less. 2. Mallig River Watersheds supporting the Mallig River Irrigation System, located in the provinces of Kalinga and Mt. Province, covering the municipalities of Tanudan, Tabuk, and Paracelis, with an area of 45,580 hectares, more or less 3. Abulog River Watersshed supporting the Abulog-Apayao River Irrigation System, located in the province of Apayao, covering the municipalities of Calanasan, Kabugao, Putol, Flora and Coner, with an area of 205,000 hectares, more or less. 4. Manucotae River Watershed, supporting the Pamplona River Irrigation System, located in the province of Cagayan and Apayao, covering the municipalities of Pamplona and Luna, with an area of 1,920 hectares , more or less.

REGION 1

5. Bulu River Watershed supporting the Bulu River Irrgation System, located in the
province of Ilocos Norte, covering the municipalities of Bangui, with an area of 17,200 hectares, more or less. 6. Laoag River Basin, Magalis-Papa River Watershed and Cura River Watershed- supporting Bonga Pump No. 1 and 2 and 3, Dingras and Cura RIS, located in the province of Ilocos Norte, covering the municipalities of Sarrat, San Nicolas, and Laoag City, Espiritu, Nueva Era and Pinili, with an area of 69,700 hectares, more or less. 7. Vintar River Watershed supporting the Laoag-Vintar RIS and NMC Pasuquin RIS, located in the province of Ilocos Norte, covering the municipalities of Vintar, Burgos and Bangui, with an area of 29,000 hectares, more or less. 8. Sta Maria River Watershed supporting the Sta Maria-Burgos RIS, located in the province of Ilocos Sur, covering the municipalities of Burgos, Santiago,

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Banyuyom, Lidlidia and San Emilio, with an area of 16,400 hectares, more or less. 9. Buaya River Watershed supporting the Buaya RIS, lovcated in the province of Ilocos Sur, dcovering the municipalities of Candon, Sta Lucia, Gregorio del Pilar, Sta Lucia, Salcedo, Sta Cruz, Suyo and Sigay., with an area of 16,800 hectares, more or less. 10.Amburayan River Watershed and Chico-Paduquit River Watershed supporting Amburayan and Tagudin RIS, respectively, located in the provinces of Ilocos, Sur, La Union and Benguet, covering the municipalities of Tagudin, Sugpon, Sudipen, Atok, Kibungan, Bakun, Tublay, Kapangan, Bugias, Suyo, Alilem,Sigay, Cervantes and Bakun with an area of 99,300 hectares,more or less. 11.Aringay River Watershed- supporting MasalipRIS, located in the provinces of La Union and Benguet, covering the municipality of Aringay, Tubao, Pugo, Sablan, Tuba and Baguio City, with an area of 27,300 hectares, more or less. 12.Bued River Watershed- supporting the San Fabian RIS, located in the province of Pangasinan, La Union and Benguet, covering the municipalities of San Fabian, San Jacinto, Pozorrubio, Sison, Pugo, Rosario, Tuba and Itogon with an area of 29,700 hectares, more or less. 13.Dumuloc River Watershed- supporting the Dumuloc RIS, located in the provinces of Pangasinan and Zambales, covering the municipalities of Bugallon and Sta Cruz, with an area of 8,200 hectares, more or less. 14.Agno River Watershed- supporting the Agno RIS, located in the provinces of Benguet, Pangasinan and Nueva Viscaya, covering the municipalities of Buguias, Kabayan, Bokol, La Trinidad, Itogon, Baguio City, Sta Maria, San Nicolas, Sto Tomas, Asingan, Tayug , San Manuel and Kayapa, with an area of 228,400 hectares more or less. 15.Ambayoan River Watershed- supporting the Ambayoan RIS and ADRIS Extension, located in the provinces of Pangasinan, Nueva Viscaya and Benguet, covering the municipalities of San Nicolas, Sta Fe, Kayapa and Itogon, with an area of 5, 900 hectares, more or less. 16.Dipalo River Watershed- supporting the Dipalo RIS, located in the provinces of Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija, covering the municipalities of Umingan and Lupao, with an area of 4,200 hectares, more or less. 17.Agno-Banawan River Watershed- supporting the Lower Agno-Totonogen RIS, located in the province of Pangasinan with an area of more or less. 18.Agno-Sinucalan-Tuboy Watershed- supporting the Agno-Sinucalan RIS, located in the provinces of Pangasinan and Benguet, covering the municipalities of San Manuel and Itogon with an area of 152,350 hectares, more or less.

REGION 2

19.Magat River Watershed- supporting the Magat River Irrigation System (MARIIS)
located in the provinces of Nueva Viscaya, Isabela and Ifugao, covering the municipalities of Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Aritao, Bayombong, Solano, Bagabag, Diac, Ramon, Naguilian, Ilagan, Gamu, Lagawe and Mayayao with an area of 412,300 hectares, more or less. 20.Baua River Watershed (Convergence WFR)- supporting the Baua RIS, located in the provinces of Cagayan, covering the municipality of Gonzaga, with an area of 5,000 hectares, more or less. 21.Dummun River Watershed- supporting the Dummon RIS, located in the province of Cagayan, covering the municipality of Capissayan, with an area of 20,600 hectares, more or less..

