Surublien-Strategies To Conserve Palawan's Biodiversity

THE PALAWAN CORRIDOR STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

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

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

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

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

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

PROJECT PARTNERS
The Provincial Government of Palawan aims towards having its people, culture, religion and economy in harmony with the environment
and natural resources, through relevant and responsive programs guided by the principle of sustainable development. The Provincial
Government works to achieve this through continuing research, regulatory activities, policy reforms, well-coordinated and integrated cluster
projects among concerned agencies/institutions, an orchestrated effort and shared responsibility between and among NGOs, LGUs and the
private sector.

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) is a government organization duly established by virtue of Republic
Act 7611. PCSDS, through the complementation of environmental preservation, protection and rational utilization of Palawan’s natural
resources within the framework of the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, envisions to ensure sustainable development.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is a government agency whose mission is to catalyze people’s
participation to protect, conserve, manage and sustainably develop the environment and natural resources; to facilitate people’s equal
access to natural resources through simplified and customer-oriented procedures and more community-based program for the upland/
coastal communities. Furthermore, it envisions a sustainably developed region with rich and diverse natural resources equitably shared by
the people in empowered community working harmoniously in a wholesome environment for better quality of life.

The Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (PNNI) is a network of non-government and people’s organization duly registered at the Securities and
Exchange Commission. PNNI shares a common vision of social justice and equitable distribution of wealth rooted within the framework of
self-help and participatory democracy and have a mission of helping improve the quality of life of the Palaweños while maintaining the
balance on environment and development endeavors.

Conservation International is an international non-profit, non-government organization organized and existing under the laws of the State
of California, USA, dedicated to the protection of global biodiversity; the world's natural ecosystems and the species that rely on these
habitats for survival. Recognizing the economic realities that impinge on pure scientific conservation, CI synthesizes the approaches of
business, community development and applied science to promote the conservation of biodiversity. This is combined with a strong
emphasis on local capacity building, close coordination and partnership with in-country institutions for planning and implementation of
biodiversity conservation.

Palawan Council for Sustainable
Development

SURUBLIEN: STRATEGIES TO CONSERVE
PALAWAN’S BIODIVERSITY

Funding for the project has been provided by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), a
joint initiative of Conservation International, The Global Environmental Facility, the Government of
Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil
society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF PALAWAN
Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City
5300 Palawan, Philippines
www.palawan.net

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES –
Region IV (MIMAROPA)
1515 L&S Building, Roxas Boulevard
Manila, Philippines
Tel. No. (632) 4050015; 4050047, Fax No. (632)4050046

PALAWAN COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STAFF
Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City
Tel. No. (6348) 4343370, Fax No. (6348) 4336155
www.pcsd.ph

PALAWAN NGO NETWORK, INC.
Zanzibar Building, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City
Tel/Fax No. 4335525
pnni@mozcom.com

CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
Unit 207, Pacific Plaza Buidling, Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City
Tel. No. (6348) 4333551, Fax No. (6348)4342419
palawan@conservation.org.ph
5 South Lawin, Philam Homes, Quezon City, Philippines
Tel. No. (632) 4128194, Fax No. (632) 4128195
philippines@conservation.org.ph
1919 M Street, NW Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel. No. (202)9121000, Fax No. (202) 9121030
www.conservation.org

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Redempto D. Anda and Jeanne Tabangay-Baldera

TECHNICAL WRITERS
Dr. Rowena R. Boquiren, PhD, Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda, Dante Dalabajan, Noela Lasmarias,
Rodger Valientes, Elvira Orbeta, Grace Wong, Miguel Castrence, Arvin Diesmos, Nadia Palomar

DESIGN & LAYOUT
William D. Manuel

COVER PHOTOGRAPH
PCSDS & CI-Phils

MAPS & LANDSAT IMAGES
PCSDS, NAMRIA, PPDO-GIS and CI-Phils

Philippine Copyright © 2004 by Provincial Government of Palawan, Palawan Council for
Sustainable Development Staff, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region IV
(MIMAROPA), Palawan NGO Network, Inc. and Conservation International Philippines.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ISBN:

This report can be reproduced as long as the project collaborators are properly acknowledged as
the source of information.

SUGGESTED CITATION
Anda, R.D. and J.G. Tabangay-Baldera (eds). 2004. Surublien: Strategies to Conserve
Palawan’s Biodiversity . Provincial Government of Palawan, Palawan Council for
Sustainable Development Staff, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-
MIMAROPA Region IV, Palawan NGO Network, Inc., and Conservation International
Philippines, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines. 124pp.

ii ii

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................................. vi

1.0 THE STATUS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE PALAWAN CORRIDOR ............................... 1

2.0 SOCIAL PROFILE OF PALAWAN STAKEHOLDERS………………………………………..…………….. 9

3.0 ISSUES, THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES
3.1 Profile of Threats to Biodiversity............................................................................ 15
3.2 Threats to Forest Resource Conservation............................................................... 20
3.3 Threats to Palawan Fishery: An Economic Analysis................................................. 24
3.4 Assessment of Conservation Policies as Applied in Palawan .................................. 28
3.5 Issues in Conservation Initiatives .......................................................................... 38

4.0 PALAWAN CORRIDOR OUTCOMES AND STRATEGIES
4.1 Outcomes Definition............................................................................................. 47
4.2 Species Outcomes ............................................................................................... 48
4.3 Site Outcomes ..................................................................................................... 52
4.3.1 Terrestrial……………………………………………………………………………………..54
4.3.2 Marine………………………………………………………………………………………….78
4.4 Palawan Corridor Conservation Strategies and Priority Actions .............................. 92

5.0 CORRIDOR SPATIAL MODELING:
A Case Study for Southern Palawan................................................................................ 95

6.0 INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY..................................... 99

List of Acronyms……………………………………………………………………………………………………...…106

References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…107

Contributors……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….108

Photo Credits…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….. 113

iii

TABLES

1. Population distribution according to households ……………………………………………….. 11
and urban-rural classification, 2000

2. Population density by municipality, 2000 ………………………………………………………….. 12

3. Population densities relative to various types of ………………………………………………… 13
land-use, Palawan corridor

4. Funding sources for conservation-related projects, …………………………….………………. 39
Province of Palawan (1990-2002)

5. Distribution of major conservation projects, ……………………………………………..………… 40
Province of Palawan (as of 2002)

6. Assessment of conservation objectives ………………………………………………………………. 41

7. Assessment of management approaches in ……………………………………………….………. 42
conservation

8. Summary of assessment of components in ………………………….…………………………….. 45
major conservation initiatives

9. Key terrestrial and marine species of Palawan: ………………………………………………….. 48
threatened and restricted-range species

10. Variables used in the risk of habitat loss analysis ………………………………………….……. 96

iv

FIGURES

1. A comparison of two landsat images taken seven years apart ………………………….. 17

2. Priority conservation sites in Palawan corridor …………………………………………………. 52

3. Risk of habitat loss analysis utilizing ……………………………………………………………….. 94
Econometric methods of predicting impacts
of human activities on forest cover

