Questionnaire for Key Informant Interview Survey on Covid-19 Impact

For PCSDS Executive Director

“Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic on Coastal Livelihoods in the Blue Economy”

A Study by Palawan State University

1. As the key government agency implementing the 1992 SEP Law (RA 7611), how is the
Covid-19 pandemic (Since March 2020) affecting the province’s pursuit of sustainable
development, particularly in the tourism and agriculture/fisheries sectors?

Both the tourism and fisheries sectors are highly dependent on the natural capital of the province.
The last 2 years allowed our environment to rest, re-invigorate, and recover from the presence of
visitors. These are in the form of less consumption of ecosystem services such as recreation
services on beaches and coral reefs, pollution and exploitation of highly prized marine species
that provide food to local visitors and are also exported to other tourism sites in the country and
internationally.

From the livelihood and economic standpoint, there is a decrease in economic activity in the
absence of visitors and the limitations in mobility affecting the transport of goods. These on the
other hand caused a low-down in revenue of tourism related businesses and dependent
communities including those operating and managing Community Based Sustainable Tourism
enterprises.

Generally, market of marine species, including prime species such as lobster, become more
accessible to local residents.

Some key points:

 The lockdowns resulted to the closure of tourism sites and businesses and decline of
tourism receipts and revenues in 2020 and 2021. This closure has resulted to ‘temporary’
improvements on environmental and aesthetic quality (manifested in water quality of the
coastal areas of San Vicente, Taytay and El Nido), though, it severely affected the
livelihood of local communities and the tourism industry in Palawan.
 Early in 2020, the pandemic affected the fisheries sector with the resulting decrease in
trade of live reef-fish-for-food (LRFF) due to travel restrictions, and limits on export of
goods. The transport of LRFF only gradually resumed in early 2021. Temporary lull in
extraction of marine resources during this period brought positive effect on the marine
environment, providing a temporary ‘breathing space”.
 The lockdowns in the early part of the pandemic restrained the movement of agricultural
produce resulting to: i) increased food waste due to spoilage of highly perishable
commodities, ii) lower farm gate price of agricultural/fishery products, and iii) higher retail
price of food commodities. The closure of several establishments, imposition of curfew
and lack of public transportation also created huge food surpluses.

2. With reference to these two sectors, has there been a change in thrusts and policies of the
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development because of the Covid-19 pandemic? What
is/are the change/s and adjustments made?

The pandemic validated our agency thrusts and priorities on ensuring a healthy environment for a
sustainable economy and society. Our thrust and priorities became more focused first and
foremost in attaining environmental security as insurance for the welfare of our people and the
economy. Our initiatives include heightened protection of biodiversity and ecosystem for the
sustained production of ecosystem goods and services that is the foundation of our economy and
healthy communities. These include initiatives that contribute to economic recovery, self-
 sufficiency and resiliency, and the prevention of the spread of zoonotic diseases. These are
integrated in our plans and budget proposals for fiscal year 2021 and beyond.

The PCSDS took advantage of digital technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency
shifted to full implementation of the online permitting system through the Biodiversity Resources
Access Information Network (BRAIN), including contactless transactions and online payment
system. Furthermore, online platforms were utilized to better reach and engage wider
stakeholders and partners.

Some key points:

 The PCSDS developed the Economic Recovery Roadmap for Palawan to guide the local
government units in Palawan towards building back the economy, society and the
environment better and more resilient.

 In terms of operations, to ensure compliance to required permitting systems under the

mandate of PCSDS, the online permitting system (BRAINS) has been implemented. This
allows the proponents from tourism, agriculture and fishery sectors, as well as other
sectors to apply, process and secure their permits amidst the implemented localized
lockdown and health restrictions that caused delay in movement and transportation in
municipalities. The BRAIN system covers the following permits online: Wildlife Collectors
Permit (WCP), Wildlife Special Use Permit (WSUP) and Local Transport Permit (LTP)
pursuant to PCSD Administrative Order Numbers 5 and 12, Certificate of Registration
(COR), Special Use Permit (SUP) and Transport Permit (TP) pursuant to PCSD
Administrative Order Number 7.

 In the fisheries sector, PCSDS intensified the implementation of the online permitting
system, which greatly benefited the applicants for live reef-fish-for-food wildlife collectors
permit (WCP), wildlife special use permit (WSUP) and local transport permit (LTP). In the
Calamian municipalities, the live reef fish trade was barely affected by the pandemic.

 In the tourism sector, many tourism-related establishments closed due to the pandemic.
Nevertheless, there are still many applicants for SEP and ECAN zoning certification for
tourism establishments in Calamian.

3. During this Covid-19 pandemic, which PCSD regulation/s has/have affected the tourism
sector the most, and how would you describe these effects/impacts?

 PCSD regulates land use and zoning, including approval of sites for tourism-related
establishments through the SEP Clearance System even before the pandemic. Prior to
the pandemic, many applications for hotels, resorts and similar tourism-related
establishments are being approved by PCSD. However, these applications decreased in
2020 as the tourism industry came to a halt.
 Promoting sustainable consumption and production in the tourism industry, through the
PCSDS’ Zero Carbon and Green Building Policy, has taken a back-seat. Due to losses in
tourism businesses, this policy was not immediately implemented and pursued as it will
further negatively affect the business owners owing to the entailed investment costs.

