Authorities urged to study proposed birding sites in Puerto Princesa

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, April 24 (PNA) –- A solon here has filed a resolution at the Sangguniang Panlungsod requesting and urging the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) and other environment agencies to study three proposed birding sites before they are opened to bird lovers and enthusiasts.

Councilor Erwin Edualino, the chairman of the Committee on Tourism in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, wanted the PCSDS, the implementing arm of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), to do a study on the carrying capacity of each site to be able to provide guidelines not only to bird guides, tour guides, but potential guests and visitors as well.

Edualino’s resolution came following proposals from various groups, including the Palawan Ornithological Society (POS), to open bird watching as an eco-tourism activity in Puerto Princesa. The sites being proposed are Barangay Simpocan on the west coast of the city, Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan, and Barangay Tagabenit.

“Unless a study of these sites is conducted, we cannot open bird watching as part of the eco-tourism tour packages because the areas where they live have sensitive biodiversities. We need to know how many can be accommodated so the birds, too, won’t be disturbed in their natural environment”, he said, adding biodiversity can’t be sacrificed in the name of tourism, no matter how much money it will bring in to the locals.

At Sitio Sabang, guests are often entertained by the sights of birds, such as the Palawan peacock pheasant, blue-naped parrot, Tabon bird, and talking mynah, among others. (PNA)
DCT/LAM/CARF/mec