A RESOLUTION DECLARING A MORATORIUM IN THE ISSUANCE OF SEP ACCREDITATION IN THE LIVE REEF FISH FOR FOOD INDUSTRY

WHEREAS, Section 16 of Republic Act 7611 or the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act provides that the governance, implementation and policy direction of the SEP shall be exercised by the herein created Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), hereinafter referred to as the Council;

WHEREAS, Section 6 of the said Act provides that the SEP shall serve as the framework to guide the government agencies concerned in the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects affecting the environment and natural resources of Palawan;

WHEREAS, Section 19 of the same Act empowers the Council to formulate plans and policies as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the SEP, as well as to adopt, amend and rescind such rules and regulations and impose penalties therefor, for the effective implementation thereof and to perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary in carrying out its functions, powers, and the provisions of the SEP law;

WHEREAS, the Council imposed on all live fish carriers, traders and catchers to obtain accreditation from the PCSD when it enacted PCSD Resolution 99-142 on 6 May 1999 thereby providing guidelines for the accreditation, regulation and monitoring of live fish catching, culture, transport and trading in Palawan as incorporated in PCSD Administrative Order No. 05, series of 2000 which was subsequently amended by PCSD Resolution No. 03-209 and PCSD Resolution No. 03-211 on 24 April 2003 and 24 July 2003, respectively;

WHEREAS, the Council in its Regular Meeting on 14 December 2007 enacted PCSD Resolution No. 07-340 adopting a quota system for the live reef fish trade in Palawan and transmitting the same to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for information and action;

WHEREAS, PCSD Resolution No. 07-340 provides that the “allocation of such quota shall be subject to an implementing guidelines to be drafted in consultation with the industry players, representative from Non-Government Organization, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan, the Palawan League of Municipalities and the concerned enforcement and monitoring agencies”;

WHEREAS, the PCSD Staff, in compliance with procedural due process is still in the process of consulting the key players and actors of the industry regarding the implementing guidelines of the quota system;

WHEREAS, there is a need to immediately declare a moratorium in the issuance of SEP Accreditation so as to maintain or preserve the existing status and number of accredited live fish traders and catchers until the implementing guidelines for the quota system has been approved by the PCSD;

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises and upon motion duly seconded, be it RESOLVED as it is hereby RESOLVED to DECLARE as it is hereby DECLARED moratorium in the issuance of SEP Accreditation in the live reef fish for food industry.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Local Government Units be enjoined, as they are hereby enjoined, from accepting and indorsing new applications for PCSD Accreditation;

RESOLVED FURTHERMORE, that the PCSDS is hereby directed to fast tract the finalization of the implementing guidelines including the conduct of consultation;

RESOLVED FINALLY, that copies of this resolution be furnished to all Local Government Units, concerned government and non-government agencies, live reef fish for food industry organizations and be posted in all District Management Offices of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff.

APPROVED and ADOPTED this 30th day of May 2008, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

I hereby certify that the above quoted Resolution has been duly approved and adopted by the Council on the 30th day of May 2008, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

ROMEO B. DORADO Secretary

APPROVED: GOV.MARIO JOEL T. REYES Chairman