Edited - CAGAYAN RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES GROUP 14

CAGAYAN RIVER AND ITS
TRIBUTARIES
GROUP 14
The Cagayan River
Also known as the Rio Grande de Cagayan, is the longest, largest

and widest river in the country. It is located in the Cagayan Valley
region in the northeastern part of Luzon Island and traverses the
provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan. Its
tributaries include the Chico River, Magat River, Ilagan River, and
Pinacanauan River.
Numerous indigenous and endangered species, such as the Luzon bleeding-heart
pigeon (Gallicolumba luzonica), the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), and a
rare riverine fish called ludong, all depend on the river for their survival
According to the BFAR, this fish is habituating in the deep pools of Addalem River in
Aglipay, Quirino, and rapids of Didimpit in Lacab, Jones, Isabela. Aside from the
records of migratory and water birds of Cagayan (Weerd and Ploeg 2004)., Boxed
turtles (Coura spp) were the only species of reptile recorded and the only known
endangered species documented that thrive in the river is the Cantor’s Giant Soft
Shelled Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) which is found in the upper Cagayan River and
the area along San Pablo and Cabagan Municipality.
CAGAYAN RIVER
Nagtipunan town in Quirino province was adjudged "The
Cleanest River in the Country"
CAGAYAN RIVER THREATS
Forest denudation at the watersheds has greatly depleted its water flow, and soil
erosion has clogged and heavily silted its waterways. What follows is massive
flooding, especially during heavy rains brought by typhoons, as siltation has
made the river shallower and has caused it to swell and inundate communities and
farmlands, destroying crops, damaging infrastructure and even taking away lives.
Slow Pace of Development
The slow pace of development in the Cagayan Riverine zone

is due to the low level of productivity of the zone in terms of
economic activity
The low level of productivity is also brought about by the yearly
occurrences of flood resulting to the loss of life properties and
the occurrences of water borne diseases thus, discouraging
investors to invest in the riverine zone.
Use of illegal fishing gears, electrofishing and other illegal

fishing activities and other activities detrimental to the riverine’s
environment have resulted to the decline in the population of the
flora and fauna in the riverine area which threatened the
biodiversity of the Cagayan Riverine zone
Four major factors that contributed to the above-mentioned
problems
 extensive and prolonged flooding
 limited water supply during dry season
 deteriorating water quality and
 low level of promotion on the potential of the riverine zone

FLOOD
 The rainfall level in Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya exceeds 50mm,
inflow to Magat Dam ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 m3/sec and outflow reaches
5,000 m3/sec with no rainfall in Cagayan, 17 municipalities in Isabela will be
flooded within 12 hours and Tuguegarao City within 24 hours.
 In case of heavy rainfall throughout the region with more than 50mm level and
the outflow of Magat Dam reaches 5,000 m3/sec, 18 municipalities will be
flooded especially those below 35m above sea level in Cagayan and 45 in
Isabela.
WATER QUALITY
The slow deterioration in the quality of the water of the river is

caused by improper waste disposal, heavy use of chemicals in
farming, water quality issues in the fisheries subsector, weak
implementation of policies resulting to uncontrolled used of the
river areas and banks for sand and gravel extension, and improper
disposal of mine tailings.
The siltation problem in Cagayan River is not
only caused by deforestation but also due to economic
activities such as road construction and farming. Note
that the heavy siltation in said river has been causing
the flood in Cagayan especially in low lying areas.
Siltation, is water pollution caused by

particulate terrestrial clastic material, with a
particle size dominated by silt or clay.
The significance of the Cagayan River Basin
 Providing irrigation to vast tracts of land, and has become a rich source of
marine life, making Cagayan Valley the country’s food basket.
 Principal source of freshwater fish and shellfish such as Ludong, Unnok,
Balinggasa, Tulya, Kabibe and Aramang.
 The river was also used in the transportation. Landing ports exist along the
river for cargo and passenger transport. In the province of Isabela,
municipality of Benito Soliven, Public ports are located in Yeban Sur, Maluno
Sur and Maluno Norte. In the Province of Quirino, a mini port is located in
Nagtipunan.
 Quarrying and Minerals - The river bank is the source of sand and gravel for
concrete aggregate. Small scale of mining for gold panning is undertaken in
the tributaries of the rivers in the province of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.
Manganese and Chrome are found in the province of Isabela and Cagayan.
Isabela’s experience with numerous typhoons and heavy flooding
has demonstrated that the magnitude of devastation and huge
number of resources are needed to restore normalcy in affected areas
which may overwhelm local government resources and manpower.
Hence, they come up with a program that aims to rehabilitate and
restore banks of the Cagayan River using bamboo as primary
commodity.
By planting bamboos in the riverbank, we can reduce soil runoff

