BACKGROUND

    Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBWMP) is a 6-year development initiative piloting a comprehensive program on natural resources management within the context of a river basin.

    The project was formulated to address problems on extensive flooding and inundation within the basin. Likewise, sedimentation has accelerated in the southern reaches of the basin as a result of several eruptions of Mayon Volcano. In the face of continued degradation aggravated by the adverse and expanding effects of human pressure, a sustainable development of the basin will not be achieved without coordinated and integrated planning and management.

    Within the river basin are eight (8) watershed catchments, namely: (1) Libmanan-Pulantuna; (2) Thiris; (3) Naga-Yabo; (4) Pawili River; (5) Ragay Hills; (6) Waras-Lalo; (7) Naporog River; and (8) Quinale A watershed. There is severe degradation of forest and biodiversity. Of the 48,000 hecatres classified as timber land, only 900 hectares of old growth forest remains. The basin still has 18,000 residual forest, but patches of cultivation are observable, while the remaining 36,000 hectares are covered with unproductive shrub and grasslands.

    The following are the components to be implemented by concerned agencies/offices under this project, to wit:

Institutional Development   -	BRB-PMO
Watershed Mgt. & Dev't.     -.	DENR
Flood and Hazard Mitigation-	DPWH
Irrigation Modernization        -	NIA

OBJECTIVES:

General
   To enhance livelihood and improve natural resources management by promoting coordinated and sustainable demand-driven development activities in a river basin context..

Specific
   To engage communities in development activities towards increased agricultural production and rural incomes, improved service facilities, and sustainable management of the resource base.

   To pilot a comprehensive water resources planning and management approach.