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FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 160932 January 14, 2013

SPECIAL PEOPLE, INC. FOUNDAION, REPRESENED !" IS C#AIR$AN, RO!ERO P.CERICOS,Petitioner,vs.NESOR $. CANDA, !IEN%ENIDO LIPA "ON, JULIAN D. A$ADOR, !O#OL PRO%INCIALC#IEF, REGIONAL DIRECOR, AND NAIONAL DIRECOR, RESPECI%EL",EN%IRON$ENAL $ANAGE$EN !UREAU, DEPAR$EN OF EN%IRON$EN ANDNAURAL RESOURCES, AND #E SECREAR" OF #E DEPAR$EN OFEN%IRON$EN AND NAURAL RESOURCES, ALL SUED IN !O# #EIR OFFICIAL ANDPRI%AE CAPACIIES, Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

!ERSA$IN, J.:

The peremptory writ of mandams is an e!traordinary remedy that is issed on"y in e!tremene#essity, and the ordinary #orse of pro#edre is power"ess to afford an ade$ate and speedyre"ief to one who has a #"ear "e%a" ri%ht to the performan#e of the a#t to &e #ompe""ed.

'nte#edents

The petitioner was a proponent of a water(resor#e deve"opment and ti"i)ation pro*e#t in+aran%ay imi"ia(an in the -ni#ipa"ity of o&o#, +oho" that wo"d invo"ve the tappin% andprifyin% of water from the o&o# River, and the distri&tion of the prified water to the residentsof o&o# and si! other mni#ipa"ities. The petitioner app"ied for a Certifi#ate of Non(Covera%e

/CNC0 with the Environmenta" -ana%ement +rea /E-+0 of the Department of Environmentand Natra" Resor#es /DENR0, Re%ion 1, see2in% to &e e!empt from the re$irement of theEnvironmenta" Comp"ian#e Certifi#ate /ECC0 nder Se#tion 3 of Presidentia" De#ree No. 4567on the fo""owin% *stifi#ations, to wit8

40 The who"e pro*e#t simp"y invo"ves tappin% of water from the o&o# River, fi"terin% andprifyin% it, and distri&tin% the same to the #onsmers in the #overed towns9

:0 From the sor#e to the fi"tration p"ant, then to the prifier stations, then fina""y to the#onsmers; hoseho"ds, water f"ows thro%h stee" pipes9

e"e#tro#ata"yti#>=

internationa""y a##epted for safety and environment friend"iness9

30 No waste is %enerated, as the e"e#tro#ata"yti# pro#ess disso"ves a"" imprities in thewater9

50 The pro*e#t invo"ves no destr#tion ?n@or harm to the environment. On the other hand,it is environment friend"y.4

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Apon eva"atin% the natre and ma%nitde of the environmenta" impa#t of the pro*e#t,respondent Nestor -. Canda, then Chief of E-+ in +oho", rendered his findin%s in a "etter datedDe#em&er 3, :BB4, as fo""ows8

40 The pro*e#t is "o#ated within a #riti#a" area9 hen#e, Initia" Environmenta" E!aminationis re$ired.

:0 The pro*e#t is so#ia""y and po"iti#a""y sensitive therefore proof of so#ia" a##epta&i"itysho"d &e esta&"ished. Proper indorsement from the Prote#ted 'rea -ana%ement+rea or P'-+ sho"d &e se#red.: /Emphasis spp"ied0

On anary 44, :BB:, the petitioner appea"ed Canda;s findin%s to respondent E-+ Re%ion 1Dire#tor +ienvenido . ipayon /RD ipayon0, #"aimin% that it sho"d a"so &e issed a CNC&e#ase the pro*e#t was no different from the o&o#(oay waterwor2s pro*e#t of the Departmentof P&"i# or2s and i%hways /DP0 that had re#ent"y &een issed a CNC.<

On 'pri"

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affe#ted 4B(5B meters of the #oasta" &ea#h of the towns of a%na, Dero, ind"man, ar#iaernande) and Va"en#ia.6/Emphases spp"ied0

The petitioner fai"ed to se#re a #ertifi#ation from the Re%iona" Offi#e of the -ines andeos#ien#es +rea /RO(-+0 to the effe#t that the pro*e#t area was not "o#ated a"on% a fa"t"inefa"t )one or a #riti#a" s"ope &e#ase RO(-+ did not have the data and e!pertise to

render s#h findin%, and ths had to forward the petitioner;s re$est to the -+ Centra" Offi#e. H

Apon the -+;s advi#e, the petitioner so%ht and o&tained the re$ired #ertifi#ation fromPIVOCS, &t the #ertifi#ation did not state whether the pro*e#t area was within a #riti#a"s"ope. Instead, the #ertifi#ation stated that the pro*e#t site was appro!imate"y 46 2i"ometers westof the East +oho" Fa"t.4B

iven the tenor of the #ertifi#ation from PIVOCS, RD ipayon;s "etter dated Fe&rary 3, :BB<de#"ared that the pro*e#t was within an environmenta""y #riti#a" area, and that the petitioner wasnot entit"ed to the CNC, vi)8

'fter thoro%h review of yor s&mitted #ertifi#ations, it was fond ot that the area wass&*e#ted to an earth$a2e of Intensity VII in the adapted Rossi(Fore" s#a"e wherein thema%nitde of the earth$a2e is 7.6 with the hi%hest intensity reported of VIII and yo fai" tospport #ertifi#ation that the pro*e#t area is not within #riti#a" s"ope. 'nd &ased on the aterAsa%e and C"assifi#ation per Department Order /D'O0

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'. ETER OR NOT, 'FTER PETITIONER;S DAE CO-PI'NCE IT TEREJAIRE-ENTS -'ND'TED +G RESPONDENTS FOR TE ISSA'NCE OF TECERTIFIC'TE OF NON(COVER'E /CNC0 'PPIED FOR +G PETITIONER, IT ISNO TE RIPENED DATG OF RESPONDENTS, TROA RESPONDENT E-+REION' DIRECTOR, TO ISSAE S'ID DOCA-ENT IN F'VOR OF PETITIONER9

+. ETER OR NOT PETITIONER 'S E'ASTED 'V'I'+E 'D-INISTR'TIVE RE-EDIES TROA 'N 'PPE' TO RESPONDENT DENRSECRET'RG O 'S S'T ON S'ID 'PPE' AP TO TE PRESENT9

C. ETER OR NOT PETITIONER IS ENTITED TO RECOVER D'-'ES FRO-RESPONDENTS IN TEIR PERSON' C'P'CITG.43

The petitioner insists that RD ipayon a"ready e!er#ised his dis#retion &y findin% that theapp"i#ation s&stantia""y #omp"ied with the pro#edra" aspe#ts for review and &y assi%nin%Contro" No. CNC(B:(B6B to its app"i#ation9 that after the petitioner #omp"ied with there$irements enmerated in the '%st :7, :BB: "etter of RD ipayon, the E-+ &e#ame dty(&ond to isse the CNC to the petitioner9 that the E-+ issed a CNC to a simi"ar pro*e#t of theDP in the same area9 that it fi"ed an appea" with the DENR Se#retary, &t the appea"remained nreso"ved9 and that it &ro%ht the petition for mandams pre#ise"y as a speedierre#orse.

In their #omment, RD ipayon and Canda aver that the a#t #omp"ained of a%ainst them invo"vedan e!er#ise of dis#retion that #o"d not &e #ompe""ed &y mandams9 that the petitioner;sproposed pro*e#t was "o#ated within an environmenta""y #riti#a" area, and the a#tivities to &edone were so si%nifi#ant that they wo"d #reate massive earth movement and environmenta"de%radation9 that the petitioner vio"ated the r"e a%ainst form shoppin%9 and that the petitionerhad no #ase of a#tion a%ainst them for fai"re to e!hast administrative remedies.

On his part, the DENR Se#retary, thro%h the So"i#itor enera", #ontends that the petition raises$estions of fa#t that are not proper in a petition for review9 that the petitioner sho"d haveappea"ed to the C' nder R"e 34 of the R"es of Cort9 that the %rant or denia" of a CNCapp"i#ation is dis#retionary and #annot &e #ompe""ed &y mandams9 and that the petitionerfai"ed to e!hast administrative remedies.

'##ordin%"y, the Cort is #a""ed pon to reso"ve, first"y, whether the appea" dire#t"y to this Cortfrom the RTC was proper, and, se#ond"y, whether the petition for mandams was the #orre#tre#orse.

R"in%

The petition for review is denied for its "a#2 of merit.

4.

Petitioner;s appea" is improper nder R"e 35, R"es of Cort

This appea" &y #ertiorari is &ein% ta2en nder R"e 35, R"es of Cort, whose Se#tion 4e!press"y re$ires that the petition sha"" raise on"y $estions of "aw whi#h mst &e distin#t"y setforth. Get, the petitioner here&y raises a $estion of fa#t whose reso"tion is de#isive in this

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appea". That isse of fa#t #on#erns whether or not the petitioner esta&"ished that its pro*e#t wasnot "o#ated in an environmenta""y #riti#a" area. For this reason, the Cort is #onstrained to denyde #orse to the petition for review.

It is a sett"ed r"e, indeed, that in the e!er#ise of or power of review, the Cort is not a trier offa#ts and does not norma""y nderta2e the re(e!amination of the eviden#e presented &y the

#ontendin% parties drin% the tria" of the #ase. The Cort re"ies on the findin%s of fa#t of theCort of 'ppea"s or of the tria" #ort, and a##epts s#h findin%s as #on#"sive and &indin%n"ess any of the fo""owin% e!#eptions o&tains, name"y8 /a0 when the findin%s are %rondedentire"y on spe#"ation, srmises or #on*e#tres9 /&0 when the inferen#e made is manifest"ymista2en, a&srd or impossi&"e9 /#0 when there is %rave a&se of dis#retion9 /d0 when the

*d%ment is &ased on a misapprehension of fa#ts9 /e0 when the findin%s of fa#ts are #onf"i#tin%9/f0 when in ma2in% its findin%s the Cort of 'ppea"s or the tria" #ort went &eyond the isses ofthe #ase, or its findin%s are #ontrary to the admissions of &oth the appe""ant and the appe""ee9/%0 when the findin%s are #ontrary to the tria" #ort9 /h0 when the findin%s are #on#"sionswithot #itation of spe#ifi# eviden#e on whi#h they are &ased9 /i0 when the fa#ts set forth in thepetition as we"" as in the petitioner;s main and rep"y &riefs are not dispted &y the respondent9 /*0when the findin%s of fa#t are premised on the spposed a&sen#e of eviden#e and #ontradi#ted

&y the eviden#e on re#ord9 and /20 when the Cort of 'ppea"s or the tria" #ort manifest"yover"oo2ed #ertain re"evant fa#ts not dispted &y the parties, whi#h, if proper"y #onsidered,wo"d *stify a different #on#"sion.45 owever, none of the aforementioned e!#eptions app"iesherein.

:.

-andams was an improper remedy for petitioner

e dismiss the present re#orse &e#ase the petitioner fai"ed to e!hast the avai"a&"eadministrative remedies, and &e#ase it fai"ed to show that it was "e%a""y entit"ed to demand theperforman#e of the a#t &y the respondents.

