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Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff
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Sustainable
Development is the administrative machinery in the implementation
of the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act, as provided
for by Republic Act 7611. This unique legislation has paved and
catalyzed sustainable development initiatives in the Province of
Palawan.
As
the Council is mandated in the governance, implementation and policy
direction of the SEP, the Staff on the other hand provides the professional
and technical support for the tasks mandated to the Council. 
and special laws. In addition to its mandates under the SEP, the
Council is tasked to implement the following laws in the province
of Palawan: the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act
(RA 9147), the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and
Protection Act (RA 9072) and the Chainsaw Act (RA 9175). As such,
PCSDS ensures that appropriate and timely measures were delivered
and necessary policies called for to achieve the objectives of the
SEP are implemented. 
With
renewed vigor, the Council and its Staff 
The primary objective of the summit is to come up with priority
development concerns considering the opportunities as well as address
issues and meet challenges ahead. With the SEP for Palawan Act as
the primary pillar of all developmental efforts in the province,
the summit served as venue to highlight sustainable development
practices as well as a forum to share insights and lessons learned
on collaborative efforts.
A proposal submitted by the Staff to UNESCO-Jakarta yielded positive
response, thus UNESCO provided the fund for the publication of the
book entitled "State of Palawan's Environment". The book was officially
launched in January 2005 supported by the Provincial Government
of Palawan. Considered another modest milestone for both PCSD and
PCSDS, the book featured the findings of the studies and monitoring
activities conducted by the Staff as part of the Environmental Monitoring
and Evaluation System (EMES). It contains the present condition
of the terrestrial, coastal and marine resources of the province.
The publication of the book is a humble contribution of the PCSD
to the national patrimony and a token for every Palaweño, young
and old, to whom the book is dedicated.
PCSD
Konek 7007611 is a quick response campaign of PCSDS in partnership
with SMART Communications Incorporated-Palawan. The concept of the
project is to link PCSD and Staff to Palaweños through the short
messaging system (SMS) more commonly known as "text". In support
to the operation of the PCSD Konek, the Multi-Partite Quick Response
Team (MQRT) was organized, composed of 17 member-agencies and organizations
in Palawan. Information materials such as flyers and stickers were
produced and distributed to convey to the target clientele the essence
of the program. Since its launching, 220 reports to PCSD Konek have
been acted upon. 
Signing
of MOA with Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa for the Ecology
Desk Program was simultaneous with the launching of the EDP. The
program was made possible with the support of the Vicariate to heighten
environmental awareness of the parishioners in working together
towards attaining a healthy environment 
Live Fish. The Live Reef Fish for Food Industry
(LRFFI) in Palawan has been a major concern of the Council and the
Provincial Board of Palawan as the use of cyanide and overfishing
were considered a threat to the industry. In particular, a model
ordinance for live reef-fish for food industry in the province is
being envisaged. This will include the guidelines on selective banning
of livefish catching and consider the role of players in the industry.
A full policy analysis of the live reef fish for food industry is
targeted as tool to come up with policy options to cover the live
fish industry in Palawan. The analysis on live fish is covered by
the Fish Study conducted in collaboration with BFAR.
Wildlife Act. In consonance with the Republic
Act 9147, the guidelines for wildlife management in Palawan which
covers the confiscation and disposition of illegally collected wildlife
flora and fauna was passed. A Memorandum of Agreement between PCSD
and DENR was drafted defining the respective responsibilities of
PCSD and DENR in the implementation of wildlife registration. The
procedural guidelines on wildlife registration was formulated to
serve as guide in the implementation of the Wildlife Act in the
province. 
Caves Act. The implementing rules and regulations
for the Caves Act as well as the permitting system for the edible
bird's nest gathering has been issued as basis for management of
caves in Palawan including the resources therein. 
Chainsaw Act. The initial implementation
of the guidelines for the Chainsaw Act saw the need for refinement
of the document, thus an amendatory guideline was prepared for consideration
of the Council. 
