International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Crucial First Steps Made Toward Rehabilitating the Batangas Bay Watershed

26 Sep 2013 | by pemsea.org
PEMSEA News Batangas, Philippines — PEMSEA is currently working with the Provincial Government of Batangas through the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) and three academic partners—De La Salle Lipa, Batangas State University and Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas—in laying the foundation for a multisectoral partnership that will undertake the Batangas Bay Watershed Rehabilitation Project. Anna Rita Cano (on maternity leave) read more

The Strategic Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) of the province identified the Batangas Bay Watershed as a major priority area for habitat restoration and management. The watershed, with a catchment area of 472 km2 and coursing through five towns and two cities before draining into Batangas Bay, continues to suffer from deteriorating water quality due to contamination from livestock wastes and domestic sewage. This poses a potential health risk for communities along the watershed and an impending threat to the river, coastal and marine ecosystems of Batangas Bay and ultimately the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor, which is a recognized center for marine biodiversity.