After eight years of pause, the Committee on Security and Safety, which was established by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development in 2005, has been reactivated. It had its 8th committee meeting last February 19, 2014, held at the conference room of the Western Command. Its chairmanship is automatically given to the Commander of Western Command, who at the moment is LTGEN Roy O. Deveraturda.
According to Deveraturda, it is a privilege to work hand-in-hand with other enforcement agencies and civilian action groups in order to combat illegal activities concerning the environment and its natural resources.
“We really have to protect the environment as we pursue development. We have to go with what we have been prescribed and follow the procedures so we could maintain the sources and the natural provisions given us,” Deveraturda said.
During the meeting, the members of the Committee were briefed on its functions and past accomplishments. They also discussed activities for the 2014 World Wildlife Day and drafting of memorandum of agreement for enforcement protocols.
The Committee’s membership is composed of the following agencies: Western Command, Palawan Provincial Police Office, Naval Forces West, 570th Composite Tactical Wing, Joint Task Force Peacock, 4th Coast Guard District, Provincial Fire Department, PNP-Maritime Palawan, Kilusan Sagip Kalikasan, and the Provincial Board’s Committee on Environment. The PCSD Staff is the Committee’s secretariat.