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►RA 9136 (EPIRA 2001)
►Guidelines and Procedures
Governing Remittances
and Disbursement of the
Universal Charge
►ERC Case No. 2002-194
►ERC Case No. 2003-186
►ERC Case No. 2004-78
►ERC Case No. 2005-017 RC
►ERC Case No. 2006-008 RC |
Legal Basis
Pursuant to Section 34 (d) of the Republic
Act 9136, also known as Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, the
National Power Corporation through its Watershed Management Department (WMD)
is mandated to administer the environmental charge which is equivalent to P
0.0025 per kilowatt-hour sales (kWh) intended solely for the rehabilitation
and management of NPC-managed watershed areas. This is the portion of the
Universal Charge as stipulated in Sec. 2 of Rule 18 of said statute.
“Universal Charge” refers to the charge, if any, imposed for the recovery
of the stranded cost and other purposes including an environmental charge.
Availment of Universal Charge (UC)
Based on the yearly total energy sales
forecast, WMD proposes programs and projects that can maintain the
productive condition of NPC-managed watershed reservations for sustained
power generation. Specifically, these programs and projects aim to a)
maintain and increase the forest cover of all watershed areas under NPC’s
jurisdiction and watershed areas with NPC generating plants; b) protect the
remaining watershed resources; c) rehabilitate eroded areas and/or stabilize
slopes along waterways and reservoirs; and d) enhance participation of
communities inside watersheds in watershed protection and conservation.
On or before March 15 of every year, the
proposed programs and projects are submitted to Energy Regulatory Commission
(ERC) in the form of a petition for their approval after publication in
various local and national newspapers prior to the conduct of a public
hearing. Section 34 of RA 9136 also provides that UC shall be determined,
fixed and approved by the ERC and mandates Power Sector Assets & Liabilities
Management Corporation (PSALM) to be the administrator of the UC funds and
requires PSALM to establish Special Trust Funds (STFs) for this purpose.
Programs and Projects
Among the programs and projects lined-up
for implementation include rehabilitation and stabilization of open areas,
sparsely vegetated areas and critically degraded areas of the watersheds
either through vegetative measures such as reforestation, agroforestry,
non-timber forest resources management and silvicultural treatment or
through structural means like riprap, checkdams, gabions and rubble
masonry. Protection of the watersheds from all types of forest
destruction is one of the primary concerns of NPC, thus enforcement of
forestry laws and regulations to protect the watersheds from all types of
forest destruction by ensuring cooperation and proper coordination among
NPC, DENR field personnel, LGUs and other agencies is strictly
implemented. Strategies under Watershed Protection include community
based watershed protection program through the operation of Bantay
Watershed Task Force and watershed protection awareness campaign either by
broadcast, print or special media and the conduct of livelihood training.
Biodiversity conservation and ecotourism are also implemented in certain
areas of the watersheds to conserve and enhance their biodiversity.
A sound watershed management provides
continuous supply of water not only for drinking and irrigation but also
for power generation. Almost
half of the electricity produced in the country comes from both the
hydroelectric and geothermal power plants which are being supported by
watersheds. Through the environmental fund of the universal charge, NPC
assured that proper management of the watersheds will be attained and more
stringent measures are adopted for their protection, development,
management and rehabilitation.
[Accomplishments][Top][Home]
(As of June
2010)
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WATERSHED REHABILITATION
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Established
a total area of 1,958 hectares of open and denuded areas
covering 11 watersheds. Rehabilitation include projects on
reforestation, agroforestry, rubber plantation , bamboo plantation,
and silvicultural treatments ,among others
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Established
6,650 cubic meters of structural measures (riprap, rubble
masonry, checkdam and gabion) to control and prevent soil erosion of
degraded and flood prone areas ;
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Produced
more than 3 million seedlings of various forestry species and
fruit trees for watershed rehabilitation projects like reforestation,
agroforestry, rubber plantation including NPC landholdings development
(planting) and seedling dispersal;
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Maintenance
and protection of 1,628 hectare plantations established from 2005 to
2008 to ensure sustainability. This is being implemented through
hiring of local communities in the area to conduct patrolling,
brushing/weeding and fireline establishment;
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In support to environmental commitments of local groups
to plant trees, the Department has embarked on the propagation of
seedlings. This year, a total of
214,454 seedlings
of various forestry species and fruit trees were produced
for landholdings development, greening projects in
partnership with other groups and dispersal .
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WATERSHED
PROTECTION
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Confiscated
and recovered 24,177.55 board feet of lumber;
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Filed 6
cases in court due to illegal entry/squatting and illegal cutting;
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Strengthening of the organized council or Bantay-Gubat Organization
through the conduct of regular meetings, joint operation, patrolling
and capability enhancement training;
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Regular
patrolling of watershed areas in coordination with the Military or
Philippine Army and the volunteers;
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Deputized
1,242 volunteers and military/PNP as partners of NPC to augment the
watershed personnel requirement in watershed protection.
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INFORMATION
EDUCATION COMMUNICATION (IEC), COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION
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Dispersed 104,410 seedlings (both forestry
species and fruit trees) to various stakeholders , LGUs, academes and
institutions and private organizations for their re-greening
programs;
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Conducted audio/radio plugging to local radio stations
particularly in the Mindanao and Bicol Region Production and distribution of print materials like
poster, calendars brochures to various stakeholders of watersheds.
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Production of video presentation for the 11 watershed
areas;
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Strengthened livelihood training to divert local people’s
attention particularly those relying on forest products for their
livelihood. The training will serve as an alternative source of income
for the locality.
