el nido , under control - pcsd.gov.ph · hydroponics to grow different veg-etables and herbs as...

March 2018 Vol 3 Issue 27

Sports Complex Rd., Bgy. Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City| www.pcsd.gov.ph| [email protected] | (048) 434-4235

what’S inSideDuring the 241st Regular Meeting of the Palawan Council for Sustain-able Development, Department of Environment and Natural Resourc-es Undersecretary Atty. Juan Mi-guel Cuna delivered the update re-

garding El Nido, Palawan, that out of the universe of 300-400 estab-lishments, 269 have been inspect-ed so far in one week’s time (as of March 1, 2018), 90% of which were

A study was conducted and pre-sented during the Palawan Coun-cil for Sustainable Development’s 241st Regular Meeting, which showed the decline in the harvest of Edible Bird’s Nest, specifically from the municipalities of Taytay and El Nido. It was recommended that an open/close season be set for the sake of recuperation of the

Balinsasayaw birds involved.

Based on the study, it was rec-ommended to have an open season from January to March and a Close Season from April to December. But based on the Province-wide stake holders’ con-sultation, the participants recom-

Open & Close Season for Balinsasayaw, Mulled Over

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EL NIDO , UNDER CONTROL

1st Katala Festival in PPC... p2

MOU for Integrated Coastal & Marine Resources Mgt. Programme ... p2

PCSDS joins Int’l. Womens Day Celebration... p3

Kiddie Wildlife Summit 2018 ... p5

IEC Caravan in Balabac... p6

PDM Training... p8

The congested coast of El Nido, Palawan photo by Kat Villaos

by: Jan Vemer A. Ponce de Leon

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WE’RE ONLINE!updatesMARCH 2018 | VOL 3 ISSUE 27PCSD

The first ever Katala Festival in Puer-to Princesa City was held last March 9, 2018 at the Palawan State Universi-ty Gymnasium.

Attended by more than 600 elemen-tary and junior students from around the city, the festival lasted for a whole day and filled with different activities, such as, poster making, environmen-tal chanting, photo exhibits and many more. The students also experienced coloring activities, face painting and storytelling, and getting introduced to the mascots that joined the festiv-ities, particularly the new mascot of the Katala Foundation Inc., Lusi, the Palawan Hornbill. Lusi along with Katali, the Phiippine Cockatoo, and Bakoko, the Philippine Forest Turtle will be a mainstay in the education campaigns of KFI.

The festival was spearheaded by the Katala Foundation Inc. through their Chief Operations Officer, Indira Windman. Katala Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit, non-stock, non-gov-ernmental organization, that has been active in protecting and conserving threatened endemic wildlife, partic-ularly the Philippine Cockatoo, Pala-wan Forest Turtle, Palawan Pangolin, Calamian Deer and Balabac Mouse-deer where the last strongholds of the

respective species can be found.

“We organized these kinds of activity to create awareness to the new gen-erations about these critically endan-gered species, Philippine cockatoo / Katala, so that with them the effort to conserve and promulgate them will be more viable,” Windman said.

On the part of the Provincial Govern-ment of Palawan, they will provide whatever assistance they can provide for the continuity of the activity, stressing that the protection of the environment is one of the main thrust of the I HELP (Infrastructure, Health, Education, Livelihood and Protection of the Environment) Program of the present administration, according to Mr. Ceasar Sammy Magbanua, Chief of Staff, Provincial Governor’s Office.

The First Katala Festival in Puerto Princesa City was made possible through the effort and collaboration between the Katala Foundation Inc., Department of Education - Puerto Princesa, Provincial Government of Palawan, City Government of Puerto Princesa, Department of Environ-ment and Natural Resources, Palawan State University, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and other KFI’s other partner agencies.

March 12, 2018 – a Memorandum of Agreement for the Integrated Coastal and Marine Resources Management Programme for the Northern Part of the Province of Palawan was signed between the Provincial Government of Palawan, the Malampaya Foundation Inc., and the Palawan Council for Sus-tainable Development.

The signed MOA serves as a renewal of the same that aims to strengthen marine conservation pro-grams in the province. The goal of the MOA is community-based, hence, the Information and Education Campaign (IEC) of the PCSDS shall play a crucial part in its implementation, according to Ms. Karen Agabin, Executive Direc-tor, Malampaya Foundation Inc.

