Palawan News May 2017

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Palawan - Archived News
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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Undergroud River in Palawan
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Underground river in Pureto Princesa, Palawan
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Baracuda Lake, Coron, Palawan

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney and USAID/Philippines Environment Office Chief Daniel Moore witness the safe and sustainable collection of ornamental fish by certified Marine Aquarium Council collectors in Palawan

US gov’t launches ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women 2017

(Palawan News)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Underwriters Laboratories, a global safety science company, have now opened applications and nominations for the third annual ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women.

This year’s theme is urban resilience, with focus on health, transportation, infrastructure, and workforce safety. The 2017 award will go to young women who are successfully using applied sciences to solve the challenges on the said sectors.

The winner will receive a $20,000 award and recognition during the 2017 ASEAN ministerial meeting on science and technology, to be held in Myanmar in November 2017. Candidates must be 40 years of age or younger at the time of submission, and have a background in an area of expertise related to the year’s theme. Applications and nominations will be accepted at http://bit.ly/sprules until June 23, 2017.

Last year, Dr. Kathleen Aviso, associate professor of chemical engineering at De La Salle University, was a finalist for the 2016 ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women on Energy Research for her work on mathematical models that inform environmental decision-making in the Philippines.

The U.S. government works with ASEAN to foster prosperity and security internationally, support economic integration, expand maritime cooperation, cultivate emerging leaders, promote opportunity for women, and address transnational challenges. The U.S. and ASEAN celebrate 40 years of partnership in 2017, marking a deepened cooperation under the U.S.-ASEAN Strategic Partnership. For more information, visit the U.S. Mission to ASEAN (http://asean.usmission.gov).

About USAID:

The Embassy’s office of U.S. Agency for International Development is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to create a more stable, prosperous and well-governed nation.

For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.

Navy, PAF kick off ‘DAGIT 2017’ exercise in Palawan

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, May 29 -- The Philippine Navy (PN) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Monday morning opened in this city their annual inter-operability exercise dubbed "DAGIT 2017" to improve joint operations against maritime threats.

"DAGIT", the abbreviation for “Dagat and Langit,” said Col. Nestor Florente Rayos, deputy wing commander of the PAF’s 570th Composite Tactical Wing (CTW) in Palawan, would be combined with exercises “Pagsasama” and “Pagsisikap” 2017.

"Pagsisikap" is an inter-operability exercise specifically conducted to train the PN’s fleet and marine forces in amphibious operations, while "Pagsasama" targets to improve the readiness between the reserve units of the two branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“These exercises are now very relevant to the present condition of our country. It calls for a single progressive effort to strengthen the relationship, inter-operability, and enhance mutual cooperation between the PAF and the PN,” Rayos said during his welcome address.

He added that the combined exercise aims to improve proficiency and naturally support the unified command in responding to internal security and territorial defense operation.

For his part, Lt. General Raul del Rosario, commander of the WESCOM, and the guest of honor and keynote speaker of "DAGIT" opening, said that aside from DAGIT’s target to improve and standardize PN-PAF capacity in joint maritime operations for both internal security and territorial defense strategies, “at present the AFP really needs more effective air and naval inter-operability as it acquires new equipment and develop new capabilities.”

“We have to harmonize these new capabilities. Standardization will provide for a better utilization of equipment and resources that shall result to combined operational effectiveness; improved cooperation will eliminate duplication in research, development, production, procurement, and logistic support. Inter-operability will likewise enhance doctrines, training, communication, and the systems that support them,” Del Rosario said in his keynote address.

The WESCOM commander said the "DAGIT" would allow the pulling of resources synergy.

“This is what we want to achieve in 'DAGIT', 'Pagsisikap', and 'Pagsasama 2017'. We, here at WESCOM, are proud that we were chosen as the venue for this exercise,” said Del Rosario, who announced that it was the first time the exercises would be done in Palawan.

He added he believes the province is the right venue considering the maritime nature of WESCOM’s operations.

Navy Captain Chappy Reyes, one of the course directors, said the joint and unilateral exercises will be held from May 29 to June 9 in different areas of Puerto Princesa and southern Palawan.

He said participating assets of the PN will include a frigate, two patrol crafts, one landing craft utility, a naval helicopter, a rigid hull inflatable boat, and personnel from the Philippine Marines Corps (PMC), Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG), Naval Air Group (NAG), and PN reservists.

PAF, on the other hand, will participate with seven aircraft and personnel from the 710th Special Operations Wing (SPOW) and 300th Air Intelligence and Security Group (AISG).

Rare whale sharks sighted in El Nido, Palawan

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, May 28 — Guests and staff of El Nido Resorts (ENR) got the surprise of their lives Saturday when four whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) greeted them while they were on their way to a private island getaway.

The sighting of the whale sharks was captured on video by a staff of the ENR while on a boat heading towards one of the resort's private islands.

It was posted on the ENR-Be G.R.E.E.N.’s (Guard Respect Educate El Nido) social media page on Facebook Saturday evening, and was shared by Mariglo Laririt, the resorts’ director of sustainability.

The page said: “A rare sighting of the world's largest fish! Who would have thought that a gloomy afternoon’s boat ride will be so much more exciting? Guests and staff headed to one of our island resorts experienced an exciting display of nature’s wonder as they saw four whale sharks swimming just a few meters away. Without any offerings of food, the gentle giants approached the outrigger boat, seemingly curious of the vehicle and its passengers.”

It went on to say that the guide on board requested the boat captain to prevent “inflicting any harm” on the gentle giants.

“What do they get in return? Wildlife interaction at its best as the whale sharks approached the boat and swam just beside it, giving our guests and staff a full view of it!” said the ENR Be G.R.E.E.N., adding it was one wildlife interface they wish everyone to have.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), whale sharks are the “biggest fish and shark in the world.” They wander the oceans in the world, and generally alone.

The slow-moving filter-feeding whale shark is the largest known extant fish species. They are found in open waters of the tropical oceans and are rarely found in water below 22 °C (72 °F).

Aside from El Nido, whale sharks are also sighted in Honda Bay, when the sea is much calmer, from April until November.

4 gov’t offices in Palawan receive 2016 Regional Red Orchid Award

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Four government offices in Palawan were presented the 2016 Regional Red Orchid Award and selected as regional entries for the National Search for Barangay with Best Sanitation Practices (NSBBSP) for 2015-2016.

Department of Health (DOH)-MIMAROPA Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said Friday that the four government offices in Palawan were the PhilHealth Provincial Office (PPO), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital (CSGH) and the Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital (SPPH).

“From these winners, only two will be chosen as regional winners that will compete for the national awards which will be held also this year,” Janairo stated.

