Cities Alliance Project Output

City Development Strategy Report for

Puerto Princesa City 9 Mar 2009

City Development Strategies in the Philippines: An Enabling
Platform for Good Governance and Improving Service Delivery

P098173



This project output was created with Cities Alliance grant funding.
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CITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN THE PHILIPPINES:
AN ENABLING PLATFORM FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND
IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY
The CDS3 Project is a technical assistance grant funded by Cities Alliance and
supported by the Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation
Agency, UN-Habitat, and the World Bank. The CDS project was developed
in response to the need to introduce an integrated, comprehensive, and
participatory approach to urban management. Founded on the principles
of livability, bankability, competitiveness and good governance, the CDS
process guides the cities in the preparation of comprehensive, long-
term development strategies, where the city government involves local
stakeholders in the entire strategic planning process-assessment, visioning,
strategy formulation and project prioritization and capital investment
planning-through a series of consultations.
The World Bank implemented the pilot phase in the 1999 with 7 cities.
Since then, the League of Cities of the Philippines, carried out 2 succeeding
phases, which expanded the program to 58 cities in all. In 2001, the Up-
scaling Poverty Focused City Development Strategies (CDS2) covered
31 new cities. In 2005, the project CDS in the Philippines: An Enabling
Platform for Good Governance and Improving Service Delivery (CDS3)
added 15 new cities to the roster of CDS cities in the Philippines. Under
the preparation grant for the City Development and Investment Project,
the League also carried out CDS for 5 new cities. As of 2008, 64 of 120 cities
have participated in the CDS program, including 3 cities assisted by ADB
under the Cities without Slums Project (Caloocan, Quezon and Taguig),
and the 3 cities that participated in the Local Environmental Planning and
Management Project of the UNDP (Lipa, Cagayan de Oro and Tagbilaran).
For more information on CDS, you may visit http:www.cdsea.org
Contact
Mayor : Hon. Edward S. Hagedorn
Address : City Hall, 5300 Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Tel. Nos. : (048) 4342695; 4344094
Fax No. : (02) 5242930
CDS 2 0 0 8
Puerto Princesa City
PALAWAN, PHI LI PPI NES
CI T Y DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGI ES I N
THE PHI LI PPI NES
An Enabling Platform
for Good Governance and
improving Service Delivery
CI T Y DEVELOPMENT STRATEGI ES REPORT
Team Leader:
Engr. Jovenee C. Sagu, City Planning and Development Coordinator
Focal Person:
Elizabeth C. Alzaga, Project Development Ofcer III
Ofelia S.J. Aguilar, Statistician II
Coleen Karyl Catama, Project Development Ofcer II
PREFACE
This City Development Strategy (CDS) Report is the product of Puerto
Princesa Citys participation in the CDS3 project which is an undertaking
of the League of Cities of the Philippines in partnership with the Cities
Alliance. It embodies the collective aspirations of the people that will be
aggressively pursued in the years ahead. It charts the way the city will take to
attain its vision of becoming a Model City in Sustainable Development.
The document precedes from a cautious analysis of the citys strengths
and opportunities as well as its weaknesses and threats to development.
It is the consolidation of various development issues and concerns that
surfaced during the consultative activities undertaken by the CDS Team
with the city government, technical agencies of the provincial and national
governments, the business sector, and the NGOs and POs. Without
everyones very passionate participation in these activities, we wouldnt
have created this comprehensive road map. Congratulations and thank
you to all!
To the people and guests of the City of Puerto Princesa, I do extend this
invitation to join us in the city governments quest to secure for ourselves
the character, type and magnitude of development we have so envisioned
for the city. In your own positive way, help Puerto Princesa prosper and
grow in a socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically
viable way.
Knowing where we are going, we can take the shortest, most efective and
efcient way to our destination.
Edward S. Hagedorn
City Mayor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
SELECTED URBAN KARTE INDICATORS
INTRODUCTION 1
SITUATION ANALYSIS
LIVABILITY 6
COMPETITIVENESS 7
BANKABILITY 9
GOOD GOVERNANCE 10
VISION AND CITY BRAND 12
STRATEGIES 13
PROJECT PROFILES 14