Also according to Ms. Agabin, the period of 2013 to 2017 has seen the growth of the reef ecosystem from 25% to 64% that resulted better yield in fishing in the province. This is due to the efficient and better management of the province’s marine protected area.

The signing was attended and participated by PCSDS Executive Director Nelson P. Devanadera, Mr. Cesar Sammy Magbanua for the Office of the Governor, Provincial Govern-ment of Palawan, and officials of the Malampaya foundation inc., mr. rufino bomasang, chairman of the board; Ms. Belinda Racela, President; Mr. Rolando Paulino, Jr., Vice President; Ms. Karen Agabin, Executive Director; Mr. Armin Villamonte, Corporate Director; and Ms. Ana Marcos, Trustee.

The newly signed Memorandum of Agreement shall be effective until 2021.

MOU for Integrated Coastal & Marine Resources

Mgt Programme, Signed

1St Katala FeStival in Puerto PrinceSa city

Photo by Provincial Information Office

PCSD Updates is a monthly publication produced

by the PCSDS ECAN Education & Extension Division

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MARCH 2018 | VOL 3 ISSUE 27

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With the theme “We Make Change Work for Women”, the Palawan Council for Sustain-able Development Staff is one with the world in celebrating the achievements of women and girls in various fields and recognizes their contribu-tions to society. The theme shall be used from 2017 to 2022 to highlights the empowerment of women as active contributors to, and claimholders of, development.

According to the Philip-pine Commission on Women, national machinery for gender equality and women’s empower-ment, the elements of the theme are the following:

We stand for Women’s Empower-ment;Make Change Work = MCW = Magna Carta of Women;

Change – also means Compas-sionate and Harmonized Actions and Networks for Gender Equal-ity.

The theme emphasizes that women should be active drivers in

bringing about positive changes, and that they should also reap from fruits of development efforts. This can be made possible by empowering women – enabling them to meaningfully engage with other development

stakeholders, and by fully im-plementing the Magna Carta of Women.

In celebration of the International Women's Month, the women of the Palawan Coun-cil for Sustainable Development Staff visited the Aloha House in Puerto Princesa City to learn about organic backyard gardening. The staffs were shown models of hydroponics to grow different veg-

etables and herbs as well as proper seeding and soil preparation.

Women are the backbone of the development of rural and national economies. They com-prise 43% of the world's agricul-tural labor force, which rises to 70% in some countries. Realizing the importance of rural women in agriculture is an important aspect of gender relations.

The Aloha House is a non-stock, non-profit, NGO (Non-Government Organization) and charitable mission serving the community of Palawan and the nation of the Philippines. Aloha House is duly licensed and accred-ited by the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) as a Child Caring, Child Placing and Community Serving Agency. The agency is proactive in supply-ing the staff and children in their care with chemical free nutrient dense food.

PCSDS celebrates

International Women’s Day

found to have no waste water discharge permit/ permits to op-erate for emissions. Only 30% of these establish-ments do reg-ular dislodging so the initial number of establishments found encroaching on coastline/coastal zones is 60, most-ly in the Poblacion area. Usec. Cuna said that they are still waiting for the report on timber land encroachment.

DENR-EMB Re-gional Director Abu left for El Nido right after the meeting to serve the notices of violation. It was also said that the LGU (El Nido) is yet to complete their centralized SEP with 2020 as their target year.


“Palawan is really a special place and we can assure you, at least on our part and of course working with PCSD and the different government agencies, that you’re

not going to be at risk of being close to what’s happening in Boracay

right now.”-Undersecretary Cuna

EL NIDO , ... from page 1


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WE’RE ONLINE!updatesPCSDThe Undersec-retarya empha-sized that things in Palawan, El Nido specifical-ly, is under con-trol and that it’s very different from the situa-tion in Boracay, "We don’t want what happened

to Bora-cay to happen here and we’re far from that, because the setup is quite different here and the places that the tourists, both lo-cal and foreign, visits

are quite spread out but we do have to ad-dress the issues as ear-ly as now," said Cuna.

The Undersecretary also emphasized that the government is seri-ous on this matter and that what they’re vying for is for each establish-ment to have their own Pollution Control Of-

ficer, because ordinary people (owners of estab-lishments) don’t usually know the things that

they need to comply with. These PCOs shall be aware of the rules and regulations and

have had undergone mandato-ry training with the DENR be-fore being accredited for the job, which is to advise their principal on what they need to do with re-gards to the different environmen-tal laws that they need to follow.