He said the CSGH and the SPPH in the province have already been hailed as awardees of the Red Orchid Hall of Fame for winning the prestigious award for three consecutive times.

The winners were chosen through their efforts of implementing a 100 percent tobacco-free environment, and by applying the six tobacco-control policies of the World Health Organization (WHO) in their communities and workplaces.

These include monitoring and protecting the community from tobacco use, offering help to quit tobacco use, warning against the dangers of tobacco, enforcing bans on tobacco advertising and raising taxes on tobacco products.

For the 2015 winners for the Barangay Best Sanitation Practices (BBSP), barangays Mainit in Boac, Marinduque and Masaguisi in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro were selected.

Cash incentives were given to the 2016 BBSP winners which included barangays Nunsora with PHP150,000 and Agnocnoc with PHP50,000 both located in Ferrol, Romblon; and barangays Sagana and Ipil in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro with PHP50,000 each.

“These incentives will be used to sustain and further improve their program in health and sanitation in the community,” he said.

Janairo explained that all the regional nominees were evaluated by the Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) based on the following criteria: 1) households with sanitary toilet facilities, 25 percent; coverage of households with access of safe water, 25 percent; improvement in sanitary toilet, 25 percent; approved barangay budget for water and sanitation. Local sanitation initiatives such as wastewater, solid waste management, clean and green program, legislative support and community involvement are also included.

“MIMAROPA is still lagging behind in terms of hygiene and sanitation practices, there are still areas in the region that practice open defecation and unhygienic toilet habits. Having been recognized as barangays with the best sanitation practices, may you lead as examples in ensuring that other LGUs in your province will follow in improving sanitation practices because these are serious issues that affect not only health but also our social and economic status,” Janairo emphasized.

“Sanitation and hygiene has been proven to provide gains on public health, livelihood and to the community. It is essential for everyone to learn about these things to be able to prevent various diseases that can be caused due to poor maintenance of hygienic surroundings”, he concluded.

El Nido, gold antiques thrill Hong Kong-based delegates

(DFA-PR/PNA)

PALAWAN, May 26 — Philippine Consul General Bernardita L. Catalla led a delegation of Hong Kong-based consular officials and businessmen to Manila and El Nido, Palawan from April 19 to 23.

In Makati City, the delegates toured the private Ayala Museum’s dioramas for a comprehensive visual approach to Philippine history, as well as the special archeological exhibition, “Gold of Ancestors: Pre-Colonial Treasures in the Philippines”, which serves as a testament to the Filipinos’ rich ancestry and inherent craftsmanship.

Visiting El Nido, Palawan for the first time, the delegates spent three days at the exclusive El Nido Lagen Island Resort, where they swam in pristine crystal clear waters, went on a sunset cruise, and enjoyed snorkeling and kayaking during the island-hopping tours at Big and Small Lagoon, Miniloc Beach, Dibuluan Beach and Snake Island.

The participants also toured the Cudugnon Cave, as well as hiked the tropical forest on Lagen Island before going on a swim at the exclusive cove of the resort. The delegates described El Nido as “truly paradise”.

The highlight of their experience was the open-air feast carefully prepared by the Lagen Island Resort staff on a sandbar at low tide where they feasted on specially prepared charcoal-grilled seafood and meat. They danced to live acoustic music under the stars to Filipino folk tunes accompanied by the sound of the calm waters of Bacuit Bay.

They concluded their resort stay with what one of the guests called a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”: a “lights-off” night boat cruise while gazing at the night sky and marveling at silvery bioluminescent planktons almost as if escorting the boat on the way back to the resort.

On a side event in Manila, an exclusive lecture on South Sea pearls was arranged by Philippine bijouterie Jewelmer Joaillerie. The delegates also visited their shop at Peninsula Hotel and purchased golden South Sea pearl jewelry as a memento of their spectacular experience in the Philippines.

By the end of the tour, the delegates who were now fully satisfied, promised to visit the Philippines again with their family and friends.

“We will definitely return to the Philippines again soon for leisure and possible business opportunities,” said one of the consular officers participating in the tour, the fifth in a series organized by the Consulate together with the Philippine Department of Tourism since 2015.

City PESO, SM Mall hold job fair for 1,300 openings

By Kia Johanna Lamo

Around 1,300 job vacancies are expected to be filled in a job fair held by the City Public Employment Services office (City PESO) and SM mall from May 21 to 22 in Puerto Princesa. The said fair offered a large bulk of the employment opportunities in the said national mall, which is due to open its first branch in Palawan this September.

Officials are also optimistic that the said fair, which was jointly organized by the SM Mall-Human Resource Development Management, Department of Labor and Employment, and the City PESO, will contribute in increasing the employment rate in the city.

Demetrio Lopez Jr, City PESO Manager, added that the employment opportunities presented by the mall’s opening will also reach the agricultural sector, especially for showcasing Palaweño products.

He likewise emphasized that the job openings will also give employment to laborers, construction workers and other blue-collar workers.

Construction of Narra Public Market to kick off in 2018

By Hanna Camella Talabucon

The town of Narra may expect the construction of their public market by 2018 if plans pushed through, the Municipal Planning Office said.According to Engy. Allan Roy Balane of the said office, there have been several plans for the said infrastructure project, which is planned to be built near the ‘tabuan’ or market day area. The target area was the same place that was razed in a fire several years ago, in which businesses and other properties incurred huge damages.

In an interview with Palawan News, Narra Vice Mayor Crispin Lumba revealed that there is already a budget for the said public market amounting to around Php8M.

It can be recalled that two plans for the market have been passed by the Planning Office. The first proposes a two-storey building with areas for various commodities, including vegetables, fruits, rice and meat. The second plan is pushing for a covered gymnasium with sections divided by type of commodities sold. A place for small-time vendors selling other products is also part of the second proposed plan.

At present, the plans are still under deliberation but officials are hopeful that the project will be started next year.

Two international water sports set in Palawan

By Primo P. Agatep (PNA)

MANILA, May 23 — Sustaining its eco-tourism program, Puerto Princesa is set to host two international water sports events, starting May 28.

Dubbed as “Pilipinas International Beach Sports Festival”, the three-day summer spectacle will feature the 2nd Pilipinas Open Water Swim and the 4th Pilipinas International Beach Water Polo at the Baywalk in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the country’s Eco-Tourism Center.

The summer beach spectacles are supported by the local government of Puerto Princesa and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Local talents face tough challenge from the US, Canada, Russia, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and Singapore.

