Ciudad developer told to resubmit ECC papers

THE developer of the Capitol’s Ciudad project in Cebu City was cleared to proceed but was told to modify its application for an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) said the documents submitted by Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp. were intended only for an Initial Environment Examination (IEE).

DENR Regional Director Fernando Quililan said the Ciudad project should undergo Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) because of the presence of mixed-use commercial buildings within 3.4 hectares of land.

Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp. presented their project during last Friday’s hearing in barangay Apas, Cebu City.

Quilalan said the presence of mixed-use buildings runs contrary to their initial ECC application.

Quililan cited DENR Administrative Order 2003-30  of the “Revised Procedural Manual on Commercial Mixed-use Projects,” which stated that a project area bigger  than 2.5 hectares is already placed under the EIS category.

The Cuidad property covers 3.4 hectares, which include proposals for a museum, restaurants and department stores.

It is expected to earn P300 million a year, with a proposed budget of P1.2 billion. DENR-7 spokesman Dr. Eddie Llamedo said IEE documents are only for simple proposed projects like small scale mining and quarry.

“The IEE only checks the basic prototype environment conditions of the project, while the EIA provides detailed information and determines predictable environment outcome and conditions of the project,” Llamedo said.

The DAO order prescribes an external review committee or EIA Review Committee (EIARC) to thoroughly assess, evaluate, and review the project.

Fifth Avenue media liaison Junjie Gonzalez said they are willing to comply with all the requirements set by the DENR.

“We are ready to submit in a week’s time. We are wrapping our detailed plan,” Gonzales said.