Watersheds in the balance
The Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or IPCC, largely attributes global warming to humankind’s reliance on fossil fuels. According to the group, the indiscriminate burning of oil and coal causes carbon dioxide (CO2), long established as a heat-trapping gas, to build up in our environment. This accumulation of CO2 results in higher temperatures, coastal floods, droughts, wildfires and even higher energy bills. Over the past few years, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos have suffered the effects of these predicted floods and droughts. Today, millions of us endure the scorching heat and equally painful electric bills. Given the state of our land, our water ways and our pockets, it is imperative for the government, as well as the private sector, to explore and maximize alternative sources of renewable energy that are already available to us.
Actually, the government, particularly the National Power Corporation (Napocor), is on the case. Napocor has been authorized to undertake the development of hydroelectric power generation, and the production of electricity from other sources since its charter in 1974 (now that’s forward thinking). Typically, the question of funding has been a problem. The 1974 charter also authorizes Napocor to exercise complete jurisdiction and control over watersheds surrounding the reservoirs of power plants or power projects. Furthermore, the agency has the responsibility of maintaining the productive condition of our watersheds in support of developing and generating cheap and reliable electricity for the nation.
What exactly is a watershed, and how will rehabilitating our current 11 watersheds lower power rates? A watershed is an area of land where rainwater collects and drains via a river system to a common outlet point which may be a dam, irrigation system, municipal water supply or the sea. Watersheds provide water for drinking, power and irrigation. It also provides food and shelter for wildlife, while communities living within the watershed area enjoy its bountiful resources. To enjoy the promised benefits derived from the watersheds, proper management and conservation programs are essential.
The 11 watersheds under Napocor management are Ambuklao, Binga, Angat, Caliraya, Tiwi, Buhi-Barit, Makiling-Banahaw, Pantabangan, Magat, Lake Lanao-Agus and Pulangui. The proper management of these resources will reduce the operating cost of power generation, and ultimately the charges being passed on to consumers.
In order to continue its mandate and implement its set rehabilitation program however, Napocor needs approval from the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB) to avail of the collected P112 million environmental charge fund. Relevant to Republic Act (RA) 9136, also known as Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), Napocor is mandated to administer an environmental charge intended solely for the rehabilitation and management of watersheds nationwide. This covers the supervision of activities in the 11 watersheds where Napocor’s hydro and geothermal plants are located. Napocor recognizes its responsibility to the community and the importance of realizing its watershed management goals.
The Watershed Rehabilitation and Management Program aims to ensure production of a continuous water supply, which is especially important for power generation. A portion of the electricity produced in the country today comes from hydroelectric and geothermal power plants. These power plants are being supported by watersheds which play a very crucial and essential role in the life span of hydroelectric dams and operation of power plants. Without the rivers and streams flowing within the watershed, there would be no water to run the turbines. The sustained operational capabilities of hydro and geothermal plants depend on the productive condition of the watersheds. It is crucial, therefore that proper management, rehabilitation and protection of these watersheds is assured.
Napocor needs to avail of the environmental charge fund to implement projects such as the stabilization of sparsely vegetated areas and critically degraded portions of the watersheds. This will be accomplished through reforestation and agroforestry in order to stabilize soil condition and minimize soil erosion. Target areas are the critical vicinity of the reservoir rim, stream banks, river channels, sloping terrain and road banks. The agency also needs the financial resources to provide updated and reliable information and technologies necessary in the formulation of coherent policies and suitable watershed management strategies. As well as much needed livelihood projects for the communities living within the watershed areas.
Just to give you an idea of Napocor’s success in this endeavor over the year 2003 to 2005, the agency established 35,000 lineal meters of vegetation to control and prevent soil erosion of degraded and flood prone areas. They dispersed 137,000 seedlings (both forestry species and fruit trees) to various stakeholders, LGUs, academes and private organizations for their re-greening programs. Through the program, Napocor dispersed livestock (swine and goats) to qualified beneficiaries in MakBan, Tiwi and Buhi watersheds and conducted 42 livelihood trainings to alleviate the condition of the people relying on watershed resources.
(To be continued Tuesday)
As I wrote in Thursday’s column, this year’s celebration of Independence Day will bring cabinet secretaries to different parts of the country to deliver government services. This column gives the participation of more secretaries in this unique celebration.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap will lead a caravan displaying fertilizer, irrigation, education, loans, dryers and other post-harvest facilities in
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza will distribute 17,000 land titles to farmers in Laguna, and join teams cleaning up Laguna de Bay and planting trees.
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye will give awards to the winners of a feature-writing contest on the contributions of modern-day heroes of
Tourism Secretary Ace Durano will open a grassroots entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in Naga, and in the Visayas, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes will open a caravan showcasing a biofuel project in
The activities of other cabinet members are as follows: Buboy Syjuco, to distribute training vouchers in Sta. Barbara,
Margarito Teves will distribute LandBank-Quedancor microfinance checks; Romulo Neri, college scholarships; Jess Dureza, social services to the Lumads; Rolando Andaya, allotment certificates in Surigao, and Nasser Pangandaman, components of ARC projects in Jolo.
The vice-president, Noli de Castro, will open a housing fair in Kawit,
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