𝐏𝐂𝐒𝐃𝐒 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑’𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐩

On March 7, 2023, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) and the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held a consultative meeting on the DENR’s Forestry Investment Road Map.

The meeting explored the possibility of a collaborative partnership between the two Offices in modifying and improving the process in the application of Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) Clearance for forestry related investment activities in the Province of Palawan.

Pursuant to DENR AO No. 2021-04, the meeting focused on deliberating strategies for the streamline implementation of the DENR’s Forestry Investment Portfolio Approach. Considered were the opportunities and challenges of an alternative process in SEP Clearance application for businesses falling under the aforementioned Investment Portfolio. 

The participants agreed to hold another negotiation and presentation meeting to develop a project proposal, which will be submitted to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) for its perusal and approval.

The PCSDS and the FMB aim to work together in harmonizing the objectives and guidelines of the SEP Clearance system and the Forestry Investment Portfolio Approach to ensure compliance with Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act.