Surublien-Strategies To Conserve Palawan's Biodiversity

PROJECT PARTNERS The Provincial Government of Palawan aims towards having its people, culture, religion and economy in harmony with the environment and natural resources, through relevant and responsive programs guided by the principle of sustainable development. The Provincial Government works to achieve this through continuing research, regulatory activities, policy reforms, well-coordinated and integrated cluster projects among concerned agencies/institutions, an orchestrated effort and shared responsibility between and among NGOs, LGUs and the private sector. The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) is a government organization duly established by virtue of Republic Act 7611. PCSDS, through the complementation of environmental preservation, protection and rational utilization of Palawan’s natural resources within the framework of the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, envisions to ensure sustainable development. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is a government agency whose mission is to catalyze people’s participation to protect, conserve, manage and sustainably develop the environment and natural resources; to facilitate people’s equal access to natural resources through simplified and customer-oriented procedures and more community-based program for the upland/coastal communities. Furthermore, it envisions a sustainably developed region with rich and diverse natural resources equitably shared by the people in empowered community working harmoniously in a wholesome environment for better quality of life. The Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (PNNI) is a network of non-government and people’s organization duly registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission. PNNI shares a common vision of social justice and equitable distribution of wealth rooted within the framework of self-help and participatory democracy and have a mission of helping improve the quality of life of the Palaweños while maintaining the balance on environment and development endeavors. Conservation International is an international non-profit, non-government organization organized and existing under the laws of the State of California, USA, dedicated to the protection of global biodiversity; the world's natural ecosystems and the species that rely on these habitats for survival. Recognizing the economic realities that impinge on pure scientific conservation, CI synthesizes the approaches of business, community development and applied science to promote the conservation of biodiversity. This is combined with a strong emphasis on local capacity building, close coordination and partnership with in-country institutions for planning and implementation of biodiversity conservation.

THE PALAWAN CORRIDOR STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Palawan Corridor Strategy Development Project is an initiative of the Conservation International, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Palawan, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region IV (MIMAROPA), and the Palawan NGO Network, Inc.

The project was aimed at developing a conservation model for Palawan biodiversity corridor utilizing current knowledge of local stakeholders and scientific experts, and fostering a consensus among key stakeholders in the province to support and undertake strategies to strengthen corridor initiatives.

The development of this strategy involved the analysis of biophysical, social, economic, and policy dimensions of biodiversity conservation and resource management efforts in the province. Moreover, a consultative process have been employed to instill a strong sense of ownership from among the stakeholders participating in the project.

The development of a conservation strategy among key stakeholders is expected to begin a coordinated effort to save species and key biodiversity areas in Palawan. Such effort is especially important considering the numerous actors in the conservation field who are working in the province but are not necessarily able to pull together efforts that will allow maximization of resources and a better understanding of the issues, threats and opportunities for conservation.

Furthermore, this strategy document guides the NGOs, government and communities to make better decisions about where to focus conservation efforts and what needs to be done most urgently. It also provides a road map for grant making within Palawan by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, and hopefully, for future investment of conservation resources by other donors.

SURUBLIEN: STRATEGIES TO CONSERVE PALAWAN’S BIODIVERSITY

Palawan Council for Sustainable Development

Funding for the project has been provided by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), a joint initiative of Conservation International, The Global Environmental Facility, the Government of

Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.

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PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF PALAWAN Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City 5300 Palawan, Philippines www.palawan.net DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES – Region IV (MIMAROPA) 1515 L&S Building, Roxas Boulevard Manila, Philippines Tel. No. (632) 4050015; 4050047, Fax No. (632)4050046 PALAWAN COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STAFF Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City 5300 Palawan, Philippines Tel. No. (6348) 4343370, Fax No. (6348) 4336155 www.pcsd.ph PALAWAN NGO NETWORK, INC. Zanzibar Building, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City 5300 Palawan, Philippines Tel/Fax No. 4335525 [email protected] CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL Unit 207, Pacific Plaza Buidling, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City 5300 Palawan, Philippines Tel. No. (6348) 4333551, Fax No. (6348)4342419 [email protected]

5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City, Philippines Tel. No. (632) 4128194, Fax No. (632) 4128195 [email protected]

1919 M Street, NW Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036, USA Tel. No. (202)9121000, Fax No. (202) 9121030 www.conservation.org EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Redempto D. Anda and Jeanne Tabangay-Baldera TECHNICAL WRITERS Dr. Rowena R. Boquiren, PhD, Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda, Dante Dalabajan, Noela Lasmarias, Rodger Valientes, Elvira Orbeta, Grace Wong, Miguel Castrence, Arvin Diesmos, Nadia Palomar DESIGN & LAYOUT William D. Manuel COVER PHOTOGRAPH PCSDS & CI-Phils MAPS & LANDSAT IMAGES PCSDS, NAMRIA, PPDO-GIS and CI-Phils Philippine Copyright © 2004 by Provincial Government of Palawan, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region IV (MIMAROPA), Palawan NGO Network, Inc. and Conservation International Philippines. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ISBN: This report can be reproduced as long as the project collaborators are properly acknowledged as the source of information. SUGGESTED CITATION Anda, R.D. and J.G. Tabangay-Baldera (eds). 2004. Surublien: Strategies to Conserve

Palawan’s Biodiversity . Provincial Government of Palawan, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-MIMAROPA Region IV, Palawan NGO Network, Inc., and Conservation International Philippines, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines. 124pp.

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C O N T E N T S

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................................. vi 1.0 THE STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE PALAWAN CORRIDOR ............................... 1 2.0 SOCIAL PROFILE OF PALAWAN STAKEHOLDERS………………………………………..…………….. 9 3.0 ISSUES, THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES 3.1 Profile of Threats to Biodiversity ............................................................................ 15 3.2 Threats to Forest Resource Conservation............................................................... 20 3.3 Threats to Palawan Fishery: An Economic Analysis................................................. 24 3.4 Assessment of Conservation Policies as Applied in Palawan .................................. 28 3.5 Issues in Conservation Initiatives .......................................................................... 38 4.0 PALAWAN CORRIDOR OUTCOMES AND STRATEGIES 4.1 Outcomes Definition............................................................................................. 47 4.2 Species Outcomes ............................................................................................... 48 4.3 Site Outcomes ..................................................................................................... 52 4.3.1 Terrestrial……………………………………………………………………………………..54 4.3.2 Marine………………………………………………………………………………………….78 4.4 Palawan Corridor Conservation Strategies and Priority Actions .............................. 92 5.0 CORRIDOR SPATIAL MODELING: A Case Study for Southern Palawan................................................................................ 95 6.0 INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY..................................... 99 List of Acronyms……………………………………………………………………………………………………...…106 References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…107 Contributors……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….108 Photo Credits…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….. 113

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T A B L E S

1. Population distribution according to households ……………………………………………….. 11 and urban-rural classification, 2000 2. Population density by municipality, 2000 ………………………………………………………….. 12 3. Population densities relative to various types of ………………………………………………… 13 land-use, Palawan corridor 4. Funding sources for conservation-related projects, …………………………….………………. 39 Province of Palawan (1990-2002) 5. Distribution of major conservation projects, ……………………………………………..………… 40 Province of Palawan (as of 2002) 6. Assessment of conservation objectives ………………………………………………………………. 41 7. Assessment of management approaches in ……………………………………………….………. 42 conservation 8. Summary of assessment of components in ………………………….…………………………….. 45 major conservation initiatives 9. Key terrestrial and marine species of Palawan: ………………………………………………….. 48 threatened and restricted-range species 10. Variables used in the risk of habitat loss analysis ………………………………………….……. 96

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F I G U R E S

1. A comparison of two landsat images taken seven years apart ………………………….. 17 2. Priority conservation sites in Palawan corridor …………………………………………………. 52 3. Risk of habitat loss analysis utilizing ……………………………………………………………….. 94 Econometric methods of predicting impacts of human activities on forest cover 4. Mantalingahan forests under risk …………………………………………………………….……… 97 5. Risk of habitat loss by forest type (%) ………………………………………………….………….. 97

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The entire island of Palawan is a designated Man and Biosphere Reserve, with two internationally-recognized World Heritage Sites, an Endemic Bird Area, and a Philippine Priority Area for biodiversity conservation. Over 1,700 species of flowering plants and about 41% of the more than 1,100 species of terrestrial vertebrates that are known in the Philippine Archipelago are found in the province. Its marine ecosystem boasts of an astonishing assemblage of marine life that sits atop the famed Coral Triangle. The Internat ional Union for Conservation of Nature has identified at least 82 terrestrial and marine species that are found in Palawan to be among the list of globally important species, their classification having been determined as either endangered or threatened. Threats Considered the most significant threat to Palawan’s biodiversity, specifically on the terrestrial realm, is the loss of habitat brought about by the wanton conversion of forest areas to other land uses such as agriculture and road development. The unabated practice of illegal logging is perpetrated in disparate scales but accounting to major proportions as they occur wherever there are good forests and whenever enforcement efforts are sorely lacking. On the coastal and marine side, overfishing and destruction of habitat and spawning areas pose as threats. The trend in fish catch and the limited survey of reef areas and mangroves support these observations. These threats are inevitably linked to the high population growth rate and poverty. Studies on net incomes, especially from fishing, indicate that, indeed, net income from hook-and-line fishing – a benign fishing method, is way below the net income that can be obtained from more efficient methods, illegal fishing and illegal quarrying.

Demographic Profile In terms of human population, growth rate in Palawan (3.36%) is very high in comparison with the national growth rate (2.3%). Population increase reflects the combined contribution of in-migration (35%) and natural increase (65%). High population growth rate is attributed to high in-migration rate because of the perceived opportunity for agriculture (available land) and tourism. This is a historical trend that developed in the 1950s and reached its peak in the 1980s and 1990s. As much as 60% of migration comes from circulating migrants (movements within Palawan). Facilities and services for education and health are limited. Literacy, participation and completion rate (for elementary and secondary school levels) are below the national standard. Schools, classrooms, teachers are not sufficient. A third to a little less than half of the province’s population have poor access to health services (fewer health centers, personnel, insufficient sources of safe water). Ethnic minorities are in increasingly degraded lands and waters, their resource access rights undermined by state laws, have marginalized role

Executive Summary

in weak governance mechanisms and processes, and are competing with more powerful resource users. Conservation Policies Several conservation policies and programs are in place because of the putative environmental fragility of Palawan. There are policies that define the rights, roles, responsibilities and obligations of user groups (such as indigenous cultural communities), government (such enforcement agencies) and non-government institutions. The present legal framework is illustrated by the provision of tenure to local communities, expansion of the social options of resource dependent communities and identification of conservation zones. This provides the basis for an effective province-wide conservation strategy by widening the stakeholder base participation in conservation, providing land and resource use framework, and identifying the particular government instrumentality in charge of a specific conservation activity. However, despite the existing conservation policies and regulatory mechanisms, mounting threats against biodiversity conservation continue. Existing institutional set-up for

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conservation is still complex, sectoralized, at times confusing, and fragmented notwithstanding the various Memorandum of Agreements passed to harmonize PCSD and DENR func t i ons , l aw en fo rcemen t responsibilities and unify protected area zones. Weak coordination, inflexibility in approaches to resource use, centralized management, lack of material resources and lack of competent and well-motivated staff are key problems that result from this situation and limit the ability of government agencies to effectively carry out their functions. Policy processes, and the direction that the policy per se is taking has seen progressive evolution in the past decade. With all the gains and successes, these policies are still by no means perfect. They can never be perfect for as long as values change, political contingencies vary and economic arrangements evolve. The key for these imperfect policies to work is to capitalize on the opportunities they present and challenge the real and potential threats that they may pose with the positive outlook of changing them for the better. Conservation Strategies Through the extensive participation of stakeholders, 26 priority areas comprised of 9 marine blocks and 17 terrestrial blocks that are critical for research and conservation efforts have been identified. The top marine priority areas are the Calamianes Island Group, El Nido-Taytay, Green Island Bay-Honda Bay, Tubbataha Reefs and Cagayancillo, Balabac Island Group, and Kalayaan Island Group. The top terrestrial priority areas are the Calamianes Island Group, El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Areas, Lake Manguao, San Vicente-Taytay-Roxas Forest, Victoria-Anepahan Moun ta in Range, Mantalingajan Mountain Range, and the Balabac Island Group. Considering the diversity of types of actions that can be pursued, and the variety of actors that can be

encouraged to engage in conservation works, program planners and implementers need to set clear conservation targets defined fundamentally by the direct causes of biodiversity loss, to be complemented or supported by activities that address the indirect causes. Hence, priority actions for each of these priority sites have been prescribed by key stakeholders. The general prescriptions for Palawan biodiversity corridor inc lude es tab l i shment and management of a network of protected areas or key biodiversity areas; strengthening of law e n f o r c e m e n t ; i n f o r m a t i o n generation; advocacy works; expansion of community-based resource management efforts; monitoring and evaluation of resource management plans. Incipient conservation activities are gradually taking shape in the province. The challenge now is to bind these small and scattered initiatives to form a tight conservation corridor that allows for wider people’s participation, active government support and sustainable technical and financial support. This entails imp r ov i n g co mmu n i t y and bureaucratic capacities, implementing

and removing the barriers to effective conservation initiatives. To achieve this, the following investment priorities should be undertaken: a) increasing incentives for conservation, 2) increasing disincentives for destructive activities and c) strengthening local and national institutions. Conservation barr ier removal strategies should be able to address the drivers for illegal practices, coupled with more effective enforcement to increase the deterrent for illegal activities. Creating protected areas, whether marine and forests, and wildlife reserves may not work if the incentives for conservation are lower than the disincentive for illegal activities. Conservation programs must address natural resource utilization patterns which are unsustainable. At the same time, development thrusts of local government units and other agencies must be imbued with conservation framework based on science. This will require technical, material and capital inputs to address food security and social reproduction needs, tenurial security, policy harmonization and enforcement for better protection and enrichment of the remaining natural resources.

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THE STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE PALAWAN CORRIDOR :: 1

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The biological diversity of the Palawan Corridor is r ich and spectacular. Over 1,700 species of flowering plants and about 41% of the more than 1,100 species of terrestrial vertebrates that are known in the Philippine Archipelago are found in the region. Its marine ecosystem boasts of an astonishing assemblage of marine life and is one of the richest and most biologically important in the world. Although the Palawan chain of islands has long been considered as biogeographically part of the Sundaic region, the Palawan Corridor contains a considerable level of endemicity in fauna and flora with numerous unique species that are found nowhere else in the Philippines or in the Sundaic region. Further results of recent systematic studies utilizing molecular techniques demonstrate that the level of endemism of faunal vertebrates in the Corridor is truly higher than presently known. In recognition of its importance to global biodiversity the entire island of Palawan was declared a Biosphere Reserve with two World Heritage Sites, an Endemic Bird Area, and a P h i l i p p i n e P r i o r i t y A r e a f o r biodiversity conservation. In spite of all these, the recent decades saw an esca la t ion o f threats to i ts biodiversity: habitat loss and conversion through illegal and legal logging, the clearing of natural vegetation for agriculture expansion, fish farming, and resort-building; large-scale mining for heavy metals, quarrying, over-harvesting, blast fishing, cyanide fishing, and the rampant illegal trade of flora and

fauna. At present, a total of 82 species in the Corridor are Critically Endangered, Endangered, or are Vulnerable, but this number will certainly rise dramatically after the conservation status of many other species have been assessed. The enforcement of measures against destructive activities on habitats and species has proven to be a colossal task attributed to the shortage of capability and skills of natural resources managers, the recurrent lack of personnel and i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , a c o m p l e x overlapping of environmental laws and policies, and perhaps the most important of all, the lack of political will to implement biodiversity laws on the part of decision makers and the authorities. The effective management and protection of its b io d ive r s i t y c a l l f o r d i re c t intervention and protection of specific and manageable key conservation sites, habitats, and threatened species. At present, the Protected Areas in the Corridor cover some 384,227 hectares or about 26% of the total land area of the region. In contrast, mining claims encompass 1.64% of the region’s land area. Overall, the knowledge on the biodiversity of the Palawan Corridor still remains insufficient. Updated information on species and important habitats, especially those that are under great threat, are sorely lacking. This, in part, is a reflection of the shortage of resident biodiversity specialists in the Corridor. The need to address

1.0 The Status of Biological Diversity in the Palawan Corridor

by ARVIN DIESMOS and NADIA PALOMAR (with contributions from Sabine Schoppe & Joie Matillano for freshwater fishes)

Calamian hog deer (Axis calamianensis). With an estimated population of only 900 animals, it has been classified as Endangered by the IUCN .

“The biological diversity of the Palawan corridor is rich and spectacular. Over 1,700 species of flowering plants and about 41% of the more than 1,100 species of terrestrial vertebrates that are known in the Philippine Archipelago

2 :: STRATEGIES TO CONSERVE PALAWAN’S BIODIVERSITY

cr i t ical gaps in biodiversi ty knowledge is vital in order to complement current conservation efforts in the Corridor. Most importantly, the new information wil l serve as the basis of conservation interventions on target species, habitats, ecosystems, and priority areas.

Species Diversity, Distribution and Conservation Status

Seagrasses and seaweeds A total of 13 species of seagrasses have been recorded in Palawan. This diversity is among the highest in the Philippines and accounts for about 81% (or 13 of 16 species) of the total number of sea grass species known in the country. Among the biologically significant seagrasses in the region are the t r o p i c a l e e l g r a s s ( E n h a l u s acoroides), one of the largest sea grass species, Thalassia hemprichii, and species of Halophila and Halodule. These latter species are important food items of the dugong (Dugong dugon), which exclusively feeds on seagrasses, and are also important for marine turtles. Sea grass beds have a critical function in the reproductive and foraging biology of numerous marine life, e s p e c i a l l y f i s h e s , s h r i m p s , molluscs, and crustaceans (Fortes in Ong et al. 2002). Seagrass beds are almost uniformly distributed but the greatest diversity and abundance are g e n e r a l l y l o c a t e d a t t h e northeastern and northwestern areas of the province. There are about 320 species of seaweeds recorded in the province composed of 133 rhodophytes, 127 chlorophytes and 60 phaeophytes. This number represents about 32% (338 of 1,062 species) of the total seaweed species now known in the Philippines (Fortes in Ong et al. 2002). As in many parts of the P h i l i p p i n e s , s e a w e e d s a r e

harvested by locals as a source of agar (or carageenan) or are used as feed for livestock. Roughly a third of all seaweed species are considered c o m m e r c i a l l y i m p o r ta n t . T h e distribution of seaweed records in the Corridor is very similar to seagrasses. Mangroves An estimated 44,500 hectares of mangrove forest is still found in the Corridor or roughly 40% of all that remains in the entire country (PCSD 1998, Madulid 2002). In addition, 31 of the 34 mangrove species known in the Philippines have been recorded here. This situation makes the Palawan Corridor the single most important region in the Philippines for mangrove forest diversity and conservation. Not surprisingly, the province’s mangrove fo rests a re h igh ly threatened through clearance and conversion (for example, to give way to fish or prawn farms, resorts) and are heavily exploited (harvested for charcoal production, tan-barking or dye extraction). Among the species that is most seriously affected by the latter activity is Ceriops tagal. Information on species richness and distribution are available only from the northern and central regions of the Corridor, information is lacking for a greater part of the southern coasts. Elasmobranchs and whale sharks Information on the elasmobranchs of the Palawan Corridor is very limited. Only seven species of sharks are documented in Palawan waters but this is certainly an underestimate and is reflective of the shortage of studies and unavai labi l i ty of re l iable information. A total of 168 species of chondrichthyan fishes have been found all over the Philippines. This ranks the Corridor as the second most diverse area in the world in terms of diversity of this group (Alava in Ong et al. 2002).

Mangrove forest found in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Lush bed of seagrass (Thalassia hemprichi). Thirteen species of seagrass or ‘lusay’ are found in Palawan waters.

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School of black-spotted snapper (Lutjanus ehrenbergi) locally known as ‘maya-maya’. Palawan contributes about 40% of the total fishery production in the nation.

Sharks are commercially important and are widely harvested across the Corridor. Of the seven species known, the most important and widely celebrated is the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). The whale shark is a threatened species (listed as Vulnerable) and is a CITES species. In the Corridor, this species has been reported off the Calamianes region in northern Palawan and in Honda Bay (Alava in Ong et al. 2002). The Balabac Strait in particular has been reported to be an important migration route for whale sharks from the Bohol Sea to Vietnam (Eckert et al. 2002). Corals Worldwide, the Philippine Archipelago is presently known to have the highest diversity of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals. Of the regions in the country, the Palawan Corridor has the most number of coral species, harboring roughly 82% (or 379 species) of the 462 species known in the Philippines (Veron and Fenner in Werner and Allen 2000). In addition, there are 21 possible new species that were discovered recently from the Calamianes Group of Islands (Veron 2000), a possible new species of Leptoseris from the Kalayaan Island Group (Licuanan and Capili in Ong et al. 2002), and 39 species of corals in the Corridor are considered as rare (Nemenzo 1986). An assessment of the state of Philippine coral reefs conducted in 1991 showed Palawan as having 17% of its coral reef cover in poor condition, 41% in fair condition, 32% in good condition, and only 10% in excellent condition (Gomez et al. 1994). Although results have not been published, the recent increase in assessment activities of live coral cover in the Corridor over the last decade could change these figures considerably. In general, information on the corals came mainly from Calamianes, El Nido, Taytay and Tubbataha. Up to now, vast areas in the Corridor lack even the basic information on

species richness and distribution of corals. The lack of data is attributed mainly to a difficulty in identifying corals in the field and the propensity of field studies toward estimation of coral cover and abundance rather than on their taxonomy. Molluscs A total of 716 species in 96 families have so far been recorded in Palawan. This includes four species of giant clams that are globally threatened: Tridacna derasa, T. gigas, Hippopus hippopus, and H. porcellanus; all four species are also listed under Appendix II of CITES. Many species in this group, most especially octopus, the giant clams, and ornamental shells are highly sought after commercially (harvested for the shell craft industry) and for subsistence (examples are H. hippopus, T. gigas, and T. squamosa). Stocks of these species are seriously depleted in areas where they were recorded (Wells in Werner and Allen 2000). Available data in the Corridor is scarce and is limited to the Calamianes region, El Nido, Cagayancillo and Tubbataha Reef. The Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) marine survey of the Calamianes (Werner and Allen 2000) is the primary source of information that is presently available on this group. In general, field inventories of molluscs are lacking largely due to a shortage of resident experts. Reef fishes The Palawan Corridor harbors a very high proportion (about 89%) of the total number of reef fish species recorded in the country. Thus far, 1,158 species of fish have been recorded in its waters and nearly 300 of these species are considered commercially important species (Tables 1). Among the largest reef fish assemblages in the Corridor are found in the Kalayaan Islands and

CORAL REEF

Branching corals serve as important habitats for some fish species such as the reticulated damselfish (Dascyllus reticulatus)

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Tubbataha Reef. In the Calamianes region, 736 to 888 species can be found (Allen in Werner and Allen 2000) although the larger species apparently are showing declines in population because of over-exploitation. Current information supports the claim of Aliño and Gomez (1995) that the highest diversity of reef fish in the Philippine marine biogeographic zones is found in the waters of Sulu Sea and South China Sea, which encompass the Corridor. In view of the broad dispersal capabilities via the pelagic larval stage of most reef fishes, minimal endemism can be expected. In Palawan however, at least four species have thus far only been recorded in the Calamianes and Cuyo Island Groups. These are the wrasse Labracinus atrofasciatus, an undescribed damselfish of the g e n u s P s e u d o c h r o m i s , t h e damselfishes Altrichthys curatus and Altrichthys azurelineatus, the blenny Ecsenius kurti, another undescribed blenny of the genus Ecsenius, and the rare blenny Istiblennius colei (Allen in Werner and Allen 2000). Information is generally complete for Palawan reef fish save for the western coast of central and southern Palawan. Marine Turtles Four of the five species of marine turtles that are known in the country have been found in the Corridor, namely, the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). All species are members of the family Cheloniidae. The fifth species that can be found in the Philippines but has not yet been recorded in the Corridor is the giant leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea; fami ly Dermochely idae); th is species, however, may certainly

occur there. All four species are t h r e a t e n e d w i t h e x t i n c t i o n ; Eretmochelys imbricata is Critically Endangered while Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, and Lepidochelys olivacea all have an Endangered status (Hilton-Taylor 2000). All species are listed under Appendix I of CITES. Information is available only from the eastern coast of the Corridor and from the El Nido-Taytay and Calamianes areas in the north. The Calamianes, Cuyo, and El Nido areas are critical developmental areas for the green and hawksbill turtles; this was the basis for establishing El Nido as a marine turtle sanctuary in the late 1980s by virtue of DENR Administrative Order 14. The eastern coast is also an important nesting site for the green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles. Moreover, the Balabac Island Group is a critical route of marine turtles into the Sulu Sea from Guam and the Andaman Sea (Cummings 2002). There is no recent information on marine turtles from Balabac Island Group and from the entire west coast of the Corridor. Dolphins, whales and dugong Of the 22 to 25 species of marine mammals reported in the Philippines (Heaney et al. 1998, Aragones in Ong et al. 2002), 15 species have so far been found in the waters of the Corridor. These are composed of dolphins (10 species), a rorqual (1 species), sperm whales (2 species), porpoise (1 species), and a dugong (1 species). Many of these marine mammals are threatened with extinction in varying degrees; two are globally threatened and nine are listed under CITES. The celebrated dugong (Dugong dugon), which has been recorded in the Corridor as early as the 1980s (DENR-PAWB and Toba Aquarium 1995), has recently been sighted from several areas in the northern region. The dugong is listed as an

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) digging a nest

Dugong (Dugong dugon) populations are susceptible to decline because they are usually found in coastal areas– the same area where human activity is the greatest.

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Endangered species (Hilton-Taylor 2000) and a globally protected species. Yet the dugong continues to be killed for its meat in some parts of the Corridor. In the Philippines, the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is known thus far from the Malampaya Sound, making this region a critical area for its conservation. Recent field surveys have estimated that about 77 individuals of this globally important species are found in the area. The complex of fish pens and fishery activities in the area pose a potential threat to the species. Available information on marine mammals is centered at the eastern coast near Puerto Princesa City with a few documented records from the north and Tubbataha. Virtually no information is available from the entire western coast of the Corridor down to Balabac. Flowering plants Current estimates of the total number of flowering plants in the Corridor range from 1,700 to 3,500 species (Madulid 2002, Regalado, unpubl. d a t a ) w h i l e a n u n p u b l i s h e d annotated checklist (Soejarto et al. 1995) gives 2,738 species in 919 genera. Although Palawan has been explored by more botanists than vertebrate biologists (for a brief account, see Madulid 2002), the f l o r a o f P a l a w a n r e m a i n s insufficiently known as indicated by the significant number of discoveries of new species and species range extensions in the last two decades. Among the important discoveries include species of Amorphophallus (Araceae), Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae), several species of Badusa and Fager l ind ia (Rub iaceae) , and nutmegs (Myrist icaceae) (e.g. , Soejarto et al. 1995, Madulid 2002). At least 55 species are listed in various threatened categories: 4 are Cr i t i ca l l y Endangered , 8 are Endangered, and 38 are Vulnerable.

Mosses The most recent study of the moss flora of the Corridor estimated that 192 species in 88 genera are found here (Tan 1996), a diversity that is relatively depauperate compared to other regions in the Philippines. This poorness in species is attributed to the dry, semi-deciduous state of its forest ecosystem. Interestingly, mosses on the eastern slopes of the central mountain ranges of mainland Palawan (e .g . , V ic tor ia and Mantalingajan mountain ranges) have higher species diversities compared with those from the western slopes of these same mountain ranges. Unlike most of the terrestrial vertebrates, the affinity of the mosses of the Corridor is not with its closest neighboring island of Borneo but with the rest of the Philippines, Java, and the Lesser Sundas or West Malesia. A similar pattern has been recorded for the Palawan stream frogs, which apparently are more closely related to those from nearby Mindoro Island than with the Bornean stream frogs (Brown and Guttman 2002). Freshwater fishes A total of 18 species of true freshwater fishes have thus far been found in the Corridor, half of these are endemic to Palawan. Two species are restricted to the Borneo-Palawan biogeographic region, one endemic species occurs on both Mindanao and Palawan while six species are found throughout the Philippines and in neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Two of the Palawan endemics (Puntius bantolanensis and P. manguaoensis) are exclusively found in Lake Manguao in Taytay, the only known freshwater lake on

mainland Palawan. Another two species (Bosthrycus expatria and Dermatogynis palawanenis) which are freshwater obligates but are marine in origin are also endemic to t h e C o r r i d o r . B o t h P u n t i u s manguaoensis and Bosthrycus expatria are threatened species having a status of Vulnerable (IUCN 2002). Major threats to the native and endemic freshwater fish fauna are the introduction of exotic species (such as the Af r ican t i lap ia Oreochromis and Tilapia) and the continuing conversion of their habitat. Most of the major explorations done on the freshwater fishes of Palawan date back to the early 1900s century and were all conducted by foreign scientists. It was only in the last five years that resident field researchers enhanced the s tudy o f th is insufficiently known group. As a result of this renewed interest, at least three new species of Palawan-endemic freshwater fishes have been discovered, indicating that the freshwater fish fauna of the Corridor remains to be described. Amphibians At present, 26 species of amphibians are known composed of 25 species of frogs and one species of an endemic caecilian. The fauna also includes an alien invasive species (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus), a native of mainland Asia, which has certainly been introduced recently. There are only nine endemic species (35%) but eight of these are confined to the Corridor region. The Palawan herpetofaunal region shares about 15 species of frogs with Borneo and other islands within the S u n d a S h e l f . A m o n g t h e herpetofaunal provinces in the Philippines, the Palawan region p l a c e s f o u r t h i n t e r m s o f herpetofaunal diversity. However, since many areas in the Corridor have not been completely surveyed of its


amphibian fauna, it is expected that the levels of diversity and endemicity w i l l marked ly inc rease a f ter concentrated field collection efforts have been conducted and the taxonomy of many species have been re-assessed. Two of the most important endemic amphib ians are the Palawan caecilian (Caudacaecilia weberi) and the Philippine flat-headed frog (Barbourula busuangensis). The Palawan caecilian is a very rare lowland species and was last recorded by field herpetologists in 1961. The Philippine flat-headed frog is among the most primitive species of frog known in the world and is one of only two species of Barbourula, the other being found on Borneo. Three species of frogs in the Corridor are threatened, having a status of Vulnerable (Hilton-Taylor 2000). The most recent amphibian assessments, however, did not identify any threatened species in the Corridor but placed most of the endemic species to a Near threatened status (Global Amphibian Assessment 2002, unpublished data). Reptiles About 69 species are found in the Corridor, comprised of crocodiles (1 or 2 species), snakes (37 species), lizards (25 species), and freshwater turtles (5 species). This number does not include the sea snakes and sea kraits because information on this group is almost unavailable. Only 20 endemic species (29%) are known, a level of endemicity that is one of the lowest in the Philippines. Of the 20 endemics, at least 16 are restricted to the Corridor and are composed mainly of lizards and snakes. Eleven species are shared with some islands in the Sunda Shelf and are not found in other regions of the Philippines, except in the Sulu Archipelago, where the herpetofauna of Palawan exhibits some degree of relationship. At present, three species are threatened, two of these are Critically Endangered and one is Endangered (Hilton-Taylor 2000).