It is a!iomati#, to &e%in with, that a party who see2s the intervention of a #ort of "aw pon anadministrative #on#ern sho"d first avai" himse"f of a"" the remedies afforded &y administrativepro#esses. The isses that an administrative a%en#y is athori)ed to de#ide sho"d not &esmmari"y ta2en away from it and s&mitted to a #ort of "aw withot first %ivin% the a%en#y theopportnity to dispose of the isses pon de de"i&eration.47 The #ort of "aw mst a""ow theadministrative a%en#y to #arry ot its fn#tions and dis#har%e its responsi&i"ities within thespe#ia"i)ed areas of its #ompeten#e.41 This rests on the theory that the administrative athorityis in a &etter position to reso"ve $estions addressed to its parti#"ar e!pertise, and that errors#ommitted &y s&ordinates in their reso"tion may &e re#tified &y their speriors if %iven a#han#e to do so.46

The re#ords show that the petitioner fai"ed to e!hast the avai"a&"e administrative remedies. 'tthe time RD ipayon denied the petitioner;s app"i#ation for the CNC, 'dministrative Order No.3: dated Novem&er :, :BB:4Hhad *st vested the athority to %rant or deny app"i#ations for theECC in the Dire#tor and Re%iona" Dire#tors of the E-+. Notwithstandin% the "a#2 of a spe#ifi#imp"ementin% %ide"ine to what offi#e the r"in% of the E-+ Re%iona" Dire#tor was to &eappea"ed, the petitioner #o"d have &een easi"y %ided in that re%ard &y the 'dministrative Codeof 4H61, whi#h provides that the Dire#tor of a "ine &rea, s#h as the E-+,:B sha"" havespervision and #ontro" over a"" division and other nits, in#"din% re%iona" offi#es, nder the

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&rea.:4 Veri"y, spervision and #ontro" in#"de the power to >review, approve, reverse ormodify a#ts and de#isions of s&ordinate offi#ia"s or nits.>:: '##ordin%"y, the petitioner sho"dhave appea"ed the E-+ Re%iona" Dire#tor;s de#ision to the E-+ Dire#tor, who e!er#isedspervision and #ontro" over the former.

It is re"evant to mention that the DENR "ater prom"%ated 'dministrative Order No. :BB

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entities to s&mit an EIS for pro*e#ts that wo"d have a si%nifi#ant effe#t on the environment,ths8

Se#tion 3. Environmenta" Impa#t Statements. K Prsant to the a&ove enn#iated po"i#ies and%oa"s, a"" a%en#ies and instrmenta"ities of the nationa" %overnment, in#"din% %overnment(owned or #ontro""ed #orporations, as we"" as private #orporations, firms and entities sha""

prepare, fi"e and in#"de in every a#tion, pro*e#t or nderta2in% whi#h si%nifi#ant"y affe#ts the$a"ity of the environment a detai"ed statement onK

/a0 the environmenta" impa#t of the proposed a#tion, pro*e#t or nderta2in%

/&0 any adverse environmenta" effe#t whi#h #annot &e avoided sho"d the proposa" &eimp"emented

/#0 a"ternative to the proposed a#tion

/d0 a determination that the short(term ses of the resor#es of the environment are

#onsistent with the maintenan#e and enhan#ement of the "on%(term prod#tivity of thesame9 and

/e0 whenever a proposa" invo"ves the se of dep"eta&"e or non(renewa&"e resor#es, afindin% mst &e made that s#h se and #ommitment are warranted.

! ! ! !

P.D. No. 4567 e!empted from the re$irement of an EIS the pro*e#ts and areas not de#"ared &ythe President of the Phi"ippines as environmenta""y #riti#a",:1 ths8

Se#tion 5. Environmenta""y Non(Criti#a" Pro*e#ts. ( '"" other pro*e#ts, nderta2in%s and areas not

de#"ared &y the Presidents as environmenta""y #riti#a" sha"" &e #onsidered as non(#riti#a" andsha"" not &e re$ired to s&mit an environmenta" impa#t statement. The Nationa" Environmenta"Prote#tion Con#i", thr the -inistry of man Sett"ements may however re$ire non(#riti#a"pro*e#ts and nderta2in%s to provide additiona" environmenta" safe%ards as it may deemne#essary.

On De#em&er 43, 4H64, the President issed Pro#"amation No. :437 de#"arin% areas and typesof pro*e#ts as environmenta""y #riti#a" and within the s#ope of the EIS System, as fo""ows8

'. Environmenta""y Criti#a" Pro*e#ts

I. eavy Indstries

a. Non(ferros meta" indstries

&. Iron and stee" mi""s

#. Petro"em and petro(#hemi#a" indstries in#"din% oi" and %as

d. Sme"tin% p"ants

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II. Resor#e E!tra#tive Indstries

a. -a*or minin% and $arryin% pro*e#ts

&. Forestry pro*e#ts

4. o%%in%

:. -a*or wood pro#essin% pro*e#ts

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1. 'reas with #riti#a" s"opes9

6. 'reas #"assified as prime a%ri#"tra" "ands9

H. Re#har%ed areas of a$ifers9

4B. ater &odies #hara#teri)ed &y one or any #om&ination of the fo""owin%#onditions9

a. tapped for domesti# prposes

&. within the #ontro""ed andor prote#ted areas de#"ared &y appropriateathorities

#. whi#h spport wi"d"ife and fishery a#tivities

44. -an%rove areas #hara#teri)ed &y one or any #om&ination of the fo""owin%

#onditions8

a. with primary pristine and dense yon% %rowth9

&. ad*oinin% moth of ma*or river systems9

#. near or ad*a#ent to traditiona" prod#tive fry or fishin% %ronds9

d. whi#h a#t as natra" &ffers a%ainst shore erosion, stron% winds andstorm f"oods9

e. on whi#h peop"e are dependent for their "ive"ihood.

4:. Cora" reef, #hara#teri)ed &y one or any #om&ination of the fo""owin%#onditions8

a. with 5BL and a&ove "ive #ora""ine #over9

&. spawnin% and nrsery %ronds for fish9

#. whi#h a#t as natra" &rea2water of #oast"ines.

Pro*e#ts not in#"ded in the fore%oin% enmeration were #onsidered non(#riti#a" to the

environment and were entit"ed to the CNC.

The fore%oin% #onsiderations indi#ate that the %rant or denia" of an app"i#ation for ECCCNC isnot an a#t that is pre"y ministeria" in natre, &t one that invo"ves the e!er#ise of *d%ment anddis#retion &y the E-+ Dire#tor or Re%iona" Dire#tor, who mst determine whether the pro*e#t orpro*e#t area is #"assified as #riti#a" to the environment &ased on the do#ments to &e s&mitted&y the app"i#ant.

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The petitioner maintains that RD ipayon a"ready e!er#ised his dis#retion in its #ase when hemade his findin% that the app"i#ation s&stantia""y #omp"ied with the pro#edra" re$irements for review. 's s#h, he was then o&"i%ed to isse the CNC on#e the petitioner had s&mitted there$ired #ertifi#ations.

The petitioner errs on two %ronds.

First"y, RD ipayon had not yet f""y e!er#ised his dis#retion with re%ard to the CNC app"i#ationwhen he made his findin%. It is #"ear that his findin% referred to the >pro#edra" re$irements forreview> on"y. e had sti"" to de#ide on the s&stantive aspe#t of the app"i#ation, that is, whetherthe pro*e#t and the pro*e#t area were #onsidered #riti#a" to the environment. In fa#t, this was thereason why RD ipayon re$ired the petitioner to s&mit #ertifi#ations from the varios%overnment a%en#ies #on#erned. Sre"y, the re$ired #ertifi#ations were not mere forma"ities,&e#ase they wo"d serve as the &ases for his de#ision on whether to %rant or deny theapp"i#ation.

Se#ond"y, there is no sffi#ient showin% that the petitioner satisfa#tori"y #omp"ied with there$irement to s&mit the needed #ertifi#ations. For one, it s&mitted no #ertifi#ation to theeffe#t that the pro*e#t site was not within a #riti#a" s"ope. '"so, the PIVOCS;s #ertifi#ationshowed that the pro*e#t site had e!perien#ed an Intensity VII earth$a2e in 4HHB, a fa#t thatsffi#ed to p"a#e the site in the #ate%ory of >areas fre$ent"y visited andor hard(hit &y natra"#a"amities.> C"ear"y, the petitioner fai"ed to esta&"ish that it had the "e%a" ri%ht to &e issed theCNC app"ied for, warrantin% the denia" of its app"i#ation.

It is not amiss for s to o&serve, therefore, that the petitioner %ross"y misnderstood the natreof the remedy of mandams. To avoid simi"ar misnderstandin% of the remedy hereafter, a shorte!position on the natre and offi#e of the remedy is now appropriate.

The writ of mandams is of very an#ient and o&s#re ori%in. It is &e"ieved that the writ wasori%ina""y part of the #"ass of writs or mandates issed &y the En%"ish soverei%n to dire#t hiss&*e#ts to perform a parti#"ar a#t or dty.:6 The ear"iest writs were in the form of "ettersmissive, and were mere persona" #ommands. The #ommand was a "aw in itse"f, from whi#hthere was no appea". The writ of mandams was not on"y de#"aratory of a dty nder an e!istin%"aw, &t was a "aw in itse"f that imposed the dty, the performan#e of whi#h it #ommanded. :HTheMin% was #onsidered as the fontain and sor#e of *sti#e, and when the "aw did not afford aremedy &y the re%"ar forms of pro#eedin%s, the prero%ative powers of the soverei%n wereinvo2ed in aid of the ordinary powers of the #orts.

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#ases affe#tin% the soverei%n, or the interest of the p&"i# at "ar%e.

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BORACAY FOUNDATION, INC.,

Petitioner,

- versus -

THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN,

REPRESENTED BY

GOVERNOR CARLITO S.

MARQUEZ, THE PHILIPPINE

RECLAMATION AUTHORITY,

AND THE DENR-EMB

(REGION VI),

Respondents.

G.R. No. 1!"#$

Present:

CARPIO,

VELASCO, JR.,

LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,

BRION,

PERALTA,

BERSAMIN,

DEL CASTILLO,

ABAD,VILLARAMA, JR.,

PEREZ,

MENDOZA,

SERENO,

RE!ES, "nd

PERLAS-BERNABE, JJ .

Pro#$%&"ted:

J$ne '(, ')*'

+ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +

D E C I S I O N

LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, J.%

In reso%in& tis ontroers/, te Co$rt too0 into onsider"tion t"t "%% te p"rties

ino%ed s"re o##on &o"%s in p$rs$it o1 ert"in pri#ordi"% St"te po%iies "nd

prinip%es t"t "re ensrined in te Constit$tion "nd pertinent %"2s, s$ "s te

protetion o1 te eniron#ent, te e#po2er#ent o1 te %o"% &oern#ent $nits, te

pro#otion o1 to$ris#, "nd te eno$r"&e#ent o1 te p"rtiip"tion o1 te pri"te

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setor. Te Co$rt see0s to reoni%e te respetie ro%es, d$ties "nd responsi3i%ities

o1 te petitioner "nd respondents in "iein& tese s"red &o"%s 2itin te onte+t

o1 o$r Constit$tion, %"2s "nd re&$%"tions.

Nature of the Case

Tis is "n ori&in"% petition 1or te iss$"ne o1 "n Eniron#ent"% Protetion Order

in te n"t$re o1 " ontin$in& mandamus $nder A.M. No. )4-(-5-SC, oter2ise

0no2n "s te R$%es o1 Proed$re 1or Eniron#ent"% C"ses, pro#$%&"ted on Apri%

'4, ')*).

The Parties

Petitioner Bor""/ 6o$nd"tion, In. 7petitioner8 is " d$%/ re&istered, non-sto0

do#esti orpor"tion. Its pri#"r/ p$rpose is to 1oster " $nited, onerted "nd

eniron#ent-onsio$s dee%op#ent o1 Bor""/ Is%"nd, tere3/ preserin& "nd

#"int"inin& its $%t$re, n"t$r"% 3e"$t/ "nd eo%o&i"% 3"%"ne, #"r0in& te is%"nd

"s te ro2n 9e2e% o1 Pi%ippine to$ris#, " pri#e to$rist destin"tion in Asi" "nd te

2o%e 2or%d.*; It o$nts "#on& its #e#3ers "t %e"st si+t/ 7()8 o2ners "nd

represent"ties o1 resorts, ote%s, rest"$r"nts, "nd si#i%"r instit$tions< "t %e"st 1ie

o##$nit/ or&"ni="tions< "nd seer"% eniron#ent"%%/-onsio$s residents "nd"do"tes.';

Respondent Proine o1 A0%"n 7respondent Proine8 is " po%iti"% s$3diision o1

te &oern#ent re"ted p$rs$"nt to Rep$3%i At No. *>*>, represented 3/

?onor"3%e C"r%ito S. M"r@$e=, te Proini"% oernor 7oernor M"r@$e=8.

