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Saturday, April 10, 2021

DRIVERS OF URBAN LANDSCAPE CHANGES

by Rodel C. Cuyco

Urban landscape is a dynamic system whose structures are altered continually through time. Its attributes may be construed as by-products of the complex interactions between natural environment and human activities (Shi, Xiao, and She, 2008).

Like all cities in the world, cities in the Philippines have undergone various stages of development through time, from being small villages to becoming municipalities and then to cities and metropolis. These transformations of settlements were shaped by urbanization which has led to various alterations in the urban landscape “to accommodate ‘current’ and future expansions” (Bagarinao:p.38) . What were then dense green spaces are now already teeming with buildings and massive infrastructures. What were then beautiful sand beaches are now teeming with hotels and resorts. Transportation networks have become more complex over the years.

What are the driving forces to these urban landscape changes?

1.The natural increase in population. The rate of death and births characterizes the natural expansion of an area. (https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php). The Asian Development Bank describes the Philippines as a highly urbanized nation. As early as 1980, urbanization was at 37.2%, and by 1990 it had reached 48.6%. In 2000, urban areas were home to 48.1% of the country’s 76.5 million inhabitants; by 2010, those areas accounted for 48.9% of a total population of 94 million. Although the level of urbanization has been relatively steady with some fluctuation, there has been a steep increase in total urban population during the last decade (ADB:p.5).

2. Migration. Immigration is a major contributor to the increase in the population of a place. Many people are forced to move to urban areas in search of jobs, education, and housing (https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php). This natural increase in population and migration present pressure to limited space in the cities especially for settlement and infrastructures.

3. Industrialization. Manufacturing has created more job opportunities by providing people with the opportunity to be employed in new sectors. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php .

4. Commercialization. Businesspeople prefer going to the cities to sell their commodities and in search of higher profits. The kind of economic pull urban centers have is one that attracts more and more people to move to urban areas https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php .

5. Advancement of transport and communication. Today, people prefer to live near their place work not because of poor transport but to shorten distance travel and avoid the traffic jam on their way work (https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php .)

6. Availability of educational and recreational facilities. Most training institutions, colleges, elementary schools, and technical institutions are in urban areas. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php .

7. Urban planning policies. With better living standards and infrastructures in the city, more people are attracted to live in the city, consequently increasing its population https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php

8. Topographical factors. Urban areas in or around an excellent topographical area are easily extended and refined, thus drawing more people to such areas https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php .

9. Unbalanced spatial development. In many countries around the world, there are developed regions and less developed regions. Many people tend to move to more developed areas https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php .

10. Transformation and modernization in the way of living. Transformation and modernization play a very significant role in attracting people to the cities. As technology improves, together with highly sophisticated infrastructure, liberation, communication, dressing code, medical facilities, and other social services offered; people tend to believe they can live a more comfortable life in the cities (https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php .)

11. Mining and investments. As more urban areas continue being successful and well-off due to the discovery of minerals, resource exploitation, agricultural activities, or business operations, urban areas continue to grow economically (https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php .)

12. Presence of functional administrative and social support offices. The presence of administration dominance in an urban center promotes its growth. Many cities today hold offices for various administration and governance functions, which influence people to live in these areas for access to better governance and social amenities like security, sanitation, housing, education, and healthcare https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php .

How these drivers affect government policies?

To better plan and manage the opportunities as well as the accompanying problems brought by urbanization, the Philippines for a number of years have passed and implemented, either excellently and poorly some policies and plans.

Key Legislations

The key legislations considered critical to urban planning in the Philippines are the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992 or RA 7279, and the LGC or RA 7160. UDHA was enacted to provide for a comprehensive and continuing urban development and housing program, establishing the mechanism for its implementation. UDHA empowered the LGUs to address urban development issues (ADB;p.19).

The LGC mandates LGUs to prepare a comprehensive land use plan (CLUP) enacted through a zoning ordinance, and to prepare a comprehensive development plan, as well as other multisector development plans and public investment programs including the local development investment plan (LDIP) (ADB;p.20).

To make the urban areas climate and disaster resilient, Climate Change Act of 2009 and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 were passed.

