Pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 672 dated October 19, 2007 and to clarify the issues on the issuance of permit over reclamation projects, the following provisions of DAO 2007-20 are hereby amended:

Section 4. Definition of Terms

œ4.1 Area Clearance - a document issued by the DENR Secretary providing authorization or permit to an applicant to undertake reclamation project over an applied area subject to certain conditions including environmental mitigation and enhancement measures. 

Section 5. Clearance Prior to Conduct of Reclamation Projects. No reclamation project shall be undertaken, conducted and implemented unless the area clearance is first secured from the DENR. This clearance shall be valid for one year and reclamation projects must be implemented or must commence within that period. Otherwise, the permittee must secure a new area clearance. This is to ensure that clearance is used for the purpose for which it was issued.

Repealing Clause. All references to œreclamation permit  shall be interpreted as œarea clearance . Other provisions of DAO 2007-20 not consistent in herewith shall remain valid.

Effectivity. This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation and fifteen (15) days from the date of filing with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR).

Adopted: 27 May 2009

(SGD.) JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.
Secretary