Respondent Pi%ippine Re%"#"tion A$torit/ 7respondent PRA8, 1or#er%/ "%%ed

te P$3%i Est"tes A$torit/ 7PEA8, is " &oern#ent entit/ re"ted 3/ Presidenti"%Deree No. *)5>,;2i st"tes t"t one o1 te p$rposes 1or 2i respondent PRA

2"s re"ted 2"s to re%"i# %"nd, in%$din& 1oresore "nd s$3#er&ed "re"s. PEA

eent$"%%/ 3e"#e te %e"d "&en/ pri#"ri%/ responsi3%e 1or "%% re%"#"tion

pro9ets in te o$ntr/ $nder E+e$tie Order No. ', series o1 *44. In J$ne

'))(, te President o1 te Pi%ippines iss$ed E+e$tie Order No. >, de%e&"tin&

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te po2er to "pproe re%"#"tion pro9ets to PRA tro$& its &oernin& Bo"rd,

s$39et to o#p%i"ne 2it e+istin& %"2s "nd r$%es "nd 1$rter s$39et to te

ondition t"t re%"#"tion ontr"ts to 3e e+e$ted 2it "n/ person or entit/

7#$st8 &o tro$& p$3%i 3iddin&.>;

Respondent Dep"rt#ent o1 Eniron#ent "nd N"t$r"% Reso$res Eniron#ent"%

M"n"&e#ent B$re"$ 7DENR-EMB8, Re&ion"% O11ie VI 7respondent DENR-EMB

RVI8, is te &oern#ent "&en/ in te estern Vis"/"s Re&ion "$tori=ed to iss$e

eniron#ent"% o#p%i"ne erti1i"tes re&"rdin& pro9ets t"t re@$ire te

eniron#ents protetion "nd #"n"&e#ent in te re&ion.;

S&''* o+ A/0 F/

Bor""/ Is%"nd 7Bor""/8, " tropi"% p"r"dise %o"ted in te estern Vis"/"s

re&ion o1 te Pi%ippines "nd one o1 te o$ntr/s #ost pop$%"r to$rist destin"tions,

2"s de%"red " to$rist =one "nd #"rine resere in *4 $nder Presidenti"%

Pro%"#"tion No. *5)*.(; Te is%"nd o#prises te barangays o1 M"no-#"no,

B"%"3"&, "nd !"p"0, "%% 2itin te #$niip"%it/ o1 M"%"/, in te proine o1 A0%"n. ;

Petitioner desri3es Bor""/ "s 1o%%o2s:

Bor""/ is 2e%%-0no2n 1or its distintie po2der/ 2ite-s"nd 3e"es

2i "re te prod$t o1 te $ni@$e eos/ste# d/n"#is o1 te "re". Te is%"nditse%1 is 0no2n to o#e 1ro# te $p%i1ted re#n"nts o1 "n "nient ree1 p%"t1or#. Its

3e"es, te s"nd/ %"nd strip 3et2een te 2"ter "nd te "re" $rrent%/ o$pied

3/ n$#ero$s est"3%is#ents, is te pri#"r/ dr"2 1or do#esti "nd intern"tion"%to$rists 1or its o%or, te+t$re "nd oter $ni@$e "r"teristis. Need%ess to st"te, it

is te pre#ier do#esti "nd intern"tion"% to$rist destin"tion in te Pi%ippines.5;

More t"n " de"de "&o, respondent Proine 3$i%t te C"ti%"n Jett/ Port "ndP"ssen&er Ter#in"% "t B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n to 3e te #"in &"te2"/ to Bor""/. It "%so

3$i%t te orrespondin& C"&3"n Jett/ Port "nd P"ssen&er Ter#in"% to 3e te reeiin&

end 1or to$rists in Bor""/. Respondent Proine oper"tes 3ot ports to proide

str$t$r"% 1"i%ities s$ited 1or %o"%s, to$rists "nd &$ests "nd to proide s"1et/ "nd

se$rit/ #e"s$res.4;

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In ')), Bor""/ ')*) S$##it 2"s e%d "nd p"rtiip"ted in 3/ represent"ties

1ro# n"tion"% &oern#ent "&enies, %o"% &oern#ent $nits 7LFs8, "nd te pri"te

setor. Petitioner 2"s one o1 te or&"ni=ers "nd p"rtiip"nts tereto. Te S$##it

"i#ed to re-est"3%is " o##on ision o1 "%% st"0eo%ders to ens$re te onser"tion,

restor"tion, "nd preser"tion o1 Bor""/ Is%"nd "nd to dee%op "n "tion p%"n t"t

2o$%d "%%o2; "%% setors to 2or0 in onert "#on& "nd 2it e" oter 1or te %on&

ter# 3ene1it "nd s$st"in"3i%it/ o1 te is%"nd "nd te o##$nit/.*); Te S$##it

/ie%ded " Ter#in"% Report**; st"tin& t"t te p"rtiip"nts "d s"red teir dre"# o1

"in& 2or%d-%"ss %"nd, 2"ter "nd "ir in1r"str$t$re, "s 2e%% "s &ien teir

o3ser"tions t"t &oern#ent s$pport 2"s %"0in&, in1r"str$t$re 2"s poor, "nd, #ore

i#port"nt%/, te in1%$+ o1 to$rists to Bor""/ 2"s inre"sin&. Te Report so2ed t"t

tere 2"s " need to e+p"nd te port 1"i%ities "t C"ti%"n d$e to on&estion in te

o%din& "re" o1 te e+istin& port, "$sed 3/ in"de@$"te 1"i%ities, t$s to$rists s$11ered

%on& @$e$es 2i%e 2"itin& 1or te 3o"t ride &oin& to te is%"nd.*';

Respondent Proine %"i#ed t"t to$rist "rri"%s to Bor""/ re"ed

"ppro+i#"te%/ (>4,4 in '))4 "nd 4,((( in ')*), "nd tis 2"s e+peted to re" "

reord o1 * #i%%ion to$rist "rri"%s in te /e"rs to o#e.T$s, respondent Proine

onept$"%i=ed te e+p"nsion o1 te port 1"i%ities "t B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n. *;

Te Sangguniang Barangay o1 C"ti%"n, M"%"/ M$niip"%it/,

iss$ed Ro2&3o No. 14, . 5$$"*>; on Apri% ', '))5 st"tin& t"t it "d %e"rned

t"t respondent Proine "d 1i%ed "n "pp%i"tion 2it te DENR 1or " 1oresore

%e"se o1 "re"s "%on& te sore%ines o1 B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n, "nd #"ni1estin& its stron&

opposition to s"id "pp%i"tion, "s te proposed 1oresore %e"se pr"ti"%%/ oered

"%#ost "%% te o"st%ines o1 s"id barangay, tere3/ teni"%%/ di#inisin& its

territori"% 9$risdition, one &r"nted, "nd depriin& its onstit$ents o1 teir st"t$tor/

ri&t o1 pre1erene in te dee%op#ent "nd $ti%i="tion o1 te n"t$r"% reso$res2itin its 9$risdition. Te reso%$tion 1$rter st"ted t"t respondent Proine did

not ond$t "n/ ons$%t"tions 2it te Sangguniang Barangay o1 C"ti%"n

re&"rdin& te proposed 1oresore %e"se, 2i 1"i%$re te Sanggunian onsidered

"s "n "t o1 3"d 1"it on te p"rt o1 respondent Proine.*;


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On Noe#3er '), '))5, te Sangguniang Panlalawigan o1 respondent

Proine "pproed Ro2&3o No. 5$$"-4!,*(; 1or#"%%/ "$tori=in& oernor

M"r@$e= to enter into ne&oti"tions to2"rds te possi3i%it/ o1 e11etin& se%1-

%i@$id"tin& "nd ino#e-prod$in& dee%op#ent "nd %ie%iood pro9ets to 3e

1in"ned tro$& 3onds, de3ent$res, se$rities, o%%"ter"%s, notes or oter

o3%i&"tions "s proided $nder Setion '44 o1 te Lo"% oern#ent Code, 2it te

1o%%o2in& priorit/ pro9ets: 7"8 reno"tionGre"3i%it"tion o1 te C"ti%"nGC"&3"n

P"ssen&er Ter#in"% B$i%din&s "nd Jett/ Ports< "nd 738 re%"#"tion o1 " portion o1

C"ti%"n 1oresore 1or o##eri"% p$rposes.*; Tis step 2"s t"0en "s respondent

Proines e+istin& 9ett/ port "nd p"ssen&er ter#in"% 2"s 1$nded tro$& 3ond

1%ot"tion, 2i 2"s s$ess1$%%/ redee#ed "nd p"id "e"d o1 te t"r&et d"te. Tis

2"s "%%e&ed%/ ited "s one o1 te LFs Best Pr"ties 2erein respondent

Proine 2"s &ien te "ppropri"te o##end"tion.*5;

Respondent Proine in%$ded te proposed e+p"nsion o1 te port 1"i%ities

"t B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n in its '))4 Ann$"% Inest#ent P%"n,*4; enisioned "s its

pro9et site te "re" "d9"ent to te e+istin& 9ett/ port, "nd identi1ied "ddition"%

"re"s "%on& te o"st%ine o1 B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n "s te site 1or 1$t$re pro9et

e+p"nsion.');

oernor M"r@$e= sent " %etter to respondent PRA on M"r *','))4'*; e+pressin& te interest o1 respondent Proine to re%"i# "3o$t 5.!6

7/ o1 %"nd "%on& te 1oresores o1 B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n, M$niip"%it/ o1

M"%"/, Proine o1 A0%"n.

So#eti#e in Apri% '))4, respondent Proine entered into "n "&ree#ent 2it te

6in"ni"% AdisorGCons$%t"nt t"t 2on in te 3iddin& proess e%d " #ont 3e1ore,

to ond$t te neess"r/ 1e"si3i%it/ st$d/ o1 te proposed pro9et 1or te

Reno"tionGRe"3i%it"tion o1 te C"ti%"n P"ssen&er Ter#in"% B$i%din& "nd Jett/Port, En"ne#ent "nd Reoer/ o1 O%d C"ti%"n Co"st%ine, "nd Re%"#"tion o1 "

Portion o1 6oresore 1or Co##eri"% P$rposes 77 M3 Po8/8, in M"%"/,

A0%"n.'';

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S$3se@$ent%/, on M"/ , '))4, te Sangguniang Panlalawigan o1 respondent

Proine iss$ed Ro2&3o No. 5$$11$,'; 2i &7o390 Go:o

M;&9 o +32

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2"teer o##ents t"t /o$ #"/ "e on tis EPRMP.); 7E#p"sis

"dded.8

Respondent Proine 2"s ten "$tori=ed to iss$e C"ti%"n S$per M"rin"

Bonds 1or te p$rpose o1 1$ndin& te reno"tion o1 te C"ti%"n Jett/ Port "nd

P"ssen&er Ter#in"% B$i%din&, "nd te re%"#"tion o1 " portion o1 te 1oresore %e"se

"re" 1or o##eri"% p$rposes in M"%"/, A0%"n tro$& Po:3/32 O03/ No.

