DENR eyes sanctions vs. projects sans environmental permits

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

Project TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multistakeholder Engagement) is a program by the DENR and Department of the Interior and Local Government to move from science to action at the local government level. (PNA Photo)

MANILA – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is looking into imposing administrative sanctions against projects and contractors operating without the required environmental permits.

In a press briefing during the Project Transform Colloquium on Wednesday in Pasay City, Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla stressed that compliance with environmental laws must be upheld to prevent flooding and other climate-related risks.

“As you know, the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) has, in fact, been visiting project sites themselves and is taking action. So ours is supportive of this monitoring activity and definitely this will result in a more effective way of exacting accountability for these projects,” he said.

DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones said the agency can file administrative cases under Presidential Decree (PD) 1586 that establishes an environmental impact statement system, including other environmental management related measures.

He said the law provides that all development should undergo an environmental impact assessment.

Lotilla, meanwhile, said the DENR is monitoring projects by satellite.

“Well, the monitoring that is taking place is really the monitoring by satellite, what are the projects, the flood control projects that have been lined up. Again, here we have the Usec. CP’s (Carlos Primo David’s) office that has been doing that and we have been feeding that to the Office of the President in terms of being able to monitor which of the funded flood control projects have actually been non-existent or which ones are incomplete,” he said.

The DENR chief said violations of environmental laws cannot be overlooked.

Meanwhile, Leones clarified that administrative fines under PD 1586 could reach PHP50,000 per violation, but stressed that the bigger issue lies in the liability for damage caused by ill-planned or non-compliant infrastructure.

“Many flood control structures were completed long ago, but without proper clearance, they end up worsening flooding instead of solving it,” Leones said.

While the penalties under the Environmental Impact Assessment system may be minimal, Lotilla said people should look at accountability in its broader view, especially when these projects cause damage to communities, and especially the ecosystems.

He noted that cases may be pursued in coordination with the Department of Justice to ensure stronger enforcement.

Lotilla added that the first line of defense lies with local government units, which issue building permits and enforce zoning rules.

He thus urged closer coordination so that projects in environmentally critical areas or protected zones do not proceed without the necessary clearances.

Lotilla underscored the need to prevent illegal activities before they cause harm, through close coordination between national agencies, LGUs, and communities, to help avoid mistakes and ensure that infrastructure supports, rather than undermines resilience.