The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in MIMAROPA Region has issued a Notice of Violation to the developer of the El Nido Motocross Race Track project in Barangay Villa Libertad, El Nido, Palawan for starting development without the required environmental permit.
According to the DENR, the project began activities without securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), which is required under Presidential Decree No. 1586 or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System.
An inspection conducted on February 23, 2026 by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)–MIMAROPA found that the motocross track covers about 1.45 hectares. This exceeds the 0.1-hectare threshold set under EMB Memorandum Circular No. 2022-06, which requires tourism and leisure projects of that size to first obtain an ECC.
The DENR said it is reviewing the project for possible violations of environmental and forestry laws.
The project developer has been ordered to stop all activities unless an ECC is obtained. The proponent must also submit a notarized position paper within 15 days explaining the project and its compliance with environmental rules. A technical conference has also been scheduled as part of the investigation process.
The DENR stressed that no project can proceed without meeting environmental requirements and said it remains committed to protecting Palawan’s environment while ensuring that regulations are properly enforced.