and erosion which causes heavy flooding during strong typhoons
and rainy season from June to December each year. Specially in the
tributaries of Cagayan River in Siffu, Mallig, Magat and Ilagan.
Here are some propose measures and
policies to ensure the effective
implementation of this program:
 Provide a Work and Financial Plan for the implementation of the program
 Request technical assistance/guidance to concerned National Government Agency
such as the Department of the Environment and National Resources (RA No. 10121
known as the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010"
and RA No. 7160 known as the "Local Government Code of 1991," state that local
government units (LGUs) shall share with the national government the
responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within
their territory.)
 Include annual budget allocation for the maintenance and protection of the
established bamboo plantation as indicated in the Work and Financial Plan
 Engage the services of the concerned local communities as adaptors and ensure the
85% survival rate of areas identified for rehabilitation;
 Provide a monitoring mechanism to record and observe the progress of the

program.
 Engage and involve community members of different stakeholders to promote their

ownership and dedication to natural resources and to provide local leaders and
youngsters with the knowledge and skills they need to conduct on-the-ground
patrols on a safe manner.
 Be sure to dispose of dangerous household goods properly. Pouring substances

down a household or storm drain such as oils, antifreeze, paint, solvents, cleansers,
preservatives and prescription medications is not advised. Launch a comprehensive
education campaign to tell everyone on how to properly dispose of these materials.
 Reduce or stop using chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers particularly those
living within or near the Cagayan River. A significant source of nitrogen and
phosphorus contaminations as well as harmful discharge is lawn fertilizers and
chemicals.
 Encourage community members to participate in capacity-building, trainings and

seminars that will develop their knowledge and skills towards protection and
conservation of the river.
 Conduct a periodic research and analysis of the water resources including the plants
and fish, and another animal located within the river to be able to understand how one
aspects interacts and affects each other.
 Create a local patrol – “bantay-ilog” to be composed of the community members,

national and non-government organization, volunteers and other concerned
stakeholders to manned and safeguard the river and all its components.
 Bike, walk or ride: Cars and other motor vehicles are pollution contributors. Street
debris, including motor oil, washes into nearby waterways, endangering fish,
wildlife, and ecosystems. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, you can
protect water quality and lessen air and climate pollution.
 Conduct a periodic clean-up drive along the Cagayan River and its tributaries.
 Establish a multi-sectoral/inter-agency committee to be composed of all the local

government units where the Cagayan River and its tributaries are located and have
a common and sustainable protocols and regulations relative to the utilization and
development of the whole area..
 Conduct a regular inventory and assessment of the status of the Cagayan River and its
tributaries to be able to prevent and mitigate impacts of climate change and natural
disasters.
 Promote sustainable eco-tourism along the Cagayan River and its tributaries by
allocating funds from the income of eco-tourism for maintenance and other activities
which will ensure the life and productivity of the natural resources.
 Permits and licenses relative to small scale quarry activities should be properly
reviewed and evaluated and weigh the economic benefits in regard to the impact to the
Cagayan River and all its natural resources.
GROUP MEMBERS:
 Aggabao, Crisanda B.
 Galang, Geary M.
 Malsi, Sarah T.
 Manzano, Angelica Rose C.
 Oñate, Donne Angelo C.
 Paguirigan, Reynel B.
 Valdez, Lalarose A.

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Edited - CAGAYAN RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES GROUP 14

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CAGAYAN RIVER AND ITS

Also known as the Rio Grande de Cagayan, is the longest, largest

The slow pace of development in the Cagayan Riverine zone

Use of illegal fishing gears, electrofishing and other illegal

 extensive and prolonged flooding

 limited water supply during dry season

 deteriorating water quality and

 low level of promotion on the potential of the riverine zone

The slow deterioration in the quality of the water of the river is

Siltation, is water pollution caused by

By planting bamboos in the riverbank, we can reduce soil runoff

 Provide a monitoring mechanism to record and observe the progress of the

 Engage and involve community members of different stakeholders to promote their

 Be sure to dispose of dangerous household goods properly. Pouring substances

 Encourage community members to participate in capacity-building, trainings and

 Create a local patrol – “bantay-ilog” to be composed of the community members,

 Establish a multi-sectoral/inter-agency committee to be composed of all the local

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