4. Mantalingahan forests under risk …………………………………………………………….……… 97

5. Risk of habitat loss by forest type (%) ………………………………………………….………….. 97

v

Executive Summary
The entire island of Palawan is a
designated Man and Biosphere
Reserve, with two internationally-
recognized World Heritage Sites, an
Endemic Bird Area, and a Philippine
Priority Area for biodiversity
conservation.
Over 1,700 species of flowering plants
and about 41% of the more than 1,100
species of terrestrial vertebrates that
are known in the Philippine Archipelago
are found in the province. Its marine
ecosystem boasts of an astonishing
assemblage of marine life that sits atop
the famed Coral Triangle.
The International Union for
Conservation of Nature has identified at
least 82 terrestrial and marine species
that are found in Palawan to be among 2

the list of globally important species,
their classification having been Demographic Profile in weak governance mechanisms and
determined as either endangered or processes, and are competing with
threatened. In terms of human population, growth more powerful resource users.
rate in Palawan (3.36%) is very high
in comparison with the national Conservation Policies
Threats
growth rate (2.3%). Population
Considered the most significant threat increase reflects the combined Several conservation policies and
to Palawan’s biodiversity, specifically contribution of in-migration (35%) and programs are in place because of the
on the terrestrial realm, is the loss of natural increase (65%). High putative environmental fragility of
habitat brought about by the wanton population growth rate is attributed to Palawan. There are policies that define
conversion of forest areas to other land high in-migration rate because of the the rights, roles, responsibilities and
uses such as agriculture and road perceived opportunity for agriculture obligations of user groups (such as
development. The unabated practice of (available land) and tourism. This is a indigenous cultural communities),
illegal logging is perpetrated in historical trend that developed in the government (such enforcement
disparate scales but accounting to 1950s and reached its peak in the agencies) and non-government
major proportions as they occur 1980s and 1990s. As much as 60% institutions.
wherever there are good forests and of migration comes from circulating The present legal framework is
whenever enforcement efforts are migrants (movements within illustrated by the provision of tenure to
sorely lacking. Palawan). local communities, expansion of the
On the coastal and marine side, Facilities and services for education social options of resource dependent
overfishing and destruction of habitat and health are limited. Literacy, communities and identification of
and spawning areas pose as threats. participation and completion rate (for conservation zones. This provides the
The trend in fish catch and the limited elementary and secondary school basis for an effective province-wide
survey of reef areas and mangroves levels) are below the national conservation strategy by widening the
support these observations. standard. Schools, classrooms, stakeholder base participation in
These threats are inevitably linked to teachers are not sufficient. A third to a conservation, providing land and
the high population growth rate and little less than half of the province’s resource use framework, and
poverty. Studies on net incomes, population have poor access to identifying the particular government
especially from fishing, indicate that, health services (fewer health centers, instrumentality in charge of a specific
indeed, net income from hook-and-line personnel, insufficient sources of safe conservation activity.
fishing – a benign fishing method, is water). However, despite the existing
way below the net income that can be Ethnic minorities are in increasingly conservation policies and regulatory
obtained from more efficient methods, degraded lands and waters, their mechanisms, mounting threats against
illegal fishing and illegal quarrying. resource access rights undermined biodiversity conservation continue.
by state laws, have marginalized role Existing institutional set-up for

vi

conservation is still complex, encouraged to engage in and removing the barriers to effective
sectoralized, at times confusing, and conservation works, program conservation initiatives. To achieve
fragmented notwithstanding the various planners and implementers need to this, the following investment priorities
Memorandum of Agreements passed set clear conservation targets defined should be undertaken: a) increasing
to harmonize PCSD and DENR fundamentally by the direct causes of incentives for conservation, 2)
functions, law enforcement biodiversity loss, to be complemented increasing disincentives for destructive
responsibilities and unify protected or supported by activities that address activities and c) strengthening local and
area zones. Weak coordination, the indirect causes. Hence, priority national institutions.
inflexibility in approaches to resource actions for each of these priority sites Conservation barrier removal
use, centralized management, lack of have been prescribed by key strategies should be able to address
material resources and lack of stakeholders. the drivers for illegal practices,
competent and well-motivated staff are The general prescriptions for coupled with more effective
key problems that result from this Palawan biodiversity corridor enforcement to increase the deterrent
situation and limit the ability of include establishment and for illegal activities. Creating
government agencies to effectively management of a network of protected areas, whether marine and
carry out their functions. protected areas or key biodiversity forests, and wildlife reserves may not
Policy processes, and the direction that areas; strengthening of law work if the incentives for conservation
the policy per se is taking has seen enforcement; information are lower than the disincentive for
progressive evolution in the past generation; advocacy works; illegal activities.
decade. With all the gains and expansion of community-based Conservation programs must address
successes, these policies are still by no resource management efforts; natural resource utilization patterns
means perfect. They can never be monitoring and evaluation of which are unsustainable. At the
perfect for as long as values change, resource management plans. same time, development thrusts of
political contingencies vary and Incipient conservation activities are local government units and other
economic arrangements evolve. The gradually taking shape in the agencies must be imbued with
key for these imperfect policies to work province. The challenge now is to conservation framework based on
is to capitalize on the opportunities they bind these small and scattered science. This will require technical,
present and challenge the real and initiatives to form a tight conservation material and capital inputs to address
potential threats that they may pose corridor that allows for wider people’s food security and social reproduction
with the positive outlook of changing participation, active government needs, tenurial security, policy
them for the better. support and sustainable technical and harmonization and enforcement for
financial support. This entails better protection and enrichment of
Conservation Strategies improving community and the remaining natural resources.
bureaucratic capacities, implementing
Through the extensive participation of
stakeholders, 26 priority areas
comprised of 9 marine blocks and 17
terrestrial blocks that are critical for
research and conservation efforts
have been identified. The top marine
priority areas are the Calamianes
Island Group, El Nido-Taytay, Green
Island Bay-Honda Bay, Tubbataha
Reefs and Cagayancillo, Balabac
Island Group, and Kalayaan Island
Group.
The top terrestrial priority areas are the
Calamianes Island Group, El Nido-
Taytay Managed Resource Protected
Areas, Lake Manguao, San Vicente-
Taytay-Roxas Forest, Victoria-
Anepahan Mountain Range,
Mantalingajan Mountain Range, and
the Balabac Island Group.
Considering the diversity of types of
actions that can be pursued, and the
variety of actors that can be 3

vii

1.0 The Status of Biological Diversity
in the Palawan Corridor
by ARVIN DIESMOS and NADIA PALOMAR
(with contributions from Sabine Schoppe &
Joie Matillano for freshwater fishes)