Authorities recover 14 live sea turtles in Mangsee, Balabac

By Catherine Santos

Fourteen abandoned live sea turtles, or ‘pawikan’, were rescued by joint elements of Marine Battalion Landing Team-4 (MBLT-4), PNP Maritime and Philippine Coast Guard in an operation last Saturday, May 13 in Sitio Saod, Barangay Mangsee, Balabac, Palawan.

MBLT-4 Captain Wanel Ansa said in an interview with Palawan News that the rescue was made possible through the help of an “intelligence report” from the community.

The sea turtles were released back to the sea on May 14 with the help of the Navy and personnel from the 2nd Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group in Balabac, said Ansa.

Ansa assured that their troops are always ready to collaborate with law enforcement task force to ensure that critically endangered species, like the pawikan, are being protected.

Baragatan sa Palawan 2017 to bring back LGU Trade Fair

By Beth Mason

The province’s main festival is bringing back one of its most anticipated activities. Different products from 23 municipalities will be featured once more as this year’s Baragatan Festival promises to bring back the LGU Trade Fair.

According to Ma. Mayla Rebusada of the Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), the trade fair will run from June 9 to 23 and will be hosted again at the Provincial Capitol Grounds. The fair showcases different agricultural products—rice, fruits and vegetables, bandi, handicrafts, accessories and even dried fish—of the province’s different municipalities. Also included are booths featuring tourist destinations found in each town.

The booths will compete with each other in terms of decoration quality, product presentation, economic potential, cleanliness and display setting. The particular contest is divided into two categories—mainland and island municipalities. Winning booths will receive cash prizes (P50k for first place, P40K for second, and P10K for third).

All participating booths will receive a consolation prize of P10K each. The LGU Fair Trade is seen as a big boost to traders and business owners in the province as it helps in introducing products to the general public. Aside from this, the activity has also served as a way for traders across Palawan to connect with each other.

So far, five municipalities have confirmed their participation in the said fair: Narra, Roxas, San Vicente, Cuyo and Magsaysay. It is expected that all municipalities will participate at the Baragatan sa Palawan Festival 2017.

San Vicente’s beaches in Palawan can take some of the shine away from Boracay

By Gerard de la Peña (News5)

The island of Palawan is known for its limestone cliffs, stunning seascapes and the world-famous underground river, but there is more – it also has fine swimming beaches.

There is this fine-sand beach at San Vicente, four hours travel from the capital Puerto Princesa, that, even though not as endowed with the white sand of Boracay, has plenty of attributes to make up for it: The best reason is that San Vicente is still relatively obscure. Read, underdeveloped.

And, so, visitors who want to turn their backs on the rowdy scene of Boracay really appreciate the quiet easy relaxing mood prevailing in this beach.

The sand is as fine as Boracay’s, with the pulvoron-like texture, and the water in pristine condition, the scene not as trashed (in the words of one tourist) as Boracay.

One beach is reputed to stretch for 14 kilometers, which easily takes the shine away from Boracay. That probably makes the this the longest swimming beach in the Philippine archipelago.

Quiet. Clean. Uncluttered. San Vicente. Highly recommended.

Click and watch the video report below:

https://youtu.be/UCqt9_3JHOI

Puerto Princesa hosts 3rd tourist drivers accreditation seminar

By Beth Mason

The Department of Tourism (DOT) held its third seminar entitled “Tourist Drivers as Tourism Frontliners” on May 17-18, 2017 at Hotel Centro, Puerto Princesa City. This seminar aims to accredit units of vans transporting tourists and guests from the new Puerto Princesa International Airport to their hotels and accommodations.

Elizabeth Viray, Senior Tourism Operation Officer of MIMAROPA’s Accreditation Unit, said that the turn-out of attendance—numbering to at least 400 van drivers—was overwhelmingly more than they expected, especially since it’s already the third time they’re holding the seminar in Puerto Princesa. This, she said, means that the National Government recognizes DOT’s effort as they work together for the regulation of stickers and accreditation. This also shows the good relationship of the government, LGUs and van drivers and operators, she added.

The topics of the seminar included road safety and the role of tour guides and drivers. Upon finishing the seminar, the DOT issues accreditation stickers that will allow van units to operate inside the airport. Without such sticker, a van cannot enter the premises of the International Airport.

The said seminar was a mandate of DOT Regional Director Danilo B. Intong, as per a memorandum issued by the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board. The DOT is open to hold the same seminar in other parts of Palawan if needed.

DOT, TIEZA to develop potential tourism sites in Palawan

By Kia Johanna Lamo

To develop potential tourist destination areas around the region, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority (TIEZA) held a Tourism Enterprise Zone Forum yesterday, May 15, in Puerto Princesa City.

Tying up with the Provincial Tourism Office, along with Tourism-MIMAROPA, local government units and tourism stakeholders in Palawan, the forum envisions to ramp up the province’s local tourism industry and continue promoting it as the ‘World’s Best Island’.

TIEZA is the national government’s arm for ensuring sustainability of investments in the tourism industry. Among its tasks is to identify potential tourism sites that need infrastructure augmentation and development. For Palawan, the agency particularly sees more improvement in infrastructure in entry ports to further increase tourist arrival.

TIEZA also aims to create a ‘one-stop shop’ for investors interested in the province, mainly by expediting the process on getting license, permits, master plan support and financial stability.

According to Atty. Niño Ruperto Aquino, attracting more investments spell additional income to the province’s tourism industry and, consequently, employment to Palaweños.

TIEZA has chosen the town of San Vicente up north as their ‘pilot tourism enterprise’ in the province. Aquino said they will identify more enterprise zones in Palawan and in MIMAROPA in the coming months or years.

Palawan is among the top destinations of local and foreign tourists in the Philippines. In 2016, the province accounted for about US $4.9M-worth of visitor receipts. Tourism is also among the main industries in the province, contributing around 8.2% of its GDP and is growing up to 14.4% in the past five years.

Gov’t, private sector join hands in upping security at Underground River

By Aira Genesa Magdayao

As addition to the security measures provided by the Western Command following the alarm created by the recent travel advisory from the US Embassy, the management of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, popularly called as ‘Underground River’, said they are also putting extra effort to help the authorities.

According to Elizabeth Maclang, Park Superintendent, they have established a ‘Bantay Sabang Joint Task Unit’ composed of private establishments, local government units in the area, and elements of the Coast Guard, City PNP and Philippine Marines.

She also mentioned that there are now seaborne units, led by the Philippine Navy, that patrol the area’s surrounding waters. The Army’s detachment in Barangay Marufinas was also reactivated, and troops have been working with park rangers in manning checkpoints and other important areas.

