d. Socio-economic Projects for Host Community
ARTICLE XII
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Sec. 1. Scope of Powers. The implementation of environmental impact assessment by local government units refers to the powers, duties and functions of the Municipal Mayor to adopt adequate measures to safeguard and conserve land, mineral, marine, forest and other resources, as provided under Sections 389 (b)(9) and Section 444 (b)(3)(vii), respectively. Likewise, the power to enforce laws for the protection of the environment is provided in RA 7160, Section 17 (b)(2)(ii) to the municipal government.
Sec. 2. Governing Laws. The pertinent laws governing environmental impact assessment are:
a. Presidential Decree 1152 (Consolidating the Philippine Environment Code)
b. RA 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991)
c. Presidential Decree No 1586 (Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (PEIS), Administrative Order 42, dated November 2, 2002, and DAO 2003-30 (IRR)
Sec. 3. Operative Principles. The Municipal Government recognizes the need for an effective instrument for ensuring environmental soundness of agro-industrial and eco-tourism projects thereby maintaining a rational and orderly balance between economic growth and community development in the municipality and, as such, hereby adopts the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) system provided under Presidential Decree No. 1586. Specifically, the following basic processes for ensuring environmental soundness of all development projects as identified under PD 1586 are hereby adopted:
a. Scoping – the representatives from the LGU shall participate in the scoping session where information and assessment are established to provide the project proponent with the scope of work for the Environmental Impact Assessment for projects falling under the EIS System. This is necessary if the undertaking is a major project or encompasses several municipalities. The LGU concerned is considered as one of the stakeholders which directly or indirectly may be significantly affected by the project.
i. EIS Preparation and Approval – The stage in the EIS system wherein an Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) is undertaken and data are gathered using accepted scientific methods to clarify key issues and concerns, characterize the environmental setting of the project, predict the impact of the resulting EIA document will be reviewed by DENR EIA, their comments will serve as basis in reviewing the application for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The ECC maybe granted under certain conditions and includes the implementation of an Environmental Management Plan.
As a matter of municipal government policy, and in order to validate the extent of social acceptability of the project as provided in DAO 2003-30, the Mayor shall fully exercise his power to insure that public hearing shall be conducted for all projects defined under PD 1586, as condition precedent to ECC i issuance.
Sec. 4. EIA Monitoring Team and its Functions. The team shall monitor compliance with the Environmental Management Plans, conditions set by the ECC and permits issued by the DENR to the project; gather relevant information to determine cause of damage and respond to public complaints about the project; prepare, integrate and disseminate monitoring status reports; and undertake community information and education dissemination. Further, the team shall:
a. Participate in scoping activities.
