College of Fisheries Conducts Webinar and Community Outreach Program

The College of Fisheries (CF) in collaboration with the National Irrigation Administration - Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS) conducted a webinar entitled “Water Resource Management of Pantabangan Reservoir” held via Zoom on July 21, 2022.   In her opening remarks, Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, CF Acting Dean, highlighted the importance of watershed management in providing critical services like clean drinking water, productive fisheries, outdoor recreation that support our economies, environment, quality life, nutrient recycling and storage.   Meanwhile,  Mr. Jefferson V. Panaligan, Water Management Specialist of the NIA-UPRIIS Dam and Reservoir Division served as the guest speaker who pointed out the five main uses of the Pantabangan Reservoir. He then explained the role of the reservoir as flood control, irrigation, industrial and domestic water supply source, support for fish, aquaculture production and eco-tourism.   “A man-made lake takes it as an expression of beauty by itself. Its irregular shape affords hunter, picnickers and weekend fishermen a virtual paradise,” he stated as he gave emphasis on the role of the reservoir in the locality.  Consequently, he also elaborated the technical components and the techniques in delivery irrigation water services implemented by the agency.   After the presentation, an open forum was conducted wherein the 190 participants including CF graduate students, participants from different universities, and government and private agencies were given a chance to ask questions to the resource speaker.   On the other hand, recognizing the importance of conservation and sustainable use of water resources, CF faculty, staff and students conducted a community outreach program through water quality monitoring in Nabao Lake, a 38-hectare freshwater lake situated in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, Philippines."   After the monitoring of water quality parameters such as temperature, total dissolved solids, pH, hardness, alkalinity, total ammonia-nitrogen, phosphorus, and total coliform count, results indicated that the parameters were within the desirable range set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau.   This means that the water in Nabao Lake is suitable for use under Class B (recreational) and Class C (propagation of fish and other aquatic resources). These results can now be used by the Ecotourism Management Team of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, the office responsible for the recommendation of policies and regulations in the management of the lake.