More than 50 stakeholders from the academe, private organizations, and government offices conducted a learning visit to the Malagos Watershed Reservation on Friday as part of the second day of the Watershed Stakeholder Summit held on November 28, 2025.
The visit highlighted the Adopt-a-Site Program run by the Davao City Water District (DCWD), which fosters a multi-stakeholder effort to protect the watershed.
During the visit, markers displaying the names and logos of supporting companies and organizations were visible throughout the reservation, signifying their involvement in the program.
DCWD representative Angi Laura A. Grecia-Lorona explained that the markers represented the supporters of the Adopt-a-Site Program—a non-monetary approach to assisting the watershed. These companies and organizations have committed to maintaining specific areas within the 235.34 hectare reservation.
The DCWD also hires workers from nearby communities, providing them with livelihood opportunities. These workers conduct maintenance activities, operate nurseries and demo farms, and carry out information and education campaigns.
Aside from learning about the adopt-a-site initiative, the participants also observed the abundant water resources originating from the reservation and sightings of endangered species, including the golden-crowned flying fox, one of the world’s largest bat species which has been listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
One of the participants, City Bantay Bukid volunteer and Ovu-Manuvu tribe member from Barangay Carmen, Nilfa Landim, said in an interview with Madayaw that the site visit deepened her understanding of the importance of protecting watersheds.
“Ang na-learn gyud nato diri kay kinahanglan protektahan gyud nato ang atong kalasangan kay diha namuyo ang atong endangered species, panagsa na lang siya mao nang kailangan nato i-protect. Tapos panalipdan pud nako ang atong kakahuyan kay kasagaran diha gyud ang atong source sa tubig,” (What we truly learned here is that we must protect our forests because endangered species live there; they are now rare, so we really need to protect them. We must also safeguard our forests because that is where most of our water sources come from),” Landim said, emphasizing the protection of endemic species.
“Nakita namo ang mga animals nga wala pud namo nakita sa bukid ug mga bulak pud,” (We saw animals we don’t usually see in the mountains, as well as flowers.)”, she said.
As a forest guardian, she shared that the forest areas in Barangay Carmen are also rich in flora and fauna and have clean water sources.
“Ma-experience nimo ang kalami sa tubig na dili nimo makita sa siyudad.” (You can experience the refreshing quality of water that you cannot find in the city)”, Landim added.
Another participant, Barangay Kagawad of Matina Biao, Jerwin Alconisar, said that witnessing the vibrant biodiversity of the Malagos Watershed made him realize how rich Davao City is in natural resources—something Dabawenyos can truly take pride in.
“Akong narealize nga dato gyud ang Davao City in terms sa kinaiyahan nga ikagarbo nato as a Dabawenyo. Ako gyud nakita nga kaning pag-preserve ug pag-conserve sa atong watershed kini ang usa sa mga testament nga ang sumusunod pa nga generation ilaha pang makita ug mapanginabangan ang kinaiyahan.” (I realized that Davao City is truly rich in natural resources, something we can be proud of as Dabawenyos. I saw that preserving and conserving our watershed is a testament that future generations will still be able to see and benefit from our environment),” she said.
The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and DCWD jointly maintain the Malagos Watershed Reservation.
It is not open to the public and is accessible only for scientific studies conducted by the academe.
Interested parties must secure permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) Davao City prior to visiting.
Their office is located at Km. 7, SPED Road, Bangkal, Davao City. They may be contacted through cenrodavao@denr.gov.ph; 082-228-2557; or via the DENR Region 11 website. CIO
