Ecosystem-based Management of River Basins in the Philippines

Context

The Philippines is one of the 17 most species-rich countries in the world. However, biodiversity is under threat from deforestation, which is also having a negative impact on water supplies, the well-being of the population and the economy. The administration and ecosystem-based management of river basins offer an over-arching solution to this problem. This approach takes the entire ecosystem into consideration, including its inhabitants and use.

To achieve this, it is important that the Philippines expands its national strategies for managing river basins and preserving biological diversity. Other factors to take into account are the natural catastrophes which regularly occur, such as typhoons and flooding. These have a negative impact on the socio-economic development of the country and people’s living conditions.

Objective

The Philippines has improved water management and applies ecosystem-based adaptation measures in river basins to improve biodiversity, protect the population from flooding and landslides, and make sufficient quantities of clean drinking water available.

Approach

The project is improving the protection of forests in river basins as well as wetlands. This results in less water flowing out of the basins and a reduced risk of flooding and landslides. This also allows new groundwater to form which improves the quality and provision of water. Trained personnel from the local authorities provide the protection.

The project also increases the indigenous trees species density in forests and riverbank vegetation, thus improving the ecosystem services in the river basin.

Education and awareness work have an important role to play in establishing adaptation measures in river basin management. To this end, the project has put a plan in place for knowledge management and communication. Raising awareness and informing local people contribute to making the action more sustainable.

Last update: May 2023