Abstract:

Watersheds play an important role in our ecological system especially to the communities surrounding it. In the Philippines, domestic, industrial water and irrigation systems were supplied by watersheds. However, not all watersheds are truly protected even though there are several community-based forest management programs implemented. Thus, this study tries to elicit the role of community-based forest management on the awareness of watershed protection and conservation.

In particular, it tries to 1) generate baseline data on the demographic, livelihood activities, resources used of the communities living within the watershed area of Calbayog Pan-as Falls Hayiban Protected Landscape (CPHPL); 2) determine the relationship of the respondents’ profile to their level of awareness of watershed and to their existing watershed protection and conservation practices; and 3) recommend programs and policy that would strengthen community-based forest management protection.

The study was conducted in the five upland communities of CPHPL, namely: Sitio Pena 2, Cango-maud, Danao 2, San Rufino and Cag-anahaw. A descriptive-survey was used to assess the relationship of awareness of watershed protection and demographic profile.

Results show that educational attainment has a significant relationship (0.05% level) to the level of awareness on watershed roles and functions in the environment among the upland communities. This is despite most of the respondents (56.5%) have obtained primary education.

This means, awareness of existing watershed protection and conservation practices helps educate the people about watershed conservation and protection. In fact, the presence of community-based forest management program made the community moderately aware (33.2%) about watershed protection.

References:

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