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The Cagayan River Watershed is located in the northernmost area of the Philippines. The Cagayan River Basin is the largest river basin in the Philippines, covering nine provinces, with a drainage area of 27,700 square kilometers (about 10,715 square miles). Because of its size, many are affected by what happens there. The weather is typically hot, humid, and overcast, with a long rainy season.

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The Cagayan River begins in the Sierra Madre -- it continues for 350 kilometers (220 miles) and according to the Travel Bureau of the Philippines is the Philippines’ “mightiest watercourse...the widest river in the country.” It is at zero feet elevation. The Cagayan River has three major tributaries: the Ilagan River, the Magat River, and the Chico River, which meet up with other streams and flow into the Cagayan River.

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Cagayan River settlements -- By P199 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22454896

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The Cagayan River used to be the main travel pathway to Manila and is known as the lifeblood of the valley. Before automotive transportation, the river was the best way to get around and transport goods and it continues to serve this way in addition to roads. The river itself covers four provinces: Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan -- two million people live in these provinces, and over one million live in Cagayan alone.

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A 2015 water study concluded that values in water quality testing were within standards, except for total coliform, which always showed exceedingly high values. In terms of the total coliform, the water quality was not within Class A standards. Total coliforms are a group of bacteria that are, for the most part, not harmful to humans, according to the EPA. Otherwise, the Cagayan River received a Class A status.

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The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources says that Cagayan has a groundwater reservoir of 10,000 square kilometers. Private wells are used in rural areas for domestic purposes and groundwater is used for both drinking water and irrigation for farmlands.

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The rainy season occurs in the months of January, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December, and the average amount of annual precipitation is 999.9 mm (39.37 inches). The rain is heaviest on the eastern side, near the Pacific Ocean. Typhoons typically come in from the southeast, sometimes as many as 25 a year. This is a primary cause for flooding, which is exacerbated by human interference and climate change.

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During the rainy season, the famous “Lurung” fish abound in the river. When the river is murky the Lurung fish swim upstream from the delta at Aparri to spawn. The river empties at the Aparri estuary. It is the primary source of freshwater fish and shellfish.

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Most farmland in the area --about 80%-- is used to cultivate three crops: rice, corn and coconuts. Other crops include pineapples, avocados, bananas, cocoa, tobacco, coffee, rubber and mangos. The Philippines is also the world’s largest exporter of abaca (Manila hemp), which can be used as a stand-alone fiber and as a natural mix for other polymers, providing over 80% of the world’s supply.

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Land Cover Map of Cagayan de Oro River Basin -- University of the Philippines

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As for other resources, trees and bamboo are also harvested, as well as sand, gravel and silt from the riverbeds. This includes “black sand,” which is high in iron content and valuable for construction work.

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Land cover map of Cagayan de Oro River Basin - University of the Philippines

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Riverside settlements along the Cagayan River -- Philippine Air Force 

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There are 122 towns/cities in the Cagayan River Basin, and almost 2,500 villages. As of 2007 the population of these areas totaled 3.5 million people.

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Riverside settlements along the Cagayan River --Philippine Air Force

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The Cagayan Area offers a mix of the old, the new, and the natural. Tourism activities include river rafting, kayaking, hiking, swimming, and bancarera (boat racing).

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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St. Peter and St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

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The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia. More than 80% of the population is Roman Catholic. Tourists often enjoy visiting the area’s many beautiful historical churches.

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St. Peter and St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

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Bancarera is boat racing, often done on motorized small boats on an oval racetrack off the coastline. It is both a fun activity and tradition in the Philippines, with contests and events held every year.

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BANCARERA PHILIPPINES: Masaguitsit, Lobo Bats. Bancarera

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The Magat Dam is one of Asia’s biggest dams, located on the tributary river Isabela in Magat -- a source of hydroelectric power to the capital city of Manila, providing 360 megawatts of electricity to the Luzon grid.

The dam releases water to help mitigate flooding, but can also make flooding worse in downstream areas because of water already coming in from typhoons during the rainy season.

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Golden-crowned flying fox -- animalspot.net, Philippine cockatoo -- rainforestrescue.org

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Because the area used to be very forested, and is no longer so, there used to be more tropical wildlife in the area. At present there are several species that are considered endangered, such as the golden-crowned flying fox. There are also many species that are only found in the area. Some wildlife issues have been caused by deforestation, but some have been caused by the pet trade. A notable example is the parrot pet trade, and the Philippine cockatoo -- at one time it was widespread throughout the Philippines but is now scarce (and possibly extinct) in Luzon.

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Cagayan Forest -- Philippine Resources Journal

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Heavy logging and inadequate reforestation measures have significantly reduced the amount of forested land, and caused problems for wildlife and people alike. Between the mid-20th century and the early 21st century, the country’s forestland diminished by more than 50% because of logging, mining, and farming. Forestland now accounts for less than 25% of the country’s total land area. In northern Luzon the principal mountain tree is pine. In other areas, Philippine mahogany is often the most prevalent. Most vegetation is indigenous.

