The project team from the University of the Philippines Visayas conducted a presentation and validation of results of the study “Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude, & Practices (KAP) on Water Resource Use in Tigum-Aganan-Jaro (TAJ) Watershed” held on 4 April 2024 at District 21 Hotel, Iloilo City.
The study is part of the social and behavior change component of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. (CCFPI) and World-Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) collaborative project, “Daloy: Reimagining Tigum-Aganan-Jaro Watershed,” which aims to assess the water system of the Tigum-Aganan-Jaro watershed to contribute in achieving a sustainable water future for communities in Iloilo City and surrounding provinces.
The presentation of findings was done in the presence of representatives from the Iloilo City government, Iloilo Provincial government, the Environmental Management Bureau of DENR Regional Office VI, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and MENRO from the municipalities of Pavia, Alimodian, and Oton. Also present were Ms. Elizabeth Lace Viojan, the WWF-Philippines Daloy Project Coordinator for Iloilo, Ms. Felisa Digdigan, WWF-Philippines Daloy Project Program Manager, and Dr. Jessica Salas, WWF-Philippines consultant and one of the pioneers in water conservation efforts in the region.
Utilizing survey, focus group discussion, and key informant interview, the study assessed the KAP in relation to water resource use in TAJ Watershed. Surveys were conducted from January 16 to 30, 2024 to 330 randomly selected survey participants across 14 barangays of Cabatuan, Leon, Maasin, Oton, Pavia, and Iloilo City. Field interviews were also conducted during that period.
In November last year, focus group discussions were conducted with representatives from National Irrigation Administration (NIA) - Region VI, Cabatuan Federation of Farmers’ Associations (CAFFA), Iloilo Provincial Government - Environment and Natural Resource Office (Iloilo PG-ENRO), Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resource Office (Iloilo CENRO), Sta. Barbara River Federation of Irrigators Association, Aganan River Federation of Irrigators Association, Palacatian Irrigators Association, Inc., Tigum River Federation of Irrigators Association, and the Ati indigenous people of Cabatuan.
Results of the study will be utilized by stakeholders to produce a comprehensive communications plan on water resources management and shall be the basis of a three to five year social and behavior change component for the next phase of the Daloy Project.
The WWF-Daloy Project tapped the expertise of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) through the UPV Foundation, Inc. for the KAP study. The project team is composed of Darlene Joy Calsado, Sashah Dioso, Dr. Johnrev Guilaran, and Dr. Jonny Pornel.
