GALAPAGOS PARK MANAGEMENT: ONE STEP FORWARD; TWO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002100

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE TO USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID ECON EFIS ETRD PGOV PREL AORC EC
SUBJECT: GALAPAGOS PARK MANAGEMENT: ONE STEP FORWARD; TWO
STEPS BACK


1. Summary. In a move that strengthens the directorship of
the Galapagos National Park (GNP),the GOE has established a
transparent and independent selection process for park
directors. But this positive move is undermined by a
parallel resolution by SENRES -- the national technical
secretariat in charge of public sector wages -- that ends a

SIPDIS
favorable salary program used to attract well-qualified
personnel to the Galapagos. The SENRES decision has caused
uproar among both the affected government workers and NGOs
operating in the Galapagos. More importantly, in
conjunction with last year's 30% reduction in park staff,
the resolution may undermine the GOE's ability to
effectively manage the park. End Summary.

ONE STEP FORWARD: DE-POLITICIZING THE DIRECTORSHIP
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2. Environment Minister Alban signed an agreement in August
2005 with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to
establish a transparent and independent selection process
for park directors. The new selection process, the details
of which are based on a proposal developed by outside
consultants and funded by USAID, UNDP, and IDB, seeks to
replace a highly politicized process that resulted in 13
Park Directors in the last 2 years. While the use of the
park directorship for political purposes was particular to
former President Gutierrez, it left a weakened GNP in its
wake. The MOE is expected to initiate the new selection
process on September 20. The GNP currently is managed by an
interim director.


3. The new selection process, while not ideal, nonetheless
represents a step forward in the effort to strengthen the
management of the park. The GOE-UNDP agreement requires
that future directors have an appropriate level of work
experience and educational background in environmental
sciences and management. Recent park directors more often
than not lacked such knowledge. Transparency being a major
concern in past appointments, the agreement also calls for
an independent four-member committee to manage the hiring
process and to publicly provide details as to why and how
they made their decision. Unfortunately, the agreement does
not provide for job security, something that the
consultant's proposal considered vital.

TWO STEPS BACK? SALARY BENEFITS ELIMINATED
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4. The August 2005 SENRES resolution that created wage
equality for public officials across all Ecuadorian
provinces essentially overturned a provision of the
Galapagos Special Law that calls for government officials in
the Galapagos to earn an extra 100% of their salary.
International donors, NGOs, and those managing the park
consider this provision necessary to attract well-qualified
personnel to serve in the Galapagos, where the cost of
living is high relative to the mainland.


5. Park operators and NGOs (both international and
domestic) have approached President Palacios, Minister Alba,
and Galapagos Deputy Alfredo Serrano requesting support.
They are requesting a GOE determination that the Special Law
take precedence over the SENRES resolution. While President
Palacios has been silent on the issue, his legal advisor has
informally agreed with their position. Minister Alba has
taken no action on the request other than to suggest the
Solicitor General might be able to decide. Serrano has
taken up the matter directly with the Solicitor General, who
has the authority to rule on the relative precedence of the
law and resolution. The Solicitor General has yet to make a
decision.


6. In discussions with EconOff, NGO leaders and government
officials in the Galapagos have expressed three major
concerns with respect to the SENRES resolution. First,
morale has plummeted among government workers in the GNP and
INGALA, the two main government institutions on the islands.
Morale plays a crucial role in the park's monitoring
effectiveness as workers already face an uphill battle
against illegal fishermen who are better funded and better
equipped. Second, government officials within the GNP and
INGALA have expressed doubt that they will be able to
attract well-qualified personnel for important leadership
positions, to include the new Park Director. For example,
citing the surrounding uncertainty, one well-known boat
operator who considered serving as captain of a key GNP
monitoring and research vessel has reportedly decided to
take a job with a tour operator instead. Third, the
retention of existing personnel will become a problem. In
particular, park wardens and boat operators are unlikely to
renew their contracts in the coming year and will instead
seek employment with tour operators and fishing interests
where the pay will be higher. Those operators who choose to
renew their contracts at a lower pay could be more
susceptible to bribes.


7. Compounding these problems is a 2004 SENRES decision to
reduce the number of GNP staff by 30%, from 220 to 154.
This reduction already has hampered the GNP's ability to
patrol the marine reserve, to monitor fishing catches, and
to manage conservation. Park officials and NGOs fear that
low morale and their inability to attract and retain well-
qualified personnel will add to these problems and cause
irreparable long-term harm to their monitoring and
conservation efforts.

JEWELL