Chapter 4.2.1 - Macro Site Data (City Profile)

4.
2 macro site analysis
Understanding the site is the first step towards a development that will minimize
its impact on the environment, minimize the use of resources and function harmoniously
in the environment.
The proponent distinguished the macro scale level or the regional scale that would
have an effect on the project development.
4.2.1 PUERTO PRINCESA CITY PROFILE
Aerial View of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Puerto Princesa City, which forms part of the Philippine’s last frontier, is a City
rich in natural resources. It is the country’s largest City with a total land area of 253,982
hectares. A chain of mountain ranges runs through the entire length of the City, dividing
it into two distinct areas – the East and the West Coast. The eastern side, which is facing
the Sulu Sea is characterized by thin strand lines bordered by swamplands, following a
series of flat plains to hilly terrain. The West Coast has fewer plains with mountain ranges
close to the China Sea, thus giving the City a unique yet fragile ecology.
A significant portion of the City retains its indigenous vegetation, rainforest,
mangroves, and coastal ecosystem, all of which support an array of wildlife. In terms of
species biodiversity and its wide range of ecosystems, Puerto Princesa is of national
significance. The famous Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (formerly
known as Saint Paul’s Subterranean River National Park) covering a protected area of
22,202 hectares is haven to endemic flora and fauna. UNESCO has inscribed the Park as
a World’s Heritage Site on December 4, 1999. This natural wonder features an 8.2
kilometers navigable underground river reputed to be the world’s longest winds through
a spectacular cave before emptying out into the South China Sea.
Given that natural resources can be exploited for economic purposes, it is
necessary to properly manage the City’s natural resources so that sustainable
development can be achieved. This does not mean that these resources cannot be used.
However it does require that the use of renewable resources be managed so that their use
can be sustained and adverse environmental and social impacts can be avoided.
Collective and timely effort is imperative to conserve the city’s major natural resources
for the benefit of the existing and future community. The proper management of these
resources will ensure that the community will continue to benefit from these resources.
Conservation of natural areas protects biodiversity for future generations
and provides areas for recreation and enjoyment. While it may have some environmental
impacts, it does add to quality of life and enhances other economic activities for eco-
tourism. Such complementary activities include operating eco-tourist destinations,
making investments in tourism-related facilities and enterprises and providing specific
services for local and foreign tourists. The City being part of the Province of Palawan is
covered by Republic Act 7611 or the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, thus
environmental planning shall be guided by the policies and principles so stipulated in
the law.
4.2.1.1 HISTORY OF PUERTO PRINCESA
Legend attributes the name “Puerto Princesa” to a
princess-like maiden who is said to roam around the place on
certain nights of the year. On the other hand, practical people
attribute the name to the geographical advantages of the
place as a seaport - naturally protected the whole year round
and endowed with a depth that can accommodate any size of
shipping - a royal haven for vessels or a virtual princess of
ports as thus indicated by Spanish Colonizers on the
country’s map.
Statue of Princess of Ports
Historically the place was named after Princess Eulalia of Spain, born in 1864 to
Queen Isabel II and her consort, Dr. Francisco de Asis. When the princess suffered an
untimely death, the queen changed the name to Puerto dela Princesa. Eventually, the
name was reduced to Puerto Princesa as it is known today.
Spanish Colonizers founded the settlement on March 4, 1872 in the course of their
exploration of the province. As they scanned the Palawan shoreline for a capital site, they
came upon a hill with steep declivity. Rowing to shore, they surveyed the hill and
discovered an extensive plateau, which they decided as ideal for settlement.
In May 1872, the port became the center of Spanish Naval Operations in the area
because the few natives were peaceful and the Bay met all the Navy’s requirements.
Royal Decrees later provided incentives to settlers, such that by 1883 settlement had
flourished into a town of twelve roads, a hospital and well-built port.
In 1894, Puerto Princesa was recognized by government authorities as one of the
most beautiful towns in the country by virtue of the orderly distribution of streets,
buildings and houses as well as the cleanliness of the community.
The town was converted into a city on January 1, 1970 under R.A. 5906 as amended
by P.D. 437, through the effort of then Congressman Ramon V. Mitra, Jr. Feliberto R.
Oliveros, Jr. became the first City Mayor.