Nine species are listed in various categories of CITES. Given the p r e s e n t s t a t e o f h a b i t a t disturbance in the Corridor, it is expected that these numbers may increase after a major re-assessment of the conservation status of species has been done. Excluding the crocodiles, majority of the reptiles especially the indigenous and endemic species lack basic information on natural history. The status of many species remains unknown since they have not been observed again in the field by herpetologists since they were first discovered; among these are the Palawan bent-toed gecko ( C y r t o d a c t y l u s r e d im i c u l u s ) , P a l a w a n f l a p - l e g g e d g e c k o (Luperosaurus palawanensis ) , Palawan reed snake (Calamaria palavanensis) and Culion kukri snake (Oligodon perkinsi). Other notable species include the Philippine endemic genus of dwarf f o r e s t l i z a r d P a r v o s c i n c u s p a l a w a n e n s i s , w h i c h i s represented in the Corridor by one endemic species. The Critically Endangered forest turtle Heosemys leytensis (Hilton-Taylor 2000) was also recently re-discovered in some areas of main land Palawan (Diesmos et al. unpubl. data). Birds At least 279 bird species have thus far been recorded in the Palawan Corridor, a number that will still considerably increase as ongoing field survey efforts continue to add new distribution records of species to the region. Ample field studies of the bird fauna have been conducted compared with other terrestrial vertebrates yet the possibility of discovering species that are new to science remains significantly high considering that many mountains and small islands have yet to be explored. At least 16 species are confined to the Corridor. Endemicity at 10% is very low relative to other regions in the Philippines. However, at least 23

species are shared with the Sundaic region of Malaysia and Indonesia but are not found in other regions of the Philippines (Dickinson et al. 1991). Currently, there are 11 threatened species (Mallari et al. 2001) and 23 species listed under CITES. The P a l a w a n C o r r i d o r i s a l s o a s t rongho ld o f the Ph i l ipp ine C o c k a t o o ( C a c a t u a h a e m a t u r o p y g i a ) , t h e m o s t threatened species of cockatoo in the world and where the largest Philippine population of the species is found (Lambert 1994, PCCP 2000, 2001 unpublished data). About 34% of the avian fauna are migratory species making the region a vital flyway for migratory birds in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. Its numerous coralline islets, especially the Tubbataha Reef and Ursula, still harbor colonies of sea birds. Arresting the documented declines o f sea b i rd popu la t ion and anthropogenic impacts on the fragile populations are among the major goals of ongoing conservation efforts (Manamtam 1996, Mallari et al. 2001). Terrestrial mammals The fauna of Palawan was partly made famous because of the un iqueness o f i ts te r rest r ia l mammals. At least 58 species have been recorded from the region and new distribution records continue to be documented. Around 19 species (33%) of the fauna are endemic while 16 of these species are restricted to the Corridor, examples include the Palawan Tree shrew (Tupaia palawanensis), Palawan Flying Fox (Acerodon leucotis), P a l a w a n P a n g o l i n ( M a n i s culionensis), and Palawan Soft-furred Mountain Rat (Palawanomys furvus). On the other hand, eight species are shared with other islands within the Sundaic region and are not found in other regions in the Philippines;


Palawan porcupine (Hystrix pumila), a locally common to uncommon species found in primary and secondary forest in mountains and in the lowlands

Palawan bearcat (Arctictis binturong), is one of the biggest land mammals in mainland Palawan. It is a nocturnal animal that feeds on fruit and meat.

among these are the celebrated Binturong or Bearcat (Arctictis binturong), Oriental Small-clawed Otter (Amblonyx cinereus), and Short-tailed Mongoose (Herpestes brachyurus). A total of 10 species are threatened and seven species are under CITES (Hilton-Taylor 2000). The mammalian fauna of Palawan exhibits one of the most intriguing d i s t r i b u t i o n p a t te r n s in t h e Philippines. For instance, a species of deer is not found on Palawan Island whereas in the Calamianes group north of the mainland, the C a l a m i a n e s H o g - d e e r ( A x i s c a l a m i a n e ns i s ) e x i s t s . O th e r examples include the Busuanga T r e e S q u i r r e l ( S u n d a s c i u r u s h o o g s t r a l i ) an d C u l i o n T r e e Squirrel (S. moellendorffi), all of which are also restricted to the northern regions. On the other hand, the Lesser Mouse-deer or pilandok (Tragulus napu) is found only on three small islands, namely, Balabac, Bugsuk, and Ramos, off southern Palawan. (This species has been introduced into Calauit Island near Busuanga for captive breeding purposes.) A recent taxonomic study, however, indicates that Tragulus napu may be a distinct Palawan species (as Tragulus nigricans; Meijaard and Groves, 2004), a finding which has t remendous conservat ion implications. For one, this would suggest that the Palawan mouse d e e r i s p o s s i b l y t h e m o s t threatened species of terrestrial mammal in the Corridor. Its highly res t r ic ted natura l geograph ic distribution (islands of Balabac, Bugsuk, and Ramos have a total l and a rea o f about 46 ,799 hectares, which is around half the size of Laguna de Bay on Luzon I s l a n d ) a n d t h e c o n t i n u e d destruction of its habitat on Balabac (the largest of the three islands) necessitate an immediate conservation intervention for this mouse-deer.

Gaps in Biodiversity Knowledge Base

Although the unique and rich biodiversity of Palawan is much celebrated, knowledge of its biodiversity is limited and outdated, the ecology of many species is unknown, and many of its ecosystems remain biologically unexplored. Except for a few studies (e.g., Werner and Allen 2000), we estimate that the information for most of the taxonomic groups was generated from major field studies dating back from 10 to over 80 years ago. Updated information on the distribution, ecology, and systematics is seriously lacking for many species in most taxonomic groups. In terms of inventories of terrestrial ecosystems, efforts need to thoroughly sample high elevation forest habitats (montane and mossy forests), wetlands and swamps, ultrabasic and limestone forests, the Mantalingajan mountain range, the Balabac island group, and the various forested small islands of the Corridor. For the marine ecosystem, information is largely lacking from the Culion island group, Dumaran, the western coast of mainland Palawan, the southern regions especially the Balabac group, and the Kalayaan island group. Field guides or identification manuals to species and ecosystems are lacking while only a few of those that are currently available are of good quality. These publications are essential in educating the general public regarding the status of their own biodiversity. More so, these will greatly benefit resource managers, park wardens, and local authorities to effectively monitor ecosystems, threatened species, and the illegal trade. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is a glaring shortage of resident biodiversity specialists in the Corridor. This needs to be addressed with utmost importance if the knowledge and proper management of its biodiversity are to be attained.

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2

SOCIAL PROFILE OF PALAWAN STAKEHOLDERS :: 9

Overview The paper presents an assessment of the push and pull factors in migration as an aspect of population growth trends in the Pa lawan cor r ido r . I t a l so characterizes the types of settlements within the province based on socio-demographic,

health and economic status of the population relative to their resource base. In order to explain the relationship between socio-demographic factors and threats to biodiversity, the study analyzed the following variables:

2.0 Social Profile of Palawan Stakeholders

by

DR. ROWENA BOQUIREN

“Palawan’s population growth rate (3.36%) is very high in comparison with the national growth rate (2.3%). Population growth has been dramatic: from 56,360 persons in 1948 to 102,540 in 1960 and 400,323 in 1990.”

Focus group discussions with indigenous groups like the Tagbanuas are essential to gain inputs for resource management concerns

Socio-demographic characteristics Population size and settlements:

total population, number of households, urban-rural distribution Population density

Population composition:

ethnicity, settlement type, age, literacy and level of educational attainment Health status:

birth, death, infant mortality, maternal mortality, nutritional status, contraceptive prevalence rate Population growth trends:

natural growth (fertility rate, maternal/neo-natal death rate) and migration trends (in-migration, out-migration, circulation)

Status of Social Infrastructure and Support Services Facilities and services for education

Health services and facilities:

personnel to population ratio, family planning program coverage Power utilities:

number of households by Energy use for lighting and cooking Water utilities:

access to potable water Access to information sources:

family planning, natural resource management technologies

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These include: B u s u a n g a ( B a r a n g a y s S a n Rafae l , Sa lvac ion , Sagrada, Cheey); Coron (Turda, Tagumpay, San Jose, Lajala, Decabobo, C a b u g a o , B a n u a n g D a a n ) ; L i n a p a c a n ( P i c a l , N e w C u l a y l a y a n , M a r o y o g r o y o g ) ; Taytay (Paly Island, Casian); A b o r l a n ( P o b l a c i o n ) , N a r r a ( I p i l a n , B u r i r a o ) ; P P C (Tiniguiban, Tanglaw, Seaside, S a n P e d r o , S a n M a n u e l , Princesa, Pagkakaisa, Milagrosa, Maunlad, Matahimik, Masipag, Masikap, Masigla, Mandaragat, M a b u h a y , L i w a n a g , B r g y . Mangingisda, Bancao-bancao, Bagong Sikat, Bagong Pag-Asa); Brookes Point (Poblacion I), Quezon (Maasin); Agutaya (Diit, C o n c e p c i o n ) ; C a g a y a n c i l l o (Wahig, Talaga, Nusa, Mampio, Lipot North, Bantayan); and C u y o ( C a t a d m a n , B a n g c a l , Balading, Emilod). Population increase reflects

the combined contribution of in-migration (35%) and natural increase (65%). High population growth rate is attributed to high in-migration rate because of the perceived o p p o r t u n i t y f o r a g r i c u l t u r e (available land) and tourism. This is a historical trend that developed in the 1950s and reached its peak in the 1980s and 1990s. As much as 60% of migration comes from circulating migrants (movements within Palawan). The corridor area has a large

young population whose future demic trends may be a source of stress on the biodiversity status of the Park. The high growth rate, however, is not associated with fertility rates as a result of this large young population, because marrying age is not young.

Status of Social Infrastructure

and Support Services Fac i l i t i es and serv i ces fo r education and health are limited. L i t e r a c y , p a r t i c i p a t i o n a n d completion rate (for elementary and secondary school levels) are below the national standards. S c h o o l s , c l a s s r o o m s , a n d teachers are not sufficient. A third to a little less than half of the corridor’s population have poor access to health services (fewer health centers, personnel, insuff icient sources of safe water).

Community Types The Urban-rural classification

shows 105 urban and 319 rural barangays. C e n t r a l M a i n l a n d , i s l a n d municipalities, Southern Palawan, and Calamianes have a higher proportion of barangays that are classified as urban (25% to 35%). Settlements are also formed

based on ethnic differentiation and migration status relative to resource access and use. In upland, interior areas, or along the banks of rivers and coasts, in small clusters composed of a few houses are: 7 major indigenous cultural communities: Tagbanwa; Batak ; Pa l ’awan and Tau‘ t Bato;Molbog and Mele-buganon; Sama/AA Sama, Jama Mapun, Sama Laut, Sama Deya, Sama/B a j a w , S a m a l , B a l a n g i g i , Pangutaran, Pu l lon , Mapun; Cuyonen; Agutaynen. In the lowlands, along major roads are compact settlements: settler communities: Tagalog, Ilonggo, W a r a y , C e b u a n o , B i c o l a n o , Ilocano, and others.

Socio Demographic Characteristics and Issues

There is rapid population

growth, and high urbanization rate based on expansion of settlements, with 65% from natural growth and 35% from net in-migration, into areas with neither established nor sufficiently effective land use or management zones. Palawan’s population growth rate (3.36%) is very high in comparison with the national growth rate (2.3%). Population growth has been dramatic: from 56,360 persons in 1948 to 102,540 in 1960 to 400,323 in 1990 and 755,412 in 2000 (Table 1). Rapid growth may be expected in the future. Palawan is still relatively a

low density area, based on national standards set at less than 15000 persons/sqkm for an area to be classified as h a v i n g l o w d e n s i t y . T h e increases over the years have nevertheless been rapid. Density increased from 25 persons/sq. km. in 1980 to 36 in 1990 (NCSO 1990). Today, average national density is 246 persons/sq. km., while P a l a w a n P r o v i n c e h a s 5 1 persons/square kilometer. Yet, except for Araceli, all the island municipalities have densities higher than the national average (Table 2). This may explain why outmigration is an increasing trend in those areas. Viewed from the perspective of conservation, land is limited for A&D land uses. Several areas which seem to have low official densities actually no longer have low people-land ratios (Table 3).


Table 1. Population distribution, according to households and urban-rural classification, Year 2000.

Sources : NSO Census 2000; DILG classification of barangays.

Ii Most recent count of barangays (as to total 430) may differ on account of the unavailable updated listing of barangays and their classifica-tion into rural or urban since the creation of Culion and Espaňola into municipalities under Republic Act RA No. 7193 (September 12, 1992) and Republic Act (RA) No. 7679 (May 22, 1994).

Province, City, Municipality

and Barangay

2000 Total

Popula-tion

% of total provincial

popula-tion

No of House-holds

No. of Urban Baran-gays*

No. of Rural

Baran-gays*

Total Number of Bara-

gays*

PALAWAN 755,412 100.00 150,983 105 319 423

Calamianes Group 72,030

14,114 13 39

BUSUANGA 16,287 2.16 3,047 6 10 16 CORON 32,243 4.27 6,264 6 18 24 CULION * 14,302 1.89 3,082 1 1 1 LINAPACAN 9,198 1.22 1,721 0 10 10 Northern Mainland 166,198 32,016 17 90 DUMARAN 16,616 2.20 3,133 2 15 17 EL NIDO 27,029 3.58 5,191 4 14 18 ROXAS 47,242 6.25 9,435 7 24 31 SAN VICENTE 21,654 2.87 4,174 3 7 10 TAYTAY 53,657 7.10 10,083 1 30 31 Central Mainland 269,554 54,786 49 78 ABORLAN 25,540 3.38 5,236 2 17 19 NARRA 56,845 7.53 11,521 4 18 22 PUERTO PRINCESA 161,912 21.43 33,306 37 29 66 Southern Mainland 190,601 39,140 8 66 BATARAZA 41,458 5.49 8,658 2 20 22 BROOKE’S POINT 48,928 6.48 9,634 2 16 18 S. ESPAÑOLA 26,801 3.55 5,479 0 9 9 QUEZON 41,669 5.52 8,453 2 12 14 RIZAL 31,745 4.20 6,916 2 9 11 BALABAC 25,257 3.34 4,723 6 14 20 Island Municipalities 57,029 10,927 18 46 AGUTAYA 10,422 1.38 2,040 3 7 10 ARACELI 10,894 1.44 2,050 1 12 13 CAGAYANCILLO 6,348 0.84 947 7 5 12 CUYO 18,257 2.42 3,609 7 10 17 KALAYAAN 223 0.03 12 0 1 1 MAGSAYSAY 10,885 1.44 2,269 0 11 11

Ethnic minorit ies are in

increasingly degraded lands and waters, their resource access rights undermined by state laws, have marginalized role in weak governance mechanisms and processes, and are competing with more powerful resource

users. For instance, the Tagbanua and Batak settlements have higher fertility rates, higher child and maternal mortality rates, lower literacy level and educational attainment. Other features of the communities

include dependence on agriculture and NTFP gathering/ trading, un deru t i l i zed labor ( fema le ) , c o n s i d e r ab l e c o n t r i b u t i o n t o household income (at least 20%) by t h e y o u n g p o p u l a t i o n , unsustainable NTFP gather ing practices historically associated with settlers (since the 1970s).


Recommendations Population growth and settlement expansion need to be planned so that these are kept at levels that can be sustained by local resources within their regenerating capacity. These concerns must be included in conservation planning. The local government units need to invest in resource assessment, valuation, as well as carrying capacity studies to ascertain their capacities and opportunities, as well as constraints. The rate of migration coming from other areas needs to be monitored, and land uses

better regulated. With circulation (movement within Palawan) an important phenomenon, government policies and programs must be better coordinated to cope with problems in internal migration – as to distinguish where to encourage people to remain or move into certain areas, or where to discourage migrants from critical habitats. The population growth rate needs to be reduced – through improved social infrastructure and support services, i.e., reproductive health, child/maternal care, health and educational facilities and

p e r s o n n e l , s k i l l s u p g r a d i n g , entrepreneurship, and the like. Conservation programs must address natural/biological resource utilization patterns which are unsustainable. At the same time, development thrusts of LGUs and other agencies must be imbued with conservation framework based on science. This will require technical, material and capital inputs to address food security and social reproduction needs; tenurial security; and policy harmonization and enforcement for better protection and enrichment

Table 2. Population Density by Municipality, 2000.

Source : NSO Census 2000 Population (based on projections)

Province, Municipality, City Population (Projection 2000)

Total Land Area(sqkm)

Density (persons/sq.km)

Palawan 755412 14896.43 51 Calamianes Group 56074 1134.88 49 BUSUANGA 16287 395.90 41 CORON 32243 1026.50 31 CULION * 14302 187.88 76 LINAPACAN 9198 155.20 59 Northern Mainland 166198 4353.30 38 DUMARAN 16616 435.00 38 EL NIDO 27029 465.10 58 ROXAS 47242 1220.20 39 SAN VICENTE 21654 842.50 26 TAYTAY 53657 1390.50 39 Central Mainland 244297 3715.50 66 ABORLAN 25540 908.80 28 NARRA 56845 700.00 81 PUERTO PRINCESA 161912 2106.70 77 Southern Mainland 190621 4170.20 46 BATARAZA 41458 957.00 43 BROOKE'S POINT 48928 850.60 58 S. ESPAÑOLA 26801 449.80 60 QUEZON 41689 935.50 45 RIZAL 31745 977.30 32 BALABAC 25257 581.60 43 Island Municipalities 57029 310.35 184 AGUTAYA 10422 32.90 317 ARACELI 10894 176.80 62 CAGAYANCILLO 6348 15.40 412 CUYO 18257 57.30 319 KALAYAAN 223 0.25 892 MAGSAYSAY 10885 27.70 393


1

PROFILE OF THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY :: 15

L o n g - t e r m m a i n t e n a n c e o f biodiversity requires the protection of large areas to maintain viable ecosystems, evolutionary processes, a n d po p u l a t i o n s o f s p e c i f i c Endangered species (Soule & Wilcox, 1980; Szaro & Johnston, 1996). It also requires that conservation strategies look beyond individual protected areas and identify a matrix of biodiversity-friendly land uses that provide biological connectivity across environmental gradients at the reg ional leve l (Harr is , 1984; Saunders et al., 1992 and Noss, 1996). The conservation “corridor” approach was developed by Conservation International (CI) as a way of implementing conservation strategies that reflect these biological findings. Conservation corridor is a matrix of pristine habitats and biodiversity-friendly land uses, which maximize the survival of the species, found in a region (CI, 1999; CABS/CI, 2000). A strong focus on protecting large areas is maintained, but designing conservation strategies at the c o r r i d o r s c a l e e n s u r e s t h a t conservation resources have the greatest effect while maximizing the net economic benefits to the local people and national governments. Conservation corridor can be built in many ways but each option has different implications for society. A corridor may consist of blocks of protected areas connected by certain management units that ensure connectivity between these blocks and therefore allowing genetic exchange. CI uses biological, social, economic and policy information, through extensive participation of

stakeholders to ensure that identified strategies are not only scientifically justified but also socially acceptable. Threats to biodiversity in Palawan were identified by a technical working group composed of p a r t n e r s f r o m g o v e r n m e n t institutions and non-government organizations who have extensive experience working with biodiversity and socio-economic researches as well as with communities in various parts of the province. Ten major threats were identified and ranked according to the following criteria: Spatial extent of the threat –

rates the threat based on how spat ia l l y p revalent i t i s throughout the province;

Magnitude of the biodiversity impact – rates the threat based

on observed or potential impact on biodiversity or integrity of species habitats; and

Ease of analysis – rates the threat based on how

easily analysis can be done given current availability of data and accessibility of the areas for primary data collection during the duration of the project.

Based on these criteria, the ten major threats are ranked as follows (1-lowest score, 10-highest score):

Mangrove destruction– (1)

Legal and illegal fishing– (3) Quarrying– (3) Agriculture (slash & burn)– (3) Infrastructure development- (5.5) Large scale mining– (5.5)

3.0 Issues, Threats and Opportunities 3.1 Profile of Threats to Biodiversity

by NOELA LASMARIAS

“The major threats to Palawan biodiversity are mangrove destruction, legal and illegal fishing, quarrying, agriculture, Infrastructure development, large scale mining and logging, tourism, fuelwood gathering

Above: Mangrove destruction in Balabac caused by tanbarking. The Ceriops tagal species is particularly sought after for the tanbark industry due to its high tannin content. Left: The effect of slash-and-burn activities in Culion

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Large scale logging– (7.5) Tourism– (7.5) Fuelwood gathering– (9) Wildlife hunting– (10)

These threats are regrouped into forest destruction related threats ( logg ing/ i l legal t ree cut t ing, a g r i c u l t u r e a n d f u e l w o o d extraction), marine and coastal fishery related threats (illegal fishing and mangrove destruction), infrastructure development, mining and quarrying, and wildlife hunting. In-depth analyses on forest destruction and fisheries are done separately from the general threats p ro f i l e to emphas i ze the i r importance relative to the other threats as ranked by the technical working group.

Forest Destruction

Satellite images in 1987 (Spot), 1992 (Landsat through DENR-JAFTA) and 1998 (Landsat through PCSD) indicate very large increases in old growth forest beyond what might be biologically possible for dipterocarp species in 5 to 10 years. The possible source of error may be the differences in satellite image interpretation, i.e., difference in control points used. PCSDS (per. com.) thinks that there is indeed increase in total forest cover although not in the magnitude indicated by the images. Setting aside the land cover interpretation problem, the volume of confiscated timber products and total volume of timber product indicate that there is a significant decrease in both during the implementation of the SEP Law from 1994 to 2002. From 1989-1993, of the 791,520 cubic meters of timber, Roxas (42%), Taytay-El Nido (16%) and Quezon-Rizal (35%) districts had the largest shares due to the timber licenses agreements (TLAs) existing in these areas. The percentage of illegal timber from to ta l has a lso s ign i f icant l y decreased.

Chinese fishermen caught poaching in Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in 2002. Oftentimes, environmental crimes become matters of politics rather than conservation and justice.

The live reef food fish trade targets only a few species that are highly prized in the international market. When the demand is high, prices for live fish in Hongkong can reach up to $100 per kg. Overharvesting and sustainability are key issues in this industry.

However, in terms of annual average volume of confiscated timber from 1989-1993 and 1994-2002, only Taytay-El Nido and Roxas showed a d e c l i n e o f 9 . 7 % a n d 1 7 % , respectively. Quezon-Rizal district had the highest percentage increase in conf iscated volume. These information could either indicate real increase or decrease in illegal logging activities, or they may indicate r e l a t i v e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f enforcement, hence, areas with more effective enforcement have greater n u m b e r o f t i m b e r v o l u m e confiscated. Since an enforcement was not part of the overall study, it could not be ascertained what factors influenced most the increase or decrease in the volume of logs confiscated during the period.

Marine Fishery The fishing grounds in Palawan are considered the most productive in the country. Hence, they have attracted domestic and foreign commercial fishing fleets, as well as migrants from the Visayas and Luzon. Commercial fishery in the province is very much influenced by technologies developed in Metro Manila, the spread pattern being from Metro Manila to Luzon, Visayas and finally to Palawan. It is thus in Palawan that fishing fleets congregate when the fishing grounds in other areas are almost depleted. It is not surprising that about 90% of the fish catch in the province is consumed and marketed elsewhere in the country and abroad. From 1980-2000, the volume of commercial fishery production in Palawan has steadily declined. Municipal fishery production has increased although the catch-per-unit effort has decreased indicating that the catch per fisher has declined and the amount of time it takes to catch a certain volume of fish, say 1 kilogram, has increased. This is an indication that most municipal fishing grounds in the province are biologically overfished due to too many fishers, use of more efficient

6


1987

1994 Quarry Site

Figure 1. A comparison of two Landsat images taken seven years apart shows a dramatic reduction in forest cover in a mining area in southern Palawan


f i sh ing gears , and use o f destructive gears. In the Calamianes, hookah and cyanide fishing became prevalent with the rise in the live reef food fish trade driven by high prices and international demand mostly in Hong Kong, China and Singapore. Based on a 2001 survey conducted by CI, it was estimated that around 7% of those who are engaged in the live fish trade uses cyanide. This practice has reportedly spread in other fishing areas in the province due to the dwindling stocks in the Calamianes because the income incentive from live fish to small municipal fisher is very high compared to hook-and-line fishing. The net income can reach 100 times more than hook-and-line per fishing trip. For poor fishing household with few alternatives or supplemental income sources, the use of cyanide in catching groupers live is very lucrative indeed, especially when the deterrent that law enforcement poses is very low. Other forms of illegal fishing activities within municipal waters include superlights (use of bright halogen lamps), muro-ami, pa-aling, hulbot-hulbot (Danish seine), and trawl. Dynamite fishing is also very widespread in the province.

Mining and Quarrying There are only two large-scale commercial mining in the province although positive reserves of chromite, copper, manganese, molybdenum and mercury exist. The existing mines are Rio Tuba nickel mines in Bataraza (southern Palawan) and the silica mines in Roxas and Dumaran (northern Palawan). The nickel mines pose a threat to the forests in the south, especially if its expanded mining claim, which sits on a large track of old growth forests (2,483 hectares or 46% of the total area) in Mt. Bulanjao, is

approved. Within and around the current quarry sites, the satellite images show that majority of the forests have been converted to brushlands (16% of MPSA) and settlement (9.7% of the current quarry site). The pending mining claims throughout the mainland also lie on primary forests and could potentially destroy these tracts of forests if approved. Quarrying for sand and gravel in rivers and beaches is considered a bigger problem because illegal activities are more difficult to track and are done by poor communities. The volume of illegally extracted mixed sand and gravel is about 6,070 cubic meters annually from 1993 to 2002, and the highest volume of apprehended volume was in 1998-1999. The income incentive from quarrying seems to be high based on the price per cubic meter of mixed sand and gravel. The price ranged from PhP100 to PhP400 per cubic meter or an average of PhP189 per cubic meter. Assuming that one cubic meter can be extracted in 4 hours of labor time, this is relatively higher than the approximately PhP172 to PhP1,653 per trip of 12 hours to 2 days for hook-and-line fishing during the NE monsoon and SW monsoon seasons, respectively.

Road Development Studies in Thailand, Brazil and Belize on the impact of road development on deforestation show that the density of road network had a negative impact on the forest, i.e., the greater the road density the higher is the deforestation rate. In Palawan, the 1998 land cover shows that within 500 meters to 1.5 kilometers of a road, the major land cover is already 30% to 31% brushland and slightly decreases farther from the road. The same trend is observed with built-up area, cropland and paddy fields. Old growth forest, however, increases

Open pit mining in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, a question of unbridled resource extraction versus conservation.

Mine tailings pond in Rio Tuba, Bataraza

4

4


farther from each side of the road. The trend indicates that forest conversion is indeed positively correlated with road development. The p rov inc ia l medium term development plan for 2000-2004 indicated a number of road development and airstrips. In the northern mainland, the planned roads traverse forests, declared protected areas, and along the riverbanks. In southern mainland, one planned road traverses old growth forest and passes through a large mining claim. Following the trend indicated by the existing road network, it is expected that some forest conversion to other land uses, in particular into agriculture and settlement may be possible. The extent of this conversion may depend on the suitability of the area to agriculture.

Wildlife Hunting There is paucity of data with r e s p e c t t o w i l d l i f e h u n t i n g . Apprehension data from 1999-2002, however, indicate that a large number of hunted wildlife are birds, particularly talking mynahs, wild quail and blue-naped parrots, which are favorite household pets. T a l k i n g m y n a h s a r e a l s o considered as “good luck” charms i n s o m e e t h n i c F i l i p i n o communities, which may partly explain their popularity. For plants, wild orchids topped the list of number of apprehensions. Illegal collection of insects seem to be for research purposes based on the affiliations of those apprehended. A few of the confiscated wildlife s p e c i e s i n c l u d e E n d a n g e r e d endemic species such as the Palawan hornbill, leopard cat, Palawan peacock pheasant, and red jungle fowl. There are at least two difficulties in interpreting the data with respect to wildlife hunting impact on the wildl ife population in Palawan. First, confiscation data

does not indicate where these species were collected. Second, there is little information on the population of the hunted wildlife species; hence, there is also little that can be said on the effect of h u n t i n g o n t h e s p e c i e s population, except for those that are already in the IUCN red list. Assumin g tha t the vo lume confiscated is only a portion of the total illegal hunting, then intuitively wildlife populations are at risk if hunting cannot be controlled.

Conclusions Existing data to date indicates that the greatest threat to Palawan’s terrestrial biodiversity is the loss of habitat brought about by forest conversion to o ther land uses , such as agriculture, road development, and illegal logging. On the coastal and marine side, both overfishing and destruction of habitat and spawning areas pose as threats. The trend in fish catch and the limited survey of reef areas and mangroves support the findings. The main drivers seem to be the high population growth rate, mainly through high net in migration, and poverty. Studies on net incomes, especially from fishing, indicate that, indeed, net i n c o m e f r o m h o o k - a n d - l i n e fishing– a benign fishing method, is way below the net income that can be obtained from more efficient methods, illegal fishing and illegal quarrying. Conservation barrier removal strategies should be able to address these drivers coupled with more effective enforcement to increase the deterrent for i l l e g a l a c t i v i t i e s . C r e a t i n g protected areas, whether marine and forests, and wildlife reserves may not work if the incentives for conservation are lower than the disincentive for illegal activities.

Blue-naped parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis) nestlings confiscated from wildlife traffickers. Wildlife hunting is a major threat to biodiversity driven by local and international commercial demands.

Reclamation site in Coron 1

5


Illegal logging and conversion of forestland to other uses such as shifting cultivation, permanent agricultural crops and industrial tree plantations were identified as the major causes of forest degradation in Palawan and remain a threat to its forest resource.

Trend in Illegal Logging

Palawan is identified as one of the illegal logging hotspots in the Philippines. It is being undertaken by both small and big-time illegal loggers in response to the increasing demand for wood. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reports indicate a declining trend in the incidence and magnitude of illegal logging activities. From its highest level of 7,667 cubic meters in 1993, the volume of timber confiscated dropped to 66 cubic meters in 1999, declining at the rate of 20% annually. The volume per incident had allegedly been decreasing. Illegal logging is reported in all the critical catchments, particularly in areas where commercial logging operations once existed. As of 2002, the illegal logg ing hotspots inc lude the municipalities, Balabac, Aborlan, Quezon, Roxas, Taytay and Puerto Princesa City. The species commonly felled/extracted are the valuable species such as Apitong and Ipil, particularly in Balabac and Puerto Princesa City. The decline in illegal logging was attributed to the creation of the Balabac DENR-Sub-Office and the support of the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Marines, and local government units (LGUs) in the forest protection and law enforcement campaign and the issuance of Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2000-78 which authorized the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs)

and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs) to award wood recovery permits easing the demand for lumber in Palawan. Although the reports indicate a declining trend in the incidence and magnitude of illegal logging, it is estimated that a very significant portion of the wood requirements of Palawan has been supplied through illegal sources since the reported volume from the legal sources represents a very insignificant share of the estimated requirement of households alone. In 2001, the wood requirement of households alone was estimated at 42,732 cubic meters of roundwood, 18,807 cubic meters of lumber, 400,171 cubic meters of fuelwood and 299,301 cubic meters of charcoal. With the logging ban, the legal sources consist of retrievable wood materials specified under DAO 2000-78, plantation species timber from Community-based Forest Management (CBFM) areas, and timber from private lands recovered or harvested with the appropriate permits or documentation. The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) estimated a potential supply of 30,000 cubic meter per year of saw logs from the lowland natural forests that can be made available through salvage logging and approval of Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) and CBFM. However, with the logging ban this quantity is not available. Existing plantations was projected to supply about 20,600 cubic meters per year of sawlogs. To meet the projected demand, tree plantations will have to be established at the rate of 1,500 hectares per year. Wooded alienable and disposable (A&D) lands and brushland were projected to supply about 0.5 cubic meter per hectare per year of fuelwood.

