Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Central Mindanao University (CMU), through its Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) Committee, took a proactive step in strengthening its environmental compliance by meeting with officials of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 10 on July 7, 2025, in Cagayan de Oro City.
The dialogue aimed to align CMU’s consolidated ECC application with the latest environmental regulations and clarify the scope of its diverse development initiatives. These initiatives cover a wide range of university operations, including academic, research, extension, and income-generating projects.
Engr. Nonette Gales Atasan of EMB Region 10 emphasized that CMU’s operations require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)-based application due to the University’s mixed-use nature. It was agreed that CMU will submit a single Project Description (PDS) titled “CMU Mixed-use Development Projects,” encompassing components such as academic buildings, research laboratories, support facilities, dormitories, crop and livestock areas, protection forests, and social enterprise initiatives in BTL and IP areas.
Key takeaways from the discussion included: logical grouping of projects in the PDS, specification of CMU’s total land area and geographic coordinates, inclusion of both existing and proposed projects, addressing potential environmental impacts such as wastewater and hazardous waste, and conducting Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities with proper documentation.
Moreover, Prof. Eric N. Bruno, EnP, ECC Committee member, shared that the meeting provided crucial guidance as CMU advances its consolidated ECC application, reinforcing the University’s commitment to environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance.
The ECC Committee, comprising representatives from various university units, is currently finalizing the required documentation, incorporating guidance from EMB, and preparing for public consultations and technical scoping. (Information from Dr. Canatoy, ECC Committee member)
