RCI is set to launch the Muleta Watershed as the fourth convergence area in NorMin.

 

Pangantucan, Bukidnon – Following the successful launching of the Mt. Balatukan Range Local Convergence Agro-Enterprise Cluster (LCAEC) in Misamis Oriental, and the Royale and Mt. Inayawan-Illana clusters in Lanao del Norte, the Northern Mindanao Regional Convergence Initiative (RCI-10) is poised to launch the Muleta Watershed as the fourth convergence area in the region.

The RCI-Technical Working Group (RCI-TWG) composed of the regional offices of DA, DILG, DAR, and DENR convened key personnel of the local government (LGU) of Pangantucan planning, agriculture, and environment and natural resources offices and chairman of 13 barangays in the town for a two-day Stakeholders’ Consultation and Workshop on August 11-12.

The consultation primarily aims to gather ground data needed in drafting the Muleta Watershed Convergence Area Development Plan (CADP).

The Muleta Watershed is located in the southwestern part of Bukidnon. Its headwaters emanate from Mt. Kalatungan. The watershed covers a total area of 83,884.89 hectares and traverses 123 barangays in 9 towns and 1 city in Bukidnon province – Pangantucan, Talakag, Maramag, Don Carlos, Dangcagan, Kitaotao, Kadingilan, Kibawe, Damulog and Valencia City.

Of the said localities, the town of Pangantucan has the largest political jurisdiction within the Muleta Watershed.

Pangantucan Mayor Miguel A. Silva, Jr. said, his administration fully supports the creation of a master plan for the development of the Muleta Watershed.

“With the long-term plan, we can build a turbine in Muleta to generate electricity to help the Pangantucanon address the rising electricity cost. We can also supply water to our neighboring towns,” he said, sharing his vision to develop the watershed as source of hydroelectric and water supply in the future.

In the consultation-workshop, the proposed Muleta CADP transpired as a two-pronged developmental plan focused on the protection of the watershed and production of agricultural products.

Intermediate programs and projects were specifically identified through needs assessment and issues raised by the stakeholders.

The proposed Muleta Watershed CADP will be harmonized with the LGU’s existing development plans – CLUP, ARC Development Plan, FLUP, ICRM Plans, CDP, AFMP, NCIP Plan, PCIPs, before endorsement to the RCI in November this year, and thereafter for endorsement of the RCI to the National Convergence Initiative for approval.

The development of local convergence areas is premised on the principle of enabling inclusive rural development by addressing fragmented delivery of rural development services through improved governance and optimized use of available government resources.

Complementation of efforts and resources among the LGU, DA, DENR, DILG and DAR is seen as capacitating mechanism for the implementation of sustainable agri-fishery and forestry programs to spark sustainable local economies focused on the smallholder farmers, small fisherfolk, upland dwellers, and the IPs in identified convergence areas. # (ATalib)