SESAM-CETD conducts 2nd batch of EIA training for 2024
The School of Environmental Science and Management through its Continuing Education and Training Division (SESAM-CETD) successfully concluded its short online course on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 2022 last September 16 to 20, 2024 via Zoom.
This is the 9th rendition of the EIA training being organized by CETD and second for this year. This batch had a total of 74 participants with one foreign participant. This training is also in partnership with the Philippines Network of Educators on Environment.
This training aims to provide 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 participants; 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.
Aside from University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), other speakers from government agencies and universities were invited to lecture on various topics related to EIA. Among those invited from UPLB-SESAM were: Dr. Decibel F. Eslava (geophysical- geology, soil, and land use); Dr. Loucel E. Cui (water quality analysis and terrestrial aquatic ecosystems); Dr. Badi R. Samaniego (marine ecosystems); Dr. Eduardo C. Calzeta (carrying capacity, SDP, EMP, EMoP and EIS preparation); and Dr. Rico C. Ancog (environmental economics); and Dr. Janice S. Nastor (environmental risk assessment)
Speakers invited from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) were Engr. Divina Camarao (introduction and overview of PEISS and EIA: EIA as a planning, management, and regulatory tool and laws, policies and institutional arrangements for EIA system; air and climate) and For. Riza C. Arjona (EIA process and decision-making).
Speakers of from UP units shared their respective expertise during the training. They were: Dr. Evaristo Niño T. Cando III of the College of Human Ecology, UPLB (socio-cultural impact assessment); Dr. Victorio Molina of the College of Public Health-UP Manila (health impact assessment); Dr. Pastor Malabrigo of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources-UPLB (terrestrial biodiversity); Prof. Antonio G. Sobremisana of the College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology-UPLB (water quantity analysis); and Dr. Hussein S. Lidasan of the School of Urban and Rural Planning-UP Diliman (review of EIA quality and decision-making).
During the last day of the training, Dr. Lidasan also provided the critique of the workshop outputs of the participants, as they were divided into four groups. The four groups were given one topic each, which include expressway, mining and quarry, dam and irrigation, and steel mill. In the workshop outputs, all the stages of the EIA process were presented, from project proposals to submission to EMB; screening; conduct of IEC (information, education and communication); Scoping (technical to public scoping); baseline data gathering on Land, Air, Water and People, including SIA, HIA (updated); TIA, ERA, Carrying capacity, technical review, public hearing requirements, decision-making, ECC release and monitoring/implementation.With SESAM’s mandate on environmental education, research, and extension, CETD will continue to provide quality training courses such as the EIA, economic valuation, as well as climate and disaster risk assessment (CDRA). CETD is led by For. Sofia A. Alaiara, with members Dr. Thaddeus P. Lawas, EnP. Jessa O. Aquino-Cando, Ms. Cherry S. Padilla and Mr. Robert Partrick M. Cabangbang.