SCHOOL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
University of the Philippines
Training on the Development of Land Use
and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Environmental Impacts
• Probable effects or consequences of proposed projects or
undertakings on the physical, biological and socio-economic
environment that can be direct or indirect, cumulative, and positive
or negative.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Process of predicting the likely environmental consequences of
implementing projects or undertakings and designing appropriate
preventive, mitigating and enhancement measures.
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Rationale for an EIA
• Ensure that besides meeting the desired development objectives, the projects:
1) avoid drastic and/or long-term harmful effects on people, natural resources, and the
environment
2) promote an optimal balance of various developmental concerns such as - population
growth, economic development, protection of the environment, and conservation of natural
resources
3) consider the carrying capacity of the environment and the ecosystems
4) encourage and support " design with nature" and
5) sustain the availability and use of resources rather than hasten its extinction.
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Potential environmental impacts
• Displacement of people and destruction of habitat
• Generation of nuisance and waste
• Disturbance in natural drainage, waterways and the water table
• Air and water pollution
• Damage/ destruction of wildlife habitat, biodiversity and ecosystems
• Loss of scenic quality, open space, historic sites, recreation spaces and parks
• Loss of site’s aesthetic value
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Advantages and benefits of EIA
▪ Improved project design/ siting
▪ More informed decision-making, with improved opportunities for public
involvement in decision-making
▪ More environmentally sensitive decisions
▪ Increased accountability and transparency during the development process
▪ Improved integration of projects in environmental and social setting
▪ Reduced environmental damage and negative effects on ecosystems
▪ Improved effectiveness in meeting financial and socio-economic objectives
▪ A positive contribution towards achieving sustainability
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Philippine EIA System
Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System under PD 1586 (1978)
- No person, partnership or corporation shall undertake or operate any such declared
Environmentally Critical Project or area without first securing an Environmental
Compliance Certificate (ECC).
Environmentally critical projects (ECPs) and Environmentally critical areas (ECAs) were
defined in Proclamation 2146 (1981). Proclamation 803 (1996) added Golf course
construction, development, and operation to the list of ECPs.
Proponents of ECPs and those located (ECAs) are required to examine the projects’
impacts on the environment and needs to secure an Environmental Compliance
Certificate (ECC) from the President or his duly authorized representative.
Source: Presidential Decree 1586 (1978); Proclamation No. 2146, s.1981
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Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Document, prepared and submitted by the project proponent and/or EIA
Consultant that serves as an application for an Environmental Compliance
Certificate (ECC).
• It is a comprehensive study of the significant impacts of a projects on the
environment. It includes an Environmental Management Plan/ Program
that the proponent will fund and implement to protect the environment.
Source: Administrative Order 42, s. 2002
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Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)
• Document issued by the DENR/EMB after a positive review of an ECC
application, certifying that based on the representations of the proponent,
the proposed project or undertaking will not cause significant environmental
impact.
• The ECC also certifies that the proponent has complied with all the
requirements of the EIS System and has committed to implement its
approved Environmental Management Plan.
• The ECC contains specific measures and conditions that the project
proponent has to undertake before and during the operation of a project, and
in some cases, during the project’s abandonment phase to mitigate identified
environmental impacts.
Source: Administrative Order 42, s. 2002 8
Categories of Projects/ Undertakings under the EIS System
Category A. Environmentally Critical Project (ECP)
• Project that has a high potential for significant negative environmental impact
and is listed as such under Presidential Proclamation No. 2146, Series of 1981
and Presidential Proclamation No. 803, Series of 1996, as well as other projects
which the President may proclaim as environmentally critical in accordance with
Section 4 of PD 1586.
Category B. Projects in Environmentally Critical Area (ECA)
• Projects or undertakings which are not classified as ECP under Category A, but
which are likewise deemed to significantly affect the quality of the environment
by virtue of being located in an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA) as declared
under Proclamation 2146 and according to the parameters set forth in MC
2014-005.
