Emmanuel M.

Lleva
Abra River Watershed
Area: 5125 sq Km
Eastern Divide:
Elevations 2000 masl. Mountainous
Western Divide:
Elevations 500 masl. Less rugged.
Flat terrain is estimated at 10% of total land
area

Identified Land Cover and
Corresponding Area
Identified land cover and corresponding area for the province of Abra.


Land Cover


Area
(hectares)


Percent
Closed Forest 35,119.91 9.10
Open Forest 100,008.49 25.93
Plantations 1,999.44 0.52
Built Up Area 2,053.22 0.54
Cultivated Land 30,171.60 7.82
Grassland Barren 25,331.32 6.57
Other Wooded Land 183,357.52 47.54
Inland Water 7,650.21 1.98
TOTAL 385,691.71 100
Source: The Cordillera Environment, DENR-FMS (2014)
Major Agricultural Products
Rice
Corn
Vegetables
Roots and Fruits
Beef
Pork
Poulty
Condition of the watershed
Based on the data of DENR and the PPDO, it is
estimated that approximately 800 km
2
of the
watershed area of Abra River in Abra Province is
severely eroded. This corresponds to approx. 20%
of the whole area of the province.
Main causes for erosion are natural events
(earthquakes with consequent slides) on one
hand and the impact of man and animals on the
other hand.
Most of the heavily eroded land is pasture land
which is regularly burnt and which is generally
very steep.

Soil erosion susceptibility in Abra River Basin
Erosion and Sedimentation
Steep slopes + Scant vegetation + High rainfall =
High Erosion Rates
Abra is number 6 in most susceptible to
landslides
Evidenced by braided river
Recommend the use of satellite imagery to
determine erosion and sedimentation rates
through GIS modeling


River Basin Biodiversity
Local Fauna (Fishes, Insects and Macrophytes)
Introduced: 4
Endemic: 13
Forest Flora (Trees and Shrubs)
Introduced: 34
Endemic: 106


Source: ERDS Vulnerability Assessment of Lusuac Watershed
2008. STARM Report
Abra River Physical Characteristics
(Dulay, 2005)
Approved and registered Abra Mineral
Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA).
MGB approved commercial sand and
gravel mines in the province of Abra.
Other Exploration Projects
Upstream of Abra River
Royalco in Bakun,
Goldfields in Mankayan,
Cordillera Exploration Company Inc. (CEXI)
application in parts of Mountain Province and
Phelps Dodge application in Patiakan, Quirino.
Downstream Abra River there are also a lot of
mining applications such as Sulfotara, in Tubo
Goldenlake in Lacub, and others.
2102
Production
2013
Production
Gold 29,201 ounces 33,240 ounces
Silver 51,449 ounces 67,815 ounces
Sales 2.13 B 2.02 B
Parameters at Critical Points Compared to Water Quality
Criteria for Toxic and other Deleterious Substances for Fresh
Waters (for the Protection of Public Health). (Dulay, 2005)
The data has to be taken with some caution since it is also possible that taking the
samples from the milling site itself would not constitute a polluted waterway since the
settling pond or tailings storage facility would have bound these elements to humic
substances following a range of pH toward alkalinity 6.5 to 8.5
Suyoc Mines
Suyoc Mines
Total Suspended Solid in Casamata Hill Park,
Bangued Abra, 2013
Table 1Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) of Water Bodies in Casamata Hill National Park, Bangued, Abra for the
year 2013.
Sampling Station & Location Jan. 21,
2013
June 26,
2013
Sep. 23,
2013
Nov. 6,
2013
Nov. 10,
2013
DENR
Standard*
SS 1 (San Quintin) <1 19 57 Nd <1 50
SS 2 (Pidingan) 35 7 187 13 Nd 50
SS 2-1 (Sinalang) 21 2 196 11 Nd 50
SS3-1 (Calaba) 7 15 225 7 Nd 50
SS4 (Tineg River 1 19 218 4 Nd 50
Pamora Farms nd 9 nd Nd Nd 50
* DAO 90-34. DENR Freshwater Standards for Class A Water Bodies.

Table 1Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) of Water Bodies in Casamata Hill National Park, Bangued, Abra for the
year 2013.
Sampling Station & Location Jan. 21,
2013
June 26,
2013
Sep. 23,
2013
Nov. 6,
2013
Nov. 10,
2013
DENR
Standard*
SS 1 (San Quintin) 154 157 478 nd 157 1000
SS 2 (Pidingan) 250 252 269 291 Nd 1000
SS 2-1 (Sinalang) 278 251 257 300 Nd 1000
SS3-1 (Calaba) 197 160 152 178 Nd 1000
SS4 (Tineg River 207 166 137 141 Nd 1000
Pamora Farms Nd 347 Nd Nd Nd 1000
* DAO 90-34. DENR Freshwater Standards for Class A Water Bodies.
Total Dissolved Solid in Casamata Hill Park,
Bangued Abra, 2013
Conclusion on the general condition and
trends in the River basin
Non-Sustainable Resource Extraction
A major forest product that is derived for livelihood in part of Abra including the
barangays of Salnec and Layugan in Bucay; Sta. Rosa in Pearrubia; and Sagap of
Bangued. To prevent the depletion of natural timber, the DENR-PENRO of the
province is constantly monitoring charcoal making and expansion. However, a
number of people still persist to use trees from the forest as a faster way to derive
income.
Reduced Water Quantity and Quality
The tables presented on water quality indicate that the Abra River is being
degraded at an alarming rate. This is exacerbated by the heavy sediment load from
the accelerated erosion from denuded watersheds. The disproportionate size of
grasslands which is estimated at 32% of the total land area of Abra is a major
environmental problem. Additional problem is solid waste.
Depletion of Biodiversity
The depletion of biodiversity from the fire disclimax is mainly habitat destruction.
The reduction of habitats would surely reduce the wildlife communities that could
also lead to extinction.
Watershed Condition
Severely eroded 800 km2 or 20%
of whole province
DENR Reforested Area 15,500 has.
Deforestation is seen as cause of
severe floods
Climate Change new normal

Forest Land Use Change in 23 Years
1987 2003 2010
727,831 796,655 864,811
Government Iniatives
National Greening Program
Other Options
Agroforestry, Expanded Orchards mango,
coffee, cacao, etc.
Forest Protection - lapat system
RUPES Rewarding the Upland Poor for
Environmental Services
Rubber
Palm Oil

Rubber Plantation in India
Rubber Production Income (1 ha.)
Year Grams per
tree
Gross
Monthly
Yearly
1-5 0 0 0
6 20 1,700 17,000
9 100 8,500 85,000
13 200 17,000 170,000
16 300 25,500 255,000
20 375 31,875 318,750
Establishment Costs: P7,000, Annual Fertilizer Costs: P1,000
E. Alcala. Former Director. International Rubber Research and Development Board
8M ha eyed for oil palm plantations: DENR
Chief says idle lands ideal palm site

Oil Palm
Oil Palm
2.5 ha farm Income per
year (P) 2014
Income per
year P 2020
Coco farm 40,000 40,000
Malaysian oil
palm
380,000 670,000
Dr. P. Pamplona. Philippine Palm Oil Development Council.
Comparisons for Rubber and Oil Palm
Structural Initiatives
Sabo Dams

Mini Hydro Projects

ENR Enterprises
Fruit wines
Ornamental bamboo
Soft broom from Tiger Grass Farm
Dragon Fruit
Honey Processing
Latex Production
Tableya from Cacao
Dios ti Agngina Apo