September 8, 2016
THE Energy Regulatory
Commission (ERC) will not act on applications for power-supply agreements
(PSAs) filed by power firms until they have secured environmental permits
from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
On Thursday the
commission resolved to hold in abeyance the processing of applications for
approval of PSAs that have not secured the required environmental compliance
certificates (ECCs) from the DENR.
“The ERC fully shares
the DENR’s concern to ensure the protection of the environment, and is
determined to help safeguard the people’s right to a balanced and healthful
ecology, in accordance with the Constitution,” ERC Chairman Jose Vicente
Salazar said.
The ERC’s move was in
response to the request of the DENR for the ERC to suspend the process of
approving any PSAs pending before the ERC in view of the ongoing re-evaluation
of ECCs.
An ECC is required by
the DENR for any project in the Philippines that poses a potential
environmental risk or a significant impact to the environment, such as mining,
agriculture projects, or construction.
The ECC certifies the
proposed project or undertaking will not cause a significant negative impact on
the environment. It contains specific measures and conditions that must be
complied with by the project proponent before and during the operation of the
project. The ECC also certifies the proponent has complied with all the
requirements of the Environmental Impact Statement System and has
committed to implement its approved Environmental Management Plan.
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