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22.Pared River Watershed- supporting Baggao RIS located in the province of

Cagayan, covering the municipality of Baggao and Penablanca, with an area of 20,950 hectares, more or less. 23.Zinundungan river Watershed- supporting Zinundungan RIS, located in the provice of Cagayan, covering the municipality of Sto Nino, with an area of 21,500 hectares, more or less. 24.Pinacanauan de Tuguegarao River Watershed- supporting Pinacanauan RIS, located in the province of Cagayan, covering the municipalities of Penablanca and Maconancon, with an area of 12,920 hectares, more or less. 25.Pinacanauan de San Pablo Watershed- supporting the San Pablo-Cabagan RIS, located in the province of Isabela, covering the municipalities of San Pablo and Maconancon, with an area of 13,450 hectares, more or less. 26.Pinacanauan de Tumauini River Watershed- supporting the Tumauini RIS, located in the province of Isabela, covering the municipalities of Tumauini, Cabagan, Divilacan, and Maconancon, with an area of 17, 630 hectares, more or less.

REGION 3

27.Tarlac River Watershed and Odonell Watershed- supporting Tarlac, Odonell

and San Miguel RIS, located in the provinces of Tarlac and Zambales, covering the municipalities of Capas, Bamban, Tarlac City and Botolan, with an area of 54,850 hectares, more or less. 28. Camiling River Watershed- supporting Camiling RIS, located in the provinces of Tarlac and Zambales, covering the municipalities of Mayantoc, Candelaria and Masinloc with an area of 8,580 hectares,more or less. 29. Upper Pampanga River Watershed and Coronnel River Watershed supporting UPRIS-II and UPRIS III- (Aulo Watershed) located in the province of Nueva Ecija, covering the municipalities of Pantabangan, Caranglan, Palayan City and Bongabon with an area of more or less. 30.Caulaman River Watershed- supporting the Caulaman RIS located in the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga, covering the municipalities of San Marcelino, Castillejos, Subic and Floridablanca with an area of 1,800 hectares more or less. 31.Nayom River Watershed- supporting the Nayom RIS located in the provinces of Zambales and Pangasinan, covering the municipalities of Sta Cruz, Infanta and Bugallon with an area of 14,450 hectares, more or less. 32.Cabaluan River Watershed- supporting the Bayto RIS located in the province of Zambales, covering the municipalities of Sta Cruz and Candelaria with an area of 11,260 hectares, more or less. 33.Sto Tomas River Watershed- supporting the Sto Tomas RIS located in Zambales, covering the municipality of San Narciso with an area of 18,100 hectares, more or less. 34.Bucao River Watershed- supporting Bucao RIS, located in the province of Zambales, covering the municipalities of Botolan, Cabangan, San Felipe, Iba and San Marcelino with an area of 55,320 hectares, more or less. 35.Porac-Gumain River Watershed- supporting the Porac-Gumain RIS (2 Intake), located in the province of Pampanga, covering the municipalities of Porac and Floridablanca with an area of 22,500 hectares, more or less. 36.Angat-Maasim River Watershed- supporting the Angat-Maasim RIS, located in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga, covering the municipalities of Angat, Norzagaray, San Ildefonso, San Rafael and San Luis with an area of 61,300 hectares, more or less.

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37.Angat-Ipo River Watershed (Convergence WFR)- supporting the Ipo Dam

(MWSS), located in the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal, covering the municipalities of Norzagaray, San Jose del Monte, and Rodriguez (Montalban) with an area of 6,600 hectares, more or less. 38.Pinulot River Watershed- supporting the Colo RIS located in the provinces of Bataan and Zambales, covering the municipalities of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Morong, Olongapo City and Subic with an area of 8,850 hectares, more or less. 39.Dingalan Watershed- supporting the ---------, located in the propvince of Aurora, covering the municipality of Dingalan, with an area of more or less.

REGION 4A

40.Balanac River Watershed- supporting the Balanac RIS located in the province
of Laguna, Quezon covering the municipalities of Magdalena, Majayjay, Lusiana, and Lucban with an area of 6,600 hectares, more or less. 41.Mabacan River Watershed- supporting the Mabacan RIS, located in the province of Laguna, with an area of 4,900 hectares, more or less. 42.Llano River Watershed- supporting the Mayor RIS, located in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, with an area of 3,300 hectares, more or less. 43. Sta Cruz River watershed- supporting Sta Cruz RIS, located in the province of Laguna with an area of 8,000 hectares, more or less. 44.San Antonio River Watershed- supporting Sta Maria RIS, located in the provinces of Laguna, Rizal and Quezon, with an area of 1,150 hectares, more or less. 45.NPC Tailrace and Lewin Creek- supporting the Lumban RIS, located in the province of Laguna, with an area of 1,350 hectares, more or less.

