The School of Environmental Science and Management-Continuing Education and Training Division (SESAM-CETD) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) completed its first training on environmental management focusing on forestry and ecosystems valuation last February 27-29; March 5-7 and 19-21 at SESAM Library.

In partnership with the Philippines Network of Educators in the Environment (PNEE), this training aims to increase the participants’ knowledge on the different research methodologies related to environmental management; enhance the skills of the participants in conducting environmental management, researches, and the applicability for assessment, planning, and budgeting in their respective department/offices; and strengthen the technical capabilities of the participants in environmental management, especially in environmental compliance and monitoring.

Participants for this training include 12 from the Philippine Reclamation Authority, three from Pasay Harbor City Corporation and one from the Diamond Export Corporation. This training came into fruition when the PRA, through their Environmental Management Department (ENV) has requested for a capacity building on environmental management and monitoring that will cater their needs to fulfill their projects and mandates.

In his opening message, Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Dean of SESAM mentioned that SESAM will be delving more on the science of environmental management and there will be a deeper discussion through the course of the training as this is the mandate of SESAM. “I look at this as a partnership and an opportunity to reach out and respond to a call,” Dr. Ancog added.

Resource persons from SESAM-UPLB, College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR-UPLB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources and private sector were invited to discuss various topics. 

The topics presented during the first week include Flora Assessment and Management: Terrestrial and Mangrove/Coastal Forests (Dr. Jose Alan A. Castillo, ERDB-DENR); Carbon Stock/Emission Assessment for Dredging and Reclamation Projects (Dr. Dixon T. Gevaña, CFNR-UPLB); field demo and workshop on Terrestrial Forest Assessment and Management: Flora and Fauna (Dr. Enrico L. Replan, FORESTEReplan Landscape Consultancy Services); Integrated Planning for Mangrove/Coastal Rehabilitation, Conservation, and Management through the National Greening Program (NGP) (For. Percival M. Cardona, FMB-DENR) and Marine Ecological Assessment and Management (Dr. Badi R. Samaniego, SESAM-UPLB).

The field work on terrestrial flora and fauna was conducted on February 29, 2024 at Brgy. Luquin, Liliw, Laguna. This experiential learning was facilitated by Dr. Replan, as part of the terrestrial forest assessment and management.

On the second week, the topics on water quality assessment and comprehensive assessment strategies for environmental strategies were discussed by Dr. Loucel E. Cui (SESAM-UPLB), while Dr. Juan Miguel R. Guotana (SESAM-UPLB) presented the topic “changing coastlines.” Dr. Alma Lorelei D. Abejero, meanwhile discussed air emission impact and assessment.

Dr. Decibel F. Eslava (SESAM-UPLB), presented “geology and land reclamation.” Dr. Ancog discussed two topics, namely introduction to basic concepts on the economics of natural resources and overview of cost-benefit analysis. Meanwhile, Prof. Eduardo F. Roquiño (SESAM-UPLB), discussed methodologies for economic assessment: change of productivity approach.

Participants visited the Lagadlarin Mangrove Forest and Conservation area in Lobo, Batangas for their field work. For. Alvin S. Gestiada (ERDB-DENR) demonstrated the mangrove assessment of flora and fauna using standard field methods. Dr. Samaniego brought the training participants off shore for the ecological assessment for marine resources. Meanwhile, Dr. Cui showed different instruments and equipment to be used for water quality assessment. 

In the third and last week of the training, Prof. Roquiño discussed the methodologies for economic assessment: revealed preference approach, Travel Cost Method (TCM) and Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). Meanwhile, the exercises on crafting economic valuation studies for environmental management for reclamation was facilitated by Dr. Ancog.

On the last day of training, Dr. Marisa J. Sobremisana (SESAM-UPLB) and Dr. Eduardo C. Calzeta (SESAM-UPLB) lectured on environmental management system and environmental management plan, respectively.

In the closing program, Dr. Cecilia Navasero-Gascon, President of PNEE lauded SESAM again for a successful training and vows to continue the collaboration between the network and the school. Ms. Evangeline L. Alcantara, SESAM researcher and member of the PNEE secretariat also assisted SESAM-CETD during the training.

This training is the first face-to-face activity of SESAM-CETD for 2024, as the division leads the school in the planning, development, and conduct of continuing and training programs that help capacitate institutions in environmental planning and management. Under the leadership of For. Sofia A. Alaira, CETD is composed of SESAM REPS namely, Dr. Thaddeus P. Lawas, Ms. Cherry S. Padilla, Mr. Robert Patrick M. Cabangbang and Ms. Jessa O. Aquino-Cando, EnP.