Republic of the Philippines
PALAWAN COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(R.A. 7611)
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

PCSD RESOLUTION NO. 09-386

“RESOLUTION STRONGLY RECOMMENDING HOUSE BILL NO. 3594 ENTITLED AN ACT RECLASSIFYING 17.5 HECTARES OF MAKESI ISLAND LAND LOCATED IN BGY. MANALO, CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN INTO ALIENABLE AND DISPOSABLE LAND

WHEREAS, R.A. 7611, otherwise known as the Strategic Environmental Plan tSl.P) for Palawan, took effect on 19 June 1992, section 6 of which provides that the SEP shall serve as the framework to guide the government agencies concerned in the formulation of plans, programs and projects affecting the environment and natural resources of Palawan;

WHEREAS, Section 2 thereof declares the policy of the State to protect, develop and conserve its natural resources towards which, it shall assist and support the implementation of plans, programs and projects formulated to preserve and enhance the environment, and at the same time pursue the socioeconomic development goals of the country; that it shall support and promote the sustainable development goals for the provinces through proper conservation, utilization and development of natural resources to provide optimum yields on a continuing basis;

WHEREAS, this same law provides that the SEP shall have, as its general philosophy, the sustainable development of Palawan, which is the improvement in the quality of life of its people in the present and future generations through the use of complementary activities of development and conservation that protect life-support ecosystems and rehabilitate exploited areas to allow upcoming generations to sustain development growth;

WHEREAS, Section 7 of the same provides that the SEP shall establish, as its main strategy, a graded system of protection and development control over the whole of Palawan, including its tribal lands, forests, mines, agricultural areas, settlement areas, small islands, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds and the surrounding sea, known as the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN), and which shall ensure the following: forest conservation and protection; protection of watersheds; preservation of biological diversity; protection of tribal people and the preservation of their culture; maintenance of maximum sustainable yield; protection of the rare and endangered species and their habitat; provision of areas for environmental and ecological research, education and training; and provision of areas for tourist and recreation;

WHEREAS, Section 16 thereof provides that the governance, implementation and policy direction of the SEP shall be exercised by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD);

WHEREAS, House Bill No. 3594, otherwise known as “An act reclassifying 17.5 hectares of Makesi Island Land located in Bgy. Manalo, City of Puerto Princesa, Province of Palawan into Alienable and Disposable Land”, was introduced by Representatives Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra and Antonio C. Alvarez;

WHEREAS, as stated in the explanatory note of said House Bill, “the Province of Palawan is undeniably gearing towards its potential as a tourism capital of the country considering its vast forest cover, teeming islands with incredible marine resources and haven of endemic species of wild animals. However, of the one million four hundred eighty nine thousand and six hundred twenty six hectares (1, 489,626) of total land area of Palawan, the only classified alienable and disposable area is about four hundred and forty seven thousand and seven hundred seventy six (447,776) hectares or roughly 30% of the total land area while the remaining 70% or one million forty one thousand and eight hundred fifty (1,041,850) hectares comprise the total forestland of which 42.98%) is still unclassified”;

WHEREAS,said House Bill has already been deliberated upon by the House Committee on Natural Resources and a Technical Working Group was convened to resolve the issues related thereto;

WHEREAS, the same House Bill, together with its briefer, is presented today during the regular meeting of this Council during which the issues and problems encountered for the Bill’s enactment have been duly considered;

WHEREAS, this Council recognizes the vast potential for development (residential or commercial use) of that portion of Makesi Island subject of the Bill specially considering the “increasing migration and advancing land use” in the province;

WHEREFORE, upon motion of Secretary Alfredo Abueg, duly seconded, this Council RESOLVES, as it is hereby resolved, TO STRONGLY RECOMMEND, as it is hereby strongly recommended, THE APPROVAL AND ENACTMENT OF HOUSE BILL NO. 3594;

RESOLVED FINALLY, that the House Committee and Natural Resources and its Technical Working Group be furnished copies of this resolution.

I hereby certify that the above-quoted Resolution has been duly approved and adopted by the PCSD on 9lh day of May 2009 at Quezon City.

ROMEO B. DORADO
Secretary
APPROVED:

HON. MARIO JOEL T. REYES
Chair