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Study on Inter-LGU Cooperation for Environmental Protection of the

Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

List of Acronyms………………………………………………………………………. 2

I. BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND RATIONALE ….…………………… 4

II. THE UPPER MARIKINA RIVEN BASIN PROTECTED LANDSCAPE.... 5

III. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK……………………………………………..6

IV. SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY……………..…………………8

V. DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS……………………………………………….. 9

The Local Government Units

The Local Government Code and the Environment

The National Integrated Protected Areas (NIPAS) Act Initiatives and Programs of the LGUs of Rizal on the Environment

Other Initiatives and Programs

Results of the Conflict Map and Focus Group Discussions

VI. ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………42

VII. Annexes

Key informant interview questionnaire sample form

Summary of proceedings of the FGD, December 2, 2014

Summary of proceedings of the Multi Stakeholder Validation Workshop, January 21,

2015

LIST OF ACRONYMS

A7 Alliance of Seven

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ADSDPP Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan

APASu Assistant Protected Area Superintendent

BMB Biodiversity Management Bureau

B+Wiser Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and

Ecosystem Resilience

CADT Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title

CDO Community Development Officer

CENRO Community Environment and Natural Resources Office/r

CEWMO City Ecological Waste Management Office/r

CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan

CUFAI Calawis United Farmers Association Inc.

CUMRBPLMP Comprehensive Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape

Management Plan

CWA Clean Water Act

DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources

DPWH Department of Public Works and Highways

DOST Department of Science and Technology

DTI Department of Trade and Industry

EDRMP Empowering Dispute Resolution and Management Processes

ENRO Environment and Natural Resources Officer

EO Executive Order

EPLE

ESWM Ecological Solid Waste Management

FLUP Forest Land Use Plan

FGD Focus Group Discussion

FPE Foundation for the Philippine Environment

FPE3 Fostering People’s Education, Empowerment and Enterprise

GIS Geographic Information System

ICC Indigenous Cultural Communities

IEC Information, Education and Communication

ILC Inter- Local Cooperation

IPs Indigenous Peoples

IPRA Indigenous Peoples Rights Act

IRA Internal Revenue Allotment

ISF Integrated Social Forestry

KII Key Informant Interview/s

KMMPK Kapisanan ng mgaMagsasaka at Magtatanim ng Punong Kahoy

LEP Land Evaluation Party

LGC Local Government Code

LGU Local Government Unit/s

LLDA Laguna Lake Development Authority

MET Multisectoral Enforcement Teams

MOA Memorandum of Agreement

MUZ Multiple Use Zone

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MWR Marikina Watershed Reservation

MWI Marikina Watershed Initiative

MWSS Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System

NAMRIA National Mapping and Resource Information Authority

NCIP National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

NIPAS National Integrated Protected Areas Act

NGO Non-governmental organization

NGP National Greening Program

NSO National Statistics Office

PA Protected Area

PA Provincial Agriculturist

PACBARMA Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management

PAMB Protected Areas Management Board

PASu Protected Area Superintendent

PBSP Philippine Business for Social Progress

PDRRMO Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office/r

PDRF Philippine Disaster and Recovery Foundation

PO Peoples Organization/s

PPDO Provincial Planning and Development Office/r

PMO Project Management Office

PMT Project Management Team

PNP Philippine National Police

PSWDO Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office/r

PTFCF Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation

RADT Regional Assessment and Delineation Team

RENRO Rizal Environment and Natural Resources Officer/r

RPG Rizal Provincial Government

SALT Sloping Agricultural Land Technologies

SB Sangguniang Bayan

SEC Securities and Exchange Commission

SMDFP San Mateo Development Framework Plan

SPZ Strict Protection Zone

SRPAO Survey of Rizal Protected Area Occupants

SSYULFI Sitio San Ysiro Upland and Lowland Farmers Association, Inc.

TESDA Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

UMRBPL Upper Marikina River Basic Protected Landscape

URS University of Rizal System

USAID United States Agency for International Development

YES Ynares Eco System

I. BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND RATIONALE

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The Marikina Watershed is situated in the northeastern part of Rizal province. It covers

the municipalities of Rodriguez, Baras, San Mateo, and Tanay and the city of Antipolo. It was

first established as a watershed reserve of approximately 28,000 hectares under Executive Order

No. 33 during the American period. The reservation supplied water to the City of Manila until

the mid-1960s.

In the last century, however, the Marikina Watershed has experienced environmental

degradation due to a complex number factors. Varied executive issuances reduced its area and

excluded tracts of land for other purposes. Over the years, the influx of migrants in the area

resulted in land-use conflicts that persist up to today. Rapid urbanization has also resulted in land

use and development which are inconsistent with the preservation of the area as a watershed.

The Marikina Watershed Reservation directly affects the welfare of residents in the

metropolis and its environs. It is important therefore that this vital watershed be protected from

environmental destruction. In 2011, the area was established as the Upper Marikina River Basin

Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) under Presidential Proclamation No. 296.

The main focus of this study will be the cooperative endeavors of the LGUs surrounding

UMRBPL to protect the watershed and preserve its integrity.

The research seeks to address the question: “How have the local government units with

jurisdiction over the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape cooperated with one

another to protect the watershed against the threats to its integrity and preservation?”

The legal basis for Inter-LGU cooperation may be found in Article X Section 13 of the

1987 Constitution which provides that “(l)ocal Government Units may group themselves,

consolidate or coordinate their efforts and resources for the purpose commonly beneficial to

them in accordance to the law.” The Local Government Code 1991 also provides that“(t)his

allows for Inter-LGU cooperation to occur through Memoranda of Agreement for mutually

beneficial purposes, with agreed contributions of staff, financial and capital resources in

whatever manner that suits the LGU concerned.”1

This study will focus primarily on the ILC between and among LGUs that have jurisdiction over

the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL), but will also touch on the ILC

between and among public and private sector.

II. THE UPPER MARIKINA RIVER BASIN PROTECTED

LANDSCAPE

1 Rep. Act No. 7160, sec. 33.

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The Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) was established under

Presidential Proclamation No. 296in November 24, 2011. The proclamation declared the Marikina

Watershed Reservation situated in the City of Antipolo and the municipalities of Baras,San Mateo,

Rodriguez and Tanay as a protected area pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated

Protected Areas System or NIPAS ( subject to the operation of previous proclamations and property rights

and without prejudice to the rights of the indigenous peoples as provided in R.A. No. 8371, DENR A.O.

No. 93-02 and other related rules and regulations. The area covers 26, 125.64 hectares, subject to actual

ground survey and delineation. Prior thereto, a number of issuances have been promulgated covering

practically the same area.

Legal Background and History

Executive Order No. 33 was promulgated on July 26, 1904 creating what was then called

“Mariquina Reserve.” The executive order withdrew the parcel of land from settlement, entry, sale or

other disposition under public land laws, to safeguard the then City of Manila’s water source. A survey

conducted in 1909 showed that the reserve has an area of 27,980.2221 hectares.

A number of issuances were thereafter promulgated enlarging or reducing the area of the

reservation for various other purposes.Thus:

Executive Order No. 4 (1915) enlarging the reservation by 188.406 hectares (note:

plotting by NAMRIA showed that the area was outside the original boundaries)

Executive Order No. 16 (1915) amending EO No. 33 reducing the area by 1,092.9113

hectares (now Wilson Farms as per Forest Land Use Plan of Antipolo City)

Proclamation No. 854(1935) removed 3 lots with combined area of 12.22 hectares

delimited in EO No. 14

Presidential Decree No.324 (1973) removed 1,728.746 hectares for disposition under the

Public Land Act. (now Milestone Farm)

Proclamation No. 1283 (1974) established the Boso-bosoTownsite Reservation within the

Marikina Watershed Reservation

Proclamation No. 1637 (1977) transferred the new reservation outside the Marikina

Reservation and renamed it the LungsodSilanganTownsite Reservation

Proclamation No. 2480 (1986) excluded 4,424,3808 hectares for resettlement purposes

Proclamation No. 585 (1990) segregated 1,430 hectares from the reservation for the

DENR’s Integrated Social Forestry (ISF) program

Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act

made the Marikina Watershed Reservation an initial component of the NIPAS

Proclamation No. 635 (1995) removed two parcels to establish a landfill for Metro

Manila

Proclamation No. 776 (1996) reserved 130.7403 hectares for government employees’

housing

Proclamation No.799 (1996) established the Freedom Valley Reservation (750 hectares)

Proclamation No. 901 (1996) establishing the Pamitinan Protected Landscape (600

hectares)

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As we can see from above, the different issuances have reduced the watershed reservation

area, changed the boundariesseveral times and excluded tracts of land for other purposes and

uses that are at times contrary or inconsistent with its purpose as a watershed. These confusing

array of issuances have undoubtedly contributed to the present condition of the area.

III. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The reference material “Critical Ingredients in Building and Sustaining Inter-

Local Cooperation” 2defined an Inter-Local Cooperation (ILC) as a group of local government

units that are geographically adjacent or contiguous to each other coming together on a long-term

basis to jointly provide services and/or implement projects. Originally, the phraseused was inter-

LGU cooperation but was later changed to the more generalized “Inter-Local Cooperation”

because members may also come from civil society, private sector and other sectors. An ILC has

four essential elements: a common purpose; a coordinating structure; commonly agreed upon

systems; and pooled resources.

An ILC may have the following configurations:

a) All-LGU or natural alliance-alliance between and among LGUs of the same level, like an

alliance of municipalities (and cities) or it can be between LGUs of different levels, such

as provinces and municipalities. The all-LGU configuration adheres closest to Section 33

of the Local Government Code, with LGUs coming together but not forming a new

juridical entity. The legal binding document for this configuration is the Memorandum of

Agreement.

b) All-LGU alliance with a new juridical entity-This alliance configuration is created

through congressional acts, presidential executive order or provincial executive order.

c) All-Government Alliance- This Alliance is made up of LGUs and national line agencies

d) Public- private sector Alliance-This alliance configuration is becoming increasingly

popular because of the recognition that development should involve all stakeholders as

much as possible. It has been institutionalized in the NIPAS which is the basis for the

creation of the PAMB

The critical ingredients for building and sustaining ILC include institutional, financial

and legal components.

2“Critical Ingredients in Building and Sustaining Inter-Local Cooperation”, Philippine Development Forum, German

Technical Cooperation, European Union Delegation to the Philippines, and Canadian International Development

Agency. 2010.

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The Institutional component has ten critical ingredients contributing to the development

of an alliance as it goes through stages involving confidence-building, institutionalization, and

evolution. This includes the following:

having an alliance champion

building a common base

having a commonly-agreed upon purpose

active involvement of Local Chief Executives

implementing structure

a trigger issue

strategic plan3

The Financial component requires ten critical ingredients to attain financial stability and

sustainability of an alliance.