3.2 Threats to Forest Resource Conservation

By ELVIRA ORBETA

Slash-and-burn farming methods continue to threaten Palawan’s forest despite laws prohibiting the practice

“Illegal logging and conversion of forestland to other uses such as shifting cultivation, permanent agricultural crops and industrial tree plantations were identified as the major causes of forest degradation in Palawan and remain a threat to its forest resource.”

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THREATS TO FOREST RESOURCE CONSERVATION :: 21

The approval of resource use plans (RUPs) and wood recovery permits (WRPs) was suspended for an indefinite period because of alleged misuse and abuse of these permits. The absence of any legal means to meet the increasing demand for wood coupled with poor enforcement of environmental laws due to the lack of manpower and budgetary constraints creates an incentive for illegal logging to continue. The other factors that create an incentive for illegal logging to continue include low probability of being caught or charged for violation and accessibility of the forests with the existence of old logging roads and the opening of new roads.

Trend in Conversion of Forestlands

to Other uses

Shifting cultivation Shifting cultivation or kaingin is still prevalent in Palawan. There is no firm estimate of the actual area utilized for shifting cultivation. The 1987 land use data indicated about 390,000 hectares or 27% of Palawan’s total land area. For 1998, the scale and distribution of this activity maybe inferred from the brushland/grassland cover indicated in the LANDSAT imagery since brushland is a result of shifting cultivation. However, information from 10 critical catchments indicates that kaingin activities are widespread in these areas and are not limited in the brushland but extend into the residual forests. Based on the DENR inventory of forest occupants in 1998, about 25,219 hectares were occupied by 3,700 households, 98% of which were titled. If the area devoted to upland rice cultivation were taken as an indicator, the magnitude of kaingin activities had decreased, contracting by an average rate of 5% per year from 7,482 hectares in 1980 to 371 hectares in 2000. Based on the CENRO reports, a total area of 5,810 hectares of forestland were subjected to kaingin between 1991 and 1999.

Forest fires were mostly attributed to the practice of forest clearing by burning.

The traditional fire lines such as those established by the Palaw’ans were not sufficient to control the spread of wildfires. The most devastating forest fires in the summer of 1998 that destroyed about 10,000 hectares of forestlands in Quezon was attributed to the intensive kaingin activities and aggravated by the long dry season known as the El Niño phenomenon. The productivity in the uplands is low and declining. For upland rice, the average yield was 1.97 metric tons per hectare compared with 3.12 metric tons for rainfed and 4.5 metric tons for irrigated lands in 2000. For Southern Palawan, which has the largest area devoted to upland rice production, average productivity had declined by 13% within the 1980-2000 period. The share of upland rice decreased from 15% to about 1% of the total rice production in Palawan. Palawan is still sufficient in rice. However, with the increasing population, a rice shortage is projected by 2007 unless more lands are devoted to rice production complemented with improved rice technology. The continuous cultivation of corn in the uplands without soil conservation measures was identified as a more serious cause of soil erosion than kaingin. In 2001, about 11,133 hectares mainly in Brooke’s Point and Quezon was planted to corn with a total production of 24,716 metric tons. In the uplands, the average corn parcel ranged from 0.6 to 0.9 hectare with an average yield ranging from 549 to 1,102 kilogram per hectare. As with rice, the share of upland corn produced in kaingin areas is presumed to be negligible relative to the total. Most of the households in the uplands live in extreme poverty with average income ranging f rom below PhP10,000 to PhP20,000, way below the poverty threshold of PhP83,000 in 2000. Based on a 1995 survey in the south covering upland households primarily Palaw’ans and Tagbanuas, the average household income was about PhP6,700 per year with income

from livestock accounting for the largest share (43%) followed by income from corn (25%) and other crops including fruit trees (17.2%). Farm wages contributed about 5% while the production of handicrafts shared about 4%. Gathering of non-timber forest products such as rattan, almaciga resin and honey was reported as a major source of income of households in the critical catchments. Illegal logging was also resorted as a source of income for some households.

Economic policies that favor agricultural intensification, poor enforcement of forestry laws and the very low probability of being charged and accessibility of the forests led to the conversion of forestlands for agricultural purposes while the low farm gate prices for almaciga resin and rattan led to unsustainable gathering/collection practices. On the other hand, economic policies that promote agricultural intensification such as irrigation development and the implementation of appropriate programs and projects that provide tenurial security and increased the welfare of indigenous peoples (IPs) and other people living in the uplands released pressure on the forests. The declining quality of available land in the forest also reduced incentives for forest clearing. Permanent agriculture or tree plantations Permanent crops include fruit trees and industrial crops such as coconut, cashew, cacao and coffee. Lands under permanent crops covered an aggregate area of 118,987 hectares in 1991 increasing at the rate of 87% between census years 1980-1991. About 2,759 hectares of the area planted was covered with forest growth in 1991, representing a 90% reduction from its 1980 level. A total of 91% of these areas were located in seven municipalities, including Narra, Coron, Rizal, Quezon, Roxas, Aborlan and Puerto Princesa City. The average size of farms within these areas ranged from 1.9 to 14.2 hectares.

Of the permanent crops, coconut was


the most popular followed by cashew, banana, and mango. Coconut covered an aggregate of 57,441 hectares and a total copra production of 82,448 metric tons in 2000. Southern Palawan, particularly Brooke’s Point is the major coconut producer in Palawan. Cashew and mango were planted in several municipalities in 1991 with an aggregate area of 14,831 hectares and 1,128 hectares, respectively. By 2001, cashew product ion concentrated in a few municipalities- Magsaysay, Coron, Araceli, Taytay, San Vicente and Narra. Bataraza and the cashew-producing municipalities except Taytay also produced mango. The average production for cashew was 1.2 metric ton per hectare during the peak season and about half during the lean season. For mango, the average yield was 3.7 metric tons per hectare and 0.6 metric ton per hectare, respectively. Cashew and mangoes from Coron command a higher price. For banana, a total of 3,369 hectares with an average size of 2.82 hectares per farm were planted in 1991. The major producers included the municipalities of Narra, San Vicente, Brooke’s Point and Taytay. The average production was 8.8 metric tons per hectare. Agro-forestry projects with a total area of 291 hectares were established in the different CENRO districts in 1989, 1992 and 1995, the largest of which was in Brooke’s Point covering 112 hectares. The Upland Stabilization Program, a component of the Asian Development Bank-funded Palawan Integrated Area Development Project in three municipalities, also promoted agro-forestry systems as a soil conservation technique for upland farming systems in upland areas in Aborlan, Quezon and Brooke’s Point between 1982 and 1990. The agro-fruit-tree orchard that involved planting of fruit trees in Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium or napier grass hedgerows costing about PhP8,990 per hectare was most popular among the upland farmers because of its simplicity and low labor requirement. Technical assistance and production inputs such as planting materials, fertilizer and money for labor

were provided. A higher production level and cash income was indicated by those who adopted conservation measures– an average of 644 kilograms per hectare compared with 583 kilograms per hectare for rice and an average household income of PhP11,739 per year compared with PhP6,766 per year for upland households who were not involved in the Program. A total of 493 industrial tree plantations with a total area of 2,178 hectares existed as of 1998. These were located mainly in Puerto Princesa City, and in the municipalities of Roxas and San Vicente. The species commonly planted include Gmelina a r b o r e a , A c a c i a m a n g i u m , Paraserianthes falcataria, and mahogany. These plantations were projected to supply part of the wood requirements of Palawan within a period of 13 years (1998-2010) and ease the pressure on the natural forests. The projected volume from these plantations was about 20,600 cubic meters per year over a period of 13 years, that is, from 1998-2010. To meet the projected wood requirement of Palawan, an average of 1,500 hectares per year of forest plantations needs to be established. An ordinance was passed recently seeking for the establishment of the Palawan Council for Palm Oil Industry Development, the approval of which will usher the development and institutionalization of the palm oil industry in Palawan. Palm oil is known to be the most productive oil crop yielding about 5 to 10 times those of any commercially grown oil crop like coconut. It is used in a wide range of application including those in the food manufacturing and in the chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The first palm oil plantation was established in 1969 in Basilan. To date, there are four existing plantations with a total area of 14,400

hectares concentrated in Agusan del Sur and Sultan Kudarat. The largest is the Filipinas Palmoil Industries, Inc. which began developing its 8,000 hectares plantation in Agusan del Sur in 1981. The Agusan Plantations Inc. and the Kenram Philippines are the other players in the industry. Each has a milling plant with a capacity ranging from 20 to 36 metric tons per hr fresh fruit bunches. The existing capacities are underutilized based on their current average yields of 24.5 metric tons of fresh fruits per hectare. A major issue related to palm oil plantations that the government has to deal with is the possible conversion of tropical rainforests to palm oil as is being experienced by Indonesia, one of the two major producing countries. To prevent this, the World Wildlife Fund is enjoining the European countries who are the major buyers and investors to switch to ecologically-sound palm oil or palm oil coming from ecologically-friendly palm oil plantations. This limits the establishment of palm oil plantations in areas that are not recently deforested and requires the inclusion of measures to secure wildlife and forest corridors. The incentives for the development of agro-forestry and industrial tree plantations are many. The medium-term agriculture development plan promotes the diversification of farming systems, rural livelihood, and employment towards high-valued production including tropical fruits such as mango, banana, mango and pineapple. The government also provides incentives for industrial tree plantation, tree farm and agro-forestry farms in the form of exemptions from administrative fees and relevant taxes, reduced forest charges, and technical and credit assistance, among others as those provided for in Presidential Decree 1559, DAOs 95-19 and 200-63. Policies to increase prices of perennial crops vis-à-vis annual crops also encourage planting of perennial crops such as mango in the hillside or marginal areas. On the other hand, poor or substandard

THREATS TO FOREST RESOURCE CONSERVATION :: 23

protecting CBFM areas is estimated at roughly PhP84 per hectare (1998 prices).

Opportunities for Conservation To sustain the environmental services provided by the forest ecosystem, all possible ways to solve the wood supply problem should be exhausted while those who supply the environmental services (that is, the upland poor communities) should be given alternative economic activities or incentives that are more attractive than forest clearing for crop cultivation or tree plantations or illegal logging. Disincentives for illegal logging and other destructive activities should be increased. Supporting programs and projects intended to improve the welfare of upland households/communities while at the same time stimulating the development of stable and productive ecosystems by reducing their reliance on the forest resource particularly in the critical catchments offer opportunities for conservation. Payment schemes to sustain the environmental services provided by the forest ecosystem such as c o n s e r v a t i o n c o n c e s s i o n s , biodiversity conservation, conversion concessions, and carbon storage and sequestration may also be explored.

Recommendations To address the wood supply problem, it is recommended that: the DENR institute measures that

will ensure the flow from alternative wood sources pending the results of the review and assessment of the problem with respect to the issuance of WRPs and RUPs;

the PCSD prioritize the review of

the wood supply and demand situation in Palawan and of finding solutions to the problem including reconsidering the

infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and port facilities and the lack of long-term credit, the lack of provisions for an accelerated depreciation for capital equipment and machinery in the tax code, and the inadequate net operating loss carry over create disincentives for plantation development as in the case of palm oil plantations in Mindanao.

Community-based Forest Management (CBFM)

The CBFM was established under Executive Order 263 (1995) as a national strategy to ensure the sustainability of the country’s forest resources. There are 28 existing CBFM projects with a total land area of about 112,000 hectares and benefiting over 2,000 households in Palawan as of March 2003. CBFM areas range from 60 to over 22,000 hectares and are concentrated in Coron, Rizal and Puerto Princesa City. Utilization of the RUPs and the WRPs had been very low (8 to 18%) and declining at the rate of 18% per year. The volume harvested ranged from 15 to 23 cubic meters through WRPs and 30 to 59 cubic meters through RUPs. The total volume increased from 85 cubic meters in 1999 to 123 cubic meters in 2002 with an estimated value of PhP85,240 and PhP 71,085 based on average domestic prices for the species harvested. A PhP10 per cubic meter forest charge is imposed on firewood, branches and other recoverable wood wastes of timber. For timber species harvested from CBFMA areas, forest charges imposed ranged from PhP785 per cubic meter for nato to PhP1,008 per cubic meter for apitong. Assuming the timber harvested is sold in the local market, the average domestic price received for these species is just enough to pay the forest charges. An average annual budget of PhP9.38 million is required to implement the Medium-Term Action Plan of the CBFM Program for the period 1998-2008. Based on the existing area of CBFM projects, the cost of managing and

recommendations of the PCSD wood supply and demand study with respect to the utilization of the potential supply from the lowland natural forest;

the provision of the necessary

technical, infrastructure and financial support and other incentives be given priority by all the agencies concerned to encourage local and foreign investments on the establishment of new industrial tree plantations; and

forest charges imposed on timber

from CBFM areas be reviewed taking into account the market price of species harvested, the production cost, and a margin for profit and risk.

In support of efforts to reduce incentives for illegal logging and destructive activities, it is recommended that: the suspension of the reward to

informants as per DAO 98-69 be reconsidered; and

a review of the procedures that

lead to the filing of a criminal case against illegal loggers be made with the end in view of making the system efficient.

To increase the incentives for those who supply the environmental services, it is recommended that: programs and projects intended to

improve the welfare of upland households/communities while at the same time stimulating the development of stable and productive ecosystems by reducing their reliance on the forest resource particularly in the critical catchments be supported; and

payment schemes to sustain the

environmental services provided by the forest ecosystem such as conservation concessions, biodiversity conservation, conversion concessions, and carbon storage and sequestration be explored.


The Palawan group of islands hosts rich ecosystems, considered as one of the most productive and biologically affluent both in the country and conceivably in the world. It is often regarded as the country’s last ecological frontier as many of its natural resources are relatively intact in a comparatively well-maintained environment. The marine environment of the province is by far one of its largest assets. With its narrow-strip g e o lo g i c f o r m a t i o n , i t h as numerous coves, bays, passages, and islets sustaining approximately 9,800 square kilometers of coral reefs and sea grasses (excluding Tubbataha and Kalayaan,) and some 46,455 square kilometers of mangrove forest (JAFTA, 1992). T h e s e m a k e t h e m a r i n e environment of the province a premier fishing area; most notable are the western Palawan waters, Cuyo Pass, Honda Bay, Sulu Sea, and Malampaya Sound among others. Total output from Palawan fishing grounds account for nearly 40 percent of the total fishery production of the Philippines. The extensive and rich fishing grounds of Palawan have by and large attracted a signif icant proportion of its population to settle along the coastal areas. In 1995, approximately 60 % of the total population resided in the coastal zone and have depended on it for income and employment. Similarly, the relative productivity of Palawan marine areas has also attracted migrant settlers and fishers from nearby provinces in

the absence of any regulatory measures to restrain open access. With the increase in the number of industry players and the declining catch, fishers were forced to substitute traditional “passive” gears such as the hook-and-line method to highly active and efficient ones like the “hulbot hulbot” or D a n i s h s e i n e , “ h o o k a h ” o r compressor fishing, and trawl among others, and increase investment in fishing fleets to be able to cover a wider range of fishing grounds. It also prompted for the use of harmful fishing methods such as “super lights”, muro-ami, “pa-aling”, fine mesh nets, dynamite fishing, and use of poisonous substances among others whose damage cost to both integrity and sustainability of the resource far outweighs private benefits. The emergence of alternatives to the traditional fishing sector such as the live reef fish trade (LRFT) and pearl culture in the Calamianes, seaweeds p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e i s l a n d m u n i c i p a l i t i e s a n d s o u t h e r n mainland, and tourism in the northern and central mainland could provide a big break or “resource r e g e n e r a t io n pe r io d ” to the overexploited fish stock of Palawan. Alternatives were noted to have very promising income and employment potentials but sustainability of marine resource and future income streams are always being put into uncertainty as some methods and practices in these alternatives have severe ecological repercussions.

3.3 Threats to Palawan Fishery: An Economic Analysis

by RODGER VALIENTES

Live fish being loaded into an air carrier for transport to Manila. Based on PCSDS data, nearly 200,000kg of live fish were transported out of the Calamianes region for the live reef food fish trade in 2001.

“The extensive and rich fishing grounds of Palawan have attracted a significant proportion of its population to settle along the coastal areas. The relative productivity of its marine areas has also attracted migrant settlers and fishers from nearby provinces in the absence of any regulatory measures to

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THREATS TO PALAWAN FISHERIES: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS :: 25

Palawan Fishery: Resource Under Pressure

The sustainability and integrity of P a l a w a n ’ s m a r i n e f i s h e r y resources are in no way different from any other fishing areas in t h e c o u n t r y . T h e y a r e threatened, if not, already experiencing moderate to severe stress and pressure from the c o m b i n e d i m p a c t s a n d consequences of (i) population and socioeconomic, (ii) resource, ( i i i ) technological, and (iv) institutional issues and concerns.

Population and Socio-economic Issues

Population growth (natural

growth and in-migration) has the potential to create an enormous exploitation and consumpt ion pressure on critical marine and fishery resources. With the increase in the popu la t ion , po l lu t ion p r o b l e m s a r e b e c o m i n g apparent and significantly affect biological oxygen demand levels and decreases the carrying capacities of critical coastal resources. High port, harbor, and

marit ime activit ies in the northern and central Palawan endanger known passageway and spawn ing a reas o f Endangered spec ies and commercially important stocks (e.g. Cuyo Pass, Bacuit, Honda, and Puerto Princesa Bay). Rapid increase of coastal

population and the lack of al ternat ive l ivel ihood and employment opportunities result to over dependence on coastal and marine resources, even in the face of declining fish catch a n d i n c o m e . H i g h unemployment and dependency rate provide an inducement to engage in longer fishing hours,

and high value reef fishes in the Calamianes group of islands (Ingles in Werner and Allen 2000) were indications of ecosystem overfishing. Proliferation of different

types of efficient and active fishing gears, some using more than 2 types of gear and the changing fleet size and capacity signifies over investment in the activity. The use of destructive

fishing methods amid strong resolve of the Provincial government to reduce if not el iminate i t cont inues to beleaguer the marine fisheries industry. Different types of destructive fishing practice were documented in the different fishing grounds of Palawan (muro-ami, pa-aling, blast fishing, use of potassium and sodium cyanide, trawl fishing, fine mesh net fishing, encroachment of commercial-fishers to municipal waters, increasing by-catch). Economic gains in mangrove

areas provided an incentive for f u r t h e r e x p l o i t a t i o n a n d c l e a r i n g . M a n g r o v e concentrations in the central mainland are being heavily exploited for firewood, cleared for human settlements, and t a n b a r k i n g . P o r t i o n s o f mangrove areas have been converted for aquaculture purposes under fishpond lease agreements (FLA), in addition to pearl farms and seaweed cultivation areas. Palawan coral reefs are

under threat from a multitude of i s s u e s , r a n g i n g f r o m d e v e l o p m e n t a c t i v i t i e s , p o l l u t i o n , t o u r i s m , a n d o v e r f i s h i n g . T h e s t u d y conducted by the UP-MSI in 1 9 8 1 r e p o r t e d t h a t approximately 41 percent was

exert more effort, explore richer fishing grounds, and use efficient or active gear. Many coastal villages are

settling over critical coastal domains, contributing much to marine degradation due to their direct discharge of wastes, pollution, and clearing of marine habitats.

Resource Issues

Total fishing effort being

exerted, in addition to the changing fleet size and capacity, has been increasing by about 20 percent annually, resulting to annual increase in t h e t o t a l c a t c h b y approximately 3 percent per annum. Crude estimate of the

current provincial f isher density shows about 33 fishers per kilometer density. This estimate effectively c l a s s i f i e s P a l a w a n a s moderately exploited fishing area though these density is lower with respect to other areas in the country. Bio log ica l over f i sh ing

indicators are already posing an a la rm ing t h rea t t o sustainability and integrity of the marine resource. Growth and recruitment overfishing can now be observed in central mainland f ishing grounds (Lachica-Aliño et al. (2001) and in the Calamianes (Ingles in Werner and Allen 2000) for dominant demersal fish stocks. T h e i n c r e a s e o f

cephalopods (squids and cuttlefish) noted by Lachica-Aliño et al. 2001 in the central mainland fishing grounds and the dominance of low-valued and lesser known fish stocks due to decimation of demersal


“fair” and 12 percent was in “poor” condition categories. T h e P S C D S c o r a l r e e f evaluation in Busuanga, Coron, and Culion and RSA in Honda Bay, and Puerto Princesa Bay of the FRMP revealed that coral reefs are generally in “poor” to “fair” condition and citing anthropogenic activities as the premier cause of destruction. Seagrass communities are also suffering from heavy siltation and sedimentation. B e n t h i c s o f t b o t t o m

c o m m u n i t i e s a r e b e i n g damaged by the use of mobile and active gears such as trawl nets and seines that drag gears along the sea floor, sweeping everything in its path. The threat on marine

resources is also rooted to the destructive activities in the upland. Unsustainable farming practices such as kaingin lead t o h e a v y s i l t a t i o n a n d sedimentation in the coastal areas are being blamed on the expansion of agricultural areas by converting forestlands into open areas for upland farming. DENR and UNEP (1997)

reported that Palawan has the m o s t h i g h l y t h r e a t e n e d e c o s y s t e m f r o m t h e construction of roads and other infrastructures (both existing and proposed). Road and other infrastructure constructions are e x p e c t e d t o i n c r e a s e sedimentation and siltation rate, in addition to providing easy access to the threatened ecosystems. Col i form levels in al l

sampling stations conducted by Valmonte-Santos et. al. (2001) in Puer to Pr incesa Bay exceeded the allowable level. Concentration of cadmium (Cd) at 0.030 mg/l to 0.140 mg/l has exceeded the permissible level

(0.010 mg/l) while mercury (Hg) was detected at 0.001 mg/l.

Technological Issues

Historical review on the use of

fishing gears in the Calamianes region conducted by Ingles (in Werner and Allen 2000) shows that there is an obvious shift from the use of passive (e.g. hook and line) to the active gears (e.g. Danish seine, purse seine, trawl). Fishing vessels are increasing

in capacity and average gross tonnage. In 1988, average gross tonnage of commercial fleet was about 8 – 9 gross metric ton to as high as 11 – 15 gross metric ton by 2000. Post-harvest technologies for

marine products are limited to fish drying. Not much has been a c h i e v e d i n v a l u e - a d d i n g processes. These technologies are imperative not only in terms of adding market value to marine products but also in preventing spoilage of catch given that fish handling facilities are inadequate and virtually absent in some key landing areas. The ports of Puerto Princesa,

L iminangcong, Taytay, and Poblacion Coron were relatively the most adequately equipped landing sites in Palawan (with fish preservation facilities), while the rest are generally in poor condition and lacking supply of fresh water.

Institutional Issues

Palawan has consistently

attracted many national and international donors and research institutions from both the public and private sector. However, no single agency in Palawan is responsible for coordinating or at least documenting all resource

managemen t , research and development activities in the province (Fellizar, Bernardo, and Sandalo, 2001). There exists an apparent

w eak ness i n t he s t r a teg i c institutional alliance of different organizations in Palawan. Instead of isolated research, conservation and management efforts, strong f u n c t i o n a l l i n k a g e s a n d partnerships are imperative and should be sought by the different sectors working in Palawan. Marit ime law enforcement

personnel in Palawan seem ineffective in controlling illegal fishing activities in the province. Despite overwhelming efforts to dec imate destruct ive f ishing methods, i l legal f ishers are reportedly active and are still operating in major fishing grounds of the province. Very little has been achieved in

t e r m s o f u s i n g e c o n o m i c instruments for conservation and management of marine resources. The closest thing to economic tools being implemented in Palawan resource management a n d c o n s e r v a t i o n i s n o n -compliance charges, fines, or penal t ies for i l legal f ish ing activities (earlier reported to have very negligible effects). Economic tools are imperative in coming to terms with common resource use issues such as the property rights, externalities, and subsidies. Current efforts in Palawan to

protect and develop the resources of terrestrial and marine areas are fragmented and tend to be area-bounded or focused on a particular resource alone. In the landscape approach to conservation and r es o u r c e m an ag em en t , t he integration of intervention activities from the watershed down to the commercial f ishing areas is imperative.

THREATS TO PALAWAN FISHERIES: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS :: 27

Conservation Opportunity: Potential of an Integrated

Network of Protected Areas A conservation corridor for marine ecosystems would be a network of marine protected and priority areas ( M P A s ) m a i n t a i n e d t h r o u g h commun i t y -based susta inab le -r e s o u r c e u s e m e c h a n i s m s . Institutional arrangements should be directed towards carefully selected and consensus-based conservation o u t c o m e s ( M a y o - A n d a a n d Dalabajan, 2003), which have the potential to maximize the survival of the species and improve overall resource integrity. The potential of MPAs in the Palawan corridor was viewed and evaluated vis-à-vis the experiences and lessons learned from different MPAs in the Philippines. MPAs are one of many fishery management options that are considered as “most efficient” for overexploited and threatened fishery r e s o u r c e s . “ S p i l l - o v e r ” a n d “replenishment” effects directly and indirectly benefit fishery populations and other coastal and marine resources. Essentially, the immediate dependents on these resources, i.e. coastal communities, will benefit as well. Based from success stories of several MPAs in the Philippines, the following success factors were identified and can be duplicated in the corridor strategy for the potential network of MPAs in Palawan: Existence of state-of-the-art and

regularly updated environmental and socio-economic prof i le of the community/resource users. Dependence of community on

coastal and marine resources, with a manageable population size. The population in general or the coastal community to be specific should have a perceived crisis in terms of the factors affecting fishery resources. C o m m u n i t y s h o u l d h a v e

s u f f i c i e n t k n o w l e d g e a n d understanding of MPA. The role of effective information and education becomes essential. When the objectives of the project are clearly stated and known by the user groups and other stakeholders, they tend to manage the resources better. The provision of supplemental

income generating opportunities to resource use rs makes the management of MPAs relatively easier. Sustained support from key

players such as the LGU, national government, NGOs, and people’s organizations. Willingness of LGU to commit

inputs during the planning and implementation phase of the MPA; visits by government authorities uplift the pride of the community and thus realize their efforts have been not iced . P resence o f e c o n o m i c i n c e n t i v e s a n d d i s i n c e n t i v e s f o r M P A establishment and enforcement pave the way towards appreciation of the protected area and discourage resource exploitation. Presence of legal and policy

support (e.g. Constitution, Fishery Code of 1998, NIPAS Act, and m u n i c i p a l a n d b a r a n g a y ordinances). MPA establishment a n d m a n ag e m e n t m u s t b e accompanied by legal measures together with ”vigorous, fair and sustained law enforcement”. Specification and enforcement

of property rights - The importance o f p r o p e r t y / u s e r r i g h t s i s established in resource ownership and management. These are useful in indicating which factors to concentrate on or which phase of the project to give priority to or which among diverse stakeholders to consider in duplicating the effort in the overall corridor strategy.

Squatters living along coastal areas pollute surrounding waters with their domestic waste

One major threat to Palawan mangroves is its conversion to fishponds. Presidential Proclamation 2152 of 1981 considers Palawan province a mangrove swamp forest reserve and prohibits cutting and conversion of mangroves.

1


Background Conservation policies take the form of laws, development plans or other positions taken and executed by the bureaucracy. There are policies that d e f i n e t h e r i g h t s , r o l e s , responsibilities and obligations of user groups (such as indigenous cultural communities), government (such as enforcement agencies) and non-government institutions. As degradation of remaining resources proceeds at an ever-increasing phase, there have been unremitting efforts to rethink and reconsider the existing policy paradigms in order to evolve a more workable conservation policy. Emerging global trends such as the primacy of sustainable development, decentralization and devolution of many conservation functions, public par t ic ipat ion, recogni t ion of community-based property rights have, to an enormous degree, shaped the manner by which the state and its apparatuses view the problems and actors in resources conservation.

SEP as the Blueprint Plan for Conservation of Palawan

Resources Palawan has an overarching conservation policy framework known as the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan or the Republic Act No. 7611. SEP is a “comprehensive framework for the sustainable development of Palawan compatible with protecting and enhancing the natural resources and Endangered environment of the province”. SEP mandates the creation of a

multipartite body called the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), tasked to provide appropriate policy guidance to achieve sustainable development. It devised a zoning scheme called the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN), which is designed to protect critical ecosystems and habitats while allowing sustainable economic development to take place. ECAN is a “…graded system of protection and development control over the whole of Palawan, including its tribal lands, forest mines, agriculture areas, sea grass beds and surrounding sea” called the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN).1 ECAN prescribes specific uses for each designated zone. The terrestrial zone covers mountains, ecological ly important low hills and lowland areas in the province. The coastal zone covers foreshore areas, mangrove areas, coral reefs and fishing grounds. Tribal land zones are areas traditionally claimed by indigenous communities as their ancestral territories.

Forestry Conservation Whereas before the policy as regards the use and management of forestlands was that of restriction and the decision-making process on how they are to be allocated was centralized, there have been several efforts to diffuse the manner by which forest resources are to be used and allocated. Forest dwellers, once considered as grave threats to the forest, are now considered as active partners in its development and management. One of the earlier attempts to have a legal arrangement wi th local

“We think that we can preserve nature on little islands scattered in an ocean of human dominion. It won’t work. It’s not enough.” David Quammen in Archipelago Earth published in Time Magazine 1997

3.4 Assessment of Conservation Policies as Applied in Palawan

by ATTY. GRIZELDA MAYO-ANDA and DANTE DALABAJAN

Lush forest of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Palawan

2

ASSESSMENT OF CONSERVATION POLICIES AS APPLIED IN PALAWAN :: 29

communities is Letter of Instruction No. 1260 (1982), which provides for Integrated Social Forestry (ISF). Under Letter of Instruction No. 12602, bonafide families and individuals could have Certificate of Stewardship Contracts (CSCs) with an average area of 2.5 hectares, in exchange for rehabilitating the forest. While ISF was underway, there was also an attempt to rehabilitate the forests by contracting out reforestation activities. This was the Contract Reforestation Program and its later version, the Forest Land M a n a g e m e n t A g r e e m e n t . Parenthetically, the DENR was severely hobbled in achieving the targets set by these respective programs.3 There are two fundamental and interconnected loopholes in the implementation of early ISF projects. One is that, since there was a weak institutional framework within the DENR, the ISF project essentially was Vulnerable to abuse and misuse. One such widespread practice is the selling of stewardship contracts by the awardees. And due to this weak institutional mechanism, wealthy and well-entrenched individuals were able to secure stewardships in direct contradiction with its very reason for being—that of assigning tenure to forest dependent communities. A listing of CSCs would show that awardees are mostly non-residents and well-off families. One change in approach is the Community Based Forest Management Program (CBFMP), which allows organized communities to be “granted access to forestland resources under long-term tenurial arrangements, provided they employ environment-friendly, ecologically-sustainable and labor intensive harvesting methods.” There have also been efforts to encourage the participation of i n d i g e n o u s c o m m u n i t i e s o n conservation activities by conferring preferential rights on extraction, exploitat ion, management and protection of a delineated ancestral territory.4 At present, there is an approximate total of 38,000 hectares of Community

B a s e d F o r e s t M a n a g e m e n t Agreements (CBFMAs) awarded to 18 claimant communities. Moreover, the government has awarded a measly 62,640 hectares of ancestral lands and ancestral domain claims to the indigenous communities of Palawan until the closure of the PSTFAD in 1998. No additional CADCs were issued since the jurisdiction of processing of ancestral domain claims was transferred to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) as a result of the passage of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA). To date, a total of 368,849 hectares of land and water, which have already been validated as early as 1999, await resolution of the NCIP.

