Funeral parlors, cemeteries now required to secure ECC

CEBU – As recent studies show of the hazards posed by wastes from funeral parlors, cemeteries, and crematoria operations, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is now requiring existing and future establishments to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate.

DENR Secretary Lito Atienza said that his office has amended Department Administrative Order No. 30, Series of 2003 to upgrade the classification of these business establishments that are now required to have a full-blown environmental impact assessment.

AO 30 requires these establishments only an initial environmental examination if the area exceeds or is equal to five hectares for cemeteries, and if the area exceeds or is equal to one hectare for funeral parlors and crematoria.

In a press statement, Atienza said that if not properly disposed of, the chemical formaldehyde from funeral parlors is a threat to the cleanliness of our water bodies and to public health.

He added that there is a possibility that the burning process made by the crematorium, if done without any mitigating measures, may produce air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and particulates.

DENR stated that existing crematoria, funeral parlors, and cemeteries are now required to submit an environmental management program to serve as a basis for the evaluation to be carried out by the Environmental Management Bureau.

EMB likewise requires owners of crematoria, funeral parlors, and cemeteries to secure an ECC with the submission of an Initial Environmental Examination checklist to the EMB in their respective region.

An IEE is a document similar to an environmental impact statement but with reduced details and depth of assessment and discussion.

The environmental impact assessment system was established pursuant to Presidential Decree 1586 or the Philippine Environmental Law which ensures a balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection in the conduct of any economic, construction, or other activities that may have an impact on the physical and human environment. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)