Source: EMB Memorandum Circular 005
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Categories of Projects/ Undertakings under the EIS System
Category C
• Projects or undertakings not falling under Category A or B which are
intended to directly enhance the quality of the environment or directly
address existing environmental problems
Category D
• Projects or undertakings that are deemed unlikely to cause a
significant adverse impact on the quality of the environment.
• These projects are not covered by the Philippine EIS system and are
not required to secure an ECC.
Source: EMB Memorandum Circular 2014-005
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Scope of the EIS System
1. Coverage
The following projects and undertakings are covered by the
EIS System:
A. Environmentally Critical Projects (ECPs)
1. Heavy Industries
1.1. Non-ferrous metal industries
1.2. Iron and steel mills
1.3. Petroleum and Petrochemical industries
1.4. Smelting plants
Source: Proclamation No. 2146, s.1981
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Scope of the EIS System
2. Resource Extractive Industries
2.1. Major mining and quarrying projects
2.2. Forestry projects
2.3. Dikes for/ and Fishpond Development Projects
Source: Proclamation No. 2146, s.1981
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Scope of the EIS System
3. Infrastructure Projects
3.1. Dams
3.2. Power Plants
3.3. Reclamation projects
3.4. Roads and Bridges
4. Golf Course Projects
Source: Proclamation No. 2146, s.1981; Proclamation No. 803, s. 1996
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Scope of the EIS System
B. Projects located in Environmentally Critical Areas (ECAs)
1. All areas declared by law as national parks, watershed reserves,
wildlife preserves, and sanctuaries
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2. Areas set aside as aesthetic, potential tourists spots
3. Areas which constitute the habitat for any endangered or
threatened species of indigenous Philippine Wildlife (flora and fauna)
4. Areas of unique historic, archaeological, geological, or scientific interest
Source: Proclamation No. 2146, s.1981
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Scope of the EIS System
5. Areas which are traditionally occupied by cultural communities
or tribes
6. Areas frequently visited and/or hard-hit by natural calamities
6.1. Geologic hazard areas
6.2. Flood-prone areas
6.3. Areas frequently visited or hard-hit by typhoons
6.4. Areas prone to volcanic activities/ earthquakes
7. Areas with critical slopes
8. Areas classified as prime agricultural lands
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Source: Proclamation No. 2146, s.1981
Scope of the EIS System
9. Recharged areas of aquifers
10. Water bodies
11. Mangrove Areas
12. Coral Reefs
No person shall undertake or operate any such declared ECP or project within
an ECA without first securing an ECC.
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Scope of the EIS System
2. Non-Coverage
The following projects and undertakings are not covered by the EIS System:
a. Projects which are not considered as environmentally critical or located within an ECA;
b. ECPs or projects within ECAs which were operational prior to 1982 except in cases where
their operations are expanded in terms of daily production capacity or area, or the process
is modified;
c. Countryside business and barangay entities (CBBEs) covered by Republic Act No.6810,
otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Countryside and Barangay Business Enterprises
(Kalakalan 20), and registered with the DTI between 1991 to 1994, inclusive. Provided
that, unless otherwise amended by law, non-coverage of such CBBEs shall subsist for a five
(5)- year period beginning from its date of registration.
Source: EMB Memorandum Circular 2014-005
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References
Administrative Order 42, s. 2002. Rationalizing the Implementation of the Philippine
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System and Giving Authority, in addition to the Secretary of
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to the Director and Regional Directors of
the Environmental Management Bureau to Grant or Deny the Issuance of Environmental
Compliance Certificates.
Environmental Management Bureau (2014). EMB Memorandum Circular 2014-005. Revised
Guidelines for Coverage Screening and Standardized Requirements under the Philippine EIS
System.
Presidential Decree 1586 (1978). Establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System
Including Other Environmental Management Related Measures and for Other Purposes.
Proclamation No. 2146, s.1981. Proclaiming Certain Areas and Types of Projects as
Environmentally Critical and Within the Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement System
Established under Presidential Decree No.1586.
Proclamation No. 803, s. 1996. Declaring the Construction, Development and Operation of a Golf
Course as an Environmentally Critical Project pursuant to PD 1586.
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