Nueva Vizcaya, under the leadership of Governor Jose “Jing” V. Gambito, marked a significant milestone in sustainable environmental governance with the conduct of the Provincial Payment for Water Ecosystem Services (P-WES) Summit on January 28, 2026, at the Carlos M. Padilla Convention Center. The summit served as the culminating activity of the P-WES Project and gathered key stakeholders and partner institutions for the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and the formal turnover of a proposed provincial ordinance.
The Payment for Water Ecosystem Services (P-WES) initiative promotes sustainable water resource management by providing compensation to communities and institutions that protect and sustain critical water ecosystems. Recognized as an innovative approach to addressing water-related challenges in the Philippines, P-WES integrates environmental conservation with economic incentives for local stakeholders.
Nueva Vizcaya has the potential to become the first province in the country to institutionalize P-WES at the provincial level. This development could position the province as a model for other local government units and contribute to the formulation of a national P-WES framework.
The project is implemented by the University of the Philippines Los Baños–Institute of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (UPLB-INREM), with support from the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). It advances the institutionalization of P-WES through policy dialogues, strategic partnerships, and the development of national and local policy instruments, including a proposed provincial ordinance for Nueva Vizcaya. Through coordinated efforts among government agencies, local government units, communities, and the academe, the initiative aims to ensure long-term water security, environmental protection, and inclusive local development.
In his opening remarks, Dean Marlo D. Mendoza of the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources emphasized that P-WES addresses the disparity between the ecological services provided by forest ecosystems and the uncompensated labor of upland communities. He underscored the importance of equity and called on water users and business sectors to extend support to communities that safeguard the ecosystems from which they derive benefits. UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho described the summit as a landmark initiative that demonstrates how research, advocacy, and multi-sectoral partnerships can be translated into concrete governance mechanisms that benefit both people and the environment. He further expressed confidence that the initiative would encourage broader adoption of the P-WES framework across the region.
\In support of this initiative, Board Member Atty. CastillO B. Tidang Jr. representing Governor Atty. Jose “Jing” V. Gambito, conveyed optimism that the collaboration among the provincial government, involve government and non-government agencies and the academe would generate sustainable and long-term benefits for the province.
Dr. Asa Jose U. Sajise, P-WES project leader explained that the guiding principle of P-WES is to “make the market work for nature” by mobilizing conservation funding from direct beneficiaries of ecosystem services. He noted that the initiative originated from research assessing the feasibility of P-WES in a small watershed in Bayombong, integrating scientific and economic analyses to establish its viability. Dr. Sajise further emphasized that, given the transboundary nature of water systems, higher-level policy frameworks, beginning with a provincial ordinance, are essential for effectively managing inter-municipal and inter-provincial water resource relationships.
This perspective was echoed by DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, who stressed that science alone is not enough unless it is embedded in policies, institutions, and decision-making processes that go beyond individual projects.In parallel with the summit, a trade fair was organized in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), highlighting market opportunities for upland producers and demonstrating how sustainable environmental management can be translated into viable livelihood outcomes.
Overall, the summit reaffirmed the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya’s commitment to sustainable water resource governance and positioned the P-WES framework as a viable model that recognizes environmental stewardship not only as an ecological obligation but also as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable local economic growth. #FAA
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