DENR stops 10 firms’ operations, cites ECCs

More than 10 business firms in Central Visayas have violated the environment compliance certificate (ECC), according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Engineer Mary Ann Bueno, the agency’s environmental impact assessment permitting section chief, said they issued cease and desist orders against the erring establishments that violated the ECC conditions.

Speaking before the Kapihan sa PIA, Bueno said that the erring firms were ordered to stop whatever development and operations they’ve conducted until they will correct the violations and pay the corresponding penalties.

Bueno said that these firms were summoned for a technical conference, but this will not prejudice the imposition of penalties. The fine is not below P10,000 and not more than P50,000 per violation of an ECC condition.

Bueno refused to mention the names of the erring business establishments pending their investigation. But she said the violators include subdivision developers; operators of poultry or piggery farms; and factories.

She said big projects need ECC because they can cause an environmental impact.

Bueno added that the most common violation is the non-compliance of the ECC monitoring report.

Some ECC applicants failed to read the conditions and are not aware that they have to submit an annual compliance report.