Tribal/Ancestral Zone. The Revised ECAN
Guidelines for Tribal Ancestral Lands was reviewed and necessary
amendments was presented to the Council.
Mangrove . The implementing guidelines on
the various aspect of mangrove management is in progress. Relevant
laws, rules and regulations pertaining to mangrove disposition were
compiled as input in the drafting of the document. The role of the
LGU' s on the protection of mangrove and coastal areas within their
respective jurisdiction was one of the consensus points raised during
the harmonization workshop. |
Project Description |
January -December 2005 |
Chainsaw |
1 |
Gravel and Sand |
12 |
Cellsite/Relay Station |
38 |
Gold Panning/Sluicing Permit |
0 |
Major Infrastructure/Roads |
18 |
Forestry Projects |
0 |
Fishery Projects |
123 |
Mining Projects |
1 |
Gasoline Station |
2 |
Resorts/SUP Bathing Establishment |
21 |
Small Scale Mining |
0 |
Poultry/Piggery |
0 |
PLTP |
0 |
Non Timber Forest Products |
4 |
SIFMA |
3 |
Other Projects |
10 |
Research |
5 |
Total |
238 |
2. Environmentally Critical Areas Network
(ECAN)
The implementing mechanism of the
SEP which provides for the graded system of protection and development
control over the whole province of Palawan is the Environmentally
Critical Areas Network.
While pursuing complementation of
economic growth and conservation, ECAN serves as the main guideline
for all development plans, programs and projects to be implemented
in the province. Thus, big impact activities such as mining and
other resource extractive projects will essentially base upon the
landuse specified in the ECAN.
Mapping of the ECAN Zones of the 24
municipalities based on updated ECAN map using recent land cover
information has been completed. Ground validation of the ECAN Zones
of all municipalities completed except for Kalayaan which is targeted
for 2006 while validation of Puerto Princesa is now in progress.
After consultation, the ECAN map is subjected
to revision and refinement which involves documentation and integration
of the coastal ECAN. Documentation process and integration of coastal
ECAN has been completed in 21 municipalities. The process is on-going
in 10 municipalities. Reconstitution of ECAN Board has been done
in Coron, Busuanga, Culion, Linapacan, El Nido, Taytay and San Vicente.
Adoption of ECAN Map through LGU Resolution
accomplished for Aborlan, Narra, Rizal, Bataraza, Brooke's Point,
Quezon and Dumaran. Meanwhile, the integration of ECAN in the Comprehensive
Land Use Plan is now in progress for the municipalities of Aborlan,
Narra and Rizal. The final phase which is revision of the zoning
ordinance is targeted to be accomplished by 2006.
Meanwhile. the GIS Unit has been identified
as another revenue generating facility of PCSDS. The GIS Unit has
been servicing mapping requirements of various clientele namely,
the LGUs, NGOs and academe, among others. As of December 2005, the
total collection for map production is P21,100.00 which has been
remitted to the National Treasury.
3. ECAN-Coastal Resource Management
Considering that Palawan is an island
province where people and economy largely depend on its coastal
marine resources and environment, the ECAN-Coastal Resources Management
(CRM) project is perceived to address the continuing problem on
resource degradation and overexploitation.
The ECAN-CRM is the strategy wherein
the communities are involved in the management of the resources
in their respective localities. Moreover, this activity is pursued
to support the poverty alleviation program of the national government
by empowering the direct resource users to manage and be accountable
to the environment.
PCSDS has conducted ECAN-CRM Forum
in the municipalities of Quezon, San Vicente & Puerto Princesa City.
Information education campaign has been done in 13 municipalities,
specifically, Quezon, Bataraza, S. Espanola, Balabac, Rizal, Brooke's
Point, San Vicente, Araceli, Dumaran, Aborlan , Narra, El Nido and
Roxas. Meanwhile, detailed Participatory Coastal Resource Assessments
was completed in Araceli, Dumaran, Balabac, Rizal, Brooke's Point,
Aborlan, S. Espanola, Quezon,Bataraza, San Vicente, Narra, El Nido
and Roxas.
