Meeting the Chainsaw Man of Palawan
It takes a strong will for a person to stand up on what he thinks is right. This is exactly what Atty. Robert Chan is doing as the executive director of the Palawan NGO Network Incorporated. He is better known as the Chainsaw Man.
In November 1991, the mainstream non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organization (POs) in Palawan formed the Palawan NGO Network, Inc. The motivation was to present a broader NGO consensus that would carry more weight in the policy making process in various local government units in the province.
With its creation, NGOs hope to maximize the impact of their respective programs by being able to consult and coordinate with one another. PNNI believes that by uniting the NGOs and POs towards a common pursuit, it can strongly influence the direction of development for Palawan.
Since then, PNNI has actively involved itself in numerous provincial concerns.
At present, Atty. Chan points out that the three main environementa issues in Palawan are: (1) illegal fishing, (2) illegal logging and (3) illegal mining.
PASYAR is the museum that is dedicated to PNNI' s community para-enforcers: men and women; young and old; poor but resilient. It calls that the entrance fees and donations by the tourists go to community efforts particularly in combating illegal logging and illegal fishing.
Aside from his gate full of chainsaw, one of the ten commandments is displayed in front - the Tagalog version of "Do Not Steal".
As we enter the museum, a wooden boat and chainsaw tower can be seen.
A pile of tricycles used in carrying logs were also on display.
These machines were used in mining gold and other minerals in Palawan.
Inside the museum, there were confiscated firearms on the wall. These were used in illegal logging and illegal fishing caught our attention.
More than 700 chainsaws along with hundreds of fatal equipment were under the custody of PNNI. These symbolize the number of cases filed by Atty. Chan against the illegal loggers who abused the beauty of Palawan.
Atty. Chan sat with us and explained the current environmental situation of Palawan. According to him, it is testament to a paradox of a province purported to be a paradise yet terribly plagued with pillage and apathetic, if not corrupt, public officials.
He showed that being an Ateneo, he bleeds blue on his fight for the environment. He is indeed in one big fight!
Atty. Chan has been a popular figure in environmental news since he argued with high officials in the government and even rich businessmen in the country. And up to now, he is battling for his stand being the catalyst of change in Palawan.
He remained firm also against the foreigners who had illegal dealings in the country. He confiscated even the large boats owned by these foreigners to stop them from their abuses.
The large vehicles parked there also indicate the continued enforcement of PNNI's citizen arrest.
Atty. Chan proved that he is the chainsaw man with a purpose. He is mother nature's lawyer against the evil deeds of mankind in order to survive. As long as he is there, Palawan is protected from illegal dealings concerning the environment.
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