the palawan biosphere reserve

SOUTH-SOUTH CO-OPERATION PROGRAMME ON ENVIRONMENTALLY

SOUND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE HUMID TROPICS

WORKING PAPERS

No 19,1997

THE

- UNITED NATIONS I90 UNITED NATlONS THIRD WORLD

EDUCATIONAL, MAN AND THE EIOSPHERE UNIVERSITY ACADEMY OF

- SCIENTIFIC AND PROGRAMME (D

SCIENCES

CULTURAL ORGANQATION

The Working Papers series is a publication of the South-South Co-operation Programme for Environmentally Sound Socio-Economic Development in the Humid Tropics. The series aims to disseminate the results of the research on Biosphere Reserves on such topics as (i) the prevailing conservation and resource-use patterns and, (ii) the ways of improving the traditional practices and orientation for applied research aimed at a more intensive and sustainable use of the biodiversity to provide a better livelihood to the local population in the buffer and transition zones, On more general issues, the Working Paners are also an attempt to identify key problems that will become areas of concentration for international co-operation.

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The Biosphere Reserves or similar managed areas that are joining the South- South Co-operation Programme, are requested to produce an overview of their covering area containing first hand information on its conditions and urging problems.

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Working Paper N” 19,1997, UNESCO (South-South Co-operation Programme), Paris (France)

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The Palawan Biosphere Reserve, created in 1991, includes the entire Province of Palawan, in the Philippines, covering around 14 000 km2 and populated by nearly 750 000 people. The Province has a unique and diverse fauna and flora and is known as the country’s “last ecological frontier”. However, agriculture, fishing, mineral extraction and offshore oil and natural gas, as well as tourism, threaten the environment.

In 1992, a Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan (SEP) was adopted and through it an Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) is being implemented. The SEP is a comprehensive framework to enhance a sustainable development of the region considering the ecological viability and the social acceptability, in an integrated approach. The ECAN is a graded system of protection and development control over the whole of Palawan. It has three components subdivided into management units graded from strictly protected to development areas. The terrestrial component has a core zone, a buffer zone (subdivided into a restricted, controlled and traditional use areas) and a multiple/manipulative use area. The coastal/marine component has also a core and a multiple use zone. Finally, the tribal ancestral lands are traditionally occupied lands granted to local indigenous communities through a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim. A diversified number of protected areas of Palawan are described, as well as research priorities and on-going programmes.

The implementation of the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan and the Environmentally Critical Areas Network are besieged with constraints ranging from incapability of implementors to sheer lack of concern among the majority of the local communities, because of a lack of livelihood opportunities that would prevent the communities from putting more pressure on their forest, land and marine resources.

Ricardo M. SANDALO, Teodoro BALTAZAR : The Palawan Biosphere Reserve (Philippines)

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La Reserve de la biosphere du Palawan, creee en 199 1, inclue I’ensemble de la Province du Palawan, aux Philippines, couvrant environ 14 000 km2 et peuplee par presque 750 000 personnes. La Province dispose d’une faune et dune flore uniques et diversifiees qui en fait la “derniere frontiere ecologique” du pays. Neanmoins, l’agriculture, la p&he, l’extraction minCra.le et les gisements marins de p&role et de gaz naturel, tout comme le tourisme, menacent I’environment.

En 1992, un Plan environnemental strategique du Palawan (SEP) a ettc adopte et est mis en ceuvre a travers le Reseau des zones environnementales critiques (EcAN). Le SEP est une structure d’ensemble pour l’elaboration d’un developpement durable de la region avec la prise en compte de la viabilite ecologique et I’acceptabilite sociale, dans une approche integree. L’ECAN est un systeme hiCrarchisC de protection et de controle du developpement sur l’ensemble du Palawan. 11 comporte trois elements sous-divisb en unites de gestion allant d’une protection stricte jusqu’a des zones de developpement. L’ClCment terrestre est compose dune zone centrale, dune zone tampon (sous-divisee en aires d’usage restreints, controk et traditionnels) et dune aire d’utilisation multiple/manipulable. L’element cotier/marin est compose dune zone centrale et d’usage multiple. Finalement, les terres tribales ancestrales traditionnellement occupees sont des terres dont disposent les populations indigenes locales par l’intermediaire d’un Certificat de domaine ancestral revendique. Un nombre diversifie d’aires protegees du Palawan sont d&rites, tout comme les priorites de recherche et les programmes en tours.

L’implantation du Plan environnemental strategique du Palawan et du Reseau des zones environnementales critiques sont sous des contraintes allant de I’incapacite des executeurs au manque evident dint&& parmi la major-it6 des communautes locales, en raison du manque d’opportunite d’autres moyens d’existence qui empecheraient les communautks a poursuivre leurs pressions sur la for& la terre et les ressources marines.

Ricardo M. Sandal0 is the National Co-Director of the European Union funded Palawan Tropical Forestry Protection Programme (PTF’PP) of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS).

Teodoro Baltazar heads the ECAN Division of the PCSDS. All photographs were taken by Pedritz Ensomo.

Working Paper No 19, 1997, UNESCO (South-South Co-operation Programme), Paris (France)

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ .6

1) Establishment and legislation.. ........................................................................ 7

2) Manaaement ..................................................................................................... .9

I- THE SEP AND THE ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREASNETWORK JECAN~ ....................................................................................................................... IO

1) Status of the ECANization ............................................................................. ..13

2) Problems and issues in the ECANization and resource use ....................... .I6

II- PROTECTED AREAS .......................................................................................... .I8

1) Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and World Heritaae Site ................ .I9

2) St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park.. .............................................. .I 9

3) El Nido Marine Reserve ................................................................................. .20

4) Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary.. .......................................... 21

5) Ursula Island Game Refuqe and Bird Sanctuarv .......................................... 22

6) Other reservations ......................................................................................... .22

7) Problems and issues related to protected areas ........................................ .22

Ill- ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, MONITORING AND OTHER CONCERNS.....23

CONCLUSION : THE FUTURE : NEED AND PROSPECT ...................................... 25

1) Research wiorities ......................................................................................... .25

2) Action prowammes ........................................................................................ 26

3) Epilocaue ......................................................................................................... ..2 7

BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..27

ANNEX 1 : EXCERPTS FROM THE <<Proposed multinational research programme to underpin sustainable use of the forests of Palawan,), by T. C. WHITMORE. _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .._......................................._....................._..._......................... 28

ANNEX 2 : PLANTAND ANIMAL SPECIES FOR SPECIAL PROTECTION IN PALA WAN, SEP 7987.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _. . . . . . _ _. . . _. . . . . . . . . _ _ ._ . _. . _ _ . . _ . . _. . _ _ . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30


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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CADC -Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim. DAO -Department Administrative Order. DECS -Department of Education, Culture and Sports. DENR -Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Ecm -Environmentally Critical Areas Network. Eu -European Union. LGUS -Local Government Units. MAB -Man and the Biosphere Programme. NIPAP -National Integrated Protected Areas Programme. N~PAS -National Integrated Protected Areas System, RA no 7 586. PCSD -Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. PCSDS -Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff. PIADP -Palawan Integrated Area Development Project. PSTFAD -Provincial Special Task Force on Ancestral Domain. P~FPP -Palawan Tropical Forestry Protection Programme. RA -Republic Act. SEP -Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, RA no 7 6 11.


