One of the most anticipated training programs offered by the University of the Philippines Los Baños-School of Environmental Science and Management-Continuing Education and Training Division (UPLB-SESAM-CETD), the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) course, netted 65 participants from national government agencies, local government units, academe, private organizations, non-government organizations and free-lance practitioners.
The week-long training ran from August 9 to 13, 2021, via Zoom, which aims to provide the participants with knowledge about the technical aspects and administrative procedures of the Philippine EIS System; discuss the key elements of the current EIA procedures and processes, including the existing laws and policies relevant to the conduct of EIA; impart knowledge on how to identify and predict the impacts of proposed development projects and programs relevant to the fields of specialization of the participant; strengthen the technical capabilities of the participants in environmental management, especially in environmental compliance and monitoring; enhance the participants’ skills and knowledge on how to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); and provide a better appreciation of the application of science in the methods of EIA preparation.
After completing the course, the participants are expected to be equipped with the sufficient knowledge and skills relevant to the current practices, procedures, and processes of the EIA in the Philippines.
The EIA training course has been a regular activity of CETD since 2019, and SESAM has been aware that new issues evolve, as well as the EIA process itself– the procedures, processes, requirements also subject to changes. Participants who completed this year’s training are now equipped with new and appropriate approaches to properly assess the environmental impacts of development projects– such that proper mitigation and enhancement strategies or sustainability practices could be implemented by the proponents and concerned individuals or groups.
Various speakers were invited from SESAM and other agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other units of UPLB. During the last day of the course, participants were divided into three groups and they were given one case scenario each and drafted their respective EIA reports. They were also given the opportunity to present and their works were critiqued for improvement.
For. Sofia A. Alaira, Head of SESAM-CETD said she hope the training provided an overview of the current EIA process and its requirement. “Most of you joined us because you have the responsibility of initiating, managing and evaluating EIA reports, and as implementers of monitoring plans, and for the interest learning how to mitigate the negative impacts in any development projects”, For. Alaira added. (Thaddeus P. Lawas and Cherry S. Padilla)
