Plans to improve the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) in Barangay Irawan in Puerto Princesa have yet to move forward, as proposals submitted for its development have not been acted upon, an official said during a City Council hearing.
Project Manager Forester Felizardo Cayatoc discussed the situation during the Committee on Tourism meeting on January 20, which followed a privilege speech by Councilor Elgin Damasco on the current condition of the facility.
The center is managed by the Natural Resources Development Corporation (NRDC), the corporate and business arm of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Cayatoc said that when he assumed his post in 2023, an assessment was conducted and proposals were prepared to improve the facilities and services of the PWRCC. These were submitted to the NRDC for consideration.
“When I assumed in 2023, I have assessed and submitted proposals sa NRDC na supposedly, sila ang nagma-manage pero until now, walang naging response. Tama ‘yung nakita n’yo kasi limited ‘yung budget dyan,” Cayatoc said.
He explained that the proposals were intended to help the center become financially sustainable and lessen its reliance on allocations from the DENR’s General Appropriations Act.
“Ang purpose sana natin dito, kung mataas ang collection at magkaroon ng development sa area, may case analysis tayong ginawa dito na gumawa tayo ng survey on customer satisfaction if they are willing to pay at willing sila,” he said.
The proposed measures include setting package tour rates at ₱150 to ₱200, reopening the souvenir shop, and establishing a restaurant within the facility.
Cayatoc said these could allow the PWRCC to generate an estimated ₱20 million to ₱25 million in revenue annually.
“Kung kikita lahat ‘yan at ma-encash ‘yan kasama ang souvenir shops, makaka-generate tayo ng 25 million a year. That will fund ‘yung lahat ng operation, so mawi-win out na itong PWRCC sa general appropriations ng DENR,” he said.
For his part, Damasco said the discussions highlighted the funding limitations currently faced by the PWRCC, which he said affect its ability to improve operations and facilities.
“Hindi ko kayo masisisi dahil hindi kayo ang may hawak ng pondo ng NRDC. Ang may kapabayaan dito ay itong National Resources Development Corporation,” Damasco said.
He noted that the PWRCC receives about ₱4 million a year, which he said is not sufficient even for feeding the crocodiles, estimated at ₱500,000 to ₱600,000 monthly.
Employee salaries are sourced from entrance fee collections amounting to about ₱2 million annually.
“Kung inayos lang sana ng NRDC ang operation dyan, posibleng kumita ng ₱25 million,” Damasco added.
Cayatoc said he is open to the proposed co-management of the PWRCC by the city government, similar to existing arrangements at the Puerto Princesa Underground River and the Irawan Watershed, subject to approval by higher authorities.
“Wala namang problema personally pero off course, the higher office will decide kasi wala naman sa authority ko at temporary lang ako dyan. Dapat ang NRDC ang magiging partner if ever,” Cayatoc said.
Damasco said the City Council plans to file resolutions urging DENR Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla to review the operations of the PWRCC, support its development, and consider a co-management arrangement with the city government. He also said Lucilo Bayron will be asked to consider the proposal.
“Satisfied ako at naaawa ako sa kanila. Marami silang gustong gawin kaya lang limitado ang pondo nila. Sa infrastructure development and rehabilitation, wala kasi lugi ang PWRCC,” Damasco said.
“May proposal tayo na kung papayagan ay i-co-manage ng city government tulad sa Underground River. Kung nagawa doon, wala siguro walang imposible na magagawa sa PWRCC para makatulong ang city government sa funding at maayos natin ang mga pasilidad,” he added.
