𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘-𝐊𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓

The DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of General Santos City spearheaded the first Silway-Klinan River Watershed Management Council Summit on Tuesday, October 4, at Sun City Suites in General Santos City with an aim to summon all stakeholders and agencies crucial to the protection, conservation, and management of Silway-Klinan Watershed, as well as to strengthen their ties with the DENR.

 

In his message, DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) of South Cotabato Radzak B. Sinarimbo emphasized the various challenges in carrying out the interventions for Silway-Klinan Watershed and how indispensable the roles of each agency and stakeholder as members of the council.

 

DENR Community ENR Officer of General Santos City Elmer S. Mercado expressed his gratitude to the attendees for gracing the event and highlighted how various domestic and industrial threats have affected the waters and how these impeded its sustainable use. “The creation of the council further ensures that all programs and interventions for Silway-Klinan Watershed are harmonized in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations,” he added.

 

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the creation of the Watershed Management Council was also signed during the event where the council shall serve as a decision and implementing body in the management of Silway-Klinan River Watershed. Its core members are the DENR-EMB XII, DENR-MGB-XII, DENR-PAMO MMPL, DENR-PAMO SBPS, DA, NEDA, DPWH, NCIP, NIA, DAR, and the local government units (LGUs) and water districts of General Santos City, Polomolok, Tupi, and T’boli.

 

During the summit, the participants were also informed of the DAO 2021-41 or the Guidelines on the Creation of the Watershed Management Council; Salient Features of Silway-Klinan Watershed; and the Hydrology Study of Silway River which were presented by For. Gabriel M. Baute, For. Sheryl Ann A. Ducut, and Engr. June Andrew Taluse, respectively.

 

PENRO Sinarimbo, who serves as the council chair, also presided over the first council meeting after the presentations.

 

The summit was attended by DPWH XII Regional Director Basir M. Ibrahim, Polomolok Mayor Bernie D. Palencia, Tupi Mayor Romeo S. Tamayo, representatives of other concerned LGUs, and DENR-12 officials and employees from the Regional Office, PENRO-South Cotabato, PAMO-MMPL, and PAMO-SBPS. (MJAZULITA-UGARTE -CENROGSC)