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INTRODUCTION

The Province of Palawan (Cf. MAP 1) lies on the southwestern edge of the Philippine archipelago. Including its marine area, it occupies almost one-fifth of the country’s territory, from the Spratlys Islands on the west within South China Sea and to the south nearing Borneo. Its land is composed of 1 700 islands and islets, covering approximately 14 000 krn2 with its largest island (also called mainland Palawan) stretching along 450 kilometers from 8 to 40 kilometers large, bisected with a mountain range in the middle (highest peak 2 085 meters above sea level). MAP 1 : Republic of the Philippines

Palawan’s forests support a unique and highly diverse flora and fauna. Its flora is known to be represented by 1 672 species, with many botanists hinting that there may be more undiscovered plants. Similarly, Palawan’s fauna is unique and is considered rare, threatened or endangered, several species are included in the IUCN Red Data Book. Owing to its ecological uniqueness, the Province is dubbed as the country’s “last ecological frontier”. Geographically, the Province was connected to the Bornean peninsula through land bridges. Its flora and fauna,


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therefore, compared to that of the rest of the country resemble more closely to those found in Borneo.

In 1962, a team of anthropologists unearthed in the mainland fossils classified as homo sapiens the Tabon Man, known to be 22 000 to 24 000 years old. Before the turn of the century, Palawan has been the home to several indigenous peoples : the Tagbanuas, Pala’wan, Tau’t Bato and the Bataks. Their ancestors are believed to have occupied the Province long before Malay settlers from the Madjapahit Empire of Indonesia arrived in these islands in the latter XIIth. or XIIIth. centuries.

Now, the Province is a melting pot of migrants from various parts of the Philippines and other countries. The influx of settlers accounts for the high population growth rate of 3.9 % annually, which is almost twice as much the national average. By the year 2 000, the number of Palawenos is expected to reach 750 000.

Agriculture and fisheries are the major economic activities in the Province. The presence, however, of offshore oil and natural gas have been confirmed. Tourism is promising to be a bigger industry in the coming years, while minerals like chromite and nickel are also being extracted and a large cement deposit is being eyed for exploitation.

1) Establishment and leaislation

Palawan was declared as a Biosphere Reserve, one of only two in the country, by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1991. Within its territory, the Tubbataha Reef was listed as a World Heritage Site by the World Conservation Union in 1994.

In 1992, the Philippine Legislature passed, and President Corazon Aquino signed into law, the Republic Act (RA) no 7 611 adopting the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan and creating the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) to supervise its implementation under the Office of the Philippine President.

Through the SEP, an Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) within its terrestrial and coastal marine areas shall be established delineating the Province into core zones, buffer zones (restricted use, controlled and traditional use areas), tribal ancestral lands and the multiple use areas. The ECAN provides the backdrop in defining the resource management units within the Province, that is to say cat&n-rent or watershed, small island or fishing ground. To illustrate this, a watershed management unit shall be classified into the different ECAN zones earlier cited.

Recognizing its richness in biological and cultural diversity, several areas in (or whole of) Palawan were declared, even prior to the adoption of the SEP, either as reservations or sanctuaries (C$ TABLE 1).

Working Paper No 19,1997, UNESCO (South-South Co-operation Programme), Paris (France)

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TABLE 1 : Palawan’s protected areas : sanctuaries and reservations

Name of protected area

Bacuit Watershed Reservation

Legal basis Date proclaimed

Presidential Proclamation March 28, 1935 no 785

Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary Presidential Proclamation no 14

April 30, 1960

Entire Province of Palawan as Game Refuge and Bird Sauctuary and Small Islands (less than 50 000 ha) as National Reserve

Presidential Proclamation no 219

July 2, 1967

St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park

Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Samtuary

Presidential Proclamation March 26, 1971 no 835

Presidential Proclamation August 3 1, 1976 no 1978

Candawaga-Ransang Tau’t Bato Reservation Presidential Proclamation no 1 743

June 2, 1978

Entire Province of Palawan as Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve

Tabon Gave Museum Reservation

Presidential Proclamation Dec. 29,198l no 2 152

Presidential Proclamation April 11, 1982 no 999

El Nido Marine Turtle Sanctuary MNR Administrative Order no 8

June 8, 1982

Irawau Flora and Fauna Watershed Reservation Presidential Proclamation no 2 221

July 14, 1982

Tubbataha National Marine Park (World Heritage Presidential Proclamation August 1, 1988 List) no 306

El Nido Marine Reserve DENR Administrative 1991 Order no 14

Note : MNR (Ministry of Natural Natural Resources).

Resources) and DENR (Department of Environment and

Also in 1992, the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act @A no 7 586) was adopted to integrate all protected areas in the country within one system under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Effectively, the above cited reservations and sanctuaries shall be managed by the DEN-R through Protected Area Management Boards (P-s) in each area.

As provided for in the SEP Act, however, these protected areas earlier mentioned as part of the NIPAS, shall be considered as distinct management units within the Network. So that a given protected area shall be further classified into the ECAN zones for purposes of resource management planning.


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2) Management

Administratively, the country is subdivided into regions. Regional offices of national agencies are operating to cover several provinces. Palawan belongs to Region IV, or the Southern Tagalog Region. Two recent initiatives however, have caused the affiliation of Palawan with the Provinces of Mindanao Island in the south. The Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East Asean Growth Area links Palawan together with Mindanao to closely trade and undertake mutually beneficial economic activities with regions of the neighboring South East Asian countries. Meanwhile, Palawan is included in the newly created Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), pursuant to a peace agreement of the Philippine Government with the Moro National Liberation Front @NLF), a secessionist group based in Mindanao.

Local governing is undertaken through the Provincial Government of Palawan and City/Municipal Governments called Local Government Units (&Gus). The Province is politically subdivided into 24 city/municipalities. Twelve municipalities and one city are in the mainland while the rest are island municipalities. The Provincial Government is headed by a Governor while each city/municipality is headed by a Mayor. Further, each city/municipality is composed of districts called barangays, headed by a Barangay Chairman. The Governor, the Mayors, and Barangay Chairmen are elected every three years. As provided for in the new Local Government Code of 1991, various authorities and responsibilities previously held by national agencies are now devolved to the LGUS. These include aspects in agriculture, social welfare, health, environment and natural resources, etc..

Unique to the Province of Palawan is the existence of a multi-sectoral and multi- agency policy making and implementation Council, the PCSD, reporting directly to the Office of the President. It is tasked to supervise and implement sustainable development initiatives in the Province through the SEP Act. The Council is composed of the Members of the House of Representatives representing Palawan, a Deputy Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), an Under-secretary of the DEN-R, an Under-secretary of the Department of Agriculture, the Governor of Palawan, the Mayor of Puerto Princesa City, the President of the Mayors’ League of Palawan, the President of the Provincial Chapter of the League of Barangays, the Executive Director of the PCSD Staff (serving as ex-ofJicio Secretary) and representatives from the private or public sectors and non-governmental organizations (NGos), as the Council may deem necessary. The members of the Council annually elect, among themselves, a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman.

Providing the regular professional support to the Council is the PCSD Staff. The PCSD and its Staff are independent from any other department or agency of the Government. It provides the machinery to coordinate the policy, functions and implement programmes of the Council. However, the PCSD may call on any department, bureau, office, agency or


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instrumentality of the Government and on private entities and organizations for co-operation and assistance in the performance of its functions.

Consistent with the NIPAS and the SEP law, a protected area, as a management unit within ECAN, shall have a multi-sectoral PAMB, specifically organized to oversee the management of the said area. Meanwhile, tribal ancestral lands which are awarded by the DENR with an area-specific Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC), shall be managed by the concerned Peoples’ Organization (or PO, composed of indigenous peoples) holding said Certificate.

All these PAMEB and POS, shall be coordinating closely with the PCSD and its Staff, in pursuance of the SEP law.

I- THE SEP AND THE ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREAS NETWORK (ECAN)

The Republic Act no 7 611 states that the 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. It shall serve to guide the local governments of Palawan and the national agencies concerned in the formulation and implementation of plans, programmes and projects affecting the Province.

