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Ulat Bayan 2008: The Chairman's Report
Palawan Situationer

                                                                  Hon. Joel T. Reyes
                                                                    Chairman, PCSD
                                                           Governor, Province of Palawan

                                           Note: This is the text in the Powerpoint Presentation

(Slide 1)
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Before proceeding with my report, entitled, “LINKING GLOBAL ISSUES TO LOCAL ACTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE,” let me first greet all of you a “Happy SEP Anniversary” as today we are celebrating the birth of the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act or Republic Act 7611.

(Slide 2)
Dubbed as the last ecological frontier of the Philippines, Palawan’s international significance was recognized when it was declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve in 1990.

(Slide 3)
In support to this declaration and impelled by the need to protect Palawan’s unique environment and rich biological diversity, and to develop its natural resources sustainably, the SEP for Palawan was formulated and translated into a law that is RA 7611.

(Slide 4)
Since the enactment of RA 7611 in 1992, global issues and problems have emerged or escalated making it imperative for the local leaders of Palawan to formulate policies, plans and programs so as to respond to these pressing challenges.

(Slide 5)
The following global issues are undeniably affecting the development of Palawan and the quality of life of its people. These key issues I believe should be studied carefully in the context of the fragile environment of Palawan as a Biosphere Reserve and as a living laboratory of solutions to reconcile development and protection.

(Slide 6)
Global food crisis It is no less than the Chief of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, who said that billions of dollars is needed yearly to fight the food crisis.

(Slide 7)
As one of the world’s top rice importers, the Philippines is truly affected by the global rice supply crisis.

(Slide 8)
This is aggravated by the frequent flooding and other calamities that have destroyed croplands throughout the country which you are all aware of …

(Slide 9)
… as these can be seen on television, read in the newspapers, or heard in the radios.

(Slide 10)
Millions of pesos are released by the government to avert rice shortage in the country.

(Slide 11)
In the local scene, Palawan is not exempted from the impacts of this crisis as indicated by the soaring increase in the price of rice. As you may have recalled, it was predicted in the 2004 State of Environment Report of PCSDS that rice shortage will set in by 2008 on the basis of 2000 rice production level and estimated population growth rate in Palawan.

(Slide 12)
To avert the situation it was then recommended that more areas will have to be opened for rice production or that rice technology should be improved to increase production. Unfortunately, however, latest available data indicate that paddy rice fields in Palawan have decreased (instead of expanding) by 5.46% from the 1998 figure.

(Slide 13)
The manifested conversion of rice lands and agricultural lands in general into infrastructure use such as residential and commercial structures, airports, mine ancillary facilities and other urban uses in the Province could have contributed to the said reduction. Perhaps it is time for our local leaders to re-examine policies on land conversion for infrastructure development as against food security.

(Slide 14) Climate change
In the atmosphere, gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and methane act like the glass roof of a greenhouse by trapping heat and warming the planet. These gases are called greenhouse gases.

(Slide 15)
The natural levels of these gases are being supplemented by emissions resulting from human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, farming activities and land-use changes. As a result, the Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere are warming, and this rise in temperature is accompanied by many other changes.

(Slide 16)
Rising levels of greenhouse gases are already changing the climate. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I (WGI) Fourth Assessment Report, from 1850 to 2005, the average global temperature increased by about 0.76ºC and global mean sea level rose by 12 to 22 cm during the last century.

(Slide 17)
These changes are affecting the entire world, from low-lying islands in the tropics to the vast polar regions. Perhaps you will agree with me that impacts of climate change such as the unpredictable droughts and flooding as well as variation in rainfall distribution could now be experienced here in Palawan.

(Slide 18)
The effect on the water cycle contributes to the decline and deterioration of watersheds which according to the World Bank results in water shortages and flooding. Farmers are the usual victims of unpredictable weather conditions since crop production is generally weather dependent.

(Slide 19)
For example, production of cashew, a major crop in the province is adversely affected by changes in rainfall patterns as it is sensitive to rain during its flowering stage.

(Slide 20)
Climate changes also affect and will affect biodiversity. According to Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, climate change is likely to become the dominant driver of biodiversity loss by the end of this century. As biodiversity provides ecosystem services upon which the health and well being of human population depend, the loss of biodiversity shall threaten water and food supplies, sources of medicines, fuel and energy and even opportunities for recreation and tourism. Ecosystems shall likewise be destabilized and their ability to deal with natural disasters such as flood and storms including human-induced stress like pollution and deforestation will be weakened.

(Slide 21)
Economists valued the global benefits from coral reefs including tourism, fisheries & coastal protection at US$30 billion/year; insect pollination of over 40 commercial crops in the United States is likewise valued in almost the same range, while the market for herbal drugs is estimated at US$47 billion in 2000. Loss of biodiversity will diminish such economic benefits not to mention the huge sums of money already spent and shall be spent to respond to flood and storm damage.

(Slide 22) Globalization of the mining industry
The demand in the international market for minerals has prompted the Government to open its lands to mining investors on the pretext that mining could boost the economy of the Philippines.

(Slide 23)
Data show that as of February 2008, the total investments in the Country’s mining industry is USD1.4 billion, the biggest slice at USD304.59M came from line 1 of HPP in Rio Tuba. The second largest investment is HPP line2 which poured in USD209M in 2007, also in Palawan.

(Slide 24)
Because of its geological formation, Palawan is endowed with rich mineral resources both onshore and offshore. Exploitation of these resources however is threatening the forest of the Province since most of these minerals are found in forested areas.

