The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has formed a new council to safeguard the Ipil Watershed, a crucial source of water and biodiversity for eight municipalities in the central Philippines.
The council, co-chaired by Governor Aris Aumentado, will oversee the management and conservation of the watershed, which is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The Ipil Watershed Management Council (IWMC) was established on October 6, when Aumentado signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the CPG Hall, New Capitol Building.
The council consists of representatives from various national, regional, and provincial offices and agencies, as well as local government units that share the watershed.
The IWMC aims to implement policies and programs that will protect the natural resources and ecosystems of the Ipil Watershed, which spans across Bien Unido, Danao, Getafe, San Miguel, Talibon, Pilar, Ubay, and Trinidad.
The watershed provides water for irrigation, domestic use, and hydroelectric power generation.
It also hosts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic and endangered.
The creation of the IWMC is part of PGBh’s Strategic Change Agenda on Environmental Sustainability, which seeks to promote green development and resilience in the province.
The agenda also aligns with Bohol’s recent recognition as the first UNESCO Global Geopark Regenerative Island Province in the Philippines.
This designation acknowledges Bohol’s efforts to conserve its geological heritage and foster sustainable tourism.