IMPLEMENTING RULES
AND REGULATIONS(IRR)
FOR THE PHILIPPINE
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT
STATEMENT(EIS)
SYSTEM
Under PD 1586
P.D. No. 1586 enacted in 1978 aims to attain balance between
socio-economic development and environmental protection by
undertaking environmental impact assessments before
conducting or operating in any declared Environmentally
Critical Area
IRR is the document that provide detailed guideline and
procedure for implementing PD 1586 under DENR
Administrative Order No. 2003-30.
OPERATING PRINCIPLES, OBJECTIVES AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
The EIS System's focus on assessing direct and indirect project impacts on the
environment.
The role of the EIS System in aiding project proponents to incorporate
environmental considerations into their planning.
The responsibility of project proponents to disclose all relevant information for
environmental impact assessment.
The criteria for reviewing the EIS, including environmental integration, technical
soundness, and social acceptability.
The significance of public participation in ensuring social acceptability of a project.
OPERATING PRINCIPLES, OBJECTIVES AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Objective: This involves making the system more responsive, clarifying
its coverage, standardizing requirements, simplifying procedures, and
ensuring that critical environmental concerns are addressed.
Definition of Terms: This is crucial for ensuring clarity and consistency
in the interpretation and application of the regulations. The article
minimizes ambiguity and promotes a common understanding of the
terminology used in the EIS System.
ECC APPLICATION PROCESSING AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES
Project Scope & ECCs: Defines which projects need Environmental Compliance
Certificates (ECCs) based on potential environmental impact and location.
Application & Review: Outlines the process for applying for and reviewing ECCs,
including required documentation, EIA reports, and public consultation.
Appeals: Establishes a process for appealing ECC decisions.
Integrated Planning: Mandates that environmental impact studies are conducted
alongside project planning.
Post-ECC Monitoring: Sets guidelines for monitoring projects after ECC approval,
including Multipartite Monitoring Teams (MMTs) and Environmental Guarantee
Funds (EGFs).
Project Abandonment: Covers procedures for project decommissioning.
STRENGTHENING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PHILIPPINE
SYSTEM
EIS Enhanced Collaboration: Mandates regular consultations with
government agencies, industry, and stakeholders for smoother
processes.
Improved Information Access: Focuses on upgrading the EIS
information system for better public transparency and ECC status
updates.
Professional Accreditation: Establishes an accreditation system
for EIA professionals and auditors to ensure expertise.
Dedicated EIAM Division: Creates a full-fledged Environmental
Impact Assessment and Management Division (EIAMD) within EMB
with specialized sections for: EIA Evaluation: Project screening,
scoping, and report assessment.
Impact Monitoring & Validation: ECC compliance and actual
impact verification.
Systems Planning & Management: Continuous improvement and
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Fines, Penalties, & Sanctions:
Fees: Proponents are The EMB has the authority to
Budget: Adequate funding required to pay filing fees impose penalties for violations
for IEE/EIS submissions of P.D. 1586 and its IRR (details
will be allocated for the
in a separate order). The EMB
effective implementation of and ECC amendments, can also issue immediate
this Order, including the based on EMB-prescribed Cease and Desist Orders
creation of new positions standard costs. (CDOs) for significant
within the EIAM Division. Proponents also shoulder environmental threats, with a
EIS review costs. short timeframe for DENR to
act on CDO appeals. Publication
of violating firms is also
possible
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Transitory Provisions: A
temporary reprieve from
penalties may be
granted to certain
existing projects
Repealing Clause: This
operating without an Effectivity: This Order
Order supersedes
ECC upon registration takes effect 15 days
previous conflicting
and submission of an after its publication in a
Department
Environmental newspaper of general
Administrative Orders
Performance Report and circulation.
(DAO 96-37, DAO 2000-
Management Plan
37, DAO 2000-05).
(EPRMP) within six
months. Existing
consistent guidelines
remain in effect during
the development of new
ones
P.D. No. 1586 – Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System
STRENGHT WEAKNESS
Requires environmental assessment Implementation can be inconsistent,
before project implementation, especially in areas with weak local
promoting sustainability. Helps in governance. Loopholes and
identifying and mitigating potential exceptions can be exploited by
environmental impacts early. developers. Sometimes seen as an
Empowers public participation in added bureaucratic hurdle rather
environmental decision-making than a conservation tool.
CONGRUENCE CONFLICTS
Project Approvals in Forest Lands: EIS
Shared Environmental Goals:
may approve a project that still
Both aim to protect the contradicts forestry rules under P.D.
environment—P.D. 1586 through 705, such as building in protected
prevention of harmful projects, forests.
and P.D. 705 through forest Interpretation of “Environmentally
preservation. Critical Areas”: What qualifies as a
Regulation of Land Use: Projects
protected area under P.D. 705 may not
within forest lands require automatically be flagged as critical
compliance with both laws, under P.D. 1586 unless declared.
aligning land-use planning with Jurisdiction and Permitting Overlaps:
environmental protection. Confusion may arise when permits
DENR Oversight: Both laws fall
granted under one law are not
under the Department of automatically valid under the other,
Environment and Natural leading to regulatory gaps or delays.
Resources, allowing for
integrated policy enforcement.
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
1. Weak Enforcement and Monitoring
2. Political Influence and Corruption
3. Outdated Criteria and Guidelines
4. Lack of Public Participation
Re-Implementation
5. Modernizing the EIA System
6. Stronger Legal Backing
7. Enhanced Community Engagement
8. Digitalization and Transparency
9. Capacity building and Decentralization