Commitment to share resources to its members

Use of an accepted formula for monetary contribution of its members

Timely collection of committed funds

Sharing of monetary and non- monetary resources

Capacity and will to generate own resources

Capability to tap external sources of funds

Matching resources with goals and programs

Proper funds management arrangement

Use of approved guidelines in fund utilization

Transparency in financial transactions

The Legal component includes the following:4

adoption of a binding legal instrument for alliance formation

LGU concurrence to the MOA such as resolution or ordinance appropriating funds to

the alliance

mandatory review of the MOA

Adoption of joint resolutions by the alliance

LGU ratification of alliance decisions and agreements

Harmonization of policies by member LGU in the alliance

Creating legal mechanism to address noncompliance to the MOA

3Manual of operations and Transformation of projects into essential services (organization? Date published?) 42010 Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma Osorio, Engr. Goldelinodela Paz Chan, Alice Joan Gente Ferrer, Osorio, et al (2010).

“Critical Ingredients in Building and Sustaining Inter-Local Cooperation”. sub-working Group, Inter-Local

Cooperation, Working Group on Decentralization and Local Government Philippine Development Forum

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IV. SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY

The LGUs subject to this study are the municipalities of San Mateo, Rodriguez, Baras

and Tanay and the city of Antipolo, which exercise political jurisdiction over the UMRBPL

Data were gathered primarily through key informant interviews (KII), Focus Group

Discussions (FGD) and table research.

Key informant interviews were conducted with some local government officials

(barangay and municipal/city) and officers of peoples’ organizations from November to

December 2014. The focus group discussions were held on December 2, 2014 at the Boso-boso

Highland Resorts, Antipolo City with participants from peoples’ organizations, indigenous

peoples groups, barangay and municipal/city officials, DENR representatives and civil society

organizations.

A multi-stakeholder validation workshop was held on January 21,2015 at the Cacao

Hotel, Sgt. Esguerra St., Quezon City. The initial results of the study was presented to the

participants of the validation workshop. The participants validated the initial results presented

and made additional recommendations.

V. DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

The Local Government Units (LGUs)

Province of Rizal

The Province of Rizal has a total land area of 130,892 hectares. The City of Antipolo and

the municipalities of Rodriguez and Tanay have the biggest land areas. The combined land area

of the three local government units (LGUs) totals to 86,223 hectares corresponding to more than

one-half or 66.0 percent of Rizal’s total land area.5

5http://www.rizalprovince.ph/factsandfigures.html accessed December 23, 2014

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Figure 1. Political Map of the Province of Rizal

Figure 2. Land Use Map of the Province of Rizal6

6http://www.rizalprovince.ph/images/political-map.jpg ( accessed January 28, 2015)

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Antipolo City

Antipolo City has a total land area of 38,505.44 hectares. It is politically subdivided into

sixteen barangays.

According to the Forest Land Use Plan of Antipolo City, around 17,680 hectares of the

city are classified as forestlands.The forestland assets of the city are currently covered by few

patches of residual forests largely consisting of brushlands and grasslands interspersed with

agroforestry, cultivated and settlement areas, totaling around 376 hectares in all. .

A comparison of the 1981 and the current forest cover (2007) shows a decrease of about

75% of the forest cover. Not only have the forest area decreased but its quality has deterioted as

well. About 460 hectares of the old growth forests and 1,033 hectares of residual forests

accounted for the natural forests of the city. The old growth forests that can be found in the

forestlands of the city have now all been transformed to secondary forests and to brushlands.

The sub-watersheds of Boso-boso and Tayabasan are wholly within the Antipolo

Forestlands. Boso- boso is the major tributary of the Marikina River and is shared by three

barangays-Calawis, San Jose and San Juan. 7

The Ecological Profile of Antipolo (2013) classifies its forest ecosystem into two -

protection forest and production forest. According to the Ecological Profile, the protection forest

is usually declared as part of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) under

R.A. No. 7586 and gives as examples watersheds and virgin forest. Production forest on the

other hand, is managed primarily for production of timber and other forest products.

The 2010 Geographic Information System (GIS) data of the City measured the protection

forest at 18,605.04 hectares and production forest at 6,068.65 hectares.

Production forest is evident in Sitio Pintong Bocaue (Barangay San Juan), the Freedom

Valley Resettlement area (San Juan and Barangay Calawis), in the middle and northern part of

the City, in thesouthwestern tip of the Cityand in pockets in the southwestern part of the city.

Protection forest includes the whole Marikina Watershed in Barangay Calawis and

Barangay San Jose.

Based on the Marikina Watershed Profile from the Community ENRO in Antipolo City,

patches of natural dipterocarp forest are spread out in the high mountain areas located in the

northeastern part of the watershed. Likewise, natural dipterocarp forest is found in the upper

reaches of theBosobosoriver in the northeastern part of the watershed. Residual forest exists

around Mt. Manoleand Mt. Amaya in Tayabasan basin at around 500 to 600 meters elevation

and surrounding Mt. SusongDalagaand Mt. Kamunay at elevation 869 meters, which are all

located in the eastern basin of SitioBosoboso.

7Forest Land Use Plan of AntipoloCity (2007-2012)

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Part of the forestland of Antipolo is 16,625 hectares of underutilized grassland/shrubland.

Many of these areas are above 18% in slope. The portion above 30% in slope in the middle and

northern sections of the city that are grasslands are the most susceptible to fluvia erosion.

Massive reforestation particularly in the more urbanized sections of the city should be done

immediately.

Upland farming is characterized by slash and burn or kaingin farming. Intensive

cultivation of the area has led to deforestation and degradation of land and water resource.

Uncontrolled and unsustainable farming practices as well as charcoal making have contributed

to the increase in erosion along upland slopes and siltation in surface water bodies such as rivers,

the Laguna Lake and Manila Bay.

Boso-boso sub-watershed is where most of the community tenure exists, as well as where

illegal occupancy and land speculation is rampant according to the FLUP of Antipolo City.

San Mateo

San Mateo is a first class municipality with a total population of 205,255 (NSO, 2010). It

has a total land area of 6,489 hectares. Barangay PintongBukawewhichis within the UMRBPL

has a total population of 4,080 inhabitants and a land area of 753 hectares (excluding the

watershed area).

Approximately 1,200 hectares of the land area of the municipality is devoted to

agriculture. Agricultural crops include rice, vegetables and fruit trees.

A SWOT Analysis of the environment in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP)

identified the following weaknesses: the deforestation of the watershed, erosion of

riverbanks,landslides at hilly and mountainous areas and flood prone areas.

According to the Forest Development and the San Mateo Development Framework Plan

as contained in the CLUP, the recent flooding of Metro Manila and San Mateo with the

onslaught of Ondoy brought to fore the urgent need to revegetate the uplands of San Mateo.

The forestlands of the municipality form part of the Marikina watershed which had long been

deforested.

It identified as its strategic goal that the protective and productive potentials of the forest

lands of San Mateo shall be harnessed, developed and managed on a sustainable basis as part of

the development of the whole municipality as envisioned in the SMDFP. Its strategic objectives

include the re-vegetation of the open and denuded areas of the municipality, generation of

income from forest products and promotion of conservation farming.

The revegetation of the open and denuded forests of San Mateo is primarily geared

towards improving the protective function of the area by reducing soil erosion, enhancing the

waterholding capacity of the soil in the uplands, decreasing flooding downstream and its adverse

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consequences, improving water supply for domestic consumption and industrial uses and

enhancing overall the watershed value of the area. 8

Rodriguez/Montalban

The municipality of Rodriguez has a total land area of 31,278 hectares and sub-divided

into 11 barangays. It has a total population of 210,904 inhabitants. Barangay San Rafael,

Barangay Puray, Barangay Mascap are wholly or partially within the boundaries of UMRBPL.

The Municipality of Rodriguez is generally very rough in topography, with 83% of its

total land area composed of upland areas, hills and mountain ranges. The remaining 17%

lowlying terrain and rolling lands are found at the southwestern portion of the municipality,

along with the northern portions of the Municipality of San Mateo.

This gently rolling to rolling slopes comprises the Marikina River Valley, where water

from higher elevations drain towards the Marikina River and its tributaries at the southwestern

portion of the municipality. Elevations at these western lowlands range from 10 to 30 meter

above sea level. The western portion of the flatlands gently rises towards the west, which is part

of Quezon City.9

Tanay

Tanay has a total land area of 24,337 hectares. It is politically sub-divided into 19

barangays with a total population of 98,879 (2010, NSO).Barangay Cuyambay falls within the

boundaries of UMRBPL.

Baras

Baras is a fourth class municipality in the province of Rizal. It has a total landareaof

2,340 hectares. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 32,609 people. It is

politically subdivided into 10 barangays with one barangay (Barangay Pinugay) inside

boundaries of the UMRBPL.

Local Government Code and the Environment

Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 has a number of

provisions pertaining to the roles and functions of local government officials on environmental

8SMR CLUP (2010-2020).

9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodriguez,_Rizal accessed December 23, 2014.

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protection as well as onthe promotion of the right of the people to a balanced and healthful

ecology.

Under the general welfare clause of the Local Government Code (LGC),“every local

government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied

therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective

governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. Within their

respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall, among other things enhance the

right of the people to a balanced ecology.10“

Local government units are also charged with the effective and efficient provision of

basic services and facilities as enumerated in Section 17.

For a barangay, such basic services and facilities include, but are not limited to services

and facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation and solid waste collection.

For a municipality, such basic services and facilities include, but are not limited to:

Extension and on-site research services and facilities related to agriculture and fishery

activities which include dispersal of livestock and poultry, fingerlings, and other seeding

materials for aquaculture; and enforcement of fishery laws in municipal waters including

the conservation of mangroves;

Implementation of community-based forestry projects which include integrated social

forestry programs and similar projects; management and control of communal forests

with an area not exceeding fifty (50) square kilometers; establishment of tree parks,

greenbelts, and similar forest development projects;

Solid waste disposal system or environmental management system and services or

facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation.

For a Province, such basic services and facilities include, but are not limited to:

Assistance in the organization of farmers' and fishermen's cooperatives and other

collective organizations, as well as the transfer of appropriate technology;

Enforcement of forestry laws limited to community-based forestry projects, pollution

control law, small-scale mining law, and other laws on the protection of the environment;

and mini-hydro electric projects for local purposes.

For a City, such basic services and facilities include, but are not limited to the services

and facilities of the municipality and province enumerated.

Inter governmental Relations

10Rep. Act No. 7160, Sec. 16.

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The President exercises general supervision over local government units to ensure that

their acts are within the scope of their prescribed powers and functions. He exercises supervisory

authority directly over provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities;

through the province with respect to component cities and municipalities; and through the city

and municipality with respect to barangays.11

National agencies and offices with project implementation functions should coordinate

with one another and with the local government units concerned in the discharge of these

functions and ensure the participation of local government units both in the planning and

implementation of said national projects.

