PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—The City Council of Puerto Princesa has passed an ordinance creating a sustainable environmental council.

The multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary Puerto Princesa City Council for Sustainable Development (PPCCSD) is similar to the provincial Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), said City Councilor Modesto Rodriguez III, author of the ordinance.

Rodriguez said the creation of the council is relevant in the light of Puerto Princesa City being a highly-urbanized city.

The ordinance hopes that Puerto Princesa will take charge of its own sustainable environmental concerns through its own council amid an influx of investments.

Rodriguez said the ordinance will take effect if the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan (SEP) is amended.

The PCSD was created through Republic Act 7611 or SEP, a national law that covers only the province of Palawan. The council is a multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary body, which under the law is charged with the governance, implementation and policy direction of the SEP.

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn is a member of the provincial development council.