The WILUP Team organized a roundtable discussion last October 11, 2023, at the Forest Management Bureau Conference Hall of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that primarily seeks to harmonize different guiding frameworks with the Ridge-to-Reef/Watershed Ecosystem Management (R2R/WEM) approach that could serve as the common framework in developing Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP) and Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans (PDPFP). National government agencies (NGAs) were invited to participate in an initial discussion on the potential integration and harmonization of the existing planning frameworks used by the local government units (LGUs) and NGAs.

Several DENR offices presented their mandated plans including the Forest Management Bureau, which explained the Integrated Watershed Management Plan and Forest Land Use Plan, the Biodiversity Management Bureau, which discussed the Protected Area Management Plan and the Integrated Coastal Management Bill, and the River Basin Control Office presented the River Basin Management Plan.

Other NGAs were also part of the lineup and presented in the afternoon session. Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, the WILUP Team’s watershed expert, also explained the R2R/WEM for land use planning. The Department of Public Works and Highways introduced the Integrated Water Resources Management Planning Guidelines, while the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development shared the House and Land Use Regulatory Board Comprehensive Land Use Plan Guidelines. Additionally, the Department of Interior and Local Government reported the Comprehensive Development Plan Local Illustrative Guide. Finally, the National Economic and Development Authority presented the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan Process.

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology are among the other notable attendees at the event. Dr. Noralene M. Uy, the DENR Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects, and Ms. Cheryl T. Leal, the Director of the Policy and Planning Services at the DENR Central Office, were also present and shared their valuable inputs as well.

Following each presentation, a plenary discussion provided an opportunity for participants to express their questions, comments, and suggestions. The discussion primarily centered on identifying the challenges and opportunities, as well as the requirements for the harmonization of the presented plans through the R2R/WEM approach.

Moving forward, involving various NGAs in local and provincial development planning was emphasized. The participants also stressed the importance of ongoing data collection to aid local planners in developing their mandated plans. Another suggestion was to create a dataset management system for land use and development planning. Lastly, a proposal was suggested to establish a Joint Memorandum Circular involving key agencies in the watershed and land use planning, such as NEDA, DENR, DILG, and DHSUD, with an emphasis on maintaining dialogue and advocacy with dissenting stakeholders.