THE Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), in partnership with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is rooting on the collaboration of Mindanao River Basin Organization (RBOs) to address river basin issues brought about by geo-political boundaries and administrative jurisdictions.
Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino of Minda said Wednesday at the sidelines of the 1st Mindanao River Basin Organization (RBOs) Conference at Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City that members of the Mindanao RBOs, who are equipped with master plans and priority projects all made to address Mindanao River Basin (MRB) issues.
“These RBOs are now armed with master plans which are already in various levels of functionality and are now implementing priority projects,” she said adding that the projects may be structural or non-structural.
Structural interventions are composed of infrastructure and other flood-control projects, while non-structural interventions include reforestation, mangrove rehabilitation, and sustainable watershed management.
Among the critical issues identified by the organizations are siltation, watershed management, flood, and making the community living near the river banks or flood plains aware of their life-threatening situation, among others.
“I believe that through the organization of this council will coordinate and provide directions on the effective and efficient management and development of the river basin and its resources. Our RBOs are our vanguards who will ensure that our water resources are well-protected,” Antonino said.
The Mindanao RBOs are composed of ten organizations, these are, Davao River Basin Management Alliance, Tagum Libuganon River Basin Management Council, Agusan River Basin Governing Board, Mindanao River Basin Management Council, Tagoloan River Basin Management Council, Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council, Bukidnon Watershed Protection and Development Council, Malungon Buayan River basin Management Council, Lake Lanao Agus River Basin Management Alliance, and Mandulog River Basin Management Council.
The Mindanao River Basin covers 21,503 square kilometers in 10 provinces and four regions of central and southern Mindanao.
The two-day conference which will run until today focuses on the theme: “Strengthening Partnerships for Dynamic River Basin in Mindanao” At present, P9.6 billion worth of flood control projects within the MRB were included in DPWH’s budget.
Antonino also mentioned that Local Government Units will also play a significant role in achieving MRB sustainable development.