Amendment to DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2025-20 or the "Guidelines in Securing Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) Under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (PEISS) for Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) Projects on Inland Freshwater Bodies"

DENR Administrative Order No. 2025-30

Subject: Amendment to DAO 2025-20 or the Guidelines in Securing ECC under PEISS for Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) Projects on Inland Freshwater Bodies

Signed: October 14, 2025 . Published: The Manila Times, October 29, 2025 . Acknowledged: ONAR, U.P. Law Center, November 5, 2025 . Pages: 2

Whereas Clauses

• WHEREAS, DAO 2023-08 (as amended by DAO 2024-05) provides specific guidelines for FPV projects within Laguna Lake, including centralized processing at the EMB Central Office and coordination with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), to address the lake's unique ecological and regulatory status under RA 4850 as amended;
• WHEREAS, DAO 2025-20 (issued May 28, 2025) establishes nationwide guidelines for FPV projects on inland freshwater bodies to promote renewable energy development while ensuring environmental protection under PD 1586 and related PEISS frameworks;
• WHEREAS, Part IV of DAO 2025-20 encompasses all inland freshwater bodies, potentially including Laguna Lake, while Part VII thereof revokes or modifies inconsistent prior issuances;
• WHEREAS, to ensure consistent PEISS implementation, prevent jurisdictional overlaps, and support national goals under RA 9513 (Renewable Energy Act of 2008), it is necessary to amend DAO 2025-20 to explicitly exclude Laguna Lake from its scope and affirm continued applicability of prior Laguna Lake-specific orders;

NOW, THEREFORE, DAO 2025-20 is hereby amended as follows:

Part IV. Scope and Coverage (as amended)

This Administrative Order shall apply to all Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) projects located on inland freshwater bodies within the country, with the exception of those situated in Laguna Lake. FPV projects in Laguna Lake shall be governed by the provisions of DAO 2023-08, as amended by DAO 2024-05. Accordingly, all applications for an ECC involving FPV installations in Laguna Lake shall be submitted to the EMB Central Office, in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in DAO 2023-08, as amended.

For purposes of this Order, 'freshwater' is defined as water containing less than 500 parts per million dissolved common salt, sodium chloride, such as that in groundwater, rivers, ponds, and lakes, in accordance with DAO 2016-08 (Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards of 2016).

Part VII. Repealing Clause (as amended)

To the exclusion of DAO 2023-08, as amended by DAO 2024-05, all orders and other similar issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby revoked, amended, or modified accordingly. Where applicable, mitigating measures to address environmental and social considerations across phases of FPV projects under DAO 2025-20 shall be adopted as supplementary guidance for Laguna Lake projects for enhanced environmental safeguards.

Effectivity

This Order shall take effect immediately after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and upon acknowledgment of ONAR, UP Law Center.

Signed by Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla. Source: User-uploaded official DENR PDF (DAO-2025-30, 2 pages, full text included above).