5$$-$14, "pproed on Septe#3er *), '))4. Te s"id ordin"ne "$tori=ed oernor

M"r@$e= to ne&oti"te, si&n "nd e+e$te "&ree#ents in re%"tion to te iss$"ne o1 te

C"ti%"n S$per M"rin" Bonds in te "#o$nt not e+eedin& P'(),))),))).)).*;

S$3se@$ent%/, te Sangguniang Panlalawigan o1 te Proine o1 A0%"n

iss$ed Po:3/32 O03/ No. 5$$-$1'; on Oto3er *, '))4, "#endin&

Proini"% Ordin"ne No. '))4-)*, "$tori=in& te 3ond 1%ot"tion o1 te Proine o1

A0%"n tro$& oernor M"r@$e= to 1$nd te M"rin" Pro9et "nd "ppropri"te te

entire proeeds o1 s"id 3onds 1or te pro9et, "nd 1$rter "$tori=in& oernor

M"r@$e= to ne&oti"te, si&n "nd e+e$te ontr"ts or "&ree#ents pertinent to te

tr"ns"tion.;

itin te s"#e #ont o1 Oto3er '))4, respondent Proine de%i3er"ted on

te possi3%e e+p"nsion 1ro# its ori&in"% proposed re%"#"tion "re" o1 '.(> et"resto 1ort/ 7>)8 et"res in order to #"+i#i=e te $ti%i="tion o1 its reso$res "nd "s "

response to te 1indin&s o1 te Pre%i#in"r/ eo"="rd Assess#ent st$d/ 2i

so2ed t"t te reession "nd retre"t o1 te sore%ine "$sed 3/ o"st"% erosion "nd

so$rin& so$%d 3e te 1irst #"9or onern in te pro9et site "nd ne"r3/ o"st"%

"re". Te st$d/ %i0e2ise indi"ted te $%ner"3i%it/ o1 te o"st"% =one 2itin te

proposed pro9et site "nd te ne"r3/ o"st"% "re" d$e to te e11ets o1 se" %ee% rise

"nd %i#"te "n&e 2i 2i%% &re"t%/ "11et te soi"%, eono#i, "nd

eniron#ent"% sit$"tion o1 C"ti%"n "nd ne"r3/ M"%"/ o"st"% o##$nities.>;

In is %etter d"ted Oto3er '', '))4 "ddressed to respondent PRA, oernor

M"r@$e= 2rote:

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it o$r s$3st"nti"% o#p%i"ne 2it te re@$ire#ents $nder

Ad#inistr"tie Order No. '))-' re%"tie to o$r re@$est to PRA 1or

"ppro"% o1 te re%"#"tion o1 te proposed Be" Zone Restor"tion

"nd Protetion M"rine Dee%op#ent in B"r"n&"/s C"ti%"n "nd M"no-

M"no; "nd "s " res$%t o1 o$r dis$ssion d$rin& te #eetin& 2it te

respondent PRA on Oto3er *', '))4;, #"/ 2e respet1$%%/ s$3#it" :30 R/2'3o Po8/ D/3, '))4. Tis 2i%% p"e te 2"/ 1or te i#p%e#ent"tion o1 s"id pro9et.

Brie1%/, te Proine "s 3een reo&ni=ed 3/ te B$re"$ o1 Lo"%

oern#ent 6in"ne 7BL68 1or its "p"3i%it/ to #eet its %o"n

o3%i&"tions. + + +.

it te ontin$ed inre"se o1 to$rists o#in& to Bor""/ tro$&

C"ti%"n, te Proine is ent$rin& into s$ dee%op#ent pro9et 2it

te end in ie2 o1 protetion "ndGor restorin& ert"in seents o1 te

sore%ine in B"r"n&"/s C"ti%"n 7C"ti%"n side8 "nd M"no-#"no

7Bor""/ side8 2i, "s reported 3/ e+perts, "s 3een e+perienin&

tre#endo$s o"st"% erosion.

6or te pro9et to 3e se%1-%i@$id"tin&, o2eer, 2e 2i%% 3e

dee%opin& te re%"i#ed %"nd 1or o##eri"% "nd to$ris#-re%"ted

1"i%ities "nd 1or oter o#p%e#ent"r/ $ses.; 7E#p"sis o$rs.8

Ten, on Noe#3er *4, '))4, te Sangguniang

Panlalawigan en"ted Ro2&3o No. 5$$-5(; "$tori=in& oernor M"r@$e= to

enter into " Me#or"nd$# o1 A&ree#ent 7MOA8 2it respondent PRA in te

i#p%e#ent"tion o1 te Be" Zone Restor"tion "nd Protetion M"rin" Dee%op#ent

Pro9et, >73/7 722 /23' o2 o+ 6$ 7/ in te "re"s "d9"ent to te 9ett/

ports "t B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n "nd B"r"n&"/ M"no-#"no. Te Sangguniang

Panlalawigan "pproed te ter#s "nd onditions o1 te neess"r/ "&ree#ents 1or te

i#p%e#ent"tion o1 te 3ond 1%ot"tion o1 respondent Proine to 1$nd te

reno"tionGre"3i%it"tion o1 te e+istin& 9ett/ port 3/ 2"/ o1 en"ne#ent "nd

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reoer/ o1 te O%d C"ti%"n sore%ine tro$& re%"#"tion o1 "n "re" o1 5.!6

7/ in te "#o$nt o1 P'(),))),))).)) on Dee#3er *, '))4.;

Respondent Proine &"e "n initi"% present"tion o1 te pro9et 2it

ons$%t"tion to te Sangguniang Bayan o1 M"%"/5; on Dee#3er 4, '))4.

R'; 7E#p"sess$pp%ied.8

I > 73

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. J$%/ *, ')*) "t B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n P%"="(;

d. Septe#3er *, ')*) "t te O11ie o1 te Proini"% oernor 2it M$niip"%

M"/or o1 M"%"/ M"/or Jon P. !"p;

e. Oto3er *', ')*) "t te O11ie o1 te Proini"% oernor 2it te Proini"%

Dee%op#ent Co$ni% E+e$tie Co##ittee5; "nd

1. Oto3er '4, ')*) "t te O11ie o1 te Proini"% oernor 2it O11ii"%s o1

LF-M"%"/ "nd Petitioner.>4;

Petitioner %"i#s t"t d$rin& te p$3%i ons$%t"tion #eetin& 3e%"ted%/ "%%ed 3/

respondent Proine on J$ne *, ')*), respondent Proine presented te

Re%"#"tion Pro9et "nd on%/ ten det"i%ed te "tions t"t it "d "%re"d/ $ndert"0en, p"rti$%"r%/: te iss$"ne o1 te C"ti%"n S$per M"rin" Bonds< te e+e$tion o1 te

MOA 2it respondent PRA< te "%%e&ed ond$t o1 "n Eniron#ent"% I#p"t

Assess#ent 7EIA8 st$d/ 1or te re%"#"tion pro9et< "nd te

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Bor""/ onsiderin& te pro+i#it/ in dist"ne, &eo&r"pi"% %o"tion, $rrent "nd

2ind diretion, "nd #"n/ oter eniron#ent"% onsider"tions in te "re". Petitioner

noted t"t s"id do$#ents "d 1"i%ed to de"% 2it o"st"% erosion onerns in

Bor""/. It "%so noted t"t respondent Proine 1"i%ed to o#p%/ 2it ert"in

#"nd"tor/ proisions o1 te Lo"% oern#ent Code, p"rti$%"r%/, tose re@$irin& te

pro9et proponent to ond$t ons$%t"tions 2it st"0eo%ders.

Petitioner %i0e2ise tr"ns#itted its Ro2&3o No. $$1, S3 o+ 5$1$,

re&isterin& its opposition to te re%"#"tion pro9et to respondent Proine,

respondent PRA, respondent DENR-EMB, te N"tion"% Eono#i Dee%op#ent

A$torit/ Re&ion VI, te M"%"/ M$niip"%it/, "nd oter onerned entities. >;

Petitioner "%%e&es t"t despite te M"%"/ M$niip"%it/s deni"% o1 respondent

Proines re@$est 1or " 1"or"3%e endorse#ent, "s 2e%% "s te stron& opposition

#"ni1ested 3ot 3/ B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n "nd petitioner "s "n NO, respondent Proine

sti%% ontin$ed 2it te i#p%e#ent"tion o1 te Re%"#"tion Pro9et.;

On J$%/ '(, ')*), te Sangguniang Panlalawigan o1 respondent Proine

30 Ro2&3o No. $6!, . 5$1$, o+ 7 M&3/3

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re%"#"tion pro9et, s$39et to o#p%i"ne 2it te re@$ire#ents o1 its E"%$"tion

Report. Te re%"#"tion pro9et 2"s desri3ed "s:

A; se"1ront dee%op#ent ino%in& re%"#"tion o1 "n "&&re&"te "re" o1

#ore or %ess, +o* (6$) 7/ in t2o 7'8 sep"r"te sites 3ot in M"%"/M$niip"%it/, A0%"n Proine. S3 1 3 3 B?*. C3/2 >37 o2 o+ 4!."5 7/ 0 S3 5 3 B?*. Mo/-Mo/, Bo/* I20 >37 o2

o+ 4.1" 7/. Sites * "nd ' "re on te opposite sides o1 T"3on Str"it,"3o$t *,')) #eters "p"rt. + + +. 5; 7E#p"ses "dded.8

Te Sangguniang Panlalawigan o1 A0%"n, tro$& Ro2&3o No. 5$1$-$46,4; "ddressed te "ppreensions o1 petitioner e#3odied in its Reso%$tion No. ))*, s.

')*), "nd s$pported te i#p%e#ent"tion o1 te pro9et. S"id reso%$tion st"ted t"t te

"ppreensions o1 petitioner 2it re&"rd to te eono#i, soi"% "nd po%iti"% ne&"tiei#p"ts o1 te pro9ets 2ere #ere pereptions "nd &ener"%ities "nd 2ere not "nored

on de1inite sienti1i, soi"% "nd po%iti"% st$dies.

In te #e"nti#e, " st$d/ 2"s o##issioned 3/ te Pi%ippine C"#3er o1

Co##ere "nd Ind$str/-Bor""/ 7PCCI-Bor""/8, 1$nded 3/ te D, ')**, te Sangguniang Panlalawigan o1 A0%"n, tro$& its

Co##ittee on Cooper"ties, 6ood, A&ri$%t$re, "nd Eniron#ent"% Protetion "nd te

Co##ittee on To$ris#, Tr"de, Ind$str/ "nd Co##ere, ond$ted " 9oint o##ittee

e"rin& 2erein te st$d/ $ndert"0en 3/ te MER6-FPMSI 2"s dis$ssed. ('; In

"ttend"ne 2ere Mr. Arie% A3ri"#, President o1 PCCI-Bor""/, represent"ties 1ro#


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te Proini"% oern#ent, "nd Dr. Ces"r Vi%%"no/, " pro1essor 1ro# te FPMSI. Dr.

Vi%%"no/ s"id t"t te s$39et pro9et, onsistin& o1 5.!6 7/, 2o$%d on%/

"e insignificant e11et on te /drod/n"#is o1 te str"it tr"ersin& te o"st%ine o1

B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n "nd Bor""/, ene, tere 2"s " distant possibility t"t it 2o$%d

"11et te Bor""/ o"st%ine, 2i in%$des te 1"#o$s 2ite-s"nd 3e" o1 te

is%"nd.(;

T$s, on Apri% (, ')**, te Sangguniang Panlalawigan o1 A0%"n

en"ted Ro2&3o No. 5$11-$!(>; notin& te report on te s$re/ o1 te "nne%

3et2een C"ti%"n "nd Bor""/ ond$ted 3/ te FPMSI in re%"tion to te e11ets o1

te on&oin& re%"#"tion to Bor""/ 3e"es, "nd st"tin& t"t Dr. Vi%%"no/ "d

"d#itted t"t no2ere in teir st$d/ 2"s it pointed o$t t"t tere 2o$%d 3e "n "derse

e11et on te 2ite-s"nd 3e" o1 Bor""/.

D$rin& te 6irst H$"rter Re&$%"r Meetin& o1 te Re&ion"% Dee%op#ent

Co$ni%, Re&ion VI 7RDC-VI8 on Apri% *(, ')**, it "pproed "nd s$pported te

s$39et pro9et 7oerin& '.(> et"res8 tro$& RDC-VI Ro2&3o No. VI-5!,

3 o+ 5$11.(;

S$3se@$ent%/, Mr. A3ri"# sent " %etter to oernor M"r@$e= d"ted Apri% ',

')** st"tin& t"t te st$d/ ond$ted 3/ te FPMSI on1ir#s t"t te 2"ter 1%o2

"ross te C"ti%"n-Bor""/ "nne% is pri#"ri%/ tide-drien, tere1ore, te #"rinesientists 3e%iee t"t te '.(>-et"re pro9et o1 respondent Proine 2o$%d not

si&ni1i"nt%/ "11et te 1%o2 in te "nne% "nd 2o$%d $n%i0e%/ i#p"t te Bor""/

3e"es. B"sed on tis, PCCI-Bor""/ st"ted t"t it 2"s not opposin& te '.(>-et"re

C"ti%"n re%"#"tion pro9et on eniron#ent"% &ro$nds. ((;

On J$ne *, ')**, petitioner 1i%ed te inst"nt Petition 1or Eniron#ent"%

Protetion OrderGIss$"ne o1 te rit o1 Contin$in& Mandamus. On J$ne , ')**, tis

Co$rt iss$ed " T'

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ontr"tor to e"se "nd desist 1ro# ond$tin& "n/ onstr$tion "tiities $nti% 1$rter

orders 1ro# tis Co$rt.

