ASUNCION, Davao del Norte — The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources–New Corella (DENR–New Corella), and the 60th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army have entered into a Collaborative Arrangement to strengthen watershed conservation and community-based reforestation efforts in Davao del Norte.
The partnership was formalized during a signing ceremony held on October 28, 2025, at Camp Morgia in Barangay Doña Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. The agreement forms part of the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program—an innovative mechanism that rewards communities for protecting forests, watersheds, and ancestral domains.
Representing MinDA Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, Engr. Emelian Lawansa, Development Management Officer V and Area Head of MinDA’s Northeastern Mindanao Office, delivered the Secretary’s message emphasizing the importance of ecological integrity in national resilience.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to resilience, sustainability, and inclusive development. Our disaster management systems are only as strong as the ecosystems they aim to protect,” Lawansa read.
Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao del Norte expressed the provincial government’s full support for the initiative, calling it a vital step toward peace, unity, and sustainable progress.
“This collaboration is a strong step toward unity and collective action for the protection of our environment and the advancement of Davao del Norte,” Jubahib said.
Also present was Atty. Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña, Director of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU)–Eastern Mindanao, who underscored how environmental cooperation contributes to lasting peace.
The agreement was signed by DENR–New Corella PENR Officer Alberto Bandiola, CENR Officer Maritess Jocson, LTC Jovily Carmel Cabading of the 60th Infantry Battalion, and Engr. Lawansa on behalf of Secretary Magno.
Under the partnership, the agencies committed to conserving the Tagum–Libuganon River Basin, promoting sustainable agroforestry practices, and creating livelihood opportunities for Indigenous Peoples communities.
The initiative supports the national government’s drive toward integrated water resource management, a key priority under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration. Through Executive Order No. 22, President Marcos created the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) to coordinate watershed conservation and ensure sustainable water supply.
The Tagum–Libuganon River Basin, one of Davao del Norte’s most vital watersheds, stands to benefit from the coordinated efforts of national and local agencies through the PES program.
By incentivizing environmental stewardship and integrating the Philippine Army’s role in peace and development, the partnership reflects a holistic approach—where ecological protection, community livelihood, and peacebuilding converge.
This multi-sectoral collaboration not only strengthens Mindanao’s environmental resilience but also embodies a shared vision for a greener, safer, and more sustainable Philippines.