Every national agency or government-owned or -controlled corporation authorizing or

involved in the planning and implementation of any project or program that may cause pollution,

climatic change, depletion of non-renewable resources, loss of crop land, rangeland, or forest

cover, and extinction of animal or plant species, should consult with the local government units,

nongovernmental organizations, and other sectors concerned and explain the goals and objectives

of the project or program, its impact upon the people and the community in terms of

environmental or ecological balance, and the measures that will be undertaken to prevent or

minimize the adverse effects thereof.12

The Code further provided that no project or program shall be implemented by

government authorities unless the consultations mentioned in Sections 2 (c) and 26 of the LGC

are complied with, and prior approval of the sanggunian concerned is obtained.13

Barangay

As the basic political unit, the barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing

unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community, and as a

forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered,

and where disputes may be amicably settled. 14

The punong barangay, as the chief executive of the barangay government, exercises such

powers and perform such duties and functions, as provided by the Code and other laws. Thus, he

is tasked to, among others enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the

barangay, enforce laws and regulations relating to pollution control and protection of the

environment and exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may

be prescribed by law or ordinance.

11Ibid.sec. 25. 12Ibid., sec.26. 13Ibid., sec. 27. 14Ibid., sec. 384.

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As the legislative body of the barangay, the sagguniang barangay has the following

significant functions:

Enact ordinances as may be necessary to discharge the responsibilities conferred upon it

by law or ordinance and to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants therein;

Prescribe fines in amounts not exceeding One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) for violation of

barangay ordinances;

Provide for the organization of community brigades, barangay tanod, or community

service units as may be necessary;

Organize regular lectures, programs, or fora on community problems such as sanitation,

nutrition.

Municipality

The municipality, consisting of a group of barangays, serves primarily as a general

purpose government for the coordination and delivery of basic, regular and direct services and

effective governance of the inhabitants within its territorial jurisdiction.15 (

The Mayor exercises general supervision and control over all programs, projects,

services, and activities of the municipal government, and in this connection, shall direct the

formulation of the municipal development plan, with the assistance of the municipal

development council and implement the same.

He shall also enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the

municipality and the exercise of its corporate powers provided for under the Code, implement all

approved policies, programs, projects, services and activities of the municipality and, in addition

shall, ensure that the acts of the municipality's component barangays and of its officials and

employees are within the scope of their prescribed powers, functions, duties and responsibilities

and issue such executive orders as are necessary for the proper enforcement and execution of

laws and ordinances including the adoption of adequate measures to safeguard and conserve

land, mineral, marine, forest, and other resources of the municipality.

The sangguniangbayan, as the legislative body of the municipality, shall enact

ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the municipality

and its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of the Code and in the proper exercise of the corporate

powers of the municipality as provided for under the Code.16

The Sangguniang Bayan shall approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an

efficient and effective municipal government, and in this connection shall:

15Ibid, sec. 440. 16Ibid., sec. 447.

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Review all ordinances approved by the sangguniang barangay and executive orders

issued by the punong barangay to determine whether these are within the scope of the

prescribed powers of the sanggunian and of the punong barangay;

Approve ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Two thousand five hundred pesos

(P2,500.00) or an imprisonment for a period not exceeding six (6) months, or both in the

discretion of the court, for the violation of a municipal ordinance;

Protect the environment and impose appropriate penalties for acts which endanger the

environment, such as dynamite fishing and other forms of destructive fishing, illegal

logging and smuggling of logs, smuggling of natural resources products and of

endangered species of flora and fauna, slash and burn farming, and such other activities

which result in pollution, acceleration of eutrophication of rivers and lakes, or of

ecological imbalance;

The sangguniangbayanalso generate and maximize the use of resources and revenues for

the development plans, program objectives and priorities of the municipality as provided for

under Section 18 of the Code with particular attention to agro-industrial development and

countryside growth and progress, and relative thereto, shall:

Prescribe reasonable limits and restraints on the use of property within the jurisdiction of

the municipality;

Adopt a comprehensive land use plan for the municipality: Provided, That the

formulation, adoption, or modification of said plan shall be in coordination with the

approved provincial comprehensive land use plan;

Reclassify land within the jurisdiction of the municipality, subject to the pertinent

provisions of this Code;

Enact integrated zoning ordinances in consonance with the approved comprehensive land

use plan, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; establish fire limits or zones,

particularly in populous centers; and regulate the construction, repair or modification of

buildings within said fire limits or zones in accordance with the provisions of the Fire

Code;

Grant the exclusive privilege of constructing fish corrals or fish pens, or the taking or

catching of bangus fry, prawn fry or kawag-kawag or fry of any species or fish within

the municipal waters;

It shall also regulate activities relative to the use of land, buildings and structures within

the municipality in order to promote the general welfare and for said purpose shall:

Declare, prevent or abate any nuisance;

Require that buildings and the premises thereof and any land within the municipality be

kept and maintained in a sanitary condition; impose penalties for any violation thereof,

or upon failure to comply with said requirement, have the work done and require the

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owner, administrator or tenant concerned to pay the expenses of the same; or require the

filling up of any land or premises to a grade necessary for proper sanitation;

Regulate the disposal of clinical and other wastes from hospitals, clinics and other

similar establishments;

The sangguniangbayan shall approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and

effective delivery of the basic services and facilities as provided for under the Code, and in

addition to said services and facilities, shall:

Provide for the establishment, maintenance, protection, and conservation of communal

forests and water sheds, tree parks, greenbelts, mangroves, and other similar forest

development projects;

Authorize the establishment, maintenance and operation of ferries, wharves, and other

structures, and marine and seashore or offshore activities intended to accelerate

productivity;

Provide for an efficient and effective system of solid waste and garbage collection and

disposal and prohibit littering and the placing or throwing of garbage, refuse and other

filth and wastes;

City

The city, consisting of more urbanized and developed barangays, serves as a general-

purpose government for the coordination and delivery of basic, regular, and direct services and

effective governance of the inhabitants within its territorial jurisdiction.

For efficient, effective and economical governance the purpose of which is the general

welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of the Code, the city mayor

exercises general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of

the city government, and in this connection, shall:

Direct the formulation of the city development plan, with the assistance of the city

development council, and upon approval thereof by the sangguniangpanlungsod,

implement the same;

The mayor shall also enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the

city and in the exercise of the appropriate corporate powers, implement all approved policies,

programs, projects, services and activities of the city and, in addition, shall:

Adopt adequate measures to safeguard and conserve land, mineral, marine, forest, and

other resources of the city; provide efficient and effective property and supply

management in the city; and protect the funds, credits, rights and other properties of the

city;

18 | P a g e

The sangguniangpanlungsod, as the legislative body of the city, shall enact ordinances,

approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants

and shall:17

Approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective city

government, and in this connection, shall:

Review all ordinances approved by the sangguniang barangay and executive orders

issued by the punong barangay to determine whether these are within the scope of the

prescribed powers of the sanggunian and of the punong barangay;

Approve ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) or an

imprisonment for a period not exceeding one (1) year, or both in the discretion of the

court, for the violation of a city ordinance;

Protect the environment and impose appropriate penalties for acts which endanger the

environment, such as dynamite fishing and other forms of destructive fishing, illegal

logging and smuggling of logs, smuggling of natural resources products and of

endangered species of flora and fauna, slash and burn farming, and such other activities

which result in pollution, acceleration of eutrophication of rivers and lakes, or of

ecological imbalance;

It is also tasked to generate and maximize the use of resources and revenues for the

development plans, program objectives and priorities of the city and shall

Prescribe reasonable limits and restraints on the use of property within the jurisdiction of

the city;

Adopt a comprehensive land use plan for the city: Provided, That in the case of

component cities, the formulation, adoption or modification of said plan shall be in

coordination with the approved provincial comprehensive land use plan;

Reclassify land within the jurisdiction of the city, subject to the pertinent provisions of

this Code;

Enact integrated zoning ordinances in consonance with the approved comprehensive land

use plan, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; establish fire limits or zones,

particularly in populous centers; and regulate the construction, repair or modification of

buildings within said fire limits or zones in accordance with the provisions of the Fire

Code;

Grant the exclusive privilege of constructing fish corrals or fish pens, or the taking or

catching of bangus fry, prawn fry or kawag-kawag, or fry of any species or fish within

the city waters;

17Ibid., sec. 458.

19 | P a g e

The Sanggunian shall also regulate activities relative to the use of land, buildings and

structures within the city in order to promote the general welfare and for said purpose shall:

Require that buildings and the premises thereof and any land within the city be kept and

maintained in a sanitary condition; impose penalties for any violation thereof; or, upon

failure to comply with said requirement, have the work done at the expense of the owner,

administrator or tenant concerned; or require the filling up of any land or premises to a

grade necessary for proper sanitation;

Approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the basic

services and facilities as provided for under Section 17 of the Code, and in addition to said

services and facilities, shall:

Provide for the establishment, maintenance, protection, and conservation of communal

forests and water sheds, tree parks, greenbelts, mangroves, and other similar forest

development projects;

Provide for an efficient and effective system of solid waste and garbage collection and

disposal; prohibit littering and the placing or throwing of garbage, refuse and other filth

and wastes;

Province

The provincial Governor exercises such powers and perform such duties and functions as

provided by the Code and other laws including, but not limited to the following:

Exercise general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and

activities of the provincial government, and in this connection, shall:

Determine the guidelines of provincial policies and be responsible to the

sangguniangpanlalawigan for the program of government;

Direct the formulation of the provincial development plan, with the assistance of the

provincial development council, and upon approval thereof by the

sangguniangpanlalawigan, implement the same;

The Provincial Governor is also tasked with the enforcement of all laws and ordinances

relative to the governance of the province and the exercise of the appropriate corporate powers

provided for under Section 22 of the Code, implement all approved policies, programs, projects,

services and activities of the province and, in addition, shall:

Adopt adequate measures to safeguard and conserve land, mineral, marine, forest and

other resources of the province, in coordination with the mayors of component cities and

municipalities; provide efficient and effective property and supply management in the

province; and protect the funds, credits, rights, and other properties of the province; and;

20 | P a g e

The sangguniang panlalawigan shall enact ordinances, approve resolutions and

appropriate funds for the general welfare of the province and its inhabitants pursuant to Section

16 of the Code and shall:

(1) Approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective

provincial government and, in this connection, shall:

Review all ordinances approved by the sanggunians of component cities and

municipalities and executive orders issued by the mayors of said component units to

determine whether these are within the scope of the prescribed powers of the sanggunian

and of the mayor;

Approve ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Five thousand pesos (P=5,000.00) or

imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year, or both in the discretion of the court, for the

violation of a provincial ordinance;

Protect the environment and impose appropriate penalties for acts which endanger the

environment, such as dynamite fishing and other forms of destructive fishing, illegal

logging and smuggling of logs, smuggling of natural resources products and of

endangered species of flora and fauna, slash and burn farming, and such other activities

which result in pollution, acceleration of eutrophication of rivers and lakes, or of

ecological imbalance;

(2) Generate and maximize the use of resources and revenues for the development plans,

program objectives and priorities of the province as provided for under Section 18 of the Code,

with particular attention to agro-industrial development and country-wide growth and progress

and relative thereto, shall:

Prescribe reasonable limits and restraints on the use of property within the jurisdiction of

the province;

Review the comprehensive land use plans and zoning ordinances of component cities and

municipalities and adopt a comprehensive provincial land use plan, subject to

(3) Approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the

basic services and facilities as provided for under Section 17 of the Code, and, in addition to said

services and facilities, shall:

Adopt measures and safeguards against pollution and for the preservation of the natural

ecosystem in the province, in consonance with approved standards on human settlements

and environmental sanitation;

Subject to applicable laws, facilitate or provide for the establishment and maintenance of

a waterworks system or district waterworks for supplying water to inhabitants of

component cities and municipalities;

21 | P a g e

Other Appointive LGU Officials

The Local Government Code also provides for the roles and functions of other appointive

local government officials such as the Planning and Development Coordinator, Agriculturist and

Environment and Natural Resources Officer (optional).