Sustainable development is defined by the SEP Act as the improvement in the quality of life of its people for the present and future generations through the use of complementary activities of development and conservation that protect life-support ecosystems and rehabilitate exploited areas to allow upcoming generations to sustain development growth. Such development shall have the following features :

* Ecological viability : the physical and biological cycles that maintain productivity of natural ecosystems must always be kept intact.

* Social acceptability : the people themselves, through participatory processes, should be fully committed to support sustainable development activities by fostering equity in access to resources and the benefits derived from them.

* Integrated approach : this allows for the holistic view of problems and issues obtaining in the environment opportunities for coordination and sharing that will eventually provide the resources and political will to actually implement and sustain SEP activities.

As its main strategy, the SEP shall establish an ECAN, which is a graded system of protection and development control over the whole of Palawan, including tribal lands, forest, mines, agricultural areas, settlement areas, small islands, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds and the surrounding seas. The ECAN shall ensure the following : i) forest conservation and protection through imposition of total commercial logging ban in all areas of maximum protection (core zone) and in such other restricted use zones as the PCSD may provide ; ii) protection of watersheds ; iii) preservation of biological diversity ; iv) protection of tribal people and the preservation of their culture ; v) maintenance of maximum sustainable yield ;

Ricardo M. SANDALO, Teodoro BALTAZAR : The Palawan Biosphere Resewe (Philippines)

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vi) protection of rare and endangered species and their habitat ; vii) provision of areas for environmental and ecological research, education and training and viii) provision of areas for tourism and recreation.

The areas covered by ECAN (Cf: TABLE 2) are classified into three main components : terrestrial, coastal/marine and tribal ancestral lands. The terrestrial component shall be subdivided into smaller management components,. that is to say catchment, watershed or protected area, which in turn shall be further classified into the following zones : areas of maximum protection or core zone, buffer zone (may be further subdivided into restricted use area, controlled use area, and traditional use area) and the multiple/manipulative use area. In the management of the coastal/marine component, core zones and multiple use zones shall be delineated in the fishing grounds of the Province. On the other hand, the tribal ancestral lands are areas traditionally occupied by indigenous peoples, comprising both land and sea. Using consultative processes and cultural mapping, a special kind of zonation shall be defined to fulfil1 the material and cultural needs of the tribes.

TABLE 2 : Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) zones, criteria and allowable uses

Criteria and allowable uses

Core Zone Fully and strictly protected and maintained free of human disruption. Areas above 1000 m. elevation. Virgin forest or first growth forest. Areas with steep gradient, above 50 % slope. Peaks of Mountains with elevation greater than 500 m. above sea level and covering 500 m. horizontal distance from the epicenter. Endangered habitats and habitats of endangered and rare species. Residual forests having less than 60 m.3/ha. harvestable volume. Other areas which the PCSD will identify. Exceptions, may be granted to traditional uses of tribal communitiesfor minimal and soft impact gathering offorest species for ceremonial and medicinal purposes.

(TABLE 2 to be continued...)

Working Paper No 19,1997, UNESCO (South-South Co-operafion Programme), Paris (France)

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(...continuation of TABLE 2)

ECAN zones

Buffer Zone


Restricted Use Area Generally surrounds the core zone and provides protective barrier. Areas with elevation ranging 500-l 000 m.. Areas with slope ranging 36-50 %. Habitat of wildlife species. Critical watersheds. Areas < 500 m. elevation, a 10 km. belt surrounding the Core Zone. Areas with poor, stunted and sparse stands of semi-deciduous forest which has very low regeneration capacity. Areas < 500 but not c 300 m. elevation to protect the remaining forested peaks of watersheds adjacent to critical ecosystems : coral reefs, estuaries, lakes, rivers and watersheds for major irrigation, water supply and mini-hydro projects. Limited and nonconsumptive activities may be allowed in this area, that is to say gathering of wild honey, almaciga tapping, soft-impact recreational activities (hiking, sight-seeing, bird watching, etc.) and research.

Controlled Use Area Encircles and provides the outer barrier to the core and restricted use area. Areas with elevation ranging 100-500 m.. Areas with slope ranging 19-35 %. In areas where there is a commuuity within or immediately adjacent to a restricted use area, a controlled use zone could be delineated from the restricted use for the use of the community. Controlledforest extraction may be allowed : collection of minor forest products, strictly controlled logging and mining.

Traditional Use Area Areas above 18 % slope but below 100 m. elevation subjected earlier to deforestation but are already stabilized or suitable to upland farming system. Edges of intact forests where traditional land use is already stabilized or is being stabilized. Open, brushland or grassland areas that are still being classified as timberland or public land. Timberland or public land with elevation < 100 m.. Management and control shall be carried out with the other supporting programmes of the SEP, that is to say upland stabilization, catchment management, hillside farming, integrated social forestry, industrial tree plantation and community-basedforest management.

Multiple/manipulative The area where the landscape has been modified for different forms of land Use Area use.