Maclang also emphasized that business establishments, including resort owners, have volunteered their help, such as in installing lamp posts in dark parts of the area and augmenting the availability of ‘barangay tanod’ that can patrol the shoreline.

“Nakakatuwa po kasi ‘yung mga business owners natin ay nagco-counterpart as a part of the security at parang naging eye-opener sa kanila para maging aware sa kung ano ang nangyayari,” she said.

The world-famous destination’s management team is also planning to set up baggage inspection posts for visitors, where canine dogs from the Coast Guard will also be deployed. Hotline numbers will also be visible to all visitors.

Young female professional org celebrates JCI Week in Palawan with various activities

By Aira Genesa Magdayao

A series of outreach activities were conducted by the JCI Puerto Princesa Peacock, Inc. (or Peacock Jaycees) as part of the JCI Week celebration on April 16-22, 2017.

This year’s theme “United In Strength, United In Creed, ONE JCI” aimed to strengthen the unity of the JCI community in the Philippines to achieve the purpose of the celebration.

The young female professional organization made sure the week-long celebration embodied the JCI Creed.

The organization, together with other JCI chapters in Palawan Region commenced the JCI Week with a Holy Mass which was held at the NCCC Mall Activity Center.

On April 17, the Peacock ladies went to the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) for a ceiling installation project called “Panangga sa Init, Panangga sa Sakit.”

This project was aimed at helping lessen the cases of residents, who suffer from illnesses like pneumonia, cough, fever, and heat stroke due to too much sunlight exposure.

The Iwahig dancing inmates together with the Peacock ladies also had a Zumba dance event – a little fun interaction to build camaraderie and promote healthy body exercise.

This was followed on April 18 by the conduct of the Financial Literacy Seminar –Piso Palawenyo, a 1-hour seminar headed by the Palawenyo Savers Club which engages in micro-entrepreneurship.

Around 30 attendees were lectured on how to perfectly save, invest and earn money. They also learned some tools and strategies on how to maximize capital income for business.

Aside from the financial literacy seminar, the Peacock ladies also gave free on hand lecture on water coloring and dream catcher-making for 60 kids to develop their creativity and imagination. A cake decorating seminar was also conducted on the 3rd day, which benefited 50 persons.

The “Peace is Possible” activity followed on the 4th day of the JCI Week celebration. The activity was about a seminar on anti-bullying that was attended by 40 kids from Barangay San Miguel. The kids were taught about understanding the circumstances of bullies and the victims.

Human development is the focus of the 5th day activity, where the JCI Puerto Princesa Peacock conducted a seminar on how to deal with difficult people. This was participated in by hotel front-liners for them to understand more abour how to handle situations with guests and clients.

They also had think green–skip a straw save a turtle project MOA with restaurants and hotel owners, to encourage them to lessen the use of drinking straw that is a marine debris which causes turtle for choking.

On April 21, the 6th day of the JCI week celebration focused on Moms with the project called “INAruga: Ang tamang pag-aalaga sa INAng nag-aaruga. Around 60 mothers and soon-to-be moms from Barangay San Manuel were given pre-natal and post-partum seminar.

Calauit Safari Park to add attractions

By Kia Johanna Lamo

To generate income and continue promoting the tourism value of Calauit Safari Park, Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Romeo Cabungcal said they are planning to add attractions in the popular animal reserve. Cabungcal, who also officially shared the place’s new name, revealed such plan in the Summit on Income and Generation held last Wednesday, May 10.

In can be recalled that tourism in the park has been on decline as animal populations in the area continue to dwindle. To augment this, the park management is now pushing for more entrepreneurial opportunities in the area, such as the building of tents and guest houses for tourists’ accommodations and leasing of spaces for vendors. Such investments are seen as boosts for tourists’ influx.

Provincial administrator Atty. Joshua Bolusa clarified, nonetheless, that these new attractions will go through the necessary process and all stakeholders, including Indigenous People groups, will be consulted.

Collaboration with the local government of Busuanga and the communities in the area will also be initiated, he added.

Gov’t health agencies jointly advocate safe motherhood observance

By Kia Johanna Lamo

Promoting safe motherhood, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) tied up with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the City Health Office (CHO) in strengthening their advocacy on promoting health for mothers and women in society.

Through the “Kapihan sa PIA” session held today, May 11, guest speakers Dra. Teresa S. Wycoco of the CHO and Jeanevil Tombaga of PHO discussed safe motherhood and tackled issues on early pregnancy and methods of family planning.

According to Wycoco, in preparing for motherhood, a woman should be anatomically, psychologically, and emotionally ready. She added that mothers should know how to take care of their health to prevent endangering themselves. The medical expert also added that excessive bleeding, which leads to hemorrhage, is one of the leading causes of maternal death in Palawan.

The session also aimed to enlighten people on the health risks of early pregnancy amongst teenagers. It can be recalled that Palawan has among the highest cases of teenage pregnancy in MIMAROPA.

Towards the end of the activity, the guest speakers have emphasized that addressing the said issues requires taking initial steps at the household or family level.

DA-BFAR awards P3M-worth of livelihood assistance for fisherfolk

By Aira Genesa Magdayao

DA-BFAR awards P3M-worth of livelihood assistance for ed by Assistant Regional Director Roberto Abrera, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has turned over a cheque worth Php350M to the local government of Puerto Princesa as a form of livelihood assistance for the city’s fisherfolk. The grant forms part of the bottom-up budgeting project of the Bureau and aims to increase the productivity of the fisherfolk in the city.

“Ito ‘yung mg fisherfolks na engaged doon sa pagtatanim ng seaweeds, pag-aalaga ng lapu-lapu, bangus cages [at iba pang] mga livelihood assistance project,” Abreza said.

A list of the project’s pre-identified beneficiaries was prepared by the City Agriculture Office, with consideration from multi-sectoral convergence agencies and Local Poverty Reduction Action Team.

In a phone interview, City Agriculturist Melissa Macasaet said that the award will not be given to the beneficiaries as cash but will be in the form of materials that are relevant to their livelihood.

“Based on the proposal that was approved, kung sa seaweeds dyer so doon dapat ‘yan pupunta, kung sa fish cage culture, di sa fish cage culture ‘yan. Hindi ‘yan pera na ibibigay sa kanila either sa materials ‘yan o sa seaweeds, depende,” Macasaet said.

BFAR officers are also coordinating with the city government regarding their plan to establish a Community Fish Landing Center in Puerto Princesa.

Palawan gov’t mulls 5-year development plan for Calauit Safari Park

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, May 11 -– The provincial government of Palawan is contemplating on coming up with a five-year development plan for the Calauit Safari Park on Calauit Island off the north-western coast of the municipality of Busuanga in a bid to increase its income.