LAGUNA FLIS 30,630 HECTARES more or less

46.Macabling River Watershed- supporting the Macabling RIS, located in the

province of Laguna, covering the municipality of Cabuyao, with an area of more or less. 47.San Cristobal River Watershed- supporting Cabuyao East PIS, San Cristobal RIS and Diezmo RIS, located in the provinces of Laguna and Cavite, covering the municipalities of Cabuyao, Canlubang, Calamba, Silang and Tagaytay City, with an area of more or less. 48.San Juan River Watershed- supporting the San Juan RIS, located in the provinces of Laguna and Batangas, covering the municipalities of Calamba, Sto Tomas, Tanauan ans Malvar with an area more or less.

CAVITE FLIS - 52,900 hectares, more or less

49.Maragondon River Watershed- supporting the Balayugan A Dam, Balayugan B

Dam, located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipality of Naic, with an area of more or less.

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50.Caisobo River Watershed- supporting the Culong-Culong Dam, located in the

province of Cavite, covering the municipality of Indang, with an area of more or less. 51.Labac-Alemang River Watershed- supporting the Sahing Dam and Bancud Dam, located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipalities of Naic and Indang with an area of more or less. 52.Timalam River Watershed- supporting the Tres Cruses Dam, located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipality of Tanza. 53.Canas River Watershed- supporting the Bayan Dam, Plucena Dam, Matanda A Dam, and Matanda B Dam, all located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipalities of General Trias, and Tanza. 54.Ylang-Ylang River Watershed- supporting the Pasong Kastila Dam, Butas Marcelo Dam, San Agustin Dam and Butas Navarro Dam, all located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipalities of Imus, General Trias, and Dasmarinas. 55.Lasong Camachile River Watershed- supporting the Butas Lawang Bato Dam, located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipality of General Trias. 56.Imus River Watershed- supporting the Julian Dam, Makuling Dam, Luksuhin Dam and Embarcadero Dam, all located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipality of Imus, Dasmarinas. 57.Zapote River Watershed- supporting the Molino Dam located in the province of Cavite, covering the municipality of Bacoor.

58.Palico River Watershed- supporting the Palico RIS, located in the province of
Batangas, covering the municipalities of Tuy and Nasugbu, with an area of 11,800 hectares, more less. 59.Lagnas River Watershed- supporting the Lagnas RIS, located in the province of Quezon, covering the municipality of Candelaria, with an area of 1,860 hectares, more or less. 60.Hanagdong River Watershed- supporting the Hanagdong RIS, located in the province of Quezon, covering the municipalities of Candelaria and Sariaya, with an area of 1,360 hectares, more or less. 61.Dumacao River Watershed- supporting Dumacao RIS, located in the province of Quezon, covering the municipality of Tayabas, with an area of 8,500 hectares, more or less. 62.Agos River Watershed- supporting Agos RIS, located in the province of Quezon and Rizal,covering the municipalities of General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Tanay, and Teresa, with an area of 91,260 hectares, more or less. 63.Marikina River Watershed (Convergence WFR)- Supporting the Wawa Dam, located in the province of Rizal, covering the municipalities of Tanay, Montalban, Antipolo, Baras and Teresa, with an area of 18,966 hectares, more or less.

REGION 4B

64.Bansud River Watershed supporting the Bansud RIS, located in the province
of Minddoro Oriental, covering the municipalities of Bongabong and Pinamalayan, with an area of 7,000 hectares, more or less. 65.Baco-Bocayao River Watershed- supporting the Baco RIS, located in the province of Mindoro Orienrtal and Mindoro Occidental, covering the 14

municipalities of Baco, Naujan, San Teodoro, Sablayan and Sta Cruz, with an area of 26,000 hectares, more or less 66.Pula River Watershed- supporting the Pulas RIS, located in Mindoro Oriental, covering the municipality of Pinamalayan, with an area of 12,970 hectares, more or less. 67.Mag-asawang Tubig-Mapalo Rivers Watershed- supporting Mag-asawang Tubig RIS, located in the province of Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental, covering the municipalities Naujan and Sablayan, with an area of 19,565 hectares, more or less 68.Pagbahan River Watershed- supporting the Pagbahan RIS, located in the province of Mindor Oriental and Mindoro Occidental, covering the municipalities of San Teodoro, Puerto Galera, Mamburao and Sta Cruz. With an area of 23,380 hectares, more or less. 69.Amnay-Patrick River Watershed- supporting Amnay-Patrick RIS, located in the province of Mindor Occidental and Mindoro Oriental, covering the municipalities of Sta Cruz, Sablayan, Baco and San Teodoro, with an area of 20,750 hectares, more or less. 70.Mongpong River Watershed- supporting the Mongpong RIS, located in the province of Mindoro Occidental, covering the municipality of Sablayan, with an area of 22,300 hectares, more or less. 71.Cagaray River Watershed- supporting the Cagaray RIS, located in the province of Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental, covering the municipalities of Mansalay, Bulalacao and San Jose with an area of 12,900 hectares, more or less. 72.Lumintao River Watershed- suppoting the Lumintao RIS, located in the province of Mindoro Occidental, covering the municipality of Sablayan, with an area of 38,600 hectares, more or less. 73.Malasgao River Watershed- supporting the Malasgao RIS, located in the provinde of Palawan, covering the municipalities of Quezon and Aborlan, with an area of 6,360 hectares, more or less.

REGION 5

74.Ponso River Watershed- supporting the Hibiga RIS, located in the province of
Albay, covering the municipalities of Pulangui and oas, with an area of 10,900 hectares, more or less. 75.Basay River Watershed- supporting the Mahaba RIS, located in the province of Albay, covering the municipality of Liago and Oas, with an area of more or less. 76.Nasisi River Watershed- supporting the Nasisi RIS, located in the province of Albay, covering the municipalities of Ligao and Guinobatan, with an area of more or less. 77.Bublusan Watershed- supporting the Ogsong RIS, located in the province of Albay, covering the municipalities of Guinobatan and Camalig, with an area of more or less. 78.Buhi-Iriga River Watershed- supporting the Buhi-Lalo and Lake Buhi RIS, located in the province of Camarines Sur and Albay, covering the municipalities of Buhi, Nabua, Iriga City, Tiwi, with an area of 41,350 hectares, more or less. 79.Nabua River Wartershed- supporting the Barit (Rida) RIS, located in the province of Camarines Sur, covering the municipalities of Baao, Buhi and Iriga City witn an area of 19,500 hectares, more or less.

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80.Daet River Watershed- supporting the Daet RIS, located in the province of
Camarines Norte, covering the municipalities of Daet, San Vicente, and Basud, with an area of 6,320 hectares, more or less. 81.Talisay River Watershed- supporting the Talisay RIS, located in the province of Camarines Norte, covering the municipalities of Daet and San Vicente, with an area of 2,820 hectares, more less. 82.Sipocot Pulantuna Watershed- supporting the Libmanan-Cabusao RIS, located in the province of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte covering the municipalities of Libmanan, Sipocot, Lupi, Ragay del Gallego, and Daet, with an area of 54,000 hectares, more or less. 83.Pili River Watershed- supporting the Pili RIS, located in the province of Camarines Sur, covering the municipality of Pili, with an area of 2,680 hectares, more or less. 84.Tigman River Watershed- supporting the THIRIS Tigman Dam, located in the province of Camarines Sur, covering the municipalities of Calabanga and Tinambac, with an area of 8,990 hectares, more or less. 85.Hinagyanan River Watershed- supporting the THIRIS Hinagyanan Dam---------86.Inainigan/Inarihan Watershed- supporting the THIRIS Inarihan Dam--------------87.Sabang River Watershed- supporting the San Francisco RIS, located in the province of Sorsogon--------------------------------------88.Tubugan River Watershed- supporting the San Ramon RIS, located in the province of Sorsogon, covering the municipalities of Bulan, Irosin,and Matnog, with an area of 1,590 hectares, more or less.

REGION 6

89.Tipuluan River Watershed (Convergence WFR) - supporting the Sibalom-San

Jose RIS, located in the province of Antique, covering the municipalities of Sibalom and San Jose, with an area of 61,600 hectares, more or less. 90.Mambusao River Watershed- supporting the Mambusao RIS, located in the provcince of Capiz and Aklan, covering the municipalities of Sapian, Jamindan, Mambusao and Altavas, with an area of 31,630 hectares, more or less. 91.Aganan River Watershed (joined to Tigum)- supporting the Aganan RIS, located in the province of Iloilo, covering the municipalities of Alimodian, and Maasin with an area of 11,300 hectares, more or less. 92.Barotac Viejo River Watershed- supporting the Barotac-Viejo RIS, located in the province of Iloilo, covering the municipalities of Barotac Viejo, Lemery and AJuy, with an area of 9,150 hectares, more or less. 93.Jalaur River Watershed (Convergence WFR)- supporting the Jalaur RIS, located in the province of Iloilo, covering the municipalities of Dingle, Pototan, Janiuay, Passi, Duenas, Calinog, Lambunao, Anilao, Banate and Barotac Viejo, with an area of 107,700 hectares, more or less. 94.Jalaur-Suage River Watershed- supporting the Suage RIS, located in the province of Iloilo, covering the municipalities of Janiuay, Maasin, Cabatuan, and Lucena, with an area of 17,480 hectares, more or less. 95.Sibalom River Watershed- Sibalom-Tigbauan RIS, located in the province of Iloilo, covering the municipalities of Leon, Alimodian and Tigbauan, with an area of 11,400 hectares, more or less. 96.Tigum River Watershed(joined to Aganan)- supporting the Sta Barbara RIS, located in the province of Iloili and Antique, covering the municipalities of Cabatuan, Maasin, Janiway, Valderama and San Remigio, with an area of 19,200 hectares, more or less.

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97.Bago River Watershed (Convergence WFR)-

supporting the Bago RIS, located in the province of Negros Occidental, covering the municipalities of Bago, Murcia, Talisay, San Carlos and Calatrava, with an area of 62,500 hectares, more or less. 98.Pagiplan River Watershed- supporting the Pagiplan RIS, located in the province of Negros Occidental, covering the municipalities of Binalbagan, with an area of 1,756 hectares, more or less. 99.Ibajay River Watershed- supporting the Panukayan RIS, located in the province of Aklan, covering the municipality of Ibajay, with an area of 23,400 hectares, more or less

REGION 7

100. Caruod Watershed- supporting the ---------RIS, located in the province of

Bohol, covering the municipalities of Ubay, Mabini and Alicia, with an area of more or less.----------------------101. Matutinao Watershed- supporting the -------RIS, located in the province of Cebu, covering the municipality of Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc, Alcoy and Dalaguete, with an area of more or less. REGION 8

102. Magon-Bucan River Watershed- supporting the Balire North RIS, located in the
province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of La Paz, Mac Arthur and Inayupan, with an area of 4,500 hectares, more or less. 103. Bao River Watershed- supporting the Bao RIS, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Ormoc City, Kananga, Capoocan and Cariagara with an area of 5,800 hectares, more or less. 104. Binahaan River Watershed- supporting the Binahaan South RIS, Binahaan North RIS, and Lower Binahaan RIS, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Ormoc City, Jaro, Pastrana and Dagami, with an area of 21,910 hectares, more or less. 105. Bito River Watershed- supporting the Bito RIS, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Inayopan, Abuyog, and Baybay, with an are of 11,380 hectares, more or less. 106. Daguitan River Watershed- supporting the Daguitan RIS, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Burauen, Albuera, and Dagami with an area of 4,300 hectares, more or less. 107. Gibuga River Watershed- supporting the Gibuga RIS, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Burauen, Julita, Dulag, La Paz and Sta Cruz, with an area of 5,400 hectares, more or less. 108. Guinarona River Watershed- supporting the Guinarona RIS, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Dagami and Burauen with an area of 1,450 hectares, more or less. 109. Mainit River Watershed- supporting the Mainit RIS, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Carigara, Jaro, and Alang-alang with an area of 3,150 hectares, more or less. 110. Pongso River Watershed- supporting the Pongso RIS, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Carigara, Barugo, and Tunga, with an area of 4,020 hectares, more or less. 111. Palo River Watershed- supporting the Suong-Tibak RIS, located in the province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Palo, Jaro, Sta Fe, Alang-alang, and Tacloban City, with an area of 2,350 hectares, more or less. 17

112. Salug River Watershed- supporting the Hindang-Hilogos RIS, located in the
province of Leyte, covering the municipalities of Hindang, Hilongos and Inopacan, with an area of 7,200 hectares, more or less.

REGION 9

113. Dipolo River Watershed- supporting the Dipolo Dam (RIS) and Salug RIS,
located in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur, covering the municipality of Molave with an area of 67,200 hectares, more or less. 114. Labangan-Pulusan-Lantian-Tiwagan River Watersheds- supporting the Labangan RIS, located in Zamboanga del Sur, covering the municipalities of Labangan, and Pagadian City with an are of 43,360 hectares, more or less. 115. Sibuguey-Dipili Rivers- supporting the Sibuguey Vallye RIS, located in the province of Zamboanga del Sur with an area of 21,800 hectares, more or less. REGION 10

116. Manupali River (Convergence WFR)- supporting the Manupali RIS, located in
the province of Bukidnon, covering the municipality of -------- with an area of 13,850 hectares, more or less. 117. Muleta-Kulaman River Watershed (Convergence WFR)- supporting the Muleta RIS, located in the Bukidnon, covering the municipality of Pangantukan and Maramag, with an area of 21,450 hectares, more or less. 118. Roxas Kuya River Watershed- supporting the Roxas Kuya RIS, located in the province of Bukidnon, covering the municipality of Maramag, with an area of 9,300 hectares, more or less. 119. Dipolo-Maranding River Watrershed- supporting the Maranding RIS, located in the province of Lanao del Norte, covering the municipalities of Nunungan and Kapatagan, with an area of 39,350 hectares, more or less.

