Linking research and local governance in environmental management: The experience in Lantapan, Bukidnon, Philippines

Due to the devolution of powers to local government units (LGUs), the responsibility of managing the environment in the Philippines is given to these bodies. While the Local Government Code (LGC) is in the process of being amended, to, among others, strengthen the provisions for local environmental management, LGUs have taken some effort to address these issues. Using the case of Lantapan, Bukidnon (Philippines), this paper describes how research links with efforts to support the local environmental measures. In particular, it espouses the use of market instruments in the efficient management of water resources. A local ordinance is drafted in collaboration with the Sangguniang Bayan member that encourages imposition of water tariffs to all commercial users of the rivers in the study site. In addition, the study will describe the processes and constraints in the LGU's adoption or non-adoption, respectively, of proposed water tariff measures as suggested by research. Lessons from this exercise will be useful for future efforts to link research and local governance in environmental management.