A RESOLUTION REITERATING FOR THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA), THE UNDERSECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR) AND THE UNDERSECRETARY FOR SPECIAL CONCERNS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) TO FAITHFULLY ATTEND THE PCSD MEETINGS

WHEREAS, the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act was made into law on 19 June 1992 in order to serve as a comprehensive framework for the sustainable development of Palawan compatible with protecting and enhancing the natural resources and endangered environment of the province and shall thereto serve to guide the local government of Palawan and the government agencies concerned in the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects affecting said province;

WHEREAS, Section 16 of the Act provides that the governance, implementation and policy direction of the SEP shall be exercised by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). A Council composed of different offices and agencies necessary and key players for the effective and efficient formulation and implementation of plans and programs relative to the sustainable development of the province’s resources;

WHEREAS, among those determined by law to play an active part as members of the Council are the Deputy Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority, the Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Undersecretary for Special Concerns of the Department of Agriculture;

WHEREAS, the presence and representation of the three agencies in every meetings of the Council is so important since most or almost all of the environmental issues raised and discussed in the Council requires their expertise needed in order to successfully implement the provisions of the SEP;

WHEREAS, there are instances during the meetings of the Council were matters or issues raised are not or cannot be settled since neither the concerned Council members were present nor their representatives can shed light on the matters or issues raised;

WHEREAS, the declared policy of the State, which is to promote and encourage the involvement of all sectors of society and maximize people participation in natural resource management, conservation and protection, will simply remain as a written policy and would be ironic if not illogical to implement if the policy makers themselves do not participate or do their share;

WHEREAS, the presence of the above mentioned members has been called by the Council in two previously issued resolutions, PCSD Resolution No. 01-192 and PCSD Resolution No. 06-311;

WHEREAS, repeated absence form Council meetings of mandated members particularly the above-mentioned officials may constitute neglect of duty;

WHEREAS, despite said resolutions, still the requests for the presence of the said members remain in vain;

WHEREFORE, on motion unanimously seconded, be it RESOLVE as it is hereby RESOLVED to REITERATE as it is hereby REITERATED for the Deputy Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Undersecretary for Special Concerns of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to faithfully attend the PCSD meetings.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that a copy of this resolution be furnished the office of the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority, the Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Undersecretary for Special Concerns of the Department of Agriculture

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: HON. JOEL T. REYES Chairman