DEFINITION OF TERMS & ACRONYMS
AGR Average Growth Rate
BIMP-EAGA Brunei-Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East
Asian Growth Area
CDS City Development Strategies
ECAN Environmentally Critical Area Network
HH Household
IMR Infant Mortality Rate
IRA Internal Revenue Allotment
ISO International Organization for Standardization
MIMAROPA Refers to Region IV-B which is composed of Oriental Mindoro,
Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan
MMR Maternal Mortality Rate
SEP Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan
SME Small and Medium Enterprise
SPOT5 Satellite Image
OTOP One Town, One Product
URPR Urban-Rural population Ratio
UNESCO United Nation Educational and Scientic Cultural
Organization
SELECTED URBAN KARTE INDICATORS
A1
A2
A11
A7
A15
A17
A
B
C

A18
A
B
C
D
L1
L11
L14
L30
L41
L45
C18
A
B
C
D
C29
C32
B3
B4
FP2 - B
FP2 - D
161,912
213,343
31.76%
2540
118547
33,306
40%
25%
35%
Yes
Yes
Yes

50.93%
2005-2006: 77.14%
2005-2006: 44.54%
2005: 9 .76%
2005: 98.40% ;
2006: 98.82%
no data



28.70%
no data
10%

211.26
51.72
2000 population
Total Population (2005)
Population Growth Rate (2000-2005)
Administrative Land Area (Km
2
)
Urban Population (projected 2005)
Number of Households (2000)
Estimated Employment by Industry Sector
Primary (agriculture, fshery, forestry)
Secondary (manufacturing, mining, processing)
Tertiary (services, banking, insurance, wholesale/retail
trade)
What are the Citys geographical advantages?
Regional/provincial center
Accessibility to an airport of international standards
Accessibility to a port of international standards
Others (please describe)
% of HH with access to piped water (level 3)
Cohort survival rate for elementary (2005)
Cohort survival rate for high school (2005)
Infant mortality rate
Crime solution efciency rate
Number of HH living in informal settlements
Building permits issued within the last 5 years
Residential
Commercial
Agricultural
Institutional
Unemployment rate (2001 vs. 2005)
% population with undergraduate degree
% Total Debt Servicing Needs to Total Regular Income
% of savings to expenditures (2007)
Per Capita Allocation to Health Services
Per Capita Allocation to Education Sector

INDICATORS PUERTO PRINCESA
INTRODUCTION
Puerto Princesa is the capital city of Palawan, an island province noted for
its lush rain forest and tropical beauty. Its western side is a coastline of the
South China Sea while to the east lies the Sulu Sea.
It is strategically located in relation to Brunei-Darussalam, Indonesia,
Malaysia, and Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). The city is
accessible by air and sea transportation to major trade centers like Manila,
Cebu and Ilo-ilo. Being the lone city in the province, it is the center of trade
and commerce, communication, education and public administration
for the 23 municipalities of Palawan. It is an earthquake-free city as it is
nestled on a stable geologic formation where faults are almost inactive
and seldom hit by calamities.
Considered as the second largest city in the country in terms of land area,
the city sprawls across 253,982 hectares of land which constitutes about
17% of the total land mass of the province. Stretched over 106 kilometers
long with its narrowest breadth of 8.5 kilometers at Barangay Bahile. The
city is composed of 66 barangays, of which 35 are urban qnd 31 are rural.
With forest cover of 159,203 hectares, or 63% of its total area estimated
to be the biggest in any city in the Philippines, Puerto Princesa is aptly
referred to as the countrys Princess City in the Last Frontier.
It has a fast growing urban center, with three fourths of its 213,343
population residing in the urban area. Though large in size, its urban center
is only 14,706 hectares or roughly 6% of the total land area.
Puerto Princesa is a culturally rich, lively and diverse community. Waves
of migrants from other provinces within and outside the country had
turned the city into a melting pot of various cultures. There is respect
for individual worth, tolerance of diferences between people and
collective responsibility for common goals. People have high regard for
the environment, and recognize the consequences of previous abuse of its
natural endowments .
SELECTED URBAN KARTE INDICATORS
G2
G2
G7
G11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Average Number of days to issue a NEW business
license (w/ complete documents)
Average Number of days to RENEW business license
(w/ complete documents)
% of local revenue/total revenue
Frequency of meetings of the Local Development
Council (LDC)
ADDITIONAL DATA (from the survey)
Poverty Incidence
Performance of elementary children in NAT
Performance of high school children in NAT
Percentage of participation of Local Special Bodies
(LSBs) in public hearings conducted
Presence of ELA (if yes, proceed to questions 6 and 7;
if no, proceed to question 8)
Percentage of Projects implemented from ELA
derived from CLUP
Percentage of Projects implemented from AIP
derived from ELA
No. of registered small and medium industries (2001
vs 2005 for all types)
Number of barangays practicing segregation at
source and served by an MRF
Percent of waste generated diverted from disposal
Presence of sanitary landfll

