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Buenaflor, Allen Patrick P.

Natural Resources Law LE-105

Analysis of DENR Administrative Order 2003-30

As opposed to DAO 1996-37, which focused on the upholding the balance


between socio-economic growth and environmental protection, DAO 2003-30
focused primarily on streamlining the implementation of the Philippine
Environmental Impact Statement System in the country to make it a more
effective planning and management tool. They both aim to facilitate the
application of the EIS System, and they both address different aspects in the
implementation of the System.

Among the key operating principles of the Philippine Environmental Impact


Statement System is that it is concerned primarily with assessing the direct and
indirect impacts of a project on the biophysical and human environment and
ensuring that these impacts are addressed by appropriate environmental
protection and enhancement measures. Where DAO 2003-30 comes in is that it
focuses scope of the EIS System based on two factors: (1) the nature of the
project and its potential to cause significant negative environmental impacts; and
(2) the sensitivity or vulnerability of environmental resources in the project area.

Granting the provisions of DAO 2003-30 provides a scope for the EIS
System, it can be said that it has established a purpose for the delimitation of
which projects should be given a primary attention by the Government to ensure
that these projects are properly regulated so as not to cause a major harm upon
the environment. In considering the nature of the project and its potential to
cause significant negative environmental impacts, certain steps may be taken so
as to properly evaluate the costs and benefits of continuing with such project,
and if such projects are sustainable vis-à-vis the cost it shall exact on the
environment. Taking into account the sensitivity or vulnerability of environmental
resources in the project area, the proper government agencies may be apprised
of the specific factors and conditions that are to be included in the cost-benefit
equation that would ultimately decide whether such projects would be ecological,
or would such projects be a loss for the environment in the long run.

The classifications of the projects and areas to be covered by the EIS


System provides an efficient standard in deciding whether projects would be
critical to the environment. These classifications provide a categorization in which
the state in its police power may use as a basis of whether such projects may be
accepted, which may need to be amended, and which may be accepted.
Bearing these functions in mind, it may be said that DAO 2003-30 is
indeed an effective implementation of the intent of the Philippine Environmental
Impact Statement System.

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