ECC needed for sports oval construction to proceed

CEBU, Philippines - An Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) has yet to be secured by the Naga City government before the planned construction of a track oval inside the Naga City Central Elementary School can proceed.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said they have yet to issue the ECC through the Environmental Management Bureau.

Because of this, the tree planting on November 21 in Barangay Lutac was moved to November 22, said Naga City Environment Officer Ma. Obdulla Lescano.

The DENR issued last October 23 a permit to cut the trees inside the school to give way for the oval project. However, it required the city government to plant tree seedlings for every tree cut.

A total of 2,900 saplings, 60 percent of which are narra will be planted by Naga City government in coordination with DENR-7.

Llamedo said the trees that will be planted must also include tugas and gu-yabano aside from narra.

He said they will also invite environmentalists as the Naga City government executes its commitment to maintain the planted trees for about two years and then create and establish a multi-party monitoring team.

The proponent of the oval project must commit to go beyond replacement and ensure survival rate of the 2,900 saplings, said Llamedo.

“Because this is a government project and there will be a replacement commitment sa Naga City Government na i-maintain nila ug i-monitor nila ug i-ensure pa jud sa Naga nga at least 85% ang survival rate so kailangan mag-replant gyud,” added Llamedo.

The DENR-7 has revised the special tree cutting permit last November 7, reducing the number of trees for cutting to only 58 from 79 with a replacement ratio of 50 seedlings per tree cut.

Llamedo said they chose Barangay Lutac because of the availability of the area.

“Barangay Lutac ang location for replanting kay tungod naa pa siya’y available side for planting within the National Greening Program area; there is a portion na forest land. So dili man ta motanum sa private land kay basi’g putlon,” he explained. — Jessa J. Agua and Lengy Mae Mariot, USJ-R MassComm Intern/NSA (FREEMAN)