Te petition is pre#ised on te 1o%%o2in& &ro$nds:

I.

T?E RESPONDENT PROVINCE, PROPONENT O6 T?E

RECLAMATION PROJECT, 6AILED TO COMPL! IT?

RELEVANT RFLES AND REFLATIONS IN T?E ACHFISITION

O6 AN ECC.

A. T?E RECLAMATION PROJECT IS CO-LOCATED IT?INENVIRONMENTALL! CRITICAL AREAS REHFIRIN T?E

PER6ORMANCE O6 A 6FLL, OR PRORAMMATIC,

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT.

B. RESPONDENT PROVINCE 6AILED TO OBTAIN T?E 6AVORABLE

ENDORSEMENT O6 T?E LF CONCERNED.

C. RESPONDENT PROVINCE 6AILED TO CONDFCT T?E REHFIRED

CONSFLTATION PROCEDFRES AS REHFIRED B! T?E LOCALOVERNMENT CODE.

D. RESPONDENT PROVINCE 6AILED TO PER6ORM A 6FLL

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AS REHFIRED B! LAAND RELEVANT REFLATIONS.

II.

T?E RECLAMATION O6 LAND BORDERIN T?E STRAIT

BETEEN CATICLAN AND BORACA! S?ALL ADVERSEL!

A66ECT T?E 6RAIL ECOLOICAL BALANCE O6 T?E AREA.(5;

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn69http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn69

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Petitioner o39ets to respondent Proines %"ssi1i"tion o1 te re%"#"tion

pro9et "s sin&%e inste"d o1 o-%o"ted, "s non-eniron#ent"%%/ riti"%, "nd "s " #ere

re"3i%it"tion o1 te e+istin& 9ett/ port. Petitioner points o$t t"t te re%"#"tion

pro9et is on t2o sites 72i "re sit$"ted on te opposite sides o1 T"3on Str"it, "3o$t

*,')) #eters "p"rt8:

(.5' et"res Site *, in B&/. C"ti%"n

.*5 et"res Site ', in M"no-#"no, Bor""/ Is%"nd (4;

P"se *, 2i 2"s st"rted in Dee#3er ')*) 2ito$t te neess"r/ per#its,); is %o"ted on te C"ti%"n side o1 " n"rro2 str"it sep"r"tin& #"in%"nd A0%"n 1ro#

Bor""/. In te i#p%e#ent"tion o1 te pro9et, respondent Proine o3t"ined on%/ "n

ECC to ond$t P"se *, inste"d o1 "n ECC on te entire >) et"res. T$s, petitioner

"r&$es t"t respondent Proine "3$sed "nd e+p%oited te R:30 Po/0&2

M&2 1or DENR A0'333: O0 No. 4$, S3 o+ 5$$4 (DENR DAO

5$$4-4$)*; re%"tin& to te "@$isition o1 "n ECC 3/:

*. De%"rin& te re%"#"tion pro9et $nder Go&< II Po8/-No-ECP

(:3o'22* /33/2

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:03? 7 ;&3' 7 /o-2o/0 ; >373 E:3o'22*

C33/2 A (ECA) '& &'3 PEIS 0o PEPRMP.

Petitioner "r&$es t"t respondent Proine 1r"$d$%ent%/ %"ssi1ied "nd

#isrepresented te pro9et "s " Non-ECP in "n ECA, "nd "s " sin&%e pro9et inste"d o1

" o-%o"ted one. Te i#p"t "ssess#ent "%%e&ed%/ per1or#ed &ies " p"tent%/

erroneo$s "nd 2ron&%/-pre#ised "ppr"is"% o1 te possi3%e eniron#ent"% i#p"t o1

te re%"#"tion pro9et. Petitioner ontends t"t respondent Proines oie o1

%"ssi1i"tion 2"s desi&ned to "oid " o#preensie i#p"t "ssess#ent o1 te

re%"#"tion pro9et.

Petitioner 1$rter ontends t"t respondent DENR-EMB RVI 2i%%1$%%/ "nd

de%i3er"te%/ disre&"rded its d$t/ to ens$re t"t te eniron#ent is proteted 1ro#

"r#1$% dee%op#ent"% pro9ets 3e"$se it "%%e&ed%/ per1or#ed on%/ " $rsor/ "nd

s$per1ii"% reie2 o1 te do$#ents s$3#itted 3/ te respondent Proine 1or "n

ECC, 1"i%in& to note t"t "%% te in1or#"tion "nd d"t" $sed 3/ respondent Proine in

its "pp%i"tion 1or te ECC 2ere "%% d"ted "nd not $rrent, "s d"t" 2"s &"tered in te

%"te *44)s 1or te ECC iss$ed in *444 1or te 1irst 9ett/ port. T$s, petitioner "%%e&es

t"t respondent DENR-EMB RVI i&nored te eniron#ent"% i#p"t to Bor""/,

2i ino%es "n&es in te str$t$re o1 te o"st%ine t"t o$%d ontri3$te to te

"n&es in te "r"teristis o1 te s"nd in te 3e"es o1 3ot C"ti%"n "nd Bor""/.

Petitioner insists t"t re%"#"tion o1 %"nd "t te C"ti%"n side 2i%% $n"oid"3%/

"derse%/ "11et te Bor""/ side "nd notes t"t te de%"red o39etie o1 te

re%"#"tion pro9et is 1or te e+p%oit"tion o1 Bor""/s to$rist tr"de, sine te pro9et is

intended to en"ne s$pport series tereto. B$t, petitioner "r&$es, te pri#"r/

re"son 1or Bor""/s pop$%"rit/ is its 2ite-s"nd 3e"es 2i 2i%% 3e ne&"tie%/

"11eted 3/ te pro9et.

Petitioner "%%e&es t"t respondent PRA "d re@$ired respondent Proine to

o3t"in te 1"or"3%e endorse#ent o1 te LFs o1 B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n "nd M"%"/

M$niip"%it/ p$rs$"nt to te ons$%t"tion proed$res "s re@$ired 3/ te Lo"%

oern#ent Code.; Petitioner "sserts t"t te re%"#"tion pro9et is in io%"tion not

on%/ o1 %"2s on EIS 3$t "%so o1 te Lo"% oern#ent Code "s respondent Proine


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1"i%ed to enter into proper ons$%t"tions 2it te onerned LFs. In 1"t, te Liga ng

mga Barangay-M"%"/ C"pter "%so e+pressed stron& opposition "&"inst te pro9et.(;

Petitioner ites Setions '( "nd ' o1 te Lo"% oern#ent Code, 2i

re@$ire ons$%t"tions i1 te pro9et or pro&r"# #"/ "$se po%%$tion, %i#"ti "n&e,

dep%etion o1 non-rene2"3%e reso$res, etc.Aordin& to petitioner, respondent

Proine i&nored te LFs opposition e+pressed "s e"r%/ "s '))5. Not on%/ t"t,

respondent Proine 3e%"ted%/ "%%ed 1or p$3%i ons$%t"tion #eetin&s on J$ne * "nd

J$%/ '5, ')*), "1ter "n ECC "d "%re"d/ 3een iss$ed "nd te MOA 3et2een

respondents PRA "nd Proine "d "%re"d/ 3een e+e$ted. As te petitioner s"2 it,

tese 2ere not ons$%t"tions 3$t #ere pro9et present"tions.

Petitioner %"i#s t"t respondent Proine, "ided "nd "3etted 3/ respondents

PRA "nd DENR-EMB, i&nored te spirit "nd %etter o1 te Reised Proed$r"% M"n$"%,

intended to i#p%e#ent te "rio$s re&$%"tions &oernin& te Eniron#ent"% I#p"t

Assess#ents 7EIAs8 to ens$re t"t dee%op#ent"% pro9ets "re in %ine 2it s$st"in"3%e

dee%op#ent o1 n"t$r"% reso$res. Te pro9et 2"s onept$"%i=ed 2ito$t onsiderin&

"%tern"ties.

6$rter, "s to its "%%e&"tion t"t respondent Proine 1"i%ed to per1or# " 1$%%

EIA, petitioner "r&$es t"t 2i%e it is tr$e t"t "s o1 no2, on%/ te C"ti%"n side "s 3een iss$ed "n ECC, te entire pro9et ino%es te Bor""/ side, 2i so$%d "e

3een onsidered " o-%o"ted pro9et. P33o /23' 7 *

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Re&"rdin& its %"i# t"t te re%"#"tion o1 %"nd 3orderin& te str"it 3et2een

C"ti%"n "nd Bor""/ s"%% "derse%/ "11et te 1r"i% eo%o&i"% 3"%"ne o1 te "re",

petitioner s$3#its t"t 2i%e te st$d/ ond$ted 3/ te MER6-FPMSI on%/

onsiders te i#p"t o1 te re%"#"tion pro9et on te %"nd, it is $ndeni"3%e t"t it 2i%%

"%so "derse%/ "11et te "%re"d/ 1r"i% eo%o&i"% 3"%"ne o1 te "re". Te e11et o1 te

pro9et 2o$%d "e 3een proper%/ "ssessed i1 te proper EIA "d 3een per1or#ed prior

to "n/ i#p%e#ent"tion o1 te pro9et.

Aordin& to petitioner, respondent Proines intended p$rposes do not pre"i%

oer its d$t/ "nd o3%i&"tion to protet te eniron#ent. Petitioner 3e%iees t"t

re"3i%it"tion o1 te Jett/ Port #"/ 3e done tro$& oter #e"ns.

In its Co''5; d"ted J$ne '*, ')**, respondent Proine %"i#ed t"t

"pp%i"tion 1or re%"#"tion o1 6$ 7/ is "d"nt"&eo$s to te Proini"%

oern#ent onsiderin& t"t its 1i%in& 1ee 2o$%d on%/ ost Pp'),))).)) p%$s V"%$e

Added T"+ 7VAT8 2i is "%so te #ini#$# 1ee "s presri3ed $nder Setion >.' o1

Ad#inistr"tie Order No. '))-'.4;

Respondent Proine onsiders te inst"nt petition to 3e pre#"t$re< t$s, it

#$st neess"ri%/ 1"i% 1or %"0 o1 "$se o1 "tion d$e to te 1"i%$re o1 petitioner to 1$%%/e+"$st te ""i%"3%e "d#inistr"tie re#edies een 3e1ore see0in& 9$dii"%

re%ie1. Aordin& to respondent Proine, te petition pri#"ri%/ "ss"i%ed te deision

o1 respondent DENR-EMB RVI in &r"ntin& te ECC 1or te s$39et pro9et onsistin&

o1 5.!6 7/"nd so$&t te "ne%%"tion o1 te ECC 1or "%%e&ed 1"i%$re o1

respondent Proine to s$3#it proper do$#ent"tion "s re@$ired 1or its

iss$"ne. ?ene, te &ro$nds re%ied $pon 3/ petitioner "n 3e "ddressed 2itin te

on1ines o1 "d#inistr"tie proesses proided 3/ %"2.

Respondent Proine 3e%iees t"t $nder Setion .>. o1 DENR

Ad#inistr"tie Order No. '))-) 7DAO '))-)8, 5); te iss$"ne o1 "n ECC5*; is "n

o11ii"% deision o1 DENR-EMB RVI on te "pp%i"tion o1 " pro9et proponent. 5'; It

ites S/3o ! o+ DENR DAO 5$$4-4$, 2i proides 1or " re#ed/ ""i%"3%e to te

p"rt/ "&&rieed 3/ te 1in"% deision on te proponents ECC "pp%i"tions.


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Respondent Proine "r&$es t"t te inst"nt petition is "nored on " 2ron&

pre#ise t"t res$%ts to petitioners $n1o$nded 1e"rs "nd 3"se%ess "ppreensions. It is

respondent Proines ontention t"t its '.(>-et"re re%"#"tion pro9et is

onsidered "s " st"nd "%one pro9et, sep"r"te "nd independent 1ro# te "pproed "re"

o1 >) et"res. T$s, petitioner so$%d "e o3sered te di11erene 3et2een te

1$t$re dee%op#ent p%"n o1 respondent Proine 1ro# its "t$"% pro9et 3ein&

$ndert"0en.5;

Respondent Proine %e"r%/ does not disp$te te 1"t t"t it reised its ori&in"%

"pp%i"tion to respondent PRA 1ro# '.(> et"res to >) et"res. ?o2eer, it %"i#s

t"t s$ reision is p"rt o1 its +&& et"res on%/,

"s ori&in"%%/ p%"nned "nd onept$"%i=ed, 2i 2"s een red$ed to '.' et"res d$e

to so#e onstr$tion "nd desi&n #odi1i"tions.

