QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 7611)
Republic Act No. 7611 is the “Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act,” adopting the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, creating the administrative machinery for its implementation, converting the PIADPO to its support staff, providing funds therefor, and for other purposes.
The State shall protect, develop, and conserve natural resources; assist in implementing environment-preserving plans while pursuing socioeconomic development goals; promote sustainable development through proper conservation, utilization, and development of natural resources; impose a total commercial logging ban as provided in the law; and encourage participation of all sectors in natural resource management.
“Sustainable development” is improving the quality of life of present and future generations through complementary development and environmental protection activities. “Natural resources” refers to life-support systems (sea, coral reefs, soil, lakes, rivers, streams, forests) and useful products found therein, including minerals, wildlife, trees/plants, and non-man-made aesthetic attributes of scenic sites.
The SEP is a comprehensive framework for the sustainable development of Palawan compatible with protecting/enhancing natural resources and the endangered environment. It guides local government of Palawan and concerned government agencies in formulating and implementing plans, programs, and projects affecting Palawan.
Ecological viability (maintain natural ecosystem productivity cycles), social acceptability (people commit through participatory processes; equity in access to resources/benefits), and integrated approach (holistic view and coordination/sharing to implement and sustain SEP activities).
The SEP serves as the framework guiding government agencies in formulation/implementation of plans, programs, and projects affecting Palawan’s environment and natural resources. It must be incorporated in the Regional Development Plan of Region IV, and LGUs and concerned national/regional agencies must coordinate and align projects and budgets with SEP projects, programs, and policies.
ECAN is the SEP’s main strategy establishing a graded system of protection and development control across Palawan, including tribal lands, forests, mines, agricultural areas, settlement areas, small islands, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and surrounding sea. It ensures specific protection and sustainable management goals.
Forest conservation/protection including a total commercial logging ban in maximum protection areas and other restricted zones provided by PCSD; protection of watersheds; preservation of biological diversity; protection of tribal people and preservation of culture; maintenance of maximum sustainable yield; protection of rare/endangered species and habitat; areas for environmental/ecological research, education, and training; and areas for tourist and recreation.
Into three main components: (1) Terrestrial (mountainous plus ecologically important low hills/lowland areas), (2) Coastal/marine area (whole coastline up to the open sea), and (3) Tribal ancestral lands (areas traditionally occupied by cultural communities).
Terrestrial zones: (1) Area of maximum protection/core zone—fully and strictly protected, free of human disruption; only exceptions for traditional tribal uses for minimal/soft impact ceremonial/medicinal gathering. (2) Buffer zone—regulated use, subdivided into restricted use area (limited non-consumptive activities), controlled use area (may allow controlled extraction like minor forest products and strictly controlled logging/mining), and traditional use area (edges where traditional land use is stabilized/stabilizing). (3) Multiple/manipulative use area—modified landscapes for intensive timber extraction, grazing, agriculture, infrastructure; control integrated with supporting SEP programs.
It has a simplified management and zonation due to geography and resource-use patterns: (1) Core zone—designated free from any human activity, including sanctuaries for rare/endangered species and selected coral reefs and mangrove/seagrass reserves. (2) Multiple use zone—development and buffer area where fishery, mariculture, recreation, rehabilitation of small islands and mangrove ecosystems, education, and research are allowed.
They are subject to the same graded system of control and prohibition as in other ECAN areas, but with stronger emphasis in cultural considerations. The SEP must define special zonation using consultative processes and cultural mapping of ancestral lands.
The SEP must provide for management of resources outside ECAN, including coastal resources, catchment area resources, timber and mines, development in lowlands, and settlement areas, plus tourism planning.
EMES is established to monitor SEP goal achievement through systematic data generation. It must measure changes in environmental status, identify adverse trends and crisis areas, recommend solutions, assess SEP implementation, and suggest measures to make the SEP responsive to changing needs.
Section 14 requires an environmental research system for accurate planning and to address new problems, covering both physical/biological aspects and policy/socioeconomic questions. Section 15 requires an information and education program to shift people away from destructive practices and provide alternatives, including training for NGOs, business sector representatives, and community leaders, plus community organizing to complement formal education.
Governance, implementation, and policy direction are exercised by the PCSD under the Office of the President. It includes House representatives from Palawan, a Deputy Director General of NEDA, an Undersecretary of DENR, an Undersecretary for Special Concerns of DA, the Governor of Palawan, the Mayor of Puerto Princesa City, the President of the Mayor’s League of Palawan, the President of the Provincial Chapter of Liga ng mga Barangay, the Executive Director of the PCSD Staff (Section 20), and other public/private sector members as the majority may deem necessary.
PCSD may formulate plans/policies; coordinate with LGUs to align projects; call on government/private entities for cooperation; accept donations/grants/loans; recommend legislation to Congress; delegate powers to support staff (except non-delegable powers); set employment and staffing guidelines; adopt/amend/rescind rules and impose penalties; enforce RA 7611 and similar complementary laws; perform functions promoting development/conservation/management/protection/utilization of Palawan’s natural resources; and do other necessary acts.
PIADPO is converted to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff as the Council’s regular professional support staff. It coordinates policy/functions, implements programs, and organizes needed services. It is independent of other agencies except through the Council. PIADPO’s personnel, complement, appropriations, records, equipment, property, funds, obligations, and liabilities are transferred. The PIADPO incumbent Director becomes the Executive Director, who later is appointed by Council members and also sits in the Council as ex officio member.