The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has imposed a moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for special exploration permits or government seabed quarry permits. The DENR issued Administrative Order (AO) 171-2022 on May 2 after President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive to stop accepting applications for reclamation activities. “The President directed the DENR and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to put on hold the acceptance of all new applications for reclamation projects in the country; and ensure that the pending applications strictly comply with all legal requirements,” the order read.

Jocson, L. M. J. (2022, May 31). DENR imposes moratorium on new applications for seabed quarry permits. Business World, pp. S1/1, S1/11.