Proclamation No. 66




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ Proclamation No. 66, January 11, 1999 ] DECLARING THE LAHAR AFFECTED RIVERS AND EMBANKMENT AREAS IN THE PROVINCES OF PAMPANGA, TARLAC AND ZAMBALES AS ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREAS AND AS MINERAL RESERVATION UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES WHEREAS, the various rivers and river systems in the Provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales have been greatly affected by the volcanic eruption and lahar deposits from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo; WHEREAS, the lahar deposits continue to pose grave danger to lives and properties, public infrastructures like the mega-dike and critical bridges, as well as private infrastructures, particularly during extended rainy periods like the La Niña; WHEREAS, these sand and lahar deposits have now become a very important source of sand materials for various government and private sector infrastructure and construction projects; WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the State that the said sand and lahar materials be properly utilized for the benefit of the government and all concerned with due regard to any possible adverse environmental impacts; WHEREAS, it is necessary to protect and properly manage these river systems and the exploitation and utilization of their sand and lahar deposits in order to maintain or improve their water flows, reduce risks to lives and properties, and to restrain inappropriate mineral exploitation and land-use; NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare, order and direct the following: Section 1. The lahar-affected river systems and their embankments in the Provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales are hereby declared as Environmentally Critical Areas, as per P.D. 1586 and Proclamation No. 2146, and therefore within the scope of the EIS System; Section 2. Pursuant to Section 5 of R.A. 7942, the above-mentioned areas are also hereby established and set apart, subject to valid and existing private rights, as mineral reservation under the administration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, for the purpose of exploring, developing, exploiting, and utilizing of all the lahar deposits in these areas. Section 3. The DENR Secretary, is hereby authorized to engage the services of the Natural Resources Development Corporation, in accordance with Executive Order No. 786 dated 19 March 1982, to manage the critical aspects of extraction, transportation and quarry site rehabilitation in the said mineral reservation and other lahar-affected areas; Section 4. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is hereby instructed to provide the necessary guidelines for the implementation of this proclamation; Section 5. This proclamation shall take effect immediately.1aшphi1 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed. Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Nine. (Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA By the President: (Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation