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Ang Balitang SEP ay mga ulat hango sa mga gawain, programa at mga proyecto ng Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) sa pamamagitan ng PCSDS. Minsan isang buwan ito lalabas dito sa lathalaing Reporter. Natutuwa ang pamunuan ng PCSD, na muling maiulat sa mga mambabasa ang mga apdeyts para sa dagdag na kaalaman at makakapulutan ng mga ideya tungo sa “kritikong pagdesisyon” ng mambabasa kaugnay sa usaping “sustainable development”. May iba pang porma ng pagpapaabot ng impormasyon ang PCSD: “SEP Ating Batas” Radyo ng Bayan-Palawan, 8:00-9:00 ng umaga tuwing araw ng lingo, o bisitahin ang www.pcsd.ph, o dili kaya ay sa PCSDKonek.
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|  Forty-eight
hatchlings and fledglings of hill mynas and blue naped parrots
were seized via a buy-bust operation conducted by PCSDS, CIDG,
PNP-Rizal and KATALA Foundation at Bgy. Campong Ulay in Rizal
Palawan last May 2, 2007. Mr. Frank Arcino, the suspect, was
accosted, marked money retrieved, and the birds confiscated
and turned-over to PWRCC for rehabilitation. Arcino will face
a criminal charge for violating RA 9147 (Wildlife Act). The
PCSDS is filing the case in Court. The operation was prompted
by a report to PCSDStaff from an agent based in Rizal requesting
for a speedy action as the birds are to be shipped-out the
next day. An overnight planning was designed afterwhich the
enforcement team left Puerto Princesa City for a 5-hour travel
to the municipality of Rizal for the operation. PCSDS field
asset reported that the birds are hardly seen but their loud
cries thunders audibly along the fence of the house of Frank
Arcino just adjacent the highway. But the house is closed.
In this case, the “plain view doctrine” can not be used as
an excuse to forcibly retrieve the birds. Only through a search
warrant issued by the court can the operation be effected.
But armed with agility and brains, the operatives used the
buy-bust approach. A bait was planted as buyer. As the buying
was staged, Arcino was trapped. Initially hesitant, but later
Arcino voluntarily surrendered the items to the enforcement
team.
The birds were placed in a cartoon box compartments inside
a bamboo crate reportedly ready for ship out by a trader meant
to sell them outside Palawan. Mr. Arcino and his alleged financier
lost an estimate of about P 400,000.00 or income turned dust
with the confiscation of these birds. But wildlife specialists
shrugged as these birds, once rehabilitated, will take its
flight again in the woodlands of Palawan with potential worth
of unimaginable plus earnings for Palawan’s ecotourism
programs and biodiversity.
When interviewed, Arcino admitted that while he is aware that
the trade is illegal, he has been engaged in it for the past
three years. He bragged that trading birds supported his two
sons who both are engineering graduates. He buys 150.00 of
blue naped parrots apiece and at 500 for hill mynas. “Mga
katutubo ang nagdadala nito sa akin at nagbebenta, naaawa
naman ako sa kanila binibili ko, tumutubo din naman ako, masama
na ba yon?” Arcino sighs.
PCSDKonek records clearly identified Rizal as a hot spot for
wildlife trafficking. Most if not all apprehension activities
in the past, pointed to Rizal as source of birds sneaked out
of the province for trade.
Birds stake a jewel price in the market. No wonder, cries
of these birds are heard aloud at pet shops in Manila. Enforcement
agencies admit that tracking down illegal operators are hard
as these are surreptitiously conducted. Of late, transactions
are done through the internet.
The PCSD, tasked to oversee the implementation of RA 9147
in Palawan is presently intensifying the alert call among
enforcement agencies to ensure that Wildlife Act is enforced
and birds are protected.
The call to protect birds is getting louder. More people understand
that birds are important because they play a significant role
in the environment as primary and secondary consumers and
as top predators (e. g. eagle, owl). Many of the species of
birds serve as pollinators (e. g. sunbirds, flowerpeckers)
while others help on seed dispersal, so they help in restoring
the forest. Some (Palawan peacock pheasant, Palawan hornbill)
serve as bio-indicators because of their sensitivity to environmental
changes.
Environmentalists suggest that cooperation among government
entities and all stakeholders more so the communities in the
protection of wildlife are a must. Strict implementation of
laws and continuing information, education and communication
campaign especially in remote areas be done to heighten awareness.
LGUs are also enjoined to declare more protected areas to
help save the wildlife from the brink of extinction, and ensure
the sight of birds still enjoying unguarded flights in the
woodlands of Palawan
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Ursula Island Sanctuary, Revisited
 Once
a haven of an estimated 150,000 birds, doves and terns, coming
in roost before sunset - an spectacular sight to can witness
before dusk, in twenties, forties and even countless. This
is Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary, a-9 hectare
island 10 nautical miles southwest of Bataraza town. Walking
through the island’s white powdery beach that surrounds
the whole island is very rewarding while sighting birds on
tree tops making sweet strange sounds all day long.
Then Pres. Fidel Ramos in mid 90s directed the Palawan Council
for Sustainable Development Staff to intensify the protection
of the island. Bird hunting stopped as PCSD, DENR and other
partner agencies co-managed the management board of the Island.
The recent trip to Ursula Island by the PCSD Staff revealed
that birds dramatically decrease in number. Concerned government
agencies should focus more attention to the Island.
 While
more birds are seen coming back into the island’s virgin
forest, traces of sea turtles and hatching areas are noticed
along beaches. Both wildlife need much protection from transient
fishermen that occasionally seek shelter in the island.
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Malinsuno Island ECAN-CRM LC
 Down south
into Balabac, an hour boat trip from Rio Tuba is Malinsuno,
a 10-hectare island part of Bgy. Pandanan. A community of
mixed culture and tradition where Christians and Muslims living
in harmony with what nature has endowed. malinsuno is the
site of Balabac’s ECAN-CRM learning Center. Fishing and farming
(coconut) are the main source of livelihood. Malinsuno is
the seat of the Bgy. Pandanan LGU. The barangay hall sits
in the island. IDMO Staff Edmund Roxas met the ECAN-CRM Team
for the implementation of the Malinsuno marine sanctuary.
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One
of PTFPP’s legacy for Southern Palawan is the reestablishment
and operation of the Radyo Inogbong - 101.1FM Ang Boses ng
mga taga Bataraza. This community radio station is presently
operated by the Inogbong community themselves under the guidance
of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development license
to operate covered by R.A. 8993.