The Environmental Management Bureau said there is no room for interpretation on the reimbursement of fines and penalties imposed to companies that violated environmental laws.
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Environmental Management Bureau has clarified with industry stakeholders that the imposed fines and penalties in violation of DENR Administrative Order 2016-08 are pursuant to existing environmental regulations.
This is in response to the recent plea of electronic exporters asking the government for reimbursements on fines and penalties that they have received in violation of Republic Act 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act.)
According to Environmental Management Bureau Director Engr. William Cuñado, the issuance of DAO 2021-19 or the “Updated Water Quality Guidelines (WQG) and General Effluent Standards (GES) for Selected Parameters” is part of the functions of the DENR to review and set effluent standards every five years or sooner as prescribed in RA 9275.
There was no intention to relax but rather update the General Effluent Standards, the EMB head added.
Cuñado said there is no room for interpretation on the reimbursement of fines and penalties imposed to companies that violated DAO 2016-08 in relation to RA 9275.
“Imposed fines are not fees or taxes that may be refunded. Fines and penalties were imposed for industries and establishments based on DAO 2016-08, which is the existing rule at that time.There is nothing in DAO 2021- 19 which states that DAO 2016-08 is incorrect,” Cuñado added.
DAO 2021-19 partially amends the DENR AO No. 2016-08.
The main amendments include updating the standard values for the parameters ammonia, boron, copper as dissolved copper, fecal coliform, phosphate as phosphorus and sulfate.
It also provides standards for strong water particularly for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) that applies to establishments with proof of influent data are within the guideline values.
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