The biological diversity of the fauna. At present, a total of 82
Palawan Corridor is rich and species in the Corridor are Critically
spectacular. Over 1,700 species of Endangered, Endangered, or are
flowering plants and about 41% of Vulnerable, but this number will
the more than 1,100 species of certainly rise dramatically after the
terrestrial vertebrates that are known conservation status of many other
in the Philippine Archipelago are species have been assessed.
found in the region. Its marine
ecosystem boasts of an astonishing The enforcement of measures
assemblage of marine life and is one against destructive activities on 1
of the richest and most biologically habitats and species has proven to Calamian hog deer (Axis calamianensis).
important in the world. be a colossal task attributed to the With an estimated population of only 900
shortage of capability and skills of animals, it has been classified as
Although the Palawan chain of natural resources managers, the Endangered by the IUCN .
islands has long been considered as recurrent lack of personnel and
biogeographically part of the Sundaic infrastructure, a complex
region, the Palawan Corridor contains overlapping of environmental laws
a considerable level of endemicity in and policies, and perhaps the most
fauna and flora with numerous important of all, the lack of political
unique species that are found will to implement biodiversity laws
nowhere else in the Philippines or in on the part of decision makers and
the Sundaic region. Further results of the authorities. The effective
recent systematic studies utilizing management and protection of its
molecular techniques demonstrate biodiversity call for direct “The biological diversity
that the level of endemism of faunal intervention and protection of
vertebrates in the Corridor is truly specific and manageable key of the Palawan corridor
higher than presently known. conservation sites, habitats, and
threatened species.
In recognition of its importance to
is rich and spectacular .
global biodiversity the entire island of At present, the Protected Areas in Over 1,700 species of
Palawan was declared a Biosphere the Corridor cover some 384,227
Reserve with two World Heritage hectares or about 26% of the total flowering plants and
Sites, an Endemic Bird Area, and a land area of the region. In contrast, about 41% of the more
Philippine Priority Area for mining claims encompass 1.64% of
biodiversity conservation. In spite of the region’s land area. than 1,100 species of
all these, the recent decades saw an
escalation of threats to its Overall, the knowledge on the terrestrial vertebrates
biodiversity: habitat loss and biodiversity of the Palawan Corridor that are known in the
conversion through illegal and legal still remains insufficient. Updated
logging, the clearing of natural information on species and Philippine Archipelago
vegetation for agriculture expansion, important habitats, especially those
fish farming, and resort-building; that are under great threat, are
large-scale mining for heavy metals, sorely lacking. This, in part, is a
quarrying, over-harvesting, blast reflection of the shortage of
fishing, cyanide fishing, and the resident biodiversity specialists in
rampant illegal trade of flora and the Corridor. The need to address

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

cr itic al gap s in biod ive r sity harvested by locals as a source of
knowledge is vital in order to agar (or carageenan) or are used as
complement current conservation feed for livestock. Roughly a third of
efforts in the Corridor. Most all seaweed species are considered
importantly, the new information commercially important. The
will serve as the basis of distribution of seaweed records in the
conservation interventions on target Corridor is very similar to seagrasses.
species, habitats, ecosystems, and
priority areas. Mangroves

Species Diversity, Distribution An estimated 44,500 hectares of
and Conservation Status mangrove forest is still found in the
Corridor or roughly 40% of all that
Seagrasses and seaweeds remains in the entire country (PCSD
1998, Madulid 2002). In addition, 31
A total of 13 species of seagrasses of the 34 mangrove species known in
have been recorded in Palawan. the Philippines have been recorded
This diversity is among the highest here. This situation makes the
in the Philippines and accounts for Palawan Corridor the single most
about 81% (or 13 of 16 species) of important region in the Philippines for
the total number of sea grass mangrove forest diversity and
species known in the country. conservation.
Among the biologically significant
seagrasses in the region are the Not surprisingly, the province’s
1 tropical eelgrass (Enhalus mangrove forests are highly
acoroides), one of the largest sea threatened through clearance and
Mangrove forest found in Puerto Princesa conversion (for example, to give way
Subterranean River National Park grass species, Thalassia hemprichii,
and species of Halophila and to fish or prawn farms, resorts) and
Halodule. These latter species are are heavily exploited (harvested for
important food items of the dugong charcoal production, tan-barking or
(Dugong dugon), which exclusively dye extraction). Among the species
feeds on seagrasses, and are also that is most seriously affected by the
important for marine turtles. Sea latter activity is Ceriops tagal.
grass beds have a critical function
in the reproductive and foraging Information on species richness and
biology of numerous marine life, distribution are available only from
especially fishes, shrimps, the northern and central regions of
molluscs, and crustaceans (Fortes the Corridor, information is lacking
in Ong et al. 2002). for a greater part of the southern
coasts.
Seagrass beds are almost uniformly
distributed but the greatest Elasmobranchs and whale sharks
diversity and abundance are
generally located at the Information on the elasmobranchs of
northeastern and northwestern the Palawan Corridor is very limited.
areas of the province. Only seven species of sharks are
documented in Palawan waters but
There are about 320 species of this is certainly an underestimate and
8 seaweeds recorded in the province is reflective of the shortage of studies
composed of 133 rhodophytes, 127 an d un av ailability of reliable
Lush bed of seagrass (Thalassia chlorophytes and 60 phaeophytes. information. A total of 168 species of
hemprichi). Thirteen species of seagrass or This number represents about 32% chondrichthyan fishes have been
‘lusay’ are found in Palawan waters. (338 of 1,062 species) of the total found all over the Philippines. This
seaweed species now known in the ranks the Corridor as the second
Philippines (Fortes in Ong et al. most diverse area in the world in
2002). As in many parts of the terms of diversity of this group (Alava
Philippines, seaweeds are in Ong et al. 2002).

