Home> PCSD New Round up for the month of June

PCSD News for the month of June

Compiled by the PCSD Media and Public Affairs Bureau

PCSD Session Updates!

Calauit Conflict discussed Over a Cup of Coffee

     Drum starts rolling, through a dialogue, to resolve the conflict between the PCSD and the Balik Calauit Movement over the latter's continuing settlement in Calauit shielding behind their Ancestral Domain claim. The dialogue over a cup of coffee, also hopes to fix the gray shades between the Presidential Proclamation declaring Calauit as a Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary vs the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA Law), advocating CADT for the Indigenous People.

     On May 4, 2006, the PCSD Legal Committee headed by Vice Governor Ponce de Leon initiated a dialogue with the BCM Officers, during which the latter committed not only to refrain from illegal acts like killing of wildlife resources and use of illegal fishing methods but also to help conserve and protect wildlife. PCSD Chairman Abraham Mitra opined that while the final resolution of the conflict may not be realized soon, as the legal battle is pending in Court, dialogues of this sort is a positive sign of ensuring management for the Sanctuary. Meanwhile, considering the increasing number of unschooled children among settlers, construction of a primary school maybe afforded by the PCSD if positively endorsed by the Office of Cong. Antonio K. Alvarez and Malacanang, which this matter had been referred. Calauit Game Preserve & Wildlife, considered the slice of Africa in the Philippines is home to exotic and endemic animals. It is located in Busuanga, Palawan.

A School in Calauit Sanctuary ?

     Vice Governor David A. Ponce de Leon strongly appealed to the members of the PCSD during its 129th regular meeting last May 2006 to allow the building of a school in Calauit Sanctuary to cater to the educational needs of the children in the area. Despite opposition of Secretary Amor Abueg due to the pending appeal filed by the Balik Calauit Movement before the Supreme Court, the Vice Governor stressed the need to consider the humanitarian aspect of the matter. Secretary Abueg moved to raise this issue to Malacanang.

Amend Chainsaw Moratorium      

     During the last PCSD Meeting, Secretary Abueg of the PCSD Legal Committee reiterated his motion for the amendment in the present PCSD policy on banning the issuance of chainsaw registration. He said that although the more than 500 registered chainsaws are more than enough, the government agencies that implement projects which require the use of chainsaw units must still be considered. The present ban restricts this. It may be recalled that through PCSD Resolution No. 06-273, the PCSD resolved to exempt government agencies including Government Owned and Controlled Corporations from the prescribed period of registration provided under PCSD Administrative Order No. 07, series of 2003.

LGU Supports PCSD to Wipe-out Wildlife Traffickers!

     During the regular meeting of the Municipal Mayors League of Palawan held sometime this May 2006, the Municipal Mayors of Palawan expressed their support to PCSD in the campaign against illegal trafficking of wildlife resources in the province through their local enforcement initiatives, specifically in the regulation of privately-owned airstrips which are not under the supervision of PNP-Aviation Security Group and ATO. The PCSD Staff shall devise an operational scheme that will guide the LGU officials in the inspection procedures for departing and arriving chartered planes. This manifestation came after reports point to privately-owned airstrips as transshipment points of wildlife trafficking. PCSD Chairman Abraham Mitra, hails the President of the Mayors' League, Mayor Lucena Dimaala for the support.

ECAN Board Alive Again!

     The PCSD Staff conducted a seminar-workshop on the reconstitution of ECAN Board in the municipalities of Quezon and Rizal last 6th and 7th of June 2006 in order to strengthen the implementation of ECAN in said localities. Some highlights of the said activity are the review of SEP law, ECAN updates, the responsibilities of the ECAN Board and its importance in the community. The reconstitution of the ECAN Board is vital in marking f ECAN on the ground and in the hearts of community folks. ECAN Boards are the advisory body of the LGU on environmental and developmental matters.

Oceans Month      

     "Let our policy direction at PCSD accentuate the need to strengthen the fisheries management of the province…" said PCSD Chairman Cong. Mitra in his opening of the PCSD 129th Regular Meeting. Such statement was in accord with the celebration of the Ocean's Month - May nder the theme "One Earth, One Ocean, One Life". He also urged the members of the PCSD to support all programs of the PCSD and of other similar agencies and organizations that serve to protect and conserve the natural resources of Palawan.

So the People May Learn to Enforce Laws

The PCSD, through its District Management Office in Northern Palawan, will conduct a paralegal training in Port Barton, San Vicente, Palawan on 26-30 of June 2006. Aside from understanding the philosophy of paralegalism, said program aims to train the participants on how to investigate, gather evidences, document information, arrest and properly detain violators. The participants will also learn to discuss about SEP law, Chainsaw Act, Caves Act, Wildlife Act, Mining Act, NIPA's Act, IPRA law, Philippine Fisheries Code, Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines and Rules in the Administrative Adjudication of Illegal Forest Products.