PCSD 2007 Summary of Accomplishments

PALAWAN COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Summary of Accomplishments
January-December 2007

I. BACKGROUND

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development is the policy-making body mandated to implement Republic Act 7611 otherwise known as the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act. The SEP for Palawan Act provides a comprehensive framework for all sustainable development initiatives in Palawan thus ensuring the protection and enhancement of the natural resources and endangered environment of the province.

The activities of the organization for 2007 is generally based on the major thrusts and mandates as provided by the SEP for Palawan Act and the special laws of which PCSD is tasked to implement in Palawan, particularly, the Caves Act, Wildlife Act and Chainsaw Act.

PCSD is focused on its ultimate goal of shaping the road to sustainable development which will eventually lead to the improvement and quality of life of every Palaweño. This report covers the accomplishments and gains of the Council with the support of its Staff in the implementation of the SEP calendar year 2007.

II. Thrusts and Mandates

The Council has passed 19 resolutions of various concerns for the year. A total of 9 regular Council meetings were held for the year while 7 committee meetings were conducted by the Committees on Environment and Tribal Affairs. The Adjudication Board convened and conducted 9 hearings of cases filed for violation of PCSD issuances.

1. Conduct of Policy Researches, Studies, Resource Assessments & Inventories

1.1 Livefish. A policy on the Establishment of Quota System for the Live Reef for Food Industry in the province was completed and presented to the Council for approval. Prior to adoption and eventually province wide adoption of the proposed policy, the Proposed Quota System was presented to the key players of the livefish industry to solicit their input in the formulation of the implementing guidelines during the forum on 5 December 2007.

1.2       Tribal/Ancestral Zone.       The Council has approved for adoption of the concerned agencies the Joint NCIP-PCSD Circular No. 2005-01, entitled “ Harmonization of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) and the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act” which was endorsed by PCSD through Resolution No.06-02.

1.3       Mangrove .   The draft policy on establishing 20 meters buffer zone within the mangrove forest has been drafted for presentation to the Council.

1.4 Mineral Extraction. The Council is in the process of formulation of the guidelines governing mining operations in the province. Discussions with concerned sectors has been pursued to solicit inputs from stakeholders which could steer direction towards the formulation of mining policy for Palawan.

1.5 Charcoal Policy. Compilation of relevant data and initial analysis of the available data has commenced.

1.6 Almaciga Tapping in the Core Zone. The guidelines on almaciga resin tapping within the core zone is currently being discussed with various sectors including the concerned government and non-government agencies.

2. SEP Guidelines, Rules, Regulations and Other Special Laws Enforced and Monitored

2.1 Wildlife Act. Two guidelines were approved by the Council for publication. These are the “Guidelines Establishing the Disposition Program for Confiscated, Donated or Turned-over Wildlife and Providing Guidelines Therefor” and the “Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines”.

2.2       Caves Act.    The Guidelines on Guano Collection has been approved by the Council and passed as PCSD Resolution No.06-275. On the other hand, the Guidelines for the Birds Nest Traders is under review of the ENR Committee. In addition, PCSD Admin Orders 03-08 and 03-08A were amended through PCSD Resolutions 06-276 and 06-277, respectively.

2.3       Chainsaw Act.         The amendment of the IRR for the Chainsaw Act has been drafted.

2.4 Communal Forest. The draft guideline on Communal Forest has been presented to the League of Municipalities and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The said guideline was also submitted to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee for endorsement to the Council.

2.5 Procedural Guideline for the Declaration of Protected Area. The guidelines for the declaration of the protected area is on its final drafting. The document will be presented for approval of the Council.

2.6 SEP Clearance System

The Council has issued 84 SEP Clearances for various projects while 211 Accreditation were issued to livefish proponents, 18 registration for chainsaws and 4 permits to sell/purchase chainsaw. PCSDS collected processing fees for the project applications which were appropriately remitted to the National Treasury.

