I.

TITLE

Introducing Sustainable Water Management in the Revitalization of the WWRRDEC

Eco Complex

II. BACKGROUND, PROBLEM, OBJECTIVES, RESEARCH

QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESIS

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Watershed and Water Resources Research Center (WWRRC) is located

at Loakan Road, Baguio City. It is the primary research arm of the division that is

mandated to formulate and conduct Research, Development and Extension (RDE) on

all watersheds and water resources in the country. A watershed is simply defined as

"all land area which drains into a stream system, upstream from its mouth and is

surrounded with a divide." A watershed, if properly managed, will supply water for

agricultural and industrial use, including water for domestic consumption. The Local

Government Units (LGUs) should manage the natural resources within their

jurisdictions. Hence, WWRRC shall focus its Research, Development and Extension

(RDE) services on watershed and water resources not only within its coverage regions

but also in other regions of the country like Regions 1,2 and 3.

The Watershed and Water Resources Research Center (WWRRC) was made for

the reason that about 70% of the total land area of the Philippines is considered

watersheds which is composed of 18 major river basins and 421 principal river basins

as defined by the National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB) and 18 critical

watersheds that supply the major water needs of the country’s irrigation, hydroelectric

dams, and industrial and domestic water system. The Philippines obtains its water

supply from different sources. These includes rainfall, surface water resources, i.e.
rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and groundwater resources. The provision of the services

to the people would be sustained if the protection, development and management of

watersheds would be given priority. The concerns, needs and problems of each

watershed or sub watershed and their water resources shall be the subject to the

watershed development strategy consisting of needed Research, Development

Extension (RDE) which shall lead to a well-managed watershed ecosystem and

sustainable water resources for improved quality of life and livable environment.

However, the Research Center experiences difficulties in executing their new

management roles since they are met with challenges ranging from slide prone soils,

lack of budget and manpower, technical skills, poor community involvement,

seasonal shortages, low acceptance of innovation, extreme weather events and most

importantly the lack of coordination among sector agencies and weak institutional

capacities to regulate and coordinate multiple activities.

The rationalization plan of the DENR called for the creation of the Watershed and

Water Resources Research Center (WWRRC) under the Ecosystem Research and

Development Bureau with the mandate by DENR to be the driving force in the pursuit

of sustainable development and enabling the participation of stakeholders in the

conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the Region’s Environmental and Natural

Resources. The aim of the study is to provide relevant water and watershed resources

technology and information through research towards sustainability by introducing

the water harvesting technology and enhancing the productivity of the natural

resources while protecting the environment for a better quality of life of the

countrymen.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Watershed and Water Resources Research Development Extension Center

plans, formulates, implements and recommends an integrated research and

development program relating to the region’s land and water management. The lack

of management system and outdated facilities prevent the WWRRDEC in operating

the institution effectively. The main problem consists of concerns regarding the lack

of adequate facilities that will aid the needs of the institution that is substantial for its

development. These facilities will regulate and house the services that manage and

supply the area. The services of the institution would be sustained if the protection,

development and management of its facilities would be given priority. The needs of

the institution shall be the subject in the development strategy which will lead to a

well-managed and effective environmental governance.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to improve the overall quality of the institution by

providing adequate facilities and resources needed in order to establish an effective

environmental governance as it satisfies its goal in supplying relevant environment

and watershed resources technology and information through research towards

sustainability and enhanced productivity of the natural resources while at the same

time protecting, conserving and rehabilitating the region's environment. The quality of

service of the institution relies on its ability to have an efficient water and land

management systems that can facilitate the whole area. The goal is to help revitalize

the current condition of the institution by integrating sustainable development in its

management systems in order to improve the maintenance of all the facilities located
within their jurisdiction. Proper layout planning, efficient landscape design,

enhancement of environmental performance and incorporating facilities needed by the

institution are essential in order for it to operate effectively.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the additional facilities and innovations that could help improve the

institution?

2. What are the main factors that affect the quality of service of the institution?

3. How can you apply sustainability while considering the effectiveness of the

management?

HYPOTHESIS

It is urgent to find a sustainable solution that could alter the usage of groundwater.

Rainwater harvesting would be one of the most conceivable and viable solutions to

release the pressure on the groundwater table as the system utilizes natural rainwater

without affecting groundwater sources.

Rainwater harvesting is a multipurpose way of supplying usable water to

consumers during a crisis period, recharging the groundwater and finally reducing the

runoff and water logging during the season of heavy rainfall. Traditional knowledge,

skills, and materials can be used for this system. During the rainy season, water is

collected on the rooftop and manage it. Reserved rainwater on rooftops can be used

for self-purposes or domestic use. Water from different rooftops of a lane can also be

collected through a piped network and stored for some time. This water can be then

channeled to deep wells to recharge groundwater directly, to ponds to replenish

will be used to supply water for the preserve plants and trees.

Since the Watershed and Water Resources Research Center (WWRRC) is used for

research purposes, other facilities will be provided to aid for the needs of the visitors.

III. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

INDEPENDENT FACTORS:
* LOCATION OF THE WWWRRDEC (LOAKAN ROAD, DEPENDENT FACTORS:
BAGUI CITY)
* LANDSCAPING OF THE SITE
* WEATHER CONDITIONS
* PLACEMENT AND ORDER OF DIFFERENT GARDENS
* VOLUME & RELIABILITY OF RAINFALL
* DESIGN OF WATER HARVESTING TECHNOLOGY
*DESIGNOF MAIN BUILDING AND ECO-COMPLEX

MODERATING FACTORS:
* USUFRUCT AGREEMENT

OUTPUT:
SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
AND IMPROVED FACILITIES
 IV. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study of the revitalization of Watershed and Water Resources Research

Development Extension Center improves its performance for better production and

service. It introduces sustainable water management which is a part of sustainable

development that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the

ability of future generations to meet their own water needs. Water plays a significant

role since it is needed for the maintenance of plants and other facilities. The study

incorporates rain water harvesting technology that can aid the scarcity of water

needed for agricultural purposes. It helps promote efficiency and re-usability of

rainwater and provide alternative back up for the main supply especially during dry

season. Proposed training center and demo areas are to be built for ensuring the

employees’ abilities and boosting their competitiveness in the long run. A

development program brings all employees to a higher level so they all have similar

skills and knowledge. Thus, these employees that receive necessary training are more

able to perform their job well. The implementation of these proposed facilities could

enhance the operations in the institution so that they are more reflective of sustainable

development.

V. DESIGN AND METHODS

I. INTRODUCTION

The main problem consists of concerns regarding the lack of adequate

facilities that will aid the needs of the institution that is substantial for its

development.

II. RESEARCH DESIGN

by providing adequate facilities and resources needed in order to establish

an effective environmental governance as it satisfies its goal in supplying

relevant environment and watershed resources technology and information

through research towards sustainability and enhanced productivity of the

natural resources while at the same time protecting, conserving and

rehabilitating the region's environment. And to meet the needs of the

present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own water needs.

III. RESEARCH APPROACH

The respondents will be the users who are interested to cooperate in

introducing rain water harvesting and revitalization of the WWRRDEC

eco complex. To collect the data we will go through an interview method.

IV. SAMPLING METHOD

The interview procedure for this study will be limited to the the officers

and employees of DENR Loakan Branch. And, it has been already

mentioned that, the interview will be only on the users of WWRRDEC eco

complex.

V. DATA COLLECTION METHOD

The primary data will be collected from the users of WWRRDEC eco

complex. Moreover, these data will be gathered directly from the

respondents through an interview.

VI. DATA ANALYSIS METHOD

The data analysis of this research will be mostly presented in qualitative

reflects “the quality of the lived experience of individuals, which cannot be

reduced to numerical values using statistical analysis” (Hewitt-Taylor

2001)

INTERVIEW

INTERVIEWEE: SIR DIOSDADO A. ESTIGOY, WWRRDEC

1. Are there regulations in place for the construction of rainwater catchment

systems and the usage of the water they collect?

It is best to check with the state and local governments to see if any restrictions are in

place and what codes must be followed. We want to provide guidance on creating and

maintaining a safe alternative to utility or well water sources by reducing consumer

risk from poor design, installation and maintenance of rainwater collection systems.

2. What can harvested rainwater be used for?

Harvested rainwater can be used in the same way any water is used; Irrigation, Indoor

potable use, commercial or industrial processes, flushing toilets, for laundering,

agriculture use, fire protection, washing your vehicle fleet, cooling tower make-up

water, etc..

Rainwater is naturally soft water so it offers numerous cost-saving benefits wherever

it is used.
 3. What is the objective of WWWRRDEC?

Our objective is to provide relevant water and watershed resources technology and

information through research towards sustainability and enhanced productivity of the

natural resources and protection of the environment for the improvement of the

quality of life of the Filipino people.

4. What are the benefits of RWH ?

The benefits include:

 Flood mitigation: Appropriately designed recharge structures in open public

spaces, will help keep the roads from flooding. When water is not allowed to

leave the premises, the chances of it choking up the roads are minimal.

 Increasing groundwater levels: Marked improvement of both the quantity as

well as the quality of the groundwater in areas which have implemented

rainwater harvesting

 Greater water availability: Rainwater collected in storage tanks is available as

and when needed

 Prevents soil erosion and flooding especially in urban areas

5. What are the characteristics of a good RWH system?

The RWH system must ensure that not a drop of rainwater falling within the premises

is let into the sewerage or wasted as runoff. This can be achieved only if the method

adopted within the premises satisfies the following criteria:

 Completeness: Both rooftop and driveway runoff water must be harvested.

overflow and loss.

 Proper design: Volume of water likely to flow through and the nature of the

soil in the area should be considered.

 Maintainability: Design should incorporate features allowing for periodic

maintenance of the structure.

6. What are the basic components of a RWH and conservation system?

 Catchment areas that include roofs of buildings and open spaces.

 Storage units that can be a barrel, a tank or even a sump.

 Conveyance mechanism which transports the water falling on the catchment

area to the storage unit.

7. What are the different developments that we may add?

A shed for the bambusetum would be convenient. Small sheds are also relevant for

the learn ecopark. Also, some improvements on the landscapes and the building itself.

SITE PHOTOS
 VII. REFERENCES

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