NPC Jurisdiction over Watershed Areas EO 224

Watershed areas are essential for the sustainability and operational lifespan of hydroelectric and geothermal power plants.
These areas contribute significantly to environmental programs such as flood control.
Protecting watershed areas is critical for ensuring a reliable water supply for NPC’s power generating facilities.

NPC has been developing and administering watersheds related to its energy plants.
NPC possesses the required manpower and resources to effectively manage, protect, develop, and rehabilitate watershed areas.
The corporation's role is supported by legal provisions, including Section 3, paragraph (N) of R.A. 6395, empowering it with jurisdiction and control.

NPC is responsible for managing, protecting, developing, and rehabilitating the designated watersheds.
Key functions include:
- Enforcement of forestry laws and relevant regulations, especially under Integrated Management of Watershed Reservation (Ministry Order No. 83-01-13, Series of 1982).
- Identification and prioritization of areas needing immediate rehabilitation and development.
- Preparation and implementation of watershed management plans using the integrated multiple-use concept.
- Prevention of forest cover denudation and siltation in reservoirs.
- Conducting public education and information campaigns to promote awareness about watershed and forest resource conservation.
- Promoting development and conservation of vegetative cover.
- Formulating relocation and resettlement plans.
- Coordination with government agencies, religious, and civic groups for forest conservation activities.
- Executing afforestation, reforestation, and other physical rehabilitation projects in critically denuded areas.
- Development and management of tree farms within watersheds to supply materials for transmission line poles.

Any existing laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Order are repealed, amended, or modified to the extent necessary.
The Executive Order took immediate effect upon issuance.

The Order was issued under the constitutional authority of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
It formalizes NPC’s exclusive jurisdiction and administrative control over specified watershed reservations to facilitate national development through reliable and sustainable power generation.