Planning and Development Coordinator

The planning and development coordinator shall take charge of the planning and

development office and shall, among others: 18

Formulate integrated economic, social, physical, and other development plans and

policies for consideration of the local government development council;

Integrate and coordinate all sectoral plans and studies undertaken by the different

functional groups or agencies;

Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the different development programs,

projects, and activities in the local government unit concerned in accordance with the

approved development plan;

Prepare comprehensive plans and other development planning documents for the

consideration of the local development council;

Promote people participation in development planning within the local government unit

concerned;

Agriculturist

The agriculturist shall take charge of the office for agricultural services, and shall, among

others: 19

Formulate measures for the approval of the sanggunian and provide technical assistance

and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out said measures

to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative to

agricultural services as provided for under Section 17 of the Code;

Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the governor or mayor, as the

case may be, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with agricultural

programs and projects which the governor or mayor is empowered to implement and

which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under the Code;

In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the agriculturist shall:

(i) Ensure that maximum assistance and access to resources in the production, processing

and marketing of agricultural and aqua-cultural and marine products are extended to farmers,

fishermen and local entrepreneurs;

18Ibid., sec. 476. 19Ibid., sec. 482.

22 | P a g e

(ii) Enforce rules and regulations relating to agriculture and aquaculture;

(iii) Coordinate with government agencies and non- governmental organizations which

promote agricultural productivity through appropriate technology compatible with environmental

integrity.

Environment and Natural Resources Officer

The environment and natural resources management officer shall take charge of the office

on environment and natural resources and shall, among others:20

Formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian and provide technical

assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out

measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities

relative to environment and natural resources services as provided for under Section 17 of

the Code;

Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the governor or mayor, as the

case may be, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with environment

and natural resources programs and projects which the governor or mayor is empowered

to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under this Code;

In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the environment and natural resources

officer shall:

Establish, maintain, protect and preserve communal forests, watersheds, tree parks,

mangroves, greenbelts and similar forest projects and commercial forest, like industrial

tree farms and agro-forestry projects;

Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and technical,

financial and infrastructure assistance;

Manage and maintain seed banks and produce seedlings for forests and tree parks;

Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and render

assistance for natural resources-related conservation and utilization activities consistent

with ecological balance;

Coordinate with government agencies and non- governmental organizations in the

implementation of measures to prevent and control land, air and water pollution with the

assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

Be in the frontline of the delivery of services concerning the environment and natural

resources, particularly in the renewal and rehabilitation of the environment during and in

the aftermath of man-made and natural calamities and disasters;

Recommend to the sanggunian and advise the governor or mayor, as the case may be, on

all matters relative to the protection, conservation, maximum utilization, application of

20Ibid., sec. 484.

23 | P a g e

appropriate technology and other matters related to the environment and natural

resources.

NIPAS Act

As stated earlier, the UMRBPL was established under Presidential Proclamation No. 296

in November 24, 2011. The proclamation declared the Marikina Watershed as a protected area

pursuant to Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System or NIPAS

Act.

The NIPAS Act laysthe basis for the establishment of a protected area emphasizing the

goal of biodiversity conservation. It declared that it is the policy of the State to secure for the

Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual existence of all native plants and

animals. 21

The DENR is the primary government agency responsible for the implementation of the

NIPAS Act. The DENR Secretary has overall authority and responsibility for the management

of the NIPAS, assisted by the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).

At the site level, a protected area is managed by a multi-sectoral Protected Area Management

Board (PAMB). The PAMB of the UMRBPL is composed of the following:

Regional Director of DENR Region IV-A, as PAMB Chairman,

Provincial Planning and Development Officer, Province of Rizal

Mayor of Antipolo City

Mayor of Baras, Rizal

Mayor of Rodriguez, Rizal

Mayor of Tanay, Rizal

Mayor of San Mateo, Rizal

Mayor of Marikina City

Mayor of Cainta Rizal

Mayor of Pasig City

Mayor of Quezon City

Brgy. Captain, Brgy. San Juan, Antipolo City, Rizal

Brgy. Captain, Brgy. Calawis, Antipolo City, Rizal

Brgy. Captain, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal

Brgy. Captain, Brgy. Pinugay, Baras, Rizal

Brgy. Captain, Brgy. San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal

Brgy. Captain, Brgy. Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal

21Rep. Act No. 7586, sec. 2.

24 | P a g e

Brgy. Captain, Brgy. Mascap, Rodriguez, Rizal

Brgy. Captain, Brgy. Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal

Brgy. Captain, Brgy. PintongBukawe, San Mateo, Rizal

Dumagat-Remontado Representative, Antipolo City

Community-Based Kaunlaran Development Foundation, Antipolo City

United Neighbors Philippines, Inc.

Miriam P.E.A.C.E

Marikina Watershed Initiative, PDRF

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) RIV-A

Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA)

The local government units are represented in the PAMB from the barangay,

municipal/city and provincial levels.

Under the NIPAS Act, the PAMB shalldecide the allocations for budget, approve

proposals for funding, decide matters relating to planning, peripheral protection and general

administration of the area in accordance with the general management strategy. 22

Under the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (Department Administrative

Order No. 2008-26), the PAMB has the following additional functions:

Approve policies, guidelines, plans and programs, proposals and other related documents

including the Manual of Operations for the management of the protected area

Facilitate the ground delineation and demarcation of the boundaries of the protected area

and the buffer zone

Ensure that the management plan of the protected area and the Ancestral Domain

Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) are harmonized

Ensure the implementation of programs as prescribed in the Management Plan of the

protected area

Monitor and evaluate the progress of the implementation of the management plan

including harmonized plans with the ADSDPP

Monitor and assess the performance of the PASu and other protected area management

personnel and compliance of partners to terms and conditions of any undertaking,

contract or agreement;

Resolve conflict or disputes among tenured migrant communities, between tenured

migrant communities and ICCs/IPs but excluding conflicts or disputes exclusively among

ICCs/IPs

Recommend fees and other charges to the Secretary for the use of the protected area

22Ibid., sec. 11.

25 | P a g e

Initiatives and Programs of the LGUs of Rizal on the Environment

Provincial Government of Rizal :YES (Ynares Eco System) to Green Program

On September 26, 2013, Gov. RebeccaYnares launched her administration's flagship

program, The YNARES ECO SYSTEM or the YES TO GREEN PROGRAM under Executive

Order No. 11, series of 2013. The project has three components namely: GREENING the

environment,issues of waste management, clogged water tributaries, deforested mountains and

watersheds, and declining livelihood opportunities.

According to the executive order, the Province of Rizal adheres with the cleaning,

greening and recycling program in line with the policy of the National Government to foster the

promotion and protection of the global environment to attain sustainable development while

recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental

problems.

It provides that each Barangay shall maintain a nursery which shall produce seedlings of

species, native or otherwise, for planting in the identified areas including landscaping trees for

barangay and municipal parks and roadside planting.

The EO provides for the creation of an Environmental Council with the Provincial

Governor as Chair and Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO) Vice-Chairman -

Co-Vice Chairman - Representative from NGOs.

The members include the following:

City and Municipal Mayors in Rizal

President of the Association of Barangay Chairman (ABC)

Rizal Provincial Federation President of SangguniangKabataan (SK)

President of the Federation of River Basin Councils Foundation, Inc. in the Laguna de

Bay Region (FRBCFI)

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) - Rizal

Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) - Rizal

Rizal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (RENRO)

Provincial Agriculturist (PA)

Provincial Engineer

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO)

Provincial Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Rizal

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (PDRRMO)

District Engineers of Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH)

Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education – Rizal Schools

Division

26 | P a g e

Superintendent of the Department of Education – Antipolo City

Provincial Director, Philippine National Police (PNP)

Rizal President of the University of Rizal System (URS)

Commanding Officer, Philippine Army, 2nd Infantry Division

Head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Rizal

Provincial Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Rizal

Provincial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Rizal

General Manager of Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA)

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

The council shall meet regularly once every month. The Chairman, if he/she deems it

necessary or when exigencies of time so requires, may call for a special committee meeting. Sub-

committees which shall be necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of the Project

shall be created.

The functions of the Council are: a. Establish an agreed work agenda of YES to Green

Project; b. Oversee and evaluate the activities of YES to Green Project; c. Serve as a channel for

dialogue on matters of mutual interest; d. Review the operations, development, and outcome of

the projects related to YES to Green Project.

The EO provides that a YES Team shall be created in city and municipalities within the

Province by their respective local chief executive. A focal person in each Barangay shall be

designated to facilitate communication among the agencies involved.

The City, Municipalities and Barangays are also tasked under the EO to:

Adopt the Barangay Forest Program as a strategy in implementing NGP by forging an

agreement with RPG;

Promote and support a systematic information dissemination campaign for the Barangay

Forest Program, being an integral part of the NGP through various LGU leagues;

Provide an opportunity for the local community within the adopted forest land to assist

and be given livelihood program during the orientation of the program;

Ensure that the disturbance is minimized and/or avoid damage to existing flora and fauna;

Submit a report with the committee prior to and upon completion of all activities to be

undertaken in the project site; and,

Aid and support the Environmental Army of the Laguna Lake Development Authority in

its drive to clean the solid wastes, garbage and other debris that obstruct the natural flow

of waterways.

27 | P a g e

Since its launching, the program has undertaken various activities within the province of

Rizal and its municipalities and city like clean-up drives, tree planting, coastal clean-up,

information and education campaigns and training of YES stewards.

The Rizal Provincial Government celebrated Arbor Day (June 24, 2014) through tree

planting and clean-up activities in the entire province in line with the YES to Green Program of

the provincial government.

The stakeholders were asked during the council meeting last September 2014 to submit

their plan of action for integration to the YES program.