2 :: STRATEGIES TO CONSERVE PALAWAN’S BIODIVERSITY

Sharks are commercially important species richness and distribution of
and are widely harvested across the corals. The lack of data is attributed
Corridor. Of the seven species known, mainly to a difficulty in identifying
the most important and widely corals in the field and the
celebrated is the whale shark propensity of field studies toward
(Rhincodon typus). The whale shark estimation of coral cover and
is a threatened species (listed as abundance rather than on their
Vulnerable) and is a CITES species. In taxonomy.
the Corridor, this species has been
reported off the Calamianes region in Molluscs
northern Palawan and in Honda Bay
(Alava in Ong et al. 2002). The A total of 716 species in 96 families
Balabac Strait in particular has been have so far been recorded in
reported to be an important migration Palawan. This includes four species
route for whale sharks from the Bohol of giant clams that are globally
Sea to Vietnam (Eckert et al. 2002). threatened: Tridacna derasa, T.
gigas, Hippopus hippopus, and H. CORAL REEF
Corals porcellanus; all four species are
also listed under Appendix II of
Worldwide, the Philippine Archipelago CITES. Many species in this group,
is presently known to have the most especially octopus, the giant 10
highest diversity of zooxanthellate clams, and ornamental shells are
Branching corals serve as important
scleractinian corals. Of the regions in highly sought after commercially
habitats for some fish species such as the
the country, the Palawan Corridor has (harvested for the shell craft
reticulated damselfish (Dascyllus
the most number of coral species, industry) and for subsistence
harboring roughly 82% (or 379 (examples are H. hippopus, T. gigas,
reticulatus)
species) of the 462 species known in and T. squamosa). Stocks of these
the Philippines (Veron and Fenner in species are seriously depleted in
Werner and Allen 2000). In addition, areas where they were recorded
there are 21 possible new species (Wells in Werner and Allen 2000).
that were discovered recently from
the Calamianes Group of Islands Available data in the Corridor is
(Veron 2000), a possible new species scarce and is limited to the
of Leptoseris from the Kalayaan Calamianes region, El Nido,
Island Group (Licuanan and Capili in Cagayancillo and Tubbataha Reef.
Ong et al. 2002), and 39 species of The Rapid Assessment Program
corals in the Corridor are considered (RAP) marine survey of the
as rare (Nemenzo 1986). Calamianes (Werner and Allen
2000) is the primary source of
An assessment of the state of information that is presently
Philippine coral reefs conducted in available on this group. In general,
1991 showed Palawan as having field inventories of molluscs are
17% of its coral reef cover in poor lacking largely due to a shortage of
condition, 41% in fair condition, 32% resident experts.
in good condition, and only 10% in
excellent condition (Gomez et al. Reef fishes
1994). Although results have not
been published, the recent increase The Palawan Corridor harbors a very
in assessment activities of live coral high proportion (about 89%) of the
cover in the Corridor over the last total number of reef fish species
decade could change these figures recorded in the country. Thus far, 9
considerably. 1,158 species of fish have been
recorded in its waters and nearly School of black-spotted snapper (Lutjanus
In general, information on the corals 300 of these species are considered ehrenbergi) locally known as ‘maya-
came mainly from Calamianes, El commercially important species maya’. Palawan contributes about 40% of
Nido, Taytay and Tubbataha. Up to (Tables 1). Among the largest reef the total fishery production in the nation.
now, vast areas in the Corridor lack fish assemblages in the Corridor are
even the basic information on found in the Kalayaan Islands and


Tubbataha Reef. In the Calamianes occur there. All four species are
region, 736 to 888 species can be threatened with extinction;
found (Allen in Werner and Allen Eretmochelys imbricata is Critically
2000) although the larger species Endangered while Caretta caretta,
apparently are showing declines in Chelonia mydas, and Lepidochelys
population because of over- olivacea all have an Endangered
exploitation. Current information status (Hilton-Taylor 2000). All
supports the claim of Aliño and species are listed under Appendix I of
Gomez (1995) that the highest CITES.
diversity of reef fish in the
Philippine marine biogeographic Information is available only from the
zones is found in the waters of Sulu eastern coast of the Corridor and
Sea and South China Sea, which from the El Nido-Taytay and
encompass the Corridor. Calamianes areas in the north. The
Calamianes, Cuyo, and El Nido areas
In view of the broad dispersal are critical developmental areas for
capabilities via the pelagic larval the green and hawksbill turtles; this
stage of most reef fishes, minimal was the basis for establishing El Nido
endemism can be expected. In as a marine turtle sanctuary in the
Palawan however, at least four late 1980s by virtue of DENR
species have thus far only been Administrative Order 14. The eastern
recorded in the Calamianes and coast is also an important nesting
3 Cuyo Island Groups. These are the site for the green, hawksbill, and
wrasse Labracinus atrofasciatus, olive ridley turtles.
Dugong (Dugong dugon) populations are
an undescribed damselfish of the
susceptible to decline because they are Moreover, the Balabac Island Group
genus Pseudochromis, the
usually found in coastal areas– the same is a critical route of marine turtles
damselfishes Altrichthys curatus
area where human activity is the greatest. into the Sulu Sea from Guam and the
and Altrichthys azurelineatus, the
blenny Ecsenius kurti, another Andaman Sea (Cummings 2002).
undescribed blenny of the genus There is no recent information on
Ecsenius, and the rare blenny marine turtles from Balabac Island
Istiblennius colei (Allen in Werner Group and from the entire west coast
and Allen 2000). of the Corridor.

Information is generally complete Dolphins, whales and dugong
for Palawan reef fish save for the
western coast of central and Of the 22 to 25 species of marine
southern Palawan. mammals reported in the Philippines
(Heaney et al. 1998, Aragones in Ong
Marine Turtles et al. 2002), 15 species have so far
been found in the waters of the
Four of the five species of marine Corridor. These are composed of
turtles that are known in the dolphins (10 species), a rorqual (1
country have been found in the species), sperm whales (2 species),
Corridor, namely, the loggerhead porpoise (1 species), and a dugong (1
sea turtle (Caretta caretta), green species). Many of these marine
3 sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), mammals are threatened with
hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys extinction in varying degrees; two are
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) digging imbricata) and olive ridley sea turtle globally threatened and nine are
a nest (Lepidochelys olivacea). All species listed under CITES.
are members of the family
Cheloniidae. The fifth species that The celebrated dugong (Dugong
can be found in the Philippines but dugon), which has been recorded in
has not yet been recorded in the the Corridor as early as the 1980s
Corridor is the giant leatherback (DENR-PAWB and Toba Aquarium
sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea; 1995), has recently been sighted
f amily Dermoche lyidae); th is from several areas in the northern
species, however, may certainly region. The dugong is listed as an


