GENERAL SANTOS CITY — In a bid to boost sustainable watershed management and climate resilience, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) of Glan spearheaded a two-day capacity building and planning workshop for the Buayan-Malungon River Basin (BMRB) on April 10–11, 2025, at the Family Country Hotel.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from local and national agencies to revisit and refine key management tools for the river basin, including the draft Manual of Operations (MOO) and the complementation of the Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) with the Climate-Resilient Integrated River Basin Master Plan. These documents are expected to guide the revival and full operationalization of the BMRB Watershed Council, aiming for a more unified and science-based approach to watershed governance.
The two-day activity facilitated collaborative discussions and technical exchanges among members of the Technical Working Group (TWG), leading to the enhancement of the BMRB MOO and the alignment of the IWMP with the region’s broader climate adaptation and natural resource conservation efforts.
Representatives from a wide range of partner agencies actively participated in the workshop, including the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs) of Sarangani and South Cotabato, CENRO General Santos City, the Provincial Government of Sarangani, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of General Santos City, the River Basin Control Office, and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices (MENROs) of Malungon, Alabel, Tupi, Polomolok, and Tampakan. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also lent their expertise.
Funded under the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF), the BMRB program forms part of the government’s commitment to safeguard the river basin ecosystem “from ridge to reef.” The Buayan-Malungon River system is a vital waterway supporting both upland biodiversity and coastal marine health, particularly within the ecologically significant Sarangani Bay.
This latest initiative underscores the collective resolve of government agencies to advance climate-resilient, participatory, and sustainable watershed management practices for the long-term protection of one of the region’s most important natural resources.