The Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) on Tuesday, April 2 ordered the suspension of all pending applications for an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for projects within protected areas.
DENR Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga made the announcement following her visit to Mt. Apo Natural Park earlier this day where she also discussed the next steps on Mt. Apo Natural Park and other protected areas.
Under the memorandum, Yulo-Loyzaga announced the suspension of ECC applications at the regional level as they will now be reviewed and approved by the agency's Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Central Office.
The directive is made to ensure a "stricter oversight and adherence to environmental regulations within protected areas."
This include the conduct of an inventory of existing structures within protected areas and an evaluation of the existing structure’s compliance to environmental regulations and standards.
A comprehensive review of all ECCs issued for projects within protected areas should also be reviewed.
Last month, a resort built at the foot of Chocolate Hills in Bohol went viral on social media. Shortly after, the resort has stopped its operations.
Lawmakers then questioned the operation of a resort amidst Bohol’s Chocolate Hills without an ECC.
