Resource use conflicts in the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed Forest Reserve, Philippines

Judith Castillo; Tricia Joy Castañeda; Samson Codtiyeng; Vanessa Palma-Torres; Biverly Rodriguez; Adrian Pablo Sasi; Mario Tercero

Judith F. Castillo Forestry Development Center, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Tricia Joy E. Castañeda Institute of Renewable and Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Samson K. Codtiyeng Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University–North La Union Campus, Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines
Vanessa M. Palma-Torres Institute of Renewable and Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Biverly C. Rodriguez School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Adrian Pablo V. Sasi Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Mario U. Tercero School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines

Keywords: land use, power generation settlement, reservoir management, ridge-to-reef

Abstract

The study assessed policies concerning the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed Forest Reserve (CLWFR), examining the diverse uses of the watershed — land and water — and their resulting resource use conflicts. It aimed to develop policy and operational recommendations for improved area management. Primary and secondary data were used to consolidate the policies, while a survey instrument was employed to gather information from the respondents. The CLWFR is a crucial watershed in Luzon, supplying power to the grid. Despite the management efforts, resource use conflicts persist in CLWFR. The significant resource use conflicts specifically related to land and water include illegal settlements, land tenure rights, hydropower generation, recreation and tourism, and aquaculture production, among others. These conflicts encompass disagreements regarding access, control, and uses and arise from the coexistence of various uses that either contradict the existing policies or conflict with one another. These issues, if not addressed, can lead to further degradation of the CLWFR, impacting the delivery of the ecosystem services for which this particular watershed is intended. Recommendations were drawn up to address these social and institutional aspects of implementation.