Sports Complex Rd., Brgy. Sta Monica, Puerto Princesa City | www. pcsd.gov.ph | [email protected]PCSD UPDATES OCTOBER 2019 | Volume 4 Issue 46 Fifty junior high school students from different schools in Puerto Princesa City pledged to advocate for sustainability in Palawan after completing the first-ever Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Youth Camp (PCSD Youth Camp) last Oct. 18 to 19 at PCSD Training Center in Brgy. Irawan. e SDG Youth Camp is a program by Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS), supported by USAID Protect Wildlife, focused on educating the youth on Palawan’s MUSIC OF THE FUTURE: High school students from Palawan State University serenade the night to life through dancing, strumming of guitar, and clapping of hands in songs they composed for Palawan. Photo was taken during the Cultural Night of the first PCSD Youth Camp where high school students from schools in Puerto Princesa City showcased their talent in performances dedicated to Palawan’s natural beauty. Students commit to sustainability at PCSD Youth Camp 2019 Mga residente ng Balabac, sinabing hirap umiwas sa pag-atake ng buwaya First PCSD Youth Camp Recap: The Becoming of Youth Wildlife Savers Club (page 3) (page 6)
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PAGE 3Sports Complex Rd., Brgy. Sta Monica, Puerto Princesa City | www. pcsd.gov.ph | [email protected] Complex Rd., Brgy. Sta Monica, Puerto Princesa City | www. pcsd.gov.ph | [email protected] UPDATES
OCTOBER 2019 | Volume 4 Issue 46
Fifty junior high school students from different schools in Puerto Princesa City pledged to advocate for sustainability in Palawan aftercompleting the first-ever Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG) Youth Camp (PCSD Youth Camp) last Oct. 18 to 19 at PCSD TrainingCenter in Brgy. Irawan. The SDG Youth Camp
is a program by Palawan Councilfor Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS), supported by USAID Protect Wildlife, focused on educating the youth on Palawan’s
MUSIC OF THE FUTURE: High school students from Palawan State University serenade the night to life through dancing, strumming of guitar, and clapping of hands in songs they composed for Palawan. Photo was taken during the Cultural Night of the first PCSD Youth Camp where high school students from schools in Puerto Princesa City showcased their talent in performances dedicated to Palawan’s natural beauty.
Students commit to sustainability at PCSD Youth Camp 2019
Mga residente ng Balabac, sinabing hirap umiwas sa pag-atake ng buwaya
First PCSD Youth Camp
Recap: The Becoming of Youth
Wildlife Savers Club
(page 3)(page 6)
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and empowering them to actively participate in achievingthe United Nation’s SDGs. Before the camp officiallycommenced, PCSDS ExecutiveDirector Nelson P. Devanaderachallenged the participating studentsto keep themselves well-informedon the conservation challengesinvolving Palawan as it directlyaffects their future. The students, coming from Life College, Salve Regina School of Palawan, Kids World LearningCenter, and Palawan State University Laboratory High School, grouped into teams, built new friendships, listened to lectures, explored outdoors and other fun-filled activities. SDG Youth Camp Best Team Leader Bea Villaos, a 16-year-old student from PSU-LHS, said the activities are fun, educational, andmemorable. “I learned that everything in the environment is interconnectedand we do little things every single day that causes a huge impacton our environment,” Bea shared.
The lectures were given by experts from PCSDS, PilipinasShell Foundation Tandikan Program,Wild Expeditions Palawan, and the 3rd Marine Brigade. Ms. Biore C. Palao, one of the camp’s recipients of Best Teacher Award, expressed her gratitude for enabling the students to learn outside the four walls of the classrooms and personally learn important skills and lessons outdoors. “I believe may malakingimpact lalo na ngayon na kailanganna talaga nating gumawa ng paraan para maconserve yung naturalresources natin. Natutuwa ako kasi at their young age natututo na sila,” she said. After the two-day camp, the students signed a commitment board that states their pledge to abide by the ecological principles and become advocates of the environmenttowards a sustainable future. As newly deputized pioneersof the PCSD Youth Wildlife SaversClub, the campers will be championsof sustainability in their respectivecampuses through programs and activities with help and support by PCSDS and partners.
