DENR says: Developer violated ECC

CEBU, Philippines – The developer of a housing project in Barangay Tawason, Mandaue City where a 13-year-old boy died after the subdivision’s riprap collapsed last Sunday violated some provisions of the environmental compliance certificate, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–7 said.

A joint investigation by the agency’s bureaus – the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Environmental Management Bureau – found out that the riprap of the 1.4- hectare subdivision was made of “substandard” construction materials and not anchored on the bedrock, which resulted to loosened integrity.

The riprap, 35 meters in length and at least four meters in height, collapsed due to frequent precipitation since last week, which weakened the structure.

Based on the 2013 geohazard mapping and assessment report of MGB, Barangay Tawason is “highly susceptible” to landslide.

DENR has set a technical conference with AIDFAZ next week to tackle and explain the issue.

Dr. Eddie Llamedo, DENR-7 spokesperson, said MGB did not receive any request from the developer, AIDFAZ Development Corporation, for geological investigation scooping (GIS), a pre-requisite before a housing project can be started.

GIS is also needed in producing a full-blown engineering, geological and geohazard assessment to determine if the development would affect the physical environment of an area.

Based on the ECC issued to AIDFAZ on July 15, the project contractor should secure necessary permits, such as Tree Cutting Permit, FMB Permit, Environmental and Sanitation Permit, Cave Management Plan and Disposal Permit from Capitol, before it could proceed with project implementation.

Thus, this ECC becomes valid only after all necessary permits have been secured prior to implementation.

“With the issuance of this ECC, you are expected to implement the measures presented in the submitted document, intended to protect and mitigate the project’s adverse impacts on community health, welfare and the environment,” part of the ECC reads.

Llamedo said DENR will find out how many trees were cut or uprooted since the project started and if the 17 provisions stipulated in ECC were all violated.

Presidential Decree 1586 (Establishing the Environmental Impact Statement System including other Environmental Management and Related Measures) stipulates a fine of P50,000 per violation.

Llamedo said the area must be cordoned off while investigation is ongoing. A billboard must also be installed there for the public to know that the area is an active landslide zone or landslide prone.

DENR has directed the developer to put measures in place to avoid further accidents.

The developer was also required to submit its engineering geological and geohazard assessment the soonest possible time for MGB to assess and recommend proper and adequate mitigating measures.

“We recommend that the developer must strengthen and improve the riprap construction and other structural engineering interventions following sound and proper engineering practices,” Llamedo said.

This is in line with DENR Administrative Order No. 2000-28 (Implementing Guidelines on Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment as Additional Requirement for ECC Applications covering Subdivision, Housing and other Land Development and Infrastructure Projects) in the pursuit to ensure the suitability and safety of a project site proposed for development.

All  docs  in

The developer of the project said it secured the required documents prior to developing the area.

Dive Mendoza, marketing head of AIDFAZ Development Corporation, said the company secured all documents necessary before they “touched” the land where the Villa Sebastiana Tawason is to be constructed.

These include an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued on July 15, 2014; a Preliminary Application and Locational Clearance from the Mandaue City Hall secured on November 12, 2014; a License to Sell; and Certificate of Registration from the Housing and Land Use Board issued in March this year.

“Naa mi ECC kay before mi nikuha og permit, ang ECC is required sa site development permit,” Mendoza explained.

Relocation

Felix Suico, head of the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said they will continue to convince families living at the area where the incident happened to relocate.

“Balikon to namo. Among advise-san lang gihapon nga karon naa ta’y mga incoming Low Pressure (Area). Dili gyod ta mokompiyansa,” Suico said.

The riprap collapsed following heavy rains last Sunday afternoon.

Suico also said they will inquire from Mandaue’s Housing and Urban Development Office if there is still an available area in the 6.5-hectare lot in Sitio Cambugaong, Paknaan where the residents can build new homes. He said that if the residents will agree to be relocated, their houses will be made of inter-locking compressed earth blocks (ICEB).

Suico said the families affected by the incident have been given food as calamity assistance.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is expected to evaluate the area so that information can be forwarded to the legal panel investigating the incident. The panel is composed of the City Legal Office, City Planning and Development Office, and the City Engineer’s Office.

Cortes

Mendoza said AIDFAZ was established by the “old Corteses” in the 1980s. The current Board of Directors is composed of the eldest child of each of the five children of Ariston Cortes, Sr., grandfather of Mayor Jonas Cortes.

Mendoza said Mayor Jonas is not holding any interest in AIDFAZ as he is the youngest child of the late Mayor Demetrio Cortes, Sr.

“Actually, si Mayor Jonas wala gyod siya’y apil,” Mendoza said.

AIDFAZ is expected to release their official statement. However, Mendoza said it is not yet certain when the statement will be released. –/JMO (FREEMAN)