2.7 SEP Compliance Monitoring

A total of 230 SEP compliance monitoring were conducted by the concerned district staff in their respective areas. This is to ensure that project proponents are complying with the terms and conditions specified in the SEP Clearance and that mitigating measures are observed to minimize adverse effects of the projects in the environment. Appropriate legal sanctions were filed against proponents who failed to comply with specific conditions stated in the SEP Clearance.

3. Review/Updating of SEP and Current Initiatives

3.1 SEP Technical Forum

As an offshoot of the First Palawan Environmental and Economic Summit, a road map of Palawan’s development was outlined
based on the premise that sustainable development must be undertaken through partnership and within the framework ofthe Strategic Environmental Plan while considering development initiatives such as good governance for the collective good, capital development activities & innovations to maximize the value of environment and natural resources.

The SEP Technical Forum was held in time for the SEP’s 15 year anniversary on June 19, 2007.The forum was organized in partnership with the Provincial Planning and Development Office and participated by the key planners, officials and representatives of concerned agencies including the Local Government Units (LGUs). The forum served as the venue for assessment of the road map to sustainable development which is imperative to ascertain policy gaps and come up with appropriate policies to address current issues and concerns while considering current developments in the province.

Forum on Stakes of Mining in Palawan

Considering the growing concern on the advent of mining operations in Palawan, the PCSD in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources organized the mining forum with the theme “Stakes of Mining in Palawan” on December 6, 2007. Aside from contributing to the previous efforts presenting balance of issues pertaining to mining, the forum is aimed to document and chart the stakes of mining in the province to guide towards establishing an explicit policy for mining operation in the province.

The forum was participated by about 200 participants from different sectors with stake on mining particularly the provincial, municipal and barangay officials, the mining sector, the civil society including representatives from the NGO’s, the religious sector, the indigenous peoples and other community-based organizations.

The activity provided the venue to survey sectoral perceptions on mining operations in Palawan wherein stakeholders were able to express varying points of view on the industry. The foreseeable issues and conflicts that need resolution were highlighted in the discussion during the forum plenary.

The forum output include the identification of responsibilities of each sector towards a balance of extraction of the resource and the protection of the resource–base were discussed in order to achieve responsible mining industry in the province.

Forum on Livefish

The forum on livefish was organized in cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund (WW-Philippines). The activity was pursued to solicit ideas among the keyplayers of the livefish industry on how to implement the quota system, observe the close and open season and size limits in the live fish trade. The forum likewise attempted to solicit strategies on how to maximize compliance of the stakeholders on the enforcement of the quota system, maximize compliance of stakeholders and mechanism to control illegal fishing activities.

As workshop output, the participants agreed on the need for the implementation of the quota system for the live reef fish industry. It was agreed to impose a quota of 140MT on the traders for the whole province.

The full implementation of the quota system shall be subject to final approval of the Council.


4.         Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN)

            Adoption of the ECAN maps is 100% accomplished with all 24 municipalities completing their respective adoption process at the LGU level.

            As part of the final process, the Council has approved 23 ECAN maps submitted for action of PCSD. These approved maps shall serve as the basis for developmental activities in every municipality. The remaining ECAN Map still for adoption of PCSD is that of the Municipality of Kalayaan.


4.1       Reconstitution of ECAN Board

            The ECAN Board is a multi-sectoral body organized in every municipality to assist in the implementation of ECAN in their respective localities. The ECAN Boards are now reconstituted to initiate the active participation of the members in the activities relative to implementation of ECAN.

4.2 ECAN-GIS

The ECAN-GIS was established to provide data and services of PCSD in support of its policy formulation and decision making. The GIS Unit today provides data generation and mapping services not only of PCSD and PCSDS but also its increasing clientele from other government agencies, NGO’s, academe, private sector and students.

For the land cover mapping, pre-processing and printing of image maps for the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Dumaran, Araceli and Cagayancillo were completed. Ground and sea truthing was conducted in 7 municipalities. Field data gathered were integrated into the image maps of the municipalities.

A total of 68 thematic maps were produced while scanning, spatial analysis and other mapping services were provided for the clients.