Students commit to . . . (from page 1 )
PCSD Youth Camp 2019: The participants of the first Sustainable Development Goals Youth Camp by PCSD Staff held last Oct. 18 to 19 at PSDTI Training Center in Brgy. Irawan. After completing training and lectures on wildlife conservation, the campers are now the official pioneers of Youth Wildlife Savers Club.
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First PCSD
Youth Camp Recap:The Becoming of Youth Wildlife Savers Club
Two days of camp and training for the pioneers of Youth Wildlife Savers Club have built inter-school friendships, introduced new standpoints, and flamed an innerfire to stand for sustainable development in Palawan. As the campers go forth to be champions of the environment in their respective campuses, here’s a quick review of the whole SDG Youth Camp experience:
MEETING NEW FRIENDS, STRENGTHENING TEAMWORK All fifty campers from Kids World Learning Center, Life College,Salve Regina School of Palawan, and Palawan State University Laboratory High School were grouped into teams outside their usual peers. Though strangers at first, group chants, new challenges, and the need for a constant exchange of ideas have later turned them into almost inseparable camp buddies.
RAISING AWARENESS ON CONSERVATION ISSUESSpeakers from various environmental and trainingorganizations gave lectures, played video clips, and showed demonstrations to help campersunderstand the relationship between humans and the environment, help them level off with the present conservation
The campers’ guide to making the best team flag: first, choose an important wildlife species that need urgent help. Then, draw the right symbolisms and patterns. Mix them with bright colors, and *ta-da!* we have the perfect flags to represent the team!
Campers enjoy the traditional Filipino kamayan boodle fight. According to the trainers from the military group, this symbolizes camaraderie, equality, and brotherhood.
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challenges, and empower them to fulfill their role as Filipinoyouth in attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
CELEBRATING NATURE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
The first day was capped off with festive music, movements, and words solely dedicated to the uniqueness of Palawan and its natural wonders.Every beat of instruments, tapping of feet, to lines birthed from playscript had one resounding message: Palawan is beautifully beaming with life and it needs to be protected.
EXPLORING OUTDOORS
It could have been just another morning for these junior high school students, except the wake-up alarm was not coming from their smartphones, but the rain’s sounds and its touch slowly creeping inside their tents. The rain is said to be a sign of blessing; in this case, of new adventures and lessons that can only be learned outside the four walls of the classroom. As soon as the pouring ceased and after some stretch, hiking experts from the Wild Expeditions Palawan taught the Leave No Trace Behind principle to the campers and guided them on their way to Irawan River where they learned river crossing from the 3rd Marine Brigade.
WHAT WOULD YOU FEEL? To illustrate the impact of plastic pollution on marine wildlife, plastic wastes were taped on the campers’ illustrations of natural ecosystems.
The winning performance of the students from Kids World Learning Center
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To further help the campersappreciate human dependence on the natural environment, the next challenge was to learn how to prepare meals using only raw materials around them.
COMMITTING TOSUSTAINABILITY Campers sealed the camp with a promise to become champions of sustainability. With the help of PCSD and partners, these leaders will meet regularly to engage their friends and school mates in their environmental programs and activities.
BIDDING FAREWELL When awards have been given, things placed back in their bags and boxes, and groupphotos have been taken, it was time to go. Everyone was giving each other words of gratitude and encouragement before leaving in groups. The noise of laughter and excitement gradually faded, leaving only the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Everything seemed to bethe same, but hopefully not for the new young wildlife saverswho completed the training. The camp has just endedbut may the story of how the Youth Wildlife Savers Club transformed their schools begin.