Areas classified as Alienable and Disposable. Areas with slope 18 % and below. Control and management strictly integrated with the other supporting programmes of the SEP and other similar programmes of the Government, in accordance with a land use plan endorsed by the local government units and community concerned for PCSD'S approval, that is to say community-based timber extraction, grazing and pastures, agriculture, infrastructure and industrial development.

~~~~~~~ A different and simplified scheme of management and zonation shall be

applied to this component due to its geographical characteristics, critical nature and patterns of resource use. Equitable access to the resource and management responsibility by the local community shall be the underlying management philosophy of this component.

(TABLE 2 to be continued...)


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(...continuation of TABLE 2)

Ecm zones

Core Zone


Designated free from any human activity. Coral reefs with relatively intact resources, fair to excellent coral condition or 25- 100 % coral cover. Coralline sites containing all coral genera found in the management unit. Mangrove areas bordering waterways and extending 20 m. from riverbank and 50 m. from shore. Mangrove areas in small islands. Mangrove areas of old growth stand and reproductive brush. Mangrove areas containing all the species in the management unit. Seagrass beds bordering core zone for mangrove and corals. Seagrass beds with at least 50 % cover of macrophytes. Seagrass beds with sightings of Duaong duaong. Includes sanctuaries for rare and endangered species, selected coral reefs, seagrass and mangrove ecosystem reserves.

Multiple Use Zone AI1 coa.staI/marine areas not classified as coastal/marine core zone. Aside porn being a development area, this zone also serves as the buffer zone where fishery, mariculture, recreation, rehabilitation of small islands and mangrove ecosystem, education and research are allowed.

.,.......,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .,.,.,.,. ~~~~~~~ Traditionally occupied by cultural communities. “A”.“.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “2.‘. . . . . . , .A._._.__..._._,,,._.,....,.... . ..n. i... . . . . . . . _......., . . . ..A... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _..., _.,.. . . . . . . . . . . . A special find of zomtion swl k defined to fulfil1 he mateid md culti n&

of the of the tribes using consultative processes and cultural mapping. Shall be treated in the same graded system of control and prohibitions as others above mentioned except for stronger emphasis in cultural considerations.

SOURCES : Republic Act no 7 611 (SEP) and PCSD Resolution no 94-44

1) Status of the ECANization

In 1994, the PCSD adopted the Guidelines in Implementing the ECAN (PCSD Resolution no 94-44). Based on the guidelines and utilizing whatever available secondary data from existing maps (topography/elevation, vegetative cover) a preliminary ECAN map (Cf: W 2) was produced and approved by the PCSD. Through the PCSD Staff, a series of orientation workshops were conducted at the municipal level to prepare the LGUS, specifically its planning departments, on their role relative to the ECAN. Also, during the workshops Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Monitoring methodologies were also discussed.

Multi-sectoral ECAN Boards were organized in each municipality after every orientation workshop. The Board serves as a recommendatory regulating body relative to all environment related issues. This is necessary to ensure proper resource utilization within ECAN protected zones. Each ECAN Board is provided with the preliminary EcAN map, as a basis for their evaluation of any project or activity.


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MAP 2 : Preliminary Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) map of the Province of Palawan

LEGEND : Core zone Restricted use zone Controlled use zone Traditional use zone Muttiple use zone Mangrove area islands

On a regular basis, community dialogues and consultations are undertaken on ECAN activities as well as to gather and input secondary information to further develop the zoning guidelines for a specific area. These are translated into working maps, though preliminary, to be utilized in enforcing the provision of the ECAN guidelines. Finally, however, the zoning shall be subjected to an actual survey/delineation which are marked on the ground.


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Up to now, the ECAN Division of the PCSD Staff with the complementation of the Palawan Tropical Forestry Protection Programme (PTFPP), a European Union funded project, and in co-operation with the LGUs concerned have delineated the following : i) terrestrial areas -Municipalities of Brooke’s Point, Espanola, San Vicente and El Nido- and ii) coastal/marine areas -Municipalities of Narra (with 63 km2 declared as fish sanctuary or core zone) and Balabac.

Meanwhile, four ancestral domain sites : Cabayugan, Kayasan, Irawan and Amas have been surveyed, boundaries defined and registered as tribal ancestral lands. Two of which, Cabayugan and Kayasan, both adjacent to the St. Paul’s National Park, were awarded last year by the DENR with Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claims (CADC). With a CADC, the concerned peoples’ organization now has the prior right in the management and utiliition of its natural resources. Meanwhile, the Provincial Special Task Force on Ancestral Domain (PSTFAD) has resolved for the approval of the Irawan ancestral domain claim, an area overlapping with the Irawan Flora and Fauna Watershed Reservation. Finally, the Amas ancestral domain claim covering four barangays (approximately totaling 145 km.* in the municipality of Brooke’s Point, is under evaluation by the PSTFAD.

The PCSD Staff and the PTFPP are both utilizing the Global Positioning System instrumentation in the ground survey and delineation activities, as the LGUS, the non- government organizations and the communities concerned participate in the process. This multi-sectoral approach of conducting the survey/delineation of the ECAN zones ensures sharing not only of the benefit but also the responsibilities and accountabilities in the implementation and enforcement of the ECAN.

The ECAN, as delineated, forms the basis in the formulation of the LGUs Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plans and consequently in the Comprehensive Development Plans of the municipalities as well as its respective zoning ordinances. The Comprehensive Development Plans of the LGUS are then compiled into the Provincial Development Plan.

Although the ground survey/delineation are still on-going in the other municipalities, the ECAN is already enforced, through the preliminary map, in the permitting system relative to resource utilization. A Memorandum of Agreement was reached between the PCSD and DIZNR so that all applications for permits, that is to say gathering of forest products, resource exploitation projects, etc. shall first be reviewed, evaluated and cleared by the Council prior to an issuance of a permit or an Environmental Compliance Certificate by DENR. The PCSD Staff evaluates and recommends to the Council any proposal through the ECAN system. Simultaneously, the applications are referred to the concerned LGU, through their ECAN Boards which likewise review and recommend appropriate (mitigating) actions. This permitting system is unique to Palawan, by virtue of the Strategic Environmental Plan Act.


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2) Problems and issues in the ECANization and resource use

While co-operation from the LGUS is evident, it is still imperative to strengthen their technical capabilities. Specifically, the LGUS need to upgrade their environmental impact evaluation capacities, and more importantly, their appreciation of the inherent capabilities of the indigenous peoples in resource utiliiation, that is to say watershed management or CADC management. This does not mean, however, that the indigenous pleoples on their own can ensure perfect management of their natural resources (a number of them are already influenced by lowlanders), but the indigenous peoples (Cf. PHOTO 1) also need to be assisted. There is also a dearth for more capacity building in resource management planning for specific ecological units among stakeholders.

PHOTO 1: A Pala’wan mother and child. The Pala’wans are now mostly concentrated in the south of mainland Palawan

Delineation of ECAN zones are likewise confronted with the present legal status of some of the Province’s land resources. For example, an area in the north, the watersheds surrounding Lake Manguao, were classified earlier as alienable and disposable (thus could in fact be zonified as Multiple/Manipulative Use Area under ECAN), but in reality its vegetative cover is still old growth forest. On the other hand, there are also areas legally classified as Timberland (thus not to be disposed by the State), but actually have been cultivated as agricultural land by early settlers long before the Province was subjected to Land Classification by DEN-R. The delineated ECAN zones imply a prescriptive land and coastal/marine resource use. Years before the SEP was adopted however, slash and bum farming, commonly called as kaingin, has been practiced by the communities (both by indigenous peoples and Christian

Ricardo M. SANDALO, Teodoro BALTAZAR : The falawan Biosphere Reserve (Philippines)

17

