CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 and the Lapu-Lapu City government have formed a multipartite monitoring team for the Mactan North Reclamation Development Project.
DENR-7 executive director Isabelo Montejo said the MMT would oversee the compliance of the project proponent with the environmental management and monitoring plan (EMMP).
An ECC was issued on April 22, 2009 to MNRDP to cover the development of 400 hectares at the Magellan Bay in barangays Ibo, Buaya, Mactan, and Punta Engaño.
It was approved by then DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza Jr.
The ECC provides that before the start of the reclamation all necessary clearances and permits from the concerned agencies must be secured.
Montejo said the project proponent should follow the process on how to get clearance from DENR.
The team, which will monitor the project in all phases, is composed of government agencies, non-government organizations and others that will be affected by the construction of the project.
Meanwhile, William P. Cuñado, chief Environmental Impact Assessment Management Division of EMB-7, stressed the importance of the MMT. — (FREEMAN)