Endangered species (Hilton-Taylor Mosses mainland Palawan. Another two
2000) and a globally protected species (Bosthrycus expatria and
species. Yet the dugong continues to The most recent study of the moss Dermatogynis palawanenis) which
be killed for its meat in some parts of flora of the Corridor estimated that are freshwater obligates but are
the Corridor. 192 species in 88 genera are found marine in origin are also endemic to
here (Tan 1996), a diversity that is the Corridor. Both Puntius
In the Philippines, the Irrawaddy relatively depauperate compared to manguaoensis and Bosthrycus
dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is other regions in the Philippines. expatria are threatened species
known thus far from the Malampaya This poorness in species is having a status of Vulnerable (IUCN
Sound, making this region a critical attributed to the dry, semi- 2002).
area for its conservation. Recent field deciduous state of its forest
surveys have estimated that about ecosystem. Major threats to the native and
77 individuals of this globally endemic freshwater fish fauna are
important species are found in the Interestingly, mosses on the the introduction of exotic species
area. The complex of fish pens and eastern slopes of the central (such as the African tilapia
fishery activities in the area pose a mountain ranges of mainland Oreochromis and Tilapia) and the
potential threat to the species. P a law an ( e . g . , V ic to r ia an d continuing conversion of their
Mantalingajan mountain ranges) habitat.
Available information on marine have higher species diversities
mammals is centered at the eastern compared with those from the Most of the major explorations done
coast near Puerto Princesa City with a western slopes of these same on the freshwater fishes of Palawan
few documented records from the mountain ranges. date back to the early 1900s century
north and Tubbataha. Virtually no and were all conducted by foreign
information is available from the Unlike most of the terrestrial scientists. It was only in the last five
entire western coast of the Corridor vertebrates, the affinity of the years that resident field researchers
down to Balabac. mosses of the Corridor is not with enhanced the study of this
its closest neighboring island of insufficiently known group. As a
Flowering plants Borneo but with the rest of the result of this renewed interest, at
Philippines, Java, and the Lesser least three new species of Palawan-
Current estimates of the total number Sundas or West Malesia. A similar endemic freshwater fishes have been
of flowering plants in the Corridor pattern has been recorded for the discovered, indicating that the
range from 1,700 to 3,500 species Palawan stream frogs, which freshwater fish fauna of the Corridor
(Madulid 2002, Regalado, unpubl. apparently are more closely related remains to be described.
data) while an unpublished to those from nearby Mindoro
annotated checklist (Soejarto et al. Island than with the Bornean Amphibians
1995) gives 2,738 species in 919 stream frogs (Brown and Guttman
genera. Although Palawan has been 2002). At present, 26 species of amphibians
explored by more botanists than are known composed of 25 species
vertebrate biologists (for a brief Freshwater fishes of frogs and one species of an
account, see Madulid 2002), the endemic caecilian. The fauna also
flora of Palawan remains A total of 18 species of true includes an alien invasive species
insufficiently known as indicated by freshwater fishes have thus far (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus), a native
the significant number of discoveries been found in the Corridor, half of of mainland Asia, which has certainly
of new species and species range these are endemic to Palawan. Two been introduced recently. There are
extensions in the last two decades. species are restricted to the only nine endemic species (35%) but
Among the important discoveries Borneo-Palawan biogeographic eight of these are confined to the
include species of Amorphophallus region, one endemic species occurs Corridor region.
(Araceae), Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae), on both Mindanao and Palawan
several species of Badusa and while six species are found The Palawan herpetofaunal region
Fagerlindia (Rubiaceae), and throughout the Philippines and in shares about 15 species of frogs with
nutmegs (Myristicaceae) (e.g., neighboring Southeast Asian Borneo and other islands within the
Soejarto et al. 1995, Madulid 2002). countries. Sunda Shelf. Among the
herpetofaunal provinces in the
At least 55 species are listed in Two of the Palawan endemics Philippines, the Palawan region
various threatened categories: 4 are (Puntius bantolanensis and P. places fourth in terms of
Critically Endangered, 8 are manguaoensis) are exclusively herpetofaunal diversity. However,
Endangered, and 38 are Vulnerable. found in Lake Manguao in Taytay, since many areas in the Corridor have
the only known freshwater lake on not been completely surveyed of its