settlers) within and around ECAN’S buffer zones. Some of the indigenous peoples are even cultivating areas within the core zones, as they were pushed by Christian settlers. Kaingin is considered as one of the major culprits in Palawan’s on-going deforestation at 190 km.* of forestland being lost annually. Despite an earlier ban (late 1970s) declared by the national government, kaingin is still going on (Cf: PHOTO 2). Poverty and lack of income opportunities, however, are pushing the poor farmers to such kind of activity.

PHOTO 2 : A recent/y planted kaingin area in Mt. Mantalingahan, southern Palawan

Compounding the problem created by kaingirt is the illegal logging/cutting of trees. With the adoption of the SEP, and its provisions, a total commercial logging ban was imposed in the Province. This move has rendered thousands of logging concession workers jobless and the prices of lumber lucrative. Consequently, with the demand for lumber still increasing for housing and other construction needs, the temptation to illegally cut trees is also increasing. To date, community-based forestry activities, like the communal forests are being pursued, but the pace in its adoption has been dragging to the detriment of the existing forests.

In the coastal/marine area, illegal and environmentally destructive fishing are still going on. Fishing through the use of dynamite and/or explosives are being perpetuated in the Province’s fishing grounds not only by Palawenos, but also by people from other provinces in the country. In addition, the market for live fish, like groupers and small tropical fishes, for restaurants in Manila and Hongkong and the aquarium industry are so tempting that people resort to the use of cyanide (a toxic chemical to stun the fish) to catch the fish alive. In the process, the cyanide destroys the coral reefs. Recently, the Provincial Government banned the capture and selling of live fish, specifically to stop the practice of cyanide fishing. But reports of these illegal activities are still being received.

Working Paper No 19,1997, UNESCO (SoufIbSouth Co-operation Programme), Paris (France)

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II- PROTECTED AREAS

As earlier mentioned, several areas in Palawan have been declared either as reservations or sanctuaries (Cf: MAP 3). These shall form part of the National Integrated Protected Areas System, with specific management plans to be developed for each of these areas. In preparing the management plans of these protected areas, however, the policies and strategies set forth by the SEP and ECAN shall be reckoned with. This is to achieve a holistic protection and management of the Province’s ecology and natural resources. These protected areas are described below. MAP 3 : Location of protected areas of the Province of Palawan

Notes : Protected areas : 1. Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary ; 2. El Nido Marine Reserve, El Nido Marine Turtle Sanctuary, Bacauit Watershed Reservation ; 3. St. Paul’s Subterranan River National Park ; 4. Tubbataha National Marine Park (World Heritage List) ; 5. Irawan Flora and Fauna Watershed Reservation ; 6. Tabon Cave Museum Reservation ; 7. Candawaga-Ransang Tau’t Bato Reservation ; 8. Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary. AI1 small islands (< 50 000 ha.) are National Reserves. Whole Province is a Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary, Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve and m Biosphere Reserve.

SOURCES : Republic Act no 7 611 and SEP Act


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1) Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and World Heritacle Site

Foremost among these protected areas, is the Tubbataha Reef, declared in 1988 as the country’s first national marine park, and later recognized as one of the World Heritage Sites. It covers an area of 320 km.* of submerged corals, islets and lagoon at the approximate center of the Sulu Sea. The reef complex is part of the island municipality of Cagayancillo, 328 km. northeast of Puerto Princesa City.

The Tubbataha Reef complex is considered as one of the world’s best diving area (Cf: PHOTO 3) and has become one of the country’s favorite touristic destination. A 1982 survey revealed that the area comprises 46 coral genera, at least 40 families and 379 species of fish, 6 species of sharks and 2 species of dolphins. In addition, at least 43 species of algae and 7 species of seagrasses belonging to 5 genera were also observed in the area. Also abounding are flocks of red footed (Ma sula) and brown (Sda Zeocogaster) boobies, hawksbill and green sea turtles, sting and manta rays. A Task Force was created by President Ramos in August 1995 to oversee the formulation and implementation of a workable development and management plan for the area.

PHOTO 3 : An underwater scene in the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, a favorite dive spot in Palawan

2) St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park

Another important protected area is the St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park located on the central west coast of the mainland within the limits of Puerto Princesa City. It covered originally 30 km.* and was later expanded to 50 km.*. Its underground river (as it is


commonly called, and the most popular feature of the Park) stretches approximately 8 km.. The St. Paul’s Protected Area Management Board has proposed to further increase its size to 750 km.* to cover its neighbouring mountain Cleopatra’s Needle.

Aside from the subterranean river and the many other caves, however, the Park is also noted for a very diverse flora and fauna representing almost what could be found in the whole Province. Lately, its visitors have been notably increasing, due to its unusual attraction : a boat ride (Cf: PHOTO 4) within the cave and also because of its improved accessibility from the City. Its management was turned-over by the DENR to the City Government in 1993, and the Park is currently being assisted by the PTFPP in terms of technical, planning and operating assistance.

PHOTO 4 : A boat ride in the underground river of the St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park

3) El Nido Marine Reserve

Another famous touristic destination is the El Nido Marine Reserve located in the Municipality of El Nido. The town is likewise noted for its edible birds’ nests, commonly called as nido. The Reserve (created through a Department Order in 1991), occupying 960 km.* of


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land and sea, was earlier declared as a Marine Turtle Sanctuary. Earlier, in 1935, an area within the Reserve was set aside as the Bacuit Watershed Reservation.

Its unique seascape of island marble cliffs, diverse ecosystems of rainforests, mangrove forests, and white beaches, seagrass beds and coral reefs provide attractions for tourists and opportunities for investors to transform the islands into resorts. A Task Force was likewise created by President Ramos for the area. Meanwhile, it is also one of the sites to be assisted by another European Union funded project through the DENR, the National Integrated Protected Area Programme (NIP*).

4) Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary

Considered as a successful wildlife translocation in Asia, the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, is a small island located in the Municipality of Busuanga. Declared by President Marcos in 1976, it was intended to “save” the declining African animal population in Kenya. A total of 104 exotic animals arrived in 1977. After five years, the animal population increased to 201 of which 58 were original stocks while 143 were island-born. To date, there are 569 heads of these animals (Cf: PHOTO 5) : impala (188), waterbuck (156) zebra (85), eland (55), bushback (49), giraffe (32) and topi (5).

In-situ conservation work on endemic wildlife species was also undertaken in the Sanctuary. Consequently, African animals are now co-existing with the endemic and endangered Calamian deer, Palawan bear cat, wild boar, Palawan peacock pheasant, mouse deer, marine turtles, crocodiles, among others. Its protected marine habitat is likewise home to the endangered dugong (sea cow), sea turtles and giant clams. In 1995, the management of the Sanctuary was turned-over by the DENR to the PCSD Staff.

PHOTO 5 : Zebras within Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary

Working Paper No 19, 1997, UNESCO (South-South Co-operation fJrogramme), Paris (France)

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5) Ursula Island Game Refune and Bird Sanctuary

As early as 1960, the Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary was established through a Presidential Proclamation. This 17 hectare oval-shaped island is located southwest of Sulu Sea, 16 km. southeast of Rio Tuba, Bataraza in the southern part of mainland Palawan. On the southern side of the island lies a wide coral reef covering an area larger than the island itself.

Ursula Island is haven to over 150 000 migratory birds that come reportedly during the cold winter months from as far as mainland China. Unfortunately, 35 years after its declaration, the number of birds have been declining due to illegal human activities. Consequently, President Ramos created in 1995 a Task Force to purposely halt the possible demise of these birds and its habitat.

6) Other reservations

Aside from the above cited, there are also reservations and special interest areas worth mentioning, not necessarily protected areas. These include the Irawan Flora and Fauna Watershed Reservation, the main domestic water supply source of Puerto Princesa City as well as, in recent years, the site of an annual (every June) mass tree planting activity during a festivity called Pista Y Ang Kagueban (Feast of the Forest).

