The Angeles City Local Government and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority have officially mobilized the Sapangbato Watershed Technical Working Group to enforce the Sapangbato Watershed Protection Program, taking concrete steps to safeguard this vital water source.
Legal Framework and Zoning Status
The TWG kick-off meeting on July 10 focused on reviewing Article II (Duties, Obligations, and Restrictions) of the signed Memorandum of Agreement between the city government and BCDA, paving the way for the program's implementation . The Sapangbato Watershed is designated as a protected zone under the Angeles City Comprehensive Land Use Plan, reaffirming its status as a strictly protected area where construction of new structures is prohibited.
High-Tech Mapping and Community Engagement
The program includes three core action initiatives: community engagement through dialogue with barangay officials, Indigenous Peoples representatives, and local stakeholders; socio-economic surveys to map all households and businesses inside the watershed area; and the use of drone LiDAR technology to generate accurate 3D maps and establish precise protection boundaries for the 527-hectare watershed . This high-tech approach will help identify and prevent illegal structures that have been previously found within the protected zone.
