The UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB-SESAM) signed Letter of Commitment (LOC) with the Municipal Government of Los Banos (MGLB) for the implementation of the joint institutional undertaking, “Environmental Governance in the Municipality of Los Banos”.

The LOC signing was held in celebration of the Earth Day on April 22 at the Mayor’s Office of Los Banos Municipal Hall. Investing in our planet is the core of the 2022 Earth Day celebration. Climate action planning takes intention, insight, effort, and also investment from governments, individuals, and industry. And one of the investments of the UPLB-SESAM and MGLB is this partnership between the academe and the government.  

With the signing of the LOC, the UPLB-SESAM is committed to give technical assistance and experts’ advisory to the MGLB in the formulation of several environmental plans required by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 

Another goal of this partnership is to capacitate the LGU in the area of environmental governance. This partnership is a step of SESAM to capture sustainability and drive positive action through advocating, educating and sharing of knowledge and skills to its partners and stakeholders. 

UPLB-SESAM Dean, Dr. Rico C. Ancog and Faculty member and Head of SESAM Research Division, Dr. Patricia Ann J. Sanchez represented the School for the LOC signing ceremony while Los Banos Municipal Mayor, Hon. Antonio L. Kalaw and MENRO Focal Person, Ms. Lizette D. Cardenas represented MGLB. 

Also present during the ceremony were For. Sofia A. Alaira and Dr. Yusuf A. Sucol, both SESAM University Researchers, and Dr. Antonio J. Alcantara, MGLB Environmental Consultant and also a retired faculty of UPLB-SESAM. (RDAreglado)