CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Aug. 3 — Officials of Environmental Practitioners’ Association (EPA) have lauded the Administrative Order 2017-18 of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu which expedites the issuances of environmental compliance certificates (ECC) back to the directors and regional directors of the Environment Management Bureau (EMB).
The officials of the EPA headed by its president Leslie T. Baun of International Wiring Systems Phils. Corp (IWSPC) and vice president Engr. Rogelio M. Magat of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) expressed full support to the recent move of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on AO 2017-18.
Cimatu issued the AO to authorize regional DENR offices to issue ECCs to requesting firms.
During the time of former Secretary Gina Lopez, all ECC requests had to be evaluated by the DENR central office and not the concerned region.
Magat said the directive of Secretary Cimatu lifted the burden of project proponents whose applications for ECCs remained pending at the central and regional offices, adding that ECC applications of some Clark Freeport Zone locators were also delayed by the required centralized processing of ECCs at the EMB Head Office in Quezon City, since February 2017 even for non-environmentally critical projects.
Before February 2017, only environmentally critical projects were required to secure ECC at the EMB Head Office while other projects secure their ECCs only from regional offices or through on-line applications.
While it was said that centralized processing of ECCs at EMB Head Office was prompted by alleged anomalies or corruption in the EMB regional offices, the EPA believes this is not true.
Magat said that the prompt issuance of DAO 2017-18 clearly sends a message that the Duterte government is serious in promoting the ease of doing business in the country.
Both Baun and Magat said that the EPA — together with its more than 80 member companies coming from various industries from the Metro Clark, Bataan, Subic, Bulacan and Metro Manila areas — are very optimistic that DAO 2017-08 will put on track and address the derailed developmental undertakings of companies which could have immediately started their positive contribution to the economy.
The EPA also praised Secretary Cimatu for his resolve to adhere to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to fast track the issuance of government permits and licenses, which is indeed a major leap towards cutting the red tape in the bureaucracy and making the entire government more responsive to the needs of the people.
The group also said that Cimatu’s execution of good governance makes them more inspired and challenged to contribute to the economic development under the Duterte government.
Likewise, the EPA’s 80 strong member companies pledged their full support to the other undertakings of the DENR like its other banner programs on air quality, water quality and solid waste management.
The EPA has been active in promoting the National Greening Program and Adopt-an-Estero Program of the DENR and the Eco-Eskwela Program of the EMB Region III.
The EPA has also partnered with the EMB Region III in the conduct of bi-annual recyclables collection event and proper collection of special hazardous wastes management including electronic wastes for treatment and recycling or re-use since 2003. (Marna Dagumboy/PNA)