amphibian fauna, it is expected that Nine species are listed in various species are shared with the Sundaic
the levels of diversity and endemicity categories of CITES. Given the region of Malaysia and Indonesia but
will markedly increase after present state of habitat are not found in other regions of the
concentrated field collection efforts disturbance in the Corridor, it is Philippines (Dickinson et al. 1991).
have been conducted and the expected that these numbers may
taxonomy of many species have been i n c re a se af t e r a maj o r r e- Currently, there are 11 threatened
re-assessed. assessment of the conservation species (Mallari et al. 2001) and 23
status of species has been done. species listed under CITES. The
Two of the most important endemic Palawan Corridor is also a
amphibians are the Palawan Excluding the crocodiles, majority stronghold of the Philippine
caecilian (Caudacaecilia weberi) and of the reptiles especially the C o c k a t o o ( C a c a t u a
the Philippine flat-headed frog indigenous and endemic species haematuropygia), the most
(Barbourula busuangensis). The lack basic information on natural threatened species of cockatoo in
Palawan caecilian is a very rare history. The status of many species the world and where the largest
lowland species and was last remains unknown since they have Philippine population of the species
recorded by field herpetologists in not been observed again in the is found (Lambert 1994, PCCP
1961. The Philippine flat-headed frog field by herpetologists since they 2000, 2001 unpublished data).
is among the most primitive species were first discovered; among these About 34% of the avian fauna are
of frog known in the world and is one are the Palawan bent-toed gecko migratory species making the region
of only two species of Barbourula, the (Cyrtodactylus redimiculus), a vital flyway for migratory birds in
other being found on Borneo. Three Palawan flap-legged gecko the Philippines and in Southeast
species of frogs in the Corridor are (Luperosaurus palawanensis), Asia. Its numerous coralline islets,
threatened, having a status of Palawan reed snake (Calamaria especially the Tubbataha Reef and
Vulnerable (Hilton-Taylor 2000). The palavanensis) and Culion kukri Ursula, still harbor colonies of sea
most recent amphibian assessments, snake (Oligodon perkinsi). Other birds.
however, did not identify any notable species include the
threatened species in the Corridor Philippine endemic genus of dwarf Arresting the documented declines
but placed most of the endemic forest lizard Parvoscincus of sea bird population and
species to a Near threatened status palawanensis, which is anthropogenic impacts on the fragile
(Global Amphibian Assessment 2002, represented in the Corridor by one populations are among the major
unpublished data). endemic species. The Critically goals of ongoing conservation efforts
Endangered forest turtle Heosemys (Manamtam 1996, Mallari et al.
Reptiles leytensis (Hilton-Taylor 2000) was 2001).
also recently re-discovered in some
About 69 species are found in the are as o f main land Palawan Terrestrial mammals
Corridor, comprised of crocodiles (1 (Diesmos et al. unpubl. data).
or 2 species), snakes (37 species), The fauna of Palawan was partly
lizards (25 species), and freshwater Birds made famous because of the
turtles (5 species). This number uniqueness of its terrestrial
does not include the sea snakes and At least 279 bird species have thus mammals. At least 58 species have
sea kraits because information on far been recorded in the Palawan been recorded from the region and
this group is almost unavailable. Corridor, a number that will still new distribution records continue to
Only 20 endemic species (29%) are considerably increase as ongoing be documented. Around 19 species
known, a level of endemicity that is field survey efforts continue to add (33%) of the fauna are endemic
one of the lowest in the Philippines. new distribution records of species while 16 of these species are
Of the 20 endemics, at least 16 are to the region. Ample field studies restricted to the Corridor, examples
restricted to the Corridor and are of the bird fauna have been include the Palawan Tree shrew
composed mainly of lizards and conducted compared with other (Tupaia palawanensis), Palawan
snakes. Eleven species are shared terrestrial vertebrates yet the Flying Fox (Acerodon leucotis),
with some islands in the Sunda Shelf possibility of discovering species Palawan Pangolin (Manis
and are not found in other regions of that are new to science remains culionensis), and Palawan Soft-
the Philippines, except in the Sulu significantly high considering that furred Mountain Rat (Palawanomys
Archipelago, where the herpetofauna many mountains and small islands furvus).
of Palawan exhibits some degree of have yet to be explored. At least 16
relationship. At present, three species are confined to the On the other hand, eight species are
species are threatened, two of these Corridor. Endemicity at 10% is very shared with other islands within the
are Critically Endangered and one is low relative to other regions in the Sundaic region and are not found in
Endangered (Hilton-Taylor 2000). Philippines. However, at least 23 other regions in the Philippines;


among these are the celebrated Gaps in Biodiversity
Binturong or Bearcat (Arctictis Knowledge Base
binturong), Oriental Small-clawed
Otter (Amblonyx cinereus), and Although the unique and rich
Short-tailed Mongoose (Herpestes biodiversity of Palawan is much
brachyurus). A total of 10 species celebrated, knowledge of its
are threatened and seven species biodiversity is limited and outdated,
are under CITES (Hilton-Taylor the ecology of many species is
2000). unknown, and many of its ecosystems
remain biologically unexplored. Except
The mammalian fauna of Palawan for a few studies (e.g., Werner and
exhibits one of the most intriguing Allen 2000), we estimate that the
distribution patterns in the information for most of the taxonomic
Philippines. For instance, a species groups was generated from major field
of deer is not found on Palawan studies dating back from 10 to over
Island whereas in the Calamianes 80 years ago.
2
group north of the mainland, the Palawan porcupine (Hystrix pumila), a
Calamianes Hog-deer (Axis Updated information on the locally common to uncommon species
calamianensis) exists. Other distribution, ecology, and systematics found in primary and secondary forest in
examples include the Busuanga is seriously lacking for many species in mountains and in the lowlands
Tree Squirrel (Sundasciurus most taxonomic groups. In terms of
hoogstrali) and Culion Tree inventories of terrestrial ecosystems,
Squirrel (S. moellendorffi), all of efforts need to thoroughly sample high
which are also restricted to the elevation forest habitats (montane
northern regions. and mossy forests), wetlands and
swamps, ultrabasic and limestone
On the other hand, the Lesser forests, the Mantalingajan mountain
Mouse-deer or pilandok (Tragulus range, the Balabac island group, and
napu) is found only on three small the various forested small islands of
islands, namely, Balabac, Bugsuk, the Corridor. For the marine
and Ramos, off southern Palawan. ecosystem, information is largely
(This species has been introduced lacking from the Culion island group,
into Calauit Island near Busuanga Dumaran, the western coast of
for captive breeding purposes.) A mainland Palawan, the southern
recent taxonomic study, however, regions especially the Balabac group,
indicates that Tragulus napu may and the Kalayaan island group.
be a distinct Palawan species (as
Tragulus nigricans; Meijaard and Field guides or identification manuals
Groves, 2004), a finding which to species and ecosystems are lacking
has tremendous conservation while only a few of those that are
implications. For one, this would currently available are of good quality.
suggest that the Palawan mouse These publications are essential in
deer is possibly the most educating the general public regarding
threatened species of terrestrial the status of their own biodiversity.
mammal in the Corridor. Its highly More so, these will greatly benefit
restricted natural geographic resource managers, park wardens,
distribution (islands of Balabac, and local authorities to effectively
Bugsuk, and Ramos have a total monitor ecosystems, threatened
2

land area of about 46,799 species, and the illegal trade. Palawan bearcat (Arctictis binturong), is
hectares, which is around half the one of the biggest land mammals in
size of Laguna de Bay on Luzon Finally, and perhaps most importantly, mainland Palawan. It is a nocturnal
Island) and the continued there is a glaring shortage of resident animal that feeds on fruit and meat.
destruction of its habitat on biodiversity specialists in the Corridor.
Balabac (the largest of the three This needs to be addressed with
islands) necessitate an immediate utmost importance if the knowledge
conservation intervention for this and proper management of its
mouse-deer. biodiversity are to be attained.


