Law on Natural Resources

Reporters:
Olaguer, Ma. Alyanna C.
Ong, Ana Thalia B.
Republic vs. City of Davao
G.R. No. 148622
September 12, 2002
FACTS:
On August 11, 2000, The City of Davao filed an application for a Certificate of Non- Coverage
(CNC) for its proposed project, the Davao City Artica Sports Dome, with the Environmental
Management Bureau (EMB), Region XI. The application was denied on the ground that the
proposed project was within an environmentally critical area. The City of Davao must first undergo
with the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process to secure an Environmental Compliance
Certificate.
The City of Davao the filed a Petition for Mandamus with the Regional Trial Court, and the latter
ruled in their favor.The Court Directed the DENR issue in favor of the petitioner City of Davao a
Certificate of Non-Coverage, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1586 and related laws, in
connection with the construction by the City of Davao of the Artica Sports Dome.
The trial court ratiocinated that there is nothing in PD 1586, in relation to PD 1151 and Letter of
Instruction No. 1179 which requires LGUs to comply with the EIS law. Only agencies and
instrumentalities of the national government, including government owned or controlled
corporations, private corporations, firms and entities are mandated to go through the EIA process
for their proposed projects which have significant effect on the quality of the environment. A local
government unit, not being an agency or instrumentality of the National Government, is deemed
excluded under the principle of expressio unius est exclusio alterius.
The DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-West, and the data
gathered from the PHIVOLCS, that the site for the Artica Sports Dome was not within an
environmentally critical area. Neither was the project an environmentally critical one. It therefore
becomes mandatory for the DENR, through the EMB Region XI, to approve respondent’s
application for CNC after it has satisfied all the requirements for its issuance.
Petitioner filed for a motion for reconsideration, however it was DENIED.
Hence, this petition for REVIEW.
ISSUES:
1. Is an LGU like Davao exempt from the coverage of PD 1586?
2. Is the project entitled to a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC)?
RULING:
1. Is an LGU like Davao exempt from the coverage of PD 1586?
No, It is clearly stated in PD 1586 section 4 that no person, partnership or corporation shall
undertake or operate any such declared environmentally critical project or area without first
securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the President or his duly authorized
representative. The Civil Code defines a person as either natural or juridical. The state and its
political subdivisions, like the local government units are juridical persons. Undoubtedly therefore,
local government units are not excluded from the coverage of PD 1586.
Also, It is very clear in Section 1 of PD 1586 that said law intends to implement the policy of the
state to achieve a balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection,
which are the twin goals of sustainable development. It stresses that this can only be possible if
we adopt a comprehensive and integrated environmental protection program where all the sectors
of the community are involved, including the government and the private sectors. The local
government units, as part of the machinery of the government, cannot therefore be deemed as
outside the scope of the EIS system.

2. Is the project entitled to a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC)?

Yes, Proclamation No. 2146 was issued on December 14, 1981, proclaiming the following areas
and types of projects as environmentally critical and within the scope of the Environmental
Impact Statement System established under PD 1586:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

A. Environmentally Critical Projects

I. Heavy Industries

a. Non-ferrous metal industries

b. Iron and steel mills

c. Petroleum and petro-chemical industries including oil and gas

d. Smelting plants

II. Resource Extractive Industries

a. Major mining and quarrying projects

b. Forestry projects

1. Logging

2. Major wood processing projects

3. Introduction of fauna (exotic-animals) in public/private forests

4. Forest occupancy

5. Extraction of mangrove products

6. Grazing

c. Fishery Projects

1. Dikes for/and fishpond development projects

III. Infrastructure Projects

a. Major dams

b. Major power plants (fossil-fueled, nuclear fueled, hydroelectric or geothermal)

c. Major reclamation projects

d. Major roads and bridges

B. Environmentally Critical Areas

1. All areas declared by law as national parks, watershed reserves, wildlife preserves and
sanctuaries;

2. Areas set aside as aesthetic potential tourist 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, or scientific interests;

5. Areas which are traditionally occupied by cultural communities or tribes;

6. Areas frequently visited and/or hard-hit by natural calamities (geologic hazards, floods,
typhoons, volcanic activity, etc.);

7. Areas with critical slopes;

8. Areas classified as prime agricultural lands;

9. Recharged areas of aquifers;

10. Water bodies characterized by one or any combination of the following conditions;

a. tapped for domestic purposes

b. within the controlled and/or protected areas declared by appropriate authorities

c. which support wildlife and fishery activities

11. Mangrove areas characterized by one or any combination of the following

conditions:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

a. with primary pristine and dense young growth;

b. adjoining mouth of major river systems;

c. near or adjacent to traditional productive fry or fishing grounds;

d. which act as natural buffers against shore erosion, strong winds and storm floods;

e. on which people are dependent for their livelihood.

12. Coral reefs, characterized by one or any combinations of the following

conditions:chanrob1es virtual 1aw library

a. with 50% and above live coralline cover;

b. spawning and nursery grounds for fish;

c. which act as natural breakwater of coastlines.

The Artica Sports Dome in Langub does not come close to any of the projects or areas
enumerated above. Neither is it analogous to any of them. It is clear, therefore, that the said
project is not classified as environmentally critical, or within an environmentally critical area.
Consequently, the DENR has no choice but to issue the Certificate of Non-Coverage.