There is also the Tabon Cave Museum Reservation and the Candawaga-Ransang Taut Bato Reservation, both of which are to be managed by the National Museum, however, only the former is currently given attention. The Tau’t Bato are the indigenous cave-dwelling sub-tribe of the Pala’wans, while the Tabon Cave is the site where the Tabon Man was found.

Within the City of Puerto Princesa, the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (approximately 300 km.*) administered by the Department of Justice is one of the largest remaining intact forest. Meanwhile are potential protected areas to be assisted by NIPAFJ, Malampaya Sound, until recently declared as a Fish Sanctuary in the Municipality of Taytay and the Coron Island in the Municipality of Coron, a marble cliff island with several small lakes on top.

7) Problems and issues related to protected areas

Interestingly, the whole Province was likewise declared as a Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve (198 1) and as a Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary (1967), with its small islands (less than 500 km.*) also as National Reserves. These blanket declarations proved to be controversial if not confusing, as there are no detailed guidelines. Consequently, cutting of mangroves, an important fUelwood and housing material in the Province, is illegal. On the other hand, mangrove areas are being converted into fishponds. Meanwhile, there are island municipalities which have been inhabited since the Spanish colonization, that is to say


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Linapacan, but its settlement lots could not be disposed of for private ownership due to the prohibition on small islands declared only in 1967.

Until very lately, the management of these reserves have been very wanting. Until now, only two of the protected areas (St. Paul’s Park and Ursula Island) have an existing PAMB. Worst, except for the St. Paul’s Park and the Calauit Sanctuary, there are no permanent personnel manning these protected areas. Generally, therefore, it could be said that Palawan’s protected areas are good only in paper. In addition, aside from neglected by present and previous administrators, jurisdiction conflict also pose a major problem among protected areas. Ursula Island, for example, are now claimed by two municipalities. Also, the management of El Nido, Tubbataha, among others, have been contested between PCSD and DEN-R, although lately, with the President’s Task Force approach, this has somewhat been dissipated. In Calauit, political interventions and the hidden and/or real motives in proclaiming the area as sanctuary for exotic African wildlife have been questioned by those who were ejected from the area. Consequently, they are reclaiming the island and have in fact resettled there, thereby affecting the management of the Sanctuary, so poaching is becoming rampant.

Also common among protected areas is the sheer lack of appreciation by the surrounding communities on the importance of these areas in terms of biodiversity and as heritage to future generations. There is also conflict of boundary between protected areas and the communities around them, as most of these reserves were not properly demarcated on the ground but rather their declaration were based on table mapping without the necessary local consultations and/or information and education campaign.

Ill- ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, MONITORING AND OTHER CONCERNS

Environmental research and environmental monitoring are two of the essential components set forth in the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan (SEP) closely linked to the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (EcAN). Identification and management of the ECAN zones, for example is not a simple assigning of uses but require biological as well as ecological justification. In addition, the changes occurring in the ECAN zones are the main subject areas for Environmental Monitoring.

To date, the delineation of the ECAN zones are mostly based on elevation, slope and vegetative cover. The SEP and the ECAN guidelines, however, identifies the preservation of biological diversity and the protection of rare and endangered species as two major objectives. No ECAN zone has been delineated on these bases, in view of the fact that there is no definitive data or information on the matter. Except perhaps on the protected areas, but worst, aside from being generally neglected, biological and ecological studies on these areas are negligible if not absent.

In addition, to support the policy making functions of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), the Staff and other concerned agencies are supposed to


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provide the scientific basis for the Council’s policy decisions. A study on the economics of almaciga (resin), and some inventory studies on the flora and fauna of Palawan were undertaken, and resource assessment surveys on certain areas are scheduled with the participation of relevant institutions. But, much are still to be desired.

Relative to environmental monitoring, an Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation System (EMES) has been attempted to be established by the PCSD Staff Unfortunately, after four years of its existence, the Council and its Staff have yet to operate an EMES that will provide regular assessment of the Province’s environmental status.

Due to its relatively intact, yet fragile, ecosystem, Palawan has become a major touristic destination in the country. The Province has been mouthing eco-tourism as its major attraction compared to other parts of the country. Several resorts, on small islands or along the coasts in the mainland, are being established by Filipino and foreign entrepreneurs. Some are catering to the high-end exclusive type of markets, but most of the resorts are targeting the mass and backpackers type of tourists. Although there is now a Japan International Co- operation Agency supported study on environmentally sustainable tourism in the Province, what is worth noting is that, despite the ever increasing hype, no single plan has been produced that would ultimately define what eco-tourism is, or what it should be.

Meanwhile, it can be said that generally environmental awareness in the Province is high compared to the other parts of the country. Environmental campaigns have been waged through the various media outlets by agencies spearheaded by the PCSD Staff, NGOS and the DENR. However, what is perhaps required is a sustainable campaign that will reach not only those in the urban areas, but farmers and fishermen (Cf: PHOTO 6) as well. Afterall, they are in the front-line of resource utilization.

Environmental concerns in Palawan does not only dwell on its forest and coastal/marine resources. As identified by the SEP law, the protection of Palawan’s forest from further destruction for example, depends largely on how well the manipulative/multiple use areas are intensively utilized. If, and when, the population is economically stabilized in its agricultural and “off-the-land” activities in the lowlands, consequently the pressure to utilize the uplands, through k&gin, would decreased.

The lowlands in Palawan, however, are confronted with pests and diseases which stunts the growth of its agriculture. The menace of the black bug has been spreading throughout the rice plantations in Palawan. This is coupled with the persistence of the Golden Kuhol (giant snails), earlier introduced in the ricefields as a free source of protein (being edible) for the farmers. Later, however, they become pests as they spread so fast and eat the stalks of newly planted rice. In addition, the mango industry of the Province have been plagued with a pulp weevil, so that for quarantine purposes, mango growers in the Province are prohibited from selling their produce outside the island.


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PHOTO 6 : A typical fishing village scene in Palawan

Another threat to the environment, if not properly guided, is the affiliation of the Province in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area and the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development and, more importantly, the significant location of oil and natural gas offshore Palawan. These economic initiatives open the Province to further exploitation, as the neighbouring provinces and countries are looking at Palawan as a source of timber, land, agriculture and fishery, oil and mineral resources, as well as a destination area for tourism.

CONCLUSION : THE FUTURE : NEED AND PROSPECT

The future of the Palawan Biosphere Reserve hinges on the following : i) closer understanding, through research, of its bio-physical characteristics which could provide sounder bases in defining resource management planning and policy making in resource use within the ECAN zones and its protected areas and ii) socio-political and economic action programmes that would mobilize the communities within ECAN zones and around protected areas to properly utilize their natural resources.

1) Research priorities

i) Basic inventory and assessment of the biodiversity inside protected areas and designated critical areas within ECAN zones, both in terrestrial and coastal/marine areas.

ii) Research on various ecological, including habitat, and biological aspects of rare, threatened and endangered fauna species. This, but not only, includes : Palawan talking mynah,


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blue-naped parrot, Philippine cockatoo, Palawan hombill, white-breasted sea eagle, Nicobar pigeon, Tabon bird, swiftlets, Palawan bearcat, macaque monkeys, monitor lizard, Palawan porcupine, Palawan peacock pheasant, Calamian deer, mousedeer, dugong, marine turtle, etc..

