Location
Area : 4,923.66 sq. km.
Region : CAR, I
Provinces : Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province
Municipalities : 47
Barangays : 519
Outlet : West Philippine Sea
Est. Pop’n : 1.617 M (2010)
RBO : Abra River Basin Management Council
RDC Reso. :
Forestland : 3,862.45 sq. km.
A&D : 1,061.21 sq. km.
NGP Area : 378.30 sq. km.
VISION
“An economically sustainable, climate-change resilient and environmentally stable Abra River Basin supporting Godcentered and empowered stakeholders.”
MISSION
“Undertake sustainable development and management of Abra River Basin resources through Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) approach for mutual benefit of all stakeholders and Mother Earth”
- Abra Watershed
- Abra Watershed
- Mt. Data National Park
- Tirad Pass National Park
- Bessang Pass Natural Monument/Landmark
- Northern Luzon Heroes Hill National Park
- Rainfall : 2902.70
- Surface Run-off: 1564.33 mm/year
- Groundwater Recharge: 158.07mm/year
- Total Water Yield: 1992.45 mm/year
- Rice—20,320 has (wet season); 2,162.5 has (Palagad season); 3,765 has (dry season)
- Corn—5,119 has (wet season)
- Vegetable—1981 has
- Rootcrop—847 has
- Large hydropower
- Binongan (LHP)
- Supo
- Bakun
- Small hydropower
- Tineg C (SHP)
- Anayan A
- Utip A
- Damanit A
- Tineg B
- Mini hydropower
- Abra
- Sinalang
- Lower Bucloc
- Tineg A
- Tineg D
- Micro hydropower
- Tineg G (MHP)
- Manabo Ris
- Agamanay Falls
- Caba Falls
- Upper Bucloc
- Fish and Insects
Carpa/milkfish, Crabs, Damselflies, Divingbeetle, Dragonflies, Eel, Fishflies, Frog(edible), Goby, Leech, Mayflies, Shrimp, Stoneflies, Tilapia, Turtle, Waterscavenger - Flora
Abutra, Agakong, Agoho, Bagras, Bangkal, Bayog, Bignai, Gmelina/Yemane, Is is, Pitogo
- Shortage of water Supply
- Poorly constructed irrigation systems
- Planting period is inappropriate (dry season/April and May)
- Unregulated quarrying/mining
- Poor implementation of mining laws
- Lack of political will
- Few income sources
- High demand of construction materials
- Denuded watershed areas
- Illegal logging and kaingin system
- Inadequate financial resources for protection/conservation of watershed areas
- Lack of sound watershed or forest protection conservation plan
- Inadequate forest cover
- Dumping Garbage along Abra River
- Absence/lack of dumpsites
- Non-segragation of garbage
Structural
- Irrigation/drainage
- Hydropower
- Domestic
- Others (SWIP's, Agricultural, Tourism)
- Research and Development
- Institutional Development
- Conduct of Research and feasibility studies on: a. Basin Sediment Transport Modeling b. Soil Erosion Modeling c. Research and development on soil and water management and biodiversity
- Establishment of industrial and agroforestry crops for reforestation and livelihood for 25,000 ha of grassland at 20,000 pesos per ha per year
- Introduction of Renewable Energy System (i.e. solar, biomass, wind)
- Institutional development: IEC for advocacy, strengthening of law enforcement and capacity building
Structural
-Flood Control/Weirs, Slope/River Protection,
Evacuation Centers, AWS/ARGs, SWIPS
Non-Structural
- Weather Monitoring and Early Warning Systems, Research and Development (Vulnerability assessment, cropping calendar, drought-tolerant crops, vegetative cover, agroforestry/ windbreaks), Fire Protection (Firelines and Firebreaks)
- Policy and Institutional Stregthening and Development
- ICRM and Biodiversity Conservation with Research and Development
- Enterprise Development and Income Diversification
- Social and Environmental Services
- Inland/Coastal Solid Waste Management
- Research and Development
- Personnel Services (Salaries and honoraria)
- Maintenance and Operating Expenses (Travel, Supplies & Materials, Communication and Other Services including Administrative Cost)
- Capital Outlay (Equipment)
River Basin Organization
1. Advocacy and Public Awareness
The Council will be a primary advocate of sustainable development in the river basin and avid supporter of wise use of natural resources. A “public awareness program” can be implemented to change attitudes of individual and institutional stakeholders from unawareness to an avid supporter of the programs
2. Planning
The Council will be the “chief planner” regarding the river basin. It should be able to integrate the plans of various institutions and organizations and develop mechanisms/strategies to facilitate implementation.
3. Coordination
The Council will serve as coordinating institution basin wide in the implementation of plans and programs and will have powers to:
a) evaluate development programs and projects and set priorities; b) seek external funding – national and foreign, and; c) monitor/evaluate the implementation of projects by national and local governments, and by NGOs, basin-wide,
4. Manage the Involvement and Participation of Stakeholders
Bring in more stakeholders into the RBO and win everyone’s commitment towards the achievement of a common goal. Problems and concerns in the basin should be addressed. This could be done through negotiations, conflict resolutions, mediations, meetings and other means to maximize their participation in in all aspects of management to achieve the objectives of the organization. Role of women could also be emphasized and necessary gender development interventions may be applied. Likewise, strengthening of organization and institutional stakeholders will be done. Emphasize the sharing of skills and resources to realize common goals and interests.
5. Capacity Building
The Council should build up local capabilities to manage watershed issues. Capacity Building interventions could be done to transfer knowledge, develop skills, and infuse appropriate technology to stakeholders.
6. Research, Development and Knowledge Management
For the council to effectively carry out its mandates, research, development and knowledge management should be institutionalized and strengthened.