As the implementation of the University of the Philippines Los Baños Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM) project, “Research for Development: Payment for Ecosystem Services Outcome for Sustainable Water Provision (R4D: PESO SWaP) in Barobbob Watershed, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines,” approaches the PES institutionalization, the project team conducted problem identification, visioning, and stakeholder reflection with the technical working group (TWG) held last 8-9 June 2023 at Pasalubong Center of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. The R4D: PESO SWaP is being implemented with funding support from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
Dr. Juan M. Pulhin, Chair of the UPLB-INREM and Project Leader of R4D: PESO-SWaP, together with project staff, Dr. Asa Jose U. Sajise and Assistant Professor Jan Joseph V. Dida, presented the preliminary results of the project as a take-off point to initiate the PES institutionalization process. The project team also had a workshop with the TWG members facilitated by Dr. Sajise. These activities aimed to facilitate discussions with the TWG to learn more about the current situation and challenges faced by the Barobbob watershed stakeholders that need to be taken into account in co-developing the PES mechanism in the area.
As part of the latter activity, the TWG members identified problems connected to Barobbob watershed, particularly in its biophysical, social, and institutional aspects. Consequently, the vision of the members on the impact of PES on the environment, economy, and society was also discussed within the group. It was a consensus in the group that PES implementation will promote watershed protection, bring clean and potable water, improve the livelihood of the people through an increase in income and productivity, especially for the upland communities, and create a synergy between stakeholders, among others.
The TWG also reflected on the necessary changes that must be done in relation to the knowledge, skills, attitude, and behavior of the stakeholders to make PES arrangements successful in the Barobbob watershed.
Prof. Marlo D. Mendoza, Dean of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources and staff of the project, wrapped up the activities by emphasizing the need for continuous collaboration and commitment in the extensive process ahead of establishing PES and achieving the goals of the stakeholders. Moreover, he expressed his appreciation to the TWG members for their support and participation in the project implementation.
Furthermore, Dr. Pulhin formally closed the workshop by extending his gratitude to the TWG for their invaluable time given to the said activities. He, then, encouraged the TWG by sharing the learnings from other watersheds and echoing the potential of the Barobbob watershed as a pilot study for PES in the Philippines.
The TWG is composed of representatives coming from the various stakeholder groups of the Barobbob watershed – Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENARO), Nueva Vizcaya Watershed Management Committee Operations Coordinating Unit (NVWMC-OCU), Sangguniang Panlalawigan – Committee on Environment, Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), Provincial Agricultural Office (PAO), Provincial Waterworks System (PWWS), National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), Conservation and Development Section and GIS Unit of DENR PENRO, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) – Nueva Vizcaya IMO, MENRO of MLGU Bayombong, MAO of MLGU Solano, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Barangay Local Government Unit of Masoc, Barobbob Watershed Occupants Association, Paoac Upland Farmers Association, Paoac Barobbob Irrigators’ Association, Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) Nueva Vizcaya – Quirino Chapter, and Friends of Environment for Development and Sustainability (FRENDS). Follow-up workshops will be held in the coming months to continue the process of crafting the PES mechanism for the Barobbob watershed and co-develop a specific plan and monitoring and evaluation system to guide its implementation.