The most recent activity under the YES program is the coastal and river clean-up drive in

Parola, Barangay San Isidro, Tanay last January 19, 2015.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan had in previous occasions issued resolutions supportive of

environmental protection. In 26 October 2009, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Rizal approved a

resolution (Resolution No. 244 s. 2009) urging all Local Government Units (LGUs),Municipal and City

government to have a “Moratorium: on the issuance of Development Permit within their respective

territorial jurisdiction citing the effect of typhoon Ondoy and the report that the flooding was aggravated

by the development of new subdivisions on former agricultural lands, construction of high-end

subdivisions on the hills and mountantops in some parts of Rizal.

On 7 October 2013, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Rizal also approved Resolution No. 223 s.

2013 declaring a Moratorium on the acceptance, processing and approval of new applications for all

forms of permits, contracts,operating agreements and clearances on quarrying and mining activities in the

province of Rizal. It also urged the DENR to declare a moratorium on large-scale mining activities and

operations when circumstances so warrant to ensure that environmental rules and regulations being

implemented by concerned national and local government agencies are faithfully complied with; and put

to stop the acceptance, processing and approval of operating agreements and mine processing and

aggregate crushing plant/s activities/operations in the province of Rizal.

On 11 November 2013, a Supplemental Resolution was approved declaring a moratorium on the

acceptance, processing and approval on the renewal of applications on all forms of permits, contracts,

operating agreements and clearances on quarrying and mining activities in the province of Rizal. Further,

it also strongly requested the DENR to declare a moratorium on the renewal of large-scale mining

activities and operations when circumstances so warrant to ensure that environmental rules and

regulations being implemented by concerned national and local government agencies are faithfully

complied with; and put to stop the acceptance, processing and approval of operating agreements and mine

processing and aggregate crushing plant/s activities/operations including its renewal thereof in the

province of Rizal.

Antipolo Ordinances

A number of ordinances on the environment have been approved by the Sangguniang Bayan and

later on the SangguniangPanglungsod of Antipolo City. Thus:

28 | P a g e

Ordinance on Proper Garbage disposal and Anti-Littering (Ordinance 010-88 December 6, 1988)

prohibits any person to throw garbage, filth,waste matters, manure, dead animals,street sweeping and

industrial wastes in public places such as roads, streets, canals, esteros, parks, sidewalks, yard or any body

of water,excepton designated areas or places

Ordinance No. 01-91, January 30, 1991required all owners or beneficial users of residential land

to plant at least onefruit bearing tree.

The Sanggunianapproved Ordinance No. 30-99 (June 9, 1999) Prohibiting the Dumping of

Garbage and other Obnoxious substances in all rivers and bodies of waters in Antipolo City.

Under Ordinance No. 25-99 (May 19, 1999) the Antipolo City Environmental Coordinating

(ACECC) was established. The multi-agency body was tasked to formulate plans and programs for the

protection of the environment of Antipolo against destruction and pollution consistent with the policy of

maintaining ecological balance of the city, recommends enactment of ordinances or resolutions to the

Sanggunian relevant to the protection of the environment and serves as an Advisory Committee to the

sanggunian on environmental matters. It is also tasked to coordinate the plans and programs of

thecouncilanditsimplementationwithin the city among the different agencies concerned and the various

sectors of the locality.

Ordinance No. 88-2001 issued in 2011 created the Antipolo City Solid Waste Management

Board.

Antipolo City Ordinance # 338 – Series of 2009 requires applicants of Tenurial

Instruments, Permits, Licences from the DENR to secure Clearance from the City through the

City Environment and Waste Management Office (CEWMO). Clearance & licenses must be

secured for:

1. Tree cutting;

2. Trading and selling of wood charcoal or any products coming from the trees;

3. Charcoal making & selling;

4. Domesticating or adopting of threatened species of wildlife;

5. Selling of pets and domesticated animals;

6. Securing Tenurial Instruments or permits in managing lands within the forest land;

7. Small or large scale mining within the forest area;

8. Possession and usage of chainsaw; and

9. Transporting products coming out from the forest areas.

The penalties for violators are as follows:

First offense : pay PhP 3,000.00 and 6 months allowance to work out necessary

documents;

After six (6) months and documents was not secured, the violator will pay PhP 5,000

and/or incarceration not lower than sixty (60) days but not more than six (6) months and

the case will be filed in court;

29 | P a g e

When the violator is a corporation or association, its representatives will be liable to the

violation.

Baras Ordinance

Ordinance No. 2013-05 issued in 2005 (Nag-aatas sa Lahat ng Nag-aaplay ng Lisensya sa Kasal

na Magkaloob ng Dalawang Piraso ng Indiginous na Puno bilang Requirement sa Lisensya sa Kasal)

required applicants for marriage licenses to provide for indigenous tree seedlings as additional

requirement.

Other Initiatives and Programs

Initiatives/Programs of the DENRat the UMRBPL

According to the DENR, the following activities on the UMRPL regarding Protected

Area Management, Rehabilitation/Restoration of Denuded Areas and Patrolling/Protection were

undertaken in 2011.

One of the activities is the comprehensive assessment of all issued tenurial instruments

and Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) entered into by DENR with various stakeholders. In

order to address this, two (2) consultation meetings participated by the stakeholders from San

Mateo, Rodriguez, Antipolo City, Baras, and Tanay, Rizal were conducted.

The PACBRMA issued on December 11, 2002 to Calawis Upland Farmers Association,

Inc. (CUFAI) was assessed. The members of this organization are also beneficiaries of National

Greening Program and MWR development activities. Per assessment, the main concern besetting

the CUFAI are the inactive members.

The conduct of the census of all Protected Area occupants was completed in all the

barangays spearheaded by the team composed of DENR staff and barangay officials. The

SRPAO was conducted in the barangays of Calawis, Pintong-Bukawe, Sapinit, Boso-boso,

Pinugay, San Juan, San Jose, Cuyambay, and San Rafael. However, new SRPAO forms were

provided by the DENR Central Office requiring the re-conduct of the said survey.

Protected Area boundaries were delineated and demarcated on the ground by the teams

from the Land Evaluation Party (LEP). They installed markers within the MWR and

Proclamation 585 boundaries with 33 and 35 monuments, respectively. Of the total 104 kms,

only 63 kms. were actually delineated/relocated with 88 concrete monuments. The team

temporarily halted the survey to wait for the final technical description of MWR that will be

issued by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).

The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) was operationalized and conducted

three (3) meetings to decide on issues/concerns referred to them.

A nursery was established at So. San Joseph, Brgy San Jose Antipolo City. 6,000 agro-

forestry seedlings were procured consisted of grafted pomelo, dalandan, chico and rambutan.

These were distributed to deserving beneficiaries of Brgy. Calawis, Antipolo City which they

planted in their particular area.

30 | P a g e

For the smooth implementation of agroforestry-related activities, 13 beneficiaries signed

the Letter of Agreeement (LOA) wherein a 20-hectare area within the watershed was planted

with various seedlings, cash crops and pineapple crowns. Eighteen (18) hectares were planted by

Calawis Upland Farmers Association Inc. (CUFAI) members while the two (2) hectares by

beneficiaries from Brgy. San Jose.

Stream bank stabilization was undertaken along the 20-hectare area of river bank at So.

Payaguan, Brgy.Calawis, Antipolo City by theCalawis Upland Farmers Association, Inc.

(CUFAI).

The accomplishments and activities for 2012 from the Detailed Accomplishments and/or

Milestones CY 2012 Annual Report - DENR CALABARZON Region are as follows:23

Organizing/Creation of Regional Project Management Team

The recruitment/designation of members for the Project Management Team (PMT) has

been fully complied with. The team is supervised by the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu),

who is in concurrent capacity as Rizal PENR Officer, and by virtue of Regional Special Order

No. 503 dated November 19, 2012, an Assistant PASu (APASu) was also designated. To support

the PASu and APASu in carrying out the daily tasks and responsibilities in the UMRBPL, a

project technical staff, composed of nine (9) members were hired.

The Project Management Office (PMO), located at SitioBaytangan, Brgy.

PintongBukawe in San Mateo, Rizal, has been completed and is operational. It was inaugurated

on December 11, 2012/

Formulation of Integrated Watershed Management Plan

The characterization and assessment aspect of the UMRBPL was contracted to the team.

Data gathering was done thru Key Informant Interview (KII), Transect walk and Watershed

characterization within the 9 barangays of UMRBPL.

The team presented the report on the characterization of the whole UMRBPL watershed

area (26,125.65 hectares) and the prepared detailed comprehensive management plan to the

Technical Review and Evaluation Committee on November 27, 2012. Based on the results of the

assessment, recommendations are as follows: 1) declaring all mountainous portions as strict

protection zone due to their fragile condition; 2) land-slides and eroded areas close to the rivers

should first be addressed in the plan to minimize siltation of rivers downstream to prevent

23http://calabarzon.denr.gov.ph/index.php/technical-services/protected-areas-wildlife-and-coastal-zone-mgmt-

service accessed November 12,2014.

31 | P a g e

clogging of water and flooding in low lying communities; and 3) residential areas close and

along rivers should be relocated to reduce environmental risk and disasters.

Hard and soft copies (e-copy) of the Comprehensive UMRBPL Management Plan

(CUMBRPLMP) have been distributed to all the nine (9) barangays and five (5) municipalities

covering the UMRBPL. The UMRBPL and staff presented the Comprehensive UMRBPL

Management Plan together with the Integrated Implementation Plan for integration to the CLUP

to the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Baras, Tanay and Rodriguez on August 28, September 4 and

10, 2012, respectively. As a result, the municipalities of Rodriguez and San Mateo drafted a

resolution adopting the plan and a zoning ordinance integrating the UMRBPL. Public hearings to

the communities of four (4) barangays, namely, Brgy.Mascap and Puray in Rodriguez, Rizal,

Brgy.PintongBukawe in San Mateo, Rizal and Sitio San Ysiro, Brgy. San Jose in Antipolo City,

Rizal were also conducted to effectively communicate the said management plan.

Implementation of the Plan

The delineation of the UMRBPL management zones i.e. Strict Protection Zone (SPZ) and

Multiple Use Zone (MUZ) was spearheaded by the team of the Regional Assessment and

Delineation Team (RADT). A total of 47 kilometers has been delineated; 34 kilometers divided

Parcel 1 of the SPZ and the MUZ and another 13 kilometers from Parcel 2 of the SPZ. Five (5)

communities were also organized. The Sitio San Ysiro Upland and Lowland Farmers

Association, Inc. (SSYULFAI) in Sitio San Ysiro, Brgy. San Jose Antipolo City, Rizal was

registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and there was continuous

coordination in the creation of People’s Organization (PO) in Brgy. Mascap and Brgy.Puray,

Barangay San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal and Brgy.PintongBukawe, San Mateo, Rizal. To further

support the seedling requirements of the project, two existing (Montalban Production Nursery

and Pulang Panyo Production Nursery) and one (1) newly constructed (So. San Ysiro, Brgy San

Jose, Antipolo City) nurseries within UMRBPL are being maintained. These nurseries have

produced total of 60,000 seedlings of indigenous tree species. A total of 1,120 hectares have

been planted in areas of Barangays Calawis, San Jose and Pintong Bukawe. Among the forest

tree species planted were narra, lepote, kamagong, banaba, and kupang.