CUNA: "Palawan is really a special place and we can assure you, at least on our part and of course working with PCSD and the different gov-ernment agencies, that you’re not going to be at risk of being close to what’s happening in Boracay right now. But seriously, Boracay is not beyond redemption, all we need is cooperation with the LGU, the establishment owners, and DENR. DILG’s Eduardo Año is very vocal about really being aggressive in our approach in Boracay so they will be there also (in the meeting) with Department of Tourism. We’re also trying to get the Department of Justice and Department of Public Works and Highways on board."

In addition to this, PCSDS Execu-tive Director Nelson P. Devanade-ra mentioned that the Governor issued an order creating a task force for El Nido and eventually for Coron as a part for the solu-tion to the problems that these tourist destinations are facing.

Exec. Director Nelson P. Devanadera and DENR Usec. Juan Miguel T. Cuna during the 241st PCSD Regular Council Meeting


March 2, 2018 – In celebration of the World Wildlife Day 2018, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development holds its annual Kiddie Wildlife Summit at the VJR Hall of the Provincial Capitol of Palawan.

This year's theme is "Ang Pagsagip ng Buhay-Ilang ay Pagsagip sa Ating Kinabukasan" and the activity aims to teach the young participants appreciation of endemic species of Palawan and learn more about their

ecological value and roles in the eco-system.

Partic-ipated by over 300 elementary students, aged 8-12 years old, the enthusias-tic kids were treated to a fun filled afternoon full of activities, such as, storytelling, games and more. Students came from the different schools in the city, Puerto Princesa

Pilot Elementary School, Iwahig Elementary School, East Central School, Mateo Jagmis Memorial Elemen-tary School, and Palawan Little Angel Learning Center.

The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Con-servation Center, gave the kids a chance to see wildlife up-close and personal, while also teaching them how to properly handle them. The PWRCC brought croc-

odiles, Palawan Hornbill, and forest turtles, to name a few, that certainly brought joy and new knowledge to the participants. The kids also got the chance to meet

the different mascots that performed and did a dance number for them.

Also part of the event was the discussion of the different environmental laws being implemented in the province by the Pala-wan Council for Sustainable Development, particularly the Wildlife Act.

Prior to the event, the par-ticipants were reminded to bring their own tumbler, since no plastic / dispos-able cups will be provided during

the snacks, the practice was to instill to their young minds the effect of non-biode-gradable materials to the environment.

To cap the summit, the kids were asked to pledge their commitment to wildlife and

environmental protection, by each imprint-ing their thumbprints on a black and white picture of a pangolin, after the pledging, the drawn pangolin was called “fun-golin” by some of the kids because of its colorful turn out.

The event is in partnership with the Provin-

cial Government of Palawan, DepEd Puerto Princesa, Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, JCI Peacock and the Roxas Pride Campaign.



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Kiddie Wildlife Summit

Team EEED


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WE’RE ONLINE!updatesMARCH 2018 | VOL 3 ISSUE 27PCSD

Despite gale and LPA warnings the ECAN Extension and Education Division of the PCSDS successfully conducted an Information and Education Campaign (IEC) Caravan in the Municipality of Balabac last Feb-ruary 12 – 17, 2018.

Two teams from the said division travelled to the different barangays of the municipality to conduct information and education campaign. Among the barangays visited were Agutayan, Catagupan, Salang, Bancalaan, Indalawan, Mel-ville, Pasig and Rabor.

Part of the IEC is the dis-cussion of Coastal Ecosystems and Resource Management, in line with the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduc-tion (JFPR) 9160 Project with the theme: “Malusog na Dagat, Likas na Puhunan ng Balabac para sa Kasa-ganaan at Kaunlaran.”

The caravan was met with much enthusiasm and appreciation by the community, stating that most of the laws and its implementation are unknown to them.

The teams discussed the different environmental laws such as, the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act, Wildlife Act, Chainsaw Act, Caves Act, and its implementation in the province through the different administrative orders issued by the Palawan Coun-cil for Sustainable Development.

The IEC caravan conducted was in cooperation with the Munic-ipal Government of Balabac, Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) 9160 Project, and the Philippine Navy – Marines.

