[ Manila Bulletin Online ] July 18, 2008
By ELLALYN B. DE VERA
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Jose "Lito" L. Atienza Jr. said yesterday that corruption in the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) was the basis for the recall of the agency’s power to issue environmental compliance certificates (ECCs).
Atienza issued DENR Administrative Order No. 2008-11 last Tuesday transferring the authority to issue ECCs and oversee the implementation of environmental impact statement (EIS) for development projects in the Laguna de Bay region from LLDA to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
The order stated that the transfer was "consistent with the continuing effort of the DENR to rationalize and streamline the implementation of the Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment System and in response to the request of affected industry groups and other stakeholders."
In a press briefing yesterday, Atienza said the DENR acted upon the reports of corruption against the LLDA.
"We are deluged with complaints from families, entities, and companies...how they are deprived of their rights," Atienza said.
"Also corruption has been persistently reported...that is why the DENR decided to recall the power delegated to LLDA," he added.
The DENR chief also transferred to the EMB regional offices the authority to process and issue certificates of non-coverage to projects that are exempted from coverages of the EIS system.
Atienza designated Juan Miguel Cuna to supervise and examine the process of issuing ECCs, as well as "to cut any red tape, end all inefficiencies, and ensure the smooth flow of ECC issuances."
According to Atienza, 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.