Wildlife Protection In 1995, Executive Order 247 was passed to ensure the integrity of the country’s natural resources while at the same time protecting the indigenous knowledge, systems and practices. The law establishes the f r amew ork to re g u la te the prospecting on biological and genetic resources for commercial and scientific purposes. EO 247 tasks an Inter-Agency Committee on Biological and Genetic Resources to oversee its implementation. Under EO 247, prospecting of biological and genetic resources shall only be allowed only after securing the required permits from the government. If specimens are to be gathered from territories of indigenous cultural communities, prior informed consent of the concerned local communities will have to be secured, in accordance with the customary laws of the concerned communities.5 The provisions for bioprospecting permits, clearances and the need to have prior informed consent is echoed by Republic Act No. 9147, known as the law on Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Resources and their Habitats, or the Wildlife Act. The Wildlife Act also provides that the PCSD will “designate critical habitats outside protected areas under

Republic Act No. 7586, where threatened species in Palawan are found. Such designation shall be made on the basis of the best scientific data taking into consideration species endemicity and/or richness, presence of man-made pressures/threats to the survival of wildlife living in the area, among others.”6 Where needed, the PCSD is given powers to acquire by purchase, donation or expropriation of lands and establishment of easements which will be critical to the survival of the habitats and the threatened species therein. The Wildlife Act also gives power to the LGU to initiate conservation of endemic species in their areas.7

Protected Areas Several laws have been passed recognizing the unique biophysical features of the particular locales in Palawan and mandating specific government agencies to undertake conservation measures. Examples of these are Presidential Proclamation 219.8 In 1992, The National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) or RA 7586 was passed providing a national framework for the conservation of Philippine biodiversity. The law is also a process legislation in that it defines a mechanism by which the national park system will be governed more real ist ical ly , using biodiversity principles, site-specific management strategies and public participation. The law gives Congress the responsibility of constituting the final act, which will establish an initial component as a protected area. The NIPAS Law vests the site specific Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to, among others, “decide matters relating to planning, resource protection and general administrat ion…of the protected area.”9 Since its implementation, there have been various areas in Palawan that were included in the coverage of NIPAS and are now in various stages of implementation. Currently, the push is from the NGOs (e.g., Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas or KKP) as in the case of proposed protected area (PA) bills


currently pending before the Senate, namely: (i) Senate Bill 1693 – M a l a m p a y a S o u n d P r o t e c t e d Landscape and Seascape Act; (ii) Senate Bill 2100 – El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area Act of 2002; and (iii) Senate Bill 2574 – Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park Act of 2003.

Conservation of Coastal and Marine Resources

Republic Act 8550, the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, repealed the old Fisheries Decree of 1975 (Presidential Decree 704) and several other laws on fishery and aquatic resources. Previous laws and issuances on fisheries were founded on export-oriented, extraction intensive principles. Veering away from this, RA 8550 identifies national food security as the overriding consideration in the utilization, management, development, conservation and protection of fishery resources. The Fisheries Code introduces new c o n c e p t s s u c h a s m a x i m u m sustainable yield (MSY) and total allowable catch (TAC) to ensure the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources. It also buttresses the provisions of the Local Government Code by devolving some resource management interventions to the local government, functions that were otherwise performed by Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR). Specifically, the Fisheries Law has the following features: affirmation of “working” resources

management models (i.e., closed season, sanctuaries and reserves and licensing); resolution of conflicts between

existing fisheries laws and the Local Government Code by assigning the jurisdiction of municipal governments over waters fifteen (15) kilometers from the shoreline; introduction of concepts for limiting

assigned to the LGUs. The SEP law gives the LGUs the responsibility to implement the ECAN strategy in their respective areas through their management of the ECAN boards or similar bodies. Moreover, all national government agencies, government owned and controlled corporations are to consult with LGUs, “…in the planning and implementation of any project or program that may cause pollution, climatic change, depletion of non-renewable resources, loss of cropland, rangeland or forest cover and extinction of animal or plant species.”12 The LGC also elicits the participation of the private sector and civil society groups by assigning seats for them in the provincial and municipal planning and development councils (MPDC) and local special bodies. Moreover, the LGUs have as much NRM functions under RA 7160 in forestry sector. At the municipal level this includes the “...implementation of community-based forestry projects which include social forestry projects, and similar projects; management and control of communal forests with an area not exceeding fifty (50) square kilometers; establishments of tree parks, greenbelt and similar forest development projects.”13 At the provincial level, the devolved forestry-re lated funct ions inc lude “…enforcement of forestry laws, pollution control law, small-scale mining law, and other laws on the protection of the environment; and mini-hydroelectric projects for local purposes.”14

Prospects for Palawan-wide Corridor Strategy

The present legal framework and institutional arrangements, as the preceding discussions show, provides the enabling environment that would l a y d o w n t h e b a s i s f o r a comprehensive, long-term, province-wide corridor strategies. The following points illustrate this:

access; adoption of integrated management f ramework and provision of support mechanisms for community participation; provision for a stronger law

enforcement component and augmenting prosecutorial efforts on fishery-related cases; and restoration of line functions of the

BFAR to assist local governments in MSY, TAC and local licensing To ensure people’s participation on issues related to fishery activities, the Fisheries Code reiterates the creation of barangay and municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils, and defining its broad powers as enforcement, consultative and recommendatory bodies.10

Conservation and Local Governance

Even without the bureaucratic constraints, the burden of providing solutions to the environmental problems is simply too great for the national government to carry alone.11 The passage of Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code in 1992, effectively expanded the base of natural resources management to i n c l u d e l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t instrumentalities. A structural system of decentralizing the functions of environmental protection proceeded whereby local government units (from provincial and municipal to the barangay level) were given more powers, authorities, responsibilities, and independent revenue generation functions to support its local natural resources management initiatives. Such powers include: land and water use planning, forest management, fisheries management, pollution control and biodiversity conservation. Other subsequent layers of conservation measures bolster the LGC. For example, under the new Philippine Fisheries Code, the primary mandate for managing municipal waters at a distance of 15 kilometers from the shoreline has been largely


a. P r o v i d i n g t e n u r e t o l o c a l communities

The current conservation laws amply recognize the rights of upland and coastal communities, people’s organizat ions (POs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) to participate in conservation and natural resource management. The SEP law, Local Government Code, Fisheries Code and NIPAS Law all emphasize the importance of people’s participation in p o l i c y f o r m u l a t i o n , r e s o u r c e m a n a g e m e n t p l a n n i n g a n d implementation and law enforcement.

IPRA not only allows the indigenous communities to secure their tenure and conserve the natural resources over their territories but also allow them to make use of their time tested cultural practices as expressed in their ancestral domain management plan. Migrant and other upland communities can also apply for CBFMA which allows them to formulate a comprehensive management plan. Tenure, as has been established by a wide array of literature, will increase the incentive of direct users to counteract the threats to natural resources.

There is an important caveat here. Experience shows that there can sometimes be a very wide chasm between what resources management plans profess to implement and what actually takes place on the ground. There have been quite a number of reported cases of usurpation of the powers granted under the CBFMA and CADC such as extraction of timber and non-timber products beyond the annual allowable quota, cutting on areas not allowed for such activity or simply cutting of fresh wood. b. Expanding the social options of resource dependent communities

There exist government modalities for communities directly dependent on natural resources to be given the needed assistance in order that they can have additional value to their

products and thereby decrease their dependence on the resource base. The SEP, Fisheries Code, DAO No. 96-29 (IRR of CBFMP) and the Local Government Code have built-in mechanisms that rationalize the extension of socio-economic assistance to communities. In fact, several livelihood projects have been started as a result of government special programs: community-based ecotourism in Coron Island, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Ulugan Bay and Honda Bay; trading of non-timber forest product in CBFM and CADC areas, and a host of small scale enterprise programs on protected areas. c. Identified conservation zones There are more than enough policies designating specific conservation areas almost to the point of complexity and confusion. For example, most of the protected areas in Palawan have different sets of parameters in zoning; and so does S E P ( E C A N z o n i n g ) . M o s t municipalities have completed the process of Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan (CLWUP) preparation, which were based on the respective ECAN zoning of municipalities. Specific management zones have been identified in these CLWUPs such as communal forest, watershed areas, marine reserves and sanctuaries, among others. More importantly, recent LGU and national government initiatives have already started laying the foundation for a province-wide corridor strategy. Some of these are as follows: Calamianes-wide integrated coastal management; El Nido and Taytay protected areas; Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Ulugan Bay; South Palawan Planning Area and the proposed Balabac Seascape. In addition, there are several CBFM, CADC, CSCs, proposed LGU-managed communal forests and other small-scale community-based sanctuaries and reserves. Taken together, these present and planned conservation

in i t i a t i ves p resen t eno rmous challenges and opportunities. d. Defined legal and institutional jurisdictions and mandates Bureaucrat ic and opera t iona l processes and procedures have been expressly laid down under existing policies to guide conservation efforts and ensure compliance thereto. For instance, the guidelines implementing the SEP and NIPAS provide for the establishment of zones, management bodies as well as sanctions for non-compliance. The effect of this is that functions, such as policy-making, in situ conservation activities and enforcement, are clearly delineated. On the ground, there may be institutional overlaps but it is important to indicate that the mandates and jurisdictions of various institutions have already been laid out by existing policies. The foregoing variables provide the basis for an effective province-wide conservation strategy by: widening the stakeholder base participation in conservation; providing land and resource use framework; and identifying the particular government instrumentality in charge of a specific conservation activity.

Legal and Institutional Barriers to Conservation

Despite the aforementioned existing conservation policies and regulatory mechanisms, mounting threats against biodiversity conservation continue. Existing institutional set-up for conservation is st i l l complex, sectoralized, at times confusing, and fragmented notwithstanding the various Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) passed to harmonize PCSD and DENR functions, law enforcement responsibilities and unify protected area zones. Weak coordination, inflexibility in approaches to resource use, centralized management, lack of


material resources and lack of competent and well-motivated staff are key problems that result from this situation and limit the ability of government agencies to effectively carry out their functions. FGDs and KIIs show telling experiences of the failure of past and present management efforts to arrest the growing threat of wildlife smuggling, mangrove destruction, illegal logging, illegal fishing and illegal quarrying. Among those barriers that were identified during FGDs and KIs are as follows: Overlapping jurisdictional mandates

have derailed the finalization of protected area management plans (e.g., PPSRNP) and suspended previous harmonization initiatives (e.g., protected area zones); Changing political personalities in

the PCSD and LGUs, particularly, in the provincial, municipal and barangay levels, caused the stoppage or reduction of support to conservation initiatives (e.g., law enforcement); Confl ict ing perspectives on

conservation among various players, both government and non-government (e.g., conflicts between IP leaders and PASU in Malampaya Sound Seascape and Landscape); Lack of orientation on conservation

and resource management, inadequate knowledge and coordinative capability of government personnel charged with implementation of conservation; Particular to PCSD, there is still the

tendency to issue environmental clearances for development projects arbitrarily, despite the existence of approved technical criteria for the issuance of clearances. It is notable that in the case of some mining and tourism development projects, the technical recommendations of the PCSD Staff were not given weight and had to give way to political expediency.

Investment Priorities for Palawan-wide Conservation

Corridor Arguably, incipient conservation activities are gradually taking shape. The challenge now is to bind these small and scattered initiatives to form a tight conservation corridor that a l l o w s f o r w i d e r p e o p l e ’ s participation, active government support and sustainable technical and financial support. This entails i m p r o v i n g c o m m u n i t y a n d b u r e a u c r a t i c c a p a c i t i e s , implementing and removing the barriers to effective conservation initiatives. To achieve this, the following investment priorities should be undertaken: a) increasing incentives for conservation, 2) increas ing d is incent ives for destructive activit ies and c) strengthening local and national institutions. 1. I n c r ea s i n g I nc e n ti v e s f or

Conservation 1.1 Establishing Conservation- oriented Tenurial Options a. Recognition of CADC and CBFMA Many forest-dependent communities have evolved a sustainable pattern of resource use based on their cultural and socioeconomic interest. An investment priority in this area therefore is the identification and legal recognition of valid applications for CBFMA and CADC. This entails the awarding of ancestral domain claims and applications for CBFMAs to rightful claimants and where needed, lending of technical support (mapping, registration of claims, seed fund for livelihood/enterprise project, etc.) to potential claimants. A good start is at the NCIP where a total area of 306,209 hectares of land and water claims have been found by DENR-PSTFAD to be valid as early as 1998 but are still awaiting resolutions. Parallel to this, planning sessions (such as ancestral domain sustainable development and

protection plan, and annual work plans) must also be supported so that resource extraction targets will be done within the bounds of ‘sustainable use”. In addition, logistical and technical assistance (such as on participatory research, monitoring and evaluation and capacity building) must be extended to the claimant communities to enable them to make full use of their community -based conservat ion initiatives. Small-scale researchers that would identify best practices will be needed too for replication in other areas. Another concern that needs to be resolved is the excessive forest charges which most communities and peoples’ organizations (POs) cannot afford. b. Formulation of a Palawan-specific

CBFM Framework Conservation circles are still deeply divided as to the efficacy of the CBFM framework as a strategy. The more optimistic observers believe that violations occurring within CBFM areas are exceptions and can be straightened by stricter compliance system and putting in place a functional monitoring and evaluation mechanism. The more cautious observers however contend that infractions on the limited rights to cut logs are systemic and come from the view that CBFM is, in fact, forest utilization and not a conservation strategy, which offers a perverse kind of incentive. Such kind of strategy cannot persist in an already fragile state of the Palawan forests. But it is conceded too that there is lack of alternative tenure options for forest dependent communities. It has been established by a wide array of literature that tenure is an important incentive for peoples’ participation in forest conservat ion. An investment opportunity along this line is the formulation of a Palawan-specific CBFM framework which is more suited to the social, economic and political, demands of the environment. The formulation of a Palawan-specific CBFM framework and implementing guidelines shall consider the following:


the total commercial logging ban policy under the SEP law and DENR DAO 45, Series of 1992; the results of evaluation and

assessment of current CBFMAs in Palawan; focus on offering economic

incentives that are not based on timber extraction but on non-timber forest p r o d u c t s p r o d u c t i o n , s k i l l s development for cottage industries, marketing and access to credit facility; the technical working group on

CBFM currently composed by various government and non-government agencies including the provincial government, DENR and PCSDS must take the lead in formulating these guidelines; as regards the reduction or

exemption from forest charges, a proposal must be made for this purpose by the technical working group with the support of the PCSDS and concerned government agencies and submitted to Congress. It is notable that there is a pending bill on the Sustainable Forest Management Act which seeks to remove forest charges from CBFMA and CADC areas. The technical working group can work with the congressional committee involved in this pending bill. c. Strict Enforcement of CBFM and CADC Management Plans Ideally, forest utilization, especially logging, on areas where there are tenure instruments (CBFM, CADC, etc..) must be based on a properly formulated management p lan. Ostensibly, logging must be banned on areas where there are no statutory instruments. In many cases, however, management papers are seen merely as part of the compliance procedure, at best, and a license to exploit forestry resources, at worst. Monitoring the formulation of and compliance to forest management plans should be an investment priority i f genuine community-based forest management is to take place.

1.2 Expanding Livelihood Support Mechanisms Livelihood projects deserve a short discussion here at the risk of digressing from policy analysis. History of development assistance, not only in Palawan but also in the rest of Philippines, is replete with failures of well intentioned, carefully designed and not to mention heavily funded “alternative” livelihood extension pro jects. A c lose examination of many communities that have been recipient of these projects would suggest that “alternative” livelihood without sustained training and financial sustainability mechanisms is likely to fail. In not a few cases, alternative livelihood projects tend to supplant economic activities, which have likely evolved based on, but often not necessarily harmful to, natural resources available in an area. a. Market Support and Access to Credit An investment priority in the area of livelihood is the provision of pre and post market support, technical (training) and funding assistance to add value to their products. An example of this is the live food and aquarium fishes, a much-maligned economic activity for which much of coral destruction is attributed to. Anecdotal and empirical evidences show that, given the right market incentives such as competitive pricing, training and market support mechanism, live fish collectors will opt to use hook-and-line method. By doing so, communities are placed in a better position to pursue the twin goals of livelihood improvement and natural resources protection. To a large extent, this argument is applicable to the gathering of forest products by upland indigenous communities. b. Better Financing Arrangements

with Tenurial Instrument Holders Some observers believe that policies on tenurial arrangements,

as in the case of CBFMAs and CADCs, make it difficult for communities to generate income to enable them to perform their responsibilities of development, rehabilitation and protection. The DENR levies forest charges to CBFMAs, CADCs and other community forestry projects based on the Revised Forestry Code (PD 705). RA 7161 (October 10, 1991) incorporated certain sections of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1977 (EO 273) into the Revised Forestry Code and increased forest charges on timber and other forest products. DENR DAO 2000-63 almost doubled the forest charges.15 Besides the payment of forest charges, the CBFM community is compelled to generate revenue in as much as the CBFM strategy requires the recipient community to reforest the area. The cost of reforestation is to be charged to the reforestation fund that represents a percentage of revenue that communities get from the sale of forest products. It must be underscored that revenue generation activities are subject to the condition set by the CBFM policy which is for t h e c o m m u n i t y t o “ e m p l o y environment-friendly, ecologically-sustainable and labor intensive harvesting methods; and that the said harvesting methods shall be mentioned under a site-specific management plan of each recipient community and duly approved by the DENR.” In the case of Palawan, there is the total commercial logging ban provided under the SEP law, which is why no revenue generation could be had from commercial logging. Not a few observers give correlation between illegal activities and the economic pressures brought about by the exorbitant DENR levies. To some extent, this may seem plausible. Thus, one way to avert such illegal practices as illegal logging and excessive harvesting of NTFPs is to heed the clamor of CBFMA and CADC holders to freeze the levying of forest charges so that enough funds could be raised for reforestation and other resource enhancement activities.


c. Skills Enhancement Where they are viable, livelihood activities that ease the tension to fragile resources must also be supported but within the broader context of skill-base, absorption capacity and organizational maturity of a potential recipient community and more importantly, on the development thrust of the national and local government. There are already examples of best practices in this particular area that can be replicated. For example, fisherfolk dependent on coastal areas of Honda Bay organized themselves and operated a community-based tourism project. So did the Tagbanua community of Coron Island. 1.3 Conflict-Management Exercises and Consensus Building Recognizing private community-based property rights may not be easy considering the various formal and informal arrangements that have hitherto occurred. For example, traditional fishing areas of Tagbanua (in Calamianes) and Molbog (Bugsuk, Balabac) are now o c c u p i e d b y p e a r l f a r m concessions, with full consent of local governments. This problem resonates in upland areas manifesting as they often did in government projects, non-timber forest concessions, mining claims and other so-called development activities. Legally, the rights of these concessionaires are garbed with “non- infringement” constitutional insulation provided that they were entered into without vitiated consent (i.e., error, violence, intimidation, undue influence and f raud) imposed upon the indigenous communities. The conflict however arises when communities are prevented from engaging on legitimate livelihood and cultural activities. It is this problem that makes communities com mi t to “p over t y - d r i ve n choices”—choices that are often

and NRM efforts through the process of participatory and regular monitoring and evaluation. Such certification process can among others, catalyze LGUs and its non-government partners in planning and monitoring conservation and NRM investments, mobilization of local, national and international support for conservation and NRM i n i t i a t i v e s , p r o v i de p u b l i c recognition of conservation and NRM best practices, establish systematic monitoring system for planning purposes and reinforce LGU-NGO-community partnerships. This is similar to the intent of the D E N R ’ s C o a s t a l R e s o u r c e Management Program (CRMP) where the CRM certification (CRMC) prov ides a f ramework for benchmarking LGU performance in the delivery of CRM as a basic service as well as a roadmap for planning future directions and init iatives.1 6 Like the CRM Certification, the CNRMC can be done annually and in a voluntary manner through participatory monitoring and evaluation. LGUs, partner community groups and NGOs who go through the process of an annual monitoring and evaluation can be motivated to achieve higher levels of certification over time. From a broad corridor perspective, a workable partnership for conservation in Palawan must have the following ingredients: strong LGU initiative and

support for conservation in the form of local policy formulation, budget a l l o c a t i o n , p e r s o n n e l a n d involvement of key officials in major activities; pro-active NGO particiption by

way of technical and funding assistance, as in the case of the PAMBs of Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park; and

destructive to natural resources. An investment priority therefore is t h e c o n d u c t o f c o n f l i c t management exercises to settle disputes based on mutual consent, co-management AND sharing of benefits. 1.4 Promotion or Enhancemen of

Workable Conservation and Resource Management Bodies or Partnerships

The conservation partnership between the Provincial LGU, NGOs and DENR in the management of the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park (TRNMP) has worked since 2000. The PAMB and its Executive Committee meets regu la r l y . L ikewise , jo in t conservation initiatives of LGUs, NGOs, local communities and the DENR in the municipalities of Busuanga (ECAN Board), Narra (management of Rasa Island) and Puerto Princesa (law enforcement, sanctuary management, park management), were noted to be effectual arrangements. These initiatives must be documented, disseminated, strengthened through education/training and integrated as part of the development planning processes provided under the law. Logistical and technical assistance must be provided in the area of planning a n d i m p l e m e n t a t i o n . Documentation must be done in the context of participatory monitoring and evaluation to ensure that each municipality or locality has an institutional memory from which future plans can be developed. A complementary initiative should be the development of a Conservat ion and Natural R e s o u r c e M a n a g e m e n t Certification (CNRMC) Framework and a mechanism for the i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f s u c h certification process. The CNRM certification would help sustain LGU and community conservation


technical assistance from government agencies such as the PCSDS and DENR. 1.5 Capacitating LGUs to Undertake C o n s e r v a t i o n a n d R e s o u r c e Management as a Basic Service Current policies are replete with opportunities for LGUs to undertake c o n s e r v a t i o n a n d r e s o u r c e management as a basic service. Unfortunately, most local officials still need to be imbued with a broader perspective and equipped with the knowledge on how to translate such perspective into concrete barangay-level or municipality-wide plans, programs or ord inances. For ins tance , the e f fo r t towards c o m p l e t i n g , f i n a l i z i n g a n d institutionalizing the CLWUP as a participatory process is severely lacking in most municipalities. While some CLWUPs are pending before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for approval, it is notable that local communities are not aware of such plans. The CBFMA and CADC areas were not integrated into the CLWUPs. Continuing orientation and trainings of LGUs on conservation and resource management must be considered an investment area.17 These can be in the form of exchange visits, exposure activities and case s t u d y p r e s e n t a t i o n s d u r i n g conferences/workshops. 1.6 Strengthening Local Institutions and Conservation Frameworks

a. Harmonization of Management Bodies/Units as well as Zones

There have been quite a number of institutional arrangements as a result of the numerous policies, all of them aimed at making conservation and r e s o u r c e m a n a g e m e n t m o r e s y s t e m a t i c . P r o t e c t e d A r e a Management Board (PAMB) have identified their own management zones and PCSD has its ECAN zones which was also the basis of CLWUPs. Specific statutory instruments of

tenure (CBFM and CADC) have their own zones as reflected in their m a n a g e m e n t p l an s . I f n o t integrated, this situation would result in a complex, confusing, and fragmented institutional set-up. Such muddled set up engenders weak coordination, inflexibility in approaches to resource use and disorganized management. Clearly, there must be an interface of all these management zones so they can serve the fundamental purpose for which they have been identified. PCSD must urgently consider an institutional review to ensure that it can implement its mandate on the ECAN implementation. Ideally, PCSD should reinforce instead of compete or complicate current c o n s e r v a t i o n a n d r e s o u r c e management s t ructures and programs. DENR-Palawan, given its continuing lack of manpower and resources, must consider focusing its efforts on strengthening the Palawan SEP f r a m e w o r k a n d L G C implementation. A good example to follow is the initiative being undertaken by the Tubbataha PAMB in proposing a Protected Area Bill to crystallize its current PAMB structure and integrate management strategies of various stakeholders. The bill seeks to integrate existing zones identified by the NIPAS and SEP. b. Implementation of a Ban on

Large Scale Commercial Mining in Palawan

It is difficult to imagine how c o r r i d o r - w i d e c o n s e r v a t i o n initiatives can have meaningful impacts in the face of current and proposed commercial mining activities that cancel out its gains. Large scale commercial mining is anachronistic in an environmentally critical area and contravenes existing policies. Large scale commercial mining has entailed

logging activities which is contrary to the SEP law. Proclamation 219 ( 1 9 6 7 ) d ec l a r e s , w i t h s o m e exceptions, the whole of province of Palawan as a bird sanctuary and the small islands as national reserves. Under the mining act, areas such as game reserve and wildlife sanctuary are closed to mining.18 Total commercial mining therefore is not as much a matter of legal debate as it is a matter of enforcement. With hundreds of hectares of forest laid to waste mining, and more areas in Espanola and Brooke’s Point to be devastated, it is high time that laws prohibiting mining in Palawan be implemented. c. Delineation, Demarcation and

Popularization of Management Areas

For these management zones to be effective, they must specifically be identified, delineated and then demarcated. Buoy markers must be installed on fish reserves, refuges and sanctuaries. Monuments must be placed to indicate the boundaries of watershed areas, communal f o r e s t s a n d o t h e r f o r e s t management zones. An extensive information education campaign must be conducted on the specific objectives and prohibitions of these zones. d. S u p p o r t t o I n t e r - L G U

Collaborative Conservation and R e s o u r c e M a n a g e m e n t Initiatives (SPPA, Calamianes Integrated CRM)

Corridor Strategy is essentially connecting patches of conservation initiatives to pave the way for i n t e r l i n k e d p r o v i n c e - w i d e conservation plans and outcomes. Collaborative partnerships between LGUs are therefore significant steps towards this direction. The Local Government Code provides a conducive policy for such inter-LGU cooperation as it enables various LGUs to pool and share resources and integrate policy initiatives.


At the moment, municipalities covering SPPA are still grappling with the legal route to take in establishing their Upland Management Areas, because legally LGUs have very limited rights as far as forest conservation is concerned. Forest protection is primarily the domain of the DENR. Under the Local Government Code, the LGU mandate on forest protection covers only the “...implementation of community-based forestry projects which include social forestry projects, and similar projects; management and control of communal forests with an area not exceeding fifty (50) square kilometers; establishments of tree parks, greenbelt and similar forest development projects.”19 As far as the legal basis is concerned, the LGUs law-making function is only limited to the passage of ordinance, which in theory can be supplanted by an executive issuance or statute (otherwise called republic acts passed by Congress). The LGC route also has a practical disadvantage. Local laws (such as ordinances and resolutions) can easily be reversed by a political administration that has a different set of priorities. What can be done is to have an institutional arrangement whereby the management unit would be the LGUs while the statutory instrument would be governed by the processes laid down by the NIPAS Law such as in the case of PPSRNP. Since the legislative route takes time, local ordinances or resolutions, whichever may be applicable, can be passed providing for any or a combination of the following: establishment of greenbelt parks

within the municipality, whenever applicable, as provided under Local Government Code; identification and establishment of

core zones and buffer zones within the Mangtalingahan range, pursuant to the ECAN criteria; identification and establishment of

wildlife habitat zones and flagship species, together with PCSDS and

DENR, under the Wildlife Act; estab l ishment o f hab i ta t

protective measures together with PCSDS and the DENR that would regulate the issuance of licenses or permits on forest products as well as development projects (such as roads, tourism, plantations). These zones must be included in the CLWUP of every municipality covered by Mt. Mantalingahan. Likewise, such policy initiatives must integrate CBFMA and CADC instruments, and in the process consider that most of the upland, forestal areas are being claimed by indigenous communities as ancestral domains. In the case of Calamianes, an investment priority could be the adoption of a Calamianes-wide fisheries ordinance providing for common municipal water boundaries and a uniform set of penalties. This direction can likewise expand into a coastal resource management program where the municipalities involved can set up Technical Working Groups or an inter-LGU interim body that would formulate the direction, facilitate consultative processes, identify the possible mechanisms and the strategies. 1.7 Call for LGUs to Invest on Conservation Initiatives In recent memory, conservation initiatives have largely been driven by bilateral and multilateral institutions. Many of these initiatives fold up after the duration of the projects because there is usually an absence of m e c h a n i s m w h e r e b y l o c a l stakeholders such as the LGU could commit financial (and even technical) resources to sustain them. On the other hand, even if LGUs want to invest on the said conservation project, their annual budgetary allocation preclude them from doing so. LGUs have internally and externally generated financial sources. Locally generated financial sources (such as

business tax, real property tax, fees and charges) depend largely on the efficiency of its local collection. Externally sourced finances include: share in the collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (this is where IRA comes from), share in proceeds from national wealth (taxes, royalties, forestry and fishery charges), revenue from government-owned and controlled corporations, loans and grants.20 IRA of an LGU depends on the population, land area and equal sharing, and the availability of funds of the national government (e.g., such as when it has a huge public sector deficit). Moreover, IRA is also subject to executive discretion by the President. LGUs should have a good “wish list” of conservation priorities that they can make a strong case out of. The next legal step is to seek the recommendation of Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and D e p a r t m e n t o f B u d g e t a n d Management (DBM) that such an IRA is necessary and financially feasible. 2. Increasing Disincentives for Destructive Activities 2.1 Reforming Local Administrative

Systems Reforming the justice system, while may be desirable is too arduous as it is protracted. What may be doable at this juncture is to try to make sense of the opportunities afforded by existing policies such as the Local Government Code and the Fisheries Code, specifically the provision that allows for administrative adjudication. This can be interfaced with other efforts on areas where mutual interests of LGUs converge. Examples of these are Mt. Mantalingahan range which abuts five (5) municipalities in the south and the Calamianes Group of Islands which covers four (4) municipalities. Serious efforts must be done to bring the local policy making bodies on the table to come up with a negotiated agreement on how best to manage their shared resources. Financial support should be granted on the implementation of


whatever plans they think have to be im p lem en te d . Fo r e f fec t i ve compliance, these LGUs must come up with uniform penalties for violations of mutually agreed restrictions. 2.2 Revitalizing Law Enforcement

Functions and Broadening the Base of Law Enforcement

I t i s inconce ivab le how law enforcement can meet the present challenges to the resources without additional manpower, logistical support, updated equipment (such as GPS, patrol boats for coastal areas, AUVs for forested areas, etc), and increase in budget for the conduct of patrol activities. On areas where there are no public prosecutors, training of police officers on litigation procedures must be supported. Another area of investment is the systematization of gathering information on cases of violations, building capacity of law enforcement agencies to manage information database and possibly computerization of helpful pieces of information. Information database is essential in monitoring the nature of violations, the areas where they occur and the particular types of group who commit them. But even with the most advanced tools, law enforcement will unlikely succeed without the support of the citizenry. Private citizens are valuable source of information because they know a great deal on the nature of violations, who commits them, and where specifically these violations occur. In recent years, there is a growing p h e n o m e n o n o f o r g a n i z e d communities who take the initiative to arrest alleged violators. This must be encouraged especially in the light of the low ratio of enforcement agents to the areas covered. An area of investment to make this work is the conduct of law enforcement or paralegal trainings to organized communities and community-based institutions (such as FARMCs and Barangay Bantay Gubat/Dagat), procurement of needed equipment (boat), logistical support (fuel), etc.

End Notes 1Section 7, RA 7611 2Signed in July 28, 1982, Presidential Letter of Instruction No. 1260 or the Integrated Social Forestry Project tasks the Ministry of Natural Resources and other concerned agencies to establish a program that included a leasehold component for all citizens who resided within public forest on or before December 31, 1981. 3The legal basis for Contract Reforestation Program is DENR Administrative Order No. 88-31, while that of Forest Land Management Agreement is DENR Administrative Order No. 90-71. Asian Development Bank largely funded both of these programs.