REGION 11

120. Batutu Watershed- supporting the Batutu RIS, located in the province of
Compostela Valley, covering the municipality of Compostela, with an area of 10,500 hectares, more or less. 121. Libuganon River Watershed- supporting the Libuganon RIS, located in the province of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, covering the municipalities of Kapalong, Sto Tomas, Asuncion, San Vicente, New Correla, Tagum City, Nabunturan, Moncayo and Montevista, with an area of 74,730 hectares, more or less. 122. Saug River Watershed- supporting the Saug RIS, located in the province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, covering the municipalities of Kapalong, Asuncion and Nabunturan, with an area of 41,100 hectares, more or less. 123. Lasang River Watershed- supporting the Lasang RIS, located in the province of Davao del Norte, covering the municipalities of Kapalong, Panbo and Davao City, with an area of 39,450 hectares, more or less. 124. Matanao River Watershed- supporting the Mal RIS, located in the province of Davao del Sur, covering the municipality of Digos, with an area of 35,400 hectares, more or less.

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125. Padada River Watershed- supporting the Padada RIS, located in the province
of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, covering the municipalities of Digos and Makilala, with an area of 81,850 hectares, more or less. 126. Sumlog River Watershed- supporting the Lupon RIS, located in the provinces of Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte, covering the municipalities of Lupon, Banay-Banay, Mati and Panutukan with an area of 25,540 hectares, more or less. 127. Buayan-Tinagacan Rivers- supporting the Buayan RIS, located in the province of Davao del Sur, Sarangani and South Cotabato, covering the municipalities of Malalag, Sta Maria, Malita, Malungon, Alabel, Polomolok and General Santos City, with an area of 7,580 hectares, more or less. REGION 12

128. Kabacan River Watershed-supporting the Kabacan-Pagalungan RIS, located in

the province of North Cotabato, covering the municipalities of Kabacan and Kidapawan with an area of 74,000 hectares, more or less. 129. Libungan River Wateshed- supporting the Libungan RIS, located in the province of North Cotabato, covering the municipality of Libungan, with an area of 51,700 hectares, more or less. 130. Mlang River Watershed- supporting the Mlang RIS, located in the province of North Cotabato, covering the municipalities of Mlang and Makilala with an area of 20,100 hectares, more or less. 131. Malasila River Watershed- supporting the Malasila RIS, located in the province of North Cotabato, covering the municipalities of Tuluran and Makilala with an area of 31,200 hectares, more or less. 132. Allah River Watershed- supporting Allah I RIS and Allah II Lambayong RIS, located in the province of South Cotabato, covering the municipalities of Tboli, Norala and Surallah, with an area of 158,290 hectares, more or less. 133. Banga River Watershed- supporting the Banga RIS, located in the province of South Cotabato, covering the municipality of Banga, with an area of 28,800 hectares, more or less. 134. Silway River Watershed- supporting the Silway RIS, located in the province of South Cotabato, covering the municipalities of Dadiangas, Polomolok and Koronadal, with an area of 53,300 hectares, more or less. 135. Palian River Watershed- supporting the Marbel RIS 1&2, located in the province of South Cotabato, covering the municipalities of Marbel and Tupi with an area of 20,675 hectares, more or less. 136. Alip River Watershed- supporting the Alip RIS, located in the province of Sultan Kudarat, covering the municipalities of Columbio, Lutavan, with an area of 37,950 hectares, more or less. REGION 13

137. Cabadbaran River Watershed (Convergence WFR)- supporting the

Cabadbaran RIS, located in the province of Agusan del Norte, covering the municipality of Cabadbaran, with an area of 7,350 hectares, more or less. 138. Taguibo River Watershed- supporting Taguibo RIS, located in the province of Agusan del Norte, covering the municipality of Butuan City and Cabadbaran with an area of 8,430 hectares, more or less. 139. Andanan River Watershed (Convergence WFR)- supporting the AndananRIS, located in the province of Agusan del Sur, covering the municipality of Bayugan with an area of 19,200 hectares, more or less. 140. Simulao River Watershed- supporting the Simulao RIS, located in the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, covering the municipalities of 19

Bunawan, Trento, Bislig and Lingig with an area of 42,900 hectares, more or less. 141. Caracan River Watershed- supporting the Cantilan RIS, located in the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte, covering the municipalities of Madrid and Jagupit, with an area of 12,180 hectares, more or less. 142. Tago River Watershed- supporting the Tago RIS, located in the province of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur, covering the municipalities of Tago, Cagwit and Bayugan with an area of 118,000 hectares, more or less. ARMM

143. Gata River Watershed- supporting the Rugnan RIS, located in the province of
Lanao del Sur, covering the municipalities of Maguingand Lumba-Bayabaao, with an area of 18,500 hectares,more or less.