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Mga residente ng Balabac, sinabing hirap umiwas sa pag-atake ng buwaya
Sa pagbisita ng Palawan Councilfor Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) at mga katuwang na ahensya nito sa mga barangaysa Balabac na apektado ng pag-atake ng buwaya, ibinahagi ng mga residente na hirap silang iwasan ang mga insidente sa buwayadahil sa kakulangan ng mga alternatibong hanapbuhay, tulay at patubig sa mga kabahayan. Simula taong 2000hanggang kasalukuyan, 32 na insidente ng pag-atake ng buwayaang naitala sa bansa at 17 nito ay nangyari sa Balabac. Nakaraang Oktobre 28 hanggang 30, binisita ng mga eskperto sa buwaya mula sa PCSDS, DENR-Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC), at Crocodylus Porosus Inc. (CPPI), ang Brgy. Indalawan, Catagupan, Salang, Poblacion 5, at Ramos, sa tulong ng pamahalaan ng mga Barangay at Munisipyo ng Balabac, Municipal PNP, Palawan Maritime Police 2nd SOU pati ang istasyon nito sa Balabac. Binigyang diin dito ng mga eksperto ang mga paraan at paalalaupang maiwasan ang pag-atake ng buwaya, gaya ng paglayo sa tabing ilog o pampang lalong lalo na sa gabi kung saan aktibo ang mga buwaya. Ibinahagi naman ng mga residente at ilan sa kanilang mga kapitan ang kanilang mga hinaingkung bakit hirap silang umiwassa mga insidente sa buwaya. Ayon sa mga residente ng Brgy. Indalawan, bagamat takot sila lalo na’t noong Setyembre lamang ay namatay ang isang binatilyo sa kanilang lugar dahil sa pag-atake ng buwaya, ay patuloy pa rin silang
pumupunta sa ilog upang maglaba at maligo dahil sa kakulangan ng patubig sa mga kabahayan. Kinakailangan din daw nila ng mga tulay sa mga ilog sa tuwing sila’y pupunta sa bayan o sa eskwelahan. Ibinahagi naman ng ilang mangingisda sa Brgy. Catagupan, kung saan isang batang babae ang namatay taong 2017 dahil din sa pag-atake ng buwaya, na hirap silang iwasan ang pangingisda sa gabi dulot ng pangangailangan. Dagdag pa ng isang mangingisda “Yung iba ay may lupa naman po, pero walang kakayahan at puhunan sa basakan. Kailangan ng irrigation. Yung iba ang kaya lang ay seaweed farming.” Sa Barangay Salang, aminadonaman ang mga lokal na apekatado na rin ang kanilang pinagkakakitaan dahil sa takot sa buwaya, lalo na at ngayong buwan lamang ay namatay ang isang binatadahil sa pag-atake ng buwaya.
“Wala nang nag-aalimango sa gabi dahil takot sa buwaya. Hindi na kami makalaot sa gabi kasi gabi-ga-bing dumadaan ang buwaya,” ba-hagi ng isa sa mga mangingisda sa Salang.
10-YEAR ACTION PLAN
Nakaraang Abril, pinan-gunahan ng PCSDS ang pagtipon ng mga pinuno sa mga Barangay at Munisipyo ng Balabac at mga representante ng mga guro, mangingisda, at katutubo upang bumuo ng 10-Year Action Plan na sagot sa problema sa buwaya. Nakasaad sa planong ito na “Sa taong 2029 ang mamamayan ng Balabac at ang mga buwaya ay mamumuhay ng payapa sa iisang lugar na mayroong mayabong at masaganang likas na yaman.” Sa pagpaplano ng nasabingaction plan, ibinahagi ng mga dumalo ang mga maaaring sanhi
MANGINGISDA NG SALANG: Matapos ang halos trenta minuto ng pagbyahe sa karagatan mula sa publasyon, narating ng grupo ang Barangay Salang kung saan ang mga residente ay naghihintay upang pag-usapan ang kanilang problema sa buwaya. Bagama’t ang isa sa mga mangingisdang dumalo ay ama nang binatang naging biktima ng pinakahuling insidente ng pag-atake ng buwaya (una sa kaliwa), bukas-isipan siyang nakinig at sumali sa mga diskusy-on patungkol sa buwaya. Aniya, takot nang humuli ng alimango at pumunta sa laot ang mga residente ng Salang sa gabi dahil sa mga nagdaang insidente.
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ng pag-atake ng buwaya. Kabilangna rito ang pagkasira ng bakawan, pag-aalaga ng kahuyupan sa tabing ilog o pampang, at ang pagtapon ng tirang pagkain at hinugas sa dagat o ilog. Nakapaloob sa planong ito ang mga pangmabilisan at pang-matagalang tugon na pagtutulunganng iba’t ibang pampubliko at pribadongahensya upang maresolba ang problema sa buwaya. Ilan sa mga aksyong ito ay ang rehabilitasyon ng mga bakawan, istriktong pagpapatupad ng mga batas pangkalikasan, at pagbuo ng mga alternatibong hanapbuhay gaya ng turismo. Noong ika-28 ng Oktobre,ipinresenta ng PCSDS sa Sangguniang Bayan ng Balabac ang kabuuan ng nasabing plano.
