Magdalo Party-list is asking the House of Representatives to declare the islands of Parola, Kota and Panata in the Municipality of Kalayaan as an ecotourism destination and protected area. This was filed under House Bill 5985 last January 21 and was referred to the House Committee on Tourism on Jan 27.
In the said resolution, Magdalo Representative Manuel Cabochan III aims to promote sustainable ecotourism industry and attract local and foreign tourists, to generate revenue and employment at the same time ensuring the environmental protection and preservation of the area.
Under it, a special Ecotourism Cluster Governing Board will be created to be composed of the Governor of Palawan, Congressman of the first district in the province, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism, local executives from the Kalayaan Municipal Government, and many more.
If approved, the board will request DENR to conduct an inventory of the existing flora and fauna in Pag-Asa Island that will be used as a strong reason for it to be declared as a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
It is also asking the provincial government of Palawan to create a secretariat for the board including funding necessary expenses.
“The Kalayaan Island Group is endowed with rich and diverse natural resources, most especially its marine ecosystem, recent study shows that the waters around Pag-Asa remains a potential fishery ground, and offers superb diving environment,” Cabochan III said.
The resolution is now waiting for the schedule of deliberation of the Committee on Tourism.