Chapter 8: Local Road Environmental Safeguards: 226 1. The Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (PEISS) Road development activities that are likely to affect the environment can be properly assessed and managed. The process is in keeping with the policy of continuously improving the environmental performance of any infrastructure development activity and demonstrating commitment to sound environmental management practices. Government efforts to secure compliance with the principles of sustainable development are embodied in the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (PEISS). The PEISS is implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through DENR Administrative Order No. 30, Series of 2003 (DAO 03-30), which contains the implementing rules and regulations of the PEISS law. This chapter should be read in conjunction with the other references cited in the DAO 2003-30 manual of procedures and its associated technical and scientiifc manuals. The basic policy framework for the PEISS is found in Section 16, Article II, of the Philippine Constitution: “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” To implement this policy, Executive Order 192 made the DENR the “primary government agency responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources.” The DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is speciifcally tasked with “recommending rules and regulations for environmental impact assessments and providing technical assistance for their implementation and monitoring.” The ifrst policy issued on the PEISS was Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1151, which required all agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned and government-controlled corporations, as well as private corporations, ifrms and entities to prepare an environmental impact statement for every action, project or undertaking which signiifcantly affects the quality of the environment. PD 1586, which established the PEISS, reiterated this policy statement and required the submission of an environmental impact statement