Agri-10 leads the launch of the Muleta CADP in barangay Pigtauranan for the protection, rehabilitation, and development of the Muleta Watershed, which covers a total of 21,630 hectares.
PANGANTUCAN, BUKIDNON — Acting on a shared interest for advancing resource conservation and sustainable development here, the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) lead the launch of the Muleta Watershed Convergence Area Development Plan (CADP) on August 30, in Barangay Pigtauranan.
Spearheaded by the Regional Convergence Initiative – Technical Working Group (RCI-TWG), comprising the DAR, DENR, DILG, and the DA as lead convenor, with the Local Government (LGU) of Pangantucan, the launch bared the comprehensive and collaborative five-year development plan from 2023 to 2027, for the protection, rehabilitation, and development of the Muleta Watershed, which spans a total of 21,630 hectares and encompasses 11 barangays in Pangantucan town.
On behalf of DA Undersecretary for Operations and NCI-SRD chairperson Engr. Roger V. Navarro, Director Karen Kristine A. Roscom, PhD, who leads the National Secretariat of the NCI-SRD, lauded the collaboration of the RCI member-agencies and the local government toward the shared aspiration for sustainable development in the area.
“A key feature of the CADP is its convergence strategy. By aligning the efforts and resources of various stakeholders, we are creating synergies that enhance our impact,” Roscom said.
“This convergence model ensures that our initiatives are part of a larger, coordinated effort that maximizes the benefit for both livelihood opportunities and the environment,” she added.
The CADP, approved last March 13 by the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD), outlines a range of strategies and actions that address critical environmental, social, and developmental concerns inherent to the Muleta Watershed, and is seen to ultimately benefit some 33,007 residents in the area.
Pangantucan Municipal Agriculturist Teodoro B. Quirante III, explained that the CADP is structured to support the watershed’s protection and production zones, underscoring its dual focus on economic growth and environmental stewardship.
For areas classified under the watershed’s production zone, the CADP proposed interventions for agricultural and agri-industrial development, the construction of farm-to-market roads, the rehabilitation of irrigation systems, tourism development, and the expansion of the watershed’s commercial area.
Meanwhile, the CADP outlines actions to ensure the conservation and rehabilitation of the watershed’s protection zone, which include the establishment of forest buffers, advancing eco-tourism development, strategies for climate change mitigation, and ensuring the protection and proper utilization of said water source.
In a message of commitment for the convergence effort, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga assured that the DA remains steadfast in supporting local agricultural development.
Madriaga stressed that through the CADP, DA-10 has committed a total budget of P86.47 million to the municipality of Pangantucan for farm machinery, infrastructure, livelihood projects, production support, and training services.
Of which, about P74.8-M (87%) has been allocated by the Department to LGU Pangantucan through its banner programs for rice (P11-M), corn (P7.3-M), livestock (P15.7-M), high-value crops (P12.5k), farm-to-market roads (P15-M), and especially through the World Bank-funded DA-Philippine Rural Development Project (P25.8-M).
Further, she highlighted the value of collaboration with other national government agencies. “By working together, we can achieve far more than we could alone,” she said, encouraging a unified approach to ensure the success of the convergence efforts.
Meanwhile, on behalf of Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque, Acting Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon expressed the provincial government’s support for the CADP, citing the passage of SP Resolution No. 2024-4032, adopting the Provincial Development Council’s support and approval for the said convergence effort.
Further, she thanked the NCI-SRD and the DA for leading the said project in Pangantucan, noting its implications on the guided development of the province and the benefits it provides for the people in Bukidnon.
Similarly, Pangantucan mayor Miguel A. Silva, Jr. expressed his enthusiasm for the project, recalling the current thrusts of the local government for agricultural development and job generation, which he said directly benefits from the strategies and actions provided in the CADP.
The event concluded with a signing of the Memorandum of Agreement by member-agencies of the RCI in Northern Mindanao, followed by a signing of a Pledge of Support joined by various stakeholders present, reaffirming their commitment to the sustainable and inclusive development of the Muleta Watershed Convergence Area.
Said member-agencies were duly represented by DENR-10 Regional Director Henry A. Adornado, PhD; DILG Bureau of Local Government Division chief Zaldy Masangkay; and DAR-10 Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Maybelle T. Alcala.
Also in attendance from the DA-10 were Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, PhD; Provincial Operations Center for Bukidnon chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM; and RCI-TWG Secretariat Head Gay Nanette R. Aleria.
From the local government, also present in support were Municipal Administrator Atty. Janica Gee Samonte-Arabejo; and SB Committee on Agriculture chairperson Pio Secadron.# (BJCE, GDA)