ECC suspension on compliant Boracay businesses lifted
- TBN News
- Oct 15, 2018
- 3 min read
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) lifted the suspension on the environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) of compliant businesses weeks before the reopening of Boracay Island.
In Memorandum Circular 2018-16 dated Oct 5, 2018, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu authorized the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-6 to lift the suspension of ECCS of all complying hotels and establishments in the island.
“Likewise, the EMB Regional Office 6 shall continue to monitor establishments despite such lifting of suspension of their respective ECCs, and monitor all establishments issued with Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) to ensure their compliance with environmental laws and assure that no violation against the same is committed,” Cimatu said in the memorandum addressed to the regional directors of the DENR and EMB in Western Visayas.
DENR-6 regional executive director Jim Sampulna said they hope to see more business owners complying with the law.
“We want to believe that Boracay has sincere businessmen who are willing to do business while supporting environmental protection and conservation,” he said.
It was in July when Cimatu issued the suspension of the ECCs pending the thorough review of the existing local and national laws.
Memorandum Circular 2018-03, dated July 18, also created a committee composed of representatives from the DENR, EMB, and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to review the compliance of Boracay businesses.
In the October memo, Cimatu ordered the committee to continuously monitor the compliance with existing ECCs and environmental management plans. The committee is also directed to submit a regular monitoring report.
An ECC is issued to projects that pose potential risks or impacts on the environment. A project proponent must secure the certificate from DENR before it can operate.
A CNC, on the other hand, is issued to proposed projects that are unlikely to cause adverse environmental impacts.
The DENR also recently started issuing the Certificates of Conditional Approval (CCAs) to establishments considered to be “90 to 95 percent compliant” to environmental regulations.
They are those that have fulfilled all DENR-related requirements except on the sewage treatment plants (STPs), which may yet be completed or are still undergoing construction.
A CCA allows establishments to proceed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for assessment of permits, and finally to the Department of Tourism (DOT) for final accreditation and clearance to operate when the island opens.
As of October 8, 159 businesses were given the CCAs.
Cimatu said the issuance of CCAs is in support of the “ease of doing business” campaign of the government.
CLEARANCE
Meanwhile, 152 establishments in Boracay have been cleared to operate by the DENR after they were found to have complied with environmental regulations.
The number includes 82 hotels, based on a report posted on GMA News Online.
On Friday, the Department of Tourism released a list of 68 accredited accommodation establishments given the go signal to operate. These establishments offer 3,519 rooms.
Boracay island, which has been closed since April 26 for a six-month rehabilitation, is set to be opened on October 26. A dry run has been scheduled on October 15.
Leones said the dry run will allow authorities to test facilities, fine-tune what needs to be done, and monitor entry of visitors and residents.
The DENR official said visitors to Boracay can then expect to see by then more of the beach the island has become famous for.
“Malawak na front beach. Wala nang violation ng easement. Road network maayos, may bike lane, walkway,” Leones said.
He also added that the entry of visitors will be monitored since there is a quota, and those found to not have a place to stay will not be allowed to step foot on Boracay island.
SOURCE: The Daily Guardian
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