CWFR Adaptive Management Plan
Profile of Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve
I.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Name : Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve
1.2 Area : 26,010.0 hectares
1.3 Legal Basis : Proclamation No.123
1.4 Boundaries :
The island of Catanduanes is located in the Pacific Coast, Southeast of the main island of Luzon. It lies between 13.5 and 14.1 degrees North Latitude it extends from 124.0 to 124.5 degrees East longitude. The island is bounded in the West by the Magueda Channel, in the South Lagonoy Gulf and on the North and East by the Philippine Sea.
1.5 Geographical Location
The protected area covers the most of the forested areas of the municipalities of Baras, Bato, Caramoran, Gigmoto, San Miguel, San Andres, Viga and Virac. It includes the old growth forests located at 13°45’00” to 13°55’00” North latitude and 124°10’00” to 124°20’00” East longitude.
1.6. Land Uses and Tenure
Forest lands of Catanduanes covers an approximate area of 69,770 hectares or 46% of its total land area. Of this, 69,684 hectares are classified forest lands while 86 hectares are still considered unclassified forest lands.
1.1 Name : Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve
1.2 Area : 26,010.0 hectares
1.3 Legal Basis : Proclamation No.123
1.4 Boundaries :
The island of Catanduanes is located in the Pacific Coast, Southeast of the main island of Luzon. It lies between 13.5 and 14.1 degrees North Latitude it extends from 124.0 to 124.5 degrees East longitude. The island is bounded in the West by the Magueda Channel, in the South Lagonoy Gulf and on the North and East by the Philippine Sea.
1.5 Geographical Location
The protected area covers the most of the forested areas of the municipalities of Baras, Bato, Caramoran, Gigmoto, San Miguel, San Andres, Viga and Virac. It includes the old growth forests located at 13°45’00” to 13°55’00” North latitude and 124°10’00” to 124°20’00” East longitude.
1.6. Land Uses and Tenure
Forest lands of Catanduanes covers an approximate area of 69,770 hectares or 46% of its total land area. Of this, 69,684 hectares are classified forest lands while 86 hectares are still considered unclassified forest lands.
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2. PHYSICAL
FEATURES
2.1 Topography and Soil
Catanduanes terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous with 57 percent of the total area in the slope category of 18 percent slope and above. The lowlands occupy roughly 11 percent of the total land area, 47 percent are hilly and about 42 percent mountainous.
Mt. Boctot, with a peak of 803 msl is the premier range and shows much influence over the immediate environs including the municipalities of the Virac and San Miguel in terms of prime source of potable water.
Other prominent mountain forms include the ranges of Obi in Caramoran, Cagmasoso in San Andres and the Summit area in Viga and Gigmoto.
The soil data in Catanduanes includes important minerals such as coal, copper, gold and phosphate. Limestone and silica are abundant. Other minerals include manganese, black sand, marble and clay. The surface soil cover is described as a thick layer A horizon and moderately thin layer B horizon with varying color from blackish to brownish and brownish to yellow brown respectively. In the innermost of the forested area, the soil is clay loam with thick humus content.
2.2 Climatic Condition
Catanduanes climate falls under the type II of the “Coronas Classification” for climatic zones, having no distinct dry season with a very pronounced rainfall, usually from November to January when storms are more frequent and low pressure systems are active.
2.3 Hydrological Features
Springs, streams, waterfalls, lakes/ponds and rivers.
2.4 Geological Features
The Island of Catanduanes is bounded by a vast formation of sandstone lithology in the Northeastern part up to Gigmoto Area, having s series of igneous rock in the Southern portion and a fairly homogemous, thick metamorphosed sedimentary rock at the central portion pointing towards Panay Islands. The Southeastern part are mainly disturbed by intrusive diorites with a capping of limestone formation toward the Southern tip.
