Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System

Title Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System

A regulatory framework was established to evaluate and manage the
potential environmental impacts of development projects in the
Context Philippines. The system aims to ensure that economic development is
pursued in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and socially
responsible.
To assess and manage the potential environmental impacts of
development projects in the country as well as promote sustainable
Purpose
development by integrating environmental considerations into the
decision-making process.
The EIA process intends to provide decision-makers with accurate and
comprehensive information about the potential environmental impacts
of proposed projects. This information enables policymakers, regulatory
Intention
agencies, and other stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding
project approval, modification, or rejection based on their understanding
of the project's potential effects.

Objectives of Environment Impact Assessment:

1. A project which failed to adequately consult the community at the outset can take
advantage of the Environment Assessment to involve the community in a necessary
exchange of ideas and views. EIA can be of great benefit since it can provide a
framework for considering location and design issues and environmental issues in
parallel. It can be an aid to the formulation of developmental actions, indicating areas
where the project can be modified to minimize or eliminate the adverse impacts on the
environment. The consideration of environmental impacts early in the planning life of
development can lead to environmentally sensitive development; to improved
relations between the developer, the planning authority, and the local communities.
2. It helps to establish and strengthen decision-making and communication mechanisms
within a project. It paves the way for introducing innovations. For example, for the
local authority, it provides a systematic examination of the environmental
implications of a proposed action, and sometimes alternatives, before a decision is
taken.
3. It may reveal sound environmental, social, or economic reasons for shifting a project’s
direction. The key characteristics of sustainable development include maintaining the
overall quality of life, maintaining continuing access to natural resources, and
avoiding lasting environmental damage. Governments have recognized the interaction
of economic and social development and the ecosystems and the reciprocal impact
between human actions and the bio-geophysical world.
4. To use it as a project control mechanism.
Stages of Environment Impact Assessment :
1. Screening: In this stage, the projects or developments which require a full or partial
impact assessment study are determined. This entails the application of EIA to those
projects that may have significant environmental impacts. The screening is done
partly by the EIA regulations, operating in a country at the time of assessment.
2. Scoping: In this stage, potential impacts of the project or development which are
relevant to assess (based on legislative requirements, international conventions, expert
knowledge, and public involvement) are determined and finally the terms of reference
for the impact assessment are finalized. This step seeks to identify, at an early stage,
the key, significant environmental issues from among a host of possible impacts of a
project and all the available alternatives.
3. Assessment and evaluation of impacts: This step aims to identify the likely
magnitude of the change (i.e., impact) in the environment when the project is
implemented in comparison with the situation when the project is not carried out.  If
there is an adverse impact on the environment due to a project or development, then
alternative solutions are worked out. If the effects are unavoidable, steps are taken to
mitigate or compensate for adverse impacts on biodiversity (including the option of
not proceeding with the development or finding alternative designs or sites.
Mitigation involves the introduction of measures to avoid, reduce, remedy, or
compensate for any significant adverse impacts.
4. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or EIA report: In this stage an
environmental management plan (EMP), and a non-technical summary for the general
audience are prepared. This is a vital step in the process. If done badly, much good
work in the EIA may be negated.
5. Review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): In this stage, based on the
terms of reference (scoping), public (including authority) participation is done. This
involves a systematic appraisal of the quality of the EIS, as a contribution to the
decision-making process.
6. Decision-making: At this stage, decisions are made by the relevant authority of the
EIS (including consultation responses) together with other material considerations as
to whether to accept, defer or reject the project and if approved, under what conditions
it is approved are specified.
7. Monitoring, compliance, enforcement, and environmental auditing: Monitoring of
the project during the execution of the project is done to check for violations of
conditions. It involves comparing actual outcomes with predicted outcomes and can
be used to assess the quality of predictions and the effectiveness of mitigation. It
provides a vital step in the EIA learning process. Due to monitoring unpredicted
impacts or failed mitigation can be identified and addressed in a timely fashion.
Republic Act No. 8749
Title Clean Air Act
A comprehensive environmental law enacted in the Philippines aims to
Context
protect and preserve the country's air quality.
To safeguard public health by reducing air pollution. It aims to
Purpose minimize exposure to harmful pollutants that can have adverse effects
on respiratory health, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being.
To achieve and maintain clean and healthy air quality throughout the
country. The law aims to protect public health, preserve the
Intention
environment, and promote sustainable development by addressing air
pollution.

Salient Features of this Act

The State shall pursue a policy of balancing development and environmental protection. To
achieve this end, the framework for sustainable development shall be pursued. As such, it
shall be the policy of the State to:
 Formulate a holistic national program for air pollution that shall be implemented
by the government through proper delegation and effective coordination of
functions and activities.
 Encourage cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries through
the application of incentives and market-based instruments.
 Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on control and provide for a
comprehensive management program on air pollution.
 Promote public information and education to encourage the participation of an
informed and active public in air quality planning and monitoring; and
 Formulate and enforce a system of accountability for the short and long-term
adverse environmental impact of a project, program, or activity. This shall include
setting up a funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and environmental
rehabilitation and compensation for personal damage.

It mandates the various government agencies to do the following in support of the Act:

 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) — act as overall

of the lead agency; prepare a National Air Quality Status Report which shall be
used as a basis for formulating the Integrated Air Quality Improvement
Framework; issue rules and regulations in the implementation of the Act.
 Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) — in
coordination with the DENR in case of industrial dischargers and the DOTC, in
case of motor vehicles, shall, based on environmental techniques, design, impose
on, and collect regular emission fees from all said dischargers as part of the
emission permitting system or vehicle registration renewal system, as the case
may be implement the emission standards for motor vehicles.
 Department of Science and Technology (DOST) -— with the DENR, other
agencies, the private sector, the academe, non-government organizations, and
people’s organization, shall establish a National Research Development Program
for the prevention and control of air pollution.
 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DOST Local Government Units
(LGUs) - together with the DENR shall develop an action plan for the control and
management of air pollution from motor vehicles with the Integrated Air Quality
Management Framework.
 DOTC, DTI, and DENR - shall establish the procedures for the inspection of
motor vehicles and the testing of their emissions for the purpose of determining
the concentration and/or rate of emission of pollutants discharged by the said
sources.
 Department of Energy (DOE) co-chaired with the DENR, in consultation
with the Bureau of Product Standards of DTI, DOST with the fuel and
automotive industries, academe, and the consumers — shall set specifications
for all types of fuel and fuel-related products, to improve fuel composition for
increased efficiency and reduced emissions.
 Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Service
Administration (PAGASA) — shall regularly monitor meteorological factors
affecting environmental conditions including ozone depletion and greenhouse
gases.
 Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) — with the DENR shall regulate
all projects which will involve the use of atomic and/or nuclear energy and will
entail the release of radioactive substances into the environment, incident to the
establishment or possession of nuclear energy facilities and radioactive materials,
handling, transport, production, storage, and use of radioactive materials.