MY ZODIAC sign is cancer and I wonder if it has something to do with my interest in swimming. One of the things that I enjoyed doing as a child was getting into bodies of water like springs, creeks and rivers to swim and I recall the time when we hiked to Ambiong near the Bell Church just to take a dip. For a mountain dweller like me, having a soak in the beach is of course a much desired relaxation activity.
Since November this year, I earned a Level-10 badge in Google Map as a local guide and I have reviewed rivers within the Cordillera Region to which I am sharing here.
Amburayan -- The Amburayan River is well mentioned in Philippine folklore as the iconic river where the fabled Lam-ang swam after a battle with upland tribes and because of his body filth, the fishes accordingly died. I've been crossing this body of water from its upland tributaries in Atok and Kapangan of Benguet down to where it meets the
sea in the boundaries of La Union and Ilocos Sur. Following its upstream down to the coastline is truly one of nature's wonders.
I say this because as a child, I was once swept by its irrigation currents in Sudipen, La Union that almost got me drowned to death. Luckily, there was a fallen acacia tree that blocked the river and my shirt got hooked and so I grabbed a branch that led me to the embankment as I grasped for air. Up where it originates in Kapangan and part of Atok of Benguet, I became part of the government sector's environmental protection and conservation programs since my office is a member of the governing board under the Water Quality Management Administration. On our trip to Suyo, Ilocos Sur, we also followed the river along the Tagudin-Cervantes Road.
Chico -- I've been travelling along the banks of the mighty Chico River from its upper tributary in Mt. Data, Bauko to the plains of Tabuk City, Kalinga since I entered government service as Information Officer. We've crossed the wooden bridge of Samoki many times before it was reconstructed into concrete and I have walked the hanging bridge of Bugnay, Tinglayan Kalinga that leads to the house of martyred elder Macliing Dulag. I consider myself to be lucky to have bathed naked at the Samoki area when the water was still conducive for washing. I missed the days when We passed by the Kalinga side of the river where we observed the sale of big bats with a wing-span of about six feet or two meters.
Bued River -- My very first Indie film was about the gold panners and pocket miners along Bued River just below the upper Kennon Road Police CheckPoint. Water flowing along the river then (1983-84) was a lot cleaner compared today as I also dared to take a bath in it. In 2018 and 2019, I was part of the governing board meeting of the Water Quality Management Area for Bued River and documented activities such as the Bued River Clean Up.
Agno River -- Life along the Cordillera Mountains is not complete without the rolling hills and cascading streams of water that flows along the creeks and rivers. Before water from this river finally reaches the sea, the Agno River adds enchantment to it because it passes from one dam and mining community to the other. From Ambuklao Dam down to Binga Dam and finally to San Roque Dam then to the sea, river water from this part of the Cordillera must have passed through pipes and turbines that helped generate electric power for parts of Northern
Luzon. As the saying goes, we all live downstream even if we are in the mountains.
Magat River -- It is indeed a river of life because it does not only provide irrigation and electric power but also livelihood to fisherfolk. Between 1987 to 1988, we crossed the Magat River at the Quirino and Bayombong side of Nueva Vizcaya on board a small bangka with members of the army led by Col. Arturo Lumibao to inspect a rebel captured town hall at the other side of the river. We found out that the rebels fled away with valuables and food rations.
Abulug River -- Because of its vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards, an Apayao-Abulug River Basin Council was created to mitigate possible environmental threats to the region's "Last Frontier." At the DENR office, attended a technical working group meeting to discuss the climate responsive integrated master plan for the Apayao-Abulug River Basin. We tackled: Economic Development -- enterprise development in fishery, food security, especially to vulnerable communities. Center of biodiversity in the far north but most prone and vulnerable to disasters. There is a big potential for irrigation in the river basin -- NGP Apayao Forests are critical protected areas as it is also a habitat of Philippine Eagle. More on this in my succeeding topics.