Climate Variability and Extremes in the Pantabangan–Carranglan Watershed of the Philippines:

In the Philippines, watershed areas are among those likely to be adversely affected by climate change. Watersheds are critical to sustainable economic development and environmental protection. More than 70 per cent of the country’s total land area lies within watersheds, including much of the remaining natural forests, which provide a host of environmental services. An estimated 1.5 million hectares or more of agricultural lands presently derive irrigation water from these watersheds. Moreover, around 20 to 24 million people – close to a third of the country’s total population – inhabit the uplands of the many watersheds, the majority depending on their resources for survival.