T$s, respondent Proine "%%e&es t"t 1ro# its st"ndpoint, its "p"3i%it/ to

re%"i# is %i#ited to '.(> et"res on%/, 3"sed on respondent PRAs E"%$"tion

Report5;

d"ted Oto3er *5, ')*), 2i 2"s in t$rn te 3"sis o1 te iss$"ne o1 te Notie to Proeed d"ted Oto3er *4, ')*), 3e"$se te pro9ets 1in"ni"% o#ponent

is P'(),))),))).)) on%/. S"id E"%$"tion Report indi"tes t"t te i#p%e#ent"tion o1

te oter p"ses o1 te pro9et in%$din& site ', 2i onsists o1 te oter portions o1

te >)-et"re "re" t"t in%$des " portion in Bor""/, is sti%% 2itin te *)-/e"r period

"nd 2i%% depend %"r&e%/ on te ""i%"3i%it/ o1 1$nds o1 respondent Proine.55;


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So, een i1 respondent PRA "pproed "n "re" t"t 2o$%d tot"% $p to >) et"res,

it 2"s diided into p"ses in order to deter#ine te period o1 its i#p%e#ent"tion. E"

p"se 2"s sep"r"te "nd independent 3e"$se te so$re o1 1$nds 2"s "%so

sep"r"te. Te re@$ired do$#ents "nd re@$ire#ents 2ere "%so spei1i 1or e"

p"se. Te entire "pproed "re" o1 >) et"res o$%d 3e i#p%e#ented 2itin " period

o1 *) /e"rs 3$t tis 2o$%d depend so%e%/ on te ""i%"3i%it/ o1 1$nds.54;

As 1"r "s respondent Proine $nderst"nds it, "ddition"% re%"#"tions not

oered 3/ te ECC, 2i on%/ "pproed '.(> et"res, so$%d $nder&o "noter

EIA. I1 respondent Proine intends to o##ene te onstr$tion on te oter

o#ponent o1 te >) et"res, ten it "&rees t"t it is #"nd"ted to se$re " ne2 ECC.

4);

Respondent Proine "d#its t"t it dre"#t o1 " >)-et"re pro9et, een i1 it

"d ori&in"%%/ p%"nned "nd 2"s "t present on%/ 1in"ni"%%/ e@$ipped "nd %e&"%%/

o#p%i"nt to $ndert"0e '.(> et"res o1 te pro9et, "nd on%/ "s "n e+p"nsion o1 its

o%d 9ett/ port.4*;

Respondent Proine %"i#s t"t it "s o#p%ied 2it "%% te neess"r/

re@$ire#ents 1or se$rin& "n ECC. On te iss$e t"t te re%"#"tion pro9et is 2itin"n ECA re@$irin& te per1or#"ne o1 " 1$%% or pro&r"##"ti EIA, respondent

Proine reiter"tes t"t te ide" o1 e+p"ndin& te "re" to >) et"res is on%/ " 1$t$re

p%"n. It on%/ se$red "n ECC 1or '.(> et"res, 3"sed on te %i#its o1 its 1$ndin& "nd

"$torit/. 6ro# te 3e&innin&, its intention 2"s to re"3i%it"te "nd e+p"nd te e+istin&

9ett/ port ter#in"% to "o##od"te "n inre"sin& pro9eted tr"11i. Te s$39et pro9et

is spei1i"%%/ %"ssi1ied $nder DENR DAO '))-) on its Pro9et ro$pin& M"tri+

1or Deter#in"tion o1 EIA Report T/pe onsidered "s Minor Re%"#"tion Pro9ets

1"%%in& $nder ro$p II Non ECP in "n ECA. eter '.(> or >) et"res in "re", tes$39et pro9et 1"%%s 2itin tis %"ssi1i"tion.

Conse@$ent%/, respondent Proine %"i#s t"t petitioner erred in onsiderin&

te on&oin& re%"#"tion pro9et "t C"ti%"n, M"%"/, A0%"n, "s o-%o"ted 2itin "n

ECA.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn90http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn91http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn92http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn90http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn91http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn92

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Respondent Proine, %i0e2ise "r&$es t"t te '.(>-et"re pro9et is not "

o#ponent o1 te "pproed >)-et"re "re" "s it is ori&in"%%/ p%"nned 1or te

e+p"nsion site o1 te e+istin& C"ti%"n 9ett/ port. At present, it "s no de1inite

onept$"% onstr$tion p%"n o1 te s"id portion in Bor""/ "nd it "s no 1in"ni"%

"%%o"tion to initi"te "n/ pro9et on te s"id Bor""/ portion.

6$rter#ore, respondent Proine ontends t"t te present pro9et is %o"ted in

C"ti%"n 2i%e te "%%e&ed o#ponent t"t 1"%%s 2itin "n ECA is in

Bor""/. Considerin& its &eo&r"pi"% %o"tion, te t2o sites "nnot 3e onsidered "s

" onti&$o$s "re" 1or te re"son t"t it is sep"r"ted 3/ " 3od/ o1 2"ter " str"it t"t

tr"erses 3et2een te #"in%"nd P"n"/ 2erein C"ti%"n is %o"ted "nd

Bor""/. ?ene, it is erroneo$s to onsider te t2o sites "s " o-%o"ted pro9et 2itin

"n ECA. Bein& " st"nd "%one pro9et "nd "n e+p"nsion o1 te e+istin& 9ett/ port,

respondent DENR-EMB RVI "d re@$ired respondent Proine to per1or# "n

EPRMP to se$re "n ECC "s s"ntioned 3/ Ite# No. 5738, p"&e o1 DENR DAO

'))-).

Respondent Proine ontends t"t een i1, &r"ntin& 1or te s"0e o1 "r&$#ent, it

"d erroneo$s%/ "te&ori=ed its pro9et "s Non-ECP in "n ECA, tis 2"s not " 1in"%

deter#in"tion. Respondent DENR-EMB RVI, 2i 2"s te "d#inistr"tor o1 te EISs/ste#, "d te 1in"% deision on tis #"tter. Fnder DENR DAO '))-), "n

"pp%i"tion 1or ECC, een 1or " C"te&or/ B' pro9et 2ere "n EPRMP is ond$ted,

s"%% 3e s$39eted to " reie2 proess. Respondent DENR-EMB RVI "d te "$torit/

to den/ s"id "pp%i"tion. Its Re&ion"% Diretor o$%d eiter iss$e "n ECC 1or te

pro9et or den/ te "pp%i"tion. ?e #"/ "%so re@$ire " #ore o#preensie EIA

st$d/. Te Re&ion"% Diretor iss$ed te ECC 3"sed on te EPRMP s$3#itted 3/

respondent Proine "nd "1ter te s"#e 2ent tro$& te EIA reie2 proess.

T$s, respondent Proine on%$des t"t petitioners "%%e&"tion o1 tis 3ein& "

o-%o"ted pro9et is pre#"t$re i1 not 3"se%ess "s te 3i&&er re%"#"tion pro9et is sti%%

on te onept$"%i="tion st"&e. Bot respondents PRA "nd Proine "re /et to

o#p%ete st$dies "nd 1e"si3i%it/ st$dies to e#3"r0 on "noter pro9et.

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Respondent Proine %"i#s t"t "n o$%"r s$re/ o1 te re%"#"tion pro9et

ree"%ed t"t it "d 2or0ed 2itin te %i#its o1 te ECC.4';

it re&"rd to petitioners "%%e&"tion t"t respondent Proine 1"i%ed to &et te

1"or"3%e endorse#ent o1 te onerned LFs in io%"tion o1 te Lo"% oern#ent

Code, respondent Proine ontends t"t ons$%t"tion vis--

vis te 1"or"3%e endorse#ent 1ro# te onerned LFs "s onte#p%"ted $nder te

Lo"% oern#ent Code "re #ere%/ too%s to see0 "die "nd not " po2er %oted $pon

te LFs to $ni%"ter"%%/ "pproe or dis"pproe "n/ &oern#ent

pro9ets. 6$rter#ore, s$ endorse#ent is not neess"r/ 1or pro9ets 1"%%in& $nder

C"te&or/ B' $n%ess re@$ired 3/ te DENR-EMB RVI, $nder Setion . o1 DENR

DAO '))-).

Moreoer, DENR M'o0&' C3/&2 No. $"-5$$# no %on&er re@$ires te

iss$"ne o1 per#its "nd erti1i"tions "s " pre-re@$isite 1or te iss$"ne o1 "n

ECC. Respondent Proine %"i#s to "e ond$ted ons$%t"tie "tiities 2it

LFs in onnetion 2it Setions '( "nd ' o1 te Lo"% oern#ent Code. Te

ee#ent "nd st"$n o39etions o1 3ot te Sangguniang Barangay o1 C"ti%"n "nd

te Sangguniang Bayano1 M"%"/, "ordin& to respondent Proine, 2ere not rooted

on its pereied i#p"t $pon te peop%e "nd te o##$nit/ in ter#s o1 eniron#ent"%

or eo%o&i"% 3"%"ne, 3$t d$e to "n "%%e&ed on1%it 2it teir prinip"% position todee%op, $ti%i=e "nd re"p 3ene1its 1ro# te n"t$r"% reso$res 1o$nd 2itin its

9$risdition.4; Respondent Proine "r&$es t"t tese onerns "re not 2itin te

p$rie2 o1 te Lo"% oern#ent Code.6$rter#ore, te Pre%i#in"r/ eo"="rd

Assess#ent Report "nd EPRMP "s 2e%% "s Sangguniang Panlalawigan Reso%$tion

Nos. ')*)-)'' "nd ')*)-)> so$%d "ddress "n/ eniron#ent"% iss$e te/ #"/ r"ise.

Respondent Proine posits t"t te spirit "nd intent o1 Setions '( "nd ' o1

te Lo"% oern#ent Code is to re"te "n "en$e 1or p"rties, te proponent "nd teLF onerned, to o#e $p 2it " too% in "r#oni=in& its ie2s "nd onerns "3o$t

te pro9et. Te d$t/ to ons$%t does not "$to#"ti"%%/ re@$ire "derene to te

opinions d$rin& te ons$%t"tion proess. It is "%%e&ed%/ not 2itin te proisions to

&ie te 1$%% "$torit/ to te LF onerned to $ni%"ter"%%/ "pproe or dis"pproe te

pro9et in te &$ise o1 re@$irin& te proponent o1 se$rin&


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its 1"or"3%e endorse#ent. In tis "se, petitioner is "%%in& " "%t to te pro9et

2ito$t proidin& "n "%tern"tie reso%$tion to "r#oni=e its position "nd t"t o1

respondent Proine.

Respondent Proine %"i#s t"t te EPRMP4>; 2o$%d ree"% t"t:

T;e "re" 1rontin& te pro9et site is pr"ti"%%/ o#posed o1 s"nd. De"d or"%

o##$nities #"/ 3e 1o$nd "%on& te iinit/. T$s, 1is %i1e "t te pro9et site is

@$ite s"re d$e to te "3sene o1 #"rine s$pport s/ste#s %i0e te se" &r"ss 3eds

"nd or"% ree1s.

+ + + T;ere is no or"% oer "t te e+istin& C"ti%"n 9ett/ port. 6ro#; te

deepest point o1 9ett/ to te s"%%o2est point, tere 2"s no #ore or"% p"t "ndte s$3str"te is s"nd/. It is o1 p$3%i 0no2%ed&e t"t te s"id 1oresore "re" is

3ein& $ti%i=ed 3/ te residents eer sine "s 3ertin& or "nor"&e site o1 teir #otori=ed 3"n". Tere 2i%% 3e no possi3i%it/ o1 "n/ or"% dee%op#ent terein 3e"$se o1 its ontin$o$s $ti%i="tion. Li0e2ise, te "tiit/ o1 te str"it t"t

tr"erses 3et2een te #"in %"nd C"ti%"n "nd Bor""/ Is%"nd 2o$%d "%so 3e "

1"tor o1 te or"% dee%op#ent. Cor"%s #"/; on%/ 3e 1or#ed 2itin te "re" i1 tere is sienti1i $#"n interention, 2i is "3sent $p to te present.

