Section Chief
SWMS
Sr. Forest Ranger
Forest Guard/s
E. P. Calija
B. T. Virrey
R. P. Arcillas
L. M. Pizon
N. M. Mercado
G. Q. Punzalan Jr.
M. V. Talibutab
The Makiling Banahaw Geothermal Reservation, locally known as “Mak-Ban”, covers a162,000 Ha of land. Covered by Presidential Proclamation 1111 (s1973), this tract of land boxed the contiguous portions of the provinces of Laguna, Batangas and Quezon. It was reserved with the intention of exploring, developing and utilizing geothermal energy and methane gas to address the energy crisis experienced in the ‘70s.
In 1987, Executive Order No. 224 declared the Makiling Banahaw Geothermal Reservation as a watershed reservation along with the other reservations nationwide and vested to the National Power Corporation the complete jurisdiction, control and regulation over them. It was also the time when the Makiling Banahaw Watershed Area was formed as NPC’s arm to oversee Mak-Ban.
Unlike the other watershed reservations under NPC’s jurisdiction, “Mak-Ban” is unique because it is located in a highly urbanized and industrialized area of the CALABARZON. Three known mountains or watershed areas formed only a diminutive part of the reservation namely: Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal, Mt. Makiling and Mt. Malaraya-Malepunyo.
Since its declaration as a watershed reservation, the Makiling Banahaw Watershed Area Team (MBWAT) has been performing two major functions: rehabilitation and protection of the watersheds. For the rehabilitation, MBWAT embarks on the reforestation of marginal portions in the uplands like the 50 hectares (Ha) area in the Makiling Forest Reserve and 30-Ha in the Malaraya Forest Reserve. Similar projects were also established in Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal previously.
The challenge lies more on its watershed protection function. To effectively carry out this function, MBWAT relies on its effective community relation. It reaches out to educate, inform, collaborate and mobilize its stakeholders and partners from the local government units (LGU), other government orgranizations/agencies, non-government organizations and even the individual resource dependent individuals/farmers or charcoal makers. This was proven true and effective when 14 Sangguniang Barangays from within and the periphery of the Malaraya-Malepunyo watershed were organized into a Mt. Malaraya-Malepunyo Watershed Protection Council or MMWPC. MMWPC then became the partner of MBWAT in its forest protection efforts. To date, MMWPC boasts of having 17 member (barangays) and continuously encouraging other barangays to participate in its noble actions.
Now, NPC is no longer just an agency of “power” but an organization in the forefront of ensuring the sound future of our life-supporting watersheds.
PROGRAMS
- Watershed Protection
- Enforcement of forest laws, rules and regulations
- Routine foot patrol in coordination with PNP & Military personnel
- Apprehension and confiscation of illegally gathered forest products
- Pest and diseases detection and control
- Aerial reconnaissance
- Mobilization of organized PO (Mt. Malaraya-Malepunyo Watershed Protection Council or MMWPC)
- Mobilization of
Deputy Forest Officers (DFO)
- Watershed
Rehabilitation
- Reforestation of
open areas
- Reforestation of
open areas
- Community
Development & Extension
- Socio-economic survey/profiling
- Barangay meetings/dialogues
- Livelihood trainings (apiculture, propagation of high value crops, charcoal briquetting, etc)
- Fuelwood farming
- School lecture
- Film showing
- Production of leaflets, calendars and other IEC materials
- TV & Radio plugging