2.0 Social Profile of Palawan
Stakeholders
by
DR. ROWENA BOQUIREN

Overview health and economic status of the
population relative to their
The paper presents an assessment resource base.
of the push and pull factors in
migration as an aspect of In order to explain the relationship
population growth trends in the between socio-demographic
Palawan corridor. It also factors and threats to biodiversity,
characterizes the types of the study analyzed the following
settlements within the province variables:
based on socio-demographic,

Socio-demographic characteristics
Population size and settlements:
total population, number of households, urban-rural distribution 2

Population density Focus group discussions with indigenous
groups like the Tagbanuas are essential to
Population composition: gain inputs for resource management
ethnicity, settlement type, age, literacy and level of educational attainment concerns
Health status:
birth, death, infant mortality,
maternal mortality, nutritional status, contraceptive prevalence rate

Population growth trends:
natural growth (fertility rate, maternal/neo-natal death rate) and migration trends
“Palawan’s population
(in-migration, out-migration, circulation) growth rate (3.36%) is
very high in comparison
Status of Social Infrastructure and Support Services with the national growth
Facilities and services for education rate (2.3%). Population
Health services and facilities:
growth has been
personnel to population ratio, family planning program coverage dramatic: from 56,360
Power utilities: persons in 1948 to
number of households by Energy use for lighting and cooking
102,540 in 1960 and
Water utilities:
access to potable water 400,323 in 1990.”
Access to information sources:
family planning, natural resource management technologies

SOCIAL PROFILE OF PALAWAN STAKEHOLDERS :: 9

Socio Demographic These include:
Characteristics and Issues Busuanga (Barangays San Status of Social Infrastructure
Rafael, Salvacion, Sagrada, and Support Services
Cheey); Coron (Turda, Tagumpay,
There is rapid population
San Jose, Lajala, Decabobo,
growth, and high urbanization
Cabugao, Banuang Daan); Facilities and services for
rate based on expansion of
Linapacan (Pical, New education and health are limited.
settlements, with 65% from
Culaylayan, Maroyogroyog);
natural growth and 35% from
Taytay (Paly Island, Casian); Literacy, participation and
net in-migration, into areas Aborlan (Poblacion), Narra completion rate (for elementary
with neither established nor (Ipilan, Burirao); PPC and secondary school levels) are
sufficiently effective land use (Tiniguiban, Tanglaw, Seaside, below the national standards.
or management zones. San Pedro, San Manuel, Schools, classrooms, and
Princesa, Pagkakaisa, Milagrosa, teachers are not sufficient.
Palawan’s population growth Maunlad, Matahimik, Masipag,
rate (3.36%) is very high in Masikap, Masigla, Mandaragat, A third to a little less than half of
comparison with the national Mabuhay, Liwanag, Brgy. the corridor’s population have
growth rate (2.3%). Population Mangingisda, Bancao-bancao, poor access to health services
growth has been dramatic: Bagong Sikat, Bagong Pag-Asa); (fewer health centers, personnel,
from 56,360 persons in 1948 to Brookes Point (Poblacion I), insufficient sources of safe
102,540 in 1960 to 400,323 in Quezon (Maasin); Agutaya (Diit, water).
1990 and 755,412 in 2000 Concepcion); Cagayancillo
(Table 1). (Wahig, Talaga, Nusa, Mampio, Community Types
Lipot North, Bantayan); and
Rapid growth may be expected in Cuyo (Catadman, Bangcal, The Urban-rural classification
the future. Balading, Emilod). shows 105 urban and 319
rural barangays.
Palawan is still relatively a Population increase reflects
low density area, based on the combined contribution of in- Central Mainland, island
national standards set at less migration (35%) and natural municipalities, Southern Palawan,
than 15000 persons/sqkm for increase (65%). and Calamianes have a higher
an area to be classified as proportion of barangays that are
having low density. The High population growth rate is classified as urban (25% to 35%).
increases over the years have attributed to high in-migration
nevertheless been rapid. Density rate because of the perceived Settlements are also formed
increased from 25 persons/sq. opportunity for agriculture based on ethnic differentiation
km. in 1980 to 36 in 1990 (available land) and tourism. and migration status relative to
(NCSO 1990). This is a historical trend that resource access and use.
developed in the 1950s and
Today, average national density reached its peak in the 1980s In upland, interior areas, or along
is 246 persons/sq. km., while and 1990s. the banks of rivers and coasts, in
Palawan Province has 51 small clusters composed of a few
persons/square kilometer. Yet, As much as 60% of migration houses are: 7 major indigenous
except for Araceli, all the island comes from circulating migrants cultural communities: Tagbanwa;
municipalities have densities (movements within Palawan). Batak; Pal’awan and Tau‘t
higher than the national average Bato;Molbog and Mele-buganon;
(Table 2). This may explain why The corridor area has a large Sama/AA Sama, Jama Mapun,
outmigration is an increasing young population whose future Sama Laut, Sama Deya, Sama/
trend in those areas. demic trends may be a source of Bajaw, Samal, Balangigi,
stress on the biodiversity status Pangutaran, Pullon, Mapun;
Viewed from the perspective of of the Park. The high growth Cuyonen; Agutaynen.
conservation, land is limited for rate, however, is not associated
A&D land uses. Several areas with fertility rates as a result of In the lowlands, along major roads
which seem to have low official this large young population, are compact settlements: settler
densities actually no longer have because marrying age is not communities: Tagalog, Ilonggo,
low people-land ratios (Table 3). young. Waray, Cebuano, Bicolano,
Ilocano, and others.


Table 1. Population distribution, according to households and urban-rural classification, Year 2000.
Province, City, 2000 % of total No of No. of No. of Total
Municipality Total provincial House- Urban Rural Number
and Barangay Popula- popula- holds Baran- Baran- of Bara-
tion tion gays* gays* gays*

PALAWAN 755,412 100.00 150,983 105 319 423

Calamianes Group 72,030 14,114 13 39
BUSUANGA 16,287 2.16 3,047 6 10 16
CORON 32,243 4.27 6,264 6 18 24
CULION * 14,302 1.89 3,082 1 1 1
LINAPACAN 9,198 1.22 1,721 0 10 10
Northern Mainland 166,198 32,016 17 90
DUMARAN 16,616 2.20 3,133 2 15 17
EL NIDO 27,029 3.58 5,191 4 14 18
ROXAS 47,242 6.25 9,435 7 24 31
SAN VICENTE 21,654 2.87 4,174 3 7 10
TAYTAY 53,657 7.10 10,083 1 30 31
Central Mainland 269,554 54,786 49 78
ABORLAN 25,540 3.38 5,236 2 17 19
NARRA 56,845 7.53 11,521 4 18 22
PUERTO PRINCESA 161,912 21.43 33,306 37 29 66
Southern Mainland 190,601 39,140 8 66
BATARAZA 41,458 5.49 8,658 2 20 22
BROOKE’S POINT 48,928 6.48 9,634 2 16 18
S. ESPAÑOLA 26,801 3.55 5,479 0 9 9
QUEZON 41,669 5.52 8,453 2 12 14
RIZAL 31,745 4.20 6,916 2 9 11
BALABAC 25,257 3.34 4,723 6 14 20
Island Municipalities 57,029 10,927 18 46
AGUTAYA 10,422 1.38 2,040 3 7 10
ARACELI 10,894 1.44 2,050 1 12 13
CAGAYANCILLO 6,348 0.84 947 7 5 12
CUYO 18,257 2.42 3,609 7 10 17
KALAYAAN 223 0.03 12 0 1 1
MAGSAYSAY 10,885 1.44 2,269 0 11 11
Sources : NSO Census 2000; DILG classification of barangays.
Ii
Most recent count of barangays (as to total 430) may differ on account of the unavailable updated listing of barangays and their classifica-
tion into rural or urban since the creation of Culion and Espaňola into municipalities under Republic Act RA No. 7193 (September 12, 1992)
and Republic Act (RA) No. 7679 (May 22, 1994).