INDICATORS PUERTO PRINCESA
2006: 15-30 minutes
(processing & issuance)
15-30 minutes
(processing & issuance)
15%
once a year
27.70%
2005-2006: 59.80%
2005-2006: 48.91%
2005: 6,523;
2006: 5,900
2006: 42%
Yes
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Mindanao
Visayas
Luzon
Puerto Princesa City
Sulu Sea
South China Sea
A. Puerto Princesa City
B. Roxas
C. Aborlan
A
B
C
Puerto Princesa City
Maruyugon
San Lourdes
San Manuel
Bancao Bancao
Conception
Iwahig
Santa Lucia
Luzviminda
Bagong Bayan
Simpocan
Nagtabon
Macarascas
Cabayugan
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SITUATION ANALYSIS
LIVABILITY
Puerto Princesa is one among the fastest growing and developing cities in
the country. In 2005, the estimated population was 213,343. Growing at
a rate of 4.55% per annum, It is expected to double by 2020. Population
growth is attributed to in-migration. Close to half of the population
belongs to the lower age group of 0-14 years old, highlighting the need
for investments in social services, particularly in education, health services
and housing.
The current number of informal settlers is 9,305 households. The expected
increase due to in-migration of mostly marginal people seeking for better
livelihood opportunities, challenges the City to further strengthen its
housing programs. In line with this, the city is formulating its Local Shelter
Plan through a technical assistance grant from UN Habitat. Likewise, the
City continuously encourages private developers to build low-income
housing projects for the informal settlers. These initiatives are being
spearheaded by the City Housing Division which manages the housing
projects of the city.
The city also takes pride on the frst of its kind in the Philippines, a City
Public Montessori that provides quality, free pre-school education to
deserving students from low income families of Puerto Princesa. This
program accommodated 106 enrollees in SY 2005-2006. Participation rates
in 2005 were 81% in primary level, 85% in elementary level and 74% in
secondary level. While the cohort survival rates were 75% in primary level,
77.14% in elementary level and 44.54% in the secondary level. There are 2
public tertiary schools which include Palawan State University and Western
Philippines University that ofers a variety of courses and accommodates
majority of the tertiary students in the City. The rest go to other 6 private
schools.
Puerto Princesa is one of the most peaceful cities in the country with a
crime rate of only 1.17 per 1,000 population, of which 0.57% were index
crimes and 0.61% were non-index crimes. The crime solution efciency was
98.40% The Citys police force has been a consistent awardee for the Best
City Police in Region IV-B for the last fve years. Crime Solution Efciency is
always as high as 98%. The city is among the very few LGUs operating and
maintaining a HOTLINE PATROL 117 through its organized rescue team in
Kilos Agad Action Center(KAAC). It has its own trafc management unit
with 35 trafc enforcers and barangay tanods of 66 barangays.
There are 4 hospitals in the City with a total of 200 beds, establishing a
ratio of 1:1,066 beds per persons. These beds cater not only to residents of
Puerto Princesa but to the whole province of Palawan including transients
and tourists. In this respect, the City has put up and is maintaining 7 units
of strategically located 5-bed capacity satellite Health Clinics complete
with medical personnel, communication facilities, ambulance and free
medicines for common illnesses. Anticipating the increase in population
due to in-migration, the City has identifed the need for more hospital
beds, health facilities and services.
Ninety-fve percent (95%) of urban households, representing 75% of the
total population, have access to potable water through the Puerto Princesa
City Water District. However, water supply is not evenly distributed due
to the limited capacity of the system especially in elevated areas. In rural
areas, about 39% of households have no access to safe water and depend
on deep wells, rainwater collection, and undeveloped springs and rivers.
There is no central sewerage system for public use. Most establishments
and houses in the city utilize individual septic tanks for wastewater
treatment. 95% of the households in urban areas are already using water
sealed toilets while in rural areas only 38% have access to sanitary toilet
facilities. Households in the rural areas are still in need of on-site sanitation
improvement immediately. Almost 93% of households in urban areas
have access to solid waste disposal system while in rural barangays, the
common dumping in open pit is still the primary form of waste disposal.
Some households are practicing segregation and recycling, with recyclable
items being re-used or sold to junk shops.
All households in urban areas have access to solid waste collection and the
City has a sanitary landfll, which is one of the frst in the country.
COMPETITIVENESS
The city is an eco-tourism haven. It abounds in diverse resources and
natural scenic spots, which attract both local and international tourists.
For 2000-2005, there were 617,377 tourists who visited the city, 80% were
Filipinos and the rest were foreigners. Foreign tourists who frequently
visit the city are Koreans, Americans, Germans, Japanese, British, French,
Chinese, Canadians, Australians, and Swiss. This sector is fast becoming
the economic pillar of the city. It earned P600 M to P800 M in 2005, an
achievement that has put it on a competitive footing with other economic
drivers of the city.

