A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the conservation and rehabilitation of the two major watersheds of Bohol (Abatan and Loboc) was signed between the Provincial Government of Bohol, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. – Bantay Kalikasan and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Around 37,000 hectares will be rehabilitated in the 2 major watersheds.

In August 2008 the GTZ Water Program invited the LaMesa Watershed Program Manager of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. – Bantay Kalikasan (AFI-BK), Mr. Valerio Mendoza, as one of the resource persons for the Bohol Watershed Management Planning workshop, one activity of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) interventions.
 
In this partnership, Bohol province, AFI-BK and DENR will "implement a program to include the rehabilitation-reforestation, protection and management of the watersheds to address the environmental, social and economic problems in the province" and intend "to ensure the diversity, stability functionality and productivity of its natural capital to achieve sustained power generation, agricultural productivity, nature tourism and industrial development" for the benefit of the Boholano people.

The MOA was signed by the Environment Secretary Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr., Managing Director Regina Paz Lopez of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. and Gov. Erico Aumentado of Bohol on August 14, 2009 at Loboc, Bohol. Hanns-Bernd Kuchta, Program Director of GTZ Water and Sanitation Program, also signed the said document as witness to this most memorable undertaking.

The Bohol Integrated Water Resources Management Board (BIWRMB) will carry out the interventions with support from the GTZ Water and Sanitation Program in its final phase. For GTZ, this transition of responsibilities and the ensured sustainability of their efforts are the culminating point in a long and fruitful cooperation with Bohol and its Governor Erico Aumentado. The concept of LGU / NGO cooperation had been designed and was followed through by GTZ experts B. Agawin and V. Delector.

Under the MOA, AFI-BK, as media-based environmental organization, shall be responsible for the formulation of Bohol watershed Management Framework Plan in coordination with other watershed management councils. The plan includes development of a sustainable nature tourism program, nature trails, and others important to the watershed management framework plan.

Environment Secretary Atienza, as guest of Honor and Speaker, said that Bohol has gone a long way in protecting its environment which is a testimony of what the unity of local leaders can do. He also congratulated the Boholanos, saying that the success in protecting the environment spells the success of the local economy and better livelihood opportunities which means improved income, thereby licking poverty.

Gov. Aumentado in his Call to Action message said that he has a bias for trees and forests because these are carbon sinks and therefore climate change and global warming mitigators. He puts significance on the Abatan Watershed as it sustains the Abatan River that has given the residents therein livelihood from eco-tourism, food, water for irrigation and household use and forest products while the Loboc watershed sustains the eco-tourism on the Loboc River , provides irrigation, household and potable water as well as forest products and hydroelectric power.

For the part of Gina Lopez, she further stressed that ABS-CBN Foundation will support Bohol all the way to its completion because Bohol is doing the right thing in protecting its environment. As what they have done in La Mesa watershed where the air is cleaner, the birds have returned because of the trees, and the watershed has become a venue not only for hikers, bikers and picnickers but for educational tours as well, she added.