In %i&t o1 te 1ore&oin& pre#ise, it "sts serio$s do$3t on petitioners

"%%e&"tions pert"inin& to te eniron#ent"% e11ets o1 Respondent-LFs '.(>et"res re%"#"tion pro9et. Te "%%e&ed eniron#ent"% i#p"t o1 te s$39et

pro9et to te 3e"es o1 Bor""/ Is%"nd re#"ins $non1ir#ed. Petitioner "d

$ns$ess1$%%/ proen t"t te pro9et 2o$%d "$se i##inent, &r"e "ndirrep"r"3%e in9$r/ to te o##$nit/.4;

Respondent Proine pr"/ed 1or te disso%$tion o1 te TEPO, %"i#in& t"t te

r$%es proide t"t te TEPO #"/ 3e disso%ed i1 it "ppe"rs "1ter e"rin& t"t its

iss$"ne or ontin$"ne 2o$%d "$se irrep"r"3%e d"#"&e to te p"rt/ or person

en9oined, 2i%e te "pp%i"nt #"/ 3e 1$%%/ o#pens"ted 1or s$ d"#"&es "s e #"/

s$11er "nd s$39et to te postin& o1 " s$11iient 3ond 3/ te p"rt/ or person

en9oined. Respondent Proine ontends t"t te TEPO 2o$%d "$se irrep"r"3%ed"#"&e in t2o "spets:

". 6in"ni"% dis%o"tion "nd pro3"3%e 3"n0r$pt/< "nd

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn95http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn96http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn96http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn95http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn96

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3. r"e "nd i##inent d"n&er to s"1et/ "nd e"%t o1 in"3it"nts o1 i##edi"te

"re", in%$din& to$rists "nd p"ssen&ers seried 3/ te 9ett/ port, 3ro$&t

"3o$t 3/ te "3r$pt ess"tion o1 dee%op#ent 2or0s.

As re&"rds 1in"ni"% dis%o"tion, te "r&$#ents o1 respondent Proine "re

s$##"ri=ed 3e%o2:

*. Tis pro9et is 1in"ned 3/ 3onds 2i te respondent Proine "d iss$ed

to its reditors "s te 1in"nin& se#e in 1$ndin& te present pro9et is 3/2"/ o1 redit 1in"nin& tro$& 3ond 1%ot"tion.

'. Te 1$nds "re 1in"ned 3/ " $"r"ntee B"n0 &ettin& p"/#ent 1ro# 3onds,

3ein& so%d to inestors, 2i in t$rn 2o$%d 3e p"id 3/ te ino#e t"t te pro9et 2o$%d re"%i=e or in$r $pon its o#p%etion.

. i%e te pro9et is $nder onstr$tion, respondent Proine is "ppropri"tin&

" portion o1 its Intern"% Reen$e A%%ot#ent 7IRA8 3$d&et 1ro# te ')

dee%op#ent 1$nd to de1r"/ te interest "nd prinip"% "#orti="tion d$e to te

$"r"ntee B"n0.

>. Te respondent Proines IRA, re&$%"r ino#e, "ndGor s$ oter reen$es or

1$nds, "s #"/ 3e per#itted 3/ %"2, "re 3ein& $sed "s se$rit/ 1or te p"/#ent

o1 te s"id %o"n $sed 1or te pro9ets onstr$tion.

. Te in"3i%it/ o1 te s$39et pro9et to e"rn reen$es "s pro9eted $pon

o#p%etion 2i%% o#pe% te Proine to so$%der te 1$%% "#o$nt o1 teo3%i&"tion, st"rtin& 1ro# /e"r ')*'.

(. Respondent proine is #"nd"ted to "ssi&n its IRA, re&$%"r ino#e "ndGor s$oter reen$es or 1$nds "s per#itted 3/ %"2< i1 pro9et is stopped, detri#ent o1

te p$3%i 2e%1"re "nd its onstit$ents.4(;

As to te seond &ro$nd 1or te disso%$tion o1 te TEPO, respondent Proine

"r&$es:

*. Non-o#p%i"ne 2it te &$ide%ines o1 te ECC #"/ res$%t to eniron#ent"%

"="rds #ost espei"%%/ t"t re%"i#ed %"nd i1 not proper%/ se$red #"/ 3e

eroded into te se".

'. Te onstr$tion "s "o#p%ised (.'( perent o1 te pro9et. Te

e#3"n0#ent t"t 2"s deposited on te pro9et "s no proper onrete 2"e

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn97http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn97http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn97

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M"n"&erGCEO to e+e$te " MOA 2it te A0%"n proini"% &oern#ent to i#p%e#ent

te re%"#"tion pro9et $nder ert"in onditions.

Te iss$e 1or respondent PRA 2"s 2eter or not it "pproed te respondent

Proines '.(>-et"re re%"#"tion pro9et propos"% in 2i%%1$% disre&"rd o1 "%%e&ed

n$#ero$s irre&$%"rities "s %"i#ed 3/ petitioner.*)*;

Respondent PRA %"i#s t"t its "ppro"% o1 te A0%"n Re%"#"tion Pro9et 2"s

in "ord"ne 2it %"2 "nd its r$%es. Indeed, it iss$ed te notie to proeed on%/ "1ter

A0%"n "d o#p%ied 2it "%% te re@$ire#ents i#posed 3/ e+istin& %"2s "nd

re&$%"tions. It 1$rter ontends t"t te >) et"res ino%ed in tis pro9et re#"ins "

p%"n inso1"r "s respondent PRA is onerned. @7 7

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possi3%/ 3e&in its re%"#"tion 2or0s sine respondent PRA "d /et to iss$e "n

NTP in its 1"or.

Respondent PRA "%%e&es t"t prior to te iss$"ne o1 te NTP to respondent

Proine 1or P"se * o1 Site *, it re@$ired te s$3#ission o1 te 1o%%o2in& pre-

onstr$tion do$#ents:

7"8 L"nd-6or# P%"n 72it teni"% desription8<

738 Site Dee%op#ent P%"nGL"nd Fse P%"n in%$din&,

7i8 se2er "nd dr"in"&e s/ste#s "nd

7ii8 2"ste 2"ter tre"t#ent<

78 En&ineerin& St$dies "nd En&ineerin& Desi&n<

7d8 Re%"#"tion Metodo%o&/<

7e8 So$res o1 6i%% M"teri"%s, "nd,

718 Te ECC.*)4;

Respondent PRA %"i#s t"t it 2"s on%/ "1ter te e"%$"tion o1 te "3oe

s$3#issions t"t it iss$ed to respondent Proine te NTP, %i#ited to te '.(>-

et"re re%"#"tion pro9et.Respondent PRA een e#p"si=ed in its e"%$"tion

report t"t so$%d respondent Proine p$rs$e te oter p"ses o1 its pro9et, it

2o$%d sti%% re@$ire te s$3#ission o1 "n ECC 1or e" s$eedin& p"ses 3e1ore te

st"rt o1 "n/ re%"#"tion 2or0s.**);

Respondent PRA, 3ein& te n"tion"% &oern#ents "r# in re&$%"tin& "ndoordin"tin& "%% re%"#"tion pro9ets in te Pi%ippines " #"nd"te on1erred 3/ %"2

#"ni1ests t"t it is in$#3ent $pon it, in te e+erise o1 its re&$%"tor/ 1$ntions, to

di%i&ent%/ e"%$"te, 3"sed on its teni"% o#petenies, "%% re%"#"tion pro9ets

s$3#itted to it 1or "ppro"%. One te re%"#"tion pro9ets re@$ire#ents set 1ort

3/ %"2 "nd re%"ted r$%es "e 3een o#p%ied 2it, respondent PRA is #"nd"ted to


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"pproe te s"#e. Respondent PRA %"i#s, 2;it "%% te 1ore&oin& ri&oro$s "nd

det"i%ed re@$ire#ents s$3#itted "nd o#p%ied 2it 3/ A0%"n, "nd te "ttend"nt

"re1$% "nd #eti$%o$s teni"% "nd %e&"% e"%$"tion 3/ respondent PRA, it "nnot

3e "r&$ed t"t te re%"#"tion per#it it iss$ed to A0%"n is 1o$nded $pon n$#ero$s

irre&$%"rities< "s re0%ess%/ "nd 3"se%ess%/ i#p$ted 3/ B6I.***;

In its Co''**'; d"ted J$%/ *, ')**, respondent DENR-EMB RVI "sserts t"t its

"t o1 iss$in& te ECC erti1ies t"t te pro9et "d $nder&one te proper EIA

proess 3/ "ssessin&, "#on& oters, te diret "nd indiret i#p"t o1 te pro9et on

te 3iop/si"% "nd $#"n eniron#ent "nd ens$rin& t"t tese i#p"ts "re

"ddressed 3/ "ppropri"te eniron#ent"% protetion "nd en"ne#ent #e"s$res,

p$rs$"nt to Presidenti"% Deree No. *5(, te Reised Proed$r"% M"n$"% 1or

DENR DAO '))-), "nd te e+istin& r$%es "nd re&$%"tions.**;

Respondent DENR-EMB RVI stresses t"t te de%"r"tion in *45 o1 seer"%

is%"nds, 2i in%$des Bor""/ "s to$rist =one "nd #"rine resere $nder

Pro%"#"tion No. *5)*, "s no re%e"ne to te e+p"nsion pro9et o1 C"ti%"n Jett/

Port "nd P"ssen&er Ter#in"% 1or te er/ re"son t"t te pro9et is not %o"ted in

te Is%"nd o1 Bor""/, 3ein& %o"ted in B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n, M"%"/, 2i is not "

p"rt o1 #"in%"nd P"n"/. It "d#its t"t te site o1 te s$39et 9ett/ port 1"%%s 2itin

te ECA $nder Pro%"#"tion No. '*>( 7*45*8, 3ein& 2itin te "te&or/ o1 " 2"ter 3od/. Tis 2"s 2/ respondent Proine "d 1"it1$%%/ se$red "n ECC p$rs$"nt

to te Reised Proed$r"% M"n$"% 1or DENR DAO '))-) 3/ s$3#ittin& te

neess"r/ do$#ents "s ont"ined in te EPRMP on M"r *4, ')*), 2i 2ere

te 3"ses in &r"ntin& ECC No. R(-*))-)4(-*)) 7"#ended8 on Apri% ', ')*) 1or

te e+p"nsion o1 C"ti%"n Jett/ Port "nd P"ssen&er Ter#in"%, oerin& '.(>

et"res.**>;

Respondent DENR-EMB RVI %"i#s t"t te iss$es r"ised 3/ te LFs o1 C"ti%"n "nd M"%"/ "d 3een onsidered 3/ te DENR-Proini"% Eniron#ent

"nd N"t$r"% Reso$res O11ie 7PENRO8, A0%"n in te iss$"ne o1

te O0**; d"ted J"n$"r/ '(, ')*), disre&"rdin& te %"i# o1 te M$niip"%it/ o1

M"%"/, A0%"n o1 " portion o1 te 1oresore %"nd in C"ti%"n oered 3/ te

"pp%i"tion o1 te Proine o1 A0%"n< "nd "noter Order o1 Re9etion d"ted


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6e3r$"r/ , ')*) o1 te t2o 1oresore "pp%i"tions, n"#e%/ 6LA No. )()>*'->A

"nd 6LA No. )()>*'->B, o1 te Proine o1 A0%"n.**(;

Respondent DENR-EMB RVI ontends t"t te s$pportin& do$#ents "tt"ed to

te EPRMP 1or te iss$"ne o1 "n ECC 2ere #ere%/ 1or te e+p"nsion "nd

#oderni="tion o1 te o%d 9ett/ port in B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n oerin& '.(> et"res,

"nd not te >)-et"re re%"#"tion pro9et in B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n "nd Bor""/. Te

preio$s %etter o1 respondent Proine d"ted Oto3er *>, '))4 "ddressed to

DENR-EMB RVI Re&ion"% E+e$tie Diretor, 2o$%d so2 t"t te re%"#"tion

pro9et 2i%% oer "ppro+i#"te%/ '.( et"res.**; Tis "pp%i"tion 1or ECC 2"s not

o11ii"%%/ "epted d$e to %"0 o1 re@$ire#ents or do$#ents.

