Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte – In a bid to enhance the protection and sustainable management of the Dimapatoy Watershed Forest Reserve, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE), through its Protected Area Management Section under the Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Research, and Development Services (BERDS), conducted a week-long series of activities from May 26 to 31 in Awang and nearby communities.
The initiative kicked off with a two-day Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) campaign held on May 26-27, followed by an on-site ecological assessment from May 28-31. The activities aimed to empower local stakeholders, especially the local government unit of Awang and surrounding areas, to become proactive partners in safeguarding the watershed.
The CEPA sessions educated participants on the critical functions of watershed areas, particularly in regulating water flow, maintaining water quality, preventing soil erosion, and reducing the risks of floods and landslides. Legal frameworks such as DAO 99-01, DAO 2005-23, and DMC 2008-05, which guide integrated watershed planning and management, were also introduced.
During the discussions, residents raised pressing environmental concerns including illegal logging, charcoal production, irresponsible fertilizer use in agriculture, and the unchecked development of resorts along the riverbanks. These issues were duly documented by MENRE staff for appropriate response and future policy interventions.
Meanwhile, the ecological assessment conducted by the BERDS team involved identifying mature endemic flora and evaluating the condition of tree cover along the Dimapatoy River. The data gathered will serve as a baseline for reforestation, habitat restoration, and sustainable land-use planning.
“With the increasing threats from urban expansion, unsustainable farming practices, pollution, and climate change, we must build community awareness and scientific foundations for conservation,” said a MENRE representative.
The Ministry is also planning to expand similar assessment and engagement activities to other barangays in the area, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and science-based watershed management strategy.