The proposal, according to Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Romeo Cabungcal, would contain schemes on three major things to do on the safari park: “Explore, Discover, and Experience".

“It’s still a proposal; we have not even drafted anything, but based on my analysis, there is a need to increase the income of the safari park by putting in other activities for tourists to do,” he said Thursday.

According to Cabungcal, the idea of coming up with a five-year plan came out in the holding on May 9 of the Summit on Income Generation and Collection organized by the Palawan Provincial Administrator’s Office (PAO).

In this summit, he presented a finding that claims the Calauit Safari Park has been losing income because the population of the African and other endemic animals that once thrived there has now dwindled due to illnesses, and there is lack of activities there for visitors.

“The idea of the five-year plan was an offshoot of the summit,” Cabungcal said, adding everything is not final unless the development plan has been crafted.

Some strategies that can be included in the five-year development plan proposal, he said, are placement of new animals in the safari park, construction of guest houses that can accommodate visitors, and establishment of an area where products and items can be sold as souvenirs, among others.

It was also suggested during the summit to add the word “adventure” in the name Calauit Safari Park to improve branding.

“Branding plays an important role too, in marketing interesting places like Calauit Safari Park when the word adventure is added,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to Atty. Joshua Bolusa, provincial administrator of the Palawan government, the management of the Calauit Safari Park should write a business plan, which would describe the kind of venture that’s suitable.

He also suggested that a consultation be made with the indigenous peoples (IP) residents of the safari park to get to know their states of mind on the matter.

This business plan should have everybody’s contribution, so that eventually, the income of the park will increase, Bolusa said.

The summit served as a bridge for the provincial government to determine what actions should be undertaken to increase the income of its projects like the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development Office (PEEDO), Philippine Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB), Provincial Health Office (PHO), hospitals in the provinces, and the Calauit Safari Park.

The Calauit Safari Park is a game reserve and wildlife sanctuary in Busuanga island town on a 3,700-hectare piece of land.

On August 31, 1976 under Presidential Proclamation No. 1578, it was declared as a wildlife sanctuary.

Among its early African wildlife inhabitants were bushbucks, elands, gazelles, giraffes, impalas, topis, zebras, waterbucks.

‘Scubasurero’ kicks off ocean cleanup drive in Palawan

By Keith Anthony S. Fabro (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY -- “People nowadays buy and throw away things without thinking it would end up somewhere," 16-year-old Emma Celine Cacatian observed.

Her face can’t hide the disgust while doing the inventory of garbage that the group had collected from the seafloor within the jurisdiction of Barangay Mangingisda, a coastal community in Puerto Princesa Bay.

Cacatian is the youngest volunteer of "Scubasurero", a millennials-led group of divers committed to protecting Palawan seas through underwater clean up drive and environmental awareness campaign.

After winning a grant recently from private company Palawan Pawnshop, the group, with the majority of members having a background in coastal resource conservation, kicked off the project on a scorching Saturday, May 6, in time for the celebration of Month of the Ocean.

Cacatian, alongside with other volunteers, stayed at the Barangay Mangingisda port to classify the solid wastes that divers hauled in sacks.

“With the data we collect from here,” Cacatian continues, wiping sweat from her forehead, “I hope it will give realization to young and old alike to start changing their lifestyle.”

“Look what we have here,” she pauses, pointing her index finger to the pile of wastes, “You see – we’ve characterized them according to their type.”

“Our divers were able to pull out plastic soft drink bottles, water bottles, liquor bottles, sachets, tin cans, nylon, fishing nets, used clothes, candy wrappers, plastic utensils, kitchen wares and even electronic wastes,” enumerates the grade 10 student.

Life-threatening impact

Marine debris like plastic waste dumped into the sea is a global problem posing a grave threat to the health of both human and marine life. The Philippines is the world’s third biggest source of plastics in the ocean.

“People think that when they throw something in the ocean, it will just disappear,” says Jo Annie Corvera, one of Scubasurero’s volunteer diver. “But they won’t as they can last for hundreds of years on the ocean floor.”

Corvera, sitting on a bench in an outrigger boat, goes on explaining how it could kill marine wildlife like sea turtles that feed on jellyfish.

“So can you imagine a transparent plastic bag in the sea? Marine turtles cannot tell if it’s a plastic bag or a jellyfish. And the tendency is they would eat that – and since it’s indigestible they would eventually die.”

Not only that, it could also smother coral reefs that primarily serve as nursery grounds for many fish species, as well as home to other marine organisms, says the 32-year old fisheries graduate.

“When plastic bags disintegrate they become microplastics,” Corvera explains, “and there’s a chance that these small plastic pieces containing harmful chemicals could be ingested by the fishes that we eat.”

Global problem, local solution

Jenevieve Hara, co-founder of Scubasurero in Palawan, believes every global problem like marine debris requires a local solution.

Hara, a 23-year-old marine biology graduate student, shares that the project was conceived during their first open water dive training with nine of her friends last December 2016.

“While we’re having our dive training in an island declared as a National Coastal and Marine Center for Research here in Puerto Princesa, we saw plastic wastes in reef areas,” she narrates. “How come it reached that area which is closed to tourists and with no establishments at all except a research station?”

“That’s how we’ve come up with this project,” she says.

Changing the community

For Corvera, doing the underwater cleanup alone won’t solve the marine debris problem. “It's like putting a band-aid on a wound.”

“And it's a cultural thing,” she furthers, “you have to change the community.”

“They have to understand the impact of trash on humans and marine biodiversity. Even if we do the cleanup every day if they don't stop from littering the sea then it will never solve the marine debris problem.”

“This is the very reason why we’ll be doing information, education and communication campaigns as part of the project,” says Scubasurero co-founder Cherry Lyn Jalover, a 28-year old environmental management graduate student.

The campaign, focusing on the protection of different marine ecosystems as well as the effects of improper waste disposal to the seas, specifically targets out-of-school youths (OSY) in Barangay Mangingisda, which could be reached through a less than an hour boat ride from the Puerto Princesa port.

“Why OSYs? Because they are the gap that we see in the initiatives being undertaken by the government,” she says. “Basically, in-school youths are taught already about marine conservation; but how about the OSYs?”

Good thing that this fishing community has an organized OSY group of about 50 members. “Once empowered, we see them as the community’s key influencers whom we can also tap in cleanup activities,” Jalover says.

According to Corvera, this initiative will prove the fact that “you don’t need to be in the field of marine sciences to engage in marine conservation.”

“You just have to be aware that the ocean needs to be protected because it's the source of food and livelihood.”

