The PES law for watersheds requires compensation for water use

THE draft Ordinance on Payment for Ecological Services (PSE) aims to establish a compensation system for users of the Panigan-Tamugan watershed. According to a representative from Amnesty International Philippines, individuals or entities using water resources in the watershed will be required to provide monetary compensation.

Atty. Romeo T. Cabarde, vice president and board member, said the fees collected will be allocated to the conservation and protection of the Panigan-Tamugan watershed.

Under the proposed ordinance, customers of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) will pay their monthly bills, while non-customers will pay directly to the city treasurer’s office.

Tourism activities using Davao water will attract environmental taxes, thereby contributing to the conservation fund. Cabarde, of Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (Apila) and member of the Sustainable Davao Movement (SDM), gave proposed rates of 25 centavos per cubic meter for individuals connected to the DCWD and 50 centavos for commercial establishments. Discussions with the water supplier are ongoing, with collection estimated at around P6.25 per household per month.

The payment aims to support efforts to restore, conserve and protect the vital Panigan-Tamugan watershed. Cabarde, in a media interview Tuesday morning, June 4, 2024, at the Sanguniang Panlungsod, highlighted its importance as a vital part of the region, requiring proactive measures to mitigate risks.

“To ensure that the Ovu Manuvu tribe has the necessary funds to protect the Ovu Manuvu tribe, we thought of the PES as a program to raise this amount (To ensure that the Ovu Manuvu tribe has the necessary funds to protect the of our Panigan-Tamugan, we thought of the PSE as a way to raise this amount,” he continued.

The allocation of funds raised includes 80% for conservation efforts, 10% for environmental advocacy and 10% for operating costs of the Ecological Services and Water Protection Board.

Roy Sandad, a barangay kagawad, stressed the importance of financial support for environmental protection, especially for the indigenous community tasked with safeguarding the watershed.

“Ang panawagan namo nga ang kaning pakigbisog angay nga supportahan (We urge everyone to support this effort),” he said.

Councilor Pilar Braga, chair of the Committee on Education, Science, Technology, Arts and Culture, presented the ordinance on World Environment Day, highlighting its innovative approach to governance environmental protection and its recognition of indigenous management, equitable benefit sharing and community empowerment.

Braga urged the city council to address threats to the Panigan-Tamugan watershed, including deforestation and pollution, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding this essential ecosystem.

The ordinance passed its first reading and was referred to the Environment Committee for further deliberation. RGP