BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) is pushing for the sustainable use of the region’s natural resources to ensure long-term growth and ecological harmony.
“We are the stewards of our natural resources, bearing the responsibility to safeguard our lands and the life within them. In pursuing regional prosperity and inclusive development, it is crucial that we protect our natural resources, maintain ecological integrity, accelerate climate action, and strengthen disaster resilience,” Susan Sumbeling, regional director of the Cordillera office of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-CAR), stated in the report of the Watershed and Environmental Management Sector.
Last year, the region achieved milestones in the commitment to environmental stewardship and disaster risk reduction where the completion of the updated Cagayan River Basin Development master plan marks a pivotal step forward in the said efforts.
Simultaneously, the region embarked on the Integrated Management Plan for the Abra River Basin where the plan, fortified with disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies, will serve as comprehensive guides to safeguard, conserve, and rehabilitate the vital watershed ecosystems of the said river basins.
The council endorsed the nomination of the Biosphere Reserve of Apayao to the United Nations Ecological, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Program. The said nomination represents a pivotal moment for Apayao and the Cordillera, showcasing the commitment to preserving the region’s cultural heritage and biodiversity while promoting sustainable development. It also opens new doors for responsible ecotourism and agro-forestry and ensures that future generations will inherit a region where thriving ecosystems and vibrant cultures coexist harmoniously.
The CAR is currently enhancing ecosystem resilience to adapt to changing environmental conditions while fostering a transition towards a low carbon economy. Through the Expanded National Greening Program (ENGP), a collaborative effort between the environment department and various peoples organizations, the Cordillera had achieved milestones in the reforestation efforts where in the past year alone, 231 hectares of new plantations across the region were established.
Last year, the Protected Area management Board (PAMB) legislated protected areas, conducted 41 meetings and formulated 262 policy resolutions geared towards conserving, managing, and protecting the region’s ecosystem.
Further, in exploring the potentials of the protected areas, a revenue of PhP16.6 million was generated.
In 2023, air quality across Abra, Baguio City, and La Trinidad maintained ‘good’ to ‘fair’ levels for PM 10 and PM 2.5, adhering to national guidelines.
On the other hand, water quality monitoring in the Balili river, Bued river, and Upper Amburayan river met standards for dissolved oxygen and bio-chemical oxygen demand but exhibited high fecal coliform levels.
The NEDA-CAR official reported that similar challenges were noted on other priority rivers in the region that emphasizes the need to improve waste management practices to protect river water quality.
She added that the region continues to advance green development through green technologies and the promotion of a circular economy that included modernizing public transport, adopting cleaner fuels, ensuring regular vehicle maintenance, banning toxic chemicals in agriculture and small-scale mining, recycling materials for re-sue and advancing Smart agricultural practices.
The committee, championing green technology for agriculture, reviewed the Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra irrigation Project (INISAIP) in 2023. The project which includes the construction of the hydro power plant in Abra, was endorsed by the council to the NEDA board’s Investment Coordinating Committee. It aims to integrate sustainable energy solutions into agricultural practices marking a significant step towards environmental stewardship and resource efficiency in the region.
The year 2023 saw a concerted effort to enhance the resilience of the communities and local government units where there were six civil defense training programs and 14 disaster risk reduction and management trainings benefitting 69 local governments, 14 national agencies and two academic institutions with 85 technical assistance sessions.
Moreover, the Office of Civil Defense reviewed and certified 24 local disaster risk reduction and management plans, underscoring the region’s commitment to robust regional and local disaster response, rehabilitation and recovery strategies.
The Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also endorsed 132 rehabilitation and recovery projects for potential funding. It also validated 41 rehabilitation and recovery projects and oversaw five evacuation centers. By Dexter A. See