4One of the earlier policies that recognized the rights of indigenous peoples over their ancestral domains is DENR Administrative Order No. 1993-02. A subsequent order, DAO 1996-34 confers the rights to the indigenous peoples to map out strategies to manage their respective ancestral domains. In 1997, the Philippine Congress passed the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act or Republic Act 8371 affirming among others the private, community-based property rights of the indigenous communities over their ancestral domains and creating the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) as the body to oversee the implementation of IPRA including the processing the application for ancestral domain titles. 5Section 2 (a) and (b), EO 247 6Section 25, RA 9147. It must be noted that Section 4 of the same law confers to the PCSD the jurisdiction over the following habitats and species therein: all terrestrial plant and animal species, all turtles and tortoises and wetland species, including but not limited to crocodiles, waterbirds and all amphibians and dugong; all declared aquatic critical habitats, all aquatic resources including but not limited to all fishes, aquatic plants, invertebrates and all marine mammals, except dugong. Elsewhere in the country, these jurisdictions are conferred to the DENR and the DA, respectively. 7Section 35, RA 9147 8Presidential Proclamation No. 219 in 1967. The Proclamation declared the whole of the province as National Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary and the small islands off Palawan as National Reserves closed to exploitation and settlement, putting these areas under the administration of Parks and Wildlife Office of the Department of

Agriculture and Natural Resources (underscoring supplied). 9DENR Administrative Order No. 92-25, Sec. 18 (a) (implementing rules and regulation of NIPAS Law) 10FARMC creation has already been a policy as early as 1996 when President Fidel Ramos signed Executive Order 240. Joint DA-DILG-DENR-DOJ Administrative Order No. 2, Series of 1996 defines specifically the functions of FARMC from the Barangay, municiplal to the national level. 11Ragragio, Conchita. Sustainable Development, Environmental Planning and People’s Initiatives. Kasarinlan, Volume 9, No. 1, 3rd Quarter 1993. Third World Study Center, University of the Philippines. (pp. 47) 12Book I, Section 26, RA 7160 13Section 17, RA 7160 14ibid. 15As provided in the Forestry Code, the charges are as follows: for timber cut in forestland—on each cubic meter of timber, 25% of the actual Freight on Board (FOB) market price based on species and grading; provided that in case of pulpwood and matchwood cut in forestland, forest charges on each cubic meter shall be 10% of the actual FOB market price; for firewood, branches & other recoverable wood wastes of timber ---- when used as raw materials for the manufacture of finished products, ten pesos (P10) on each cubic meter; for rattan, gums and resins, beeswax, guta-percha, almaciga resin and bamboo (other minor forest products are exempted) -------- 10% of the actual FOB market price. 16DENR, DA-BFAR, DA, DILG. 2001. Philippine Coastal Management Guidebook Series No. 8: Coastal Law Enforcement. CRMP of the DENR, Cebu City, Philippines 17This was a need identified during the stakeholders workshop on policy held last February 26, 2003. 18Section 19 (f), Republic Act 7942 19Section 17, RA 7160 20The allocation formula for IRA is as follows: provinces (23%), cities (23%), municipalities (34%) and Barangay (20%). An IRA of a province/city/municipality is determined by its population (50%), land area (25%); equal sharing (25%).


Palawan holds a unique position in the conservation community as having experienced more than a decade of initiatives under a policy framework favorable for reversing the trends in biodiversity loss. To identify strategic directions from which the CEPF visioning project may benefit, an assessment of a sample of these efforts was undertaken based on information made available to the Team by implementing agencies of major conservation programs, supplemented by interviews with local groups in case study areas. With the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) Act (Republic Act 7611 of 1992), what have been achieved in the corridor?

Number of Conservation Initiatives

Over 35 major programs involving multiple project components have been implemented in the corridor within the last 5 to 10 years by numerous institutional players from both the public and private sector (Table 4). More than 20 external agencies can be classified major donors since they have either constituted the only sources of substantial conservation investments in the locality. A small number have influenced the choice of conservation domains in the corridor, as their initiatives were part of national programs: the World Bank, USAID, ADB, and the EU. These donors pursued their conservation programs in larger areas that are municipal in scope or covering entire protected areas, in engagements that usually went beyond 2 years. The rest were engaged in more limited projects that

w e r e c o n f i n e d t o 1 - 2 y e a r commitments in fewer sites. That there are municipalities within the corridor which have been the constant beneficiary of major donors is an indication of the high level of commitment of the respective Local Government Units and local community organizations in partnering with the external agencies, with the LGUs providing even counterpart resources (personnel and other resources from the local development fund). It is also important to cite the contribution of international non-governmental organizations which work with their local counterparts to assist grassroots organizations in advancing communi t y deve lopment . The particular role of civil society groups in organizing, training, and the advocacy of indigenous peoples rights in the last 10 to 15 years has resulted in the local people’s readiness to participate in conservation projects, as well as the generation of a healthy setting for c r i t i c a l c o l l ab o r a t io n i n t he conservation efforts.

Geographic Spread Mainland municipalities have been benefited the most by the major conservation initiatives (Table 5). Based on available information, Roxas, San Vicente, and Taytay in the north, Narra and Puerto Princesa in the central mainland, and almost all of the southern mainland municipalities are the sites with all their barangays reached by the assessed programs. Major donors simultaneously operated in several locations, although the sites which have been most advantaged are largely coastal than terrestrial areas.

3.5 Issues in Conservation Initiatives

by DR. ROWENA BOQUIREN

“Palawan holds a unique position in the conservation community as having experienced more than a decade of initiatives under a policy framework favorable for reversing the trends in biodiversity loss.”

Representatives from different sectors during the biological priority-setting workshop for the Palawan Corridor Strategy Development Project

1

ISSUES IN CONSERVATION INITIATIVES :: 39

Table 4. Listing of funding sources for conservation-related projects, Province of Palawan (1990-2002)


Table 5. Distribution of Major Conservation Projects, Province of Palawan (as of 2002)*


addition, capacity strengthening and capability building among institutional players (from the LGU, DENR and PCSD staff) are crucial preparations f o r i m p r o v e d c o n s e r v a t i o n management. However, because there are neither direct or short-term results that can demonstrate the effect of systematic planning and training, the preponderance of these types of investment creates a disincentive to multi-stakeholder involvement in conservation, since the resulting perception is that communities do not derive any benefits although their participation is always (and repeatedly) sought. Vis-à-vis the major support coming from big international agencies like

the World Bank, USAID, the European Commission and the UNDP that mainly assisted these types of initiatives, accomplishments of smaller and short-term undertakings of minor international NGOs through the local civil society groups (NGOs and peoples organizations) are significant and important in the area of social p r e pa r a t io n – o r g an i z a t io n a l development of community groups, training, pilot livelihood projects, and a d v o c a c y . W h e r e t h e m a j o r conservation programs had built from the earlier efforts in social preparation by the NGOs, local participation has been sustained and brought to higher levels of engagement such as enforcement and enrichment (as in the NIPAP and CRMP project sites).

Contrasting the degree of attention that has been given to addressing direct and indirect causes of biodiversity loss, the assessment reveals that the level o f a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o f m o s t conservation projects is in research and management planning, not the actual improvement of biodiversity status through enrichment, protection or even the maintenance of habitats and species. As an indirect driver in biodiversity loss, this domain pertains to the provision of a favorable climate for conservation to be institutionally supported and sustained. Concrete gains have been the completed benchmarks and planning studies which provide the basis for subsequent initiatives to proceed in a more systematic and integrated manner. In

Evaluation of Conservation Initiatives

Conservation Objectives

Trend Responses Assessment 1. Aversion of habitat destruction is the over-riding objective in most of the reviewed projects

Most reviewed initiatives

The realization of such objective is still distant, since most initiatives have prioritized planning and benchmarking studies, and training.

2. Actual habitat protection and enrichment as components.

NRMP-CRM UNDP-SISDP NRMP-FRM PTFPP

This objective is still weak, addressed only so far in terms of the following - mangrove rehabilitation/enrichment - mangrove rehabilitation/enrichment - CBFM; fruit trees propagation

- Nursery establishment for almaciga, fruit trees 3. Species protection is pursued through improved natural resources management for terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

NRMP-CRM and NRMP-FRM OXFAM-UK

Capability-building among resource users from the community is the common strategy used. With assistance to LGU (PNP) and DENR structures, private sector participation is mobilized in monitoring and confiscation

4. Species conservation is as yet a limited conservation domain.

Only 5 projects at the species level in the entire province (including the Pawikan Conservation Program, Irrawady dolphin in northern Palawan, PCCP, CFI, and the Calauit Island Game Reserve – these projects with funding constraints for sustainability.

• social fencing UNDP-GEF-SGP RRMP (WB), NRMP-CRM/FRMP NIPAP PTFPP

Capability building and support activities for communities in critical areas Capacity and capability building of key agency staff (LGU, DENR, PCSD)

• provision of tenurial security BCN NIPAP

Social mobilization for areas targeted for CADC application; not sustained beyond social mobilization phase Social mobilization up to actual application for CADC in project sites

• Alternat ive/supplemental livelihood

PTFPP NIPAP COMPACT

Short-term, stand alone demonstration projects with weak links made with conservation agenda

5. Strategies tested :

Table 6. Assessment of Conservation Objectives.


In general, though, there is as yet very little that has been done in the area of livelihood assistance or even enforcement. Such gap is more programmatic than a bias, inasmuch as capability building, next to the research and planning exercises, usually came as second priority in how the project interests evolved. Relative to tangible benefits that local communities expect, l ivelihood assistance has been limited to one-shot experiments through pilot projects or limited assistance in the form of training and meager capital inputs. The PTFPP provided livelihood interventions so as to decrease the dependency of the upland groups on the forest resources. However, these

livelihood interventions (such as duck raising, handicrafts, broom making, honey co l lec t ion , vegetab le gardening), as reported by the Mission, have economic impact focused on the individual level and assessed to be not sustainable if profit made is too negligible compared to the amount and effort spent in producing and marketing the products.

Management Approaches Conservation should ideally use an integrated approach that (i) iteratively uses science-based research for planning, monitoring and evaluation; (ii) conservation action that links

protection with enforcement and enrichment; with (iii) stakeholder part icipat ion through strategic partnerships that are formed through effective advocacy and information; (iv) toward institutionalization through established and sustainable structures and processes made possible by a favorable milieu of good governance. These are not mutually exclusive or stand-alone components of an integrated approach that conservation action requires. A number of major initiatives were assessed according to how the components were conceived and implemented to complement each other. In terms of project components, the assessed conservation efforts performed more in terms of addressing indirect

Table 7. Assessment of Management Approaches in Conservation.


E U - P T F P P , a l t h o u g h i t s extensivecoverage constrained the integrated implementation of the program components as to have demonstrable impacts UNDP-UNESCO initiative in Ulugan

Bay which is continuing Complementation in UNDP-GEF-

SGP in Roxas, which was nonetheless

short-termed Initial work in BCN, although this was

not sustained as to have the plans realized These are initiatives with clear-

tangible results or healthy prospects for success which need to be sustained or replicated.

causes of biodiversity loss and as stand-alone components, as one-shot, short-durationed projects (Table 8). Attempts at comprehensive, integrated, a d a p t i v e m a n a g e m e n t w e r e demonstrated in the following: CRMP pilot in San Vicente

Table 7 continued...


inadequate knowledge and coordinative capability of government personnel implementing conservation programs arbitrary issuance of permits and

environmental clearance

Social Mobilization : Stakeholder Participation, Advocacy and Networking

Despite the recency of the conservation agenda in the corridor, the initiatives have demonstrated positive results. Many stakeholders are willing to be involved – LGUs, loca l commun i t i es , NGOs, academic inst i tut ions, local business groups, international conservation community. That their full participation has not been given maximum opportunity is the result more of project design, given the priority assigned to institutional capaci ty bui ld ing, basel ine research, and planning. One weakness in the previous period is that most of the major initiatives involved the local stakeholders only during the consultative processes for research and planning. Local participation in the implementation and monitoring of the project components for livelihood, capability building, actual enrichment and protection has been weak . In the NRMP-FRM experience, for instance, many training and planning sessions were held, but benefits seemed not to have been felt/ accessed by the community. One observation on the TABC Project is that it has not been so effective in community participation and acceptability, as it had some problems in public advocacy and implementation. Nonetheless, a number of conservation programs were able to have strong citizen participation, to the extent that enforcement and enrichment have proceeded with active local involvements : CRMP,

NIPAP, UNDP-GEF-SGP.

Conclusions and Recommendations Achievements during the past decade of conservation initiatives demonstrate the critical importance of an integrated and holistic approach to addressing both the direct and indirect causes of biodiversity loss where project c o m p o n e n t s a n d a c t i v i t i e s complement or support each other. Neither proximate nor indirect fac to rs can s tand a lone as conservation objective. Considering the diversity of types of actions that can be pursued, and the variety of actors that can be encouraged to engage in these, program planners and implementers need to set clear conservation targets or desired o u t c o m e s t h a t a r e d e f i n e d fundamentally by the direct causes o f b i o d i v e r s i t y l o s s , t o b e complemented or supported by activities that address the indirect causes. No clear cut models for such complementation and strategic direction-setting has been tested. As indicated in the analytical framework for the assessment, however, it is important to stress the elements of the reco mmen ded in teg ra ted approach to conservation in order to advance the biodiversity agenda: (i) iterative use of science-based research for planning, monitoring and evaluation; (ii) pursuit of conservation action that l inks protection with enforcement and enrichment, to address direct drivers of biodiversity loss, balanced with programs and services that address indirect causes; (iii) developing stakeholder participation through strategic partnerships that are formed through effective advocacy and information; (iv) aiming for i n s t i t u t i o n a l i z a t i o n t h r o u g h e s t a b l i s h e d a n d s u s t a i n a b l e structures and processes made possible by a favorable milieu of good governance.

Sustainability : Institutionalization, Capability Building, Policy Harmonization

Coordination, networking and alliance building, key advocacies, policy harmonization, capacity building, and at least the first phase of corridor-wide planning and zoning are in progress. There are positive results from the PCSD initiatives as supported by EU-PTFPP : ECAN zoning, use of same as input to CLUP preparation as well as the catchment area management plans; training of staff, environmental education and advocacy. The USAID project in Governance for Local Democracy which had two components to provide capacity on quality servicing at the provincial level was similarly evaluated to have good results. However, there are institutional problems in the periodic change in LGU leadership and the clientelism in political institutions in the country. Institutional barriers to the realization of the conservation agenda continue to challenge the conservation community particularly in the city. Among these barriers are the following: overlapping jurisdictional mandates

(e.g., PPSRNP) despite the existence of MOAs instability in key actors because of

constant changes in political configurations, reflected in changing leadership at LGU level and the attendant formations that provide the support system necessary in local governance powerful negative influences of the

local political culture that affected the prospects for good governance. conflicting perspectives on

conservation, among implementers, stakeholders weak level of appreciation of

c o n s e r v a t i o n a n d r e s o u r c e management


Spec

ific P

rojec

ts

Rese

arch

an

d pl

an

form

ulat

ion

Staf

f Tra

in-

ing

Loca

l sta

ke-

hold

ers

train

ing

Advo

cacy

an

d so

cial

mob

iliza-

tion

Enfo

rcem

ent

(pro

tect

ion,

re

gulat

ion)

NR

M en

-ric

hmen

t

Live

lihoo

d

RR

MP

-ME

C (W

B)

3 2

2 2

1 1

0

UN

DP

-GE

F-S

GP

(PIL

OT

SIT

E)

3 3

3 3

3 2

2

UN

DP

-UN

ES

CO

(Ulu

gan

Bay

) 3

3 3

3 2

2 2

UN

DP

-UN

F C

OM

PA

CT

1 0

1 0

0 0

2

Sust

aina

ble

Util

izat

ion

(NTF

P)

3 1

3 1

1 0

1

Spec

ific P

rojec

ts

Rese

arch

an

d pl

an

form

ulat

ion

Staf

f Tra

in-

ing

Loca

l sta

ke-

hold

ers

train

ing

Advo

cacy

an

d so

cial

mob

iliza-

tion

Enfo

rcem

ent

(pro

tect

ion,

re

gulat

ion)

NR

M en

-ric

hmen

t

Live

lihoo

d

US

AID

-NR

M-F

RM

2

3 1

1 1

1 0

US

AID

-NR

M-C

RM

2

2 3

2 2

2 2

EU

-PTF

PP

2

3 2

2 1

2 2

PC

PP

2

2 1

1 2

3 0

BC

N-C

BC

EP

2

2 2

2 0

0 0

CFI

2

2 0

0 0

1 0

Tab

le 8

. Sum

mar

y A

sses

smen

t of

Com

pone

nts i

n M

ajor

Con

serv

atio

n In

itiat

ives

.

Lege

nd :

0 No

ne

1

Low

2

Med

ium

3

High


6

PALAWAN CORRIDOR OUTCOMES AND STRATEGIES :: 47

4.1 Outcomes Definition1 An emerging trend across the conservation community is the realization that biological diversity cannot be saved by ad hoc actions. Threats to biodiversity are simply too severe to allow scarce conservation resources to be invested in poorly targeted projects, or programs with no baselines for monitoring. This trend has led to the development of a focus on conservation outcomes: the targets against which the success of investments can be measured. Conservation outcomes can be identified at three scales – species, sites, and corridors – which reflect recognizable un i ts a long the e c o lo g i c a l c o n t i n u um . T he s e outcomes are “Extinctions Avoided”, “Areas Protected” and “Corridors Created”. Conservation outcomes represent the quantifiable set of species, areas and corridors that we must target to ensure that we attain our vision of the long-term persistence of all biodiversity globally. Species outcomes are all species that a re g loba l l y th reatened (Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered) according to the IUCN Red List. Defining species outcomes requires knowledge of the conservation status of individual species. This knowledge has been accumulating in the Red Lists produced by IUCN and partners. The Red Lists are based on quantitative, globally applicable criteria under which the probability of extinction is estimated for each species. All species on the Red List

are Threatened with “a high probability of extinction in the medium-term future. Site outcomes are physically and/or socio-economically discrete areas of land that need to be protected to conserve the target species. Site outcomes are also referred to as Key Biodiversity Areas. Most threatened species are best conserved through the protection of the sites in which they occur. Sites are scale-independent – they can be very small or very large. The defining characteristic of a site is that it is an area that is managed as a homogeneous unit. Sites can be national parks or any other category of protected area, other governmental lands such as indigenous reserves, community lands, or private farms or ranches. In some cases, sites could be areas delimited physically rather than socio-economically such as an island, a mountaintop, or a patch of forest. Protected area status is not a criterion for the identification of Key Biodiversity Area. The main criteria for site-level outcomes is that they must be based on the distribution of species of conservation interest. These criteria include: • P r e s e n c e o f a g l o b a l l y

t h r e a t e n e d ( V u l n e r a b l e , E n d a n g e r e d , C r i t i c a l l y Endangered) species.

• Presence of a restricted-range species. (Restricted-range for b i r d s m e a n s e x t e n t o f occurrence is less than 50,000 km2; defining restricted-range criteria for other taxonomic groups is currently underway.)

4.0 Palawan Corridor Outcomes and Strategies

“Conservation outcomes represent the quantifiable set of species, areas and corridors that we must target to ensure that we attain our vision of the long-term persistence of all biodiversity globally.”

Palawan peacock pheasant (Polyplectron emphanum) Left: Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, one of the richest areas for marine biodiversity in the country and arguably the world.

1 Conservation International /Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, 2004

1


Island-endemic species in the Philippines should most likely be picked by IUCN criteria on area of occupancy as species occurring in an area of less than 2000 square kilometers and with fragmented populations, small numbers of individuals, and projected declines would merit a Vulnerable status.

• Presence of globally significant ( > 1 % ) c o n c e n t r a t i o n s o f individuals of a single species, at any time of the year.

Corridor Outcomes are landscapes

that need to be conserved in order to allow the persistence of biodiversity. The definition of “Corridors Created” outcomes is the most complicated of the three levels of conservation outcomes. Clearly, the conservation of landscapes necessary to allow the persistence of biodiversity must be anchored on core protected areas, embedded in a matrix of other n a t u r a l h a b i t a t a n d o f anthropogenic land uses. The de l ineat ion o f conserva t ion c o r r i d o r s s h o u l d r e q u i r e consideration of migration and

minimum-area requirements of wide-ranging species, of ecological and evolutionary gradients, of bio-geographic pattern, and of resilience to climate change and anthropogenic development scenarios. While strict criteria have yet to be developed to encapsulate these characteristics, numerous conservation corridors and landscapes have already been defined qualitatively (i.e. the Palawan biodiversity corridor, Sierra Madre corridor), and provide an effective starting point for the definition of “Corridors Created” outcomes.

AMPHIBIANS Common Names Status and Remarks Main Habitat Caudacaecilia weberi Palawan Caecilian Restricted-range; Palawan only Riverine forest

Barbourula busuangensis Philippine Discoglossid Frog IUCN: Vulnerable Riverine forest

Megophrys ligayae Palawan Horned Frog Restricted-range; Palawan only Lowland forest

Pelophryne albotaeniata Palawan Toadlet IUCN: Vulnerable Montane forest

Ingerana mariae Mary Inger’s Frog IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland-lower montane forests

Limnonectes acanthi Busuanga Wart Frog IUCN: Vulnerable Forest, river, streams

REPTILES Common Names Status and Remarks Main Habitat

Caretta caretta Loggerhead Turtle IUCN: Endangered Marine

Chelonia mydas Green Turtle IUCN: Endangered Marine

Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill Turtle IUCN: Critical Marine

Lepidochelys olivacea Olive Ridley IUCN: Endangered Marine

Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback Turtle IUCN: Critical Marine

Heosemys leytensis Philippine Forest Turtle IUCN: Critical Riverine forest, wetlands

Pelochelys cantorii Cantor’s Giant Softshell IUCN: Endangered Wetlands

Crocodylus mindorensis Philippine Crocodile IUCN: Critical Riverine wetlands

Crocodylus porosus Estuarine Crocodile CITES App. I; persecuted Riverine, wetlands, coasts

2 Conservation status based on Heaney et al. (1998), Mallari et al. (2001), IUCN (2002/2003, online version), CITES (2003, online version).

4.2 Species Outcomes Table 9. Key terrestrial and marine species of Palawan: threatened and restricted-range species2


BIRDS Common Names Status and Remarks Main Habitat

Egretta eulophotes Chinese Egret IUCN: Vulnerable Wetlands

Gorsachius goisagi Japanese Night-heron IUCN: Endangered Forest

Anas luzonica Philippine Duck IUCN: Vulnerable Wetlands, riverine forest

Polyplectron emphanum Palawan Peacock-pheasant IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Tringa guttifer Nordmann’s Greenshank IUCN: Endangered Wetlands

Ducula pickeringii Grey Imperial Pigeon IUCN: Vulnerable Forest, second growth

Cacatua haematuropygia Philippine Cockatoo IUCN: Critical Mangroves, second growth

Prioniturus platenae Blue-headed Racquet-tail IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Otus mantananensis Mantanani Scops-Owl Restricted-range Forest, second growth

Otus fuliginosus Palawan Scops-Owl Restricted-range Lowland forest

Spizaetus philippensis Philippine Hawk-eagle IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Collocalia palawanensis Palawan Swiftlet Restricted-range Open areas, second growth

Anthracoceros marchei Palawan Hornbill IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest, second growth

Chloropsis palawanensis Yellow-throated Leafbird Restricted-range Forest, second growth

Hypsipetes palawanensis Sulphur-bellied Bulbul Restricted-range Forest, second growth

Copsychus niger White-vented Shama Restricted-range Forest, second growth

Parus amabilis Palawan Tit Restricted-range Lowland forest

Trichastoma cinereiceps Ashy-headed Babbler Restricted-range Lowland forest

Malacopteron palawanense Melodious Babbler Restricted-range Lowland forest

Ptilocichla falcata Falcated Wren-babbler IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Stachyris hypogrammica Palawan Striped-babbler Restricted-range Montane forest

Ficedula platenae Palawan Flycatcher IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Cyornis lemprieri Palawan Blue-flycatcher Restricted-range Lowland forest

Terpsiphone cyanescens Blue Paradise-flycatcher Restricted-range Lowland forest

Prionochilus plateni Palawan Flowerpecker Restricted-range Second growth, lowland forest

Table 9 continued….


MAMMALS Common Names Status and Remarks Main Habitat Crocidura palawanensis Palawan Shrew IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Tupaia palawanensis Palawan Tree Shrew IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES App II Forest, second growth

Acerodon leucotis Palawan Fruit Bat IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES App II Mangroves, second growth

Sundasciurus juvencus Northern Palawan Tree Squirrel IUCN: Endangered Forest, second growth

Sundasciurus rabori Palawan Montane Squirrel IUCN: Vulnerable Forest, second growth

Palawanomys furvus Palawan Soft-furred Mountain Rat IUCN: Endangered Forest

Amblonyx cinereus Oriental Small-clawed Otter CITES: Appendix II Riverine forest, mangroves

Mydaus marchei Palawan Stink Badger IUCN: Vulnerable Riverine forest, mangroves

Arctictis binturong whitei Palawan Binturong IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Sus barbatus ahoenobarbus Palawan Bearded Pig IUCN: Vulnerable Forest, second growth

Tragulus napu nigricans Balabac Chevrotain IUCN: Endangered; CITES App II; Forest, second growth, scrub

Axis calamianensis Calamaian Hog Deer IUCN: Endangered Second growth, grasslands

Balaenoptera physalus Fin Whale IUCN: Endangered Marine

Dugong dugon Dugong IUCN: Vulnerable Marine

Physeter macrocephalus Sperm Whale IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES App I Marine

Orcaella brevirostris Irrawady Dolphin Philippine Red List: Critical Marine

Stenella longirostris Spinner dolphin CITES Appendix 2 Marine

Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin CITES Appendix 2 Marine

Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser’s dolphin CITES Appendix 2 Marine

Globicephala macrorhynchus Short-finned pilot whale CITES Appendix 2 Marine

CLAMS Common Names Status and Remarks Main Habitat Tridacna derasa Southern Giant Clam CITES Appendix II Marine

Tridacna gigas Giant Clam CITES Appendix II Marine

Hippopus hippopus Bear’s Paw Clam CITES Appendix II Marine

Hippopus porcelanus China Clam CITES: Appendix II Marine

MARINE FISH Common Names Status and Remarks Main Habitat Epinephelus lanceolatus Giant Grouper IUCN: Vulnerable Marine

Rhincodon typus Whaleshark IUCN: Vulnerable Marine

Cheilinus undulatus Humphead Wrasse IUCN: Vulnerable Marine

Nebrius ferrugineus Tawny Nurse Shark IUCN: Vulnerable Marine

Rhynchobatus djiddensis White-spot Giant Guitarfish IUCN: Vulnerable Marine

Stegostoma fasciatum Leopard Shark IUCN: Vulnerable Marine

Table 9 continued…..


FLOWERING PLANTS Common Names Status and Remarks Main Habitat Adenanthera intermedia “Malatanglin” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Alangium longiflorum “Malatapai” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Antidesma obliquinervium IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Antidesma subolivaceum IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Aphanamixis cumingiana IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Ardisia squamulosa “Tagpo” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Arthrophyllum pulgarense IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Canarium luzonicum IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Cryptocarya palawanensis “Parena” IUCN: Endangered Lowland forest

Dasymaschalon scandens IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Dillenia luzoniensis “Malakatmon” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Dipterocarpus gracilis Panau IUCN: Critical Lowland forest

Dipterocarpus grandiflorus “Apitong” IUCN: Critical Lowland forest

Dipterocarpus hasseltii Hasselt Panau IUCN: Critical Lowland forest

Dysoxylum palawanensis IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Embolanthera spicata IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Glyptopetalum palawanense IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Guioa palawanica IUCN: Critical Lowland forest

Intsia bijuga “Ipil” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Knema latericia ssp. latericia IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Macaranga cogostiflora IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Mitrephora fragrans IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Mitrephora lanota “Lanutan” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Palaquium bataanense IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Polyalthia elmeri IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Protium connarifolium IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Pterocarpus indicus IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest Sandoricum vidalii IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest Schefflera curranii IUCN: Endangered Lowland forest Schefflera palawanensis IUCN: Endangered Lowland forest

Semecarpus paucinervius IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Vatica mangachapoi IUCN: Endangered Lowland forest

Vatica maritima “Molave” IUCN: Endangered Lowland forest

Vitex parviflora “Molave” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Xanthostemon verdugonianus “Mankono” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Xylosma palawanense “Porsanbagyo” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Ziziphus talanai “Balakat” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

FRESHWATER FISH Common Names Status and Remarks Main Habitat

Puntius manguaoensis Lake Manguao Barb IUCN: Vulnerable; Lake Manguao only Wetlands

Table 9 continued…..


4.3

Si

te O

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mes


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re 2

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Pro

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Coron Island The island is declared as an ancestral domain, proposed as a protected area and identified as a tribal ancestral zone by virtue of its being part of the environmentally critical areas network. However, the weak coordination between the local government and the Tagbanua Foundation has resulted to misconception by the LGU regarding ancestral domain claims. Moreover, the high population growth rate in Cabugao (6.17) and Banuang Daan (3.58) is seen as a potential threat to the site. Kaingin is still the primary farming practice.

STRATEGY PRIORITY ACTION

Harmonize national and local policies/management zones • Improve coordination between IPs and other

stakeholders

• Adopt the ADMP of the TFCI as a municipal ordinance to enhance the management system of Coron Island

• Install a Tagbanua representative in the munici-pal council

Key stakeholders • Local Government Unit • Tagbanua Foundation of Coron

Island • Environmental Legal Assistance

Center • Conservation International

TAXON COMMON NAME

STATUS AND REMARKS HABITAT

BIRDS

Anthracoceros marchei Palawan Hornbill IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest; second growth forest

Cacatua haematuropygia Philippine cockatoo IUCN: Critical Mangroves; second growth forest

Ducula pickeringii Grey imperial pigeon IUCN: Vulnerable Second growth forest

Egretta eulophotes Chinese egret IUCN: Vulnerable Wetlands

Prioniturus platenae Blue-headed racquet-tail IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Xanthostemon verdugonianus “mankono” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

PLANTS

Key species

4.3.1 Terrestrial Sites

Tourism is a growing industry in Coron, but, the lack of facilities to prevent pollution in the lakes and inadequate management scheme to cope with expanding tourism require immediate attention.


This island group is a priority conservation area for endemic butterflies. Historical data on the presence of endemic butterflies need to be verified. In the absence of hard references, more stringent measures on butterfly collection in the island is required. Based on limited data, the area rates as low conservation priority for all other groups.


Prepare research agenda for financial and technical support from donor agencies

• Study on endemic butterflies • Inventory and status of other flora and fauna

Enforce bioprospecting law • Advocacy on bioprospecting law and wildlife act

Key stakeholders • Local Government Unit • PCSDS • DENR-CENRO

Cuyo Island Group

Trogonoptera trojana Troides plateni Pachliopta atrophos

Graphium megaera Graphium stratocles


Although the available biological information in this area is generally limited, the diversity and endemicity is suspected as very high. There are several threatened and endemic species in the area. The Philippine endemic Heosemys leytensis, a critically endangered terrestrial turtle, has been recorded from Taytay.

Key species

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS HABITAT BIRDS

Polyplectron emphanum Palawan peacock-pheasant IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Collocalia palawanensis Palawan swiftlet Restricted-range Open areas; second growth

Anthracoceros marchei Palawan hornbill IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest; second growth

Hypsipetes palawanensis Sulfur-bellied bulbul Restricted-range Forest; second growth

Chloropsis palawanensis Yellow-throated leafbird Restricted-range Forest, second growth

Copsychus niger White-vented shama Restricted range Forest; second growth

Terpsiphone cyanescens Blue Paradise-flycatcher Restricted-range Lowland forest

Prionochilus plateni Palawan flowerpecker Restricted-range Second growth; lowland forest

MAMMALS (unknown)

HERPETOFAUNA

Heosemys leytensis Philippine forest turtle IUCN: Critical Riverine forest, wetlands

Ziziphus talanai “balakat” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Sandoricum vidalii IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Schefflera palawanensis IUCN: Endangered Lowland forest

Pterocarpus indicus IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Intsia bijuga “ipil” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest


PLANTS

El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (ENTMRPA)


ENTRMPA is one of the 3 sites in Palawan funded by the National Integrated Protected Areas Project. It is among the first protected areas in the country that has operationalized its Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF). Demarcation for terrestrial boundaries is almost complete. Following the steps under the NIPAS Law, a draft Congressional Bill for ENTMRPA has been forwarded to the Senate for action. Nevertheless, threats to the existing resources include illegal commercial logging, small-scale timber extraction, uncontrolled birds’ nest gathering and tourism development.