2.1 Topography and Soil
Catanduanes terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous with 57 percent of the total area in the slope category of 18 percent slope and above. The lowlands occupy roughly 11 percent of the total land area, 47 percent are hilly and about 42 percent mountainous.
Mt. Boctot, with a peak of 803 msl is the premier range and shows much influence over the immediate environs including the municipalities of the Virac and San Miguel in terms of prime source of potable water.
Other prominent mountain forms include the ranges of Obi in Caramoran, Cagmasoso in San Andres and the Summit area in Viga and Gigmoto.
The soil data in Catanduanes includes important minerals such as coal, copper, gold and phosphate. Limestone and silica are abundant. Other minerals include manganese, black sand, marble and clay. The surface soil cover is described as a thick layer A horizon and moderately thin layer B horizon with varying color from blackish to brownish and brownish to yellow brown respectively. In the innermost of the forested area, the soil is clay loam with thick humus content.
2.2 Climatic Condition
Catanduanes climate falls under the type II of the “Coronas Classification” for climatic zones, having no distinct dry season with a very pronounced rainfall, usually from November to January when storms are more frequent and low pressure systems are active.
2.3 Hydrological Features
Springs, streams, waterfalls, lakes/ponds and rivers.
2.4 Geological Features
The Island of Catanduanes is bounded by a vast formation of sandstone lithology in the Northeastern part up to Gigmoto Area, having s series of igneous rock in the Southern portion and a fairly homogemous, thick metamorphosed sedimentary rock at the central portion pointing towards Panay Islands. The Southeastern part are mainly disturbed by intrusive diorites with a capping of limestone formation toward the Southern tip.
3. BIOLOGICAL
FEATURES
3.1 Flora 3.2 Fauna |
Narra Pterocarpus indicus Red Lauan Shorea guiso White Lauan Parashorea malaanonan Apitong Dipterocarpus grandiflorous Bagtikan Hopea plagata Balite Ficus sp. Ipil-ipil Leaucaena sp. Yakal Shorea polsperma Balitkitan Cynometra ramiflora Mayapis Shorea polysperma Guava Psidium guajava Wild Strawbery Magabuyo Celtis luzonica Tangisang Bayawak Ficus variegata Is-is Ficus ulmifolia Niog-niogan Ficus pesudopalma Matanghipon Breynia rhamnoides Sili Capsicum frutescens Amorsiko Crysopogon asciculatus Cogon Imperata cylindrica Chinese bamboo Bambusa glausesiens Makahiya Mimusa pudica Nito Lygodium sp Corn Zea mays Tiger grass Phalaenopsis schilrian Coconut Cocos nucifera Betel Nut Areca catechu Palasan Calamus ornatus Bunga Areca catechu Wild Pig Woodpeckers Monkey Owls Wild Rat Buhid Budcon Kilyawan Common Rat Suyapan Bat Sarimbaba Civet Cat heron Deer Kulileng Snakes tarictic hornbill Chameleon Blue-crowned racket-tail Grasshopper Green Imperial pigeon Lizard Kingfishers Butaan Mosquitoes Gecko Lizard Butterflies Toko Dragon Flies Black Snake Flies Philippine cobra Termites Green Snake Crickets Common Lizard Ants Dahong Palay Bees Bugs Field Frog Toad Scorpion Cabacab Spiders Ponay Eel Hornbill kabunbon Wild Chicken Shrimps Parrots Crabs Kuro-kuro Worms Hawk Centipede Oriole Earthworm Red Maya Flat Worm Leech |
4. ANTHROPOLOGICAL
FATURES
4.1 Cultural Resources 5. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 5.1 No. of communities/barangays dependent on PA resources 5.2 Population 5.3 Source of Livelihood |
No identified cultural communities or indigenous people living inside the Protected Area and even in the province. 9 communities, 50 Barangays Total population – 36,506 (as of May 1, 2000) Total No. of households - 6,848 Agriculture Non-Agricultural Activities |
6. USES
6.1 Tourism and
Recreation |
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6.2 Scientific Research and Facilities
The Protected Area is rich in unique tourist destinations ( waterfalls, natural swimming areas, mountain peaks and camping sites ) which are ideal both for educational and recreational activities. Its old growth forest is also ideal for scientific research and should be protected due to outside threats. Its flora and fauna composition is reported to be of high biodiversity characteristics but major or comprehensive research activities are yet to be implemented in the area primarily due to lack of funds and interested research organization.
