Lantapan is located in the western part of Bukidnon Province with an average elevation of 600 metres, which increases to a maximum of 2,938 metres. About 70% of the area has slopes greater than 10%. The average annual rainfall is 2,470 mm. Air temperature and solar radiation decrease with elevation. Lantapan’s population revealed a steady increase since the 1970 recorded a total population of 36,943, which increased to 42,383 in 2000. Given this, it was projected that the present population will triple in the next 15 to 20 years. Lantapan harbors two important ecosystems. The left bank of the Manupali River bounds Lantapan on the south, and a major protected area on the north, the tributaries drain from Mt. Kitanglad, crossing the extensively cultivated lands to the Manupali River. The river runs into a network of irrigation canals operated. The whole system ultimately drains into the Pulangi reservoir, utilized for hydroelectric power generation by Pulangi IV - the largest hydroelectric power Mindanao, located about 50 km southeast of Lantapan. Lantapan is thus, wholly contained within the Manupali watershed, which was declared “critical” by the. Department of Environment and Natural Resources restricted development in 1992.
Publication year
2008
Authors
Language
English
Keywords
environmental degradation, environmental economics, land use, stakeholders
Geographic
Philippines
