CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has suspended construction of the multi-million cruise ship port project in Puerto Galera, this province, after the Philippine Ports Authority failed to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate.
In a one-page notice, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said it found out that the project has not secured the needed ECC in violation of Presidential Decree No. 1586 which enjoins all proponents of environmentally critical projects to first obtain the document starting operations.
The EMB also cited EMB Memorandum Circular No. 2014-005 which requires an ECC for the construction of seaport, causeway, and harbors with project area of more than one hectare.
The project in Sitio Hondura, Poblacion, Puerto Galera has an area of approximately 13,000-square meters or 1.3 hectares.
Joe Amil Salino, EMB-Mimaropa (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) regional director, said PPA may be fined P50,000 fine if it is found that they violated the decree and circular.
On Aug. 11, Mayor Robinhood D. Ylagan issued a cease-and-desist order against the project for the same ground and its potential irreversible environmental impact on coastal and marine ecosystems.
EMB-Mimaropa issued a Notice of Violation on Aug. 15 addressed to Jay Daniel R. Santiago, PPA general manager.
Records at the PPA showed that the P704.5-million project contract was awarded to Premium Megastructures Inc. on Feb. 19, 2025.
Former Mayor now Puerto Galera Vice Mayor Rocky Ilagan requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on Resolution No. 7578-2025 of the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (2022 to 2025) which endorsed the project.