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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Thursday, January 28, 2016

MNWD inks MOA with LGU Naga, other stakeholders to protect watersheds

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Jan.28 (PIA) --  The Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) has inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with partner agencies and stakeholders yesterday in an effort to ensure the sustainability of safe, clean and potable water for its consumers, .

Signatories include the Office of Camarines Sur 3rd District Congresswoman Leni Robredo, the city government here, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology (BISCAST), the local government of Pili, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others.

MNWD director Jorge Palma presented the organization’s Conservation Farming Community (CFC) Support Program to the stakeholders with focusing on the Watershed Management and Protection of the Mt. Isarog Natural Park.

“We intend to strengthen and develop the livelihood of the farming communities living within the buffer zone of the Mount Isarog Natural Park (MINP) so that they will not be tempted to use the natural resources around them. These resources are intended to be protected and not for livelihood purposes,” Palma added.

Palma believes that by putting in place a steady livelihood source, the forest will be preserved and the watersheds will be protected.

MNWD has 27 pumping stations to enhance water supply to its more or less 150,000 consumers.  The stable supply will be ensured if the watersheds will also be acknowledged for their biodiversity importance.  

Currently, MNWD manages the 356 hectares Kalinisan-Nabuntulan Watershed located in Barangay Panicuason, Naga City and the 317 hectares Anayan-Rumangrap Watershed in Barangay Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur.

MNWD already completed the relocation of Conservation Farming Communities (CFCs) and park occupants in Barangay Del Rosario in Pili and in Barangay Panicuason in Naga City.

Some of the alternative livelihood programs that they have already implemented include catfish-raising, native pig production, natural hog raising, additional capital program, rice trading, native chicken production, mallard duck production and distributed shelter repair kits to 38 beneficiaries from the Rotary Village Corps (RVC) and 22 beneficiaries from Panicuason, Naga City.

Even before the signing of the MOA, the signatories have already extended their assistance to the said program. The Office of Camarines Sur 3rd District Congresswoman Robredo linked the CFC youth to government agencies that offers technical and vocational programs; the city government here and LGU Pili extended livelihood and training assistance and involved CFC in the environmental management plan and policies to protect the Mt. Isarog Natural Park while CBSUA provided technical assistance thru Science and technology advisories, capacity enhancement programs, technology transfer, and commercialization.

They also engaged the participation of students and faculty in    relevant activities for the protection and conservation of the MINP.

MNWD is positive that the existing partnership will further strengthen their resolve to protect our resources and our environment. (LSM-PIA5/CAmarines Sur)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/861453892567/mnwd-inks-moa-with-lgu-naga-other-stakeholders-to-protect-watersheds#sthash.PEtjnlAX.dpuf

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