EMB-6 orders review, suspension of permits for Iloilo City flood projects

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Environmental Management Bureau Region 6 (EMB-6) has recommended a comprehensive review and temporary suspension of permit processing for several flood mitigation and waterways rehabilitation projects in Iloilo City.

The move follows concerns raised by local officials regarding the environmental compliance and implementation of at least eight projects in the city.

EMB-6 has formally endorsed site validation reports to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla for further review.

The review will focus on the issuance of Certificates of Non-Coverage (CNC), which are typically granted to projects that directly improve environmental quality (Category C) or are unlikely to cause significant adverse environmental impact (Category D).

Projects posing significant adverse environmental impacts require Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) instead and are not covered under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System’s CNC classifications.

EMB-6 clarified that a CNC only affirms a project’s exemption from full environmental impact assessment and does not grant authority to implement the project, which remains the responsibility of local government units or lead implementing agencies.

The eight projects listed for review include:

• Multi-Purpose Building in Brgy. Balabago, Jaro (Category D, CNC issued April 27, 2022);
• Rehabilitation of Mansaya Creek in Lapuz Norte (Category C, 5,740 linear meters, CNC issued Feb. 3, 2023);
• Metro Iloilo Radial Road in Brgy. Lanit, Jaro (Category D, CNC issued Oct. 21, 2024);
• Various flood mitigation and coastal protection projects, including Section 2 (Category D, CNC issued July 13, 2025) and Section 1 (Category C, CNC issued May 7, 2024);
• Construction of flood mitigation structure along Dungon Creek (Category C, CNC issued June 18, 2024);
• Flood mitigation structure in Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro (Category C, CNC issued May 23, 2023); and
• Iloilo City Access Road Section 1 (Bike Lane) in Brgys. Buntatala, Jaro (No CNC issued).

Given these findings, EMB-6 has urged the DENR Central Office to reassess the appropriateness of the CNCs granted for Category C and D projects.

The bureau also recommended suspending the processing of new CNC applications for projects in Western Visayas until current policy guidelines are reviewed.

EMB-6 further clarified that it only handles the issuance of CNCs, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) oversees project implementation and holds information about contractors.