Maintenance activities started in September to give way for the newly planted seedlings

to develop and to reduce high risk of mortality particularly in open areas. Among the activities

are strip brushing, ring weeding, cultivation and replanting. Fire break construction is also one of

the top priorities in maintaining the established plantation. Soil conservation and erosion control

was achieved thru the implementation of re-engineering measures wherein two check dams with

a capacity of 400 cubic meters were constructed. These are situated in Sitio Apia, (300 cu.m.)

and SitioPulangPanyo (100 cu.m.) both in Antipolo City. An additional check dam (90 cu.m.)

was built in SitioCasili, Brgy. PintongBukawe, San Mateo, Rizal, utilizing part of the fund from

the streambank rehabilitation (coco-matting). 100-cubic meter silt pond/earth dam was

constructed in SitioAmyanan, Brgy. PintongBukawe, San Mateo, Rizal. This silt pond controls

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sediments from reaching the lowland. Furthermore, two Small Water Impounding System

(SWIS) have been contructed: one measuring 3.37.5 cubic meters in So. San Ysiro, Bry San

Jose, Antipolo City to support the nursery operation, and the other one measuring 22.5 cubic

meters in So. Baytangan, BrgyPintongBukawe, San Mateo, Rizal to supply the water

requirements of the Project Management Office. 2,000 square meters of steep slopes in

SitioBaytangan, Brgy.PintongBukawe, Rizal, particularly in the vicinity of the former Metro

Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sanitary landfill has been rehabilitated using

cocomatting and vetiver grass. Also, gabions, made from materials like galvanized iron (gabion

basket), rock and cement, have been built in four various locations in Brgy. PintongBukawe, San

Mateo, Rizal. Two Sloping Agricultural Land Technologies (SALT) were adopted by upland

farmers: the bench terracing and hedgerows planting. Ninetynine (99)-hectare bench terrace was

established using vetiver grass and kakawate (Gliricidiasepium). The terraces are interplanted

with different cash crops like squash, string beans, cassava, sweet potato, pineapple, banana, and

others and fruit bearing trees of cashew, durian, rambutan and rimas. 150-kilometer hedgerows

have been planted with kakawate and cadios to stabilize the soil and control erosion along the

mountainous/hilly contours in the Tayabasan area (Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City) and

Brgy.PintongBukawe, San Mateo, Rizal.

Protection and Law Enforcement

Two patrol sector bases were constructed in Sos. Kaysakat and San Ysiro both in Brgy

San Jose, Antipolo City. Patrol sectors serve as main station for monitoring purposes and were

constructed in strategic point for easy and effective monitoring of any illegal activities in the

area. Five Multi-sectoral Enforcement Teams (MET) have been created and mobilized, each

headed by a Community Development Officer (CDO) as patrol coordinator and assisted by forest

officers and those hired Bantay Gubat. Thirty Bantay Gubats were hired and assigned in 5 patrol

sectors. These BantayGubat play vital role in forest protection and serve as look-outs for any

activities in the area particularly charcoal making, since this illegal activity is one of the leading

contributors in forest destruction. An Orientation/Training/Workshop for Environmental

Protection and Law Enforcement for the Upper Marikina River Basin PL was conducted to

capacitate the Community Development/Forest Officers, 30 Bantay Gubat’s and City

Environemt Officers on the existing applicable laws and policies on the environment and natural

resources protection. This was conducted last July 2- 5, 2012 at Antipolo City.

Strengthening and Operationalization of PAMB

The PAMB-UMRBPL was reconstituted, adding new member-representatives from

Alliance of Seven (A7) (1.Marikina City, 2.Pasig City, 3.Quezon City, 4.Cainta, Rizal, 5.Laguna

Lake Development Authority (LLDA), 6.Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

Region IV-A and 7.Philippine Disaster and Recovery Foundation (PDRF. Through this, their

(A7) authority in the Management Board have been formalized and corresponding Certificates of

Appointments were issued by the DENR Secretary. Moreover, seven meetings have been

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conducted, three resolutions were endorsed and a workshop (re: forest fire control and

management) to capacitate the PAMB members was held on October 5, 2012 at the Femar

Garden Resort, Antipolo City, Rizal.

Support to Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) and Clean Water Act (CWA)

Nine barangays in the UMRBPL area were coordinated and provided assistance in

updating their respective barangay ESWM and CWA plans. Likewise, orientationtraining/

workshops on ESWM have been conducted. Design of the trash traps has also been completed,

with one already set up at the HinulugangTaktak, River in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Antipolo City, Rizal.

Three more trash traps are in the process of fabrication and to be installed in 2013.

Trainings were also conducted to promulgate barangay ordinances in the nine barangays,

six of which have prepared resolutions adopting the establishment of MRF in their respective

barangays.

Development of Alternative Sources of Livelihood

The conduct of consultation meeting is fundamental in community organizing inside the

protected area especially with the Indigenous People. There were 3 meetings conducted in So.

San Ysiro, Barangay San Jose, Antipolo City last June 20, 2012, and in So.Mabulo, Barangay

Puray, Rodriguez Rizal last June 6, 2012. The results of the meetings will provide the Executing

Agency the baseline information for forging a Memorandum of Agreement with other

institutions to strengthen support to the community in UMRBPL. Another Orientation meeting

was facilitated last September 11, 2012 for Community Development Officers (CDO) within

UMRBPL. A total of 23 Community Organizers from DENR, Philippine Disaster Recovery

Foundation (PDRF), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) , PEACE FOUNDATION,

SAMASABAKA, Kapisanan ng mgaMagsasaka at Magtatanim ng PunongKahoy (KMMPK)

participated.

Inventory, Nullification and/or Cancellation of Fraudulent Titles Within UMRBPL and

Conflicting Issuances

Previous studies reveal that there were conflicting issuances within UMRBPL which

resulted to fraudulent titling and encroachment in the watershed. The team of Mr. Pampellona

conducted initial assessment and had inventoried 42 land titles within UMRBPL. No tenurial

instrument has been issued.

Environmental Protection and Law Enforcement (EPLE)

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was executed in 2013 by the DENR PENRO

Rizal with the local government units (city, municipality, barangay), the 2nd Infantry Division of

the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police-Rizal on the strengthening of environmental

protection and law enforcement in Rizal particularly in the UMRBPL.

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The MOA provides for, among others, the harmonization of environmental protection

works in the area, the formulation of an environmental enforcement plan and capability building

activities. It likewise provides for theconduct of surveillance and patrolling activities in

coordination with LGUs, Philippine Army, and the PNP. The LGUs are tasked to designate focal

persons who will work collaboratively with the other parties on the protection and conservation

of UMRBPL.

Initiatives/Programs of Other Groups

Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) and the Marikina Watershed Initiative24

After the devastation of typhoons Fengshen (local name: Frank), Ketsana (local name:

Ondoy) and Parma (local name: Pepeng), the Office of the President issued Executive Order No.

838 to create the Special National Public Reconstruction Commission (Public Commission) to

spearhead effective reconstruction measures to address the needs of disaster-stricken

communities.

In its aim to create a formidable support for its reconstruction programs, the Public

Commission was mandated to tap the resources of the private sector. With this, leaders of some

of the country's largest private corporations and non-government organizations (NGOs) have

come together to form the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF).In October 23,

2009, the Public Commission and PDRF drew a cooperation agreement to further solidify the

commitment of the private sector support to assist in the reconstruction programs of the

Philippine government.

In the aftermath of the massive Metro Manila flooding in 2009 due to Typhoon Ondoy,

the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) has convened various groups from the

private sector and other development agencies to launch the Marikina Watershed Initiative.

This Public-Partner Partnership was established under the primary commitment to restore

the ecological services of the watershed and reduce the risk of another massive flooding in the

country’s capital.

The Marikina Watershed Initiative which was initially conceptualized as a tree-planting

project has stemmed out to a greater alliance of the private sector in working with the

government, field experts, development agencies, funding institutions and local communities for

the rehabilitation of the watershed. Its major components include building of baseline data,

reforestation, development of community livelihood opportunities and assessment and building

of community capacity.

24http://pdrf.org/what-we-do/disaster-rehabilitation accessed January 24, 2015

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Its reported achievements are as follows: Extension of livelihood training and financial

management seminars to 20 PO partners; Establishment of 1,000,000 nurseries which are now

being managed by PO partners; Over 700 hectares of reforested land area with indigenous tree

species under the survival rate of 87% ; natural regrowth of pioneer species; Development of

new local products and industries

Alliance of 7

On September 26, 2010, exactly a year after Typhoon Ondoy, six local government units

–Marikina, Pasig, Antipolo cities, and the municipalities of Rodriguez, Cainta and San Mateoin

Rizal province-banded together with Resilience (a group of NGOs advocating for disaster-ready

cities and communities) to work together for improved coordination, pooland share knowledge

and resources to provide appropriate and timely intervention among its constituencies. This

aggrupation is formally called the Marikina Watershed Environs Integrated Resource

Development Alliance or the “Alliance of 7.” A seventh local government unit, Quezon City,

joined the alliance informally in January 2011, and more formally in July 2011.

Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience

(B+WISER)

B+Wiseris a specialproject of the DENR with the support of the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID). Its goal is to contribute to improving natural and

environmental resource management and reducing risks from disasters in the Philippines.

The B+WISER Program aims to:

1) Conserve biodiversity in forest areas; 2) Reduce forest degradation in targeted priority

watersheds; 3) Build capacity to conserve biodiversity, manage forests, and support low

emissions development; and, 4) Contribute to disaster risk reduction at the subnational level.

Activities undertaken included the training of members of people's organizations, who

are mostly women, on proper nursery management, production of seedlings and rainforestation

on September 23 to 26, 2014. The training was conducted as part of its program to introduce

alternative or additional livelihoods for and increase the involvement of local communities in

conserving key biodiversity areas.

B+WISER offered tohelp the Province of Rizal develop a program plan that will integrate

the latter’s activities i.e. providing technical support to Forest Management Units (FMUs) and

building capacity for environmental law enforcement (ELE) to the YnaresEcoSystem (YES)

Program, the governor’s flagship environment program. The plan will cover 2,300 hectares

managed by the Province of Rizal; 2,000-ha of this area overlaps with the Kaliwa Watershed

Forest Reserve. A Technical Working Group (TWG) will be created to oversee the integration.

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The training on Forest Management Plan development in the Upper Marikina River Basin

Protected Landscape and the Bago River Watershed resulted in plans recommending

agroforestry paired with fuelwood production and various protection interventions.25

Fostering People’s Education, Empowerment and Enterprise (FPE3)26

FPE3 was created by the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) in 2004 to

help sustain the efforts of non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs)

and communities in conserving and protecting biological diversity, and in promoting sustainable

development.