iii) General collection and altitudinal zonation of Palawan flora. So as to include local names and medicinal and other local uses, and limestone hill flora.

iv) Hydrology and leaching, runoff and removal of biomass in critical watersheds/catchments. As a basis for a sound watershed/catchment resource management planning.

v) Research on the sustainable utilization of minor forest products. To include almaciga resin, rattan, etc..

vi) Research on agricultural pests, including its biological control, for giant nails, rice black bug, mango pulp weevil, stem borer, to name a few.

vii) Carrying capacity studies of protected areas as destination areas for tourism. viii) Research on compatible education, training and recreation activities within

protected areas. ix) Research on cultural integrity and .diversity of indigenous peoples. x) Integration and co-ordination of all research initiatives in the Province, minimally

attended to by the Palawan Research and Development Consortium, and establishment of a major repository (library and data center) of all researches undertaken in Palawan. Including popular&g, that is to say interpretation, of research findings.

As an initial step, the Palawan Tropical Forestry Protection Programme is attempting a research programme (Cf: ANNEX 1) for the St. Paul’s National Park and the Mt. Mantangahan area (south mainland mountain range and highest area in Palawan). In substance, this could be a model for the other protected areas and the different ECAN zones in the Province. A list (Cf: ANNEX 2) of plant and animal species specified by the SEP (as formulated in 1987, prior to its adoption as a law) for special protection is also an important step. Although there may be new initiatives since 1987, it could be said that the status of protection of these species still holds today.

2) Action prowammes

i) Local Capability Building. The stakeholders, resource users, the LGUS and NGOS need to be strengthened through training and seminars/workshops on resource management planning, conflict resolution, environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring, adaptive agricultural technology, mariculture, forest/silviculure management, coastal and forestry community-based resource management, etc.. This is in part supported by the Governance in Local Democracy Project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Palawan Tropical Forestry Protection Programme (PTFPP).


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ii) Promotion of community-based resource management and livelihood projects, both coastal/marine and agroforestry. This is in part supported by the Natural Resources Management Programme of the USAID and the PTFPP.

iii) Policy studies on resource use. This includes, but not only, tenurial rights, logging ban and community-based forestry, use of minor forest products through private individuals or tribal communities, eco-tourism, environmental taxation, review of existing legislations and proclamations, that is to say blanket reservations, and repeal and/or redefine those which are incompatible to sustainable development in general and the SEP in particular.

iv) Integration of environmental education and awareness in the curriculum of the formal education sector. This is partly supported by PTFPP and the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

v) Promotion of action-oriented environmental awareness campaigns that would ensure reaching the grassroots.

3) Epiloque

Palawan today, as a Biosphere Reserve with its Strategic Environment Plan (SEP) and the Environmentally Critical Areas Nettwork (EcAN), is in a situation where legislation and initial actions have offered opportunities towards maintaining its biodiversity and proceed towards sustainable development.

However, the implementation of its SEP and the ECAN are besieged with constraints ranging from neglected and incapability of implementors, to sheer lack of concern among majority of the communities. The latter reason is further complicated by lack of livelihood opportunities that would have prevented the communities from putting more pressure on their forest, land, and marine resources.

This paper has outlined both the research and action programme priorities that could in a way, help in the preservation of Palawan’s biodiversity. Its implementation, on the other hand, may be another story. It is in this respect, that hopefully the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, other agencies of the government, private sector and even bilateral and/or multilateral assistance, are expected to put their actions together.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ARQUIZA Y., WHITE A : Tales from Tubbataha : natural history, resource use and conservation of the Tubbataha Reef (Pa&an, Philippines) Bandillo ng Palawan Foundation, Puerto Princesa City (Philippines), 1994.

BEQUETTE F. : Palawan, the Philippines’ lastfrontier The UNESCO Courier, October 1996.


2%

PCSD (PALAWAN COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT) :

Accomplishment report 1994 and 1995. Resolution no 94-44 : Adopting the guidelines in implementing the Environmentally Critical Areas Network, 1994.

PLADP (PALAWAN INTEGRATED AREA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OFFICE) : Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan -Towards sustainable development, 1987.

PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE : Discover Palawan Province of Palawan, 1996.

REPUBLIC ACT :

No 7 586 -An Act adopting the National Integrated Protected Area System Republic of the Philippines, 1992. No 7 6 11 -An Act adopting the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Republic of the Philippines, 1992.

SANDAL0 R M. :

Palawan’s quest for sustainable development Paper presented to the 3 rd. National Conference on Research in the Uplands, Cagayan de Oro City (Philippines), September 4-9, 1995. Sustainable development and the Environmental Plan for Palawan in : EDER J., FERNANDEZ J. (editors) : Palawan at the crossroads : development and the environment on a Philippine frontier, Ateneo de Manila University Press, Quezon City (Philippines), 1996.

WHITMORE T. C. : A proposed multinational research programme to underpin sustainable use of the forests of Palawan Paper presented to the PTFYP for the ULG Consultants, University of Cambridge - PTFPP, Palawan (Philippines), 1996.

ANNEX 1 : EXCERPTS FROM THE <tProposed multinational research programme to underpin sustainable use of the forests of Palawanq by T. C. WHITMORE

The Research Programme Details (Topics to be covered for St. Paul’s Park, except where specified) :

1. Birds 1. I. Swtflets in the cave system. There are 8.2 km. of wet caves and > 6 km. of dry

caves including the Cave of a Million Birds in the south west.


29

1.2. Tabon birds. Adrian0 (1993) has shown these are disturbed by visitors to the caves. They only nest on a few north coast beaches and further research and monitoring is urgently needed.

I. 3. Forest avifauna. How does avifauna differ between the different forest formations ? At present only a list has been published.

1.4. Interpretation. All bird research to help produce visitor-leaflets. 2. Mammals 2.1. Cave bats. Tabangay (1994) found 8. species and (personnal communication)

another one which matched no known Philippine bat. Visitors to the underground river are known to be disturbing the bats. Monitoring and further research (including dry caves) is needed.

2.2. Forest fauna. How do mammals differ between the various forest formations ? At present only a list exists.

2.3. Interpretation. All mammals research to help produce visitor-leaflets. 3. Plants 3.1. General collecting. To include local names and medical and other local uses.

Two sets to be retained by the Philippine National Herbarium, one to be ultimately deposited in a suitable place in Palawan. To cover both St. Paul and Mt. Mantalingahan areas. Palawan Botanical Expedition had no trouble hiring tree climbers.

3.2. Species richness on small plots. The general collecting can be given focus by enumerating : a) all trees ,lO cm. diameter on small plots of c. 1 ha. and b) all vascular plant species, in both lowland evergreen rain and ultrabasic forests. (a) will enable comparison of ‘biodiversity” with other parts of the tropics and (b) {total species richness} has only ever been measured 2-3 times anywhere in rain forest. As well as species number, leaf size spectrum, life form spectrum and species/area curve are of interest. Some plots could be made permanent and linked to the global permanent sample plot network. This would require more field work.

3.3. Altitudinal zonation. Small plot study (as above) at increasing elevation into montane forest on Mt. Mantalingahan or Cleopatra’s Needle.

3.4. Limestone hiZIflora. Limestone hills have several very distinct habitats (summit, cliffs, depressions, etc.). Many plants have horticultural potential. Much is now known about limestone in Malaysia which can be used for guidance and a comparison made.

3.5. Training courses. Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew, England) has short courses of a few months, one or more of which might be useful.

3.6. Taxonomic revision. Of an important group on Palawan. 3.7. Interpretation. Conspicuous and interesting plants of the main different forest

formations interpreted in visitor-leaflets. 4. Erosion and nutrient loss. What is the loss of soil and plant mineral nutrients in

water run off from natural forest and swidden farming bush fallow of different ages, and also from ultrabasic forest ? St. Paul lowland evergreen and ultrabasic forest and/or Mt. Mantalingahan. Study needs small catchments and to continue for several years.

