To ensure greater transparency and accountability in the mining sector, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has imposed a new regulation on the processing and issuance of environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for new mining operations.

In a recently issued memorandum circular, the DENR said only the ECC application of an entity or corporation whose name appear on the government-issued Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) or the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) shall be processed by the agency starting May 14.

"No new application for an ECC shall be processed and issued in the name of any applicant unless the same applicant shall be the entity or corporation as reflected in an MPSA and/or FTAA," stated in the DENR Memorandum Circular No. 006, Series of 2016.

It was further stated that the new requirement "shall apply to all new applications for ECC for the operation of Sand and Gravel or Industrial Sand and Gravel duly approved by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) and/or MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau) Regional Office, respectively."

According to DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, the new regulation aims to ensure the consistency in the implementation of the country's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System and Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

"It should be established that the ECC applicant is the same as that designated in the MPSA or FTAA," Paje pointed out.

The EIS System was designed to safeguard the country's environment and natural resources against growing industrialization and urbanization.

RA 7942, on the other hand, regulates mineral resources development with strict adherence to the principle of sustainable development so that the needs of the present generation will be met without sacrificing those of future generations.

Paje had enjoined all PMRBs and MGB regional offices to ensure strict compliance with the new directive.

"It is the responsibility of PMRBs and MGB regional offices to ensure that new ECC applications for sand and gravel quarry projects comply with this requirement," the DENR chief said.

He added: "Sand and gravel count among the most extracted and widely consumed natural resources which we have to regulate." ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 31 May 2016

June will be a busy month for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as it leads the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month.

“We celebrate Environment Month this year with the renewed and strengthened conviction to care for the land we live on, the air we breathe, and the water which gives us life. More than any time in this planet’s history, it is now that we must put our acts together to combat increasing threats to our ecosystems,” said DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje.

With the theme, “Go Wild for Life, Combat Biodiversity Loss,” Paje said that the fight against illegal wildlife trade must continue, noting that the extinction of species is irreversible and losses are permanent.”

He added that biodiversity loss has affected the livelihood of many Filipinos especially those in the agricultural and fisheries sector and even causes losses in the economy due to natural calamities.

The month-long celebration begins with a three-day Young Eco-Ambassador’s Camp that will be held on UP National Engineering Center on June 1 – 3.

Sponsored by the Young EcoAmbassadors Pilipinas, the Department of Education, and DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the camp will bring together successful high school student applicants together with their advisers from all over Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) will host the Philippine Eagle Week celebration in collaboration with Enchanted Kingdom (EK) in Sta. Rosa, Laguna with the theme “Saving Eagles, Protecting Forests, Securing our Future” on June 4. A series of fun-filled activities will take place during the celebration, which includes the participation of the winners of the AGILA costume contest, and EK’s Circle of Artists wearing of eagle costumes while parading around the amusement park.

Philippine Eagle Week is observed annually from June 4 – 10.

The EMB will also hold a multi-media exhibit on combating biodiversity loss and beating climate change at Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas Center, Quezon City, from June 6 to 8.

The EMB’s Air Quality Management Division will conduct an orientation on ecosystem-based adaptation at its Air Quality Management Training Center (AQMTC) on June 6, and an emission inventory training-workshop for the EMB regional offices.

The EMB’s Environmental Education and Information Division (EEID) will bring together bloggers for the Environmental Blogger’s Forum to promote the hashtag #GreenEnvironmentGawingForever at the Cocoon Boutique in Quezon City on June 7.

A General Assembly and Consultation Workshop on the Upland National Implementation Action Plan on June 7 and a workshop on the draft Revised Chemical Control Order for Cyanide and its compounds will be held June 9 at the EMB AQMTC Conference Room.

To showcase an environment-friendly building, the Laguna Lake Development Authority will conduct a “Green Building Tour” of its office on June 8.

The annual Clean Air Forum, which is DENR’s sustaining effort to further improve air quality, and the activity on the Capacity Development of Micro and Small Medium Enterprises in compliance with the Environmental Permitting Requirements are scheduled on June 14 and 15 - 16 respectively, at the DENR Social Hall in Quezon City.

The Capacity Development of Micro and Small Medium Enterprises is a two-day seminar that will be in partnership with EMB-AQMS and the Environmental Compliance Assistance Center, and is open to the public.

On June 16, the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Amphitheater in Quezon City will feature the live mural painting by A.G. Saño and the youth artists, as the “Stop Illegal Wildlife Trade Campaign” will be held in General Santos City.

The EMB will also hold the 2nd Integrated National Solid Waste Management Summit on SM Megatrade Hall on June 21-24, and the Training on Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Management for Industries in Cebu City on June 23-24. An orientation on the Globally Harmonized System will be held on Davao City on June 24.

The Philippine Arbor Day, a nationwide tree planting activity, will be spearheaded by the Strategic Communication Initiatives Service of DENR at the Upper Marikina Watershed and the Ipo Watershed on June 25.

Activities that will be spearheaded by the EMB’s Climate Change Division will be training on Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Development Planning on June 27-29 for selected DENR employees.

The EMB will also hold an Environmental Eco-Tour at the Las Piñas Parañaque Critical Habitat on June 29, and a National Training-Workshop on Air Quality Monitoring Network on June 27-30.

Cleaning of adopted esteros, tree planting activities, and a bike parade will also be held nationwide during the month-long celebration. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 29 May 2016

The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, has lined up a host of events and activities to mark the annual International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22. This year’s theme is “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Sustaining People and their Livelihood.”

