Planning Water Resources From Ridge to Reef
BOHOL - Bohol is advancing its approach to water resources management as the Bohol Integrated Water Resources Management Board reviews a 10-Year Integrated Water Resources Management Plan covering 2027 to 2036. The review, held on September 29, 2026, focused on watershed protection, water access, coordination, and the need to understand water resources across the province. Discussions included assessing conditions from ridge to reef and determining the status of aquifers, recognizing that surface water, groundwater, watersheds, rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas are connected parts of the province's water system. The province's existing water resources profile also identifies the need for stronger data collection, mapping, and coordination among stakeholders.
Bringing Different Sectors Into One Water Plan
The strategic plan was developed through consultations involving local government units, national government agencies, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society. This broad participation is important because water resources are used by households, farms, businesses, communities, and ecosystems. The discussions also identified environmental pressures and coordination gaps that can affect watershed maintenance and long-term water security. A proposed monitoring committee could provide an additional mechanism for checking watershed management and compliance, while a proposed local policy could further strengthen water resources management across Bohol.
Protecting Water for Communities and Nature
Long-term water planning matters not only for reliable access to water but also for agriculture, ecosystems, communities, and future development. Provincial environmental programs have already included watershed conservation, wetland identification, river and lake assessments, water-quality monitoring, and data collection on surface and groundwater sources across all 34 local government units. These efforts are being used to support water mapping, databanking, and the formulation of the province's 10-Year Integrated Water Resources Management Plan. Protecting these resources also complements Bohol's wider environmental goals as the Philippines' only UNESCO Global Geopark, where natural landscapes and communities are closely connected.
