CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- The City Government of Puerto Princesa signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to manage Cleopatra's Needle Critical Habitat (CNCH) at Hue Hotel Resort on October 19.

The agreement was signed by Palawan governor and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) chair Dennis Socrates and Puerto Princesa mayor Lucilo Bayron.

Under the agreement, the city government will establish a multi-sectoral management board that will provide policy direction to the critical habitat, as well as establish a CNCH management office for its day-to-day operations and create a trust fund from its income streams to sustain its operations.

CNCH is considered the Philippine’s largest critical habitat, covering 41,350 hectares. Its proximity to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and being home to 85% of Palawan endemic birds and mammals make it a vital ecological site.

Since its declaration in February 2017 through PCSD Resolution No. 13-481 and PCSD Resolution No. 17-612, the city government, through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), has taken steps to protect this important landscape.

Meanwhile, City ENRO Chief Atty. Carlo Gomez stressed the importance of the habitat and its protection.

“It is home hindi lang sa mga wildlife natin but also to the local indigenous community ng mga Batak na mga kababayan natin dito sa Puerto Princesa,” said Gomez.

“In terms of ecosystem services, malaki talaga ang benefit natin sa CNCH, that’s why since its establishment, the City ENRO has taken proactive steps para maprotektahan ito including yung formulation ng management plan,” Gomez added.

Gomez also clarified that the agreement ensures the continuity of the protection and conservation efforts that the city government has started, maintaining the oversight and technical functions of the PCSD and not taking them out of the picture. 

Cleopatra’s Needle got its name from the obelisk-like rock structure on its peak. It is a famous tourist attraction and mountaineering destination in the city. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)

Topmost photo courtesy of CARFormoso