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Seizure of hardwoods -- Philippine Daily Inquirer

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A ban on the export of hardwoods has been in effect since the mid-1980s, but there is evidence that a great deal of hardwood timber continues to be harvested and leave the country illegally.

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Wildlife is severely affected by deforestation. The area is home to many species that are considered endangered -- some that are only found in the Cagayan River Watershed, such as the Philippine Eagle. If these species suffer any more, they could become completely extinct. Many food sources like fish, freshwater mollusks, and eel population are also going down thanks to poor water quality due to flooding, mining, and land overuse.

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Consequences of climate change -- Nana Buxan

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According to the Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines has consistently suffered from climate change, having been one of the most affected countries in the world. It is typical for the country to experience about 20 tropical storms per year, but because of deforestation and climate change, the weather occurring year after year is becoming much harsher. This causes displacement, death, and the destruction of livelihood for those living in the Philippines.

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Consequences -- Water Quality & Scarcity

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Consequences -- Water Quality & Scarcity

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The gradual deterioration of water quality leads to water scarcity. Flood damage can also affect water quality in the area, and deforestation and mining cause even more water pollution. Even though there is a lot of water, thanks to deforestation, mismanagement, sanitation constraints, and flooding, the people in the Philippines cannot utilize it effectively. With the shadow of a water crisis looming, communities may become aggressive and begin fighting.

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Cause/Effect -- Mining Operations -- VIDEO

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Cause/Effect -- Mining Operations -- VIDEO

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Mining operations along the Cagayan River have worsened flooding due to bank erosion. Buildings are sinking and agriculture fields are shrinking because of mining both in and around the river. Fish and other wildlife are also dying because of loss of habitat and pollution. One of the most common resources contractors mine in the area is river sand, gravel, and silt used in construction projects. Magnetite, or “black sand,” dredged up from underneath riverbanks, is also seen as valuable. The extensive mining is causing rivers to become more and more polluted. Eventually this causes a river to “die,” which puts more strain on the water supply.

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Magnetite Sand Mining Operation-Buguey, Cagayan

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Severe flooding in the Cagayan province - David Te, Inquirer.net 

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Because of climate change, worsening weather, forest denudation, soil erosion, dams releasing even more water trying to cope, environmental degradation, and the lack of securities and regulations in place (leading to slow recovery), there is a perfect recipe for extensive flooding disasters. Flood-prone areas are mainly at the downstream portion of the river, particularly in the low-lying coastal villages. This flooding causes loss of life, property, business, infrastructure, agriculture and water quality. In November of 2020, the Cagayan Valley Region experienced the worst flooding in four decades.

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Severe flooding in the Cagayan province - David Te, Inquirer dot net 

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Mining Protest -- Environmental Justice Atlas

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The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275) designates certain areas as water quality management areas. The purpose of this Act is to “prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution in the nation's water in order to "restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters” (EPA). This could be helpful, but there are many aspects of the area that need to be addressed and enforced by regulation.

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The use of bamboo as planting material in riverbanks serves as a flood-prevention measure, as well as a means of working towards reforestation and rehabilitation for both people and wildlife. So far, over 3,500 bamboo seedlings have been planted along the riverbank of Cagayan River.

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If used as a primary working wood, there is more reason to plant and profit off of bamboo, with more environmental positives than negatives occurring. Because of this the government in the Philippines is encouraging people to use bamboo for more projects than other woods.

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In some areas, the Cagayan River has narrowed from 400 meters wide down to 180 meters wide. This sudden narrowing, or funneling constriction of the waterways causes a huge backflow and contributes to terrible flooding. If future flood control projects focus on re-widening river channels in areas it has narrowed, it’s possible that the area would flood less.

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In November 2021, river dredging projects began in order to replace erosion and combat flooding. Dredging large sandbars are supposed to help increase water capacity in the area. So far this rainy season, there have not been any major floods where there has been dredging. However, some worry that dredging is a front for more black sand mining.

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Leverage points seem to be mining and deforestation on the riverbanks -- sedimentation, river narrowing and landslides are contributing to the biggest problems faced in this watershed. Mining and deforestation contributes to all of these, as well as heavy rainfall caused by storms. Climate change contributes to rising water levels, which cause the dams to fail, and even more water floods the area. As there are more storms and the riverbanks are further damaged, the problem worsens.

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The Cagayan River and Watershed are essential to the health, history, and prosperity of the Philippines. Because of climate change, poor regulation, and past decisions, the area is under threat for most of the year by flooding. If the Philippines can regulate the area and focus on conservation, and if the rest of the world can concentrate on climate change, there may be some positive change for people in this beautiful part of the world.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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