Angeles City Mayor Carmelo ‘Jon’ Lazatin II and Joshua M. Bingcang formalize a landmark partnership through the signing of an agreement on the management and protection of the Sapangbato Watershed, witnessed by Amos B. Rivera and Engr. Mark P. Torres, reinforcing a shared commitment to environmental protection and sustainable watershed governance.
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — In a significant step toward strengthening environmental protection and sustainable resource management, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the City Government of Angeles formally signed an agreement granting the city government the right to operate, manage, and use the Sapangbato Watershed, reinforcing local environmental governance and safeguarding the ecological integrity of the watershed for future generations.
The agreement was signed today by Angeles City Mayor Carmelo ‘Jon’ Lazatin II and BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang, with the ceremony witnessed by Hon. Amos B. Rivera and BCDA Officer-in-Charge Engr. Mark P. Torres.
The partnership underscores both institutions’ shared commitment to preserving one of Angeles City’s vital natural resources while ensuring its sustainable use for public benefit and environmental resilience.
In his remarks, Bingcang emphasized BCDA’s long-standing stewardship philosophy, highlighting the agency’s responsibility to balance development with environmental preservation.
“Our work has always rested on a fundamental confidence that the land we steward is not ours to exploit—rather, to protect, to develop responsibly, and ultimately, to return to the Filipino people in a better condition than we found it,” he said.
The Sapangbato watershed plays a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, maintaining water resources, and protecting communities from environmental degradation.
Through the agreement, local authorities are expected to enhance conservation efforts, improve watershed management, and strengthen community participation in protecting the area.
The partnership marks another milestone in collaborative environmental governance, demonstrating how national agencies and local governments can work together to secure natural ecosystems while advancing sustainable development goals.