Apayao-Abulug River Basin: Santa Marcela convenes with DENR to update Master Plan in resolving development issues

Santa Marcela, Apayao – The Local government unit of Santa Marcela led by Mayor Evelyn B. Martinez on January 9, 2025 convened with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)at the EKB clubhouse for a crucial consultation to update the Integrated River Basin Management and Development Master Plan (IRBMDMP) for the Apayao-Abulug River Basin (AARB).

The said river basin serves many municipalities of the Apayao and Cagayan Provinces as a vital source of water supply for various communities.One of the municipalities where the river runs is the town of Santa Marcela.

The AARB is situated in the northern sections of Cagayan Valley and CAR and is one of the 18 major river basins nationwide and is the 9th largest river system in terms of watershed size with an estimated area of 3,372 square kilometers and a length of 175 kilometers from its source in the mountains of Apayao province.

It has been the subject of an integrated area development study having identified by the River Basin Control Office (RBCO) as priority areas for sustainable resource management and development as it covers the seven municipalities in Apayao and five municipalities of Cagayan or a total of 123 barangays for the two provinces.

With the said consultation meeting, officials have focused on addressing key issues affecting the river, gathering of stakeholders’ input, and crafting a comprehensive conservation strategy and climate-resilient management approach that aligns with environmental laws such as RA 9727 and RA 10174, to ensure the continued well-being of both the environment and the local community.

Further, the meeting brought together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from the Local Government Unit, National Government Agencies (NGAs), the Indigenous Peoples' Mandatory Representative (IPMR), Community organizations and Local business sectors.

Mayor Martinez lauded the active partnership shown by the officials and stakeholders of LGU with the DENR towards sustainable development efforts and environmental conservation programs, ensuring the long-term protection of this significant water source.

Updates of the master plan for said river basin which was the outcome of multi-stakeholder consultations previously conducted in the sub-watersheds across the river basincentered on newly identified initiatives to resolve development issues covering water resources management, watershed rehabilitation and preservation, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, coastal and aquatic resources management as well as institutional development on local government and community participation in program implementation.