THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 warns the City Government of Naga that it will issue a cease-and-desist order if it fails to secure an area clearance for its reclamation project.
But City of Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong said he wants a clarification from DENR on any requirement they might have missed.
Dr. Isabelo Montejo, DENR 7 director, said they are closely monitoring the City Government of Naga after they found out that they are doing reclamation work at the city’s baywalk area in Barangay East Poblacion.
A 5,000-square-meter seafront reclamation project is being implemented in the city’s Ocean Park. The City Government plans to construct additional sports facilities on the reclaimed site.
Montejo said that while the City was able to secure an environmental compliance certificate (ECC), they still need to secure an area clearance for the approval of the reclamation permit from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
Based on DENR administrative order 2009-07, anyone implementing reclamation projects needs to secure an area clearance from Sec. Ramon Paje.
No reclamation project will be undertaken by an LGU unless it has an area clearance from DENR, the order said.
Validity
The area clearance shall be valid for one year and reclamation projects must be implemented within that period.
If the permittee fails to implement the clearance within the prescribed year, he or she must secure a new area clearance.
Montejo said that a sketch plan will determine whether the area that is being applied for is a timberland or alienable and disposable.
He said that if the City Government of Naga continues with its reclamation project without securing an area clearance, they have no choice but to order the city to stop the project.
But Chiong, in a separate interview, said there is no need to secure an area clearance because their City Charter allows City Hall to reclaim foreshore lands in their jurisdiction.
Chiong said they have been complying with requirements issued to them by the PRA.