Calbayog Pan-as–Hayiban Protected Landscape


The Calbayog Pan-as–Hayiban Protected Landscape, also known as the Calbayog Watershed, is a watershed and protected area located northwest of the city of Calbayog, Province of Samar in Oquendo District between Tinambacan District and San Isidro, Northern Samar in the Philippines. It is a mountainous region in the Tanaoan Ridge within the Mount Zamal Range that divides the three provinces of Samar. The protected area extends along the valley of the Hayiban River, the primary source of water for the Calbayog Water District. It consists of old growth trees and a system of rivers, waterfalls and streams capable of generating 2,279 liters per day. It also contains the Pan-as Falls and surrounding landscape which also supplies hydroelectric power to the city.
The area was declared a forest reserve in 1967 known as the Pan-as Falls–Hayiban Watershed Forest Reserve with a total area of. In 1998, through Proclamation No. 1158 issued by President Fidel Ramos, the watershed was reclassified as a protected landscape. It is one of four protected areas in the island of Samar.

Description

The Pan-as–Hayiban protected area is one of 39 watersheds in the main island of Samar. It encompasses several barangays in the mountainous northern interior of Oquendo District by Calbayog's border with Northern Samar province. The area is the location of all three sources of water supply for the Calbayog City Water District, namely Pan-as Falls in the barangay of Pilar, and Pasungon Falls and Himoni River in the adjacent barangay of Cabatuan. Pan-as Falls, situated some northwest of the Calbayog City Proper with an elevation of above sea level, is one of the city's popular tourist attractions. It is surrounded by open canopy and residual forests with some areas of cultivation with brushes and grasslands. Ton-oc Falls in the barangay of Barral is also located within the watershed.