Sampulna

DENR to fast-track processing of EICs

April 3, 2022 Cory Martinez 722 views

DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna has ordered the fasttracking of the processing of environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) in order to meet the 20 working days required under Republic Act (RA) 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.

In Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Memorandum Circular (MC) 2022-001 issued by Sampulna, the directive aims to speed up the approval or denial of the ECC by streamlining the procedures and requirements.

“We realized the challenges of the current pandemic, thus, this directive will enable us to meet the waiting period for ECC applications and help expedite business transactions in government,” Sampulna said.

EMB Director William P. Cuñado, on the other hand, explained that the order covers projects requiring Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) checklist for its application for an ECC or for projects with minimal adverse effects, and those with an IEE threshold as listed in Annex A of MC 2014-005.

It covers new and single projects filed through the online system, as well as existing single projects to be expanded, modified, or rehabilitated.

Cuñado pointed out that the EMB regional office may deny or approve the an ECC application within 20 working days from its receipt, depending on the adequacy of the submitted documents.

“The issued ECC can be printed online. If there will be no action from the EMB Regional Office, the Online System will automatically issue the ECC within 20 working days from the acceptance of the application,” Cunado said.

The EMB may deny any ECC application in the online system if there is a misrepresentation of submitted documents, and if there is an invalid proof of payment, among others.

Interested proponents may visit www.emb.gov.ph and register for an ECC online account or visit the EMB website for more information.

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