users. include dependence on agriculture
Ethnic minorities are in For instance, the Tagbanua and and NTFP gathering/ trading,
increasingly degraded lands and Batak settlements have higher underutilized labor (female),
waters, their resource access fertility rates, higher child and considerable contribution to
rights undermined by state laws, maternal mortality rates, lower household income (at least 20%) by
have marginalized role in weak literacy level and educational the young population,
governance mechanisms and attainment. u n s u s t a in ab l e N T F P g a t h e r in g
processes, and are competing practices historically associated
with more powerful resource Other features of the communities with settlers (since the 1970s).


Table 2. Population Density by Municipality, 2000.
Province, Municipality, City Population Total Land Area Density
(Projection 2000) (sqkm) (persons/sq.km)
Palawan 755412 14896.43 51
Calamianes Group 56074 1134.88 49
BUSUANGA 16287 395.90 41
CORON 32243 1026.50 31
CULION * 14302 187.88 76
LINAPACAN 9198 155.20 59
Northern Mainland 166198 4353.30 38
DUMARAN 16616 435.00 38
EL NIDO 27029 465.10 58
ROXAS 47242 1220.20 39
SAN VICENTE 21654 842.50 26
TAYTAY 53657 1390.50 39
Central Mainland 244297 3715.50 66
ABORLAN 25540 908.80 28
NARRA 56845 700.00 81
PUERTO PRINCESA 161912 2106.70 77
Southern Mainland 190621 4170.20 46
BATARAZA 41458 957.00 43
BROOKE'S POINT 48928 850.60 58
S. ESPAÑOLA 26801 449.80 60
QUEZON 41689 935.50 45
RIZAL 31745 977.30 32
BALABAC 25257 581.60 43
Island Municipalities 57029 310.35 184
AGUTAYA 10422 32.90 317
ARACELI 10894 176.80 62
CAGAYANCILLO 6348 15.40 412
CUYO 18257 57.30 319
KALAYAAN 223 0.25 892
MAGSAYSAY 10885 27.70 393
Source : NSO Census 2000 Population (based on projections)

Recommendations better regulated. With circulation personnel, skills upgrading,
(movement within Palawan) an important entrepreneurship, and the like.
Population growth and settlement phenomenon, government policies and
expansion need to be planned so that these programs must be better coordinated to Conservation programs must address
are kept at levels that can be sustained by cope with problems in internal migration – natural/biological resource utilization
local resources within their regenerating as to distinguish where to encourage patterns which are unsustainable. At the
capacity. These concerns must be included people to remain or move into certain same time, development thrusts of LGUs
in conservation planning. The local areas, or where to discourage migrants and other agencies must be imbued with
government units need to invest in resource from critical habitats. conservation framework based on science.
assessment, valuation, as well as carrying This will require technical, material and
capacity studies to ascertain their capacities The population growth rate needs to be capital inputs to address food security and
and opportunities, as well as constraints. reduced – through improved social social reproduction needs; tenurial security;
infrastructure and support services, i.e., and policy harmonization and enforcement
The rate of migration coming from other reproductive health, child/maternal care, for better protection and enrichment
areas needs to be monitored, and land uses health and educational facilities and



1

3.0 Issues, Threats and Opportunities

3.1 Profile of Threats to Biodiversity
by NOELA LASMARIAS

Long-term maintenance of stakeholders to ensure that
biodiversity requires the protection of identified strategies are not only
large areas to maintain viable scientifically justified but also
ecosystems, evolutionary processes, socially acceptable.
and populations of specific
Endangered species (Soule & Wilcox, Threats to biodiversity in Palawan
1980; Szaro & Johnston, 1996). It were identified by a technical 1
also requires that conservation working group composed of
strategies look beyond individual partners from government
protected areas and identify a matrix institutions and non-government Above: Mangrove destruction in Balabac
of biodiversity-friendly land uses that organizations who have extensive caused by tanbarking. The Ceriops tagal
provide biological connectivity across experience working with biodiversity species is particularly sought after for the
environmental gradients at the and socio-economic researches as tanbark industry due to its high tannin
regional level (Harris, 1984; well as with communities in various content.
Saunders et al., 1992 and Noss, parts of the province. Ten major
1996). threats were identified and ranked Left: The effect of slash-and-burn activities
according to the following criteria: in Culion
The conservation “corridor” approach
was developed by Conservation Spatial extent of the threat –
International (CI) as a way of rates the threat based on how
implementing conservation strategies spatially prevalent it is
that reflect these biological findings. throughout the province;
Conservation corridor is a matrix of Magnitude of the biodiversity
pristine habitats and biodiversity- impact – rates the threat based
friendly land uses, which maximize on observed or potential impact
the survival of the species, found in a on biodiversity or integrity of “The major threats to
region (CI, 1999; CABS/CI, 2000). A species habitats; and
strong focus on protecting large Ease of analysis –
Palawan biodiversity are
areas is maintained, but designing rates the threat based on how mangrove destruction,
conservation strategies at the easily analysis can be done
corridor scale ensures that
conservation resources have the
given current availability of data legal and illegal fishing,
and accessibility of the areas
greatest effect while maximizing the for primary data collection quarrying, agriculture,
net economic benefits to the local during the duration of the
people and national governments. project. Infrastructure
Conservation corridor can be built in
many ways but each option has development, large scale
Based on these criteria, the ten
different implications for society. major threats are ranked as follows mining and logging,
(1-lowest score, 10-highest score): tourism,
A corridor may consist of blocks of
protected areas connected by certain Mangrove destruction– (1)
management units that ensure Legal and illegal fishing– (3)
fuelwood gathering
connectivity between these blocks Quarrying– (3)
and therefore allowing genetic Agriculture (slash & burn)– (3)
exchange. CI uses biological, social, Infrastructure development- (5.5)
economic and policy information, Large scale mining– (5.5)
through extensive participation of

PROFILE OF THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY :: 15

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