Legazpi City – The Bicol River Basin Management Committee (BRBMC) endorsed the conduct of the World Bank’s Program on Forest (PROFOR) Study for Libmanan
Pulantuna and Naga Yabo sub basins last June 16, 2015. Overpopulation, high poverty incidence, increasing threats and challenges, and a ridge to reef approach are the reasons for selecting the two sub basins of the Bicol River Basin.
Bicol River Basin was chosen as one of the three pilot river basins for the PROFOR Scoping Study. The framework will include biophysical modelling, valuation and economic analysis on the distribution of the forest ecosystem as discussed by Mr. Gordon Ignacio of The World Bank.
The highlight of the meeting focused on the committee’s open forum. Some of the issues and concerns raised are overlapping of the study on the previously completed Bicol RB Master Plan and Quinali Watershed Management Plan; training on valuation and modelling; and the engagement/role of the LGUs and stakeholders on the project.
RBCO Executive Director, Jacob Meimban, Jr. mentioned that the study is in consonance with the Bicol RB Master Plan and will serve as its main reference.
