Guidelines for Wildlife Act Implementation in Palawan

Republic Act No. 7611 established the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan, which took effect on 19 June 1992.
Republic Act No. 7611 provides that the SEP serves as the framework guiding government agencies in formulating plans, programs, and projects affecting Palawan’s environment and natural resources.
Republic Act No. 9147 establishes the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, passed into law on 30 July 2001 to conserve the country’s wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainability.
Republic Act No. 9147 designates the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) as the lead implementing agency in Palawan under Republic Act No. 7611.
Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative Order No. 01 serves as the implementing rules and regulations that prescribe procedures and guidelines for implementing Republic Act No. 9147 and is made applicable throughout the Philippine territory.
PCSD Resolution No. 11-423 approves detailed provincial guidelines so that provisions of the national implementing rules are implemented in Palawan as detailed by the PCSD.

Republic Act No. 7611 declares State policy to protect, develop, and conserve Palawan’s natural resources while assisting implementation of plans, programs, and projects that preserve and enhance the environment and pursue socioeconomic development goals.
Republic Act No. 7611 requires support and promotion of sustainable development in Palawan through proper conservation, utilization, and development of natural resources to provide optimum yields on a continuing basis.
Republic Act No. 7611 states the SEP’s general philosophy as sustainable development of Palawan—improving the quality of life of present and future generations through complementary development and conservation activities.
Republic Act No. 7611 frames the goal of protecting life-support ecosystems and rehabilitating exploited areas to allow upcoming generations to sustain development growth.
Republic Act No. 9147 declares a policy to conserve the country’s wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainability.
Republic Act No. 9147 positions PCSD as lead implementing agency in Palawan for carrying out the wildlife conservation and protection policy.

Republic Act No. 7611 requires the SEP to establish a graded system of protection and development control over all of Palawan, including specified land and marine areas.
The graded system is identified as the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN).
Republic Act No. 7611 requires ECAN to ensure forest conservation and protection.
Republic Act No. 7611 requires ECAN to ensure protection of watersheds.
Republic Act No. 7611 requires ECAN to ensure preservation of biological diversity.
Republic Act No. 7611 requires ECAN to ensure protection of tribal people and preservation of their culture.
Republic Act No. 7611 requires ECAN to ensure maintenance of maximum sustainable yield.
Republic Act No. 7611 requires ECAN to ensure protection of rare and endangered species and their habitat and provision of areas for environmental and ecological research, education and training.
Republic Act No. 7611 requires ECAN to ensure provision of areas for tourist and recreation.
Republic Act No. 7611 defines ECAN coverage to include tribal lands, forests, mines, agricultural areas, settlement areas, small islands, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and the surrounding sea.

Republic Act No. 9147 assigns PCSD as the lead implementing agency for wildlife conservation and protection in Palawan under Republic Act No. 7611.
Republic Act No. 7611 provides that PCSD exercises governance, implementation, and policy direction of the SEP.
Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative Order No. 01 prescribes nationwide procedures and guidelines for implementing Republic Act No. 9147.
PCSD Resolution No. 11-423 approves PCSD Administrative Order No. 12 to detail how provisions of Republic Act No. 9147 and Joint DENR-DA-PCSD Administrative Order No. 01 are implemented in Palawan.
PCSD Resolution No. 11-423 treats PCSD Administrative Order No. 12 as applicable in Palawan to the extent the national implementing rules are detailed for provincial implementation by PCSD.

PCSD Resolution No. 11-423 mandates distribution of the Resolution and PCSD Administrative Order No. 12 to all concerned agencies of the government for information and for appropriate action consistent with their respective mandates.
PCSD Resolution No. 11-423 requires publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
PCSD Resolution No. 11-423 requires furnishing copies to the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) at UP Law Center, Diliman, Quezon City in compliance with existing laws.
PCSD Resolution No. 11-423 incorporates PCSD Administrative Order No. 12 as Annex “A” marked and attached as an integral part of the Resolution.