SECTION 5. Inclusions of other areas which can form part of the Watershed Supporting the National Irrigation System- Lands of the public domain which have been classified as forestland or timberland pursuant to Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution and unclassified forestlands which are actually, directly and found to be essential for irrigation purposes and all other watershed areas which are supporting water base infrastructure, can be included in the list after the passage of this Act thru the following procedures: a) Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, The DENR, thru the Forest Management Bureau, upon the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture thru the National Irrigation Administration, shall submit to the Office of the President, application/s for inclusion in the List of Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System, which shall contain the following : 1. Topographic maps ascertaining the location of the watersheds to avert any trans- boundary issues especially if the watershed embraces two or more municipalities. 2. Maps including characterization of the watershed with legal descriptions of boundaries. 3. Sangguniang Barangay, Sanguniang Bayan, and Sangguniang Panglalawigan Resolutions asserting the need for the inclusion of the watershed in the List of Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation Systems, for the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the same. 4. Copy of Joint LGU Resolutions, MOA/MOU or any agreements for the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the watershed, especially if the watersheds coverage is within two or more municipalities to avoid duplication in the filing of application and to prevent possible irritants on boundary issues.
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5. Copy of watershed management plan. 6. Copy of a watershed resource profile, specifically, information on the to the following: 6.1) estimated water run-off 6.2) forest cover of the watershed 6.3) estimated area to be serviced by the watershed (in hectares) 6.4) multiple uses of water resources b) The President shall issue a presidential proclamation designating the recommended watershed/s to form part of the List of Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation Systems and provide for the same protection, conservation and rehabilitation. c) Forest lands and timberland being primary classification of public lands pursuant to the provision of Section 3 of the Constitution, and the President having been vested the responsibility over primary classification of lands of the public domain pursuant to the provision of Commonwealth Act No.141 [1936], Sec. 6 and Executive Order No. 192 [1987], can exercise such function upon the recommendation of the DENR and such classification/s does not warrant concurrence of Congress. SECTION 6. Prohibitions: In line with the provision of Section 4 of the Constitution, whereby the specific limits of forestlands shall be determine by law, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground, thereafter, such forestland shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished except by law. The following acts shall be prohibited: 1. Watershed as an integral part of established forest reserves shall not be subjected to disestablishment proceedings pursuant to the provision of Section 7 of the National Integrated Protected Areas Act or R.A. 7586. 2. Watersheds supporting the National Irrigation Systems shall not be subjected to a Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA) by the PAWB, to determine their suitability or non-suitability for preservation as a protected area. Rather, watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System if found to be degraded shall be maintained, protected and rehabilitated and restore it to its former growth and vegetation. 3. The inclusion of Watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System according to the appropriate categories as protected areas under the NIPAS framework shall no longer apply. 4. Multiple uses of watershed resources shall be strictly prohibited. The water resources which are the inherent contribution of watershed must be
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conserved, protected and enhanced to produce its optimum capacity.

CHAPER II ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT PLANS.

SECTION 7. Jurisdiction, Control and Management of Watershed Supporting National Irrigation Syems. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources thru the Bureau of Forests Management in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture thru the National Irrigation Authority shall have exclusive and primary jurisdiction, control and management on all identified Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation Systems. SECTION 8. Creation Watershed Supporting the National Irrigation System Council- The DENR and the DA shall create Watershed Supporting the National Irrigation System Council, which shall be composed of the Secretary of DENR and Secretary of DA, acting as CoChairmen and the Director of the Forest Management Bureau and the Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration as Vice Chairmen and the following as members: 1. Department of Budget and Management 2. Department of Local Government 3. DPWH 4. Land Bank of the Philippines 5. NPC (Hydro-electric) 6. PNOC (Geothermal) 7. LWUA 8. NWRB 9. 3 Representative from IPs ( Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao) 10.Representatives from the affected Sectors (Rotational-based on regional concern) Local Waterworks, Local HydroElectric Concessionaire, Tenured migrants and Local Government Unit

SECTION 9. Participation of LGUs and other stakeholders in the Watershed Management Plans- All Local Government Units where the watersheds supporting the national irrigation systems are situated shall be involved in the planning, development and implementation of a comprehensive watershed management plan which must be holistic, scientific, rights-based, technology based and community-based and which
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shall be done in a collaborative manner to ensure that the protection of the watershed, the conservation of its water resources and the preservation of its inherent productive capacity will be sustained to bring about the highest and widest benefit for the present and future generations The sustainability of water resources must be ensured by encouraging the meaningful and active participation of stakeholders especially those who are directly benefited and there from, establish a sustainable and multi-institution capable of addressing natural resources issues in a watershed. There shall be common responsibility from the LGU/s and the stakeholders in the implementation of the Watershed Management Plan for the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the Watershed Supporting the national Irrigation System.

