DENR- Environmental Management Bureau Regional Director Cesar S. Siador, Jr. informed the Regional Committee on Sustainable Development (RCSD) that the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) of the proposed Ilagan-Divilacan Road Improvement Project has been issued.

“The ECC of the proposed project has been issued and the certificate is already for compliance,” said Director Siador.

During the regular meeting of the RCSD on February 13, 2013, the Director said that the ECC was approved on July 27, 2012 and it can be accessible via download at their website. Prior to the approval, a committee was formed to review and evaluate the environmental and economic analysis of the project. He stated that the certificate could be revoked if necessary actions/ developments won’t be undertaken within 5 years upon the issuance of the ECC. Regular submissions of quarterly progress reports are likewise required from the Provincial Government of Isabela.

Director Siador also said that a monitoring team will be created and the primary members shall be composed of individuals/ groups that are directly affected by the project, whether they are in the area or not.

Said project had already undergone the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review and evaluation process and found to be adhering to the basic principle of sustainable development. Among the recommendations/ observations on the ECC application included: the proponent’s commitment to mitigate all the negative impacts of the project, generation of local employment over its project life, and the support for the economic development with sufficient environmental and social safeguards as incorporated in their EIS.