EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 291 January 12, 1996
IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System was established to facilitate the attainment and maintenance of a rational and orderly balance between socio-economic growth and environmental protection;
WHEREAS, the integration of the EIS System early into the project development cycle would enhance and promote its desired function as a planning tool for sustainable economic development and environmental planning and conservation;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to further strengthen the Environmental Management Bureau's and the DENR Regional Office's capabilities to effectively and efficiently accomplish their mandate in relation to the protection of the environment, in general, and the EIS System, in particular;
WHEREAS, the continued updating and improvement of the Philippine EIS System is vital to expedite the National Government's efforts to make the delivery of vital infrastructure to the country faster and be consistent with the principles of sustainable development;
WHEREAS, a systematic and cohesive EIS System shall ensure that national development goals are achieved as planned and without delay;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in my by law, do hereby order:
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State that optimum economic development shall be achieved without delay and shall be pursued consistent with the principles of sustainable development. Hence, the State shall ensure that the present generation meets its needs without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs.
Section 2. Simultaneous Conduct of the Environmental Impact Study and Feasibility Study. To maximize the use of resources, project proponents are hereby directed to simultaneously conduct the environmental impact study and the feasibility study of the proposed project. Proponents are urged to use simultaneous conduct of the environmental impact study and the feasibility study as a planning tool, with the end in view of minimizing or managing adverse environmental impacts of the proposed activity. lawphi1.net
Section 3. Establishment of In-house Environmental Units in All Implementing Agencies.
Consistent with Section 4 (Environmental Impact Statements) of PD 1151 and upon approval of the Department of Budget and Management, National Government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) are encouraged to create their respective environmental units (EUs). However, all agencies, whose mandate includes the introduction of physical plants and infrastructure, are required to create their respective EUs. The costs attendant to the establishment of these units shall be within the respective approved budgetary ceilings of the concerned agencies, corporations, and institutions.
The functions of the above-mentioned units are as follows:
i. The EUs of national government agencies and GOCCs shall assist in the preparation of EIS, ensure that their respective agencies/GOCCs meet the procedural requirements of the EIS System, facilitate the securing of the ECCs of their respective projects and, upon securing the ECC, shall ensure the project's compliance with the conditions of the ECC.
ii. The EUs of the GFIs shall ensure that loan or related funding applications of government and private institutions have complied with the EIS System.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) shall monitor compliance with the ECC, and be in-charge of the formulation, dissemination and enforcement of policies on environmental standards and compliance monitoring.
Section 4. Continuous Strengthening of the Environmental Impact Assessment Capability of the DENR.
The importance of environmental impact assessment in pursuing balanced economic growth will have to be supported by continuing efforts to further upgrade DENR-EMB's and DENR Regional Office's capabilities to undertake fast and efficient review of EIS. These efforts shall include but are not limited to the expansion of the EIA Review Committee members and setting their honoraria within the limits and qualifications set forth by DBM National Compensation Circulars.
Section 5. Repealing Clause. All orders, issuances, circulars, rules and regulations or portions thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby repealed or amended.
Section 6. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately. lawphi1.net
DONE in the City of Manila, this 12th day of January in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.
By the President
(Sgd.)RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary
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