CHAPTER III FUNDING SOURCE

SECTION 10. Funding Allocation- Upon the enactment of this Act, the amount needed to implement the conservation, protection and rehabilitation measures shall be taken from the budget of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) and shall be equivalent to no less than 5% of the annual appropriation of each department. SECTION 11. Creation of Watershed Supporting the National Irrigation System Fund- In order to cover the expenses and cost of supporting the efforts to conserve, protect and rehabilitate the Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation Systems, the yearly appropriation of 5% coming from the DENR and the DA shall be immediately set aside and place in a Special Fund which will be called Watersheds Supporting The National Irrigation Systems Special Fund (WSNIS-Fund) SECTION 12. Management and control of the WSNIS Special FundThe Watershed Supporting the National Irrigation System Council shall be in charge of the management, control and disposition of all funds for the purpose of financing projects for the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the watersheds supporting the national irrigation systems. SECTION 13. Additional Funds- Additional funds are hereby authorized to be added to the special fund to augment the funding requirements to fully implement the conservation, protection and rehabilitation measures for the watersheds. Sources of funding shall include the following:

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1. Collection of five (5) centavos for every peso being paid as irrigation fees. 2. Collection of five (5) centavos from the local waterworks utilities who are using portion of the water for household distribution. 3. Collections of five (5) centavos for every kilowatt hour produce by local hydro electric cooperatives or concessionaires. 4. Proceeds from local or foreign grants, donations, endowments, solicitations and all forms of contributions. SECTION 14. Exemption from taxes- All additional funds accruing to the WSNIS Special Fund shall be exempted from income taxes, charges and fees and all other taxes that may be imposed by the National Government or the Local Government where the income was derive. All income derive as payments for value of the water resources coming from the watersheds supporting the national Irrigation System shall be utilized solely and directly for the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of all the Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System. CHAPTER IV GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 15. Prohibitions: In line with the provision of Section 4 of the Constitution, whereby the specific limits of forestlands shall be determine by law, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground, thereafter, such forestland shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished except by law. The following acts shall be prohibited: 1. Watershed as an integral part of established forest reserves shall not be subjected to disestablishment proceedings pursuant to the provision of Section 7 of the National Integrated Protected Areas Act or R.A. 7586. 2. Watersheds supporting the National Irrigation Systems shall not be subjected to a Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA) by the PAWB, to determine their suitability or nonsuitability for preservation as a protected area. Rather, watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System if found to be degraded shall be maintained, protected and rehabilitated and restore it to its former growth and vegetation. 3. The inclusion of Watersheds supporting the National Irrigation System according to the appropriate categories as protected areas under the NIPAS framework shall no longer apply.

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4. Multiple uses of watershed resources shall be strictly prohibited. The water resources which are the inherent contribution of watershed must be conserved, protected and enhanced to produce its optimum capacity. SECTION 16. Diminution of Watershed Areas- There shall be no diminution of Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System. The determination of Congress pursuant to the provisions of sec. 4, Chapter 12 of the Constitution, of the specific limits of forest lands shall be maintained and protected. All attempts to re-classify and remove portion of watershed area to be converted to other uses shall not be allowed. SECTION 17. Disposition of Watershed Areas- The following activities are considered environmentally critical projects and activities which are detrimental to the integrity of the water resources and hydrological balance of the Watersheds supporting the National Irrigation Systems and may bring irreversible damage to the watersheds water bearing capacity, and therefore shall not be allowed and strictly prohibited: 1. All forms of mining operation. 2. Granting of Mineral, Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) or Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement FTAA. 3. Granting of mining permits or licenses, for extraction of minerals and Quarry Permits for the extraction and utilization of quarry resources. 4. All forms of logging operations. 5. Kaingin type of Agriculture. 6. Any form of human settlements except IP community. 7. Harvesting of trees for charcoal making. 8. Unlawful Occupation or encroachment or destruction of watershed

SECTION 18. Penalties- Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the provision of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of no less than one (1) year, to not more than three (3 )years or a fine of no less than five hundred thousand (500,000) pesos or both, at the discretion of the court. For tenured migrants, and settlers living inside the watershed that unknowingly violate the provisions of this Act; they shall be subjected to a month of rigid training and capability development in lieu of fines and imprisonment. Repeat of violations shall be dealt with fines or imprisonment and ejectment. SECTION 19. Suppletory Application of Existing Legislation.- The provision of Presidential Decree No. 705 (Revised Forestry Code); Republic Act 7586 (NIPAS Act); Com. Act No. 141 [1936]; Phil. Clean Water Act; Water Code of the Philippines; Executive Order No. 192 Series of 1987;

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Executive Order 224 Series of 1987; Executive Order No. 510 Series of 2006; and other laws not inconsistent with this Act shall have suppletory effect. SECTION 20. Repealing Clause- Section 7 and Section 5 (a) & (d) of the R. A. No. 7586 (NIPAS ACT); Executive Order No. 224; Section 18 of R.A. 7942 (Phil. Mining Act of 1995 and all other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. SECTION 21. Separability Clause- If for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is declared null and void, no other section, provision, or part thereof shall be affected and the same shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 22. Effectivity Clause- This Act shall take effect immediately after publication in at least two (2) national newspaper of general circulation.

APPROVED

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