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RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE OPERATION OF "PA-ALING" FISHING GEAR IN PALAWAN

WHEREAS, it is stipulated in Section 4, Chapter II of Republic Act 7611 that the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan shall serve as the comprehensive framework to guide the Local Government of Palawan and the government agencies concerned in the formulation and implementation environmental plans, programs and projects affecting said province.

WHEREAS, the same Act states in Section 5, Chapter II tat the SEP shall have, as the its general philosophy, the sustainable development of Palawan.

WHEREAS, on 9 July 1993, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture presented for concurrence by the Palawan Council For Sustainable Development (PCSD) a proposed Fisheries Administrative Order regulating the operation of "pa-ling" in Philippine waters which in fact will have Palawan waters and vicinity as the area of operation.

WHEREAS, A study conducted by an inter-agency task force formed by BFAR, to establish the ecological viability of the fishing gear was found unacceptable.

WHEREAS, in consonance with the spirit of local participation, the PCSD have considered as the basis of its decision the position papers submitted by the Haribon-Palawan, the Urban Poor Coordinations, the International Marinelife Alliance, the "Liga ng mga Barangay", the PCSD Staff and the testimonies of various groups during the series of public hearing conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in particular, and the general sentiment of the people of Palawan in general, which totally opposed the operation of "pa-aling" in Palawan.

WHEREAS, Opposition to the operation of "pa-aling" as a whole includes the following grounds: a) fishing gear is too efficient to be sustainable; b) its scale of operation is not supportive to the plight of marginalized fisherman; and c) its operation requires tedious means of monitoring for effective control.

NOW THEREFORE, on unanimous motion by the members of the PCSD present;

RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolve, that the operation of the "pa-aling" fishing method be disallowed in Palawan.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that copies of this resolution be furnished the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, the BFAR, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Municipal Mayors and the NGOs concerned for their information and guidance; and

RESOLVED FINALLY, that this Resolution be given the widest dessimination for the information of all concerned.

26 November 1993

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development is a national agency under
the Office of the President of the Philippines