ILOILO City – In a major policy shift that could stall multibillion-peso flood works, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has suspended the approval of Certificates of Non-Coverage (CNCs) for flood mitigation and waterways rehabilitation projects in Western Visayas, including those in this city, pending a national review of whether such exemptions still protect communities and ecosystems.
The freeze was prompted by concerns raised by Mayor Raisa Treñas and former mayor Jerry Treñas, who questioned the basis of CNC issuances for projects already underway in Iloilo City during a Project Transform Action Planning Workshop with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Marilou Erni.
Under DENR Memorandum Circular 2014-005, Category C projects — those meant to address environmental problems — and Category D projects — those unlikely to cause significant impacts — may be issued CNCs. But the EMB stressed that these do not constitute clearance to proceed.
“The final decision whether a project will be implemented or not lies either with the LGUs (local government units) who have spatial jurisdiction over the project or with the lead government agency who has sectoral mandate to promote the government program where the project belongs,” the bureau said.
The EMB admitted that the current system requires reassessment as flood control initiatives expand in urban centers like Iloilo.
It ordered a full review of Category C and D projects and directed Region 6 office to hold all CNC applications in abeyance until the review is complete.
Mayor Treñas welcomed the decision, stressing the need for stronger environmental vetting.
“Flood control and drainage projects must be science-based, especially on hydrological impact and the long-term health of our waterways,” she said.
“This should not be taken as a political statement or criticism on the flood mitigating projects in the city, but I have always supported projects that are science-based and carefully considered,” she added.
She also emphasized that EMB validation is crucial to avoid unintended consequences.
“We thank EMB for its careful validation to prevent additional risks to communities and safeguard our rivers and drainage systems,” she said.
With Iloilo City spending heavily on flood control while Congress investigates alleged anomalies in similar projects nationwide, the EMB suspension signals a tightening of oversight at a time when public trust in infrastructure spending is under scrutiny./PN