Key stakeholders • ENTRMPA Protected Area

Management Board • Department of Environment

and Natural Resources • Local Government Unit/s


Pursue completion of NIPAS process for PA establishment

Lobby for the passage of the bill for ENTMRPA

Harmonize ENTMRPA management plan and the Comprehensive Land & Water Use Plan for El Nido & Taytay

Create position and appoint MENRO in El Nido. Review CLWUP and ENTMRPA management plan to address threats, deal with IPAF and other resource management issues Refine management prescriptions in both CLWUP and ENTRMPA management plan Formulate ordinances to back up implementation of agreed plans Demarcate management zones

Undertake research on flora and fauna Conduct survey of plants, birds and mammals, reptiles, amphibians and freshwater fishes in Bulalacao forest

Enforce and monitor the implementation of birds’ nest gathering regulation.

Undertake an in-depth study on the trade, biological impacts, environmental economics and supply on the birds’ nest gathering issue

Monitor compliance of resorts to environmental requirements

Rehabilitate watersheds

Implement intensive IEC

• PCSDS • State Polytechnic College

of Palawan • Kabang Kalikasan ng

Pilipinas

RIGHT: Philippine forest turtle (Heosemys leytensis)

1


Lake Manguao Species diversity in the surrounding forest of Lake Manguao is high and the presence of IUCN species have been noted. Several new species of freshwater fish that are endemic to the lake has recently been discovered. The reported presence of the critically endangered Crocodylus mindorensis warrants verification. After completing the Protected Area Suitability Assessment and Resource Inventory by DENR-CFI, SPCP and PCSDS, a draft presidential proclamation as additional NIPAS site was prepared in early 2000. Threats to the ecological integrity of the lake and adjacent areas include poaching, logging, kaingin, introduction of tilapia in the lake, and pesticide run-offs.

Key species


Pursue PA establishment for Lake Manguao • Conduct census & studies to identify different zones in the area

• Establish “community watershed” through ordinance

Undertake collaborative biophysical researches • Obtain consensus among agencies through dialogues

• Conduct intensive survey of the fish fauna

Implement IEC on conservation

Key stakeholders • Local Government Unit • PCSDS

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS HABITAT FISH

Pontius manguanensis Lake Manguao Barb IUCN: Vulnerable Wetlands

REPTILE

Crocodylus porosus Estuarine Crocodile CITES: Appendix II River, Wetlands, Coasts

Heosemys leytensis Philippine Forest Turtle IUCN: Critical Riverine forest, Wetlands

• DENR • State Polytechnic College of

Palawan


The extent & quality of the remaining habitats & the current status of biodiversity in this priority area need to be verified. The area was proposed for protection by the DENR and local government which may result in a finer scale of prioritization in terms of size after parts of it have been declared as protected area. The terrestrial area of Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape is within this priority site.

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS HABITAT BIRDS Polyplectron emphanum Palawan Peacock Pheasant IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Cacatua haematuropygia Philippine Cockatoo IUCN: Critical Mangroves; second growth


Anthracoceros marchei Palawan Hornbill IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest; second growth

MAMMAL

Amblonyx cinereus Oriental small-clawed otter CITES: App II Riverine forest, mangroves

Pterocarpus indicus IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

PLANT

Deforestation and illegal logging are major threats. Roxas & Taytay are among the current illegal logging hotspots. Roxas holds the largest volume of timber confiscation records from 1992 to 2002. There was significant deforestation in San Vicente &

Taytay between 1987 & 1998.

Other threats include illegal methods on resource extraction, kaingin, treasure hunting, gold-p a n n i n g , q u a r r y i n g , land/mangrove conversion. The massive agricultural areas result to pesticide run-offs.

Development plans of the munic ipal i t ies need to be harmonized in order to address b o u n d a r y d i s p u t e s a n d management conflicts. The high net in-migration rate in Roxas (40%) requires regulatory measures

Key species

San Vicente-Taytay-Roxas forest



Integrate plans of the 3 municipalities

• Review the CLWUPs of the 3 municipalities • Establish an integrated database and agree on information shar-

ing protocols • Conduct biophysical surveys • Evaluate existing management programs: watershed ordinance

and management in Roxas; Environmental Code in Taytay; ex-isting CADCs and CALC management plans

• Evaluate proposed management areas/programs: CADT in Ban-banan, Taytay; watershed program in San Vicente

Establish barangay watersheds and barangay water systems in the 3 municipalities

• Strengthen the barangay development planning process • Delineate old growth forests of the 3 municipalities per baran-

gay • Establish nursery for endemic species • Reforest/rehabilitate forests and mangroves where needed (no

exotic species per barangay)

Pursue completion of NIPAS process for Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape (MSPLS)

• Manage conflicts in Malampaya Sound • Lobby for the passage of the Congressional Bill for MSPLS

Strengthen law enforcement • Clarify management zones • Monitor CBFMA activities

Establish permanent cropping area • Delineate forest and agricultural areas per barangay

Key Stakeholders • Local Government Units (San

Vicente, Taytay, Roxas) • DENR • PCSDS • State Polytechnic College of

Palawan • KKP • Bantay Gubat • Task Force Kalikasan

Palawan hornbill (Anthracoceros marchei) Palawan Peacock pheasant (Polyplectron emphanum)

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TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS HABITAT

BIRDS

Egretta eulophotes Chinese egret IUCN: Vulonerable Wetlands

Polyplectron emphanum Palawan Peacock Pheasant IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Tringa guttifer Nordmann’s Greenshank IUCN: Endangered Wetlands

Cacatua haematuropygia Philippine Cockatoo IUCN: Critical Mangroves; second growth forest




Acerodon leucotis Palawan Fruit Bat IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II Mangroves; second growth

Mydaus marchei Palawan Stink Badger IUCN: Vulnerable Riverine forest; mangroves

Arctictis binturong whitei Palawan Binturong IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Sundasciurus rabori Palawan Montane Squirrel IUCN: Vulnerable Forest; second growth

PLANTS

Dipterocarpus gracilis “panau” IUCN: Critical Lowland forest

Dipterocarpus grandiflorus “apitong” IUCN: Critical Lowland forest

Dipterocarpus hasseltii “hasselt panau” IUCN: Critical Lowland forest


Mitrephora lanota “lanutan” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Vitex parviflora “molave” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

MAMMALS

Key species

PPSRNP is one of the declared protected areas in the Corridor, a World Heritage Site and is among the top ecotourism destination in the Philippines. The interim management plan for the park prescribes ecosystems management, law enforcement & protection, community development & public relations, tourism m a n a g e me n t , r e s e a r c h & monitoring.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP)


Current protection efforts of the City Government of Puerto Princesa and interventions of external donors (e.g., UNDP-COMPACT Project) ensure a significant level of success for its protection in the future. However, deforestation around the park, u n s u s t a i n a b l e h a r v e s t i n g techniques of rattan & almaciga, kaingin, wildlife poaching & trading and several other threats remain unabated. Other current issues besetting park management


Protect critical habitats and species • Protect montane forests in Cleopatra • Establish harvest quota/requirement for non-timber forest products • Protect remaining swamp forests • Protect Sabang mangroves • Protect turtle nesting sites • Control monitor lizard from raiding turtles and tabon eggs • Protect dugong feeding grounds/areas in Sabang and Odiongan

Manage the ecosystems in the Park and sur-rounding areas

• Harmonize SEP, NIPAS and IPRA laws • Review zoning and the corresponding management schemes • Demarcate zone boundaries • Implement strict protection measures in the forest corridor between

Mt. St. Paul and Mt. Bloomfield • Establish marine sanctuary at St. Paul bay • Establish long term biodiversity monitoring program compatible with

the Palawan biodiversity corridor conservation strategy

Promote and support local community develop-ment compatible with conservation

• Establish communal forest in Cabayugan • Formulate local tourism development code • Develop/enhance eco-tour sites at PPSRNP (mangrove tours, trails,

caving) • Strengthen health-population programs • Encourage other appropriate livelihood projects/activities

i n c l u d e m i n i n g / q u a r r y i n g app l ica t ions in Tagaben i t , u n c o n t r o l l e d t o u r i s m a n d c o m m e r c i a l d e v e l o p m e n t , inappropriate land-use, expanding rice paddies, incompatible project i m p l e m e n t a t i o n s , w a s t e management (particularly in Sabang & Cabayugan), and population increase. The PAMB is active in management monitoring, however, there is lack o f m u l t i - s e c t o r a l

representation/part ic ipat ion in decision-making. Moreover, the overlapping jurisdictional mandates between the DENR and the City Government have derailed the f i na l i za t ion o f t he genera l management plans (e.g. PPSRNP) & h a v e s u s p e n d e d p r e v i o u s harmonization initiatives (e.g. PA zones).

Proposed zoning needs validation on the ground as well as acceptance by the communities within the park.

Key Stakeholders • PPSRNP PAMB • City Government of Puerto

Princesa

• DENR • Cabayugan CADC holders • Kayasan CADC holders

• many peoples organizations • tourism development groups


High species richness, high endemism, and the presence of IUCN species and diverse ecosystems make this among the top priority sites in the Corridor. Most of the threatened and restricted-range birds of the Palawan Endemic Bird Area occur here. The Palawan striped-babbler is only known from this Important Bird Area and Mt. Mantalingahan.


Egretta eulophotes Chinese Egret IUCN: Endangered Wetlands

Gorsachius goisagi Japanese Night-heron IUCN: Vulnerable Forest







Ficedula platenae Palawan Flycatcher Restricted-range Lowland forest


MAMMALS

Tupaia palawensis Palawan Tree Shrew IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Acerodon leucotis Palawan Flying Fox IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II Mangroves; second growth

Sundasciurus juvencus Northern Palawan Tree Squirrel IUCN: Endangered Forest; second growth


Sundasciurus rabori Palawan Montane Tree Squirrel IUCN: Vulnerable Forest; second growth

Victoria-Anepahan Range

Key species


BIRDS


Gorsachius goisagi Japanese Night-heron IUCN: Endangered Forest







Ficedula platenae Palawan Flycatcher Restricted-range Lowland forest


MAMMALS

Tupaia palawensis Palawan Tree Shrew IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Acerodon leucotis Palawan Fruit Bat IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II Mangroves; second growth

Sundasciurus juvencus Northern Palawan Tree Squirrel IUCN: Endangered Forest; second growth


Sundasciurus rabori Palawan Montane Squirrel IUCN: Vulnerable Forest; second growth


The area covers an ancestral domain claim by Tagbanuas within the Palawan Flora & Fauna & Watershed Reserve (PFFWR); CBFMAs (7000 ha); CALC in Dumanguena, Narra (69 ha) and in Aporawan, Aborlan (1,700 ha). Puerto Princesa & Aborlan are considered illegal logging hotspots as of 2002. Other threats include kaingin and farming practices in lower Victoria (pesticides); concessions for and non-sustainable exploitation of almaciga resin and rattan; exploitation of birds; unrehabilitated abandoned mining areas in lower Victoria-Anepahan range (Olympic and Trident mines); quarrying & logging in PFFWR; squatting; encroachment of migrants using access mining road. Ground validation of ECAN zoning is required in order to harmonize with CLUP.


Harmonize zones • Review CLUPs • Validate ECAN zones on the ground • Revise CLUP, if necessary

Resolve existing management conflicts

• Clarify management jurisdictions among the holders of tenurial instruments

• Manage conflicts between the IP occupants and the PFFWR management body

• Clarify management jurisdictions in some portions of Iwahig Penal Farm and Sta. Lucia Environmental Estate.

Harmonization of tenurial instruments

• Demarcate boundaries of CALC/CADC and CBFMAs

• Review existing management zoning and land-use

Establish multisectoral watershed management board in Puerto Princesa

• Evaluate existing management body (to be initiated by DENR/PCSD/LGU)

• Strengthen management capacity • Review possibility of providing incentives for

upland farmers on water rights (Puerto Princesa City Water District)

Rehabilitate degraded areas

• Rehabilitate and maintain the (20 m) river embankment

• Rehabilitate mining areas

Conduct IEC • Conduct IEC on existing environmental laws • Conduct IEC on waste management

Strengthen monitoring of resource utilization

Provide appropriate livelihood support to forestdependent communities

Key Stakeholders • DENR • PCSDS • LGU • National Commission on In-

digenous Peoples • Department of Justice

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS HABITAT TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS HABITAT


PLANTS

Dipterocarpus gracilis “panau” IUCN: Critical Lowland forest

Dipterocarpus grandiflorus “apitong” IUCN: Critical Lowland forest

Dipterocarpus hasseltii “hasselt panau” IUCN: Critical Lowland forest


Mt. Mantalingahan range is among the poorly surveyed area and with high levels of disturbance. Available yet incomplete information indicates high species richness, high endemism, and the presence of IUCN species and diverse ecosystems. Mt. Mantalingahan forms the terrestrial bulk of South Palawan Planning Area, a management area declared by the Provincial Government through an Executive Order. The Local Government Units of five municipalities abutting the Mt. Mantalingahan range (Espanola, Quezon, Rizal, Brooke’s Point and Bataraza) have organized themselves together to form the South Palawan Planning Council or SPPC. The SPPC seeks to

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS HABITAT BIRDS Anas luzonica Philippine Duck IUCN: Vulnerable Wetlands; riverine forests Polyplectron emphanum Palawan Peacock Pheasant IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest Cacatua haematuropygia Philippine Cockatoo IUCN: Critical Mangroves; second growth Prioniturus platenae Blue-headed Racquet-tail IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest Anthracoceros marchei Palawan Hornbill IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest; second growth Ptilocichla falcata Falcated Wren-babbler IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest Ficedula platenae Palawan Flycatcher Restricted-range Lowland forest

MAMMALS Palawanomys furvus Palawan Soft-furred Mountain Rat IUCN: Endangered Forest Sundasciurus rabori Palawan Montane Squirrel IUCN: Vulnerable Forest; second growth AMPHIBIANS Ingerana mariae Mary Inger’s Frog IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland-lower montane forests

Limnonectes acanthi Busuanga’s Wart Frog IUCN: Vulnerable Riverine forests Megophrys ligayae Palawan Horned Frog Restricted-range;

Endemic to Palawan Lowland forest

Pelophryne albotaenita Palawan Toadlet IUCN: Vulnerable Montane forest

Antidesma obliquinervium IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest Dillenia luzoniensis “malakatmon” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest Protium connarifolium IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

PLANTS


Mantalingahan Mountain Range

Key species

coordinate physical land use planning and the integration of r e s o u r c e m a n a g e m e n t programs of the South Palawan Planning Area (SPPA). Existing tenurial instruments include

CBFMA in Bataraza (3,250 ha); CALC in Amas, Brooke's Pt (725 ha); CALC in Tagusao, Quezon (315 ha); CALC in Bulalacao, Batarza (194 ha); CADC in Campong Ulay, Rizal (9,517 ha);


CADC in Punta-baja, Rizal (5,575 ha). T h e r e w a s s i g n i f i c a n t deforestation in Brooke's Pt & Quezon between 1987 to 1998; Quezon is an illegal logging hotspot as of 2002. The area is further threatened


Pursue PA establishment for declaration at national or local level

• Consolidate results of relevant studies. • Obtain stakeholder consensus and support to PA establishment of appropriate

areas within Mt. Mantalingahan. • Prepare workplan towards the establishment of PA in Mt. Mantalingahan. • Seek funding support to implement the plan.

Pursue harmonization of land-use and zoning plans in South Palawan Planning Area

• Refine ECAN zoning to include critical habitats (i.e. lowland forest, swamps, wetlands, beach forest, mangrove, forest over limestone & ultramafic soils)

• Integrate ancestral domain management plans, CBFM framework plans, watershed management plans into the CLWUPs

• Identify degraded public land for restoration and rehabilitation

Provide assistance in the application for CADC and implementation of the management plans (ex. IEC, alternative livelihood, financial support)

• Uphold preferential rights of IPs on the utilization and marketing of forest products

• Conduct relevant education campaign and training (paralegal, enforcement, management, etc.)

Conduct feasibility studies to address palm oil issues

• Utilize GIS to locate appropriate sites for palm oil plantations where no further deforestation shall take place (marginal lands)

• Undertake EIA studies for palm oil establishment • Design benefit sharing scheme

Support and sustain biodiversity studies • Conduct surveys on current status of restricted-range and threatened species • Conduct surveys on habitat quality • Centralize biodiversity information/ database at the South Palawan Planning

& Information Center • Design biodiversity monitoring system

Regulate influx of migrants • Register migrants at barangay level

Identify lumber needs of a municipality to identify quota for wood supplies of each municipalities

by prevalent shifting cultivation in Rizal (largest), Brooke's Pt & Quezon; over tapp ing of almaciga in Rizal & Brooke's Pt; mining; and the prospect for palm oil plantation.

There is high net in-migration rate in Bataraza (50%) & Rizal (80%).

Key Stakeholders • South Palawan Planning Council • LGUs • Palawan Council for Sustainable

Development Staff • PNNI • Conservation International • DENR


This is an initial component of NIPAS. The bird populations in the sanctuary are threatened by hunting. Most of the migratory and indigenous species of birds in the island are also found on Tubbataha and on mainland Palawan.


Ducula pickeringii Grey Imperial Pigeon IUCN: Vulnerable Forest; second growth

Otus mantananensis Mantanani Scops-owl Restricted-range Forest; second growth

Acerdon leucotis Palawan Fruit Bat IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II Mangroves; second growth

Tupaia palawanensis Palawan Tree Shrew IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II Forest; second growth

MAMMALS


Expand the sanctuary including the marine area

• Consult stakeholders • Prepare relevant documents to support proposal

for expansion

Establish baseline data • Consolidate socio-economic and biological data from primary & secondary sources

Design & implement training program

• Conduct paralegal, enforcement & management training among stakeholders

Key Stakeholders • UGRBS Protected Area

Management Board • DENR • LGU

Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary (UGRBS)

Key species


Balabac island group is top priority for conservation and research. It is suspected that the region harbors high species richness and high endemism for terrestrial vertebrates but has moderate levels for the flora. Several threatened species are found while the major habitats of these species, the lowland and mangrove forests continue to be destroyed through over-harvesting and illegal logging. Very few biodiversity studies have been conducted in the area. Balabac is also a priority conservation area under the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion of World Wildlife Fund.


BIRDS





Ptilocichla falcata Falcated Wren-babler IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

MAMMALS

Tragulus napu nigricans Balabac Chevrotain CITES: App II Forest; second growth; scrub

Crocidura palawensis Palawan Shrew IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Tupaia palawanensis Palawan Tree Shrew IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II Forest; second growth

Acerodon leucotis Palawan Flying Fox IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II Mangroves; second growth

REPTILE

Crocodylus porosus Estuarine crocodile CITES: App I Riverine, wetlands, coasts

Polyalthia elmeri IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Dillenia luzoniensis “malakatmon” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

Ardisia squamulosa “tagpo” IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

PLANTS

Balabac Island Group

Key species


Threatening the wildlife are illegal logging and poaching (cockatoo, hornbill, mousedeer, turtle eggs). The proposed Special Economic Z o n e a n d t h e c o a s t a l circumferential road, peace & order and transboundary issues between Sabah & Palawan are relevant issues that need to be addressed. At present, the capacity of LGU & key agencies to implement large-scale environmental management & border patrol remains weak. Nevertheless, there are existing management agreements like the Philippine-Malaysia Joint Border Patrol agreement and the P h i l i p p i n e - M a l a y s i a J o i n t C o m m i t t e e o n B i l a t e r a l Cooperation which may provide opportunities. These would include transboundary collaboration with Sabah on wildlife & fishery management and tourism.


Harmonize zoning and management mechanisms

• Harmonize ECAN with proposed municipal development plans • Clarify proposal on Special Economic Zone (specifically on the proposed

projects) • Delineate management zones • Identify and establish protected area

Undertake relevant research • Conduct study on the population distribution & density of mousedeer • Conduct study on the environmental impacts of proposed SEZ projects

Manage human migration through legal instruments

• Set-up sub-office of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation • Increase & improve border patrols

Strengthen capability of key agencies (DENR, LGU, Navy, PNP) on environmental management

• Provide training/seminars on implementing large-scale conservation efforts (corridor, ecoregions, hotspots)

• Conduct training on environmental impact assessments • Increase presence of authorities in "hotspots" (monitoring stations in Mangsee &

Melville)

Formulate conservation policies • Formulate administrative order to protect the Palawan mousedeer/Balabac Chevrotain

Conduct IEC • Disseminate publications on conservation of IUCN-listed species

Key Stakeholders • LGU/community • DENR

Palawan mouse deer (Tragulus napu nigricans) is possibly be the most threatened subspecies of terrestrial mammal in the Corridor.

• PCSDS • Philippine Economic Zone

Authority

• DPWH • Naval Station Balabac Command

2


This is among the least of the priority areas due to the low diversity of its terrestrial flora and fauna, poor habitat diversity, and negligible endemicity. Some islets are currently managed as bird sanctuary under a municipal ordinance. Destruction of bird habitats persists because of agriculture expansion. Hunting and egg collection of tabon bird (Megapodius freycinet cumingii) is prevalent. Tabon birds are perceived by the community as threat to agricultural crops because of the change in feeding pattern due to scarcity of food.


Develop and improve/enhance management scheme for bird sanctuary

• Consult local community • Design program for restoration of degraded habitat of birds • Formulate management plan • Implement management plan

Conduct relevant studies • Undertake an inventory of avian species and other animal groups • Complete experimental study for tabon birds • Conduct study on species spatial and temporal pattern for birds • Undertake research on food plants for tabon • Assess ecotourism potential of the area

Increase local capability on conservation-oriented community-based monitoring and evaluation, research and law enforcement

• Conduct training needs assessment and develop training program for members of community-based management units

• Produce and disseminate IEC materials using various media • Implement massive IEC on the ecological importance of bird and marine species

and the need to protect them

Key Stakeholders • LGU • PAMB • DENR • DA-BFAR • Provincial Agriculture Office

Cagayancillo Island Group

• PCSDS • local community • KKP • Civil society


It is a declared protected area, a World Heritage Site and a Ramsar site. The current protection status and conservation effort of various sectors guarantee a significant degree of success in the protection of this protected area in the future. The Protected Area Management Board under the chairmanship of the Provincial Governor of Palawan is functional. Law enforcement have been strong, however, the judicial process have not fairly dealt with recent poaching cases.

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS BIRDS

Egretta eulophotes Chinese Egret IUCN: Vulnerable

Sula dactylatra Masked Booby Congregatory

Sula sula Red-footed Booby Congregatory

Sula leucogaster Brown Booby Congregatory

Egretta sacra Pacific Reef-egret Congregatory

Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover Congregatory

Tringa brevipes Grey-tailed Tattler Congregatory

Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone Congregatory

Sterna bergii Great Crested-tern Congregatory

Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern Congregatory

Anous stolidus Brown Noddy Congregatory

Anous minutus Black Noddy Congregatory


Improve environmental law enforcement mechanism

• Institutionalize multisectoral legal pool to handle poaching cases • Implement stronger advocacy to strengthen legal and diplomatic stance against poaching

Undertake relevant research • Study feasibility of transplanting traditional nesting and breeding grounds of migratory birds. (Euphorbia trees were devastated in 1998.)

Key Stakeholders: • PAMB • LGU (Province, municipal, bgy) • KKP

Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park (Bird Island)

Key species


The island secures the highest world popu la t ion o f the c r i t i ca l l y endangered Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) and is inhabited by several endemic and threatened species of mammals. A considerably large area of the island is surrounded by stands of mangroves. This priority area includes the beach and mangrove habitats that are found across the island (at the mainland) which are critical foraging areas of the Philippine Cockatoo and are important habitats of endemic and threatened mammals. Poaching, mangrove cutting, claims


Declare the island as critical habitat (RA 9147) • Lobby for PCSD endorsement • Pursue completion of NIPAS process

Implement continuing IEC on wildlife conservation to IP communities

Undertake continuing research and monitoring

Harmonize zones • Incorporate ground-validated zones to CLUP • Recognize IPs claims/actual possession of coconut/cultivated area

Strengthen enforcement of conservation policies • Regulate tourism scheme • Develop regulatory measures on honey gathering with

identification of alternative livelihood during closed/breeding season

Strengthen environmental management capacity of stakeholders

Key Stakeholders • Philippine Cockatoo Conserva-

tion Project

Rasa Island

Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia)

of indigenous peoples, conflict on honey collection and birds’ breeding season, and possibly, tourism threaten the area. The LGU with the help of the Philippine Cockatoo Foundation has strongly urged the DENR to declare Rasa Island as a protected

area through the passage of Resolution Nos. 97-65 and 99-135, pending national recognition as NIPAS area. Moreover, LGU Ordinance No. 99-41 enforces the total protection and conservation of the Philippine Cockatoo and other wildlife.

• Katala Foundation • LGU

• DENR

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Polyplectron emphanum Palawan Pecaock Pheasant IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest





PLANTS

This priority area includes Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary and Busuanga Island. This region has high species diversity and endemicity for all taxonomic groups with a significant number of IUCN species. The area also covers CBFMA in Coron (2,000 ha) and in Busuanga (900 ha). Calauit Game Preserve & Wildlife Sanctuary is managed by PCSDS, however, there is conflict between P C S D S a n d B a l i k C a l a u i t Movement. The latter has CADT claim over the area. Threats include kaingin, agricultural expansion, collection of forest products, illegal wildlife hunting & trade, timber cutting, mangrove cutting for charcoal in Sto. Nino & Bintuan (Coron) and Duac (Culion), and the proposed road by the Department of Tourism.

Calamianes Island Group

Key species

The lack of zoning results to non-compliance with environmental policies by business/tourism establishments. In-migration rate in Coron (33%) and Linapacan (51%) is high.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS • PCSDS • DENR • CI • ELAC • DA • DOT • NCIP • CBFM holders • Balik Calauit Movement



Establish protected areas • Adopt an ordinance declaring specific areas for terrestrial conservation • Establish communal forest in Coron, Busuanga, Culion • Clarify jurisdiction of the Dept. of Agriculture, the municipalities of Coron

and Busuanga over areas within the Yulo King Ranch • Identify protected areas and management schemes in Culion

Develop ecotourism in Calamianes • Adopt Sustainable Environmental Management Plan • Review National Ecotourism Strategy • Build capacity for local ecotourism management bodies

Harmonize national and local policies/management zones

• Adopt ordinances/policies concerning environmental protection • Encourage the 4 municipalities for the strict implementation of local and

national ordinance • Clarify plans for Calauit island • Regulate the use of wood for government project through local legislation • Identify settlement areas for growing population with zoning • Decongest major population areas along the coastline of the town of Coron by

providing resettlement areas located inland • Establish sewage and drainage systems in population centers along the

coastline of Coron

Design research agenda to back up management decisions

• Undertake study on carrying capacity or potential settlement areas/zones • Study of local taxation, i.e. proper pricing of natural resources and use of

revenues

Develop and implement IEC plan in the 4 munciipalities

• IEC on the effects of kaingin to the environment • Awareness campaign among school children that carry environmental

messages • IEC on the national ecotourism strategy if areas proposed for tourism are

feasible • IEC for community awareness regarding the importance of the resources for

tourism purposes • IEC targeting the newly arrived migrants on local environmental policies


Recent brief field surveys by the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Project have verified the presence of IUCN species of birds and mammals. Endemic species of arthropods are also known from this island. Status surveys of species and habitats should elaborate its conservation requirements. Illegal logging, wildlife trade, poaching and kaingin persist in the area.


Cacatua haematuropygia Philippine cockatoo IUCN: Critical Mangroves; second growth

Anthracoceros marchei Palawan hornbill IUCN: Vulnerable Lowland forest

REPTILE

Heosemys leytensis Philippine forest turtle IUCN: Critical Riverine forest, wetlands

PLANT



Conduct status surveys of species & habitats

Establish the remaining old growth forests as conservation areas • Delineate remaining forests • Identify and manage barangay watersheds

Rehabilitate degraded areas

Design and implement IEC • Conduct school-based & community IEC

Undertake feasibility studies on conservation-based livelihood

Key Stakeholders • LGU • Haribon • Helvetas

Dumaran/Araceli Island

Key species

• Katala Foundation • PCSDS

• Philippine Cockatoo

Conservation Project


Located at the southernmost tip of mainland Palawan encompassing the Bulanjao mountain range, Rizal-Bataraza forest is part of South Palawan Planning Area. It also covers CBFMA in Bataraza (3,250 ha); CALC in Bulalacao, Bataraza (194 ha); CADC in Campong Ulay, Rizal (9,517 ha); and CADC in Punta-baja, Rizal (5,575 ha). Most recent surveys suggest that the forest block, most especially the Rizal area, holds considerable species and habitat diversity. It is likely to include many of the species in Mt. Mantalingahan. Status surveys and field validation are needed. The area is threatened by illegal logging, overtapping of almaciga, overharvesting of rattan, mining, river quarrying, and mangrove conversion to fishpond. Tanbark gatherers have cleared vast mangrove areas in Barangays Panal ingaan and Canipaan in Rizal. The opening of Iraan (Rizal) to Sumbiling (Bataraza) highway is expected to result to more damages. Moreover, because of the long overdue CLUP preparation in Bataraza, the hydrometallurgical processing plant was endorsed by the LGU without clear basis. The net in-migration rate in Bataraza (50%) & Rizal (80%) is high.


Identify and establish protected area

• Review ECAN zones (definitions, criteria, strategies)

• Finalize zoning supported by an official map • Establish baseline socio-economic and

biophysical information

Provide financial, marketing, technical and monitoring support to IPs

• Uphold IPs’ preferential right to buy,/gather almaciga

• Uphold IPs’ preferential right to buy/gather rattan

Enforce existing environmental laws

• Enforce existing mining regulations • Enforce existing regulations on quarrying • Enforce regulations on logging and timber

cutting • Enforce regulations on mangrove protection

Manage human migration through legal instruments

• Enact and enforce appropriate ordinance on registration of migrants at barangay level

Design and implement IEC • Conduct IEC on environmental laws • Conduct IEC on other conservation policies

Monitor & evaluate resource use

• Undertake an assessment of local wood demand and supply

• Undertake an assessment of existing fishpond leases and those fishponds without FLAs

• Evaluate quarry application • Monitor quarry areas

Key Stakeholders • South Palawan Planning Council • PCSDS • DENR • Shell Foundation • Conservation International • other NGOs • civil society

Rizal-Bataraza Forest


Systematic terrestrial surveys of species and habitats are warranted to determine its conservation priority status. Field surveys need to be launched to confirm the presence of migratory species of birds on these islands. The Law of the Sea Convention -- an international law/standard agreed to by the countries of the world -- is involved in the claims of Ma lays ia , B rune i , and the Philippines. These three countries claim that all or parts of the island group are a part of their continental shelf. According to the Law of the Sea, the countries have legal right over the area of their continental shelf. There has been a policy of the government to establish permanent settlement areas in Kalayaan Islands to strengthen its legal claim on the disputed territories.


Undertake biological studies • Conduct systematic terrestrial surveys of species & habitats

• Conduct surveys to confirm the presence of migratory species of birds

Undertake relevant policy studies

• Assess potential impact of rapid migration in the area

• Study the possibility of establishing Kalayaan as a "multinational" protected area pending the resolution of the territorial dispute

Key Stakeholders • LGU • Philippine Navy • UP-MSI • Malaysia • Brunei

Kalayaan Island Group


This area was considered of high priority due to the relatively high diversity of corals and fish and the presence of IUCN and CITES species of fish and cetaceans. The diversity of marine life in Calamianes is threatened by live reef fish trade, high fisher density, overfishing, illegal fishing (blast fishing, cyanide fishing, commercial fishing), pearl farming, tourism development, and beach quarrying (sand and pebbles).

