Lanao del Sur Gov. Soraya Alonto Adiong and Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Northern Mindanao Regional Director Ruth Tawantawan agreed to implement the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Program (INREMP) at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Diliman, Quezon City on Wednesday.
The program aims to increase revenues from watershed management and livelihood investments and and spur sustainable socio-economic development in Mindanao through effective management of the Lake Lanao River Basin, watershed conservation and reduction or reversal of environmental degradation.
Adiong said that after 12 years of advocacy, coordination and discussions on the development of Lake Lanao, which started during the term of her late husband, Rep. Mamintal Adiong Sr., she was very happy to sign a memorandum of agreement to change the lives of the Maranaos. She added that the Maranaos derived their name from “Ranao” or “lake” which identifies them as “people of the lake.”
Adiong added that Lake Lanao is not merely for the Maranaos but for the entire Philippines as the said lake is the source of water that propels the turbines of the six hydroelectric plants along the Agus River.
DENR Secretary Gina Lopez said that after six months, she expects a good and big difference in Lanao del Sur with Adiong and DENR-10 supervising the INREMP.
Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto said it was high time measures were taken to preserve and protect Lake Lanao which was once named Sultan Alauya Alonto Lake.
A $100 million loan from the Asian Development Bank with SDR13.250 million co-financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will fund the implementation of the INREMP.
The four priority areas to be developed are the Chico Basin in the Cordillera Autonomous Region, the Wahig-Inabanga River Basin in Bohol, Lake Lanao in Lanao del Sur, and the Upper Bukidnon River Basin in Bukidnon.