The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) MIMAROPA, under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), has secured a 500-square-meter lot in Coron, Palawan, for a new satellite laboratory and office, Palawan News reported.
The facility is meant to bring environmental testing and monitoring services closer to northern Palawan, one of the country’s busiest tourist areas.
The Deal
EMB MIMAROPA Regional Director Atty. Jayson V. Abrera and Coron Mayor Mario T. Reyes Jr. signed a "usufruct agreement" on October 7 at the municipal hall in Barangay 02, according to the report. A usufruct agreement lets one party use property owned by another, in this case the town’s land, without transferring ownership.
The lot is in Sitio Dipulao, Barangay 06, where the bureau plans to build the facility.
What the Lab Will Do
The satellite lab is expected to help the agency respond faster to environmental concerns by speeding up air and water quality testing, especially in heavily visited tourist spots, Palawan News said.
“The new station will bring significant environmental services directly to northern Palawan for faster response times,” EMB MIMAROPA said.
The facility will also help monitor compliance with key environmental laws, including:
- The Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System
- The Clean Air Act
- The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act
- The Clean Water Act
Why It Matters
Coron’s economy runs on tourism, and that tourism depends heavily on its lagoons and beaches. More visitors also mean more pressure on the environment and a greater need for monitoring, the report noted.
According to the bureau, the new facility will help balance economic growth with environmental protection by making its services easier to reach in Coron and nearby areas.
What’s Next
Palawan News did not report a construction timeline or budget for the facility.
