The rehabilitation of the Manupali River Sub-Watershed, a major tributary of the Pulangi River located in the Municipality of Lantapan, Bukidnon, is currently underway as part of the recently initiated UC-EC Plan 12. This sub-watershed has been prioritized for immediate intervention following its designation as a critical area for rehabilitation under the Watershed Master Plan.

This ongoing development effort is implemented under an existing Memorandum of Agreement among the National Power Corporation (NPC), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Provincial Government of Bukidnon, the Local Government Unit of Lantapan, and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). These partnerships aim to ensure a coordinated and sustainable approach to watershed management.

The Manupali Sub-Watershed has been identified as a top priority due to significant land-use pressures, including the presence of large agro-industrial operations (banana and pineapple plantations, among others), and widespread land conversion from timberland to agriculture. These factors have led to high erosion rates, declining water retention in the hydropower reservoir, increased flooding, loss of natural vegetation, and pollution—further justifying the urgency of the rehabilitation efforts.

The projects and programs currently being implemented were developed through a series of stakeholder consultations, including sessions with barangay councils and representatives from indigenous peoples (IP) communities in the two barangays covered by the petition. Feedback gathered during these consultations was carefully considered and integrated into the project plan. While some proposals were deferred due to budgetary constraints and prioritization guidelines, they remain under consideration for inclusion in future phases.

The ongoing activities focus on sustainable watershed management practices designed to address the root causes of degradation and ensure the long-term health and productivity of the Manupali River Sub-Watershed.