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To strengthen the tourism industry, the city is currently upgrading its
infrastructure facilities. Among these are the improvement of the airport
terminal amounting to P30M, primarily consisting of improving the
facilities and expansion of arrival and departure area, and the concreting
of 32-kilometer road going to Sabang, the jump-of point going to the
famous Underground River. The roads connecting the city to Northern
Palawan had been improved, thus providing easy access to other tourists
spots in the province.
Puerto Princesa is the commercial center of the province, and the
planned upgrading and expansion of the citys existing airport to
international standards will further strengthen this role of the city. This
will be implemented in 2008 to be funded by the national government
in the amount of P1.5 B. It will also improve the capability of the city to
participate more actively in the BIMP-EAGA regional trade and tourism
activities. Among the fagship projects of this initiative where Palawan and
Puerto Princesa are involved include: Halal Poultry, Seaweed Industry, Palm
Oil, and Joint Tourism Development (JTD) Marketing and Promotion, with
tour packages focusing on CAN (Culture, Adventure, Nature) plus golf and
diving tourism. Complementing this initiative is the planned development
of the citys 1,072 hectares Environmental Estate as an ecotourism park
and environmental center. This together with on-going construction of
Baywalk (Coastal Renewal Project) and the expansion and beautifcation of
Rizal Avenue (the citys major thoroughfare) is designed to keep the urban
center compact and more walkable, consistent with the citys vision of
becoming a City in the Forest.
While tourists increase the demand for the citys basic services, they are
also important in supporting a range and diversity of other services and
infrastructure that would not otherwise be supported by the resident
population alone. The tourism industry continues to play an important
role in supporting other major industries in the city such as commerce and
trade, and agriculture.
Fishing is another vital source of livelihood in the city. The city is considered
one big coastal community. Eighty-six percent or 52 of its 66 barangays are
located in coastal areas inhabited by about 92% of the citys population.
Palawan and Puerto Princesa are noted as major suppliers of fsh and other
marine products requirement of Metro Manila. The bulk of production
of frozen fsh goes to Manila-based buyers, either exporters or domestic
traders. In 2005, there were about 10,600 metric tons of marine products
that were shipped out from the citys airport and seaport. A very small
share of 1,808 metric tons of fsh production were sold to the City Public
Market.
To encourage investments in value-added agro-industrial activities, the
city, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, chose
cashew nuts and processed marine products such as lamayo (marinated
and semidried fsh) and smoked fsh as the citys products under the One
Town, One Product (OTOP) program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
OTOP is geared towards the promotion of entrepreneurship through
development and promotion of products and services distinct to the
locality. At present, lamayo is now popular as one of the citys pasalubong
products and delicacies served by local hotels and restaurants.
BANKABILITY
As a frst class city, Puerto Princesas income for FY 2001-2005 was
mainly derived from the following sources: (1) share from the Internal
Revenue Allocation; (2) local taxes, including real property, business and
miscellaneous taxes; (3) non-tax revenues particularly from fees and charges
and economic enterprises; (4) share from national wealth; and, (5) grants
and aids and other receipts (i.e., PCSO, GMA and Provincial Government).
However, just like other cities, the Puerto Princesa has relatively high IRA
dependency rate due to vast land area, which are mostly public in nature
and the citys development constraints, such as, the fragile environment.
To sustain the citys economy, the City Government has been exercising
the autonomy in determining and imposing its fnancial resources thereby
resulting in a 5% increase in local revenue collection between 2001 and
2005. Among the internally sourced revenues, RPT and BT Taxes accounted
for 84.745% of the total income while Non-Tax Revenues, such as Fees and
Charges and Receipts from the Citys Economic Enterprises like the Public
Market, Bus and Jeepney Terminal, Fishports, Slaughterhouse and others
contributed at least 4.380% and 10.616% respectively to the entire local
income. Revenues from internal sources have been increasing an average
of 5% per year , particularly with RPT collection with the implementation
of the Tax Revenue Assessment and Collection System (TRACS).
This may also be attributed to other factors, such as, close coordination
between the City Treasurers Ofce and the City Assessors Ofce in terms
of intensive tax collection and initiative on the part of the City Assessors
Ofce to strictly require the updated payment of taxes prior to the issuance
of the Owners Tax Declaration over his property. The implementation
of the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) also contributed signifcantly to
facilitating the processing of business establishments, such as the DTI, SSS,
Philhealth requirements among others.
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This has resulted in the city governments escalating income,
accommodating greater latitude in the identifcation and implementation
of the citys priority programs, projects and activities to boost the
