The Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) Board of Aborlan was hailed as the Best ECAN Board 2019, last Dec. 4 at the Legend Hotel Puerto Princesa City.
ECAN Board Awarding is a program held annually by Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) Staff to honor the efforts of ECAN Boards in performing their duties stated in Administrative Order No. 10. s. 2005, which includes assisting LGUs in promoting wise and sustainable use of natural resources.
Following the Municipality of Aborlan in the ranking of Best ECAN Boards are the Municipality of Brooke’s Point (1st Runner-Up) and the Municipality of Roxas (2nd Runner-Up).
The PCSD Staff and partner agencies used a result-based monitoring tool to assess the performance of the ECAN boards. They are scored in different aspects of ECAN management such as the regularity of meetings, adoption of ECAN map and ECAN Zones Management Plan, the conduct of information and education communication campaign, and more.
Mayor Celsa B. Adier, chair of Aborlan ECAN Board, mentioned in her acceptance speech that supporting PCSD in implementing environmental laws while providing livelihood programs for her constituents are two of her top priorities.
“Ipagpatuloy lamang natin ito. Marami pang kailangang matutunan ngayon sa ating nagbabagong panahon. Kumbaga sa musika, napakaraming mga makabagong paraan na dapat iapply sa ating tugtugin,” she shared.
PCSD District Manager of DMD Central Teresita A. Batul said it is important for ECAN Boards to actively exercise their critical roles in ensuring and monitoring the sustainability of development projects in every LGUs.
She shared, “They [ECAN Boards] are very powerful. If they don’t give their endorsements to proponents applying for development projects, it will not proceed to the higher level. . . Each of their plans and decisions helps shape the future of their respective municipalities, so it is vital that they stand up for the wellbeing of the environment and the people.”
During the same day, PCSD Staff also held a capacity building and orientation where speakers discussed the special environmental laws in Palawan and the corresponding roles and functions of the ECAN Board members.
Each municipality in Palawan has its own ECAN Board who leads in drafting resolutions and ordinances related to the implementation of ECAN. It is composed of City/Municipal Mayor, City/Municipal Vice Mayor, PCSD-District Management Office Staff, C/M Development Coordinator, President of the Liga ng mga Barangays, Chairperson of SB/SP Committee on Environment, City/MENRO, and representatives from CENRO, NGO/PO, and Indigenous Peoples.