The three approaches employed to achieve FPE3’s objectives are: educating the public, in

particular young people, on critical environmental issues and the need to protect biodiversity and

key natural resources; engaging communities and NGOs in the rehabilitation and protection of

key ecosystems; and empowering partner communities and organizations to venture into

sustainable enterprises that would support rehabilitation and protection initiatives.

This includes a key Rapid Socio-Economic and Environment Assessment of the

TayabasanSubwatershed for the Marikina Watershed Initiative.

FPE3 was tapped as an NGO partner by Manila Water, a private utility company, to help

realize its goal of protecting sources of water for the NCR, through watershed management.

Together, FPE3 and Manila Water worked on a project focused on Community Preparation for

TayabasanSubwatershed and the Rehabilitation and Restoration Program for the Boso-

bosoSubwatershed. This joint effort was aimed at:

Restoring 500 hectares to help ensure water regeneration, biodiversity conservation,

sustainable development involving local communities, and disaster risk reduction.

Enabling and empowering local communities in the Tayabasan Subwatershed to

contribute to ecosystem rehabilitation and restoration.

Haribon Foundation27

In its 2012 Updates,Haribon Foundation reported the conduct of the Biodiversity and

socio-economic assessment in two of the largest sub-watersheds in the Marikina Watershed

Reservation (MWR), the Boso-boso and Tayabasan sub-watersheds, mostly located in Antipolo

25http://www.usaid.gov/philippines/energy-and-environment/bwiseraccessed January 6, 2015; and B+Wiser

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/usaid.bwiser accessed January 6, 2015.

26https://www.facebook.com/FPEEE.inc/notes accessed January 25, 2015.

27http://www.haribon.org.ph/ accessed 25 January 2015.

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City. Only 460 hectares of old growth forests currently remain in the watershed area of Antipolo

City.

The biodiversity survey revealed that Boso-boso and Tayabasan sub-watersheds were

nationally significant for biodiversity conservation with records of a diverse flora and fauna that

included at least ten species found only in Luzon, and about 80% of the species endemic to the

Philippines.

It also reported that the socio-economic survey indicated that the influx of migrants is a

prime concern as it appeared to have contributed significantly to a relatively high annual

population growth rate for two of Antipolo’s barangays found within the Marikina Watershed

Reservation.

Focus group discussion with stakeholders from barangays Calawis and San Jose

acknowledged that the dwindling forest and water resources were due to ongoing unsustainable

livelihood activities such as timber poaching, charcoal making, kaingin farming practice, wildlife

hunting, electro-fishing, gold-panning and quarrying coupled with increasing population and

number of human settlements.

Limited livelihood opportunities was identified as a foremost concern, followed by

pollution, timber poaching, kaingin practice, charcoal making, mining and quarrying.

Key interventions that could be undertaken in the area identified by respondents were:

develop and implement a management plan anchored on local governance and co-management

arrangements; strengthen the capacity of local government units (LGUs), communities and

indigenous peoples to implement, enforce and coordinate with Upper Marikina River Basin

Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) management; develop comprehensive information

dissemination strategies and install monitoring schemes; design and implement suitable long-

term livelihood projects.

Conflict Map Findings, Key Informant Interviews and FGD results

In 2012, Mednet, Inc. was commissioned by the Fostering Peoples Education, Enterprise

and Empowerment, Inc. (FPE3) to prepare a conflict map of Boso-boso and Tayabasan Sub-river

basins in Antipolo City. The study identified the key issues/disputes that relateto the sound

rehabilitation, management and protection of the Tayabasan sub-river basins, identified major

stakeholders, their interests and positions and their willingness and ability to engage other parties

and stakeholders in the empowering dispute resolution and management process (EDRMP) and

proposed possible intervention measures to lessen, resolve or manage these conflicts.

The results of the conflict map were presented during the Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

with the UMRBPL stakeholders on December 2,2014. During the FGD, the participants

confirmed the findings of the study and provided updates and additional information.

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The focus group discussion was held with representatives of peoples’ organizations, indigenous

peoples groups and civil society organizations, the barangay officials and municipal/city

representatives/officials.

Below is the summary of the conflicts and issues in the UMRBL. The conflicts may be

broadly categorized into conflicts in land tenure or occupancy and resource use and conflicts in

governance and project implementation, including the National Greening Program (NGP).

Conflicts in Land Tenure or occupancy and resource use

Illegal activities/resource extraction

One of the main problem in the area is illegal resource use/extraction like charcoal-

making, kaingin and small-scale mining. According to various sources, people resort to these

illegal activities because: 1) they do not have options; 2) it takes time for their plants to bear

fruit; 3) they are lazy; 4) charcoal making brings in money faster than plantingl 5) fruit trees are

damaged by frequent rains and typhoons so farmers cannot benefit from them.

Other resource extraction/illegal activities identified include illegal logging/timber

poaching,fuelwood extraction and forest fire. According to one of the KII respondent, some are

fires are being intentionally set on seedling plantations established by DENR by PACBRMA

farmers, individual planters, and beneficiary-partners of NGOs.

Land tenure issues and selling of “land rights”

Security of tenure in the lands occupied and tilled is another serious concern of the

people in the area. Notwithstanding the status of the area as a watershed and a protected area,

some people never cease to hope that they will someday claim the lands as their own. Some are

hoping that the watershed lands will be reclassified as alienable and disposable so they can own

them.

Selling of land rights is pervasive in the area. The selling of land rights and land

speculation continue to fuel the influx of migrants and settlers in the area.

CADT Application

The Dumagats/Remontados have a CADT application to over 13,000 hectares of the area.

The IP claims covers part of the PA as well as the contested MWSS area.

For some non IPs, the claim may not be justified because the ancestors of the Dumagats

had long sold their lands. There is also concern that the CADT will affect the land tenure of non-

IP and spawn more problems.

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There are also observations that the IPs are involved in illegal activities in the area,

particularly in kaingin farming.

Boundary disputes

There are on-going boundary disputes between local government units (i.e. Antipolo and

Baras, and Antipolo and Tanay). The disputes arose from the development of the province of

Rizal and its municipalities, wherein in the mapping, land scoping and boundary coverage, some

barangays and sitioswere absorbed in other barangays and sitios which now belong to another

created municipality and barangay.

Conflicts in governance and implementation of reforestation projects

Among the issues raised in relation to governance and implementation of

projectsisinadequate government presence and action and weak law enforcement. Illegal

activities as mentioned above continue to occur within the UMRBPL.

The participants likewise mentioned the lack of coordinating mechanism and thelack of

coordination among the project implementers in the area. In relation to this, it was also

mentioned that some government personnel enter an area and implement projects without

coordinating with the barangay officials or with the indigenous peoples group.

It was also mentioned that some of the residents of theareado not understand the

conservation initiatives in the area and the concepts of protected area and watershed. Further,

there is a lack of knowledge about the rights of indigenouspeoples and the Indigenous Peoples

Rights Act (IPRA).

Implementation of Projects

On implementation of projects, particularly the NGP, the participants raised theissue of

corruption and favoritism. Examples cited include non-payment of seedlings already deliveredto

the NGP program andthat some PO groupswere asked to submit requirements but did not end up

as beneficiary or participant of the NGP.

Actions to address the issues

Some of these issues are being addressed by the local governments and civil society organizations

and the peoples organizations and IP groups.Thus, charcoal briquetting as an alternative livelihood have

been introduced in some areas. Other activities include cornic production, seedling production,

rainforestation and organic farming.

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In Barangay Mascap, Rodriguez, Rizal reforestation activities are being undertaken with

the support of Marikina City though provision of seedlings to be planted as trees with the

farmer-members of Sitio Ayaas and Sitio Kayrupa Association as beneficiaries. The forest

protection is also done through monitoring against possible violations by each barangay council

member in his assigned Purok and the area where they live. The barangay also conduct “clean

and green campaign” as per implementation of YES Program of the Provincial Government of

Rizal.

There are two ordinances made by the barangay concerning (a) prohibition of tree and log

cutting with penalties attached to it, and (b) solid waste management or trash segregation, also

with corresponding penalties.

Barangay Calawis environmental initiatives include Ordinance # 02-2014 on Tapat Ko,

Linis Ko (“clean my front yard”), the discouragement of establishing poultry and piggery farms

in all parts of barangay learning from the negative experience of toxic water waste dumping in

the rivers of Upper Marikina. The barangay council also prohibited the entry of junk buyers

coming from outside Calawis. This is to avoid the setting up of warehouse in the community

which attracts flies, cockroaches and other bacterial elements.

FPE is finishing the remaining leg of livelihood project on Nursery seed propagation.

The Rotary Corps of Makati Rotary Club is still there in few neighborhoods while the Climate

Change Commission is also in the area for advocacy on climate change adaptation and

mitigation.

The rainforestation project of the partner people’s organization of FPE3 of Foundation

for Philippine Environment contributes to the employment and livelihood of its members aside

from producing tree seedlings to be planted in the upper Boso-boso and Tayabasan area.

There are three (3) small waterfalls enhancement program being implemented by the

Barangay Council such as Bunsuran Falls, Riverview falls in Purok Sabangan and Manadlang

Underground river in Purok Paglitaw, Tayabasan. Council members divided the area among

themselves in leading and supervising the protection of these falls and small underground riverby

cleaning, monitoring and discouraging of building of structures within or near the vicinity of

these bodies of water.

Challenges/Hindrances on Inter-LGU Cooperation

The participants identified some of the challenges/hindrances on inter-LGU cooperation.

These include changes in political leadership (end of electoral term of previous officials and

entry of newly elected leaders), lack of long-term plans, lack of funds, corruption,discrimination

against the IPs on access to resources, participating in governance and cultural derogation;

boundary dispute between LGUs and “paulit-ulitnausapin ng LGU-DENR-NCIP.” On the last

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issue mentioned, it was suggested that what have been agreed on the program and project

financing and implementationand what the laws provide should already be implemented.

The issue of corruption needs to be addressed by more transparency in all projects.Other

recommendations include integration and harmonization of the different plans (i.e. Management

Plan, ADSDPP, CLUP, FLUP, etc.), IEC, LGU dialogue, negotiation and inter-agency

collaboration.

Recommendations from Participants

The participants in the Focus Group Discussion offered recommendationson how to

address the issues and conflicts and how to improve, enhance and hasten inter-local

cooperation.These recommendations were presented during to the Multi-stakeholder Validation

Workshop wherein the participantsaffirmed the same and gave additional

recommendations.These recommendations are categorized into capacity- building and IEC,

governance and law enforcement and rehabilitation and livelihood.

1. Capacity Building and IEC

Among the recommendations is the conduct of capacity-building activities on resolution

and ordinance-making for members of the local legislative bodies. This is to address the issue of

lack of policy support which was brought up during the FGD. According to the B+Wiser

representative, one of planned activities is training on ordinance and resolution making.

Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns on theimportance of the

UMRBPL and the rights of the IPs and the importance of IPRA.

