5th International Conference on Rain Water Cistern Systems
"Rainwater Catchment for Future Generations"
Keelung, Taiwan, R.O.C. - August 1991

Section 8: Irrigation and Uses of Water

Page 402

Rainwater Catchment For Future Generations; Small Reservoir Irrigation Scheme In The Philippines

Rodrigo N. De Guzman
National Irrigation Administration, Philippines

Background

The Philippine Archipelago, a country of 61 million inhabitants lies entirely within the humid tropics between latitudes 5° and 20°N longitudes 117° and 127°. Micro climate within the islands are largely influenced by altitude. (most islands have narrow coastal plains surrounding mountain ranges with height from 500 - 2,900 m) and the direction of prevailing air stream. the latter influences seasonal variation in climate, in particular the rainfall distribution pattern.

Annual rainfall is from 1,500 to 4,200 mm. In most lowland areas average rainfall is generally adequate for a single crop in the rainy (wet)season. However, rainfall is often not evenly distributed and dry spells frequently necessitate supplementary water supplies. Unfortunately, the country lies in an area recognized. as having the greatest frequency of tropical typhoons in the world. Between 1948 and 1988 an average of tropical typhoons were recorded annually mostly in the months of June to December, with the highest monthly frequencies (more than three) in July, August and September.

Water resources development in the Philippines for irrigation, power, domestic water supply, and industrial purposes involves a variety of types, from simple diversion to huge reservoirs, to shallow wells, to deepwells, and to rainwater conservation through storage.

This paper presents a case study of rainwater cistern system or rainwater catchment for irrigation, flood control and soil and water conservation for future generations.

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