campaign to become the Premier Eco-tourism Destination and the Sports
and Conference Capital of the Philippines.
Despite the citys substantial income, it is not sufcient to augment
expenditures in meeting developmental challenges. The bulk of the
expenses represents loan repayments for projects including the Coastal
Development and Reclamation Project, Completion of Green Homes and
Sanitary Landfll. Other major expenses for FY 2005 include personal services
(31.20%), maintenance and other operating expenditures (39.89%).
The City Government expended most of its income for MOOE to enhance the
provision of quality services to the public and to ensure loan repayments.
It likewise allotted revenues for Personal Services to accommodate the
salary and benefts of the regular employees as well as wages of casual and
contractual employees who support the regular workforce. However, there
has been a decrease in the amount allocated for Capital Outlay in deference
to the national directive on austerity measures. Based on the Schedule of
Loans Payable for FY 2002-2005 from the Accounting Ofce, the Citys debt
ratio is estimated at 18.08% for the year 2005. FY 2001-2005 have been
challenging years for the City Government of Puerto Princesa since it has
to exhaust its resources to support and implement its development goals.
The City Government is looking forward to a city that is fnancially
autonomous. As such, income generating capacity of the city must be
maximized, proftable activities encouraged, operations of the economic
enterprises optimized, revenue share from Malampaya pursued, private
sectors involvement in developmental activities encouraged to reduce
dependency on the Internal revenue Allotment of the City.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
The framework of the present administrations developmental thrusts
is anchored on the strategies and targets explicitly stated in the Citys
Comprehensive Land use Plan (CLUP) 2001-2010, which visualizes Puerto
Princesa as a model city in sustainable development. Its core programs and
projects are focused on the general objectives: KALINISAN, KAPAYAPAAN
AND KAUNLARAN. Working within the parameters of the ISO 9001:2000
Accreditation on Quality Management System, the City Government of
Puerto Princesa has been an efective conduit where national policies
are implemented and local needs addressed. As a local government unit,
efciency in service delivery is ensured, transparency is observed and
local autonomy is widely experienced. The City is now one of the few local
government units in the country which is at par with its global counterparts
and is now willing to accept greater challenges.
To address efciency in service delivery, the organizational set-up of the
city is composed of 22 departments which give direct support to the Chief
Executive through provision of quality basic services to alleviate peoples
welfare. Personnel complement as of December 31, 2005 totaled to 863
staf composed of 439 males and 424 females. There were about 804
permanent employees, 45 co-terminous and 14 elected ofcials. Aside
from the regular positions, the city also hired 307 contractual employees
for particular undertakings, which necessitated special qualifcations and
skills, majority of which are assigned as Project Managers/Supervisors of
the diferent fagship programs and projects of the City Mayor. Likewise,
3,600 casual employees are employed to support the regular working
force in priority development programs of the city like the Oplan Linis,
Bantay Puerto, Satellite Clinics and other basic community projects. To
make its employees models of excellence and professionalism in public
service, this ofce has conducted several trainings to enhance the skills of
the employees and reactivated Learning Resource Center for employees.
Transparency is likewise observed by the city government in order to
ensure a dynamic and responsive local government. Participation of various
sectors is sought in the implementation of the identifed programs, projects
and activities all geared towards the realization of the citys vision. NGO
participation is also quite signifcant in the planning and implementation
of various government programs and projects, such as, Oplan Linis
Program, Pista Y ang Kagueban and others. As of April 2005, there were 73
accredited NGOs actively involved with the City Government undertakings.
Through the ISO 9001:2000 certifcation, customers feedback mechanism
is observed.
The City Governments accomplishments are highlighted through regular/
daily programs and press releases over the three radio stations and local
publications as well as newsletters in several editions to inform and update
the people regarding the implementation of the city programs, projects
and activities.
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In relation to Palawan, Puerto Princesa will continue to serve as the
Center of trade and commerce, communication, education and public
administration in the province.
Strategies
1. Development and Enhancement of Human Resources
Tourism is fast becoming the economic pillar of the city. There is a need
to equip the citys manpower to enable them to provide quality service
and products acceptable in the world market. Likewise, enhancement
of human resources is intended to support the development of Small
and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the city, which is also one of the
development priorities of Puerto Princesa.
2. Development/Strengthening and Promotion of Tourism Industry
Apart from the already developed tourist destinations and frst class
beach resorts, the city will promote the development and promotion
of more tourism products and services to prolong the stay of tourists in
