QuestionsQuestions (DENR MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2010-14)
It implements the EIS system under Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1586.
By referring to the official lists of environmentally critical projects (ECPs) and maps of environmentally critical areas (ECAs) available at the EMB website and offices, as well as the Revised Procedural Manual for DAO 2003-30.
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report focusing only on the most essential information for the specific project type, following the attached Basic Outline (Annex 1).
Proof of compatibility with the existing Land Use Plan (if necessary); proof of ownership or authority over the project site; accountability statements of the proponent and EIS preparers; photographs/plates of the project site, impact areas, affected areas and communities; duly accomplished PEMAPS Questionnaire; copy of previous ECC (if any); and latest self-monitoring report or CMR format if with previous ECC.
No. The circular states that no other documents shall be required as pre-requisite to ECC applications.
Projects below the threshold no longer require submission of Project Description Reports (PDR).
The prescribed 1-page application form (Annex 2) processed in the Automated Processing System (APS) is sufficient.
It must concentrate on environmental aspects that have scientific basis and are verifiable, and should consider local community environmental concerns secured through public scoping, public consultation, or other public participation methods.
To identify the most significant issues/impacts of the proposed project, delimit the baseline information to those necessary to evaluate and mitigate impacts, and determine the need and scope of the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA).
Proponents of proposed ECPs are required to consult the community on the scope of the EIA Study in a scoping meeting at an early stage.
DENR-EMB shall ensure that EIA findings for ECPs are presented in a public consultation involving all legitimate stakeholders, and that environmental concerns raised are properly documented and addressed through appropriate management measures as part of the ECC application.
Because the EIA process is based on timely, well-informed public participation of potentially affected communities, stakeholders in both direct and indirect impact areas need to be informed and consulted at the earliest EIA stage as possible.
Annex 3 provides guidelines for determining direct and indirect impact areas, and Annex 4 provides guidelines for stakeholders identification.
The PDO or ENRO of the directly affected city/municipality is invited as a resource person of the EIA Review Committee; if the project covers two or more cities/municipalities, the Provincial PDO or ENRO is invited.
The result of the review of the EIA study and the draft ECC must be presented to the concerned LGUs to obtain their inputs prior to the issuance of the ECC.
Only one (1) request is allowed for additional information/clarification on the substance of the EIA report.
The proponent must respond within five (5) days; otherwise, the EMB/DENR shall decide based on the submitted information.
For ECP (and co-located applying for programmatic ECC; mining and forestry projects), decision timeframe is 40 working days by DENR Secretary/EMB Director. For non-ECPs, it is 20 working days by EMB Regional Director, whether based on PERRMP (EIS or programmatic environmental performance report and management plan) or EPRRMP (IEE-based environmental performance report and management plan).
A condition for the establishment of a greening program.
It takes effect immediately, and EMB regional offices are directed to conduct intensive Information Education Campaign (IEC) to disseminate the circular.