Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna is moving to streamline permits, accelerate renewable energy projects, and tighten enforcement in protected areas as he sets priorities for the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Appointed in February, Cuna said the Philippines is drawing renewed investor interest in mining, fueled by strong global demand for minerals and the country’s largely untapped reserves. To capture that momentum, the DENR is working to ease doing business by cutting red tape and addressing long-standing permitting delays.
“One of the things I observed from years back is a lot of paper pushing,” Cuna said, noting that the agency has begun assigning focal persons and improving coordination across bureaus to speed up approvals.
A key reform is enforcing timelines for Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs)—20 working days for non-environmentally critical projects and 40 days for critical ones—once submissions are complete. “The challenge is to ensure that submissions are complete so the review can proceed without delay,” he said.
Cuna said the department is fast-tracking renewable energy ventures, with bottlenecks often tied to incomplete documentation. He signaled strong support for solar, wind, and geothermal projects, alongside clearer land-use rules, including tenurial instruments for developments in forestlands and protected areas.
On coal, Cuna maintained a cautious stance, calling it a “last resort” and saying any expansion would hinge on directives from energy authorities and the Office of the President during emergencies.
He also addressed the long-running Masungi Georeserve dispute, saying the DENR is preparing legal action while pressing stakeholders to comply with protected area laws.
Internally, the agency is cutting costs through stricter energy conservation—limiting travel, reducing workshops, and maximizing office resources—to improve efficiency.
