Aerial view of Agusan River
Next to the Mindanao River Basin, Agusan River Basin (ARB) is the third largest river basin of the Philippines. Located in the northeastern part of Mindanao, its drainage area measures 10,921 km2.
The Agusan River passes mainly through three provinces in Region XI and Caraga. The River originates from the slopes of Davao Oriental, traverses northward through Compostela Valley, Agusan Marsh in Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte, before draining into Butuan Bay.
Provinces covered by the ARB
The Agusan River Basin is a strategic water resource forming three (3) sub-basins in the northeastern portion of Mindanao, popularly referred to as the Lower, Middle, and Upper Agusan River basins.
- Lower Agusan River Basin (Downstream Watershed): the area downstream of the Agusan wetland along the downstream reach from Talocogon in Agusan del Sur Province;
- Middle Agusan River Basin (Midstream Watershed): the area along the reach between Talocogon and Sta. Josefa in Agusan del Sur Province including the Agusan wetland; and,
- Upper Agusan River Basin (Upstream Watershed): the area along the upstream reach from Sta. Josefa in Compostela Valley Province
With a length of 350-km, the basin is comprised of eleven (11) principal river systems as enumerated in the table below.
| River Tributary | Drainage Area (sq. km) |
|---|---|
| Ojot | 765 |
| Wawa | 795 |
| Andanan | 380 |
| Libang | 228 |
| Maosam | 418 |
| Kasilan | 284 |
| Gibong | 824 |
| Adgaoan | 965 |
| Simulao | 944 |
| Kayonan | 802 |
| Haoan | 664 |
VISION STATEMENT
“The Agusan River Basin is envisioned as an edifice of a peaceful, prosperous and empowered citizenry with equitable wealth seated on a well-managed and balanced ecology for sustainable agro-industrial and eco-tourism development.”
DEVELOPMENT GOAL
“Poverty reduction and enhanced liveability in the Basin by the year 2020 through the optimal development and sustainable use of Agusan River Basin resources according to an Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) approach founded on unified governance, demand-based and high-impact interventions, and effective knowledge database development.”