Growing movement

The group envisions itself to be a growing movement of divers who are passionate in taking part in marine conservation initiatives.

“Our goal is to grow in numbers and we are targeting other possible partners like dive shops since they have the manpower and diving gears,” Hara says. “We’re thrilled that owners of dive shops we’d talked to are more than willing to join our cause.”

The concept of Scubasurero has been implemented in other parts of the Philippines. In Puerto Princesa, it was once introduced by the city government a few years ago but was stopped due to some reasons.

“Every undertaking needs sheer commitment and dedication,” Hara believes. “Those values are what we want to ingrain in every volunteer to make this project sustainable.”

“The bad news is this: While we’re doing this, tons after tons of garbage find its way into the ocean,” she adds. “But we’re hoping, through this simplest act, we’re helping in addressing this growing problem.”

Sooner or later, the group plans to replicate Scubasurero in other areas in Puerto Princesa and across Palawan.

Palawan’s health insurance program benefits 228 residents

By Archie T. Barone (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY -– Around 228 Palaweños benefited from the provincial government’s health insurance program dubbed Kalingang Pangkalusugan para sa Pamilyang Palaweño (KALINGAPPP) for the month of April.

KALINGAPP, which provides free health insurance through PhilHealth, aims to help poor Palaweños take care of their health by being self-reliant, said Monday by Provincial Information Officer Atty. Gil Acosta.

Of the figure, 85 benefited from their PhilHealth membership in southern Palawan by availing them in the Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital (SPPH) located in Brooke’s Point town; 95 in the Northern Palawan Provincial Hospital (NPPH) in Taytay; and 48 in Cuyo District Hospital in Cuyo municipality.

“KALINGAPPP is part of IHELP (Infrastructure, Health, Education, Livelihood, and Protection of the Environment) Program of Governor Jose Alvarez, and its goal is that Palaweños will be able to receive the benefits of becoming PhilHealth members,” he said.

Acosta said that per report by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), in the past four months of 2017, over 800 Palaweños have already benefited from KALINGAPPP.

However, he expects the figure to increase in the coming months not only from the points of care, but also for those who will register in the barangay health centers (BHCs) of municipalities to ensure many more will benefit.

Taytay LGU launches e-tourism campaign, Coral and Giant Clam Gardening Project

By Kia Johanna Lamo (Palawan News)

With the aim to hike up the town’s tourism industry, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Taytay flicked the green light for E-tourism with an advocacy campaign dubbed as ‘Terrific Taytay’, May 3, 2017.

Enforced through the collaborative effort of the Coral Triangle Initiative South-East Asia (CTI-SEA), ASEAN Development Bank (ADB), tourism and LGU officials, and other stakeholders, the campaign aims to showcase tourism in the municipality with the website www.taytaytourism2017.com. The said web portal will allow the public to access information about Taytay, including its history, population, events, and destinations.

Taytay’s tourism committee Chairman Merly Paculanang said the launch of Taytay’s first ever website is the path to introducing Palawan as the next tourism destination and promote it as a visitor-friendly tourism destination.

Aside from the website launch, the event also involved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and launch of the Coral and Giant Clam Garden Project in Taytay Bay, along with the installation of coral nurseries and giant clam gardens in Denot and Talacanen Island, and in Tecas Marine Sanctuary. The said projects are designed to hopefully address the issue on mangrove deforestation and illegal fishing in Taytay Bay.

The CTI-SEA, funded by the ADB, aims to promote sustainable marine ecology, tourism and biodiversity. Aside from the LGU and tourism representatives, local fisher groups also joined the said advocacy and support its aim to achieve economic opportunities for fisherfolk while ensuring the sustainability and integrity of the town’s marine ecology.

With the maximum involvement and collaboration of the community, the local and private sector, Taytay is hoping to venture into sustainable eco-tourism and better protection of its marine ecology.

10-storey, 200-bed capacity hospital to soon rise in Puerto Princesa

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY -- The Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center Group of Hospitals broke ground here Friday in the future site of a 10-storey, 200-bed capacity tertiary medical center that would offer the most modern hospital facilities to Palaweños.

Dr. Geanie Cerna-Lopez, vice president of the ACE Medical Center Group, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) at their groundbreaking ceremony in an 8,000-square meter property in Barangay San Pedro that the hospital, which would become ACE Medical Center Palawan, will take two years to construct if no problem happens, and will have malls, coffee shops, and a park.

The floor area would take 4,000 square meters, and the group would invest around Php500 to Php600 million.

Aside from taking care of the medical and health needs of the residents, Dr. Lopez said the hospital would also contribute to Puerto Princesa’s and Palawan’s economies by soon offering around 500 jobs.

“We start first with 100 beds, so we can employ around 250 workers. But if the 200 beds become fully operational, then we add 250 more. Roughly, like that many,” she said.

The future state-of-the-art medical center will put up cancer, endoscopy, diabetic, wellness, and other specialty centers to cater to the needs of Palaweños.

ACE is open for local investors to, said Dr. Lopez. This means that Palaweños, who would invest Php150,000.00 can enjoy discounts of up to 50 percent on their bills.

“The investors would lessen our need to take loans, but even if we don’t reach our target of number of investors, the banks have assured us that they will help us in this project,” she said.

Dr. Lopez said hospital beds are still lacking in Palawan, and this is what attracted their group to invest.

“The hospital bed population ratio of Puerto Princesa alone is 1.1 only; the normal and recommended is 2 per 1,000. Here it’s only 1.1, and the entire Palawan province, it’s only 1.9; still not enough. This is the reason why we answered positively on the invitation to help Palaweños take care of their health,” Dr. Lopez added.

Vice Governor Dennis Socrates, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, said the future hospital would be a “welcome development because Palawan needs more hospitals.”

“It’s a welcome development because we need more hospital facilities, and right now, we don’t have enough and we expect our population to triple in the next several years because of massive in-migration. And this is not even enough, we need more investments like this from the private sector,” said the vice governor.

Palawan sends 3 teams to play in Philippine Marines’ ‘Football for Peace’

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY –- Three teams composed of 30 young boys between the ages of 11-14 years old left here Wednesday via C-130 plane to Manila to participate in the Philippine Marines Corps (PMC)-initiated “Football for Peace 2017.”

The said friendly football game is a program started in 2011 that is aimed at getting children in conflicted areas to engage in a game of friendly football.

At the send-off ceremony held at the Admin Building of the 3rd Marine Brigade (3MBDE) Headquarters in Barangay Tiniguiban, Brigadier General Nathaniel Casem wished the three teams luck as they embark on a journey that will unite them with young boys from other provinces “to understand sportsmanship, friendship, solidarity, and peace; and how they can all contribute in advocating for a harmonious relationship with other children.”