the city. It will also focus on upgrading existing infrastructure facilities
and amenities consistent with the desired character of a City in the
Forest.
3. Development and intensifcation of Agri-based and Non Agri-based
Environment- Friendly Enterprises.
The productivity of this sector will be enhanced in order to improve
farmers income and generate livelihood opportunities in the rural
areas. Included in agriculture is the fsherys sub-sector that caters
to a considerable number of the citys population. The city will also
encourage investments in value-added agro-industrial activities such
as processing of agriculture and fshery products to generate more
employment and livelihood opportunities in the city. An aggressive
economic promotion and marketing linkages will be undertaken to
attract investments in this area. Supportive of this undertaking, the
city will also focus on improving the business environment favorable
to SMEs.
4. Enhancement of Basic Social Services thru Establishment and
Strengthening of public-private partnership.
While the city has already achieved signifcant improvement in the
delivery of basic social services particularly in housing and health
services, there is a need to improve and sustain these programs in
order to cope with an increasing population. Housing and medical
services and facilities remain inadequate. Aside from the on-going
Mass Socialized Housing, Relocation and Resettlement Program, the
To ensure the cycle of an efcient and responsive City Government of
Puerto Princesa, customer feedback mechanism will be regularly observed.
Public-private partnership will continuously be intensifed where other
concerned stakeholders of the community, which include people in general
and the private sector will be empowered, mobilized and maximized to
attain optimum development.
VISION & CITY BRAND
The vision of the city is founded on the collective desire of the Puerto
Princesans and which carries the theme Towards a Model City
in Sustainable Development. It speaks of the following specifc
aspirations:
A City in the Forest demonstrating balance and harmony
between development and environment;
A center for eco-tours, healthful recreation, and applied
research on ecology;
A home for disciplined inhabitants who are responsible
stewards of the citys ecology and ecosystem;
Its major thoroughfares developed as boulevards, promenades
and stretches of tree-lined and coastal highways interspersed
with parks and resorts and provided with appropriate facilities
for tourism, agriculture, commerce and environment-friendly
enterprises.
The City of Puerto Princesa is the main gateway to the rest of Palawan. Given
its ecologically-focused brand name as A City in the Forest, it strives to win
and keep the honor of becoming the Premier Eco- Tourism Destination
in the Philippines.
The city has become a natural destination for eco-tourists, nature lovers
and researchers. The honor that the city won in 1996 as the Hall of
Fame awardee for being the Cleanest and Greenest Component City in
the Philippines together with a number of other awards in the areas of
environmental protection; sustainable agriculture; rural health delivery
services; peace and order; and functional literacy have supplemented the
natural attraction of the City and made it more popular as a destination
point.
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city needs to develop new housing projects that would suit the need
of informal settlers along the coastline areas of Puerto Princesa Bay.
Likewise, the existing public hospital does not only cater to Puerto
Princesans but for the whole Province of Palawan and needs to be
expanded and improved.
5. Promotion of a Balanced Urban and Rural Development Intervention.
The city will promote environment-friendly compact development with
appropriate infrastructures for solid and liquid waste management
and complete urban services outside the Poblacion through public-
private partnerships.
6. Enhancement/Strengthening of Tax and Revenue Collection System
The city will implement efective mechanisms to substantially increase
collections on real estate tax, business licenses and fees from the
existing economic facilities/enterprises owned and managed by the
city. It has been implementing Tax Revenue Assessment and Collection
System (TRACS) to provide fast and efcient billing and processing
of payment for taxes and fees. It will also pursue the legal share over
natural resources within the city in accordance with the provisions of
the local government code.
Project Proles
PROJECT TITLE
1. Access Road to
Tourist Destinations
2. Coastal Renewal
Project
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Provide quality access
of goods and services to
residents and tourists
To ease up trafc
congestion at the city
proper through the
proposed coastal road;
To provide a chance
to more or less 3,000
families to own a decent
house and legalize the
land tenure of the area
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Rehabilitation/asphalting of
the following:
Bacungan-Nagtabon Road
Nagtabon-Talaudyong
Road
Napsan-Bagongbayan
Road
Bagongbayan-Simpocan
Road
Bacungan-Candiz-
Simpocan Road
Montible-Napsan-
Apurawan Road
This is intended to
be undertaken along
Puerto Princesa Bay from
Barangay Bagong Sikat to
Tiniguiban. The reclaimed
land shall accommodate
medium-rise residential
buildings for the informal
settlers, including spaces
TARGET
BENEFICIARIES
4,000 households in
7 barangays to be
served by the project
and the local and
foreign tourists
Puerto Princesans,
Palawenos, local and
foreign tourists
COST
(in Million Php)
583.048
1B
Project Proles (Continued)
PROJECT TITLE

