BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture Cordillera (DA-CAR) Philippine Rural Development Program Regional Program Coordination Office Cordillera (PRDP RPCO-CAR) Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau Cordillera (DENR EMB CAR) conducted a three-day training in Baguio City for agriculture office representatives of local governments in the region and 16 DA-CAR project proponent groups to be knowledgeable and compliant with current and existing environmental laws, guidelines, and policies designed to protect the region’s diverse ecosystems and promote public health.
The “Comprehensive Environmental Compliance and Management Training for Sustainable Enterprise” was designed by DA-CAR for banner program project proponents particularly farmers cooperatives and associations beneficiaries in the region, considered by the department as essential in addressing the various environmental challenges faced by the Cordillera, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change. DA-CAR views environmental regulations as vital in ensuring sustainable development while balancing economic growth and resource conservation.
On the first day of training, the participants were briefed on the framework of environmental regulations and EMB Cordillera mandates, plans, and programs, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Presidential Decree (PD) 1586 or the law establishing an Environmental Impact Statement System including other environmental management related measures and for other purposes, and Republic Act (RA) 6969 or an act controlling toxic substances and hazardous and nuclear wastes.
The second day of training tackled the IRR and permitting requirements to operate under RA 8749 or the Clean Air Act, as well as the IRR and permitting requirements for discharge permits under RA 9275 or the Clean Water Act. Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2014-02 or the revised guidelines for Pollution Control Officer accreditation was also discussed with the objective of how to effectively enforce RA 9275 by establishing linkages among the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, industrial establishments which are potential and actual sources of pollution, and local government agencies; and to carry out national policy of maintaining a reasonable quality of the environment.
The participants were also briefed on RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which creates the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, including the declaration of certain acts prohibited and penalties, and the appropriation of funds for other purposes.
The third day of training started with a presentation on the Compliance Monitoring Report (CMR). The CMR requirement is to report performance at three levels particularly on the Performance against the Environmental Compliance Certificate conditions; Performance against the Environmental Management Protection; and Performance against the monitoring of actual impacts (including residual impacts) as against predicted impacts in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and as related to current project operations. By JTLlanes
