The town of Lamitan in Basilan province is again embroiled in a war. This time, however, Lamitan is fighting to preserve its forest resources, particularly the Barangay Arco Watershed, which is the municipality’s main source of water supply.

Lamitan Mayor Furigay (behind desk) with other MOA signatories and some guests

Recently, the municipal government of Lamitan and the Lamitan Water District (LAMWAD) signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly rehabilitate a substantial portion of the 705-hectare Barangay Arco Watershed. Also signing the agreement were the local representative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) and the chairman of the Arco Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative (AFAMCO). The cooperative has earlier been put in charge by DENR-ARMM to manage 500 hectares of forest area in Barangay Arco.

Under the agreement, the local water district will appropriate at least P46,000 annually beginning this year up to year 2009 for the rehabilitation of the watershed, in addition to providing the needed manpower for the management and protection of the area. It will also establish and maintain a forest nursery in collaboration with AFAMCO, the Lamitan local government, Barangay Arco and the local DENR-ARMM office.

“The municipal government will also provide manpower, logistics and other resources available for the development and implementation of the watershed’s rehabilitation plan,” said Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay. He added that the DENR-ARMM will provide technical and other assistance, while AFAMCO will, among others, mobilize a forest protection team.

The rehabilitation of the watershed is a priority of Lamitan that has recently completed its forest land use plan, through the assistance of DENR-ARMM and the Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project, which is supported by the United States Agency for International Development. EcoGov is also expected to assist Lamitan in the preparation of the rehabilitation plan for the Barangay Arco Watershed. The agreement among the watershed stakeholders puts into concrete action the concept that “those who use or benefit from the watershed should actively get involved in its protection.”

One key part of the agreement is the organization and operationalization of an alternative dispute resolution council that will help resolve conflicts that may arise in relation to the implementation of the agreement. The forming of this group is the responsibility of Barangay Arco and its leaders.

“This agreement is one concrete step towards ensuring that our watershed is protected, guaranteeing continuous water supply for our municipality,” said Furigay. “With every major stakeholder having clear accountabilities, we expected this agreement to be fully and successfully enforced,” he added.

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