THE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is poised to ask the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to check if individuals or corporations in Dagupan that received Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) are strictly following the conditions attached to their certificates.

This was sought by Councilor Nicanor Aquino, chair of the committee on land use, noting a lot of backfilling activities by property owners on both sides of Jose de Venecia Expressway Extension, all of which have reportedly been issued their respective ECCs by EMB.

Aquino made the call during his committee hearing on a draft ordinance seeking the reclassification a 7,433 square meter property in Barangay Lucao from agricultural to residential and or commercial use.

Two officials of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) who attended could not respond to questions posed by Aquino and his fellow councilors.

Graciano Boquiren, chief of the License, Patent and Deeds section of CENRO Dagupan, merely told the committee that the EMB sets specific conditions for ECC applicants to comply with to protect the environment.

Aquino set another committee hearing with officials from EMBs and the City Planning Office to respond to determine how many ECCs have already been issued and whether conditions set forth in the ECCs are strictly followed.

The City Planning Office issues zoning clearance for property owners seeking reclassification of their lands.

Under the approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and its corresponding Zoning Ordinance, reclassification of lands from agricultural to residential or commercial need to have an ordinance duly passed by the Dagupan SP.

No land can be converted from agricultural to residential or commercial and no ECCs could be issue for the same unless there is an ordinance for reclassification passed by the SP, said Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo, chairman of the committee on laws and ordinances.

Aquino lamented that a property owner in Bonuan Catacdang who had already backfilled his property that used to be a fishpond without any ECC.

He also recalled a property owner who already backfilled his property in another part of the city and built his house without securing permit for reclassification from the SP.

Aquino said while the CLUP sets new growth areas for development, caution must be taken so that any infrastructures to be built on backfilled properties will not endanger the environment.

Counciors who joined the committee hearing were Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marvin Fabia, and Dean Bryan Kua. (Leonardo Micua)

 

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