5.         ECAN-Coastal Resource Management

         The ECAN-Coastal Resource Management project was initiated by PCSD to address poverty by empowering the direct resource users to manage the resources within their community. Moreover, it is perceived to reverse the continuing problem on resource degradation and overexploitation.

The ECAN-CRM strategy involves the participation of the communities in the management of the resources within their areas. Six priority areas were identified to showcase the initiatives on ECAN-CRM. The priority sites were strategically distributed with 2 areas in the South (Pandanan, Balabac and Isugod, Quezon), 2 areas in the North (Pamantolon, Taytay and Port Barton, San Vicente), 1 in the Central District (Maruyugon, Puerto Princesa) and 1 in the Calamianes Group (Tagumpay, Coron).

The ECAN Zones Management Plans has been prepared as basis for the interventions for each respective site. ECAN Zones Management Planning was likewise conducted in other identified sites particularly in Dalayawan, Municipality of Araceli, San Juan, Municipality of Dumaran and Rizal, Municipality of Roxas.

5.1 Malinsuno Island in Pandanan, Balabac

An orientation workshop on ECAN-CRM was conducted wherein the action plan prepared by the community was presented for validation and amendments. The ECAN-CRM was defined and presented to the stakeholders during the workshop.

Part of the livelihood component of the ECAN-CRM is the training on seaweed farming which was facilitated by PCSDS and conducted by BFAR and RFTC. The ECAN-CRM team also assisted in the fund -sourcing to provide seedlings for the beneficiaries to start their own seaweeds farm.

The PCSD has signed a MOA with the Conservation International for the implementation of the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Project for Balabac’s Marine Biodiversity Corridor.

Meanwhile, initial reef assessment was undertaken in the area proposed to be identified as fish sanctuary. This activity will be pursued with assistance from World Wildlife Fund in terms of delineation, marking and formulation of the management plan for the protected area. Initially, PCRAs were conducted in 18 barangays of Balabac in partnership with WWF. The BFARMC’s were likewise organized for each barangay.

5.2 Isugod, Quezon

With the ECAN Zones Management Plan completed for the area, the necessary interventions and follow-on activities for the ECAN CRM implementation in Isugod, Quezon has commenced. Among the recent undertakings in the area include the seaweed and sea cucumber projects with initial materials provided by PCSDS and the community providing labor as their counterpart to the projects.

PCSDS is likewise overseeing the maintenance of the 20-hectare Isugod Mangrove Reforestation Project fully planted with mangrove propagules under the auspices of DBP Forest Project. As a component of the Mangrove Project, 4 trainings were conducted for the community as direct stakeholders in the area. Project documentation was completed. Meanwhile PCSD is working out with the LGU of Quezon regarding its commitment for the construction of the guardhouse in the project area.

5.3 Maruyugon, Puerto Princesa City

The MOA between PCSD and the City Government of Puerto Princesa for the implementation of the Beach Eco-Watch Program has been signed. The said MOA provides for the responsibilities and involvement of the participating institutions in the Beach Eco-Watch Program. As agreed by both parties, one of the initial undertakings of the program is the establishment of the Ecowatch Desk at PCSDS and the City Hall.

Recently, a Community Based Nipa Plantation Project in Maruyugon was initiated and launched in coordination with the barangay officials, community, students and the City Government of Puerto Princesa.

5.4 Port Barton, San Vicente

The ECAN Zones Management Planning Workshop was conducted with the participation of the community. The output of the workshop is the Port Barton ECAN Zones Management Plan. The ECAN Zones Management Plan jointly crafted by the stakeholders in the area has been packaged and the document will serve as the reference for the future undertakings that will be initiated in the CRM site.

5.5 Pamantolon, Taytay

The CRM site in Pamantolon served as the pilot area for the ECAN Zones Management Planning Workshop. The outputs of the first workshop conducted in the area were the ECAN Zones Management Plan for the community and the ECAN zones Management Planning Manual. The manual was used as guide for the subsequent workshops that were pursued in other CRM sites.

