This research evaluates the implementation and management of the Meycauayan-Marilao-Obando River System Water Quality Management Area (MMORS WQMA) in reference to the pillars of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) using a multi-method approach. Research participants include representatives from regional regulatory agencies and local government units of seven cities and municipalities along the river system. Aside from ecosystem, institutional and socio-political drivers, the designation of MMORS as a WQMA was influenced by the shared common interest and endorsement of local stakeholders including financial support from international agencies. Also, an enabling policy environment that reflects IWRM pillars helped in the creation of MMORS WQMA. However, disparities in WQMA Governing Board (GB)’s and the local government units’ (LGUs) level of awareness and actual level of implementation of functions are observed, hence, the need for integration. The lack of a guiding system or framework in monitoring, evaluation and information management hinders better integration among the different agencies and LGUs in the MMO WQMA GB. Also, lack of financial, human and technical resources limit performance of the GB. Improving mechanisms may include approval of the National Water Quality Management Fund; development of financial and annual plans (with short-term targets), collaboration among GB members and capacity-building.
The study was conducted to assess the journey of organizing and empowering a Haiyanaffected community that was a beneficiary of a housing project implemented by a private construction company. Specifically, the study sought to (a) characterize the socio-demographic profile of project beneficiaries; (b) determine the roles and contributions of the training participants in the various phases of the housing project; (c) identify support mechanisms of family members to the training participants; (d) discuss the enabling and constraining factors affecting the organizing efforts experienced by the project; and (e) recommend plans to further enhance family participation anchored on the community organizing perspective. The data collection involved community immersion, key informant interviews, and survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and grounded analysis of qualitative data. It was revealed that most of the respondents were married and had reached a high school level of education. Poverty incidence was relatively high since the average household monthly income fell between PHP 1,800-3,600.00. In terms of livelihood, construction and agriculture-related activities were the most common jobs for men, while women were mostly engaged in service-oriented jobs and community volunteerism. Proactive engagement in organizational development-related trainings was recognized as the key role of most of the mothers as their husbands and sons participated in the masonry skills training program of the construction company. In terms of family support, mothers and wives were identified as a sources of encouragement while fathers or male members of the family provided transport services to assist in the training needs and preparation. Institutional support coming from public and private organizations, high social acceptability, family support system, and improved social capital were also instrumental in accomplishing organizing work and empowerment activities toward resiliency.
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