6.3 Water supply
The province heavily relies on the Protected Area for the supply of water for domestic, irrigation and industrial uses.
The Provincial Government also taps the optimum utilization of water that emanates from the watershed to augment the prevailing power crisis in the province by employing additional hydro-electric power sources. Sunwest Water and Electricity Corporation (SUWECO) is among the pioneers in this endeavor. At present, the company is on the stage of developing three (3) mini- hydro plants/projects located in Brgys. Solong, San Miguel with a total budget of P404 million, Paraiso, San Miguel with a total budget of P459.7 million and in Obi, Caramoran with a corresponding budget of P242 million. With the huge amount of investment, these three (3) mini- hydro power plants are expected to generate a combined electricity of 6.4 megawatts (MW) which is enough to reduce the present electricity rates. This is aside from the existing hydro electric power plant being operated by the NAPOCOR in Balongbong, Bato, Catanduanes.
The Protected Area is rich in unique tourist destinations ( waterfalls, natural swimming areas, mountain peaks and camping sites ) which are ideal both for educational and recreational activities. Its old growth forest is also ideal for scientific research and should be protected due to outside threats. Its flora and fauna composition is reported to be of high biodiversity characteristics but major or comprehensive research activities are yet to be implemented in the area primarily due to lack of funds and interested research organization.
6.3 Water supply
The province heavily relies on the Protected Area for the supply of water for domestic, irrigation and industrial uses.
The Provincial Government also taps the optimum utilization of water that emanates from the watershed to augment the prevailing power crisis in the province by employing additional hydro-electric power sources. Sunwest Water and Electricity Corporation (SUWECO) is among the pioneers in this endeavor. At present, the company is on the stage of developing three (3) mini- hydro plants/projects located in Brgys. Solong, San Miguel with a total budget of P404 million, Paraiso, San Miguel with a total budget of P459.7 million and in Obi, Caramoran with a corresponding budget of P242 million. With the huge amount of investment, these three (3) mini- hydro power plants are expected to generate a combined electricity of 6.4 megawatts (MW) which is enough to reduce the present electricity rates. This is aside from the existing hydro electric power plant being operated by the NAPOCOR in Balongbong, Bato, Catanduanes.
7. THREATS
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1.
Increasing population in forested areas/Migration
2. Illegal cutting and collection of minor forest products 3. Kaingin and Abaca Farming 4. Unregulated collection of wildlife resources/Hunting 5. Unregulated Mining activities 6. Effects of Climate Change |
8. LOCAL PARK
ADMINISTRATION
Protected
Area Office, Virac, Catanduanes
Protected Area Management Board |
1. Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) 2. Assistant PASu 3. Three (3) Forest Rangers 4. EMS II 1. Regional Executive Director- Chairman/Presiding Officer 2. Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO) 3. LGU San Andres, Catanduanes 4. LGU Virac, Catanduanes 5. LGU Lictin, San Andres, Catanduanes 6. LGU Rizal, San Andres, Catanduanes 7. LGU Carangag, San Andres, Catanduanes 8. LGU Timbaan, San Andres, Catanduanes 9. LGU Dugui-Too, Virac, Catanduanes 10. LGU Hicming, Virac, Catanduanes 11. LGU Tubaon, Virac, Catanduanes 12. LGU Sibacungan, Bato,Catanduanes 13. LGU Marinawa, Bato, Catanduanes 14. LGU Solong, San Miguel, Catanduanes 15. NGO- Catanduanes Upland Management and Development, Inc. |