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS

MAMMALS

Dugong dugon Dugong IUCN: Vulnerable

REPTILES

Chelonia mydas Green Turtle IUCN: Endangered

Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill Turtle IUCN: Critical

CLAMS

Tridacna derasa Smooth Giant Clam IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II

Hippopus hippopus Bear’s paw clam CITES: Appendix II

FISH

Rhincodon typus Whale Shark IUCN: Vulnerable

Key Stakeholders • LGU • DENR • PCSDS • BFAR • NGOs • local community

4.3.2 Marine Sites

Calamianes Island Group

Key species

Nesting hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) 3



Establish marine protected areas • Adopt an ordinance declaring specific areas for marine conservation

• Declare marine sanctuaries in the areas of Mataya Reef and Siete Pecados and the small islands on the eastern side of Sangat in Coron

Harmonize national and local policies/management zones

• Adopt common fisheries code in the Calamianes • Study and re-evaluate RA 8550 to specify boundaries for marine

habitat • Collate and study all laws and local ordinances pertaining to

mangroves

Design research agenda to establish baselines and improve local database

• Undertake study on impacts and carrying capacity for pearl farming and mariculture

• Undertake studies relating to live fish ♦ Identify aggregation areas ♦ Determine sustainable yield ♦ Conduct further studies on the regulation of LRFT by

establishing open and closed seasons

Establish mariculture for live fish as alternative source for the LRFT

Islands in Busuanga (Calamianes area) 1


Its remote location and its being bio-logically unexplored makes the area a research priority for all major ma-rine habitats and species. Commercial production of seaweeds (Caulerpa sp), locally known as “lato” is fast replacing the natural mangrove areas in Cuyo, Agutaya & Magsay-say. Commercial fishing, cyanide fishing and blast fishing are prevalent.

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS HABITAT MAMMAL

Balaenoptera physalus Fin whale IUCN: Endangered Marine


Chelonia mydas Green turtle IUCN: Endangered Marine

REPTILE


Undertake studies Studies on major marine habitats and species

Design and implement environmental advocacy works

Key Stakeholders • LGU • PCSDS • BFAR • local community

Cuyo Island Group

Key species


This priority area still has a dense mangrove cover yet this habitat is highly threatened from human disturbance. The presence of a c o m m e r c i a l f i s h e r y f o r elasmobranchs is likewise a cause for concern. For other marine habitats and species, data is largely lacking. This area is among the top 3 priority sites. Opportunities include pearl farming, seaweed culture supported by KKP; and sargassum project under PCART.

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS MAMMALS


Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin CITES: Appendix II

Stenella attenuata Pantropical spotted dolphin CITES: Appendix II

Stenella longirostris Spinner dolphin CITES: Appendix II

Balaenoptera physalus Fin Whale IUCN: Endangered

REPTILES

Chelonia mydas Green Turtle IUCN: Endangered

Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill turtle IUCN: Critical

STRATEGY PRIORITY ACTION Establish marine sanctuary

Implement zoning

Implement intensive IEC Research

• Cetacean/dugong survey • Coral cover survey

Enforce conservation policies

Support cooperative approach to liveli-hood

Enhance seaweed farming technology

Enhance environment-friendly mariculture

Key Stakeholders • LGU • PCSDS • PCCP • WWF • DENR • PCART

Dumaran-Araceli Island

Key species


These areas cover a number of na t iona l (Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape; El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area) and municipal level marine reserves and are considered to have high importance for coral reef, mangrove and seagrass habitats. Coastal development and the presence of commercial fisheries threaten these habitats and several species of fish and cetacean.

El Nido & Taytay

Key species


MAMMALS


Orcaella brevirostris Irrawaddy dolphin Philippine Red List: Critical

Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin CITES: Appendix II

REPTILES

Lepidochelys olivacea Olive Ridley Sea Turtle IUCN: Endangered

Eretmochelys imbracata Hawksbill Sea Turtle IUCN: Critical

Chelonia mydas Green Sea Turtle IUCN: Endangered

Caretta caretta Loggerhead Turtle IUCN: Endangered

CLAMS


Hippopus porcellanus China clam CITES: Appendix II

Key Stakeholders • Task Force Malampaya • LGU • law enforcement groups • NGOs • PAMB



Harmonize management zones and policies • Review CLUPs and GMPs • Resolve conflicts for joint enforcement • Finalize MoA between Taytay & San Vicente

Design and implement resource enhancement and fisheries management programs

• Intensive surveys for the marine mammals & other species • Consult stakeholders • Develop resource management program

Establish MPAs • Delineate marine/fish sanctuaries • Lobby for passage of PA bills • Refine management plans

Strengthen law enforcement • Refine/harmonize policies • Refine law enforcement program • Maintain military patrolling

Dugong (Dugong dugon) 7


TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS HABITAT MAMMALS


Lepidochelys olivacea Olive Ridley IUCN: Endangered Marine

Eretmochelys imbracata Hawksbill Turtle IUCN: Critical Marine

Chelonia mydas Green Turtle IUCN: Endangered Marine

Caretta caretta Loggerhead Turtle IUCN: Endangered Marine

CLAMS

Tridacna gigas Giant Clam IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II Marine

Tridacna derasa Smooth Giant Clam IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II Marine

FISH

Rhincodon typus Whale Shark IUCN: Vulnerable Marine

REPTILES

The area was deemed high priority mainly due to the presence of critical habitats such as seagrasses and seaweeds and several IUCN-listed fish and cetacean species. Green Island Bay has been proposed as Marine Protected Area, but was not endorsed by the LGU. Prevalent in the area are blast f i s h i n g , c y a n i d e f i s h i n g , commercial fishing, trawl fishing, growth & recruitment overfishing. Fisher density is noted to be high. Existing problems are presence of crown of thorns, red tide, presence of coliform, cadmium & mercury, and pollution from oil spill.

Green Island Bay to Honda Bay

Key species



Establish and manage marine protected ar-eas/fish sanctuaries

• Undertake information campaigns and consultations • Complete Protected Area Suitability Assessments • Establish community-managed fish sanctuaries at Honda bay • Strengthen sanctuary co-management structures (BFARMC, sanctuary

management boards)

Undertake environmental assessments

• Conduct surveys for corals and seagrasses • Conduct assessment of environmental/ biodiversity impacts of infrastruc-

ture development • Conduct siltation studies • Design a study on how to deal with mercury & cadmium • Establish research and monitoring stations

Design and implement habitat protection and rehabilitation program

• Implement strict protection in snake island • Enrich mangrove areas at snake island & the rest of Honda bay • Establish management zones • Implement solid waste management program • Manage settlement zones/areas

Strengthen policy enforcement • Revoke city ordinance allowing compressor • Uphold the existing MFARMC ordinance • Clarify regulatory policy & management regarding oil contamination • Formulate and implement policy to address problem of anchorage

Enhance livelihood support • Support mariculture strategies

Key Stakeholders • LGU • DENR • PCSDS • NGOS • DOH • NGOs (WWF, Haribon,

PCART) • Task Force Roxas Marine

Mammal Conservation Network • MFARMC

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) 3


These are regarded as high priorities for conservation for all marine taxonomic groups. These areas are nationally and globally significant because of its high marine biodiversity, economic importance, and the social benefits of the area. Tubbataha reef is a World Heritage Site and ranked as one of the most critical wetlands by Ramsar Convention. Lack of sustainable financing mechanism for the management of Tubbataha Reef is a major issue. The fisheries code & municipal fisheries and zoning ordinances are currently being imposed in Cagayancillo. Poaching (sea turtles, etc.), cyanide, dynamite & spearfishing are prevalent.


MAMMALS

Physeter macrocephalus Sperm whale IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App I

Stenella longirostris Spinner dolphin CITES Appendix 2

Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin CITES Appendix 2

Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser’s dolphin CITES Appendix 2

Globicephala macrorhynchus Short-finned pilot whale CITES Appendix 2

REPTILES

Chelonia mydas Green turtle IUCN: Endangered

Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill turtle IUCN: Critical

CLAMS

Tridacna gigas Giant clam IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II

Tridacna derasa Smooth giant clam IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: App II


Tubbataha Reefs & Cagayancillo

Key species



Enhance legal and institutional mechanism for marine reserves to generate technical/funding support

• Establish 4 identified areas as marine protected areas or critical habitat under Wildlife Act

• Leverage funds for management support

Undertake bio-physical monitoring of 4 marine reserves and surrounding areas

• Update Resource and Ecological Assessment (REA) data and measure changes

• Conduct study & monitoring of the seabird populations • Design and implement study on "red shrimps” • Conduct study on megafauna in Cagayan Ridge

Implement massive IEC • Disseminate information materials on the ecological importance of marine species

• Design program to discourage community to harvest Tridacna (clams)

Prevent damages from diving activities • Put up anchor buoys in dive sites

Improve socio-economic conditions of Cagayancillo • Seek technical assistance on better seaweed farm management techniques

• Maximize economic returns from seaweeds • Increase access to market and credit facilities • Implement land use plan to guide migrants

KEY STAKEHOLDERS • KKP • DENR (PAWB) • T-PAMB • LGU • PCSD • OPA • DA-BFAR • CRMP • Civil Society


The area is of high importance especially for marine plants due to data deficiencies and increasing human-induced threats. The presence of a commercial fishery particularly for elasmobranchs and sharks, illegal quarry (river) and encroachment in the coastal area are the identified threats. The threatened Chelonia mydas is known in this area. Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary (UGRBS) is within this priority site.


Expand UGRBS to include marine area to protect spawning, feeding & breeding grounds of marine species

• Prepare PAMB resolution and other relevant document to comply with NIPAS requirements to expand the protected area

• Lobby for approval

Establish baseline data on marine plants

Key Stakeholders • LGU • UGRBS-PAMB

Bataraza

Green Turtle Hatchlings (Chelonia mydas) 3



MAMMAL


REPTILES

Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill Turtle IUCN: Critical

Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback turtle IUCN: Critical

FISH

Rhincodon typus Whale Shark IUCN: Vulnerable

Threats include illegal, unreported & unregulated fishing (IUU), tanbarking, pollution from pearl farm, proposed coastal/circumferential road, proposed navigational rerouting through DFA-Maritime & Ocean Affairs Center (MOAC), pollution from navigational activities, peace & order, and the transboundary issues between Sabah & Palawan. Tanbark

Key species

This area is regarded a top priority for conservation primarily due to its high species and habitat diversity yet very low research and conservation efforts have been undertaken. It is likewise critical as a channel between the two marine biogeographic zones, the South China and Sulu Seas. The area was proclaimed as a Marine Reserve/Tourist Zone in 1978 (Proc 1801) but not officially protected under the NIPAS.

Balabac Island Group

Debarking of mangrove trees causes their eventual death

trade endangers mangrove species (Ceriops tagal). Capacity of LGU & key agencies to manage large-scale environmental programs is weak. The recent proclamation of Tun Mustafa Managed Marine Area (in Sabah) & possible collaborations with the Philippine Government is an opportunity that is worth exploring. 1


Key Stakeholders • LGU (Provinci/Municipal/Brgy) • DENR • PCSDS • PCAMRD • DPWH, • DFA-MOAC • BFAR


Establish marine protected areas • Conduct status surveys of key species especially for marine turtles & cetaceans

• Establish MPAs in selected sites in the reefs of Brgys Catagupan, Agutayan, Rabor & Pasig

• Extend PCSDP marine priority areas to include Mangsee Island • Establish CBFMs in candidate sites: Pandanan, Catagupan, Agutayan,

Rabor, Pasig, Melville

Recommend policy reforms • Review PP 2152 & recommend towards a more rational & practical conservation approach

• Recommend the increase of taxes from pearl farms • Increase fines for illegal dumping (re: pollution from navigational

activities) • Review regulations on mangrove use

Strengthen enforcement & regulate activities • Increase enforcement personnel, logistical support and capacity • Empower local community to defend their access rights to fishing waters • Employ Fisheries Code on preferential right for small-scale fishers • Require environmental impact assessments whenever applicable

Reduce IF NOT STOP the demand for tanbark

• Analyze market chain & recommend an "export ban" • Conduct a study on non-destructive alternative sources of dye

Harmonize different zoning mechanisms • Harmonize ECAN with proposed municipal development plans

Enhance transboundary cooperation between Malaysia & Philippines

• Conduct joint biodiversity assessments with relevant Sabah agencies & NGOs

• Select & establish a transborder managed marine area (MMA) • Engage in ongoing intergovernmental planning process for the Sulu-

Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion • Assess transboundary tourism potentials

Strengthen LGU capacity in managing large-scale conservation efforts

• Provide training/seminars on implementing large-scale conservation efforts (corridor, ecoregions, hotspots)

• DTI • TLRC • TESDA • ACADEME: UP, SPCP, PSU • PNP Maritime; Naval Station

Balabac Command • National Museum

• NGOS: CI, ELAC • WWF-SSME • WWF-Malaysia-Sabah • Dept of Fisheris-Sabah • Wildlife Dept-Sabah • Sabah Parks



Advocate for joint-management of key areas by claimant countries using migratory species as basis

• Conduct multilateral discussions regarding joint MPA management • Identify and establish MPA/s • Establish species reserves for turtles/giant clams

Mitigate poaching • Institutionalize multisectoral legal pool to handle poaching cases • Strengthen advocacy to enhance legal and diplomatic stance against

poaching

Install mechanisms to mitigate possible oil spill • Explore feasibility of organizing a quick response task force

Establish baseline data • Consolidate data from UP MSI and UPLB • Conduct biological, oceanographic and fisheries studies to fill-in data

gaps

KEY STAKEHOLDERS • LGU • DENR

Kalayaan Island Group is an exceptional case for prioritization because it is indisputably considered an area of high national and global significance. Aside from being a transboundary area for several countries, it is more importantly a critical area for fisheries and straddling stocks of migratory species such as marine mammals and turtles. The area is threatened by muro-ami and other destructive fishing, poaching, high shipping activities (oil tankers) and coral mining.

TAXON COMMON NAME STATUS & REMARKS CLAMS Tridacna gigas Giant Clam IUCN: Vulnerable Tridacna derasa Smooth Giant Clam IUCN: Vulnerable Hippopus hippopus Bear’s paw clam CITES: Appendix II REPTILES

Caretta caretta Loggerhead turtle IUCN: Endangered Chelonia mydas Green turtle IUCN: Endangered Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill turtle IUCN: Critical Lepidochelys olivacea Olive ridley IUCN: Endangered FISH

Epinephelus lanceolatus Giant Grouper IUCN: Vulnerable

Kalayaan Island Group

Key species

• DFA • Academe (UP MSI)


Given the species and site-specific conservation strategies and priority actions, this section highlights the general prescriptions for the entire Palawan biodiversity corridor. ECOSYSTEM/HABITAT MANAGEMENT ♦ Identify, establish and develop

network of M/PAs or key biodiversity areas

♦ Promote watershed management

♦ Protect mangrove ecosystems

♦ Restore degraded habitats LAW ENFORCEMENT ♦ Enhance law enforcement

aga inst i l lega l /dest ruc t ive activities:

⇒ fisheries ⇒ mangrove destruction ⇒ forestry ⇒ mining/quarrying ⇒ wildlife hunting

♦ Increase enforcement personnel, logistical support and capacity

♦ Strengthen monitoring of traffic of threatened/ endemic marine and terrestrial species

DATA/INFORMATION GENERATION ♦ Develop biodiversity research agenda

⇒ produce a directory ⇒ of biodiversity experts ⇒ organize activities to ⇒ develop research agenda ⇒ encourage operation ⇒ of a research network

♦ Conduct surveys and inventories

♦ Centralize research results

INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ♦ Develop a communication

strategy

♦ Disseminate publications on c o n s e r v a t i o n i s s u e s , a p p r o p r i a t e p o l i c i e s , enforcement and fines

♦ Review and replicate PCSDS-P T F P P - D e p a r t m e n t o f Education’s environmental education strategy in formal schools

♦ Intensify IEC programs in the grassroots level

CAPABILITY BUILDING FOR KEY AGENCIES ♦ Strengthen barangays for

resource /p ro tec ted a rea management planning and law enforcement

♦ Provide training/seminars on implement ing large-scale conservation efforts (corridor, eco-regions, hotspots)

STAKEHOLDER’S PARTICIPATION ♦ Review and update existing

stakeholders participation and buy-in

♦ Consolidate, strengthen and expand commun i t y -based resource management efforts

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ♦ Identify, develop and support

conservation-linked livelihood options to mitigate illegal/destructive activities

♦ Provide technical assistance on information dissemination on s u c c e s s f u l l i v e l i h o o d technologies (e.g. seaweed farming, etc)

♦ Assess tourism potentials

♦ Identify financing schemes & sources (e.g. trust funds, endowment funds, users fees)

♦ Reduce, if not eliminate tanbark trade

♦ Manage human migrat ion through legal instruments

5.4 Palawan Corridor Conservation Strategies and Priority Actions

"The Earth is one but the world is not. We all depend on one biosphere for sustaining our lives. Yet each community, each country, strives for survival and prosperity with little regard for its impact on

others.”

Our Common Future,

Figure 3. Risk of habitat loss analysis utilizing econometric methods of predicting impacts of human activities on forest cover

CORRIDOR SPATIAL MODELING: A CASE STUDY FOR SOUTHERN PALAWAN :: 95

Introduction Designing and planning for sustainable landscapes such as the Palawan Biodiversity Conservation Corridor requires an intimate understanding of the dynamics of land use and resource use over time. By graphically illustrating the effects of change in land cover and resource use in a business-as-usual scenario, we can show the consequences of current human activity through their impacts on land cover and forest habitats. There are multiple objectives for developing a risk of habitat loss scenario in the conservation corridor planning process. Firstly, the risk of habitat loss map can be used to communicate to resource managers and policy-makers the risks of doing nothing with regards to resource use management in the conservation corridor. In other words, the map demonstrates conservation costs of the status quo. Secondly, it helps resource managers and corridor planners to identify the relative vulnerability of different areas within the corridor to habitat change or degradation. In other words, the business-as-usual scenario helps us understand the “weak links” in the system. And thirdly, it contributes towards the design of a spatially explicit plan for conservation efforts to both mitigate threats of habitat loss and minimize opportunity costs. Our approach in developing this habitat loss analysis is unique because it integrates economic theory with Geographic Information Sciences (GIS). This process involves interpreting and merging data and

analysis across spatial and hierarchical scales. Due to the unavailability of complete data for the whole province, the habitat loss analysis was carried out for the South Palawan Planning Area (SPPA) only.

Methodology Spatial econometrics is used to tease out the relationships between geophysical features of the land with the broader socio-economic and demographic trends. As shown in Table 10 on the following page, a number of variables are used here to represent different features of the landscape. Information on land cover, elevation, roads and towns was obtained from the PCSD/PTFPP. Similarly, this GIS data was also used to generate information on the landscape’s geophysical aspects (i.e., land use diversity, slope, distance from roads and towns). Additional vegetation data was derived from Landsat TM imagery from 1987-1998. Information on tenurial rights came from DENR field surveys of community-based forest management areas (CBFMAs) and certificate of ancestral domain claims (CADCs). Data of population density and growth was provided by the Socio-demographic Assessment of the PCSDP (Boquiren, 2003); and socio-economic data was obtained f rom the Pa lawan Human Development Report (PCSD, 2001). The statistical model used is a simple binomial logistic model of two choices, i.e., whether a plot of land (or pixel) will “remain forested” or

5.0 Corridor Spatial Modeling: A Case Study for Southern Palawan

by DR. GRACE WONG and MIGUEL CASTRENCE

“By graphically illustrating the effects of change in land cover and resource use in a business-as-usual scenario, the consequences of current human activity through their impacts on land cover and forest habitats can be shown.”

Mt. Maruyog, Brooke’s Point. This area is part of the Mantalingahan mountain range in southern Palawan, a major habitat of several endangered and endemic species.

2


reclassified into categories of low, medium and high risk. Finally, the risk categories are overlaid on the 1998 forest cover map to identify risk areas according to forest type (primary and secondary).

Results and Discussion Results of our analysis indicate that over 24% of all forests in the South Palawan Planning Area (SPPA), including the Mount Mantalingahan range, are under some level of land conversion risk over the next 10 years. Using our definitions of deforestation risk, approximately 18,900 hectares of all forests are under high threat, and 35,800 hectares are under medium threat (see Figure 4). When we segregate our analysis by forest type, namely by primary and secondary forests, the results show that secondary forests face higher deforestation pressure than do primary forests. This is not an unexpected result since secondary forests are typically easier to access and are located in fragmented landscapes with diversified land uses.

As shown in Figure 5, about 5% (or 9,100 hectares) and 12% (or 21,000 hectares) of primary forests are under high and medium risk, respectively, over the next 10 years. For secondary forests, over 17% (or 9,800 hectares) and 26% (or 14,800 hectares) are under high and medium risk, respectively. The location of where the threatened forests are located, based on their level of deforestation risk, is presented in the attached Map. It can be observed that the highest risk forests are generally located along the edges of contiguous forest cover. The barangays with largest areas of primary forests under high risk of loss are: Rio Tuba (1,251 hectares), Tarusan (845 hectares), Marangas (806 hectares), Buliluyan (574 hectares) and Isumbo (524 hectares). Except for Bgy Isumbo which is located in Española, the other four barangays are located in Bataraza. Although it does not appear as if there is a large area of primary forest under high deforestation risk, the high loss of buffering secondary forests mean that primary forests face greater threat of degradation and encroachment. A limitation of this analysis is that

“deforested” (land use conversion into agriculture). The binomial logistic regression is used to link the spatially explicit land cover to biophysical, distance, demographic and socio-economic variables (as listed in Table 10). These variables are chosen based on theories of agricultural land use and economic behavior; and because these data are currently most accessible. As further data are collected, improved variables can be used to refine this analysis. Results from the regression analysis provide us with the impact of each variable on the likelihood that a pixel will be deforested. Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) is used to integrate the variables represented by the spatial data and develop a map of potential deforestation areas. The results of the statistical analysis identify the most significant factors (criteria) contributing to deforestation as well as their respective influence (weights) for implementation in the MCE. In this process, each variable is standardized to a common numeric range and combined through weighted averaging. The result is a map of continuous va lues represent ing re la t ive probabilities for deforestation. Next, the deforestation probability map is

Variables Description Dependent Forest (=0 if primary; =1 for all other)

Independent

1) Geophysical features

Slope (in degrees) Elevation (in meters) Land use and land cover diversity NDVIa change from 1987 to 1998

2) Demographic Population density Population growth from 1995 – 2000 Projected population growth from 2000 – 2010

3) Access costs Distance to nearest road Distance to nearest town

4) Socio-economic Per capita income (in PhP) Human Development Index (HDIb)

5) Policy Presence of tenurial rights (Tenure = 1 if clear tenure exists, CADCs and CBFMAs; = 0 otherwise)

Note: a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. b HDIs were obtained from the Palawan Human Development Report (2001).

Table 10. Variables used in the risk of habitat loss analysis

CORRIDOR SPATIAL MODELING: A CASE STUDY FOR SOUTHERN PALAWAN :: 97

although it adequately projects loss of forest cover, it is unable to capture the loss of forest quality. Lowland secondary forest is an important wildlife habitat which is becoming increasingly scarce due to threats from a range of human activities. In summary, a business-as-usual scenario is generated to predict future landscape change and habitat loss based on current trends and policies. The risk of habitat loss map produced in this analysis for the South Palawan

Planning Area highlights the locations where forests are most Vulnerable to conversion for agriculture over the next 10 years due to population growth and based on the historical trend in NDVI change. This map layer of forest vulnerability and habitat loss can be overlaid with other threats information such as infrastructure development to identify its overall impact on biodiversity, and to guide conservation efforts towards those critical areas.

Figure 1: Mantalingahan Forests under Risk

66%

16%8%

10%

Low riskMedium riskHigh riskCADC/CBFM

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Primary Secondary

High riskMedium risk

Low risk Ipil (Intsia bijuga) is categorized by IUCN as vulnerable because of harvesting and forest destruction

Figure 4. Mantalingahan forests under risk

2

Figure 5. Risk of habitat loss, by forest type (%)

INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY :: 99

As part of the Palawan Corridor Strategy Development Project, the consortium of Palawan partners conducted a two-day workshop on August 19-20, 2003 at the Legend Hotel to craft an overarching communications strategy to support of biodiversity conservation. Dubbed as the 4-P Workshop, it was facilitated by the In te rnat iona l Communicat ions depa r tmen t o f Con se rva t i on International based in Washington, DC, USA and co-convened by the Provincial Information Office of the provincial government of Palawan. It was attended by some 40 participants representing PCSDP partner institutions, other NGOs, people’s organizations, academe and media. Two main presentations had provided the analytical framework for defining the communications strategy. The first was a discussion of threats to Palawan biodiversity using resource economics as tool for analysis, facilitated by Noela Lasmarias, CI Resource Economist. The second was a presentation on “Challenges in Building Conservation Awareness” discussed by Rolando Bonoan, Jr., head of the Provincial Information Office. Ms. Lasmarias presented the result of an analysis previously conducted by the technical working group of the PCSDP which enumerated the threats to biodiversity in the following ranking: • Forest destruction • Depletion of marine fishery • Mining and quarrying • Roads and other large infrastructure

development • Tourism development • Wildlife hunting

The barriers to removing these threats were identified as follows: • Poverty in many upland and

coastal areas • High population growth rate • Tenurial problems • Declining quality of available

agricultural lands • Higher net income from illegal

activities • Weak law enforcement • Low value placed on timberland

compared to other land uses • Inappropriate economic incentives Among the potential barrier removal strategies suggested by the presentor were: • Improvement of existing road

infrastructure and post harvest facilities

• Promotion of viable community managed enterprises that complements conservation goals

• Examination of incentives and effectiveness for local and community enforcement to curb illegal activities

• Review of valuation of timber/forest lands relative to other land uses to capture ecological services

• Harmonization of various land use plans/zones

• Review of government economic incentives

For his part, Mr. Bonoan discussed Palaweños dependence on the environment for most of their basic needs since the early times. He described the Palaweños relationship with this unique environment, seemingly changing with the passing of years not to mention increasing

6.0 Defining Communications Strategies for Conserving Palawan’s Biodiversity

by REDEMPTO D. ANDA

“The ultimate measure of a successful information, education and communications strategy in biodiversity conservation is not only high level of environmental awareness but behavior change.”


population as well as arrival of migrants with different cultural beliefs, values, traditions and practices. Noted is the difference in the level of environmental awareness between Palaweños living in urban areas and rural barangays, considering exposure to multi media and advocates of conservation such as government agencies, NGOs and private groups, among others. He highlighted the following challenges to building a unified conservation awareness campaign in Palawan: • Geographical • Economics • Inadequate communication facilities

Following is a summary of proposed communications plans and projects developed during the 4-P workshop:

TARGET PUBLIC

Activity Event Product

Date Objective Number

Location Responsible Institution

Local communities

Distribution of 100,000 calendars a la posters (with pictures of resources, in good and bad conditions)

Paralegal training Radio plugs and jingles, video showings, slogans, art contests Symposium on deforestation and forest management Enterprise and skills training, display and promotion of local cottage industries/ community products Beach and coastal clean-up, mangrove reforestation

January 2004

March 2004

April 1-22, 2004

June 2004

June 2004 (Baragatan)

September 2004

5

1

4 & 5

5

2 5

Palawan-wide Taytay, El Nido and Roxas up North; Quezon, Bataraza, Rizal down South

-do-

-do-

Puerto Princesa Ulugan and Honda Bays

NGOs (CI, PCC,PNNI) Corporate sponsors ELAC, NATRIPAL Radio stations Media, PCSDS, DENR, PNNI, other NGOs LGUs, primary/ secondary schools, DENR, NGOs PEEDO, TESDA, DTI, NGOs (IDEAS, PCC, CI, PCART) Elementary/high schools, DENR, NGOs

• Limited or lack of power/energy • Budgetary constraints • Absence or lack of information

officers in the barangay, municipality levels

Priority Objectives of the

Communications Strategy Deliberating on the threats to biodiversity and the constraints of removing these threats, and taking into account the conditions obtaining in Palawan from a communications perspective, the workshop formulated a list of priority communications objectives as follows: • To inform the local population on

environmental laws and to

support law enforcement • To promote environmentally sound

livelihood opportunities/alternatives • To encourage environmentally

sound fishing practices and campaign against illegal and destructive fishing methods/overfishing

• To inform the local population on the benefits of having Protected Areas

• To raise awareness on the negative impacts of deforestation, illegal timber extraction, slash and burn farming, forest fires and wildlife hunting, and

• To provide information to policymakers on the linkage of population dynamics and environment

PLAN ANCHORED ON TARGET PUBLICS


TARGET PUBLIC

Activity Event Product

Date Objective Number

Location Responsible Institution

Local communities

Distribution of 100,000 calendars a la posters (with pictures of resources, in good and bad conditions)

Paralegal training Radio plugs and jingles, video showings, slogans, art contests Symposium on deforestation and forest management Enterprise and skills training, display and promotion of local cottage industries/ community products Beach and coastal clean-up, mangrove reforestation

January 2004

March 2004

April 1-22, 2004

June 2004

June 2004 (Baragatan)

September 2004

5

1

4 & 5

5

2

5

Palawan-wide Taytay, El Nido and Roxas up North; Quezon, Bataraza, Rizal down South

-do-

-do-

Puerto Princesa Ulugan and Honda Bays

NGOs (CI, PCC,PNNI) Corporate sponsors ELAC, NATRIPAL Radio stations Media, PCSDS, DENR, PNNI, other NGOs LGUs, primary/ secondary schools, DENR, NGOs PEEDO, TESDA, DTI, NGOs (IDEAS, PCC, CI, PCART) Elementary/high schools, DENR, NGOs

Local Government Units

Conduct capacity building, trainings and seminars for LGUs on environmental laws

Mangrove reforestation

Airing of radio programs on environmental issues

Conduct of Provincial Summit on Environment Conduct of coastal clean-up LGU newsletter/wall newspaper (initiative of LGUs on environ-mental protection)

1st week of march 2004 (provincial level

3rd week of March 2004

(municipal and barangay levels)

June 19, 2004 (SEP

Anniversary)

January 2004 to July 2005 (weekly)

1st week of September 2004

Mid-September 2004

April 2004 to July 2005

1 & 6

1

1

1, 3, 4 & 6

1 & 3

1 & 6

Puerto Princesa City All municipalities Province-wide Puerto Princesa City and all municipalities with local radio stations (Radyo Natin) Puerto Princesa City Province-wide All municipalities

National Agencies and Law Enforcers

Capability building/ workshop (law enforcers) Adopt a wildlife (endemic) Protected area site visit Awards/incentives Search for the best law enforcer (PNP, military, forest officers) Seminar/workshop on population and environment

Capability building/ workshop (law enforcers) Adopt a wildlife (endemic) Protected area site visit - Awards/incentives - Search for the best law enforcer (PNP, military, forest officers) Seminar/workshop on population and environment

1 2 4 5 6

Balabac PWRCC, Calauit Taytay, El Nido Puerto Princesa City -do-

DepEd, DENR LGUs, military, DENR DENR, PCSD, PAMB LGU, military, DENR, NGOs NSO, DOH, DepEd, DENR

Provincial and municipal governments, DENR, PCSD, DILG, NGOs Provincial and municipal governments, PCSD, DENR Provincial and municipal governments, barangay officials, DENR Provincial government, DENR, PCSD, NGOs Provincial and municipal governments, DENR, PCSD, NGOs Provincial and municipal governments


