KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato — In a decisive move to strengthen environmental protection and sustainable development in the province, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12, through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)–Cotabato, formally sealed a partnership with the Provincial Government of Cotabato, six local government units, and various national government agencies for the creation of the Mindanao–Simuay River Watershed Management Council.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on October 29, 2025, at the Provincial Capitol in Kidapawan City, marking a milestone in the province’s collective effort to safeguard one of its most vital ecological systems. The establishment of the council is in line with DENR Administrative Order No. 2021-41, which mandates the creation of watershed management councils across the country to ensure integrated and community-driven watershed governance.
Composed of 15 member institutions, the newly formed council will function as a multi-sectoral body tasked with overseeing the management, conservation, and protection of the Mindanao–Simuay River Watershed—a critical source of water that sustains agriculture, biodiversity, and local communities across Cotabato Province.
Under the agreement, PENRO Radzak B. Sinarimbo will serve as chairperson, while Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza will act as co-chairperson, symbolizing strong collaboration between the DENR and the provincial government. Their leadership aims to ensure effective coordination among all stakeholders, from local governments to grassroots communities.
Governor Taliño-Mendoza reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to advancing sustainable watershed management, emphasizing the importance of environmental protection in fostering food security, climate resilience, and economic stability in the province. She also lauded the cooperation of the participating LGUs and agencies, describing the council as “a united front for environmental stewardship and disaster preparedness.”
For his part, PENRO Sinarimbo highlighted the role of the council as a platform for collaborative governance, where each sector contributes to policy formulation, resource mobilization, and the implementation of sustainable practices. He stressed that protecting the Mindanao–Simuay River Watershed is not only an environmental duty but a social responsibility that benefits present and future generations.
The signing of the MOA marks the beginning of a stronger, more coordinated approach to watershed management in Cotabato Province—one that aligns with national priorities on environmental sustainability and local development. With this partnership, the province is poised to become a model of integrated and participatory natural resource management in Mindanao.