The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) announced that it will operate its online permitting system and enforcement management starting May 1, 2020, in a bid to intensify biodiversity and wildlife protection and conservation in Palawan.
In a statement, they said that the PCSD through the PCSDS is making the BRAIN System online to serve clients.
The PCSD said that in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Department of Interior (USDOI), respectively, they developed the Biodiversity Resources Access Information Network (BRAIN) System, which contain an online permitting system that will accommodate permits and transactions with the PCSD, enforcement management called Rapid Enforcement Support, Planning, Operation and Network System Enhancement (RESPONSE), case and evidence management, and management information system.
“The USAID funded Protect Wildlife and the Partnership with Biodiversity Conservation (PBC)-III projects of the USDOI joined to provide the technical, logistical and personnel support to develop the system. The operationalization of the BRAIN System’s Online Permitting platform was also supported by the PCSD Resolution No. 20-716, “Operationalization of the Online Permitting Mechanism issued under Biodiversity Resource Access Information Network (BRAIN),” the PCSD said in a statement posted in its social media page.
In an interview with Jovic Fabello, PCSDS information officer said that these are among their initiatives to perform its mandate to further strengthen its enforcement to minimize or eliminate wildlife poaching and trade in the biodiversity-rich province of Palawan.
“Under the SEP Law known as the Republic Act 7611, in which the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN) is the main strategy, The ECAN ensure the preservation of biological diversity, protection of the rare and endangered species and their habitat, among others. It is from this standpoint that the PCSD supports the Wildlife Protect Project in its endeavors in the province of Palawan. We share the same goal of environmental protection, conservation and sustainable development and has collaborations in various fields of work,” Fabello explained.
The BRAIN system covers nine (9) permits online. These are the Wildlife Collectors Permit (WCP), Wildlife Special Use Permit (WSUP) and Local Transport Permit (LTP) pursuant to PCSD Administrative Order Numbers 5 and 12. As well as Certificate of Registration (COR), Special Use Permit (SUP) and Transport Permit (TP) pursuant to PCSD Administrative Order Number 7.
The BRAIN System ensures client satisfaction and provide quality service by speeding up the application digitally. The system also aims to lessen paper waste and improve enforcement of PCSD functions.