Bohol Forms Council to Protect Loboc Watershed

The Provincial Government of Bohol, in partnership with various stakeholders, launched the Loboc Watershed Management Council on November 15, 2023, as part of its efforts to conserve and restore the natural resources of the island.

The council was created through a consultative meeting held at Reyna’s the Haven and Gardens, attended by representatives from the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippine Red Cross-Bohol Chapter, and 13 Local Government Units (LGUs) within the Loboc Watershed.

The meeting aimed to harmonize the programs, projects, and activities of the different sectors involved in the management of the watershed, which covers an area of 34,265 hectares and supplies water to more than 200,000 residents.

The council is also part of the Bohol Island First Regenerative Project, which was initiated during the 2023 Bohol Day Celebration to promote sustainable development and environmental stewardship in the province.

According to BPEMO, the council will serve as a coordinating and policy-making body that will oversee the implementation of the Loboc Watershed Management Plan, which outlines the strategies and interventions to protect and enhance the watershed’s ecological functions and services.

The council will also facilitate the mobilization of resources and support from various partners and donors to ensure the sustainability of the project.

BPEMO expressed its gratitude to all the stakeholders who participated in the meeting and expressed their commitment to the council. It also urged the public to support the initiative and contribute to the conservation of the Loboc Watershed, which is vital for the well-being of the people and the environment.