The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has designated three river systems in Luzon and Visayas as water quality management areas (WQMAs) to keep the quality of water within the guidelines set for agriculture and food production. The three river systems are Upper Amburayan River System in Benguet, Lower Amburayan River System in Ilocos Sur and La Union, and Dupong-Matlang-Merida River System in Leyte. In three separate administrative orders issued by DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, the river systems have been designated as WQMAs for their “critical importance” as “sources of water for irrigation and other agricultural uses” for the towns and villages within the area.

De Vera-Ruiz, E. (2018, February 15). DENR designates 3 river systems as WQMAs. Manila Bulletin, p. B-8.