Subproject Completion Report: Catubig Watershed Rehabilitation Subproject

The Catubig Watershed Rehabilitation Subproject is located in the province of Northern Samar covering the municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas. It is a part of the large Catubig Watershed which supplies water to the major rice growing towns of the province.

The intensive awareness and technical trainings of the People’s Organizations contracted to do the Comprehensive Site Development (CSD), equipped them with skills to accomplish much for the Subproject. One indication of the strong commitment of the PO members was the establishment of 2,321 hectares of good quality plantations with 92.30% survival rate. The POs were able to acquire assets, to embark on capital buildup and to save community forestry development fund amounting to more than six million pesos.

In terms of employment, a total of 263,140 man days were generated out of the CSD activities and implementation of the infrastructure projects. As for manpower, 1,020 members of the POs were employed by the Subproject increasing their annual average household income. With these, changes in the quality of life such as improvement of houses, purchase of household appliances, sending of children to school were noted.

The 4.81 kilometers concrete pathway on the other hand eased the mobility of the community members in the transport and marketing of products.

More importantly, the individual stakeholders through heightened understanding and developed capabilities have zealously accepted the responsibility to undertake the maintenance and protection of their plantations thus paving the way for the sustainable development of the watershed.