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Trainers’ Training on Butterfly Farming as a Livelihood
Project” in NPC’s Training Center in Bataan.
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Caliraya Watershed Area Team conducted the 1st,
2nd and 3rd batches of training on “Caliraya
Watershed Community Development program Through Extension” at the
Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability
(TREES), UPLB with a total of 100 selected watershed occupants as
participants. Participants are members of the NPC initiated and
organized Sagip Kalikasan Watershed Task Force.
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Makban conducted the “Beekeeping and Bee Colonies
Training” with members of the Mount Malaraya-Malepunyo Watershed
Protection Council as participants. An organization of this Council,
the Sto. Niño Beekeepers Association in Sto. Niño, Lipa City is now
engaged in the production and selling of products derived from
honeybee like pure honey.
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Other livelihood projects undertaken included Ube
Production in Pantabangan Watershed Area, Tilapia Culture in Pond and
Goat Raising in Pulangui Watershed, and Handicrafts Production using
Water Lily in Caliraya and Lake Lanao Watersheds.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND ECOTOURISM PROJECT
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Buhi Watershed Area Team initiated the development of
Lake Manapao Biodiversity Ecotourism Project located in San Ramon, Buhi,
Camarines Sur. Development included maintenance of visitors’ trail of
about 1.5 km and construction of Visitor’s Management Center. Lake
Manapao has been declared by the LGU of Buhi as a “Sinarapan” Sanctuary.
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Lake Lanao Watershed Area Team in Iligan City established
Orchidarium Center and Arboretum Center as part of their biodiversity
and ecotourism project.
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RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT (R & D)
Research and Development already completed by the WMD are the following:
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Effects of Reforestation on Hydrologic Behaviour of
Selected Watershed under NPC (Year 1)(Angat, Pantabangan and Caliraya)
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Field Trial Test on the Physical Growth and Performance
Effectiveness of some Reforestation Species in Selected Watershed Areas;
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Forest Resources Inventory in Angat Watershed; and
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Effects of Reforestation on Hydrologic Behaviour of
Selected Watershed under NPC (Year 2)(Buhi-Barit, Upper Agno and Magat
Watersheds)
Based on the study, there is reduction of sedimentation and
soil erosion inside NPC Reforestation of about 1.84 to 19.2 tons per hectare
and with an estimated 14.4 to 28.17 tons per hectare soil deposits.
Research also shows that there are improvement and stabilization of
hydrologic regime. Inside NPC Plantation there is rainfall interception of
about 42-47 % with the rate of entry of water from 10.91 – 16.21 centimeter
per hour.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Tree Planting /Nurturing Program
In partnership with various groups, the Watershed Management Department
through Caliraya Watershed Area Team was able to reforest a total area of
47.744 hectares inside the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed. The table below shows
the detailed accomplishment:
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Name of Group/Participants |
Location |
Area Adopted / Planted (has.) |
Species Planted |
Status/Remarks |
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HARIBON Foundation (in partnership with GMA 7 Network, Aquabest, Bristol
Myers, Smith Bells, Procter & Gamble, Cola-Cola Corp, Ipanema, Students
of De La Salle, UP, Adamson) |
Lewin, LumbanE. Talaongan, Cav., Lumot, Cavinti Inao-awan, CavintiSn.
Antonio, Cav. |
30 |
Narra, Bitaog,Alibangbang, makaasim, molave, dalingdingan,lipote |
The area is being maintained by the local community people’s
organization (Caliraya Ecosave) |
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Couples For Christ (CFC) and Various Partners |
So. Magalolon and So. Pulot Bae, Sn Antonio |
3.674 |
Narra, mahogany, bagras |
Periodically maintained by the area team.90
% survival. |
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Carmelite Family |
Lewin, Lumban |
0.21 |
Narra, mahogany |
About 60 % survival
Periodically maintained |
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Carmelite Missionaries Secular |
W. Talaongan, Cavinti |
0.36 |
Narra, mahogany |
The area is being maintained by the local community people’s
organization (Caliraya Ecosave) |
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Galvasteel Corporation |
Lewin, Lumban |
2 |
Molave, bitaog, narra, calamansi, mango |
The area is being maintained by the local community people’s
organization (Caliraya Ecosave) |
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Phil. Army (1st IB) and Laguna Youth for Peace and
Development |
W. Talaongan, Cavinti |
5 |
Assorted indigenous spp |
Maintained by Phil Army |
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CBKPCL and ERDB Employees |
E. Talaongan, Cavinti |
2 |
Narra, mahogany |
About 70 % survival
Periodically maintained |
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Lakbay Kalikasan and Pasig Catholic College Students |
Lumot, Cavinti |
1 |
Narra, alibangbang, bitaog, mangium, molave |
About 70 % survival
Periodically maintained |
|
TRANSCO employees |
Lewi, Lumban |
1 |
Narra& indigenous spp |
The area is being maintained by the local community people’s
organization (Caliraya Ecosave) |
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UPLB Samahang Ekolohiya (SAMAEKO) |
E. Talaongan, Cavinti |
0.5 |
Narra, mahogany |
About 90 % survival
Periodically maintained |
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AFP Reserve Officers and St. mary’s Academy |
Lewi, Lumban |
1 |
Malapapaya, narra |
About 40 % survival
Periodically maintained |
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Family and staff of SVP P.J. Benavidez |
Lewi, Lumban |
1 |
Narra, makaasim, lipote, mangium |
The area is being maintained by the local community people’s
organization (Caliraya Ecosave) & CLWAT |
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