Palawan, Phillippines – On its July 10 meeting, the Palawan Provincial Development Council (PDC), in line with the Palawan Climate Resilience and Green Growth (CRGG) Framework, approved the 2019-2023 Provincial Development Investment Plan (PDIP), 2019 Annual Investment Program (AIP) and the “Conceptual Framework for Green Cities in Palawan”, through PDC Resolution Numbers 7 , 8 and 9, respectively. The PDIP and the AIP outline financial allocations that will be sourced from both internal and external funding to support climate resilience and green growth in Palawan, while the conceptual framework outlines a general approach to mainstream climate resilience and inclusive green growth in development planning and management to provide guidance to the municipalities in the province. The said resolutions were signed by Palawan Governor Jose Ch. Alvarez as PDC Chairperson. These resolutions were also endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan (Palawan Provincial Legislative Council).
“The formulation of the AIP and the PDIP with a climate resilient and green growth lens was led by the PDC Sector Committees in keeping with the Palawan CRGG Framework. Through these proposed short and medium-term investment programs, the Province of Palawan intends to realize the collective vision of the Provincial and Municipal Governments towards a climate resilient, inclusive and green province,” said Ms. Ninfa Rubio, Head of the Palawan CRGG Provincial Project Team. Likewise, the Municipality of Brooke’s Point, under the leadership of Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano, has been identified as pilot site for the application of the conceptual framework for green cities, which will later serve as reference in updating of municipal development plans in 2019.
These resolutions will allow the Provincial Government of Palawan to operationalize the Palawan CRGG Framework and implement activities that will reduce the vulnerability of Palawenos to the impacts of climate change while pursuing a local growth model that is green and inclusive from 2019 to 2023. These programs include initiatives to sustain institutional capacities for climate resilient and green growth planning and the development of a climate resilient and green environment and economy. “The approval of these resolutions signifies the commitment of the Province of Palawan to carry forward the lessons of the CRGG Project and translate these into interventions that impact on the people”, added Ms. Gilda Garibay, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)-CRGG Implementation Officer in Palawan.
Among the key activities under the AIP and PDIP are the establishment of a climate resilience institute for indigenous communities; the updating of the development plans of all its twenty-three municipalities using a CRGG approach; the construction of climate resilient and green infrastructures; and the provision of alternative livelihood for communities, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable.
“The Commission commends the Palawan Provincial Government in approving these policies and sustainability measures as a tangible demonstration of climate governance in action. Aside from benefiting the constituents of Palawan, we are hopeful that this will serve as a model that other local government units can learn from”, said Mr. Alexis Lapiz, Climate Change Commission Strategic Partnership Division Chief and Focal Person for the CRGG Project.
The PDC is the duly mandated local government body to formulate socio-economic development plans and develop public investment programs for the Province. The Palawan CRGG Framework was informed by the CRGG Project implemented by the Palawan Provincial Government in partnership with the CCC and the GGGI.
