Critical Evaluation of the Law Enforcement Capacity of the Nido Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, Palawan, Philippines.

Abstract

This study aimed to attain the following objectives: (1) to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area law enforcement strategy in protecting the marine resources; (2) to assess the existing law enforcement and management capability of the municipal government of El Nido and Department of Environment and Natural Resource; and (3) to develop and improved law enforcement and management scheme of the protected area for the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area.

The study involved a key informant interview (KII) with 12 members of the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area Management Board representing various stakeholders' groups involved as; aw enforcers and/or policy-makers. A survey instrument was developed to aid the interview. The data gathered were then validated through a focus group discussion (FGD), participated in by the interviewees and other community members. The enforcement profile was analyzed to get a clear picture of the current law enforcement capacities and set recommendations for the improvement of the resource protection mechanism in El Nido- Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area.

Results of the study revealed that law enforcement agencies in El Nido tried to institutionalize the enforcement program to ensure effective and efficient law enforcement. An enforcement plan was developed, support policies were secured, equipment were inventoried and secured, and enforcement counsel was created, sources of funds were established and it turned out to be an active effort for law enforcement. However, El Nido is still struggling to attain a sustained law enforcement. Law enforcement systems which include coordination and communication, surveillance and intelligence, equipment procurement and maintenance, funding support mechanism, and monitoring and evaluation were set. Unfortunately, these were nor implemented effectively. As much, it raised concerns over the law enforcement personnel, law enforcement policies, funding support, equipment and facilities, systems and procedures, and monitoring and evaluation.

Law enforcement effort in El Nido was concentrated at the municipal level. Given the weaknesses of government agencies to effectively and efficiently sustain law enforcement, it is deemed necessary to involve local communities. Protecting the natural resources is everyone's business. Translating law enforcement at the barangay level will strengthen participation among the local communities. Institutionalization of law enforcement does not only involve documents such as an enforcement plan, a business plan, policies and the like but requires actions. It has to be translated into actions. It has to be translated into actions. Actions are guided by the enforcement systems and procedures. In order to attain and effective, efficient and sustained law enforcement, system setting and its implementation must be ensured.