LLDA’s authority to issue ECCs scrapped

MANILA, Philippines - Environment Secretary Lito Atienza has recalled the authority given to the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) to issue environment compliance certificates (ECCs) and certificates of non-coverage (CNCs) in the Laguna de Bay region. In issuing DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2008-11, Atienza transferred the power to issue ECCs and CNCs from the LLDA to the regional offices of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). Atienza had earlier expressed intention to reform and re-organize the LLDA, including the recall of certain powers of the agency to issue certain permits. He had also expressed dissatisfaction over the LLDA’s action on dismantling illegal fish pens and fish cages in the Laguna Lake . The DENR chief said the move is “consistent with the continuing effort to reform the agency and in response to the request of affected industry groups and other stakeholders.” “I am delegating to EMB regional offices the mandate to grant or deny ECCs covering development projects within the Laguna de Bay region so that the LLDA could concentrate on efforts that will hasten the clean up and rehabilitation of the Laguna de Bay,” Atienza said. LLDA’s authority to issue ECCs and CNCs started during the term of Michael Defensor as DENR secretary. The newly-approved DAO also transferred the authority to oversee the implementation of the environmental impact statement (EIS) system from the LLDA to the regional offices of the EMB. The EIS system was established by law to facilitate the attainment and maintenance of a rational and orderly balance between socio-economic growth and environmental protection. Under the system, the ECC is required for all environmentally critical projects and projects within environmentally critical areas. - GMANews.TV