El nido: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the suspension of development activities at a proposed motocross race track in Barangay Villa Libertad, El Nido, Palawan, following an investigation into the project's lack of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
According to Philippines News Agency, the DENR issued a notice of violation to the proponents of the El Nido Motocross Race Track, highlighting the absence of the required ECC as a breach of Section 4 of Presidential Decree 1586, also known as the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System. The DENR emphasized that no project should proceed without full adherence to environmental laws and that any findings will be based on verified evidence and established legal procedures.
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 4-B (Mimaropa) reported that the project spans approximately 1.45 hectares of land, as determined by an inspection conducted on February 23. The total land area covered by the project surpasses the threshold under EMB Memorandum Circular 2022-06, which mandates an ECC for tourism and leisure projects with a total or gross floor area of at least 0.1 hectare.
In response, the DENR ordered an immediate halt to all activities and operations at the project site until the necessary environmental clearance is obtained. The notice of violation requires the project proponent to submit a notarized position paper within 15 days and suspends all activities and operations unless an ECC is secured. A technical conference has been scheduled to ensure due process and clarify regulatory requirements.
The department is currently evaluating the project for potential violations of environmental and forestry laws.
The motocross racetrack is situated within the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (ENTMRPA), one of the Philippines' significant protected landscapes and seascapes, established in 1998 through Proclamation 32. This protected area encompasses about 36,000 hectares of land and over 54,000 hectares of marine waters, safeguarding limestone islands, forests, coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, as well as marine and terrestrial biodiversity and endangered species like the Palawan peacock pheasant, hornbill, and marine turtles.
El Nido, while a major tourism destination, is considered one of the Philippines' most crucial biodiversity sites, supporting a diverse array of marine life, endemic wildlife, and critical coastal ecosystems. Due to its ecological significance, it is a priority conservation site under the country's protected areas system, established through Republic Act 7586 and later strengthened by Republic Act 11038, also known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act.
Under the Philippine EIS System, developers must secure an ECC before initiating projects that might impact the environment, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas, including protected landscapes and tourism destinations. The DENR remains committed to safeguarding Palawan's ecological integrity and ensuring that all development projects comply with environmental regulations.
