IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SYSTEM

12.00

WHEREAS, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System was established to
facilitate the attainment and maintenance of a rational and orderly balance
between socio-economic growth and environmental protection;

WHEREAS, the integration of the EIS System early into the project
development cycle would enhance and promote its desired function as a planning
tool for sustainable economic development and environmental planning and
conservation;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to further strengthen the Environmental Management
Bureau’s and the DENR Regional Office’s capabilities to effectively and
efficiently accomplish their mandate in relation to the protection of the
environment, in general, and the EIS System, in particular;

WHEREAS, the continued updating and improvement of the Philippine EIS System
is vital to expedite the National Government’s efforts to make the delivery of
vital infrastructure to the country faster and be consistent with the
principles of sustainable development;

WHEREAS, a systematic and cohesive EIS System shall ensure that national
development goals are achieved as planned and without delay;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL
V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by
virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State that optimum economic development
shall be achieved without delay and shall be pursued consistent with the
principles of sustainable development. Hence, the State shall ensure that the
present generation meets its needs without compromising the ability of the
future generations to meet their own needs.

SEC. 2. Simultaneous Conduct of the Environmental Impact Study and
Feasibility Study. To maximize the use of resources, project
proponents are hereby directed to simultaneously conduct the environmental
impact study and the feasibility study of the proposed project. Proponents are
urged to use simultaneous conduct of the environmental impact study and the
feasibility study as a planning tool, with the end in view of minimizing or
managing adverse environmental impacts of the proposed activity.

SEC. 3. Establishment of In-house Environmental Units in All Implementing
Agencies.

Consistent with Section 4
(Environmental Impact Statements) of PD 1151 and upon approval of the
Department of Budget and Management, National Government agencies,
government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial
institutions (GFIs) are encouraged to create their respective environmental
units (EUs). However, all agencies, whose mandate includes the introduction of
physical plants and infrastructure, are required to create their respective
EUs. The costs attendant to the establishment of these units shall be within
the respective approved budgetary ceilings of the concerned agencies,
corporations, and institutions.

The functions of the
above-mentioned units are as follows:

The EUs of national government
agencies and GOCCs shall assist in the preparation of EIS, ensure that their
respective agencies/GOCCs meet the procedural requirements of the EIS System,
facilitate the securing of the ECCs of their respective projects and, upon
securing the ECC, shall ensure the project’s compliance with the conditions of
the ECC.

ii. The EUs of the GFIs shall
ensure that loan or related funding applications of government and private
institutions have complied with the EIS System.

The Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)
shall monitor compliance with the ECC, and be in-charge of the formulation,
dissemination and enforcement of policies on environmental standards and
compliance monitoring.

SEC. 4. Continuous Strengthening of the Environmental Impact Assessment
Capability of the DENR.

The importance of environmental
impact assessment in pursuing balanced economic growth will have to be
supported by continuing efforts to further upgrade DENR-EMB’s and DENR Regional
Office’s capabilities to undertake fast and efficient review of EIS. These
efforts shall include but are not limited to the expansion of the EIA Review
Committee members and setting their honoraria within the limits and
qualifications set forth by DBM National Compensation Circulars.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. All orders, issuances, circulars, rules and regulations or portions
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby
repealed or amended.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 12th day of January in the
year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.

(Sgd.) FIDEL
V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary

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