MAITUM, Sarangani (September 14, 2022) – Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao paid a visit to the Saub Watershed Ecosystem Rehabilitation and Flood Risk Reduction for Increased Resilience Project on September 13.

The project, amounting to P103 million, commenced during the term of Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon as the governor of Sarangani, to improve the resilience of the Saub Watershed Ecosystem from floods and other associated risks caused by climate change variability.

Part of the budget is for the rehabilitation of the irrigation system and construction of spillway and flood control amounting to P83,246,165, and P19,676,400 for watershed management and reforestation.

The multi-million project is still ongoing which Governor Pacquiao assured to strongly support its completion. The project is eyed to be done by 2025.

The Saub Watershed spans nine barangays, including Kiayap, Malalag, Old Poblacion, Mabay, and Sison; Zion and Batian for Sub-Watershed 1; and New La Union for Sub-Watershed 2.

According to a report presented by Environmental Conservation and Protection Center (ECPC) Executive Director Cornelio Ramirez, the project has four components: the establishment of the Saub Watershed Management Plan and Watershed Management Office; capacity-building activities and research on watershed management; agroforestry development through deep-rooted fruit tree development in upland and the establishment of demo-farms; and agroforestry development along the riverbank and the improvement of the communal irrigation system through a spillway.

During the time of then Gov. Solon, Sarangani was the first province in the country to access the People's Survival Fund, amounting to P103 million for the flood control and watershed ecosystem rehabilitation project in the Saub River. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

? Jake T. Narte