Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Solon wants Pag-asa island cluster be declared as ecotourism and protected areas
Philippines
Solon wants Pag-asa island cluster be declared as ecotourism and protected areas
Solon wants Pag-asa island cluster be declared as ecotourism and protected areas
Published Feb 3, 2020 12:00 am
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino partylist Rep. Manuel Cabochan III is proposing to declare the Pag-asa Island and its adjoining islands of Parola, Kota, and Panata in the municipality of Kalayaan, province of Palawan as ecotourism destinations and protected areas.
Rep. Manuel Cabochan III (Party-list, MAGDALO)
(HOR / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) He filed House Bill No. 5985 to promoted and develop Pag-asa Island Cluster as a special ecological tourism zone for both local and foreign tourists. "The Kalayaan Island Group is endowed with rich and diverse natural resources, most especially its marine ecosystem. Recent study shows that the waters around Pag-asa remains a potential fishery ground, in terms of fishery resources, and offers superb diving environment, which is worthy of conservation in order to sustain the long-term benefits that we are supposed to gain from it," Cabochan said in his bill's explanatory note. The Pag-asa island is an island-barangay and the political seat of power of Palawan's municipality of Kalayaan, he noted. It is situated in the West Philippine Sea and is located west of Palawan covering an approximate area of 64,976 square miles of water and total land area of 290 square meters, he added. House Bill 5985 seeks to declare the Pag-asa Island and its adjoining islands as ecotourism destinations and protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Under the bill, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is required to make an inventory of the existing flora and fauna in Pag-asa Island Ecotourism Cluster within 90 days after the approval of the proposed Act. The inventory shall serve as basis for the creation of the development plan, it said. HB 5985 seeks the creation of the Pag-asa Island Ecotourism Cluster Governing Board which shall rationalize all efforts pertaining to environmental protection and making the tourism industry as a major source of livelihood and an avenue for the generation of employment. It shall be headed by the governor of Palawan. The Board shall be composed of the Palawan governor as chairperson; the congressional representative of the first district of Palawan as co-chairperson; the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional executive director for Region IV-B as vice chairperson; the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director for Region IV-B as co vice-chairperson; the Kalayaan mayor, the barangay chairperson of Pag-asa; the commander of the AFP Western Command; Palawan Council for Sustainable Development executive director; a member of a non-government organization (NGO) whose advocacy is environmental protection; a member of academe; and a representative from the private sector and the business sector. Cabochan's bill mandates the Board in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to prepare a development plan which shall be approved by the President. The eco-tourism master plan aims to ensure the promotion of tourism, the generation of employment, and the protection and preservation of environment and ecosystem. Under HB 5985, the Secretaries of the Department of Tourism (DOT), and DENR; and TIEZA Chief Operating Officer shall include in their respective programs the implementation of the proposed Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of the DOT. "It is the policy of the State to promote a sustainable ecotourism industry to attract local and foreign tourists to secure the country's share in the world tourism market and make it an avenue for generation of employment while ensuring the environmental protection and preservation of the area," Cabochan said.
Rep. Manuel Cabochan III (Party-list, MAGDALO)(HOR / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) He filed House Bill No. 5985 to promoted and develop Pag-asa Island Cluster as a special ecological tourism zone for both local and foreign tourists. "The Kalayaan Island Group is endowed with rich and diverse natural resources, most especially its marine ecosystem. Recent study shows that the waters around Pag-asa remains a potential fishery ground, in terms of fishery resources, and offers superb diving environment, which is worthy of conservation in order to sustain the long-term benefits that we are supposed to gain from it," Cabochan said in his bill's explanatory note. The Pag-asa island is an island-barangay and the political seat of power of Palawan's municipality of Kalayaan, he noted. It is situated in the West Philippine Sea and is located west of Palawan covering an approximate area of 64,976 square miles of water and total land area of 290 square meters, he added. House Bill 5985 seeks to declare the Pag-asa Island and its adjoining islands as ecotourism destinations and protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Under the bill, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is required to make an inventory of the existing flora and fauna in Pag-asa Island Ecotourism Cluster within 90 days after the approval of the proposed Act. The inventory shall serve as basis for the creation of the development plan, it said. HB 5985 seeks the creation of the Pag-asa Island Ecotourism Cluster Governing Board which shall rationalize all efforts pertaining to environmental protection and making the tourism industry as a major source of livelihood and an avenue for the generation of employment. It shall be headed by the governor of Palawan. The Board shall be composed of the Palawan governor as chairperson; the congressional representative of the first district of Palawan as co-chairperson; the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional executive director for Region IV-B as vice chairperson; the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director for Region IV-B as co vice-chairperson; the Kalayaan mayor, the barangay chairperson of Pag-asa; the commander of the AFP Western Command; Palawan Council for Sustainable Development executive director; a member of a non-government organization (NGO) whose advocacy is environmental protection; a member of academe; and a representative from the private sector and the business sector. Cabochan's bill mandates the Board in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to prepare a development plan which shall be approved by the President. The eco-tourism master plan aims to ensure the promotion of tourism, the generation of employment, and the protection and preservation of environment and ecosystem. Under HB 5985, the Secretaries of the Department of Tourism (DOT), and DENR; and TIEZA Chief Operating Officer shall include in their respective programs the implementation of the proposed Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and internally generated funds of the DOT. "It is the policy of the State to promote a sustainable ecotourism industry to attract local and foreign tourists to secure the country's share in the world tourism market and make it an avenue for generation of employment while ensuring the environmental protection and preservation of the area," Cabochan said.