Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN)

The ECAN, the main strategy of the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act (RA 7611), is a graded system of protection and development control over the whole of Palawan. It made use of the inputs from the LGUs and the communities in coming up with a realistic and workable zoning plan for both the terrestrial and marine components. The PCSD, in September 2004, adopted PCSD Resolution No. 04-239 entitled, “A Resolution Approving the Updated Map of the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) of Palawan Based from the New Land Map”.

The Updated ECAN Zoning Map of 2004, as the new ECAN map, depicts the current bio-physical and environmental condition of the province in conformity with the provisions of the ECAN Guidelines (PCSD Resolution No. 94 - 44). In 2004, the updated map was prepared for all the municipalities of Palawan including the lone city of Puerto Princesa. The preparation of the Updated ECAN map employed the elevation, slope and the 1998 vegetative/land cover criteria. Thus, by the last quarter of 2004, the said map has been used in the evaluation of projects for the issuance of SEP clearance. It, likewise now guides all entities and residents of Palawan in implementing plans and programs. After the passage of the resolution, series of community consultations and ground validation of the said ECAN zoning map were undertaken.

Zoning map preparation is highly dependent on data input and expertise of the preparer. Data on elevation and slope are relatively constant since these were acquired from the topographic maps prepared by the U.S. Army in the 1950s. However, the vegetative/land cover data input to the map is already a few years old. The information obtained from it may no longer be that accurate and up-to-date. It, thus, needs to be validated on the ground to check its accuracy and credibility.

Field validation of the Updated ECAN Map was undertaken during the past year in 4 southern Palawan and 3 Calamian municipalities: Aborlan, Narra, Sofronio Española, Brooke’s Point, Coron, Busuanga and Culion. The activity is primarily undertaken to verify the current use, cover/vegetation as well as the status of land resource in the locality. The technical staff of the PCSDS usually enjoins the participation of local government and community representatives in the validation process. Aided by the land cover maps specifically prepared for the task and a survey instrument called the Global Positioning System (GPS), the technical personnel traverse and walk-through the area being subjected for validation. The geographic coordinates (or location) of the identified area are indicated on the map; its area characteristics recorded; and recommendations (if not outright decisions) on the proposed zonation (if contrary to the existing zonation) are made. Through this process, the bio-physical uniqueness and the real condition/situation in the area are reflected on the map.

As a primary tool that guides land use, ECAN zoning facilitates allocation of land and water resources towards appropriate uses. To sustain the process, the ECAN zoning map is being integrated in the CLWUP of municipalities of Palawan. Towards this end, the PCSDS and the LGUs regularly coordinate and work with one another to ensure that the objectives of the SEP embodied in the ECAN zoning map is achieved.

To feel the peoples’ sentiments and desires is the main objective in conducting community consultations on the updated ECAN map. The activity hastens conflict resolution of problem areas and concerns. Conflicts generally arise whenever an area inconsistent with its current condition, use and status is ECANized (zoned under ECAN) or when zoning is contrary to the desires of the community and other stakeholders.

There are however instances when ECAN consultation with the municipal governments is sufficient enough to come up with agreements on the proposed zonation. When serious concerns warrant consultations with communities or sectors, the PCSDS technical personnel and local government representatives pursue dialogue and negotiations in the area. Through this process, stakeholder and people’s participation is attained, conflicts are resolved or minimized and socio-economic and cultural information are integrated in the updated ECAN map.

In 2004, the PCSDS conducted local government and community consultations in the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, and Sofronio Española. So far, only municipal consultations have been conducted in the Calamian municipalities of Coron, Busuanga and Culion. The validated ECAN map of Sofronio Española municipality was already presented to the LGU for their final comments and adoption. The conflicts arising from the suggestions of the LGU vis-à-vis the ECAN zones identified by PCSDS are yet to be resolved. Preparatory activities such as preparation of maps for the conduct of field validation and consultation as part of the ECAN zoning of Brooke's Point were also undertaken.

Based on the updated ECAN map, a total of 324 projects were evaluated and issued with SEP Clearance, 63 or 23 percent of which were mining-related projects.

Field validation of the Updated ECAN Map will be intensified in 2005 to attune said map with the current bio-physical and field realities. Local government and community consultations will be a continuing task to sustain involvement of local leaders, concerned sectors and common people in the ECAN mapping, zoning and program implementation. This will ensure that the socio-economic aspect of sustainable development complements the ecological/environmental dimension.