Amid the ongoing closure of resort destination Boracay, the Environmental Management Bureau-Region VI (EMB-6) recently recommended lifting the moratorium on environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and permit applications.

According to EMB-6 legal division chief, Atty. Ramar Niel Pascua, he would like to being accepting applications for existing structures in order to have permits processed before the island reopens, which is currently scheduled for October 26.

He pointed out, the moratorium will remain for new, ongoing, and proposed projects.

Pascua said the proposal has already been approved, but it is currently awaiting proper signatures.

The EMB official explained, as per instructions from Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, once they apply, if documents are complete and all items noted on the application are validated, permits will be revalidated and issued before September 15./WDJ