Ilocos Norte’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office eased the processing of the environmental clearance certificate (ECC) through online accessibility in the newly-created environment and management unit in the province.
Victor Dabalos, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Ilocos Norte, updated government workers in the province’s capitol last Monday about the measures done by his office in addressing the issue on inconvenient processing of ECCs, a requirement mining and quarry operators’ need to obtain before starting operations.
“For those who are applying for ECC, there is no need to go to San Fernando City as you can now directly apply in our office,” said Dabalos in a report by the Philippine News Agency.
Instead of travelling to San Fernando City in La Union where the regional office of DENR for Ilocos region is located, operators can now head to Ilocos Norte’s new environment and management unit to process ECC which “can now be done by just a few click of the mouse.”
Dabalos noted that these measures to expedite the issuance of ECC is part of the innovations of DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu which is in-lined with President Duterte’s serious effort in promoting ease of doing business in the Philippines.
Project proponents with pending ECC applications at DENR central and regional offices found relief in Cimatu’s decision.
Meanwhile, quarry operators in Ilocos Norte like Laoag City resident Arlene Domingsil embraced the changes in ECC permit processing saying it can save operators so much time and effort to do business.
