ILOILO City – A multipartite team was created for monitoring the implementation of the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP) in Capiz province.
Recently, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of the Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT) for the PRBIDP which was held at Pueblo de Panay, Roxas City, Capiz.
PRBID is located in the north-eastern part of Panay Island. The Panay River Basin encompasses almost entirely the Province of Capiz with a small portion within Iloilo province.
The development project will include the constructions of High Dam and appurtenant structures, Afterbay Dam, irrigation and drainage facilities that will serve 26,800 hectares of rice land, and road networks that shall provide easy access for delivery of agricultural products.
These infrastructures are expected to provide sustainable use of water for agriculture and fishery development and possible power generation and augmentation of potable water supply.
The creation of the MMT is one of the conditions stated in the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued to the project last March 2018.
As per the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2017-15, the MMT mainly functions as an independent entity that monitors the compliance of the project proponent to the ECC conditions and Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan during project implementation.
After the MOA is signed by the Director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the MMT can commence with their activities and a Manual of Operations will be formulated which will include guidelines on how they will do conduct their monitoring.
The PRBIDP MMT has a total of 25 members, headed by the Chairperson Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CaPENRO) Atty. Emilyn Arboleda – Depon, with PENRO Joel L. Navarra as the Co-Chairperson.
Members of the PRBIDP include various local government units in Capiz and Iloilo and their respective concerned offices, Provincial Health Officer of Capiz, Capiz Archdiocesan Social Action Center, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Public Works and Highways, and vulnerable sectors such Indigenous Peoples/Indigenous Cultural Community, Capiz Federation of Irrigators Associations and directly affected barangays as represented by their respective Liga ng mga Barangay Presidents, among others.
The MOA signing was attended by NIA 6 Regional Manager Engr. Rory F. Avance, who signed on behalf of NIA and Hon. Roberto O. Palomar of Tapaz, Capiz who served as one of the witnesses./PN
