BusinessWorld Online
March 07, 2011

Twelve key watersheds in Mindanao will be rehabilitated under the World Bank-funded Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

A recent statement quoted Lealyn A. Ramos, MRDP program director, as identifying these watersheds as RT Lim and Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay, Linamon in Lanao del Norte, Sogbongcogon in Misamis Oriental, Don Marcelino in Davao del Sur, San Isidro in Davao Oriental, Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat, Malapatan in Sarangani, Nasipit in Agusan del Norte, Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao and Kapatagan in Lanao del Sur.

The statement said that, under the program, each watershed project will get P7 million to fund reforestation, river bank stabilization, mangrove rehabilitation, coral revival, as well as establishment of fish reserves and other protected marine sanctuaries.

“We aim at holistically arresting the environmental problem. We know that activities in the upland areas have downstream impact on lowland communities and coastal areas,” Ms. Ramos said in the statement. — CQF