The Court of Appeals has ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue long-overdue guidelines for declaring non-attainment areas (NAAs) and begin resolving pollution complaints in the Verde Island Passage (VIP) within 30 days.
In a resolution released Friday, the appellate court directed the agency to comply with its earlier ruling, eight months after it first ordered the issuance of guidelines in response to a petition filed by Protect VIP, the Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED), and local fisherfolk federations.
“We welcome the Court’s decision to mandate the DENR to act within one month,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect VIP.
“With a firm timeline now set by the Court, we urge the DENR to treat this matter with urgency. Prolonging this will only place the VIP, along with other vulnerable water bodies across the country, at greater risk of pollution,” the priest said.
The VIP, known as the “center of the center” of marine biodiversity, has come under increasing threat from fossil gas developments. Coastal communities say these projects have disrupted livelihoods, citing a marked decline in fish catch.
The court directive coincides with a leadership transition at the DENR, as Secretary Raphael Lotilla assumes office following the departure of Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
“As Secretary Lotilla takes on the DENR’s helm, we urge him to do his duty to the people and the environment,” Gariguez said. “Follow the Court’s decision to issue the pertinent guidelines to remove any potential source of pollution in the VIP and establish regular monitoring of its water quality.”
Alongside the guidelines, the court instructed the DENR to begin proceedings on existing pollution complaints within a month and provide quarterly updates.
Under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9275 or the Clean Water Act, the DENR must designate water bodies where pollutants exceed safe limits as NAAs.
“This Court resolution must serve as a final call,” said CEED executive director Gerry Arances. “The communities have spoken, and so has the Court. We urge Secretary Lotilla to make his new term a turning point for the department.”
