
The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and Staff (PCSDS) headed by Acting Executive Director Niño Rey C. Estoya, hosted a Meeting and Ceremonial Turn-Over of the donated container vans with the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs held at Palawan Sustainable Development Training Institute (PSDTI), Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City last 17th of January 2023.

Officials from the United States Embassy composed of: Ms. Lisa A. Johnson (Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs); Mr. Richard Maloney (SE Asia Maritime Program Officer, INL); Ms. Keila Cummins (INL Director); and Atty. Chudney Ngo (Legal Specialist).

In the closed-door meeting, Acting Executive Director Niño Rey C. Estoya, Deputy Director Levita Lagrada of EZMED, Ms. Glenda Cadigal and John Vincent Fabello of DMD South, Atty. Sarah T. Diva, Atty. Che Ann Mae Flores, and Atty. Charlene Acosta of the Legal Services Section joined the dialogue with the abovementioned Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs officials. Focal topics of the discussions involved the functions of PCSDS; the role of PCSDS in the Kalayaan Island; and the concerns to be addressed in the continuous partnership with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and United States Forest Service (USFS).
The closed-door meeting likewise emphasized the projects undertaken by the INL and USFS in favor of the PCSDS which contributed to the advantage of the Legal Services Section. In relation to this, the reorganization of the PCSD Evidence Facility through the cooperation with USFS-International Programs was highlighted.
Potential collaborations have also been discussed.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was subsequently conducted which symbolized the ceremonial turn-over of the container vans. The three container vans donated by the United States Department of State-Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs last 16th of November 2022 are presently utilized for the custody and storage of the pieces of evidence in the PCSD Evidence Facility.

This event would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the PCSDS Legal Services Section, Office of the Executive Director, ECAN Education and Extension Division, and Administrative and Finance Division.