Water Governance Framework in Sta. Cruz River Watershed, Laguna, Philippines

Abstract

Since food security relies on sustainable water supply, this study developed an irrigation water governance framework in order to achieve an effective water irrigation supply. It was conducted in Pila and Sta. Cruz, Laguna with 176 members of the 26 Irrigation Associations. Spearman Rho correlation was used to analyzed the relationship between water governance variables and availability of water. Hindering factors include insufficient water supply during the dry season, deforestation and quarrying, and the limited funds for rehabilitation of the irrigation canals. Majority of the respondents positively declared that their rice production is enough for their household consumption. However, they occasionally experience rice shortage due to strong typhoon and dam was damage by strong typhoon but there is still food security at the household level since rice is available in the market.There is a positive strong linear association between management of water resources and regulation of irrigation water and availability of water. Regulation of irrigation water and the availability of irrigation water were found to have a strong linear relationship. The IA is at the core of the water governance model since ownership of the irrigation system was already transferred by the NIA to the IA. With these, the study recommended that the political, social, and economic aspects, and administrative systems should be taken into consideration. However, various institutions play a vital role for the IA to address the different factors. Through this, good water governance can be achieved resulting to water security thereby achieving rice security.