ADB to Help Draw up Master Plan for Management of Philippines' Agusan River Basin

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - ADB will assist Government agencies in harnessing and managing the abundant water resources of the Agusan River in southern Philippines, through an integrated master plan to be drawn up with the help of a technical assistance (TA) grant of $970,000.

The TA will finance extensive consultations with stakeholders and preparation of a master plan, which will promote the optimal development of resources and poverty reduction in the basin. It will also help strengthen government organizations and communities in managing the river basin and identify appropriate institutional arrangements.

The 350-kilometer Agusan River is falling short of its potential in generating economic growth and development. During the dry season, there is insufficient water supply and occasional prolonged drought is damaging agricultural production. In rainy seasons, recurrent overflow of the river brings serious and enormous damage to lives, properties and agricultural crops as well as to farm-related infrastructure.

The Agusan River Basin, the third largest river basin in the Philippines, lacks integrated management of the watersheds, which are heavily degraded.

In addition, irrigation systems are deteriorating rapidly due to heavy siltation and lack of budget for operation and maintenance. Environmentally harmful mining operations are also widespread in the upstream area.

Agusan Marsh, covering a total area of 19,197 hectares in the middle of the basin, was proclaimed a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1996. The marsh serves as a flood retention basin for the Agusan River to cut the peak discharge of flash floods to downstream towns.

The marsh harbors unique and pristine habitats like the sago and peat swamp forests, as well as rare and endangered fauna. A comprehensive impact assessment of the marsh and formulation of a plan for the area are necessary to develop the middle Agusan River Basin.

"To meet the increasing challenges of water scarcity, pollution and degradation of watersheds, and ecosystems, water and related resources need to be managed in an integrated manner," says Tetsuro Miyazato, an ADB Senior Water Resources Specialist.

"Only an integrated water resource management in a river basin context will maximize economic benefits and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital environment systems."

The TA will be carried out over one year in two phases. The first phase will firm up the development strategy, taking into consideration the outcome of stakeholders' consultations. In phase two, a master plan will be prepared based on the strategy agreed upon at the end of phase one.

The Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be the executing agency in association with the National Water Resources Board. The Government will cover the balance of the cost of the $1.39 million initiative.

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