5. Forest recovery after swidden farming. St. Paul lowland evergreen forest or Mt. Mantalingahan.

5.1. Biomass and nutrient recovery. By false time series. Very few published data exist on nutrient recovery. Do some species concentrate particular nutrients in their (above ground) biomass ?

5.2. Species recovery and source. Seed rain ? Seed bank ? Coppice ? False time series plus some permanent sample plot for continual monitoring over several years.


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ANNEX 2 : PLANTAND ANIMAL SPECIES FOR SPECIAL PROTECTION IN PALAWAN, SEP 1987

Existing Species Habitat/distribution Issues protection

measures

Plants

1. Almaciga (A~ufbis Medium to high altitude, evergreen to Improper tapping for Cutting a?EJ semidecidous forest, found throughout resin and uncontrolled ban*

Palawan. cutting for furniture and wood work.

2. Agoho (Casuarina Lowland, lowhill to medium altitude, Uncontrolled harvesting Cutting ZfLl found throughout the Philippines. for charcoal making and ban*

housing posts.

3. Ipil (Intsia biiuau) Lowland to medium altitude Uncontrolled harvesting Cutting mountains, found throughout the for house beams/poles ban* Philippines. and paneling.

4. Narra (PferocurDus Low to medium mountain forest, found Uncontrolled cutting for Cutting ti throughout the Philippines. furniture and paneling. ban*

5. Kamagong Molave type forest, found throughout Uncontrolled cutting for Cutting (Diostwws the Philippines. hmitnre and wood ban* philipuinensis) works.

6. Bakawan (Rhizopora Along tidal flats, estuaries and Uncontrolled harvesting Cutting S%?Ll sheltered coves, found throughout the for charcoal making and ban*

Philippines. other household uses.

7. Orchids Epiphyte in medium and high altitude Uncontrolled collection Collection (Phaluenopsis and mountain forest, found throughout the for export. ban Dendrobium spp.) Philippines.

Birds

1. Palawan peacock Lowland to gently sloping evergreen Exported as cage bird, IUCN Red pheasant (Polwlectron and sernidecidous forest, found only very low reproductive Data Book, emohanum) in mainland PaIawan. capacity. DENR List,

BFD/PRWD List

2. Blue-naped parrot Evergreen and semidecidous forest Rampant exportation. DENR List, (Tanvnnathus and brushland/secondary forest, BFDLPRWD lucionensis salvadorii) species found throughout the List

Philippines.

3. Megapode Coastal beach forest, found throughout Uncontrolled collection None** (Maaaoosius frevcinet the Philippines. of eggs, disturbance/ cumingi) encroachment of habitat. 4. Philippine cockatoo Evergreen and semidecidous forest Exported as cagebird. None (Kakatoe and brushland/secondaq forest, found haematuropvpia) throughout the Philippines.

5. Edible-nest swiflet Crevices/major caves and limestone/ Traditional collection of None*** (JCollocalia fuciphaga karst forests, sub-species found nido nests, possible bio- germani) throughout Palawan. magnification of toxic

substances taken in by species from agricultural ZKt%S.


31

(...continuation of ANNEX 2)

Species

Mammals

I. Palawan pangolin ‘Paraminis culionensis)

2. PaIawan tree shrew :Tunaia SD.)

3. Tree squirrel :Callosciurus spp.)

t. Plying Squirrel :Hvlowtes SD.)

5. Palawan bearcat [Artictis whitei)

5. PaIawan porcupine (Thecurus pumilus)

7. Palawan stink badger (Sullotaxus marchei)

8. Palawan clawless otter (Amblonvx cineria)

9. Short-tailed mongoose (Herpestes brachvrus)

10. Mousedeer (Tragulus nigricans)

11. Calamian deer (Axis calamianes)

12. Dugong (Duaong dugon@

Habitat/distribution

Termite mound/ant hills in evergreen and sernidecidous forest in Inagawan, found throughout Palawan.

Evergreen, semidecidous and brushlandkecondary forest, found throughout Palawan.

Semidecidous and brushland/ secondary forests, found throughout Palawan.

Semidecidous and brushland/ secondary forest, found throughout Palawan.

Evergreen forest, restricted to mainland Palawan.

Burrows in semidecidous and bmshlandkcondary forest, found throughout Palawan.

Semidecidous and brushlamlkcondary forest, found throughout Palawan.

River banks, found throughout Palawan.

Semidecidous and brushlandkcondary forest, limited to PaIawan and Negros Islands.

Sernidecidous forest, restricted to Balabac group of islands.

Semidecidous forest, restricted to Calarnian group of islands.

Seagrass bed, found throughout the Philippines.

Issues

Exported as stuffed specimen, low viable population.

Exported as experimental animal.

Hunted for sport.

Hunted for sport.

Highly territorial and very sensitive to modification of habitat.

Hunted by forest dwellers and ethnic minorities.

Destruction of habitat.

Trapped as local pet, loss of habitat.

Low viable population.

Hunted for food.

Endemic and endangered.

Destruction of habitat, hunted for food, endangered.

Existing protection measures

None

None

None

None

None

None

None

None

None

DENR List, BFD/PWRD List

DENR List, BFD/PRWD List

DENR List, BFD/PWRD List

(ANNEX 2 to be continued...)


32

(...continuation of ANNEX 2)

Species Habitat/distribution Issues Existing

protection measures

Others

1. Crocodile Lakes and estuaries, genus found (Crocodvlus SPP.) throughout the Philippines.

Hunted for sport and hide.

DENR List, BDF/PWRD List

2. Hawskbill turtle Coral reefs, seagrass beds and sandy Destruction of habitat, DENR List, (Eretmochelvs beaches of isolated islands. collection of eggs. BFWPWRD imbricata) List

3. Olive-backed logger Coral reefs, seagrass beds and sandy Destruction of habitat, DENR List, head turtle (Carrefu beaches of isolated islands. collection of eggs. BFDPRWD olivacea) List

4. Leather backed turtle Coral reefs, seagrass beds and sandy Destruction of habitat, DENR List, (Dermochelvs coriacea) beaches of isolated islands. endangered. BFD~PRWD

List

5. Green sea turtle (Chelona mvdas)

Coral reefs, seagrass beds and sandy beaches of isolated islands.

Destruction of habitat, hunted for food, collection of eggs.

DENR List, BFDPRWD List

Notes : BFD/PRWD -Bureau of Forest Development/parks, Recreation and Wildlife Division. DENR -Department of Environment and Natural Resources. IUCN Red Data Book -List of Rare and Endangered Species by the International

Union for the Conservation of Nature and Resources. Due to liited literature available, other candidate species were not included like

insects (that is to say butterfly) and smaller mammals (that is to say bats). * As of 1992, with the passage of the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan law,

all tree species are covered by the total commercial logging ban. ** Known locally as Tabon bird, this species was declared for protection by the

Palawan Council for Sustainable Development since 1994. *** The Local Government Units have been regulating its collection (that is to say

closed season) through their respective.

Ricardo M. SANDALO, Teodoro BALTAZAR : The falawan Biosphere Reserve (Philippines)

Working Papers

No 1 (1995) : The Mata Atlantica Biosphere Reserve (Brazil) : An Overview, by Antonio Carlos Diegues.

N” 2 (1995) : The Xishuangbanna Biosphere Reserve (China) : A Tropical Land of Natural and Cultural Diversip, by WU Zhaolu, OU Xiaokun.

N” 3 (1995) : The Mae Sa-Kog Ma Biosphere Reserve (Thailand), by Benjavan RERKASEM, Kanok RERKASEM.

No 4 (1995) : La Reserve de la biosphere de Dimonika (Congo), par Jean DIAMOUANGANA.

No 5 (1995) : Le Pare national de Tai’ (Cote d’lvotre) : un matllon essentiel du programme de conservation de la nature, par Yaya SANGARI?.

N” 6 (1995) : La Reserve de la biosphere de Mananara-Nord (Madagascar) 1988-1994 : bilan et perspectives, par N&line RAONDRY, Martha KLEIN, Victor Solo RAKOTONIRINA.

No 7 (1995) : A Study on the Homegarden Ecosystem in the Mekong River Delta and the Hochiminh City (Viet Nam), by Nguyen Thi Ngoc AN.

No 8 (1995) : The Manu Biosphere Reserve (Peru), by Luis YALLICO, Gustav0 SUAREZ DE FREITAS.

No 9 (1995) : The Beni Biosphere Reserve (Bolivia), by Carmen MIRANDA L..

No 10 (1995) : La Reserva de la biosfera Sierra de1 Rosario (Cuba), par Maria Herrera ALVAREZ, Maritza GARCIA Garcia.

No 11 (1995) : The Omo Biosphere Reserve (Nigeria), by Augustine 0. ISICHEI.

No 12 (1995) : Environnement nature1 et socio-economique de la for&t class&e de la Lama (Benin), par Marcel A. BAGLO, P. COUBEOU, B. GUEDEGBE, B. SINSIN.

N” 13 (1995) : The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (Mexico), by Eckart BOEGE.

N” 14 (1996) : Conservation de la biodiversite aux Comores : le Pare national de Moheli, par A. S. ALI, A. YOUSSOUF.

No 15 (1996) : Resoure-Use Patterns : The Case of Coconut-Based Agrosystems in the Coastal Zones of Kerala (India) and Alagoas (Brazil), by Vinicius NOBRE LAGES.

No 16 (1996) : The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve : A Review of Conservation Status with Recommendations for a Holistic Approach to Management (India), by R J. RANJIT DANIELS.

No 17 (1996) : Kinabalu Park and the Surrounding Indigenious Communities (Malaysia), by Jamili NAIS.

N” 18 (1997) : Puerto Galera (Philippines) : A Lost Biosphere Reserve ?, by M. D. FORTES.

No 19 (1997) : The Palawan Biosphere Reserve (Philippines), by Ricardo M. SANDALO, Teodoro BALTAZAR.

No 20 (1997) : Le Part national de Kahuzi Biega, future Reserve de la biosphere (Republique democratique du Congo), par Bihini won wa MUSITI, Germain Mankoto ma OYISENZ60, Georg D&KEN.

N” 2 1 (1997) : Biodiversity Conservation through Ecodevelopment Planning and Implementation Lessons from India, by Shekhar SINGH.

N” 22 (1997) : The Tanjung Puting National Park and Biosphere Reserve (Indonesia), by Herry Djoko SUSILO.