Marikina watershed declared protected area.
By Kristine L. Alave, Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 3, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines—The Marikina watershed, the river basin that mitigates flooding in Metro Manila, has been proclaimed a protected area by the Environment Department.

By declaring the 26,125-hectare area under government protection, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said commercial and economic activities within the watershed will be banned to protect the tree species and wildlife thriving there.

“With its proclamation as a protected area, the Marikina watershed will now be placed under a regime of management where all native species of plants and animals, including its unique features, are protected for perpetuity, but also its forest cover shall be rehabilitated to enhance its capacity to absorb water,” Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said.

Local government officials recommended the declaration of the watershed as protected area last September on the occasion of the second anniversary of 2009 catastrophe caused by Tropical Storm “Ondoy,” which drowned the metropolis.

According to the mayors of Marikina, Quezon City, Antipolo, Pasig, Cainta, San Mateo and Rodriguez, rehabilitating the watershed is important as it is their first line of defense against rainwater surging from the uplands of Luzon.

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