The highlight of the celebration is the photo and livelihood exhibit showcasing products and services that contribute to conservation of the country’s rich biological diversity.

Biodiversity-friendly businesses and products will be on display at the BMB Training Center inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City, starting May 20.

The exhibit will also feature the winners of the photo contest dubbed “Selfie for Biodiversity and Livelihood 2016,” which aims to show how efforts in protecting biodiversity help sustain livelihood.

The whole event is held in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation or GIZ.

Biodiversity conservation has long been at the forefront of environmental issues given that it is directly affected by climate change and in turn impacts food security.

In the recently concluded 2nd National Protected Area Conference held at the Holiday Inn Manila Galleria on April 26, Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje noted how protected area (PA) management enjoyed exponential support in the past years.

The environment chief added that substantial funding was also allocated for reforestation of beach and mangrove areas frequented by typhoons, after Supertyphoon Yolanda struck central Philippines in 2013.

“This is intended to restore the integrity of mangroves and ensure that they perform their function as natural buffers from typhoons and storm surges,” Paje said.

Under the Aquino administration, the DENR has received considerable foreign assistance to scale-up PA management effectiveness. #

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 19 May 2016

The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, has lined up a host of events and activities to mark the annual International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22. This year’s theme is “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Sustaining People and their Livelihood.”

The highlight of the celebration is the photo and livelihood exhibit showcasing products and services that contribute to conservation of the country’s rich biological diversity.

Biodiversity-friendly businesses and products will be on display at the BMB Training Center inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City, starting May 20.

The exhibit will also feature the winners of the photo contest dubbed “Selfie for Biodiversity and Livelihood 2016,” which aims to show how efforts in protecting biodiversity help sustain livelihood.

The whole event is held in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation or GIZ.

Biodiversity conservation has long been at the forefront of environmental issues given that it is directly affected by climate change and in turn impacts food security.

In the recently concluded 2nd National Protected Area Conference held at the Holiday Inn Manila Galleria on April 26, Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje noted how protected area (PA) management enjoyed exponential support in the past years.

The environment chief added that substantial funding was also allocated for reforestation of beach and mangrove areas frequented by typhoons, after Supertyphoon Yolanda struck central Philippines in 2013.

“This is intended to restore the integrity of mangroves and ensure that they perform their function as natural buffers from typhoons and storm surges,” Paje said.

Under the Aquino administration, the DENR has received considerable foreign assistance to scale-up PA management effectiveness. #

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 17 May 2016

Amid the growing threats and likely impacts of climate change to oceans, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called on the public to do their part in protecting the country’s waters through active participation in coastal and marine conservation.

The DENR made the appeal as the country marks the 17th year of the Month of the Ocean this May with the theme “Biodiversity for Food and SeaCUREity,” which is a timely reminder how climate change has wreaked havoc on the world’s marine life.

Temperature increase has warmed the ocean floor and caused the death of corals that are vital to marine life and food security.

Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said the DENR, for its part, has increased efforts to scale up “green” infrastructure, conduct scientific assessment and capacitate communities which are at the forefront of biodiversity conservation.

He said the agency will also embark on a nationwide coral restoration program and improve its reforestation projects, notably the National Greening Program.

“Aside from this, the country has already received considerable foreign assistance in the last five years to scale up protected area management effectiveness,” Paje said.

“This supports the capacity development needs for protected area management, as well as augment the financing of priority activities,” he added.

Just recently, the DENR established the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program (SCREMP) in Albay province to help combat the alarming effects of climate change to Philippine waters.

The program aims to raise public awareness and social environmental consciousness on the value of coral reefs and associated coastal and marine ecosystems to mitigate the impact of climate change.

SCREMP will promote sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, including biodiversity, through habitat protection, conservation and rehabilitation.

This month, the Philippines also joins the world in celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, with the theme "Mainstreaming Biodiversity: Sustaining People and their Livelihoods."

The event aims to inform the public on the relevance of biological diversity in sustaining people and livelihoods within biodiversity-rich areas. Women’s groups will showcase their biodiversity-friendly enterprises and livelihood and products and services.

The Philippines is one of the world's 17 megabiodiverse countries and is home to 70 to 80 percent of the entire planet’s biodiversity. The more than 7,100 islands in the country harbor some of the richest ecosystems and species in the world.

Scientists have noted that there is a higher concentration of species per unit area in the Philippines than anywhere else in the world.

It has over 6,000 plant species, over 530 bird species, at least 165 mammal species, 235 reptile species, nearly 90 amphibian species, and more than 280 freshwater species of fish. It also has a high percentage of flora and fauna endemism.

Underscoring the importance of national parks and protected areas in the conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity, the DENR pushed for the passage of the Enhanced National Integrated Protected Areas System or ENIPAS in Congress during the past three years.

The ENIPAS will set the boundaries of protected areas and their classification as national parks consistent with the concept of ecosystem-based adaptation, one of the ways the Philippines could comply with the Paris climate accord and achieve the country’s Intended Nationally Determined Contributions.

Pending approval of ENIPAS, Paje said the DENR, through the BMB, has already prioritized site-scale conservation and management, and delineated all protected areas under the existing NIPAS law.

As a party to the Paris Agreement, Paje said the Philippines not only committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 2030, but also pledged to adopt measures to empower communities, enhance systems to reduce disaster risks and improve natural ecosystems resilience.

The Month of the Ocean is celebrated by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 57 series of 1999 and the International Day for Biological Diversity was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 2000.

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 14 May 2016