Forging a partnership for Tigum-Aganan Watershed Management in support to the local governmentunits, Governmrnt Line Agencies, Non-Government Organizations,
People’s Organization, communities and other watershed stakeholders
ANOTHER PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
St. Paul University Iloilo is stepping into another open door opportunity for partnership in the field of Research and Extension. The University President, Sr. Carolina Agravante, SPC together with the Human Resource Director, Sr. Maynard Paglinawan, SPC and the University Research Director Mrs. Imelda Olaguer were present during the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Consortium for Integrated Watershed and Sustainable Development last September 12,2012 at Iloilo Business Hotel, Iloilo City. This event highlighted a very significant campaign of the Canadian Urban Institute towards strengthening ties with Local Government Units and the Academe for the preservation and sustainability of the Tigum-Aganan Watershed Project.
Present in this occasion were other participating Institutions who were also officially introduced as members of the Academic Consortium namely: St. Paul University Iloilo (SPUI), University of Iloilo (UI), Central Philippine University (CPU), University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), and Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST). Representatives from cooperating agencies gave their enthusiastic support to this endeavor during their privilege speeches. Project Manager Mr. Benjie Luz presented a comprehensive background of the Academic Consortium during the program proper. The persuasive effort of the organizing committee received warm and positive reception from guests and participants. Local Government Heads from the towns of Alimodian, Maasin, Cabatuan and Leon were among those who actively participated in the event.
CONCRETE STEPS AHEAD
To concretized improved and innovative Watershed planning, Consortium members came together for a meeting last September 19, 2012 at the Canadian Urban Institute Office in ATM Business Center Building, Jalandoni-Ledesma Streets Iloilo City. A consensus was achieved to take WATERSHED ACADEMIC CONSORTIUM (WAC) as the official name of the group. Mr. Sonny Fernandez, presiding officer for the meeting facilitated on the discussion of basic organizational operation and key activities to be undertaken. It was agreed upon that the need for Training of Trainers on the conduct of Social Research be planned on October 29, 2012 followed by an intensive, long term Planning Conference on November 8, 2012.
BRIEF BACKGROUND ON TIGUM-AGANAN WATERSHED
The Tigum-Aganan Watershed (TAW) is the source of the life for almost 350,000 people spanning eight municipalities , including the regional center—Iloilo City. It provides water for drinking, household use, farming and irrigation to vast tracts of agricultural lands, agro-industries, small shops and malls. While it is the source of life, it also threatens livelihoods, property, health and even life. The urban sprawl radiating from Iloilo City to all of the eight municipal town centers has witnessed the extremes: shortage of water in seasons of draught and extreme flooding during seasons of rain. The most recent and severe flood resulting from Typhoon Frank in 2008 was a loud wake-up call for the region. It brought to the fore the importance of coordinated and effective management of the regions watersheds and water resources. (Canadian Urban Institute, Tigum –Aganan State of the Watershed Report 2012)