3. Housing for
Deserving Poor and
Homeless Informal
Settlers
4. Food Processing
Complex
5. Medical Tourism
Hospital
6. Puerto Princesa
Business Center
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
they occupied through
medium-rise housing
project.
To provide recreational
facilities to Puerto
Princesans and tourists;
To create more
employment
opportunities and
encourage investments
through the commercial
and livelihood centers;
To revive the beauty and
water quality of Puerto
Princesa Bay
To provide decent
housing and legal
ownership of land to
9,000
homeless families.
To increase food
production and promote
sustainable agricultural
productivity;
To improve the income
levels of farmers and
fsherfolks;
To enhance the
competitiveness of the
Citys farm products
To generate
adequate livelihood
and employment
opportunities;
Provide quality medical
and health services to
Puerto Princesans and
tourists;
To entice local and
foreign retirees to
relocate in Puerto
Princesa.
Provide a one-stop-shop
for business information
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
for social amenities
as well as areas for
commercial development
which shall make the
project fnancially
viable. It also includes
development of coastal
road.
Site development,
installation of water and
power supply lines, and
construction of 9,000
housing units
The Center consists of
a building intended for
manufacturing activities
such as seafoods, fruits
and meat processing and
feed milling, rendering
and bottling plants. The
Complex should have a
potable water supply,
electrical connection and
appropriate drainage
system. It also has
appropriate fxtures such
as stainless steel table
tops, utensils and tools,
storage, blast freezer and
packaging and sealing
equipment.
Establishment of tertiary
hospital with modern
facilities and equipment,
and development of a
retirement village

