Safeguarding the Philippine Watersheds: A Call to Action

Safeguarding the Philippine Watersheds: A Call to Action

A watershed, also known as a drainage basin, is an area where all precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or bay. These natural systems vary in size and encompass diverse landscapes, including forests, mountains, and urban areas. Watersheds play a vital role in supplying water for drinking, agriculture, and industry. They also help filter pollutants, support biodiversity, and act as natural flood controls. …

Water is an essential element for life. It is well known to the Romans and later to the Arabs who created in Andalusia a network of ditches fundamental to urban cultivation and supply. With the progressive abandonment of inland localities and agriculture, these canals have been unmaintained for more than forty years. The ditches are a sustainable solution to manage water and at the same time avoid strong runoff as they divert water, help prevent…