5.6 Tagumpay, Coron

The ECAN Zones Management Planning Workshop for the area has been conducted. Packaging of the documentation and the output of the workshop is completed.

6. Environmental Monitoring (coordination, formulation and implementation of plans, projects and programs)

6.1 Monitoring and Coordination

Part of the strategies in the implementation of the SEP for Palawan Act is the environmental monitoring and evaluation system. This mechanism involves monitoring of environmental parameters such as land and forest cover though GIS, coastal resources assessment and water quality monitoring. In support to this activity, PCSD established the GIS and the PCSD Environmental Laboratory.

Collection of water samples was undertaken during the first semester of the year. A total of 37 samples were collected from 23 river stations while effluent samples were also taken from critical projects as part of the monitoring activities. Laboratory tests were performed on about 74 water samples collected. Reports of laboratory analysis were likewise prepared.

6.2 Program Formulation

            Five project proposals were developed, packaged and submitted to funding institutions for financing consideration. These project proposals are intended to support the implementation of plans and programs in consonance with the objectives of SEP. Similarly, the SEMP Phase 2 for Southern Palawan was submitted for financial consideration of JICA. In addition, the proposed development option and work plan for Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary has been approved in principle by the Council.

            Meanwhile, the Beach EcoWatch Program is currently among the components being implemented in the ECAN CRM priority sites.

6.3 Environmental Education and Extension

Information education campaign and briefings on SEP and related laws were conducted for the communities and partner-stakeholders. Guests from other provinces on educational trip to Palawan were also provided with SEP briefing. Capacity building for the reactivated ECAN Boards will be developed as part of the programs to be implemented in the PSDTI.

A total of twelve (12) trainings on various areas of interest were implemented in coordination with partner agencies and training service providers to cater the requirements and needs of the staff as well as the partner stakeholders. Aside from the trainings conducted, several activities and events of the staff were housed at the PSDTI.

Meanwhile, 60 copies of the Planning Manual for the Community-Based ECAN Zones Management were produced. Moreover, workshop proceedings of the Community-Based ECAN Zones Management Planning Workshop conducted in 6 CRM Learning Sites were also produced.

Similarly, PCSDS operates the environmental library which has been providing services for free to researchers, students and other clients requiring information materials on Palawan and its environs.

6.4 Implementation of Special Projects

i.          ECAN Zoning Component-SEMP NP

            As part of the ECAN Sustainability efforts, the Community Based ECAN Zones Management Planning activities were undertaken in the identified 6 priority sites including the 3 other sites. The output of the workshop is the ECAN Management Plan for the area and the manual of the planning activity which will be used as guide in the conduct of ECAN planning process in other areas.

            ii.         Northern Palawan Sustainable Development Project (NPSDP)

Monitoring of the implementation of 15 various livelihood projects funded under the auspices of Pilipinas Shell Foundation distributed in 10 northern municipalities was undertaken as part of the technical assistance of PCSDS. The project covers about 862 beneficiaries and 14 cooperatives.

iii. Palawan Sustainable Development Training Institute (PSDTI)

The Palawan Sustainable Development Training Institute is being developed as an accredited training service provider which is aimed to cater the training requirements in the province and nearby regions. Networking with other training centers is being pursued to establish on-call pool of resource persons and specialists. For the current year, eight (8) trainings/fora of various subjects were conducted at PSDTI.

5. Management of Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (CGPWS)

Regular activities in the Sanctuary include continuous implementation of maintenance measures of 6 exotic and 6 endemic wildlife species and protection of the animals from poaching and other forms of threat in the environment.

A Five–Year Development and Management Plan for Calauit has been prepared using ECAN as the framework and based on the position of the Council where man and animals co-exists and where opportunities for ecotourism is provided.

The tourist arrival during the period is 481 pax. Visitors were provided with orientation and guided sightseeing in the area. Gate receipts and fees for the use of truck in the Sanctuary were remitted to the National Treasury.