TARGET PUBLIC

Activity Event Product Date Objective

Number Location Responsible Institution

Fisherfolks, fish traders and operators

Fish Conservation Week Symposia/Seminars/ -Conferences on -livelihood, -technology -fisheries laws Slogan writing/ -Painting contests

-Rallies Ocean Month

-Photo exhibit -Coastal cleaning -Mangrove planting

Visiting coastal barangays brochure & poster distribution symposium/meeting documentary/film showing Radio plugs and advertisements, TV and print ads Production of brochure/poster

-conceptualization -printing -Distribution

Production of documentaries Coastal clean-up Press releases, interviews Awards for outstanding fisherman, citations for fish traders and operators who support environmental programs

2nd week of October

May

March 2004 to July 2005

May

Everyday

January (2 weeks) January to February

March-April

Mid-September

At least once a week

July 2004 to July 2005

1 & 3

1 & 3

1 & 3

1 & 3

1 & 3

1, 3 & 4

3

Puerto Princesa City, municipalities

-do-

Remote coastal barangays in Puerto Princesa, Calamianes, Ulugan, Malampaya, Bataraza Community radios Puerto Princesa City, municipalities

-do- Coastal areas in Puerto Princesa and municiplaities

Radio stations, community radios Puerto Princesa City, municipalities

BFAR, DA, City and Provincial governments, NGOs NGOs, CI, provincial and city governments KKP, CI, PGS, PNNI, other NGOs, barangay officials Radio stations, city/municipal/provincial governments, NGOs BFAR, DA, City and Provincial governments, NGOs

-do- Barangay officials, city/municipal and provincial governments Provincial Agriculture, DYPR BFAR, DA, PNNI, DENR, ELAC, CI

Teachers and students

Seminar on environmental protection, seminar-workshop on preparation of instructional/teaching aids for environmental education LG Quiz (environmental), song writing contest Educational tours on protected areas Poster making, essay writing, cookfest in connection with Fish Conservation Week Organization of environmental clubs for students Search for cleanest and greenest school


1 to 6

4 & 5 4

2 & 3

6

5 & 6

Puerto Princesa Pilot Elementary School Magarwak planting site Protected areas: El Nido, PPSRNP, etc. DepEd Division office DepEd, PSU, elementary and secondary schools Schools, districts, municipalities

DepEd, PSU, private schools in coordination with DENR DepEd, PSU, in coordination with LGU and LG staff DepEd, PSU, in coordination with PTO and LGU DepEd, PSU, in coordination with BFAR DepEd, PSU and private schools DepEd


TARGET PUBLIC

Activity Event Product Date

Objective

Number Location Responsible Institution

Teachers and students


1st week of April 2004

3rd Saturday of June 2004

1st weekend of January 2004

2nd week of October 2004

June 2004

June 2004 to July 2005

1 to 6

4 & 5 4

2 & 3

6

5 & 6

Puerto Princesa Pilot Elementary School Magarwak planting site Protected areas: El Nido, PPSRNP, etc. DepEd Division office DepEd, PSU, elementary and secondary schools Schools, districts, municipalities

DepEd, PSU, private schools in coordination with DENR DepEd, PSU, in coordination with LGU and LG staff DepEd, PSU, in coordination with PTO and LGU DepEd, PSU, in coordination with BFAR DepEd, PSU and private schools DepEd

Media

Nature Trip

- survey questionnaires - video, documentary

presentations - field/site trip (terrestrial,

marine) - Produce commentary

(broadcast and print) Environmental capability building workshop

- souvenir items with the theme: “You make a difference”

Launching of environmental media club Launching of environmental media awards

- Best environmental report (broadcast and print)

- Best environmental documentary

Sustained information drive

- jingles - plugs - advertisements

1st week of April to 1st

week of May 2004

3rd week of January 2004

June 19, 2004

-do-

Quarterly

1, 2, 3, 4

and 5

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

Taytay, El Nido Puerto Princesa City Puerto Princesa City (Capitol)

-do- Province-wide

CI, PNNI, PCSDS, ELAC, city and provincial governments, DENR

-do-

-do- IFEJ

-do-

Radio stations, CI, PNNI, PCSDS, ELAC, DENR, provincial and city governments

PLAN ANCHORED ON PRIORITY OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVE Target Public Activity Product Event Date Location Responsible

Institution

# 1

Local communities, law enforcers

Orientation on existing environmental laws Skills trainings

- trainers training - PLT/deputization

Production of IEC materials

- radio plugs - leaflets - primers - brochures

Conduct of community discussions

Earth Day

-do-

Starting January 2004

-do-

Province-wide

-do-

Puerto Princesa City Province-wide

ELAC, DENR, BFAR, PCSD, provincial government PIO, PCSD Locally-based NGOs


OBJECTIVE Target Public Activity Product Event Date Location Responsible Institution

#2

Local communities

Inventory and assessment of existing and potential projects Production of IEC materials

- livelihood manuals - videos - radio and TV testimonials

Networking with existing local organizations Cross visits

January to

February 2004

January to April 2004


To be determined

Province-wide

Province-wide

-do-

Selected sites

PCSDS, DA, Academe, DAR, DENR, NGOs, LGUs, DTI Project implementors, media, schools, Pos, NGOs, GAs, LGUs Project implementors POs, LGUs, NGOs, etc.

#3

Fisherfolks, fish traders and operators

Community gatherings Production of IEC materials Search for the best managed coastal areas

- aunching - awarding

Networking

Monthly starting

June 2004

March to April 2004

June 19, 2004 June 19, 2005

2004-200

Priority areas

(barangay level)

Province-wide

Capitol grounds

PPC Province-wide

MAO, BFAR, PCSD, PNNI BFAR, PCSD, PIO Provincial government, PCSD, PNNI, media PNNI, media

# 4

Local communities National agencies

Community gatherings Production/dissemination of IEC materials Production of audio-visual materials on successful protected areas Palawan protected areas congress Production of technical information kit

Starting June 2004

March to April 2004

-do-

June 2004 and 2005

March to April 2004

PPC, El Nido, Taytay, Bataraza, Coron, Cagayancillo, Taytay, San Vicente, Brooke’s Point, Quzon, Rizal, Espanola, Narra

-do-

-do- Puerto Princesa City Puerto Princesa City

DENR, PCSD, LGUs, NGOs, TWGs, PAMBs, KKP, CI, SPCP, 2nd Congressional district, PCCP

-do-

-do- DENR, PCSDS, PAMBS, provincial and city governments, CI

-do-


OBJECTIVE Target Public Activity Product Event Date Location Responsible Institution

# 5

Local communities

Community gatherings Survey CADCs, CBFMAs and identify best practices Production of IEC materials

- successful CADCs, CBFMAs testimonials

- brochures - radio plugs

PLT/deputization of CBFMA holders Networking/linkaging

Starting June

2004

-do-

March to May

2004

-do-

-do-

CBFMAs, PAs in Palawan

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

LGU (barangay and municipal level), Pos/CBFM Federation, media, NGOs, DENR, PCSD

-do-

-do-

-do-

-do-

# 6

Local government units, national agencies, and the general public

Gather information on population and environmental issues Networking Lobbying

- Data analysis - Policy recommendation and

direction Publication of “handbook” on environmental laws and issues”

January to June

2004


July 2004 to July 2005

-do-

Priority locations are areas with high population growth

In and outside Palawan

-do-

Puerto Princesa City

NSO, Provincial government (CBMS), barangay health workers, CI, media, Population Commission, DepEd, NGOs, GAs, LGUs

-do-

-do-

-do-


LIST OF ACRONYMS

A&D Alienable and Disposable ADB Asian Development Bank AFP Armed Forces of the Philippines BCN Biodiversity Conservation Network

BFAR Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources BFARMC Barangay Fisheries and Resource Management Council

BID Bureau of Immigration and Deportation CABS Center for Applied Biodiversity Science CADC Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim CALC Certificate of Ancestral Land Claim CADT Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title CBFM Community Based Forest Management

CBFMA Community Based Forest Management Agreement CBFMP Community Based Forest Management Program CENRO Community Environment and Natural Resources Office

CEPF Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund CFI Crocodile Farming Institute

CI Conservation International CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of

Wild Fauna and Flora CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan

CLWUP Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan CNRMC Conservation and Natural Resource Management

Certification COMPACT Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation

CRM Coastal Resource Management CRMC Coastal Resource Management Certificate CRMP Coastal Resource Management Program

CSC Certificate of Stewardship Contract DA Department of Agriculture

DAO Department Administrative Order DBM Department of Budget Management

DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources DFA Department of Foreign Affairs

DILG Department of Interior and Local Government DOF Department of Finance DOH Department of Health DOJ Department of Justice

DPWH Department of Public Works and Highways DTI Department of Trade and Industry

ECAN Environmentally Critical Areas Network EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

ELAC Environmental Legal Assistance Center, Inc. ENTMRPA El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area

EO Executive Order EU European Union

FAO Fisheries Administrative Order FGD Focus Group Discussion FLA Fisheries Lease Agreement FRM Fisheries Resource Management

FRMP Fisheries Resource Management Program GEF-SGP Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Program

GIS Geographic Information System HDI Human Development Index IEC Information, Education and Communication

IP Indigenous People IPAF Integrated Protected Area Fund IPRA Indigenous People’s Rights Act

IRA Internal Revenue Allotment IRR Implementing Rules and Regulations ISF Integrated Social Forestry

IUCN The World Conservation Union IUU Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

JAFTA Japan Forest Technical Association KII Key Informant Interview

KKP Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas (also known as WWF-Philippines)

LGC Local Government Code LGU Local Government Unit

LRFT Live Reef Fish Trade

MCE Multi-Criteria Evaluation MENRO Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office

MFARMC Municipal Fisheries and Resource Management Council MFPC Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee MMA Managed Marine Area MOA Memorandum of Agreement

MOAC Maritime and Ocean Affairs Center MPA Marine Protected Area

MPDC Municipal Planning Development Council MPSA Mineral Production Sharing Agreement

MSI Marine Science Institute MSY Maximum Sustainable Yield NCIP National Commission for Indigenous People NDVI Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NGO Non Government Organization

NIPAS National Integrated Protected Areas System NRM Natural Resource Management NSO National Statistics Office

NTFP Non-timber Forest Products OPA Office of Public Affairs

PA Protected Area PAMB Protected Area Management Board PASU Protected Area Superintendent PAWB Protected Area Wildlife Bureau

PCAMRD Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development

PCART Philippine Center for Appropriate Rural Technology PCCP Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program PCSD Palawan Council for Sustainable Development

PCSDP Palawan Corridor Strategy Development Project PCSDS Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff PENRO Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office

PEZA Philippine Economic Zone Authority PFFWR Palawan Flora & Fauna Watershed Reserve

PNP Philippine National Police PO People’s Organization PP Presidential Proclamation

PPC Puerto Princesa City PPSRNP Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park PSTFAD Provincial Special Task Force on Ancestral Domains

PSU Palawan State University PTFPP Palawan Tropical Forestry Protection Programme

RA Republic Act REA Resource and Ecological Assessment RSA Resource and Socio-economic Assessment RUP Resource Use Plans SEP Strategic Environmental Plan SEZ Special Economic Zone

SPCP State Polytechnic College of Palawan SPPA South Palawan Planning Area SPPC South Palawan Planning Council SSME Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion TABC Technical Assistance For Improving Biodiversity Conservation

In Protected Areas In The Philippines TAC Total Allowable Catch

TESDA Technical Education and Skills Development Authority TLRC Technology and Livelihood Resource Center

TRNMP Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park UIGRBS Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary

UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UP University of the Philippines UPLB University of the Philippines Los Baños

USAID US Agency for International Development WRP Wood Recovery Permits WWF World Wildlife Fund for Nature YKR Yulo King Ranch

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DC. Conservation International. 127pp.


ABES, Norwin Designation: Law Enforcement Officer Organization: KKP - Tubbataha Address: Wescom Rd., Puerto Princesa City Phone/Fax: (048) 4342100 Email: [email protected] ABIOG, Rogelio Designation: Technical Committee Chairman Organization: South Palawan Planning Council Address: Sofronio Espanola, Palawan Phone: 09192596326 ABUEL, Marion Designation: Executive Assistant Organization: CI - Philippines Address: #5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02) 4128195 Email: [email protected] ADIER, Winston Designation: Municipal Planning and Development Officer Organization: Municipality of Aborlan Address: Aborlan, Palawan ADRIANO, Priscilla Designation: Chief, Protected Area & Wildlife Services Organization: DENR-PENRO Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4344850 ANDA, Redempto Designation: Project Manager Organization: CI - Philippines Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4333551 Fax: (048) 4342419 Email: [email protected] ANDA, Grizelda Designation: Executive Director Organization: Environmental Legal Assistance Center Address: Malvar St., Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4334212 Fax: (048) 4335183 Email: [email protected] ANTOLIN, Artemio Designation: Project Manager Organization: CI - Philippines Address: #5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02) 4128195 Email: [email protected] AQUINO, Ma. Theresa Designation: Project Manager Organization: KKP-Malampaya Address: Wescom Rd., Puerto Princesa City Phone/Fax: (048) 4342100 Email: [email protected]

ARCEO, Hazel Organization: UP Marine Science Institute Address: University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC Phone: (02) 9223959 Email: [email protected] ARZAGA, Winston Designation: Executive Director Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 ATRIGENIO, Michael Designation: Grant Manager Organization: CEPF Address: Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02)4128195 Email: [email protected] BACOSA, Rosalinda Designation: National Co- Director Organization: Palawan Tropical Forestry Protection Program Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 BAGUILAT, Clarence Designation: Regional Executive Director Organization: DENR - Region IV (MIMAROPA) Address: 1515 L&S Bldg. Roxas Blvd., Mla. Phone: (02) 4050015,4050047 Fax: (02) 4050046 BAGUYO, Andronico Organization: Provincial ENRO Address: Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4344579 BALETE, Danny Designation: Project Officer Organization: Laksambuhay Foundation Address: c/o Haribon Foundation: 4th Floor, Fil Garcia Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Quezon City Phone: (02) 9253332 BANTAYAN, Nathaniel Organization: Environmental Remote Sensing & Geo-Information Laboratory Address: UPLB, College, Laguna Email: [email protected] BANUA, Dionisia Designation: Director Organization: NATRIPAL Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4336573 BARRAQUIAS, TINA Designation: Researcher Organization: Palawan NGO Network, Inc BERNARDINO, Ma. Cleofe Designation: Executive Director Organization: PNNI Address: Zanzibar Bldg. Rizal Ave., Puerto

Princesa City Phone: (048) 4335525 Email: [email protected] BLASTIQUE, Teresita Designation: In-charge, Resources Assessment Section Organization: DENR – Protected Areas & Wildlife Bureau Address: Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center, Quezon Ave., Diliman, QC Phone: (02) 9296626 to 29 Fax: (02) 9240109 BLAZA, Merlyn Organization: DENR-PENRO Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City BONOAN, Rolando Jr. Designation: Provincial Information Officer Organization: Provincial Government of Palawan Address: 3/F Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4334566 Fax: (048) 4332777 Email: [email protected] BOQUIREN, Rowena Designation: Professor of History Organization: University of the Philippines - Baguio Address: Gov. Pack Rd, Baguio City Phone: (074) 4423888, 4422427 Fax: (074) 4422477, 4423888 Email: [email protected] CAC, Edwin Designation: Forester Organization: CENRO-Coron Address: Coron, Palawan CALAMBA, Jerry Designation: Municipal Environment & Natural Resources Officer Organization: Municipality of Rizal Address: Rizal, Palawan Phone: 09187974869 CALIWAG, Ezequiel Organization: Dept. of Agriculture-Research Outreach Station Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City CASTRENCE, Miguel Designation: Fulbright Fellow Organization: Environmental Legal Assistance Center Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Email: [email protected] CAYATOC, Felizardo Designation: Forester Organization: DENR-PENRO Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: 09204459898 CAYATOC, Norma Organization: CENRO - Puerto Princesa City Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: 09207155128

CONTRIBUTORS

CONTRIBUTORS :: 109

CHAN, Pauline Designation: Community Development Officer Organization: CI - Philippines Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4333551 Fax: (048) 4342419 Email: [email protected] CHAN, Sheila Designation: Executive Director Organization: Palawan Conservation Corps Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4333358 Email: [email protected] CO, Leonard Designation: Senior Botanist Organization: CI - Philippines Address: #5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02) 4128195 Email: [email protected] COJAMCO, Emmy Designation: Chief – Forest Management Services Organization: DENR-PENRO Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City COROZA, Oliver Designation: GIS/IT Manager Organization: CI - Philippines Address: #5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02) 4128195 Email: [email protected] DALABAJAN, Dante Organization: Environmental Legal Assistance Center Address: Malvar St., Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4334212 Fax: (048) 4335183 Email: [email protected] DEVANADERA, Nelson Designation: Provincial Planning & Development Officer Organization: Provincial Government Address: Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4345121 DIAZ, Florencio Designation: CENRO Organization: CENRO-Roxas Address: Roxas, Palawan Phone: 09165411356 DIAZ, Siegfred Organization: Phil Cockatoo Conservation Project Address: Narra, Palawan DIESMOS, Arvin Organization: Philippine National Museum Address: Old Congress Bldg., P. Burgos St., Mla Email: [email protected]

DIMALIBOT, Judeline Designation: Coordinator Organization: Sustainable Environmental Management for Northern Palawan Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: 09207735974 Email: [email protected] DOLOROSA, Roger Designation: Instructor Organization: State Polytechnic College of Palawan Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City DUYA, Melizar Designation: Biologist Organization: CI - Philippines Address: #5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02) 4128195 Email: [email protected] DYGICO, Marivel Designation: Project Manager Organization: Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Address: Wescom Road, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4342100 Email: [email protected] ELLIS, Susie Designation: Vice-President Organization: Conservation International Address: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC Phone: (202) 9121000 Fax: (202) 9121030 Email: [email protected] ESCAÑO, Josephine Designation: Division Chief Organization: Provincial Planning & Development Office Address: Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4335501 EUGENIO, Amy Organization: CI - Philippines Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4333551 Fax: (048) 4342419 Email: [email protected] FABURADA, Arturo Designation: CRM Specialist Organization: KKP - Tubbataha Address: Wescom Rd., Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4342100 FERNANDO, Edwino Designation: Director Organization: Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems Address: UP Los Baños, College, Laguna Phone: (049) 5363572 Email: [email protected]

GALIT, Milarosa Designation: Researcher Organization: Palawan NGO Network, Inc Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4335525 Email: [email protected] GAPUD, Victor Organization: Department of Entomology, UPLB Address: UP Los Baños, College, Laguna Phone/Fax: (049) 5361315 Email: [email protected] GARCIANO, Adoracion Designation: Head Organization: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics Address: Zanzibar Bldg., Puerto Princesa, Palawan GARINGA, Roger Designation: Project Manager Organization: Institute for the Development of Ecological Alternatives (IDEAS) Address: 30 Mozo Apt., Quirino St., Quezon, Palawan Phone: 09187527949 GASCON, Claude Designation: Senior Vice President Organization: Conservation International Address: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC Phone: (202) 9121000 Fax: (202) 9121030 Email: [email protected] GERONILLA, Elizabeth Designation: Professor Organization: Palawan State University Address: Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City GONZALES, Ben Designation: Project Manager Organization: Coastal Resource Mgt Project Address: Corporate Bldg., Rizal Ave., PPC Email: [email protected] GRANADO, Generoso Designation: Chairman on Environmental Protection Organization: Sangguniang Bayan, Linapacan Address: Linapacan, Palawan HOLTZ, Christopher Designation: Director Organization: Conservation International Address: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC Phone: (202) 9121000 Fax: (202) 9121030 Email: [email protected] IBUNA, Nancy Organization: Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Address: LBI Bldg. 57 Kalayaan Ave. Diliman, Q C Email: [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORS


INGLES, Jose Designation: Coordinator, Sulu-Sulawesi Ecoregion Program Organization: KKP Address: LBI Bldg. 57 Kalayaan Ave. Diliman, Q C Phone: (02) 4333220 to 23 Email: [email protected] JAMESON, Chris Designation: Coordinator Organization: Conservation International Address: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC Phone: (202) 9121000 Fax: (202) 9121030 Email: [email protected] JARDIN, Ruben Organization: Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Address: Carandang St., Puerto Princesa City JOVENAL, Benjamin Designation: CENRO Organization: CENRO-Quezon Address: Quezon, Palawan LAGUNZAD, Dan Organization: Institute of Biology, UPD Address: University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC Phone: (02) 9205471, 9205301 loc 6536 Email: [email protected] LASMARIAS, Noela Designation: Resource Economist Organization: CI - Philippines Address: #5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02) 4128195 Email: [email protected] LATUMBO, Zoe Designation: IEC Officer Organization: KKP - Tubbataha Address: Wescom Rd., Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4342100 Email: [email protected] LIGGAYU, Ryan Designation: GIS Operator Organization: Provincial Government Address: Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City LISBOA, Glen Designation: Chairman, Committee on ENR Organization: Sangguniang Bayan, Culion Address: Culion, Palawan LOBATON, Rodrigo Designation: Forester Organization: CENRO-Brooke's Point Address: Brooke's Point, Palawan Phone: 09193969881

MACLANG, ELIZABETH Designation: Researcher Organization: Palawan NGO Network, Inc Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4335525 Email: [email protected] MADULID, Domingo Organization: Philippine National Museum Address: Old Congress Bldg., P. Burgos St., Mla Phone: (02) 5270210 MAGALLANES, Inocencio Designation: Director Organization: Haribon - Palawan Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4346645 MANA, Katherine Organization: Environmental Legal Assistance Center Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4344212 Fax: (048) 4335183 Email: [email protected] MANALO, Rainier Organization: Palawan Wildlife Refuge & Conservation Center Address: Irawan, Puerto Princesa City MANUEL, William Designation: GIS Associate Organization: CI - Philippines Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4333551 Fax: (048) 4342419 Email: [email protected] MAON, Ferdinand Designation: GIS Specialist Organization: CI - Philippines Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4333551 Fax: (048) 4342419 Email: [email protected] MARTIN, Segundino Designation: CENRO Organization: CENRO-Taytay Address: Taytay, Palawan MATILLANO, Joey Designation: Instructor Organization: State Polytechnic College of Palawan Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Email: [email protected] MATTA, John Patrick Designation: Chairman, Committee on ENR Organization: Sangguniang Bayan, Coron Address: Coron, Palawan MATTA, Noel Designation: President Organization: Calamianes Association of Tourism Establishments Address: Coron, Palawan

MATULAC, Josephine Designation: Director, Project Operations and Implementation Division Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 MELO, Carmen Designation: Research Officer Organization: DENR-PENRO Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4335639 MENDOZA, James Designation: Park Superintendent Organization: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4332409 MORALES, Connie Designation: Project Coordinator Organization: CI - Philippines Address: #5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02) 4128195 Email: [email protected] NABUA, Ely Designation: CENRO Organization: CENRO-Calamianes Address: Coron, Palawan Phone: 09196835703 NAGUIT, Shellane Designation: Project Coordinator Organization: CI - Philippines Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: 09189215012 Email: [email protected] NALZARRO, Oscar Designation: Dean Organization: SPCP-Aquatic Science & Technology Institute Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City NAVARRO, Joy Organization: DENR - PAWB Address: Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center, Quezon Ave., Diliman, QC OCAMPO, Diosdado Designation: CENRO Organization: CENRO - Brooke's Point Address: Brooke’s Point, Palawan OLANO, Rolando Organization: Haribon-Palawan Address: Rizal Ave. Ext., Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4346645 ONG, Emilio Designation: Municipal Planning & Development Officer Organization: Municipality of Balabac Address: Balabac, Palawan Phone: 09198717860

CONTRIBUTORS

CONTRIBUTORS :: 111

ORBETA, Elvira Organization: Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, Inc Address: Suite 405, The Tower at Emerald Square, J.P. Rizal cor. P. Tuazon Sts., Project 4, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4396616, 4396617 Fax: (02) 438-8858 Email: [email protected] PABLICO, MARIFI Designation: Researcher Organization: ELAC Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan PACRIS, Rodolfo Designation: CENRO Organization: CENRO-Narra Address: Narra, Palawan PADILLA, Lawrence Designation: Project Manager Organization: Palawan Center for Appropriate Rural Technology Address: Bancao-bancao, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4344121 PADILLA, Fernando Designation: Project Development Officer Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 PALATINO, Arthur Designation: Chief, Environmental Management Services Organization: DENR-PENRO Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4344850 PALMA, Joel Designation: Species Director Organization: Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Address: LBI Bldg. 57 Kalayaan Ave. Diliman, Q.C. Phone: (02) 4367311, 4367316, 4367317 Fax: (02) 4330911 PALMA, Angelito Organization: Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Address: LBI Bldg. 57 Kalayaan Ave. Diliman, Q C Phone: (02) 4333220 to 23 PALOMAR, Nadia Designation: Project Coordinator Organization: CI - Philippines Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4333551 Fax: (048) 4342419 Email: [email protected] PAMBID, Wilson Designation: Project Development Officer Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370

PAPA, Daisy Designation: Researcher Organization: Palawan NGO Network, Inc Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4335525 Email: [email protected] PATENO, Alejandro Designation: Chairman, Committee on ENR Organization: Sangguniang Bayan, Busuanga Address: Busuanga, Palawan Phone: 09204043991 PIDO, Michael Designation: Professor Organization: PSU Address: Manalo St., Puerto Princesa City Phone: 09194308206 Email: [email protected] PINSONNEAULT, Yves Organization: Conservation International Address: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC Phone: (202) 9121000 Fax: (202) 9121030 Email: [email protected] POLLISCO, Wilfrido Designation: Director Organization: DENR-Protected Areas & Wildlife Bureau Address: Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center, Quezon Ave., Diliman, QC Phone: (02) 9296626 to 29 Fax: (02) 9240109 PONTILLAS, John Designation: Project Development Officer Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 Email: [email protected] QUIBILAN, Miledel Christine Organization: UP Marine Science Institute Address: University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC Phone: (02) 9223959, 9223958 Email: [email protected] RACUYA, Felomino Designation: District Manager Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 RAMOS, Noel Designation: Project Development Officer Organization: City ENRO Address: San Jose, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4334296 REBONG, Glenn Designation: Head, Technical Division Organization: Palawan Wildlife Refuge & Conservation Center Address: Irawan, Puerto Princesa City

REGALO, Apollo Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 REYES, Victor Designation: Project Manager Organization: Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Email: [email protected] RODRIGUEZ, Roshiela Designation: GIS Specialist Organization: CI Philippines Address: #5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02) 4128195 Email: [email protected] ROLLON, Rene Organization: UP Marine Science Institute Address: University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC Phone: (02) 9223959, 9223961 Email: [email protected] SAMANIEGO, Pamela Raquel Designation: Division Chief Organization: Department of Tourism Address: TM Kalaw St., Manila SCHOPPE, Sabine Organization: State Polytechnic College of Palawan Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Email: [email protected] SHEEN, Roberto Designation: Director Organization: DENR – Environmental Management Bureau (MIMAROPA) Address: 1515 L&S Bldg. Roxas Blvd., Mla. Phone: (02) 5369786 SONGCO, Angelique Designation: Park Superintendent Organization: Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4345759 SOPSOP, Glenn Designation: Dean Organization: SPCP-Institute of Environment Address: Aborlan, Palawan Phone: 09185584104 SOPSOP, Lita Organization: Institute of Environment, SPCP-Main Campus Address: Aborlan, Palawan SORIANO, Ma. Vivian Designation: Environmental Management Specialist Organization: DENR-PENRO Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: 09193836067

CONTRIBUTORS


SUALOG, Delia Designation: Chief, Environmental Research & Development Services Organization: DENR-PENRO Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: 09196564860 TABANGAY-BALDERA, Jeanne Designation: Project Coordinator Organization: CI - Philippines Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 4333551 Fax: (048) 4342419 Email: [email protected] TABUGON, Lualhati Designation: Director, Planning & Technical Services Division Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 TACTAY, Fernando Designation: CENRO Organization: CENRO-Puerto Princesa Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City TAGYAB, Rolando Designation: Municipal Environment & Natural Resources Officer Organization: Municipality of Narra Address: Narra, Palawan Phone: 09207076812 TENEBRO, Ma. Corazon Designation: Project Development Officer Organization: Municipality of Brooke’s Point Address: Brooke's Point, Palawan Phone: 09205673296 TIONGSON, Virgilio Designation: Provincial Environment & Natural Resources Officer Organization: Department of Environment & Natural Resources Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Phone: (048) 433-5638 TORRES, Aida Designation: Division Chief Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 TRONO, Romeo Designation: Executive Director Organization: CI - Philippines Address: #5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City Phone: (02) 4128194 Fax: (02) 4128195 Email: [email protected] TRONO, Gavino Organization: UP Marine Science Institute Address: University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC Phone: (02) 9223959, 9223960

UBANI, Rhodora Designation: Environmental Management Specialist Organization: DENR-PENRO Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: 09198875410 UYAMI, Arselene Designation: Instructor Organization: Palawan State University Address: Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City Email:[email protected] VALIENTES, Rodger Designation: Instructor 2 Organization: Department of Economics, College of Economics and Management (CEM) Address: University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College, Laguna Phone: (049) 5362505 Fax: (049) 5363641 Email: [email protected] VALLEDOR, Gil Designation: MENRO Organization: Municipality of Roxas Address: Roxas, Palawan Phone: 09198233627 VIACRUCIS, Edgar Address: San Miguel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan Email: [email protected] VILLARUZ, Edmund Organization: Provincial ENRO Address: Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4334579 VILLEGAS, Rene Organization: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Address: Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4343370 Email: [email protected] VYNNE, Stacy Designation: Coordinator Organization: Conservation International Address: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC Phone: (202) 9121000 Fax: (202) 9121030 Email: [email protected] WIDMANN, Peter Designation: Project Manager Organization: Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Project Address: Wescom Rd., Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4345267 Email: [email protected]

WONG, Grace Designation: Resource Economist Organization: Conservation International Address: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC Phone: (202) 9121000 Fax: (202) 9121030 Email: [email protected] YAP, Sheryl Organization: Department of Entomology, UPLB Address: UP Los Baños, College, Laguna Phone: (049) 5361315 Email: [email protected] YAPTINCHAY, Arnel Andrew Organization: Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Address: Wescom Rd., Puerto Princesa City Phone: (048) 4342100 Email: [email protected] ZABALO, Edgardo Designation: Provincial Agiculture Officer Organization: Provincial Agriculture Office Address: Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City ZAMORA, Prescillano Organization: Institute of Biology, UP Diliman Address: University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC Phone: (048) 922-0748 Conservation International – Palawan Program Staff REDEMPTO D. ANDA, Program Manager NOELA LASMARIAS, Resource Economist JEANNE TABANGAY-BALDERA, Palawan Mainland Coordinator SHELLANE C. NAGUIT, Calamianes Coordinator NADIA E. PALOMAR, Marine Coordinator FERDINAND F. MAON, GIS Specialist WILLIAM D. MANUEL, GIS/IT Associate PAULINE S. CHAN, Community Development Officer MARYLU MAYOR-ANDERSON, Administrative Assistant REY T. ALCANTARA, Finance Officer RUSTICO NARIDO, Driver/Utility

CONTRIBUTORS

PHOTO CREDITS :: 113

PHOTO CREDITS

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1 Conservation International-Phils 2 Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff 3 Jurgen Freund 4 Palawan NGO Network, Inc. 5 Environmental Legal Assistance Center 6 World Wildlife Fund-Phils 7 Ken Saito 8 Hildie Nacorda 9 Rene Abesamis 10 Gheny Francisco-Olegario Map layouts by Ferdinand Maon (CI-Phils) Base map data (coastline, rivers, roads, administrative boundaries) were supplied by the National Mapping Resources Information Authority through PCSDS and the Provincial Government of Palawan. This document is not an authority on administrative boundaries.

THE STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE PALAWAN CORRIDOR :: 114 Surublien - Tagbanua term for ‘legacy’

Surublien-Strategies To Conserve Palawan's Biodiversity

Education

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