This is in response to Marlon Ramos’ news report on Brooke’s Point Eco-Academy in Palawan (Inquirer, 7/18/12).
There is no cease and desist order issued against Brooke’s Point Eco-Academy. In fact, we have had our first management committee meeting chaired by the municipal mayor, attended by me, the two barangay captains, the IP (indigenous peoples) representative of the people employed, a representative from a recognized nongovernment organization serving the community near the project area, and the president of the tourism body of the municipality. The other members of the body are the head of the Sanggunihan Bayan, a member of the academe—(Palawan State University), a member of the clergy and two more IP leaders from each barangay. The forest guards who are tasked to protect Mount Matalingahan and the camp employees will be given training by the military.
Currently the project employs 90 families. Forty-nine of them are forest guard volunteers mandated to protect the forest. Brooke’s Point Eco-Academy’s thrust coincides with the goal of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) to provide sustainable livelihood for the people while taking care of the environment. The project seeks to pursue ecological awareness among students, residents and tourists. It is therefore puzzling for PCSD to issue a cease and desist order in implementing the project when we are in fact fulfilling PCSD’s mandate. PCSD’s attitude leaves much more to be desired. Why are they hindering efforts to promote the welfare of the Palawaneños?
It is clear that the current crop of PCSD leaders has lost their right to govern. Instead of fulfilling their mandate, they are even directly going against it. Where is their credibility when they want to stop a project that is unselfishly helping 100 families, protecting the forests of Mount Matalingahan—while the mining on top of the rice fields of Palawan continues unabated?
—GINA LOPEZ,
executive director,
ABS-CBN Foundation