“Aside from nurturing these young boys’ love for ball games, or football, it is also our goal to achieve their trust… that soldiers are not enemies; we are friends, who can help enlighten them on the importance of values like sportsmanship, discipline, and peace… that they can be advocates of peace,” Casem said.

The teams are accompanied by their civilian and military coaches, said 3MBDE Civil Military Operations Officer Capt. Jordan Mijares.

“We give special credit to the coaches, who helped us send the three teams from Palawan to participate in the Football for Peace in Fort Bonifacio. They are the ones, who have been guiding the players since we started the football game here in March,” said Mijares.

The civilian coaches are Antonio Austria, Ariel Recoco, and Jerome Javarez. They are joined by their military counterparts, who are TSgt. Samuel Fortunato, Cpl. Julius Haveria, and Cpl. Marjun Battelier.

The three football teams represent the 12th Marine Battalion Landing Team in northern Palawan, 4th Marine Battalion Landing Team in the south, and the 3MBDE.

The friendly football game will run for over a week until May 8, said Mijares, at the PMC headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

The young players will be hosted there by sponsors like 1 Meralco Foundation, which has been a long-time supporter of the football program.

“What is nice about this is there are even four young players who are from the Tagbanua indigenous peoples (IP) group,” he said.

Mijares also added that to bond with their counterparts from other provinces such as Tawi-Tawi and Sulu, they will be taken to special tours of Intramuros, the AFP museums, and other important destinations in Manila, where they can learn about Philippine history and patriotism.

UPDATE: DOTr opens Php 4-B upgraded Puerto Princesa Int'l Airport

By Aerol B. Patena (PNA)

MANILA (PNA) -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) opens Wednesday the newly developed Puerto Princesa Airport that hopes to further boost tourism industry in Palawan province.

The upgraded international airport is expected to accommodate about 1.9 million passengers annually.

Top officials of the DOTr, led by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco attended the blessing of the new Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) building.

Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae-shin, local government officials, led by Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez, Puerto Princesa Mayor Luis Marcaida III, and aviation stakeholders also graced the opening of the new airport terminal complex.

The Php 4-billion development project involves the construction of new passenger and cargo building, apron, taxiways and navigation facilities.

Located at Brgy. San Miguel, Puerto Princesa City, the airport terminal was built by a South Korean contractor with a floor area measuring 13,000 square meters with seating capacity of 1,500, parking slot for over 200 cars and a 2,600-meter runway that can accommodate bigger aircraft and six parking bays.

Currently, an average of 20 flights (20 landings/20 takeoffs)operate daily from PAL Express (Manila & Cebu), Cebu Pacific (Manila, Cebu Mactan & Iloilo), Philippine AirAsia (Manila,Cebu Mactan & Davao), PAL (Manila, Clark,& Taipei-Taoyuan) and Air Juan (Busuanga & Cuyo).

The new Puerto Princesa International Airport boasts a state-of-the art air navigation system (ILS/DME, AWOS, DVOR/DME) that complies with international standard, enhancing the airport’s safety operations (CAT-1) with an 1,800 KVA standby generator set.

Palawan, Chinese agri firm eye $50M greenhouse project

By Roy C. Mabasa

Hainan, China –The province of Palawan and a Chinese agricultural company based here are discussing a possible $50-million (roughly P2.5 billion) agriculture development project that involves growing plants in an environmentally-controlled area called greenhouse.

This was disclosed by Hainan Runda Modern Agricultural Co., Ltd. general manager Li Baoyou to Philippine-based journalists who were given a tour of the biggest greenhouse in Asia owned by his company located at a modern agriculture demonstration base in Lingshui Li Autonomous County.

A greenhouse is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown.

Largest greenhouse in China

The greenhouse, owned by Hainan Runda Modern Agricultural Co., Ltd., occupies 7.5 hectares of land inside the 380-hectare Hainan Lingshui modern agricultural demonstration zone, considered the largest of its kind in China.

According to Li, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez recently visited this modern agriculture demonstration zone which is situated just 45 minutes away from Sanya, a key tourism destination in the province.

He said although talks with Gov. Alvarez are still preliminary, they are now mulling expanded cooperation with the Palawan provincial government that includes the possible construction of a greenhouse.

“A facility like this can withstand a strong typhoon,” Li noted. “Likewise, I don’t see any problem with the irrigation system for this type of facility in the Philippines.”

He said they are also looking at the possibility of a training arrangement with Filipino farmers.

“It’s a good idea,” Li noted. “We want cooperation for investment in technology, as well as training and labor. Those who may undergo training could learn from this technology.”

He boasted that although there are other greenhouses in China the one constructed here is considered “the best.”

Currently, a total of 26 agriculturists, all Chinese nationals, are employed to oversee the operation of the greenhouse. This month, five agriculture experts will arrive from the Netherlands while in July, two Israelis will visit and stay here for a month.

Vertical growing system

A vertical soil-free hydroponic growing system is used in the greenhouse wherein organic fertilizers such as coconut shell powder instead of traditional soil are used which increases productivity by tenfold.

The vertical system rotates three times a day, moving rows of vegetables up and down. It rotates every eight hours to provide water and fertilizer to the vegetables. The greenhouse also uses hydraulic pressure resulting to less than one kilowatt hour per day.

Besides this vertical growing system, other advanced technologies have also been employed at the base to grow local vegetables such as bell peppers and cherry tomatoes.

Currently, the greenhouse at the Hainan Lingshui modern agricultural demonstration zone produce several varieties of vegetables and fruits that includes cucumber, cherry tomato, water melon, cabbage, and pepper.

15,000-kilo harvest

Li pointed out that on a regular planting system, a farmer can harvest 3,000 to 4,000 kilos of cherry tomatoes. However, under the greenhouse system, they can harvest up to 15,000 kilos.

“You can harvest as many as 18 kilos for every square meters,” he said. “In my next greenhouse, we will have up to 25 kilos.”

For certain vegetables Li said they can even harvest up to 18 times more every year.

The watermelon they produce, on the other hand, averages a kilo per piece and can be harvested every two months.

“You can eat even the skin for this type of watermelon,” he said.

Li said his company, which was founded in 2012, now distributes the produce harvested from the greenhouse to five star hotels, supermarkets and government institutions only here in Hainan province. Still, they were able to recoup their huge investments in just a span of three years. Li is based in Germany but is working here for eight months.