4. During this Covid-19 pandemic, which PCSD regulations has/have affected the fisheries
sector (with respect to key harvested species, live fish and seaweeds, among others) the
most, and how would you describe these effects/impacts.

The PCSD Administrative Order No. 5, Series of 2014 provides more stringent measures to
ensure the sustainability of the reef-fish-for-food industry. This includes the new schedule of open
season from June 1 to February 29 (except every 2 days before new moon, 2 days after new
moon, and during new moon of each month), and closed season from March 1 to May 31
(including every 2 days before new moon, 2 days after new moon, and during new moon of each
month). Due to the pandemic, there were restrictions imposed by local and national authorities,
 which have hindered the transport of live and fresh fish products outside the province of Palawan
and Puerto Princesa City.

 Various groups of live fish traders have expressed clamor and have requested the
temporary postponement of the implementation of the closed season for 2021. This has
led to the passing of the Sangguniang Bayan of Cuyo Resolution No. 2021-015 that
appeals for the postponement to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.
Another group of live fish traders in Coron has also requested for the lifting of the
imposition of the closed season. Furthermore, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan issued a
resolution supporting the requests of the live fish industry stakeholders. The Provincial
Government, considering the present issue of economic survival against the sustainability
of the resources, had also manifested their support to the stakeholders to allow them to
continue the live fish trade during the closed season. Following all these requests and
manifestations, the PCSD issued Resolution No. 21-765, suspending the imposition of the
closed season of the live-reef-fish-for-food (LRFF) from March 1 to May 31, 2021, 2021
Under PCSD Administrative Order No. 05, as Amended, Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Other notes:

 PCSD Res No. 21-768 Reiterating the Existing Ban in Collecting, Possessing,
Transporting, Trading and All Other Dealings in Giant Clams and its By-Products and
Derivatives, Including Its Shells, in the Province Of Palawan, Except For Scientific, or
Breeding Or Propagation Purposes By Accredited Individuals And Entities.
 In Calamian, the live reef-fish local transport permit applications slowed down in 2020 but
immediately recovered in 2021, as shown by the volume transported. Lost revenues in
2020 were already recovered as of February 2021, which manifested a doubling of the
proceeds for the year as compared to the previous year.

5. In what other ways has the PCSD helped/assisted the tourism and agriculture/fisheries
sectors in the province to cope and/or get by since the Covid-19 pandemic began?

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 7611, the PCSD operates the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP)
Clearance and Permitting System, which requires projects and establishments to secure SEP
Clearance and permits. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the PCSDS continue to serve
the clients/stakeholders by shifting to online permitting system while complying to health protocols
and minimum health standards. However, due to prohibition of tourism activities in the province,
limited applications are received.

 PCSD Res No. 21-786 Endorsement of Kibbutz Farming System A Platform for
Community-Based Rural Socio-Economic Development of the Batangas Kibbutz Farm
Corporation to the Provincial Government of Palawan, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and
the Local Government Units of Palawan.
 The PCSDS also streamlined its permitting processes and operations in response to the
Anti Red Tape Act (ARTA) and the Ease-of-doing business.
 Given that during the pandemic, the environment has shown recovery from tourism-
impacts, PCSDS partnered with local government units and civil society in species and
habitat management, particularly in El Nido for crown-of-thorns collection, and building
alliances through the marine protected areas network (MPANs) in Calamian.

6. Are there other insights that you wish to share about the impacts of the Covid-19
pandemic (since March 2020) in promoting sustainable development in the island province
of Palawan?

 The covid-19 pandemic has somewhat brought positive impacts on the ecosystem and
the environment, especially the tourism hotspots which has gradually recovered or has
shown improvement in its condition.
  The ‘temporary’ improvements on environmental quality is a call to action. It should be
sustained by providing policy support, technological implementation of regulations to
avoid disposal of wastes to water bodies.
 Building resiliency of local economies
 The fisheries sector, particularly the live reef-fish thrived during the pandemic but it is also
the sector that received least support from the government.

The Covid 19 pandemic reminds us the strong link between the three pillars of SD, environment,
economy and society. This is more apparent in island province like ours. The foundation of SD is
a healthy environment from ecosystem goods and services that provide for a fully functioning
economy to address the welfare of humanity. As an island province we need to be self-reliant by
developing our economy and society around our unique, productive and diverse environment and
natural resources. We need to look at what our environment and culture can offer and develop
our economy and society around these. Instead of importing we can produce vinegar from
coconuts, patis (fish paste) from innards of marine products, cultural tourism showcasing our local
produce, diverse culinary skills and local crafts and architecture. These are just some of the
products we can develop to be self-reliant. We need to see our local people as customers and
clients, and not just the tourists and visitors.

Finally, the Filipino culture of “bayanihan” and “malasakit” has shown its importance especially
during the initial stage and height of the pandemic. These are part of us being Filipinos and
Palawenos which we should nurture especially among the young generations to attain SD no
matter challenges come our way. It is about belongingness and being part of our communities
and society we live in.