PCSD RESOLUTION NO. 16-576
“URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) TO OBSERVE FAITHFULLY AND COMPLY WITH THE PROVISION OF SECTION 16 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7611 BY IMMEDIATELY DESIGNATING AN UNDERSECRETARY AS MEMBER OF THE PCSD”
WHEREAS, R.A. 7611, otherwise known as the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan, took effect on June 19,1992, 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 16 thereof provides for the creation of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), to wit;
SEC. 16 Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. – The governance, implementation and policy direction of the Strategic Environmental Plan shall be exercised by the herein created Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), hereinafter referred to as the Council, which shall be under the Office of the President. It shall be composed of the Members of the House of the Representatives representing the province of Palawan, the Deputy Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority, the Undersecretary of Environment and Natural Resources, the Undersecretary for Special Concerns of the Department of Agriculture, the Governor of Palawan, the Mayor of Puerto Princesa City, the President of the Mayor’s League of Palawan, the President of the Provincial Chapter of the Ligangmga Barangay, the Executive Director of the Palawan council for Sustainable Development Staff as provided in Section 20 of this Act, and such other members from the public or private sectors as the majority of the council may deem necessary (Emphasis supplied)
WHEREAS, among those determined by law to play an active part as members of the Council is the Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture;
WHEREAS, considering the expertise of the above-stated agency on special matters, their presence and representation during discussions and final resolutions of environmental issues raised every Council meetings is required;
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 rendered nugatory if those called upon by law refuse to submit to its mandate, which in this instance the Republic Act No. 7611;
WHEREAS, as to this date, compliance of the above-stated agency to the above-mentioned law was previously called by the Council in three PCSD Resolutions; to wit: PCSD Resolution No. 01-192, PCSD Resolution No. 06-311 and PCSD Resolution No. 08-359;
WHEREAS, despite said resolutions, correspondence dated August 21, 2016, October 10, 2016, November 21, 2016 and several phone calls, the requests for the above-stated agency’s representation in the Council remain in vain;
WHEREAS, repeated absence from Council meetings of mandated members particularly the above-mentioned agency official may constitute neglect of duty;
WHEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and on motion duly seconded, the Council as it is hereby RESOLVED to REITERATE as it is hereby REITERATED for the Department of Agriculture (DA) to observe faithfully and comply with the provision of section 16 of republic act no. 7611 by immediately designating an undersecretary as member of the PCSD;
RESOLVED FINALLY, that copies of this resolution be sent to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other concerned agencies and parties for information and guidance;
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 20th day of December 2016 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
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I hereby certify that the above-quoted resolution has been duly adopted by the PCSD on the 20th day of December 2016.
NELSON P. DEVANADERA
Secretary
ATTESTED BY:
JOSE CH. ALVAREZ
Chair, PCSD