A%to$& petitioner insists t"t te pro9et ino%es >) et"res in t2o sites,

respondent DENR-EMB RVI %oo0ed "t te do$#ents s$3#itted 3/ respondent

Proine "nd s"2 t"t te s$39et "re" oered 3/ te ECC "pp%i"tion "nd

s$3se@$ent%/ &r"nted 2it ECC-R(-*))-)4(-*)) onsists on%/ o1 '.(> et"res<

ene, respondent DENR-EMB RVI o$%d not o##ent on te e+ess "re".**5;

R

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Pre%i#in"r/ eo-"="rd Assess#ent 1or te En"ne#ent o1 te E+istin&

C"ti%"n Jett/ Port Ter#in"% tro$& Be" Zone Restor"tion "nd Protetie

M"rin" Dee%op#ent in M"%"/, A0%"n.

Respondent DENR-EMB RVI %"i#s t"t te "3oe t2o sienti1i st$dies 2ereeno$& 1or it to "rrie "t " 3est pro1ession"% 9$dent to iss$e "n "#ended ECC 1or

te A0%"n M"rin" Pro9et oerin& '.(> et"res. *'); 6$rter#ore, to on1ir# t"t te

'.(>-et"re re%"#"tion "s no si&ni1i"nt ne&"tie i#p"t 2it te s$rro$ndin&

eniron#ent p"rti$%"r%/ in Bor""/, " #ore reent st$d/ 2"s ond$ted, "nd

respondent DENR-EMB RVI "%%e&es t"t i;t is er/ i#port"nt to i&%i&t t"t te

inp$t d"t" in te MER6- FPMSI; st$d/ $ti%i=ed te >)-et"re; re%"#"tion "nd

'))-#eter; 2idt se"2"rd $sin& te tid"% "nd 2"e #ode%%in&.*'*; Te st$d/ so2ed

t"t te re%"#"tion o1 '.(> et"res "d no e11et to te /drod/n"#is o1 te str"it 3et2een B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n "nd Bor""/.

Respondent DENR-EMB RVI "11ir#s t"t no per#its "ndGor %e"r"nes 1ro#

N"tion"% oern#ent A&enies 7NAs8 "nd LFs "re re@$ired p$rs$"nt to te

DENR Me#or"nd$# Cir$%"r No. '))-)5, entit%ed Si#p%i1/in& te Re@$ire#ents o1

ECC or CNC App%i"tions

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Me"n2i%e, on Septe#3er 5, ')**, respondent Proine 1i%ed " M3+3o

0 Mo3o*'>; pr"/in& 1or te dis#iss"% o1 te petition, "s te proine 2"s no

%on&er p$rs$in& te i#p%e#ent"tion o1 te s$eedin& p"ses o1 te pro9et d$e to its

in"3i%it/ to o#p%/ 2it Arti%e IV B.'78 o1 te MOA< ene, te iss$es "nd 1e"rs

e+pressed 3/ petitioner "d 3eo#e #oot. Respondent Proine "%%e&es t"t te

petition is pre#ised on " serio$s #is"pprei"tion o1 te re"% e+tent o1 te ontested

re%"#"tion pro9et "s ert"in%/ te ECC oered on%/ " tot"% o1 ',(4* s@$"re #eters

%o"ted in B"r"n&"/ C"ti%"n, M"%"/, A0%"n< "nd "%to$& te MOA spo0e o1 >)

et"res, respondent Proines s$3#ission o1 do$#ents to respondent PRA

pert"inin& to s"id "re" 2"s 3$t te 1irst o1 " t2o-step proess o1 "ppro"%. Respondent

Proine %"i#s t"t its 1"i%$re to o#p%/ 2it te do$#ent"r/ re@$ire#ents o1

respondent PRA 2itin te period proided, or *') 2or0in& d"/s 1ro# te e11etiit/

o1 te MOA, indi"ted its 2"ier to p$rs$e te re#"inder o1 te pro9et.*';Respondent Proine 1$rter #"ni1ested:

Con1ir#in& tis in " %etter d"ted *' A$&$st ')**, *'(; oernor

M"r@$e= in1or#ed respondent PRA t"t te Proine o1 A0%"n is no

%on&er p$rs$in& te i#p%e#ent"tion o1 te s$eedin& p"ses o1 te

pro9et 2it " tot"% "re" o1 .> et"res 1or o$r in"3i%it/ to o#p%/ 2it

Arti%e IV B.' 78 o1 te MOA< ene, te e+istin& MOA 2i%% oer on%/

te pro9et "re" o1 '.(> et"res.

I 73 322 o> /o+30 o 7 /2'3o 0

0:2o "nd not >) et"res "s 1e"red.

Tis o#p%ete%/ "n&es te e+tent o1 te Pro9et "nd, onse@$ent%/,

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn125http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn126http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn127http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn128http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn125http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn126http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn127http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/june2012/196870.htm#_ftn128

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#oots te iss$es "nd 1e"rs e+pressed 3/ te petitioner.*'5; 7E#p"sis

s$pp%ied.8

B"sed on te "3oe ontentions, respondent Proine pr"/s t"t te petition

3e dis#issed "s no 1$rter 9$stii"3%e ontroers/ e+ists sine te 1e"red "derse

e11et to Bor""/ Is%"nds eo%o&/ "d 3eo#e ""de#i "%% to&eter.*'4;

Te Co$rt e"rd te p"rties or"% "r&$#ents on Septe#3er *, ')** "nd &"e

te %"tter t2ent/ 7')8 d"/s tere"1ter to 1i%e teir respetie #e#or"nd".

Respondent Proine 1i%ed "noter M3+3o 0 Mo3o,*); 2i

te Co$rt reeied on Apri% ', ')*' st"tin& t"t:

*. it "d s$3#itted te re@$ired do$#ents "nd st$dies to respondent

DENR-EMB RVI 3e1ore "n ECC 2"s iss$ed in its 1"or<

'. it "d s$3st"nti"%%/ o#p%ied 2it te re@$ire#ents proided $nder

PRA Ad#inistr"tie Order '))-', 2i o#p%i"ne "$sed

respondent PRAs Bo"rd to "pproe te re%"#"tion pro9et< "nd

. it "d ond$ted " series o1 ons$%t"tie present"tions; re%"tie to te

re%"#"tion pro9et 3e1ore te LF o1 M"%"/ M$niip"%it/, te

B"r"n&"/ O11ii"%s o1 C"ti%"n, "nd st"0eo%ders o1 Bor""/ Is%"nd.

Respondent Proine 1$rter #"ni1ested t"t te B?* Co&/32 o+

C3/2, M"%"/, A0%"n en"ted on 6e3r$"r/ *, ')*' Ro2&3o No. $$4, series

o1 ')*', entit%ed Reso%$tion 6"or"3%/ Endorsin& te '.( ?et"res

Re%"#"tionGMARINA Pro9et o1 te A0%"n Proini"% oern#ent "t C"ti%"n

Co"st%ine**; "nd t"t te Sangguniang Bayan o+ 7 M&3/3

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B"r"n&"/ Co$ni% o1 C"ti%"n "nd te Sangguniang Bayan o1 te M$niip"%it/ o1

M"%"/ 1"or"3%/ endorsin& te s"id pro9et, "d "te&ori"%%/ "ddressed "%% te

iss$es r"ised 3/ te Petitioner in its Petition d"ted J$ne *, ')**. Respondent

Proine pr"/s "s 1o%%o2s:

?ERE6ORE, pre#ises onsidered, it is #ost respet1$%%/

pr"/ed o1 tis ?onor"3%e Co$rt t"t "1ter d$e proeedin&s, te 1o%%o2in&

3e rendered:

*. Te Te#por"r/ Eniron#ent"% Protetion Order 7TEPO8 it

iss$ed on J$ne , ')** 23+003o2:0.

'. Te inst"nt petition 03'30 +o 3? 'oo 0

/0'3/.

. Respondent Proine o1 A0%"n pr"/s 1or s$ oter re%ie1s t"t

"re 9$st "nd e@$it"3%e $nder te pre#ises. 7E#p"ses in te

ori&in"%.8

ISSUES

Te Co$rt 2i%% no2 reso%e te 1o%%o2in& iss$es:

I. eter or not te petition so$%d 3e dis#issed 1or "in& 3een

rendered #oot "nd ""de#i

II. eter or not te petition is pre#"t$re 3e"$se petitioner 1"i%ed to

e+"$st "d#inistr"tie re#edies 3e1ore 1i%in& tis "se

III. eter or not respondent Proine 1"i%ed to per1or# " 1$%% EIA "s

re@$ired 3/ %"2s "nd re&$%"tions 3"sed on te sope "nd %"ssi1i"tion o1

te pro9et

IV. eter or not respondent Proine o#p%ied 2it "%% te re@$ire#ents

$nder te pertinent %"2s "nd re&$%"tions

V. eter or not tere 2"s proper, ti#e%/, "nd s$11iient p$3%i

ons$%t"tion 1or te pro9et

DISCUSSION

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O 7 3& o+ >77 o o 7

P33o 7o&20 03'30 +o 7:3?

00 'oo 0 /0'3/

Respondent Proine %"i#s in its M"ni1est"tion "nd Motion 1i%ed on Apri%

', ')*' t"t 2it te "%%e&ed 1"or"3%e endorse#ent o1 te re%"#"tion pro9et 3/

te Sangguniang Barangay o1 C"ti%"n "nd te Sangguniang Bayan o1 te

M$niip"%it/ o1 M"%"/, "%% te iss$es r"ised 3/ petitioner "d "%re"d/ 3een

"ddressed, "nd tis petition so$%d 3e dis#issed 1or 3ein& #oot "nd ""de#i.

On te ontr"r/, " %ose re"din& o1 te t2o LFs respetie reso%$tions

2o$%d ree"% t"t te/ "re not s$11iient to render te petition #oot "nd ""de#i,

"s tere "re e+p%iit onditions i#posed t"t #$st 3e o#p%ied 2it 3/ respondentProine. In Reso%$tion No. )), series o1 ')*', o1 te Sangguniang Barangay o1

C"ti%"n it is st"ted t"t "n/ erti"% str$t$res to 3e onstr$ted s"%% 3e s$39et

1or barangay endorse#ent.*; C%e"r%/, 2"t te barangay endorsed 2"s te

re%"#"tion on%/, "nd not te entire pro9et t"t in%$des te onstr$tion o1 "

o##eri"% 3$i%din& "nd 2e%%ness enter, "nd oter to$ris#-re%"ted

1"i%ities. Petitioners o39etions, "s #"/ 3e re"%%ed, pert"in not on%/ to te

re%"#"tion per se, 3$t "%so to te 3$i%din& to 3e onstr$ted "nd te entire pro9ets

pereied i%% e11ets to te s$rro$ndin& eniron#ent.

Reso%$tion No. )'), series o1 ')*', o1 te Sangguniang Bayan o1

M"%"/*>; is een #ore spei1i. It re"ds in p"rt:

WHEREAS , no3%e it see#s te re%"#"tion pro9et to te e11et

t"t it 2i%% &ener"te sores o1 3ene1its 1or te Lo"% oern#ent o1

M"%"/ in ter#s o1 ino#e "nd e#p%o/#ent 1or its onstit$ents, 3$t te

1"t "nnot 3e denied t"t 7 322 = 3 o22 o 7

:3o'

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dep"rt#ents "nd te pri"te setor spei1i"%%/ Bor""/ 6o$nd"tion, In.

"nd te/ "re o 3 3 23+ 7 73 Lo/2 Go:' U3 7

: ?3 0:2o

0 . T"t te %o"% tr"nsport"tion oper"torsGooper"ties 2i%% not 3e

disp%"ed< "nd

. T7 Po:3/32 Go:' o+ A=2 /o0&/ 3'&2o&

/o'322 2: 73 A&?& Bo0* o /7o3/ & o :o=

73 0o', 7/ +37+&2 /o'

envi cases (1)

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