1.
Absence of national Policy Framework for the Sustainable Use of the
Country's Freshwater Ecosystem |
1.1
Formulate and adopt a policy framework for the sustainable use of the
country's freshwater ecosystems taking into consideration the Philippine
Biodiversity Country Study Report, the Philippine Strategy and Action Plan
for Biological Diversity Conservation, the 1992 Philippine National
Wetland Action Plan, and the Philippine Water Code |
Policy
Framework for freshwater ecosystems formulated, adopted and
operationalized |
1997 |
DENR,
DA, LGUs, NGOs, communities |
|
a)
Conduct studies such as carrying capacity and economic valuation of lakes,
rivers, and freshwater wetlands to support policy formulation process |
Studies
conducted/completed |
1997 |
DENR |
|
b)
Identify and inventory watershed areas and other sources of potable water |
Memorandum
of Agreement among concerned parties/entities forged |
1997
- 1998 |
DENR,
DA, MWSS, LGUs, LWUA, communities, LGUs, NGOs/POs |
|
c)
Institutionalize/strengthen arrangements that would operationalize the
freshwater ecosystems management approach |
|
|
|
|
d)
Conduct massive information dissemination campaign on national and local
programs |
|
|
|
2.
Need to Harmonize Development Plans/Activities in Areas Affecting
Freshwater Ecosystems |
Integrate
development of water resources with the conservation of ecosystems that
affect the water cycle |
|
|
|
|
2.1
Formulate, adopt and implement a National Land Use Policy |
Appropriate/clean
technologies promoted and adopted in freshwater systems |
1997 |
NEDA,
DA, DENR, DAR, HLURB, DENR, DA, LGUs, NGOs |
|
2.2
Conserve natural ecosystems |
Areas
identified and conserved |
1997
- onwards |
|
|
2.3
Restore degraded freshwater ecosystems |
Areas
identified and restored |
1997
- onwards |
|
|
2.4
Protect the interface of water bodies and land by employing the buffer
zone concept |
|
1997
- 1998 |
DENR,
LGUs |
|
2.5
Include the cost and benefits of protecting watersheds, forests, wetlands
and other key ecosystems in irrigation and other water supply projects |
|
1999
- onwards |
NEDR,
NIA, MWSS, NPC, PNOC, LGUs |
|
2.6
Incorporate in the EIA of all water management projects cost-benefit
analysis |
|
1997
- 1998 |
DENR,
MWSS, NPC, PNOC, LGUs |
3.
Need to Institutionalize a Mechanism for Integrated Water Management |
3.1
Establish/strengthen institutional cross-sectoral mechanisms for
integrated water management |
Mechanisms
for integrated water management institutionalized across sectors |
1997
- 1998 |
DENR,
LGUs, NEDA, NPC, PNOC, MWSS, NGOs |
4.
Degradation of Water Quality and Freshwater Ecosystems |
4.1
Adopt an ecosystem management approach in the protection and management of
water resources and freshwater ecosystems |
|
1997
- onwards |
DENR,
LGUs, industries, NGOs |
|
4.2
Protect freshwater living species by: |
|
|
|
|
a)
controlling and monitoring water quality to allow for the sustainable
development of inland fisheries; and |
|
1997
-onwards |
DENR,
LLDA, NGOs, LGUs |
|
b)
protecting ecosystems from pollution and degradation for the development
of freshwater aquaculture projects |
|
1997
- onwards |
DENR,
LLDA, NGOs, LGUs, farmers, industries |
|
4.3
Conduct monitoring and surveillance of water resources and waters
receiving wastes |
|
1997
- onwards |
|
|
a)
establish a network for the monitoring and continuous surveillance of
waters receiving wastes and point and diffuse sources of pollution |
|
|
DENR,
LLDA, LGUs, communities, industries, academe |
|
b)
promote the application of EIA and GIS |
|
|
DENR |
|
c)
conduct surveillance of pollution sources to improve compliance with
standards and regulations |
Water
system policy standards strictly adhered; water sources properly sited |
1997
- onwards |
DENR,
LGUs, communities, academe |
|
d)
monitor the utilization of chemicals in agriculture that may have adverse
effects on freshwater systems |
Bill
certified to regulate use/extraction of water |
|
DENR,
DA, FPA, NGOs, communities |
|
e)
rationalize land use to prevent degradation, erosion and siltation of
lakes and other water bodies |
|
|
|
|
f)
regulate extraction of freshwater resources |
|
|
DENR |
5.
Need for Water Resource Assessment |
5.1
Establish appropriate frameworks including the legislative and regulatory
arrangements and strengthen institutional capabilities to ensure the
adequate assessment of water resources and the provision of flood and
drought forecasting services |
Quantity
and quality of water resources assessed on a regular basis |
1997
- onwards |
DENR,
NWRB, academe |
|
5.2
Purchase appropriate water resources assessment (WRA) technologies suited
to local needs |
WRA
technologies appropriate to the needs of the Philippines (including
methods for impact assessment of climate change on freshwater) promoted
and adopted |
|
DENR,
academe |
|
5.3
Establish and maintain cooperation at the national level among the various
agencies responsible for the collection, storage and analysis of
hydrologic data |
|
|
DENR,
DOST, PAGASA, NWRB, academe |
|
5.4
Review, adoption and implementation of the Action Plan for Overall Water
Resources Management |
Action
Plan for Overall Water Resources Management adopted and implemented |
|
NWRB,
DENR, NEDA, NIA, NPC, DILG, LGUs, other relevant agencies |