Declaration of Critical Watersheds as Wilderness Areas
- Critical watersheds supporting government dam projects and domestic water supply facilities have been declared wilderness areas under Letter of Instructions No. 917, as amended.
- These areas are protected from exploitation of any nature.
Need to Reassess Multiple Uses of Watersheds
- There is a necessity to reassess the uses of watershed areas and reservations to optimize the benefits derived from them.
Protection and Rehabilitation of Watershed Areas
- It is essential to protect, conserve, and rehabilitate watersheds, specifically those of the Pantabangan and Magat Multi-Purpose Dam Projects as well as other operational hydropower and water projects.
Role and Authority of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)
- The NIA is granted authority to manage, protect, develop, and rehabilitate the watershed areas of the Pantabangan and Magat Multi-Purpose Dam Projects.
- Specific watershed areas are described and outlined in annexed maps (Schedules "A" and "B").
Erosion Control and Watershed Development Projects
- NIA is authorized, as a highly exceptional case, to harvest forest products and agro-forestry products for erosion control and watershed development projects.
- Harvesting excludes logs and timber from existing trees.
- Industrial tree-farming and dendro-thermal projects of about 5,000 hectares in each major watershed's hilltops may be included.
Repeal and Modification of Previous Instructions
- Any provisions, instructions, orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with this Letter of Instructions are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- This Letter of Instructions takes immediate effect upon issuance.
Legal Authority
- Issued under the constitutional powers of the President of the Philippines, specifically by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on March 20, 1980, in Manila.