Home > Activities & Accomplishment > PTSD > Environmental Research

Environmental Research

The Environmental Research Division (ERD) strongly supported the refocused program thrusts of the PCSD. As one of the support mechanisms in implementing the SEP, the Division continued to re-define its program of work and took steps in enhancing the capabilities of the staff to make the organization the highest scientific body in the province in terms of deliverables and services. The Division concentrated in:

• undertaking continuing research as input to ECAN zoning and for accurate planning and implementation of the SEP;

• conduct of survey/assessment of the socio-economic, physical and biological features of the environment ;

• conduct of policy studies

• evaluation of technical research proposals;

• establishing networks with other institutions and agencies regarding biodiversity, physical, and socio-economic research studies;

• maintaining a comprehensive database to provide relevant information through information technology and library services;

• coordination and counterparting with the SEMP-NP for the research component

The Division also spearheaded the organization of the PCSD Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) composed of experts with vast experience on natural resources management. The committee’s main thrust is to support the Council and render expert’s views on diverse issues affecting the environment of Palawan. The preparation of the SAC concept proposal for funding and the administration of questionnaires to determine SEP implementation issues and concerns from among the key units of the PCSDS were accomplished. It was also involved with projects implemented with other agencies such as Reversing Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand - Wetland, Coral Reef, Sea Grass, and Mangrove components.

The Research and Development Unit (RDU) for the year accomplished the following:

• Draft of the preliminary industry profile on the edible bird's nest (balinsasayaw nest) trade in Northern Palawan;

• Evaluation of eleven (11) technical proposals, four (4) of which have been issued SEP clearances;

• Conduct of reconnaissance survey for the holistic research programme in the CGPWS;

• Provision of technical assistance in the regular coastal resource monitoring activity;

• Provision of counterpart staff and technical assistance to the SEMP-NP and PTFPP;

• Compilation of relevant data as input to the PCSDS database; and

• Involvement in several capacity building activities and other conferences with partner institutions and entities.

Information Technology

The Information Technology (IT) dealt with 1) providing information to various units through information technology, internet website development, and integrated database system; 2) maintaining the optimum performance of all computer units, externals-peripherals, and local area network connections; and 3) providing technical assistance in data storage and recovery, and solutions to hardware and software problems.

• Design and arrangement of the local area network layout for the building;

• Technical assistance in the repair and maintenance of computer units, including hardware and software, and data storage and recovery;

• Maintenance and updating of the PCSDS database including assistance to the Environmental Education and Extension Division (EEED) in the re-establishment of the PCSD website.

The Library Services (LS) focused on: 1) providing information and reader services through reading materials such as books, periodicals, journals, and reports, among others; 2) spearheading the acquisition, cataloguing, subscription, circulation, and inventory of such materials; 3) assisting in the conduct of researches as input to policy formulation; and 4) compiling relevant data as input to the PCSDS database.

By year’s end:

• A total of 1031 acquired and catalogued books, reports and other information materials were classified using the Library of Congress standards and stored in the integrated database;

• Continued library materials access with a total of 2,683 books and reports catalogued according to the Library of Congress system (title, author, subject heading classification);

• Reference materials were provided with spine label, cover and reinforcement. Likewise provided the readers with services that include circulation, shelving and display;

• Maintained inter-library loan arrangements with other libraries and agencies;

• Provided reader services to 478 clientele ranging from the academe to government agencies, NGOs and foreign entities;

• Maintained the library fee services as a self-supporting financial system for acquiring other library materials, photocopying jobs, and postal fees; and

• Updated the PCSDS database.

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development is a national agency under
the Office of the President of the Philippines