Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7611)
The title of Republic Act No. 7611 is "Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act."
The State's policy is to protect, develop, and conserve natural resources, assist in implementing plans to preserve and enhance the environment, and promote sustainable development goals through proper conservation and utilization of resources. It also includes imposing a total commercial logging ban in specified areas, creating institutional machinery, and promoting people participation in natural resource management.
Sustainable development is defined as the improvement in the quality of life of present and future generations through the complementation of development and environmental protection activities.
Palawan refers to the Philippine province composed of islands and islets located between 7°47' and 12°22' north latitude and 117°00' and 119°51' east longitude, bounded by the South China Sea to the northwest and the Sulu Sea to the east.
The SEP is a comprehensive framework for the sustainable development of Palawan that guides local government and government agencies in formulating and implementing plans, programs, and projects affecting the province, aiming to protect and enhance its natural resources and environment.
The SEP's philosophy includes ecological viability (maintaining natural ecosystem productivity), social acceptability (people’s participation and equity in resource access), and an integrated approach (holistic view of environmental problems and coordination of efforts).
ECAN is a graded system of protection and development control covering Palawan, including tribal lands, forests, mines, agricultural areas, reefs, and surrounding seas. It aims to conserve forests, protect watersheds and biodiversity, preserve tribal culture, maintain sustainable yields, and provide areas for research and tourism.
They are classified into three main components: Terrestrial (mountains, hills, lowlands), Coastal/Marine area (coastline and open sea areas), and Tribal ancestral lands (areas traditionally occupied by cultural minorities).
The terrestrial component is subdivided into the area of maximum protection or core zone, buffer zone (restricted use area, controlled use area, traditional use area), and multiple/manipulative use area.
The coastal/marine zone is managed through two zones: the core zone, which is free from human activity and includes sanctuaries for rare species, and the multiple use zone, where activities such as fishing, mariculture, recreation, and education are allowed.
Tribal ancestral lands are managed similarly with graded control and prohibition but emphasize cultural considerations. The SEP defines zonation through consultative processes and cultural mapping to meet the material and cultural needs of the tribes.
EMES is a system established under SEP to monitor environmental status changes, identify adverse trends and crises, recommend solutions, assess SEP implementation, and ensure responsiveness to changing needs.
The PCSD governs, implements, and directs policy for the SEP. It coordinates with local governments, formulates plans and policies, accepts funds, recommends legislation, enforces the law, and performs other functions for natural resource conservation and sustainable development in Palawan.
The Council consists of Palawan’s representatives in the House, key government officials from National Economic and Development Authority, DENR, Department of Agriculture, local government executives including the Governor and Mayor, presidents of local government leagues, the Executive Director of the PCSD Staff, and other members as deemed necessary.
The Council can formulate plans, coordinate projects, call for government and private cooperation, arrange funding, recommend legislation, delegate powers, adopt rules and regulations, enforce laws, perform related functions for resource management, and other necessary powers.
The PIADPO is converted into the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff, providing professional support to the Council. All PIADPO’s powers, personnel, funds, assets, and liabilities are transferred to the new staff.
Members are entitled to per diems and allowances according to existing laws, with per diem set at P500 per meeting and limited to per diems for four meetings per month.
The necessary amount shall be charged to the current fiscal appropriations of PIADPO initially, and thereafter sums necessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The other provisions of the Act shall remain valid and unaffected by such declaration (Separability Clause).