The Department of Environment and Natural Resources expanded its mandate on establishments and projects in Boracay Island with the issuance of Administrative Order No. 2025-36 this Wednesday, 11 February 2026.

In the order, stricter guidelines are set for the processing of Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC) and Certificates of Non-Coverage (CNC) for both existing and proposed projects under the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System.

Owners of establishments, including government facilities, are required to secure an ECC and submit proof of authority certified by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).

All proposed projects are also required to submit an Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), along with the necessary clearances, including a local government unit clearance confirming that the proposal falls within physical carrying capacity limits.

The department stressed that no projects, whether government or private, are exempt from securing environmental clearances and permits.

It also stated that ECC applications will involve designated resource persons from the MGB and the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) to assess potential environmental risks and impacts on the island.

The DENR said the order was crafted based on findings from Boracay’s six-month rehabilitation and closure from April to October 2018.