Atty Robert "Bobby" Chan of Palawan NGO Network Inc (PNNI) tells an interesting story of the work of his organization and the detailed monitoring and tracking the violators of illegal logging and illegal wildlife trade from pangolins to myna birds.

Pedro Walpole, SJ met with Bobby when he visited Puerto Princesa from 8-13 November 2009 for the forum for the clergy of Palawan organized by the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay.

Being so active an advocate for the environment and its management, Pedro was surprised about his various comments on Church involvement. When asked directly, Bobby says, "I see the Church as environment ally, who also recognizes the basic needs of people and gives value to reflection, to discussing all the problems associated with protecting the environment, and whose influence on the people over the latter's use of natural resources remains unqualifiedly dominant yet unresorted to for most part."

Bobby recognizes the Church especially in relation to mining. There are 13 abandoned mines and 13 active mines and there are 24 exploratory permits (EPs) and mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) issued, but not yet operative, with over 200 exploration applications and small-scale mining applications. In total, there around 350 applications in areas covering 664,840 hectares! Civil society is not yet strong enough; he feels these concerns need the bishop's support, and Bishop Edgardo Juanich gives it. The pastoral letter of a year ago Ang Tinig ng Pastol was very helpful and was read everywhere. The recent local government moratorium on mining for 25 years is a great relief, and Bobby calls it "divine intervention" as he smiles. It has to be reasserted each election as it is only local policy, but really worth having.

Why is the Church of importance? There is a value clash, Bobby says, and "economic values are met with a counter culture of human values from the Church. People have to think. Development is not a simple matter of economics."

The Church's recent Congress for Indigenous Peoples with the help of Father Ed Pareño was the most successful gathering ever to bring these people together. In the Global Legal Action for Climate Change, the Church is again on board. There is a long road ahead and with partnerships between civil society and NGO networks, it is promising. There is of course great commitment from many government offices and Puerta Princsa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn gives the lead in many areas.

The Church realizes that in dealing with all the environmental abuses in Palawan, there are many poor people caught and there is a need for great support to find more sustainable ways of engaging the rural poor in establishing a livelihood while protecting the environment. One of its initiatives is in the program of "Adopt a Mountain" for Mount Kilala, and so the people are also engaged in learning how to protect the forest.

The Church has been planting trees for years but knows that simply planting a tree does not make a forest with biodiversity. Commercial (plantation) species are not environmentally friendly to endemic Philippine insects and wildlife. There are misconceptions about tree planting and the kinds of trees planted. Mahogany, Acacia mangium, Acacia ariculeformis, Gmelina, and Falcatta only help in physical aspects of reducing temperature and carbon, and increasing rainfall infiltration and soil stability, not in giving us a real forest. It is best to use the shade of these trees now growing and plant local species.

Loey Qulan, now a forester, has returned to teach at the Palawan Conservation Corps for out of school youth where he was one of the first batch of graduates in 1999. He shows an impressive list of indigenous species he is keeping for watershed rehabilitation and other work of the youth. There are 29 native species and many more they can include if they get some more support for action. Some of these native species are: agoho, ipanga, balayong, malapapaya, bitaog, bunog, busikog, malamanga, kamagong, marang, nato, balau, akle, palumaria, pagsahingin, paitan, mangkuno, narra, and ipil.

There are more people needed who know where to gather the seeds, how to germinate and care for them, and then how to distribute and plant them while continuing to guard their growth in order to assist the real re-greening of Palawan.

Wealth and beauty un-matched is still a wealth and beauty un-watched, if not acted upon; the beauty and richness of Palawan is easily lost in many parts of the island unless everyone is involved.