𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗘𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁-𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱
On June 3, 2025, the Municipality of El Nido marked a significant milestone in the sustainable management of its natural resources as Barangay Pasadeña officially approved a local ordinance focused on forest protection and law enforcement for the Nagkalit-Kalit and Bulalacao Watersheds.
One of the main highlights of the ordinance is the formal recognition of the Pasadeña Watershed Management Committee (PWMC), a registered People’s Organization, as an official partner of the barangay in protecting these vital watershed areas. The Watershed Protection and Enforcement Plan for the years 2025 to 2029 was crafted by PWMC, with contributions from barangay officials, community leaders, and key persons.
The ordinance grants authority to deputized Bantay Gubat and Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEOs) to enforce environmental laws, carry out regular forest patrols, and promote sustainable practices in accordance with national regulations. These include Presidential Decree 705 (Forestry Code of the Philippines), Presidential Decree 1067 (Water Code), and Republic Act 7611 (Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan).
Among the prohibited activities are illegal logging, unauthorized use of chainsaws, wildlife hunting, and dumping of waste into waterways—all of which pose serious threats to the health and balance of local ecosystems.
With this ordinance now in place, the people of Pasadeña reaffirm their strong commitment to protecting the environment, ensuring that future generations will continue to benefit from clean water, rich biodiversity, and thriving forest ecosystems.
