On September 16, 2024, the Puerto Princesa Council for Sustainable Development (PPCSD) held its 8th Regular Meeting at the Office of the City Mayor of Puerto Princesa City. The meeting was attended by Honorable Mayor Lucilo M. Bayron, along with representatives from various agencies, including the Western Command, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Liga ng mga Barangay, Puerto Princesa City ENRO, the NGO member Crocodilus Porosus Philippines, Inc. (CPPI), the PCSDS Executive Director, and the PCSD Staff as Secretariat. During the meeting, Mr. Eric John G Yayen from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI) – Puerto Princesa City, took an oath as a new member of the council representing the business sector in the City.
Four (4) projects under category A were approved by the council, such as SIPCOR Palawan 20.913 MW/p/18 MW ac Solar Power Plant and the 23.1MW SIPCOR Diesel Power Plant Project, both located in Brgy. Manalo, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; The Gateway to Heaven Memorial Park Reality Corporation located in Brgy. Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, and; the Commercial Sand and Gravel (CSAG) Project of Ms. Mary Joy P. Badenas located in Brgy. Langogan, Puerto Princesa City. In addition to the approved projects are the Petro Gazz Gasoline Station Projects in Brgy. San Jose, Escape Boutique Hotel in Brgy. Bacungan, PPC, and the Water Supply Improvement and Expansion Project of Puerto Princesa City Water District, which are categorized under Category B.
With the current implementation of the Graduated Amnesty Program from February to December 2024, on the PCSD Revised Admin Order No. 6 series of 2023 within the City of Puerto Princesa through PCSD Resolution No. 24-971, a total of one hundred thirty-three (133) projects submitted a letter of intent availing the said program.
Considering the upcoming deadline of the said program, it was agreed that a proposal should be prepared for the possibility of the extension of the time limit to pave the way for the business sector to secure an SEP Clearance under Category A, B, and D. Although Category C is exempted from the amnesty and SEP Clearance, they will still be required to apply for an ECAN Zoning Certification to be issued by PCSDS.
Another matter discussed was the proposed adoption of the City Government of Puerto Princesa City through its Sangguniang Panlungsod, the adoption of PCSD Resolution No. 24-918 entitled “Allowing the transportation of Reef-Fish-For-Food (RFF) Species from and to Puerto Princesa City (PPC) during closed season; as provided under PCSD Administrative Order No. 05, as amended, provided that the RFF species were legally sourced from outside Puerto Princesa City”. Hon. Mayor Lucilo Bayron mentioned that this concern should be forwarded to the Sangguniang Bayan for review as there is already ongoing drafting of an ordinance related to Live Reef Fish Food.