Representatives from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) convened with the leadership of the Provincial Government of Palawan on Tuesday, October 17.
The meeting centered on the Environment and Natural Resources Information System (ENRIS) project for Palawan, aimed at enhancing food security and improving water quality.
KOICA Philippines Country Director Kim Eunsob and the KOICA survey team presented the results of the preliminary survey conducted for the project during the meeting.
The Korean government has also approved the allocation of funds to implement the ENRIS project, set to commence from 2025 and extend until 2028.
Country Director Kim Eunsob expressed, “The $10-Million USD ENRIS project has been finally approved by the Korean government for KOICA’s grant assistance. Our joint vision for the project will now become a reality. We will now be able to establish an information system that will be used by PCSD, Palawan local government units, and other relevant agencies to manage water, climate, and the environment in Palawan.”
Meanwhile, Governor Socrates expressed his gratitude towards the project.
“Let me express my gratitude to KOICA for the funding of this project, and the provincial government of Palawan is giving its full support to this project… Your presence here is crucial as we embark on the journey in gathering valuable insights and perspectives. It is also an opportunity for each of us to collaborate collective knowledge and to shape our path forward,” Governor Socrates said.
The project’s goal is to create a web-based ENRIS in the province based on advanced scientific decision support. This system will aid in the efficient use of land, the preservation of ecosystem health, and improvements in the provisions of ecosystem services, water, and food security, in line with the ECAN Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG).
Through the ENRIS project, Palawan will have systematic data and information on land resources, rational land-use planning and development, land productivity, natural resources management, and the development of regulatory policies accessible to various agencies.
The PCSD also shared the target catchment sites, which include the municipalities of Aborlan-Narra, Brooke’s Point, Quezon-Rizal, Roxas, Taytay, and El Nido.
Meanwhile, surveys and data collection for the project will continue to gather the necessary information.