HALAGA NG BUWAYA PARA SA MASAGANG ANI Base sa datos, ang Balabac ang may pinakamalawak na bakawan sa Palawan at isa sa mga maypinakamalaking populasyon ng saltwater crocodile sa bansa. Sinasabi ng mga eksperto mula sa CPPI na ang presensya ng buwaya ay nangangahulugan na ang isang lugar ay malusog na sangtuario ng mga isda. “Ang mga buwaya ay mga malalaking nilalalang na siyang nag-aararo ng lupa sa ilog at pampang. Ang kanilang paggalaw sa lupa ay nagiging sanhi ng pag-akyat ng mga nutrients na kinakain ng maliliit na mga organismo na siyang pagkain ng mga isda,” paliwanag ni Jake Binaday ng CPPI. Pinaalala rin niya na ang
walang pahintulot na pagpatay o pagtanggal ng buwaya sa naturalna tahanan nito ay maaaring maging rason para sa mga natitirangbuwaya sa lugar na magpalaki ngterritoryo at lumaki sa sukat na kayang umatake ng tao. Sa nagdaang tatlong buwan, limang buwaya na ang di umanoy “binungbong” at namatay sa iba’t ibang parte ng Balabac bunga ng galit at paghihiganti para sa mga naging biktima ng pag-atake.
Ibinabahagi ng pinuno ng grupo na si Levita Lagrada ng PCSDS sa mga apektadong barangay ang mga layunin at aksyon na nakapaloob sa 10-year Action Plan para sa proble-ma sa buwaya.
IMINUNGKAHING PAGPUPULONG: Isa si Hector (lalaki sa kaliwa) sa maraming residente ng Barangay Indalawan na umaga pa lamang ay naghihintay na sa pagdating ng grupo ng PCSDS at ng mga eksperto sa buwaya. Sa nagdaang workshop patungkol sa buwaya nakaraang Abril, hiniling ni Hector na dumalo ang PCSDS sa mga barangay na apektado ng problema sa buwaya. Isa sa mga problema ng kanilang barangay ay ang kakulangan sa patubig sa mga bahay na siyang nag-uudyok sa kanilang tumungo sa ilog para maglaba o maligo bagama’t mapanganib dahil sa buwaya.
MANATILING MAPAGMATYAG: Iniisa-isa ni PWRCC Technical Ser-vices Division Head Salvador Guion sa mga residente ng Salang ang mga dapat tandaan upang maiwasan ang possibleng pag-atake ng buwaya. Ibinahagi niya na ugaliing maging mapagmatyag sa paligid.
OCTOBER 2019 PCSD Updates
Sports Complex Rd., Brgy. Sta Monica, Puerto Princesa City | www. pcsd.gov.ph | [email protected] UPDATES
About 8 million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the ocean every year. Although birds have wings, they can’t fly away from the horrors of plastic pollution. It is estimated that by 2020, 99 percent of seabirds will ingest plastic.
HOW DOES PLASTIC AFFECT BIRDS?Birds easily mistake single-use plastics such as bags, drinking straws and bottles for prey due to shape and smell. The damage depends on the plastic’s shape. Sharp plastic particles pierce internal organs that lead to immediate death. Mostly, plastic consumption leads to a chronic feeling of hunger and starvation. The toxicity of chemicals coating plastics is an additional threat. Unknowingly, birds feed their chicks with plastics; their un-derdeveloped organs make them more vulnerable to damage.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?✓ Limit your use of plastic materials and replace them with eco-friendly alternatives.✓Support local and global action against the excessive and unnecessary use of plastic. RDC Resolution No. 2018-065-730 enjoins MIMAROPA local gov-ernment units, agency regional offices, and business organi-zations, to prohibit the use of single-use plastic.✓ Organize beach clean-up or other activities that empower coastal communities to protect the ocean from plastic pollution.✓ Spread the word. #WorldMi-gratoryBirdDay #WMBD2019
