The Taguibo River watershed is situated within the Sibagat-Wawa Forest Reserve covered by Proclamation No. 308 dated September 3, 1954.  It is also one of the critical watersheds in Caraga that was declared as Forest Reserve by virtue of  Presidential Proclamation No. 1076 issued by then President Fidel V. Ramos on September 4, 1997.  The Taguibo watershed covers a total area of 4,364 hectares for protection and conservation under the public domain of the City of Butuan and Municipalities of RTR and Cabadbaran in the province of Agusan del Norte.

The Taguibo River is the major source of potable water and irrigation in Butuan City. Its watershed area is also a habitat of endangered flora and fauna and several indigenous communities.  The highest portion of the watershed forms part of the Mt. Hilong-hilong Range, the region’s highest peak at 2,012 meter above sea level.  The Mt Hilong-hilong Range is one of key biodiversity areas (KBAs) within the  Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC).  

The integrity of the proclaimed Taguibo watershed has been affected by human activities such as illegal mining activities, timber poaching/illegal cutting of trees and other inappropriate development activities. These may consequently lead to the degradation and depletion of the watershed’s natural resources particularly, the quality and quantity of water for Butuan City.