IEC Caravan in Balabac



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7

mended that the Close season be from June to December and the Open season on January to May.

There were a total of four options presented to the Council:

Option 1: was the recommenda-tion during the stake-holder's con-sultation which is the close season from June to December and the open season on January to May. Option 2: five-year moratorium for wide collection of Edible Bird’s nest. Option 3: is a moratorium on the third year of the 5 year conces-sion period (the municipality of Taytay is giving a 5 year conces-sion for the collectors of edible birds’ nest aside from the permit coming from the PCSD, so on the third year of the concession, there would be a rest period of collec-tion for one year). Option 4: is the mixture of option 1 and option 3 where on the 3rd year of the concession period, there would be a rest period for collection of edible birds nest while on the remaining 4 years, the close season of June to Decem-ber would be imposed.

One of the issues brought up by NEDA Undersecretary. Adoracion Navarro was if the duration of the close season would give scientists enough time to do research and for the Council to digest the find-ings and recommendations.

PCSDS Executive Director Deva-nadera answered that it was the scientific advisory body who gave the recommendation which is an open season from January to March and a Close Season from April to December, but that this

was a decision solely based on sci-ence/ precautionary whereas the other one where the Close season is from June to December and the Open season on January to May, is based on practicality since this won't hinder economic devel-opment (there will be balance between extraction and conserva-tion).

Devanadera also stated that even if the open/close season is imple-mented, the research would be continuing and if the need arises, alternative modes of simulating natural caves (building structures, abandoning it and putting music which attracts the Balinsasayaw, and doing supplemental feeding) could also be done. Devanadera emphasized that the Edible Birds’ nests industry have great econom-ic potential (P 200,000/kilo for clean edible birds nest) as with live reef fish.

Another issue that was raised during the discus-sion was other countries (who also culture edible birds nest) taking ad-vantage of the image of Palawan’s edible birds nest. Accordingly, what they do, is that they ship their products here in palawan, and then ex-porting it again, making it seems that the produce is originally from pala-

wan thus increasing their value. These information alarmed the council, thus further investigation was requested.

Another point of the discussion that was brought up was the pos-sibility of starting an edible bird’s nest culture industry in Palawan, but was however rejected by the majority of the council.

“The reason why our edible bird’s nest is of premium quality, is because it is from the wild, hence the focus should be more on the conservation of the swiflets which create these nests,” Devanadera said.

In the end, the Council decided to go with the first option which is to be included in the implementing guidelines for the LGUs.

Balinsasayaw...from page 1 >>>

March 2018 Vol 3 Issue 27

Sports Complex Rd., Bgy. Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City| www.pcsd.gov.ph| [email protected] | (048) 434-4235

The Palawan Council for Sustain-able Development organized a 5-day Project Development and Management Training for the Lo-cal Government Units in Palawan last March 20-25, 2018, held at the Hue Hotel, Puerto Princesa City.

The training was facilitated by Dr. Nicasio Angelo J. Agustin, PhD, which also served as a resource speaker; the same is currently affiliated with the World Bank and Development Academy of the Philippines.

The conduct of the Project De-velopment and Management Training intends to capacitate the participants in identifying devel-opment projects and packaging project proposals, specifically, this activity is designed to enable the participants to identify projects that could be implemented in their respective localities; to de-velop acceptable project proposal; and lastly, to be able to develop an action plan for the finalization and approval of the said pro-posed projects.

This training activity also aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of each participant by the discus-sion of concepts from basic to the most essential part of project development and

management. The participants were also given the chance to ex-press their project proposal ideas in workshop activities, and under-went positive and fruitful critiqu-ing from the resource speaker and other attendees.

At the end of the training, the participants from the LGUs are expected to be able to formulate at least one project proposal and the corresponding action plan that could be the next project or could be implemented in each of the participant’s respective municipal-ities.

The training was attended and participated by representatives and staff from the local govern-ment units in the province, name-ly: namely the City Government of Puerto Princesa, the municipali-ties of Araceli, Busuanga, Sofronio Española, Roxas, Aborlan, Ka-layaan, San Vicente and staff of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.

PCSDS Attends Project Development & Managemen Training

by: Whendy V. Orlido

el nido , under control - pcsd.gov.ph · hydroponics to grow different veg-etables and herbs as...

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