PCSD Resolution 00-171

Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(R.A. 7611)
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

PCSD RESOLUTION NO. 00-171

RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM) TO ALLOCATE FIFTY MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY TWO THOUSAND PESOS (P50.842 M) FOR PALAWAN TROPICAL FORESTRY PROTECTION PROGRAMME (PTFPP) AS GOP COUNTERPART FUND FOR 2001

WHEREAS, in 1993, the European Union approved an aid programme for the preservation of Palawan forest through an area-based project emphasizing a community based sustainable development strategy within the framework of the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan under Republic Act No. 7611 and the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) established under Republic Act No. 7586, which programme is known as the PTFPP (ALA/93/37);

WHEREAS, the PTFPP started in 1995 and will be undertaken in seven years with a total project cost of 21.8 M ECU, of which 17.0 M ECU is being financed by the European Union while 4.8 M ECU will constitute the counterpart funding to be provided by the Government of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, item 3.6 of the Financing Memorandum states that "the budgetary contribution to be made by the National Government shall commence at the beginning of the third year of project implementation and shall increase progressively thereafter". It is further stated that "this National Government budgetary contribution shall be made via the provision within the General Appropriations Act for the operations of PCSDS;

WHEREAS, starting from 1997 up to 2000, the yearly appropriations was pegged at P11.867 M or a total of only P47.468 M compared to the programmed GOP counterpart funding of P 103.661 M, indicating a total shortfall of P56.193 million over the four-year period;

WHEREAS, in view of this funding crisis, the European Union has urged the Philippine Government to fulfill its financial commitments as provided for in the above-quoted provisions of the Financing Memorandum;

WHEREAS, in a letter dated 27 April 2000 addressed to the Deputy Speaker and PCSD Chair, Hon. Alfredo E. Abueg, Jr., the Delegation of the European Union in the Philippines has indicated that the 2001 PTFPP Annual Work Plan will not be approved unless the GOP fulfill its commitment to the project;

WHEREAS, on motion of Atty. Joselito C. Alisuag, duly seconded, the Council resolves, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to request the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), as it is hereby REQUESTED, to allocate the amount of FIFTY MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY TWO THOUSAND PESOS (P 50.842 M ) as GOP counterpart to PTFPP for CY 2001.

RESOLVED FINALLY, that copies of this resolution be furnished the DBM for information and appropriate action.

APPROVED and ADOPTED this 16th day of June 2000 in Puerto Princesa City.

I hereby certify to the correctness and accuracy of the above quoted resolution.