4.2.1.2 CULTURE
Among the original inhabitants are the Cuyunons who possess rich legacy of
folklores and traditions. Indigenous groups include the Tagbanuas and the Batak, each
group with its distinct culture and system of beliefs.
Puerto Princesa is a melting pot of people with different cultures. This is attributed
to the influx of migrants from other Philippine provinces. The predominant local tongue
is Cuyuno. However other languages like English and Tagalog, and dialects such as
Bicolano, Visayan, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Ilocano are widely spoken.
4.2.1.3 THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO PRINCESA
There are various ethnolinguistic groups that consider Palawan as home. These
are the Tagbanua, Palaw’an, Tau’t bato and the Bataks. The mountains and coastal areas
serve as their homes. These groups have built villages in those areas and have been
staying there for quite some time already. It has been said that they have been occupying
the province even before the Malay settlers from Indonesia set foot there during the 12th
or 13th century. During 1962, there was a team of anthropologists who went to Lipuun
Point or the Tabon Cave. Headed by Dr. Robert Fox, this team was able to get fossils that
belonged to Homo Sapiens that were 22,000 to 24,000 years old. Because of this finding
and many more that succeeded, this place was known as the Cradle of the Philippine
Civilization.
This discovery led way to research that shows that the Tagbanua and Palaw’an
could be the descendants of the Tabon Cave men. They have many similarities in terms
of their language, alphabet, and beliefs and even in their way of farming as they use
kaingin.
The tribes of the Tagbanua can be found in the central and northern part of
Palawan. They are known to practice the shifting cultivation of upland rice and are
known for a rice wine ritual called Pagdiwata. The Tagbanua tribes also believe in a lot
of deities that they believe can be found in their surroundings.
The tribes of the Palaw’an are said to belong to the linguistic groups that are
Manobo based. They are said to originally come from the areas of South Apuruan and
Abo Abo.
The Batak or “mountain people” are said to
live in the northeastern part of Palawn. They are
generally shy and peaceful people as they are known
to live with nature. They believe in spirits and
commune with a babaylan or a religious person.
Batak tribe of Palawan
Another group of people found in Palawan would be the tau’t bato. They are a
sub-group of the Palaw’an tribe that live in the Singnapan Valley found in the southern
part of Palawan. They live in the caves during rainy seasons and farm using the kaingin
system during dry seasons. As compared to the other tribes, they are familiar with
business or trading concepts like wages, labor and money.
The Palaweños would include the
Agutaynons, Molbogs and Cuyunons.
The Cuyunons are said to be an elite class
of people. They come from the town of
Cuyo in the northern part of Palawan
and are religious and disciplined. They
are very community oriented. The
Agutaynons, on the other hand, are a

Palaweno of the 21st Century
simpler group. They fish and farm in order to derive income.

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4.

2 macro site analysis

have an effect on the project development.

4.2.1 PUERTO PRINCESA CITY PROFILE

Aerial View of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Given that natural resources can be exploited for economic purposes, it is

necessary to properly manage the City’s natural resources so that sustainable

Conservation of natural areas protects biodiversity for future generations

tourism. Such complementary activities include operating eco-tourist destinations,

making investments in tourism-related facilities and enterprises and providing specific

environmental planning shall be guided by the policies and principles so stipulated in

Legend attributes the name “Puerto Princesa” to a

princess-like maiden who is said to roam around the place on

certain nights of the year. On the other hand, practical people

attribute the name to the geographical advantages of the

place as a seaport - naturally protected the whole year round

and endowed with a depth that can accommodate any size of

shipping - a royal haven for vessels or a virtual princess of

ports as thus indicated by Spanish Colonizers on the

name was reduced to Puerto Princesa as it is known today.

discovered an extensive plateau, which they decided as ideal for settlement.

flourished into a town of twelve roads, a hospital and well-built port.

In 1894, Puerto Princesa was recognized by government authorities as one of the

buildings and houses as well as the cleanliness of the community.

Oliveros, Jr. became the first City Mayor.

group with its distinct culture and system of beliefs.

Bicolano, Visayan, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Ilocano are widely spoken.

4.2.1.3 THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO PRINCESA

of deities that they believe can be found in their surroundings.

The Batak or “mountain people” are said to

live in the northeastern part of Palawn. They are

generally shy and peaceful people as they are known

to live with nature. They believe in spirits and

commune with a babaylan or a religious person.

Batak tribe of Palawan

business or trading concepts like wages, labor and money.

The Palaweños would include the

Agutaynons, Molbogs and Cuyunons.

The Cuyunons are said to be an elite class

of people. They come from the town of

Cuyo in the northern part of Palawan

and are religious and disciplined. They

are very community oriented. The

Agutaynons, on the other hand, are a

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