The Center consists of the
following components:
TARGET
BENEFICIARIES
9,000 informal
settlers
Benefts
derived from
employment/
income generated
in processing
and selling
of processed
products;
For the LGU,
benefts come
in the form of
increases in
business taxes.
The general public
and tourists
Entrepreneurs,
tourists and the
general public
COST
(in Million Php)
962,050,500
391,420.000
200 M
15.38M
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Project Profles (Continued)
PROJECT TITLE

7. Environmental
Estate
8. Improvement
of other Tourists
Destinations
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
and investment
opportunities;
Provide a one-stop-shop
for business information
and investment
opportunities;
Establish a display center
of products and services
of the city in the feld
of agriculture, fsheries,
forestry, arts and crafts;
and
Establish a conference
venue for MIMAROPA
and BIMP-EAGA growth
polygons, and a training
venue for micro, small
and medium enterprises.
Provide avenue for eco-
tourists to learn more
about environment
through various
adventure activities;
Provide opportunities
for the citys economic
growth and a vehicle
for preserving the
environment
To develop potential
tourism destinations and
encourage longer stay of
tourists in the City
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Commercial center (major
part will be business
incubators for micro, small
and medium enterprises),
display center of products
and services;
Training center with
function rooms, lecture
theatres and training;
Hotel and dormitory for
trainees
Recreation center and
garden
Eco-tourism center
Business Information and
Investment opportunities
Center
o Business Intelligence
(Data Bank)
o ICT Integration to
businesses
o Marketing Network
and Linkages
It has four major
components:
Academic Center (Beach
Forest Reforestation &
Mangrove Reforestation)
Wildlife Component
(Diverse Species Nursery)
Eco-tourism Village
(Dipterocarp Forest
Reforestation and Fresh
Fish Life Study Station)
Recreation Component
Development of:
3-Km City Beach at
Tagkawayan, Barangay
Simpocan
56-hectare Tagbarungis
Beach at Bgy. Inagawan
500-hectare Wilderness
Park at Talaudyong, Bgy
Bacungan
River Resort (Babuyan
River) with River Raft
Lodge
Hot Spring and Spa at Bgy
Sta. Lucia
TARGET
BENEFICIARIES
Entrepreneurs,
Businessmen,
environmentalists,
Academe, local and
foreign tourist
Local and foreign
tourists
COST
(in Million Php)
100M
13.5M
Project Proles (Continued)
PROJECT TITLE
9. VIP Lounge for Tax
Payers
10. New City Hall
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To increase the tax
collection efciency of
the city government by at
least 15%
To decongest the existing
city hall and improve the
working environment of
city government ofcials
and employees.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Provision of public room for
relaxing while tax payers
transact business
Construction of 2-storey
Executive Building
TARGET
BENEFICIARIES
Business sector
City government
ofcials and
employees and the
general public
COST
(in Million Php)
1.3M
165.7M
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City of Puerto Princesa