ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: A REVIEW
JOHN REY B. QUIÑONES
OVERVIEW OF THE PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT SYSTEM
Philippine Environmental Policy of 1977
PD 1151 PD 1586
Establishment of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement
System (1978)
KEY OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF THE PEISS
The PEISS is concerned primarily with assessing the direct and
indirect impacts of development projects on the biophysical and
human environment and ensuring that these impacts are addressed
by appropriate protection and enhancement measures.
The PEISS aid the project proponents in incorporating environmental
considerations in planning their projects as well as in determining the
impacts of their projects
KEY OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF THE PEISS
The project proponents are responsible for
determining and disclosing all relevant information
necessary for a methodical assessment of the
environmental impacts of their projects.
The review of the EIA reports by EMB shall be guided by three (3)
general criteria:
1. That environmental considerations are integrated into the overall
project planning;
2. That the assessment is technically sound and proposed
environmental measures are effective; and
3. EIA process is based on timely, informed and meaningful public
participation of potentially- affected communities
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
EIA, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is the process
of examining the anticipated environmental effects of a development
project.
On the other hand, EIA is defined by the DENR-EMB s the process that
involves predicting and evaluating the likely impacts of a project as well as
the ensuring preventive, mitigating, and enhancement measures in order to
protect the environment and the community’s welfare.
TERMS TO REMEMBER
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – It is the comprehensive study
of the significant impact of the development project on the
environment. It includes an Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
that the project proponent will fund and implement to protect the
environment.
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) – It is a section in the EIA that
details the prevention, mitigation, compensation, and contingency
measures to enhance the positive impacts and minimize the negative
impacts and risks of a proposed development project.
TERMS TO REMEMBER
Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) – It is a decision
document issued by the DENR/EMB after a positive review of an ECC
application
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) – It is a section in the EIA that
details the prevention, mitigation, compensation, and contingency
measures to enhance the positive impacts and minimize the negative
impacts and risks of a proposed development project.
EIA REPORT TYPES AND GENERIC CONTENTS
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
•Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEISS)
•Initial Environmental Examination (IEER)
•IEE Checklist (IEEC)
•Project Description Report (PDR)
•Environmental Performance Report and Management Plan (EPRMP)
•Programmatic Environmental Performance Report and Management
Plan (PEPRMP)
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR SECURING ECC
EIS – comprehensive study of the environmental impacts for a single
project
IEER – a short and simplified checklist version of EIA
PEIS – Comprehensive study on environmental baseline condition of a
contagious environment.
PEPRMP – documentation of cumulative environmental impacts of co-
located projects with proposal for expansion.
EPRMP – documentation of cumulative environmental impacts of single
projects with proposal for expansion.
COVERAGE SCREENING/CATEGORIZATION UNDER
THE PEISS
Category A – ECAs with significant potential to cause to negative
impacts on the environment.
Category B – NECPs, but may cause negative environmental
impacts because they are located in ECAs.
Category C - Projects intended to directly enhance environmental
quality or address existing environmental problems not falling
under Category A or Category B.
Category D - Projects not included and not covered of the PEISS.
DECISIONS ON EIA APPLICATION
ECC – a decision document issued by the EMB after a
positive review of the ECC application
CNC – Certification that the project proposal is not covered of
the PEISS.
– explanation for the disapproval of the ECC
applicationDenial Letter .
THE EIA
PROCESS
FIRST STEP: SCREENING
Screening is the first step of the EIA process which
results in a key decision, either to conduct an EIA
or not to conduct an EIA.
SECOND STEP: SCOPING
It a proponent-driven where interaction with key stakeholders
is done.
The public and concerned agencies are asked to comment on
the purpose and need of the project, issues and impacts, and
ways to mitigate impacts.
THREE LEVEL SCOPING ACTIVITY
Project Briefing with Review Team – the review Team may initially
raise their key issues on the scope of the EIA study.
Public Scoping with project stakeholders – communities and
other stakeholders raise their issues and concern
Technical Scoping with Review Team – the EIA
Scoping/Procedural Screening Checklist is reviewed, finalized
and signed by the review team and the project proponent
THIRD STEP: EIA STUDY AND REPORT PREPARATION
This step is wholly within the proponent’s controls. The
EIA study involves a description of the proposed
project, the environment, and possible project impacts
and mitigation measures
FOURTH STEP: EIA REPORT REVIEW AND EVALUATION
The submission stage and the filing of fees
ENGR. DIVINA CAMARAO – EIA SECTION, DENR-EMB NCR
ENGR. DIVINA CAMARAO – EIA SECTION, DENR-EMB NCR
FIFTH STAGE: DECISION MAKING
The EIA Review Committee evaluates the EIA report
individually and make appropriate recommendations
SIXTH STEP: MONITORING
Post-ECC Monitoring
Validation and Evaluation Stage
Note: There is a separate process for ECC
amendments
BASELINE DATA COLLECTION
Air
Water
Land/Geology
People/Social
Flora and Fauna
Etc.
WHY BASELINE DATA ARE IMPORTANT?
Baseline study refers to the collection of relevant baseline
information on environmental, social, health and other aspects of
a project area.
The conduct of baseline study is important in the EIA process as it
provides description of the environmental factors which evaluate
and predict possible changes in the environment, and provide a
way of how these possible environmental changes can be
monitored once the construction and operation phases of the
development project has started.
AIR
Alma Lorelei de Jesus – Aboreja - University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Alma Lorelei de Jesus – Aboreja - University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Alma Lorelei de Jesus – Aboreja - University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Alma Lorelei de Jesus – Aboreja - University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
WATER
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
Dr. Loucel Cui -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and Management
GEOLOGY
Dr. Decebel Eslava -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and
Dr. Decebel Eslava -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and
Dr. Decebel Eslava -University of the Philippines Los Baños - School of Environmental Science and
Management
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
IMPACT MANAGEMENT MEASURES