Hope, love prevail in conserving critically endangered Philippine Cockatoo

By Keith Anthony S. Fabro (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, May 1 -- Veronica Marcelo, 51, makes it a point to wake up early in the morning to go to the coconut-fringed shoreline facing the Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (RIWS), the stronghold of the critically endangered Philippine Cockatoo (locally known as Katala).

She has been doing this for nearly 17 years now, bringing with her a logbook and a pen, which she use in monitoring the number of Katala moving off the island to forage for food.

Marcelo serves as a volunteer for the Sagip Katala Movement (SKM), a community-based organization formed under the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP). SKM is mostly composed of women, who devote a fraction of their time looking after this threatened bird species that visits the coastal barangay of Panacan every day.

“I manually count the Katala I see flying over and perching on the coconut trees,” says Marcelo. “I don’t find it mundane. When you’re used to doing this task and truly fall in love with it – your day won’t be complete without attending to it.”

Rasa Island lies one kilometer off the coast of Barangay Panacan in Narra, a first-class town in southern Palawan. From the mainland, travelers are always stunned by its striking verdant vegetation of intact mangroves set against the azure sky and cerulean sea backdrops.

Five wildlife wardens, who hail from the indigenous group Tagbanua, are staying there to guard the 1,983-hectare island against unruly poachers.

Interestingly, they themselves were once wildlife poachers. Their change of heart however, was caused to the Katala Foundation, Inc. (KFI) which implements the PCCP since 1998. Later they opted to become wildlife protectors, to live a dignified life not just for themselves but also for their family.

Philippine Cockatoo

The endemic Philippine or Red-vented cockatoo is a small psittacine with a helmet crest and red undertail coverts.

Its white plumage is extremely conspicuous in flight and in the foliage of the lowland dipterocarp and mangrove forest habitats.

It is 12.2 inches long and has an 8.6 inches wingspan. The Katala, as it is locally called, is a social species which roosts, feeds, and flies in noisy groups but during the mating season, from March to July, pairs live apart from the flock, often reusing the same nesting tree year after year.

It is a favorite caged bird because of its ability to mimic the human voice.

Rampant poaching

Before Rasa Island was declared as a protected area, it was a silent, hapless witness to rampant hunting of the red-vented Katala birds.

Wildlife warden Reynaldo Abellar, 36, recalled that when he was 8 years old, he usually frequented the island with his grandfather to gather Katala and eventually sell them to buyers, who had been supplying the pet trade and the local demand for bush meat.

“Back then, there were days we were able to collect 30-50 heads,” Abellar recounted. “We’re not the only ones who were climbing the trees to fetch Katala as there were other outsiders who did the same.”

“It was an easy way of getting money,” said 49-year-old Lucito Dangis, another wildlife warden.

“I remember when I was young I was amazed at how my cousins were earning a huge amount of money – a Katala offspring can be sold for P50, and it can buy more kilos of rice during that time,” Dangis says.

“It all started as a 'past time' until it became a way of life. I’d been training youngsters to do the same so they can help their parents in providing food on the table,” he continues.

The island was also a place from which locals from a nearby fishing village used to cut mangroves and other tree species for fuel wood and building materials, hence reducing the number of trees, where the Katala can roost and nest.

For Abellar and Dangis, the realization had dawned on them after taking to heart what the world may stand to lose.

Those aforesaid threats, coupled with direct persecution, had caused the Katala's population to dip to as low as 23 heads.

“And surely, if we continue hunting for Katala, they will definitely vanish in the wild. And when they’re gone, you cannot bring them back anymore,” Abellar realizes.

Recovery of population

The downward trend in the Philippine Cockatoo population was averted when the PCCP entered the scene. Implemented through the non-government organization KFI, Katala’s number has grown to over 300, thus making the island as the Philippine Cockatoo Capital of the World.

“After almost 20 years of project implementation, the population increase is the tangible success indicator,” says KFI Program Manager Indira Widmann.

“From 23, now we already have at least 300 individuals of Katala here on Rasa Island.”

The upward trend is also the same in three more PCCP project sites located in Puerto Princesa City and the towns of Balabac in the south and Dumaran in the north.

Now, there is a little more than 1,000 individuals left in the world.

Aside from Katala, the island also harbors other avian species, notably the Great-billed Heron, Grey Imperial Pigeon and Mantanani Scops Owl and much more.

The immediate seas surrounding it are home to important marine species like Dugong, and Green Sea and Hawksbill Turtles, respectively.

Holistic approach

KFI believes that species conservation wouldn't be enough to ensure the survival of Katala. Equally important is the preservation of its natural habitat, which sums up the very essence of ecosystem approach that takes into consideration the environment as a whole.

“Inasmuch as we protect the Philippine Cockatoo, we are also protecting our very own survival. Through employing a holistic approach – although their habitat is the small patch of coastal, mangrove forests in this island, we are also protecting the marine environment which supports the town’s fishery production,” Widmann explained.

As a protected area declared through Presidential Proclamation No.1000, s. 2006, all kinds of destructive activities are prohibited in the island and its surrounding waters. On top of that, this wildlife sanctuary is also designated as core or no-take zone in the province’s Environmentally Critically Areas Network map.

Synergy among stakeholders

Narra town Mayor Lucena Demaala says these designations have further been enforced with the rigid implementation of municipal ordinances stopping cyanide and dynamite fishing around the shallow coral island, and prohibiting the cutting of trees and banning illegal entry and occupation in the island itself.

“Katala is worth conserving for the future generation,” Demaala says.

Conservation education in schools and at the community level continues to encourage the people to share a place with this adorable bird which started to move to the mainland in the 2000s and forage malunggay seedlings at the locals’ backyard, says KFI Field Operations Coordinator Siegfred Diaz.

“People get to know that the existence of Katala, as an indicator species dwelling in lowland forests, tells us how healthy our environment is,” Diaz says.

“With that, they even more appreciate it flying and even visiting their backyard from time to time.”

Just like in other PCCP sites across Palawan, the Narra town’s LGU gives a counterpart through an annual budget appropriation in which incentives for wildlife wardens come from.

This feat could never have been achieved without the active participation of all sectors involved. “It's not about us. This success is a result of the concerted effort of the local government units, international funders, local communities and concerned government agencies,” Widmannsaid.

As for Marcelo, she vowed to continue her volunteer job until the very end.

"I'm getting older and older every day, so strolling by the beach and under the shade of coconut trees, taking in the sea breeze really help me keep fit. Here I got more friends young and old alike and they respect me," she said.

"As long as I can, I'll keep going, I'll keep on telling the younger generation to live in harmony with Katala. Aren't we proud, of all the places in the world, they can be seen here? It's our country's living treasure."

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