2. Governance and Law Enforcement

One of the recommendations regarding governance is to facilitate the integration and

harmonization of the different plans (i.e. Management Plan, ADSDPP, CLUP, FLUP, etc.)

within the UMRBPL. According to the B+Wiser representative, the integration and

harmonization of the different plans is one of their targets for UMRBPL.

Another recommendation is to facilitate the coordination among the stakeholders on

projects and activities being undertaken in the area, especially the livelihood projects.To the

participants, project coordination meant thatthere be an implementation mechanism between the

government or private sector program/project holder on the one hand, and the barangay/peoples

organizations (by sector) on the other hand. The people organizations/barangays should be

visible and made active in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of the project.

The participants likewise noted that a lot of studies, researches and data gatherings have

been conducted at the UMRBPL. Thus, they recommend that local government units, including

the barangays, be furnished copies of these and themselves be invited as participants to their

42 | P a g e

validation with copies of the results of such studies, including this study commissioned by the

Local Government Academy.

The participants of the FGD and the validation workshop are in agreementthat

environmental law enforcement should be strengthened through enforcement and reward. Thus,

among their recommendations is the allocation of funds for law enforcement by local

government units and the DENR/PAMB, deputation of additional Bantay Gubat and the

formation/strengthening of task forces.

Itis also recommended laws be strictly enforced and that the transfer and selling of land

rights sold strictly prohibited. The filing of cases against violators should also be studied.

3. Rehabilitation and Livelihood

Transparency in the implementation of projects is one of the recommendations for

rehabilitation and livelihood projects.

It is recommended that thesupport of DENR to CUFAI should be terminated on the basis

of the agreement having too small in impact in contrast to the large amount of funding provided.

There are other POs in the areawhich have been trained in seedling production and nursery

production which could betapped for projects.

Another recommendation regarding livelihood is that while training on charcoal

briquetting have been conducted, there is still need to look into the matter of providing capital

for establishing thecharcoal briquetting enterprise and linkaging with the market.

B+Wiser is also serving as technical facilitator for livelihood program and project of

people’s organization in barangays by linkaging with the POs with funding agencies and

providing assistance in project proposal development.

VI. ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There are several initiatives in the UMRBPL which may characterize Inter-Local Cooperation

(ILC) as defined28. These initiatives are the Alliance of 7, EPLE, PAMB and the YES program.

This section will primarily focus on the YES to Green program of the Province of Rizal.

This alliance is a public- private sector alliance which is becoming increasingly popular because

of the recognition that development should involve all stakeholders as much as possible. In the

28 An Inter-Local Cooperation (ILC) is defined as a group of local government units that are geographically adjacent

or contiguous to each other coming together on a long-term basis to jointly provide services and/or implement

projects.

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case of the YES program, the composition of the Environmental Council is heavy on the public

or government side and the private (or the NGO) representation is smaller.

An ILC has four essential elements: a common purpose; a coordinating structure;

commonly agreed upon systems; and pooled resources. The YES to Green program is focused on

greening the environment, cleaning the environment (issues of waste management, clogged

water tributaries, deforested mountains and watersheds) and addressing declining livelihood

opportunities. It recognizes the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with

environmental problems. The program has an Environmental Council and provides for the

creation of subcommittees as needed. It is provided that funds will allocated from the 20% of the

Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) while funds for the project for the succeeding years will be

from the regular appropriation.

The critical ingredients for building and sustaining ILC include institutional, financial

and legal components.

The Institutional component has ten critical ingredients contributing to the development

of an alliance as it goes through stages involving confidence-building, institutionalization, and

evolution. These includes having an alliance champion, building a common base(adjoining

jurisdiction, common ecosystem, related services), having a commonly-agreed upon purpose,

and insuring the active involvement of Local Chief Executives, an implementing structure, a

trigger issue, and a strategic plan.

On the institutional components, the alliance champion that can be identified in this

alliance is the Rizal Provincial Governor herself, Rebecca Ynares. The YES to Green program

appears to be one of her flagship programs as shown by her active involvement in its formation

and project implementation. On common base, the local government units have adjoining

jurisdiction and common ecosystem (Upper Marikina River Basin and the Laguna Lake for

coastal municipalities). There is also created an Environmental Council under the Executive

Order and defined purpose and objectives of the program. The chief local executives of the city

and municipalities are all members of the council to help ensure their active involvement in the

program. As to the trigger issue, while there is no specific mention on the need for protection and

conservation of the UMRBPL in the program, it is very clear as to its position on supporting the

National Greening Program and providing livelihood opportunities to the communities.

As to the financial component, initial funding was from the 20% of the Internal Revenue

Allotment (IRA) while funds for the project for the succeeding years will be from the regular

appropriation. The other financial ingredients like commitment to share resources to its

members, use of an accepted formula for monetary contribution of its members, timely collection

of committed funds, sharing of monetary and non- monetary resources, capacity and will to

generate own resources, capability to tap external sources of funds, matching resources with

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goals and programs does not appear to be evident at this point. It should be noted that the

program is only more than a year old and is still in the process of evolving and developing.

As the program is being funded by the government through the IRA, funds management

arrangement, guidelines in fund utilization and transparency in financial transactions will be in

accordance with government accounting rules and regulations and the transparency guidelines

for local government units as set by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The YES To Green program was created under Executive Order No. 11 in 2013 by

Governor Rebecca Ynares and not through a Memorandum of Agreement.

According to the reference material, the Provincial EO does not have an expressed policy

support as an instrument used for the creation of inter–alliance. The act of the Provincial

governor in putting together LGU clusters is implied from its authority to supervise component

cities and municipalities within its territorial jurisdiction. The LGC does not include in the

express powers of the Provincial Governor the power to create LGU alliances. Thus, it may be an

unreliable means for sustaining LGU alliances. It should be noted that the general welfare clause

of the LGC that “every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those

necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its

efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general

welfare. Within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall x

xxenhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology.” The clause provides sufficient ground

for the creation of the YES program and its Environmental Council as an inter-local alliance.

Considering that the alliance was created through an EO, the other critical legal

ingredients mentioned in the material regarding MOA review and concurrence are not

applicable. Other ingredients such as the adoption of joint resolutions by the alliance, LGU

ratification of alliance decisions and agreements, harmonization of policies by member LGU in the

alliance, and legal mechanism to address non-compliance may be the subject of future acts of the alliance.

The protection and conservation of the UMRBPL is not the primary focus of the YES to

Green program as it focuses more generally on greening (tree planting and reforestation),

cleaning (waste management), livelihood opportunities and disaster risk reduction. However,

considering that some the issues in the UMRBPL are related to reforestation and livelihood it is

likely that the program will also face these issues. The YES to Green program can look into

focusing some of its efforts to address the issues besetting the UMRBPL.

The participants of the FGD and the validation workshop made strong recommendations

regarding stronger environmental law enforcement. Among their recommendations is the

allocation of funds for law enforcement by local government units and the DENR/PAMB,

deputation of additional Bantay-Gubat, and the formation/strengthening of task forces. The YES

program can look into this matter and establish close partnership with other stakeholders on how

best to address this issue.

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The council is also mostly composed of local government officials and representatives of

national agencies and some non-government organizations. The council can serve as a vehicle to

further strengthen public – private partnership, by expanding membership to a wider number of

civil society organizations and other national agencies.

The matter of building the capacity of local government officials, especially barangay

officials, on ordinance and resolution making is now beginning to be addressed. Efforts and

initiatives to capacitate the local lawmakers should continue. There should also be efforts to raise

awareness on environmental issues and their impacts via a wide-range of mechanism, coverage,

and participants.

The FGD and validation workshop participants also noted that a number of issues and

grievances are left festering and unresolved due to lack of a facilitating venue to address these

issues. They believe that negotiation and joint problem solving processes can be effective

mechanisms to address these issues through an acceptable convenor and in cooperation with

government representatives (i.e. NCIP, DENR) who are sincerein resolving these issues.

The Mediators Network for Sustainable Peace (MedNet), Inc., a network of conflict

resolution practitioners focused on environment, natural resource, land tenure, and other

community issues, has expressed its commitment to help facilitate the establishment of a

consensus-building and grievance resolution mechanism which could be embedded in the YES

program. It will be participating in the PDRF as one of the active members which would draw in

civil participation in the YES effort, as well as facilitate actual dialogues, consultations and

capacity-building initiatives in the UMRBPL. Previously, it has worked with the indigenous

peoples group Kolokolokoy to help resolve disputes with migrant settlers occupying ancestral

domains of the Dumagats, and has helped draw in the National Commission of Indigenous

Peoples in the filing of the Dumagat’s ancestral domain claim. It has also worked with FPE3 in

the analysis and validation of latent and manifest issues surrounding the Boso-Boso and

Tayabasan SubRiver Basins which would likely result to future conflicts. MedNet is thus in a

position to assist the local government units of Rizal in moving the resolution of several of the

issues forward.

Much need to be done. Civil society organizations, through the PDRF, need to be

continuously present and their inputs and cooperation to the YES program be recognized and

maintained. The important national government agencies such as the DENR and its local

counterpart- the PAMB, the NCIP, DPWH as well as private groups such as Manila Water need

to have harmonized programs and common goals, along with the local government units. Inter-

Local Cooperation is as urgent as ever. Only when the key ingredients of Inter Local

Cooperation are sufficiently fulfilled can a harmonized and genuine restoration and preservation

plan of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape can be fully implemented.

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LIST OF REFERENCES:

1. Antipolo City Forest Land Use Plan (2007-2012) with the Technical Assistance of

DENR-USAID Philippine Environmental Governance Project.

2. Antipolo Ecoprofile, 2013.

3. Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the City of Antipolo (2010-2020) August 2010.

4. Eisma Osorio, Rose-Liza, Critical Ingredients in Building and Sustaining Inter-Local

Cooperation, by R E. Eisma Osorio, Engr. Goldelinodela Paz Chan, Alice Joan Gente

Ferrer. Sub-working Group, Inter-Local Cooperation, Working Group on

Decentralization and Local Government Philippine Development Forum (2010).

5. Executive Order No. 11 (Provincial EO of Rizal), series of 2013.

6. Manual of Operations and Transformation of Projects into Essential Services.

7. Mediators Network for Sustainable Peace, Inc., A Conflict Map of Boso-boso and

Tayabasan Sub-river Basins in Antipolo City (May-June 2012) unpublished.

8. Nicer, Daniel Darius M., The Law that Giveth Life to a Watershed: Defending the

Marikina Watershed Reservation,79 Phil. L. J. 151 (2004).

9. Presidential Proclamation No. 296 (2011).

10. Republic Act No. 7160, Local Government Code of the Philippines 1991.

11. Republic Act No. 7586, National Integrated Protected Areas Act.

12. Tuano, Philip Arnold , “The Alliance of 7”: Climate Change Adaptation in Greater Metro

Manila Region by P. A. Tuano and JoselitoSesconHDN Discussion Paper Series PHDR

Issue 2012/2013 No. 13.

13. San Mateo Framework Development Plan (2009).

14. San Mateo Comprehensive Land Use Plan (2010-2020).