| Abstract: | During 1977 a Philippine environmental impact statement (EIS) system was established and the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) was formed to develop environmental policy. Several months after its creation, NEPC was given responsibility to certify that proposed projects met EIS system regulations. With few exceptions, this requirement to gain NEPC's approval was not taken seriously by agencies. The poor record of agency compliance with the EIS system is explained by the absence of ‘controls’ to force thorough assessments. Judicial controls are absent. Procedural and evaluative controls are in place, but NEPC has neither the budget nor the political power to enforce them. Although the national EIS system is ineffective, agencies sometimes conduct informal, ad hoc environmental assessments in response to instrumental controls exercised by international funding organizations, professional controls exerted by planners, and public controls brought about by individuals and groups who would be adversely affected by projects. |