(Slide 25)
As indicated on the map, in Palawan alone, more than 300 onshore mining applications in various stages are pending with the MGB.

(Slide 26)
Also 13 service contracts for oil and gas ventures in Palawan, totaling more than 10.2 million hectares, have been awarded by the Department of Energy.

(Slide 27)
In addition to this, 6 more prospect offshore service contract areas are in offer, with a prospect area of almost 4.4 million hectares.

(Slide 28)
With regard to onshore mining, while it may appear that only a handful of the applicants have been endorsed by PCSD, the consequential environmental impacts of these few mining operations could not be ignored, not to mention the cultural impact on the affected IPs if the mining operations will lack corporate social responsibility.

(Slide 29)
Surface runoff from open pit mining areas causing siltation of rivers is threatening not only the limited agricultural lands of Palawan but also its rich coastal resources.

(Slide 30)
Initial data gathered by PCSDS indicate that rivers affected by mining operations were observed to be turbid and silted with consequential adverse effect on agricultural production as complained by the affected farmers.In addition, the removal of forest cover brought about by mining also contributes to global warming as carbon dioxide sequestration function of the forest will be hampered. According to the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, deforestation is said to account for 20% of the human-induced carbon dioxide emissions.

(Slide 31)
While in Palawan deforestation can not be attributed solely to mining, we are however concerned of the reduction in the estimated forest cover of Palawan from 55.84 % in 1998 to 53.24 % in 2005.

(Slide 32)
This negative change is significant, considering that we have started from a pristine state of forestry to substantial depletion before the 1992 total commercial logging ban is inscribed in the SEP Law.

(Slide 33)
It is also sad to note that disunity among indigenous peoples was manifested in areas where mining operates, thereby eroding their cultural values.

(Slide 34)
Initiatives in response to these global issues being undertaken by both government and non-government entities include the declaration of 126,000 hectares of Mt. Mantalingahan Range as a Protected Landscape;

(Slide 35)
regulation of the live fish industry to reduce pressure on the coastal resources to sustain fisheries; establishment of fishery sanctuaries in identified sites; conduct of education and information campaigns to raise environmental awareness of the populace; conduct of environmental studies as inputs to policy formulation; and Intensification of environmental laws enforcement and prosecution of violators.

(Slide 36)
Incidentally, I would like to share with you the latest ranking of two Palawan candidates to the online search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

(Slide 37)
Our tireless campaign for our World Heritage Sites has paid off! Out of the Top 77 Wonders of Nature Nominees, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park are ranked 2ND and 5TH places, respectively.

(Slide 38)
The value of our campaign is not only for posterity. These are one-of-a-kind ecosystems that must be preserved not only for their beauty but for the ecosystem service and economic values that they provide us. The Tubbataha Reefs, for example, according to a study of Conservation International’s Sulu Sulawesi Seascape Project, most likely serves as the strategic source of fish larvae in the Sulu Sea and the internal waters of Palawan.These initiatives however are just part of the greater challenge we are facing now. In the midst of this challenging situation, we are faced with questions on what policies to adopt and what developmental road to take.

(Slide 39)
For example, shall we allow further onshore mining knowing fully well that mineable areas are generally located in forested areas and watersheds thereby threatening our food security and sources of our domestic water supply? There may be better development options other than onshore mining. Eco-tourism development as shown by our Asean neighbors such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia could also generate the needed revenues to propel the economy of Palawan now and into the future.

(Slide 40)
Adding to this are the billions of revenues from oil and gas development in our offshore seas which maybe sufficient enough so that a moratorium to onshore mining may be declared.

(Slide 41)
Can the live fish industry fuelled by external demand really be sustainable?

(Slide 42)
While we are able to legislate the ECAN Zoning, have we exerted enough effort to control deforestation of our remaining natural forests such as those identified as Core Zone and Restricted-use Area? As stewards of the earth’s bounty, do we support environmental protection efforts or do we take part in destroying the forest, in polluting the rivers and the air we breathe? Perhaps we can also ask ourselves can we save the world's ecosystems, and with them the species we value and the other millions of species, some of which may produce the foods and medicines of tomorrow?

(Slide 43)
We must learn to recognize the simple fact that renewable resources can also become non-renewable if these natural resources – plant food, water, fish, forest, fossil fuels – if these resources lose the capability of replenishing themselves.

Ladies and gentlemen, the answers to these questions lie in all of us whether a policy maker, a student, a religious person, an environmentalist, a political leader or an ordinary person in our ability to bring our demands within the nature's ability to produce what we need and to safely absorb what we throw away.

(Slide 44)
Let me end my report by sharing what former U.S. Vice President Albert Gore said in passing about Political Will in his documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth.’

“Political will is a renewable resource.”

I take it that Al Gore does not only refer to the seasonal election exercises in democratic societies or to the changes in leadership. Let me put forward a basic definition of Political Will – it is, for me, the perpetual desire, in all of us, to better our lives and the lives of our children, and their children. This political will, this desire to secure a better world for our children, is never exhausted. This desire is universal; it knows no boundaries; it transcends time; it fosters our survival.

Not only us public servants, but each Palaweño has a God-given right to make use of this political will. At kapag pinagsama-sama natin – your political will, my political will – the sum total of our political wills will yet lead us to a better environment, to a better place to live in, to a progressive and sustainably developed society.

(Slide 45)
Let us renew our faith in ourselves. Together we can obliterate the threats to the attainment of an improved quality of life. We simply have to learn to think far ahead. And dedicate ourselves anew daily.

(Slide 46)
Maraming Salamat Po, at muli, Maligayang Pagtaguyod sa SEP Day!