WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION STUDY IN OLONGAPO CITY
The Olongapo City government has started its watershed characterization study with the assistance of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Subicwater, operator of the water system in the city.
A watershed is an area of land from which all runoff drains or “sheds” to the same river, lake, or other body of water. City Supervising Agriculturist Jhobal Sebarrotin explained that through watershed characterization, primary and secondary data in relation to the watersheds’ socio-economic, biological and physical factors will be studied to come up with an integrated watershed management plan.
Moreover, City Planning and Development Office Engineer Marivic Nierras pointed out that the survey includes study of the flora and fauna, vulnerability assessment, socio-economic profiles of the inhabitants and water and soil samples from the watershed areas.
“Water systems are life supporting and a healthy water system is essential for a strong economy and a good quality of life so we must come up with an integrated watershed management approach to promote sustainable development,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.
According to CENRO Atty. Marife Castillo, Olongapo is blessed with abundant natural resources; especially the presence of watershed which comprises more or less 70% of the city and the results of watershed characterization study will be significant to the sustainable management of these resources, including land use development.
CENRO provides the technical assistance needed in the study. It can be recalled that a watershed development study was also conducted in the city in 1985, results and recommendations of which are being used as guide in the present day survey.
Sebarrotin said that the watershed characterization study will be finished in May 2012, and, based on the results thereof; the necessary recommendations will be prepared immediately for the approval of the city mayor.
