SAGUMAYON RIVER

Daraga & Legazpi City, Albay

CY 2014

INTRODUCTION

The study area is under the political jurisdiction of Legazpi City and Daraga,
Albay, Bicol Region, Philippines. From the river headwater down to the midstream
area, Sagumayon-Macabalo River is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of
Daraga, Albay, while its midstream area extending to its confluence area down to the
sea is under the jurisdiction of Legazpi City. However, densely populated area is
located at the midstream area of the river going to the downstream corridor. Likewise,
most sources of pollutants come from these areas.

Sagumayon River begins its headwater from the mountainous part of Daraga,
Albay and extends directly into the heart of Legazpi City. Legazpi City, being one of
the tourist spots in the Philippines because of the presence of the famous Mayon
Volcano, has to consider the existing conditions of its resources especially the river
ecosystem since it is immediately located within the city. Tourism and recreational
benefits will be affected with the presence of a deteriorating environment.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SAGUMAYON RIVER

A. Topography

The riverbank is rolling to slightly steep and its highest elevation is about 5 meters
above sea level (masl). The average slope of the riverbank is estimated at 65.24%.
The river flow was observed to be turbid because of frequent rain and this also
indicated significant erosion occurring during heavy rains. During heavy rains,
flooding could reach more or less 3 meters above the observed river water level as
evidenced by flood watermarks on the banks of the river.

B. Hydrology

Sagumayon River is a tributary of river that drains to Albay Gulf at Barangay

Dap-dap and Puro both at Legazpi City. Its headwater is located at the upper area of
Barangay Pag-asa, Daraga, Albay with a total length of 5.6 kilometers from its
headwater to its confluence area. According to actual interview with the respondents,
the river in their barangay is a tributary coming from Mayon Volcano that passes
through Barangays Busay and Pag-asa, the reason why it is called “Sagum kan
Mayon” (drainage or tributary of Mayon).

However, based on actual spatial survey and observation, the headwater was
found to be in Barangay Kiwalo, Daraga, Albay and merges with the Macabalo River
at Barangay Cabagñan, Legazpi City. It is a mountainous part of the upstream area of
the river, thus spring waters and water impounding facilities were established near the
river. The presence of the native fish “Sagumayon” in the river was the basis for its
name. Based on the actual transect and spatial survey, the river has a total length of
6,500 meters (6.5 kilometers) from its headwater to its confluence area.

Location of Sampling Stations for Water Quality Monitoring

The DENR-EMB V had established sampling stations for water quality

monitoring. Figure 1 shows the eleven (11) sampling stations established according to
its accessibility and strategic locations:

Table 1. Identified Sampling Stations

Station
Station Identification Coordinates
No.
At the mouth of the river about 50 meters before its discharge to 13° 8’ 20” N
1
Albay Gulf at Barangay Dapdap, Legazpi City Port area. 123° 45’ 37” E
13° 8’ 18” N
2 Located at Guevarra Subdivision, Brgy. 15, Legazpi City
123° 44’ 28” E
Downstream of Ruran River approximately 20 meters upstream of 13° 8’ 22” N
3
the bridge at Vel-Amor Subdivision, Legazpi City 123° 44’ 38” E
Approximately 10 meters downstream of Sagumayon Bridge 13° 8’ 19” N
4
located at Barangay 17 of Legazpi City 123° 44’ 23” E
10 meters upstream of the bridge and near the Bagumbayan Elem. 13° 8’ 28” N
5
School. 123° 44’ 4” E
13° 8’ 22” N
6 Brgy. Pinaric, Legazpi City just beside the AMEC building
123° 43’ 52” E
Spillway of Purok 2, Barangay EM’s Barrio South, Legazpi City
13° 8’ 31” N
7 near the DENR-ERDS Office at the back of Bicol University
123° 43’ 23” E
compound.
8 20 meters from Sagumayon Bridge at Myrnel Concrete Products 13° 8’ 57” N
 Compound in Barangay Sagpon, Daraga, Albay along Rizal Street. 123° 43’ 25” E
Upstream of the river at Brgy. Kiwalo, Daraga, Albay downstream 13° 8’ 20” N
9
of the spillway. 123° 42’ 58” E
Upstream portion of Ruran River, a tributary of Sagumayon River
13° 9’ 8” N
10 at Doña Catalina Subdivision, Daraga, Albay downstream of the
123° 43’ 2” E
bridge.
Downstream of the bridge at San Roque, Daraga, Albay near the 13° 9’ 1” N
11
Ran Bros.Handicraft just beside the national highway. 123° 43’ 34” E
Downstream Area

Sampling station no. 1 is located at the mouth of the river about 50 meters before
its discharge to Albay Gulf at Barangay Dapdap, Legazpi City Port area. The area is
densely populated. Fishing vessels and tug boats are docked near the port.

Sampling station no. 2 is located at Guevarra Subdivision, Brgy. 15, Legazpi

City. Household sewage is drained directly into the river, as noted. Furthermore,
disposal of garbage materials is still evident in this area. The river width at this station
is about 5 meters.

Tributary Area

Sampling Station no. 3 is located downstream of Ruran River approximately 20

meters upstream of the bridge at Vel-Amor Subdivision, Legazpi City. Household
sewage is drained directly into the river. The river’s width at this station is about 3
meters.
Midstream Area

Sampling station no. 4 is located approximately 10 meters downstream of

Sagumayon Bridge located at Barangay 17 of Legazpi City near the vicinity of Saint
Agnes Academy. The area is highly populated. However, existence of fishes was
noted at this particular portion of the river though garbage materials were also
dumped into the river.

Sampling Station no. 5 is located at 10 meters upstream of the bridge and near the
Bagumbayan Elem. School. The area at this portion of the river is densely populated;
household wastes are directly discharged into this river.

Sampling Station no. 6 is located at Brgy. Pinaric, Legazpi City just besides the
AMEC building wherein its wastewater directly discharges into this waterbody.
Upstream of the area is densely populated and household wastes are being discharged
into this waterbody. Minimal amount of water flows at this particular area of the river.

Sampling station no. 7 is located at the spillway of Purok 2, Barangay EM’s

Barrio South, Legazpi City near the DENR-ERDS Office at the back of Bicol
University compound. The area at this portion of the river is densely populated.
Moreover, wastewater from the Daraga public market flows through this station.
 Sampling station no. 8 is located 20 meters from Sagumayon Bridge at Myrnel
Concrete Products Compound in Barangay Sagpon, Daraga, Albay along Rizal Street.
The river’s width measures about 2 meters, reinforced with concrete embankment
which simultaneously serves as dike. Dumped garbage that obstructs the flow of
water was noted at the river. Furthermore, domestic wastewater is also discharged into
the river by household residents likewise from the Daraga Public Market.

Upstream Area

Sampling station no. 9 is located upstream of the river at Brgy. Kiwalo, Daraga,
Albay downstream of the spillway. The area is sparsely populated, thus the river is
utilized by the residents for domestic purposes.

Figure 4. Map of Sagumayon River (Upstream Area)

Sampling Station no. 10 is located at the upstream portion of Ruran River, a

tributary of Sagumayon River at Doña Catalina Subdivision, Daraga, Albay
downstream of the bridge. The river’s width is approximately 3 meters. The water
was noted to be less turbid. The area is densely populated, thus domestic/household
wastes are being discharged in this particular area.

Sampling station no. 11 is located downstream of the bridge at San Roque,

Daraga, Albay near Ran Bros.Handicraft just beside the national highway. The river is
the point of discharge by the said firm. The area is found to be densely populated and
domestic/household wastes are being discharged in this particular area.