As of December 2005, 20 ECAN-CRM Learning
Centers as convergence of all other efforts by various stakeholders
in the area were identified. Nine (9) ECAN-CRM Action Plans has
been prepared by the concerned communities with the PCSDS CRM Team
providing the technical inputs.
Meanwhile, activities related to
Coastal Resource Management (CRM) in Calamianes are closely coordinated
with Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest (FISH) Project.
A Memorandum of Agreement has been signed to effect the agreement
between the PCSDS and FISH Project. For Puerto Princesa, CRM activities
are integrated with the FRMP Project. The same partnership scheme
shall be pursued with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and LGU for
the implementation of CRM in the municipality of Cagayancillo.
2. Environmental Monitoring (coordination, formulation and
implementation of plans, projects and programs)
a. Monitoring and Coordination
The findings of the coastal resource
assessments and monitoring including the resource condition maps
for mangrove, seagrass and corals in the Municipality of Quezon,
Rizal and Roxas were presented to the officials of the concerned
LGUs as input to the preparation of their water use plan. In addition,
coastal resources monitoring in the Municipality of San Vicente
was conducted as input for the inclusion of the municipality in
the priority sites for ecotourism development.
The PCSDS Environmental Laboratory
was established to evaluate the water quality status in the province.
From January to December 2005, seven hundred ninety one (791) water
samples and four (4) effluent samples were analyzed. Aside from
water samples collected by PCSDS in its monitoring activities, the
laboratory also provide services to other agencies, academe and
students requiring water analysis and other testing parameters.
An environmental audit was undertaken
at the Dos Palmas Resort to pilot test the questionnaires to be
used for the Eco - Watch program which was launched in time for
SEP Anniversary. The launching of the Beach Eco Watch Program commenced
with a workshop in partnership with the City Government of Puerto
Princesa, the Provincial Government of Palawan and the World Bank.
Another environmental audit was conducted
at Coral Bay Nickel Corporation to verify the occurrence of skin
lesion disease at Sitio Tagdalungon, barangay Rio Tuba in the Municipality
of Bataraza where the CBNC is operating its hydrometallurgical processing
plant.
PCSDS heads the monitoring team for
Malampaya Natural Gas Project. Among the activities of the MMT is
the quarterly monitoring at the Malampaya Shallow Water Platform
wherein effluent samples were collected for analysis. Likewise,
regular monitoring of the operations in the platform is undertaken
to ensure compliance on the conditions stipulated in the ECC of
the project.
PCSDS is also tasked to co-manage and supervise
two other protected areas in the province, specifically, El Nido
and Tubbataha. PCSDS has been actively involved in the management
boards of both protected sites.
On the other hand, 39 Admin cases filed
for violation of PCSD Admin Orders and SEP Clearance System have
been filed in the PCSD Adjudication Board and 8 criminal cases for
violation of Fisheries, Wildlife and Forestry Codes were filed in
court.
b. Program Formulation
Investment profiles were formulated
for the re-direction of PCSDS' activities in support to the President's
Ten Point Agenda and packaging of projects for presentation to funding
institutions was pursued to further complement the present initiatives
of the organization.
The proposal for the First Palawan
Environmental and Economic Summit was approved for funding by Pilipinas
Shell, Inc. which paved the way for the organization of the first
ever summit on environment and economic in Palawan. In addition,
the publication of the State of Palawan's Environment was financed
out of the grant provided by UNESCO-Jakarta in consideration of
the proposal submitted by the Staff.
More project proposals were being
packaged and submitted to prospective donors for consideration.
The 20 hectares Isugod Mangrove Reforestation Project has commenced
implementation under the auspices of DBP Forest Project.
The Information System and Integrated
Database Project proposal was submitted to the Delegation of the
European Commission for consideration under the theme of good governance
of the EC Small Grants facility. The proposal for Calauit Game Preserve
and Wildlife Sanctuary was updated for re-submission to Conservation
& Environment Grants of Ford Motor Company. Currently, the Beach
Eco-Watch Program is being finalized for submission to World Bank
funding.
