QuestionsQuestions (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 34)
The primary policy objective is to promote a mutually productive and long-term coexistence of aquaculture in ponds and natural fisheries as well as to minimize environmental degradation of the mangrove and nearshore ecosystem by ensuring proper protective measures for fishpond development projects.
An Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) is a permit issued by the President of the Philippines or his duly authorized representative certifying that a new fishpond development project will not bring about unacceptable environmental impact and that the proponent has complied with the requirements of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system.
The Order covers all existing fishponds and new fishpond development projects regardless of area, situated in alienable or disposable lands or in mangrove forest lands zonified as suited for such activity.
Operators of existing fishponds with an area of one hectare and above, who have not secured an ECC prior to implementation, shall be exempted from penalty fines provided they submit their application for Environmental Clearance within six months from the date of the Order.
Applications for new fishpond development projects covering areas more than one hectare must be submitted to DENR regional offices for preliminary evaluation and ocular inspection prior to endorsement to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) for further evaluation and processing. The EMB Director is authorized to issue or deny the ECC.
Fishpond Lease Agreement (FLA) is a privilege granted by the state to a person or entity to occupy and possess, in consideration of specified rental, any public lands for raising fish and other aquatic life within fishponds.
The DENR, through the Environmental Management Bureau, conducts regular environmental impact monitoring one year after the issuance of the ECC and yearly thereafter as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System.
Violations of any provisions of this Order shall be penalized in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
The Project Description must include detailed information such as the project proponent's name and address, purpose of the project, total land area, project layout with maps and photos, project type/process description, existing environmental settings, prediction and identification of environmental impacts, mitigating measures, and project status at the time of submission.