A program proposal was packaged and
submitted to the Office of the President in particular, the Sustainable
Resource Management Program for Palawan with sub-projects on Coastal
Resource Management Program for Southern Palawan and Goat Production
Project.
The proposal on Center for GIS-Based
Environment and Natural Resource Information System Management was
submitted for funding consideration of JICA. A proposal on Palawan
Integrated Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management Program
Using ECAN was submitted to ADB. Meanwhile, the Concept Notes on
GIS Mapping and IEC Support Activities for the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape
Project was submitted to Conservation International. For UNDP, the
proposal on Identification of Solutions Through Multi-stakeholders-Participation
in Resolving Issues, Problems and Conflicts Concerning Resource
Use in the Province of Palawan/Calauit was submitted for possible
funding.
The concept proposal on Sustainable
Management of Mineral Resource in the Province of Palawan was prepared
for possible funding since mining concerns has been identified in
the province.
c. Implementation of Special Project
i. ECAN Zoning Component-SEMP
NP
PCSD is the implementing agency of
the ECAN Zoning Component of the Sustainable Environmental Management
Project for Northern Palawan (SEMP-NP).
The project covers the municipalities
of Northern Palawan which is identified in the Medium-Term Development
Plan as major tourism destination.
On its fifth year, the Component will
focus on the completion of the ECAN Management Plan and the development
of ecotourism projects in northern Palawan based on ECAN zoning.
As of Dec. 2005, the project has pegged an overall accomplishment
of 90.45%. Currently, the project is working on the reconstitution
of Linapacan ECAN Board and validation of technical output for Puerto
Princesa
ii. Northern Palawan
Sustainable Development Project (NPSDP)
PCSDS is overseeing the implementation
of the Northern Palawan Sustainable Development Program under the
auspices of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Incorporated. The program
covered 14 livelihood projects in different municipalities in Northern
Palawan.
PCSDS has been providing technical
and administrative assistance to the proponents in the implementation
of the projects. Regular monitoring is conducted to look into issues
and updates of the project implementation.
4. Management of Calauit
Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary(CGPWS)
As highlighted in the 2004-2010 Medium-Term Philippine Development
Plan, the tourism industry is one of the sectors that has the potential
to boost the Philippine economy.
Along this context, the prime concern
of the PCSD is the promotion of Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife
Sanctuary as an ecotourism destination and the expansion of the
sanctuary into a nature park of international standards showcasing
its terrestrial and marine resources including its indigenous wildlife
species.
Partnership scheme with private groups was considered to
improve the limited facilities and services requiring substantial
investment to enhance Calauit as a prime tourism product. Along
this context, a MOA was signed between the project and Calamianes
Association of Tourism Establishments (CATE) for the improvement
of facilities and other structures provided by the association for
the sanctuary. Initially, CATE has installed the entrance signage,
constructed two viewing gazebo and rest rooms in the area. These
were part of the efforts and resources pooled from the private sector
to help out promote Calauit as ecotourism destination.
Meanwhile,
total gate receipts and charges for the use of the truck within
the sanctuary is 426,850.00. The total collection has been remitted
to the National Treasury.
5. Palawan Sustainable Development Training
Institute (PSDTI) 
The Palawan Sustainable Development Training Institute,
a facility funded by European Union under the Palawan Tropical Forestry
Protection Programme was established to provide training programs
and modules on sustainable development.
The Institute caters to
the training requirements of the staff as well as other partner
stakeholders. It has housed several trainings, seminars, conferences
and meetings. The Institute is intended to be developed as the Center
for capability building on resource management and sustainable development
not only in the province but in the region as well.
The Council
has approved the policy on user fees and charges for the training
hall and the facilities of the Institute. Aside from serving the
requirements of the staff, PSDTI is developed as another income-generating
endeavor of PCSDS.
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