Major Plans

To address the need to have an overall framework for policy and strategy, based on a clear urban development vision, the National Urban Development and Housing Framework (NUDHF) is periodically formulated, this time, the NUDHF 2017-2022. NUHDF envisions for a better urban systems which are globally competitive, economically vibrant and livable (NUHDF:p.5). This is anchored on the aforementioned laws as well as the Agenda 30 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, SDG 11 which aims to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.” Also, this is founded on The New Urban Agenda which aims to address urban poverty and social exclusion as well as Ambisyon Natin 2040 which represents the long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country (NUDHF;p.2)

Some Government Policies that Shaped Urban Landscape

Government Policies that Shape Urban Landscape

Land Conversion in Metro Manila

According to Kelly (2000) in Malaque and Yokohari (2007), the peripheral provinces of Metro Manila experienced a widespread conversion of farmland into industrial estates and residential sub-divisions. The conversion is expected to continue while the land owners are speculating on the future sale of their land (Malaque and Yokohari, 2007). These converted farmlands is now a mosaic of residential, industrial, and commercial sites (Bagarinao; p38)

Regionalization

The declaration of Calamba City as the Regional Center of the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon (CALABARZON) economic region has led to its rapid urbanization which changed its landscaped structure in the last two decades. Such declaration has increased its income significantly, and has attracted several investors to invest in the City. The expanding urbanization of the City does not only threaten the local agricultural production but may have some critical implications in its environment. (Bagarinao; p.38-39).

Metropolitanization

To address common problems affecting adjacent cities, the Government of the Philippines has recently moved toward “metropolitanization” to create a coordinating authority that can address common problems of urban areas through concerted efforts and pooled resources. (National Urban Assessment 2014: p.19).

References

Abhishek, N., Jenamani, M., & Mahanty, B. (2017). Urban growth in Indian cities: Are the driving forces really changing?. Habitat International, 69, 48-57 as cited at https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php

Bagarinao, Ricardo. Changing Urban Landscape and Its Implications in Environmental Management: The Case of Calamba City, Philippines. UP Open University. IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation, March 2013

Gray, Stephen and Ocampo, Mary Anne. Resilient Edges: Exploring a Socio-Ecological Urban Design Approach in Metro Manila. The Plan Journal, Volume 2 Issue 2 accessed at www.theplanjournal.comsystemfilesarticlesTPJ_Vol2_Issue2_Gray.pdf

Republic of the Philippines: National Urban Assessment 2014. Asian Development Bank accessed at https://www.adb.org/publications/republic-philippines-national-urban-assessment

National Urban Development and Housing Framework 2017-2022, Abridged Version. Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). 2017 accessed at https://hlurb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/services/lgu/clup guidebook/NUDHF_2017_2022%20_Abridged_Version.pdf

UN Department of economics and social affairs. (2001). The concept of urban growth. Retrieved from https://population.un.org/wup/Archive/Files/studies/United%20Nations%20(2001)%20-%20The%20Components%20of%20Urban%20Growth%20in%20Developing%20Countries.pdf as cited at https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/urbanization-and-urban-growth.php

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Status of Urbanization in the Philippines as Presented in the Habitat III: The Philippine National Report

HABITAT III: THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL REPORT

Executive Summary

· In 1996, the Philippines participated in the Second World Conference on Human Settlements or Habitat II. Held in Istanbul, Turkey, the conference addressed two themes of equal global importance: Adequate Shelter for All and Sustainable Human Settlements Development in an Urbanizing World. As an active member of the United Nations Center for Human Settlements, now known as UN-Habitat, the Philippines presented its national report entitled “Shelter And Human Settlements: Philippine Report and Plan of Action” at the conference. The national report contained the country's 20-year urban development roadmap which was anchored on three interconnected strategies: total human development, global competitiveness and sustainable development. It also contained the country’s commitments which focused on infrastructure development in support of human settlements, pursuit of knowledge and livelihood, and ensuring physical, economic and social mobility. Twenty years later and the Philippines appears to have made significant achievements against most of its commitments under Habitat II.

· Over the years, however, it has likewise emerged as one of the most populous countries in the world, with a population of over 100 million. The country's rapid urbanization has put tremendous pressures on city governments' to provide affordable, reliable, and quality basic urban services. The urban reach of Metro Manila— which has transformed into a megacity—has also expanded to the nearby regions as a result of sustained economic growth, making it one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world. The country's population is predominantly young, with the share of population below 30 years old at around 60%. With this the country faces a demographic window of opportunity from youth dividends which could potentially sustain an annual growth rate of at least 7%. To address this, several initiatives have been launched. The Enhanced Basic Education Act extends formal education from 10 to 12 years in order to harness the county’s young and trainable pool of human resources. The Alternative Learning System provides a chance to those who do are unable to do so to attend and finish formal basic education. The Youth Education-Youth Employment Program responds to the needs of the disadvantaged youth. The Youth Entrepreneurship Act provides young people with business acumen by introducing entrepreneurship and finance in the education curriculum. Building the capacity and life skills of its people, particularly the youth, for how to become productive members of a fast modernizing urban economy will be a key challenge of the Philippines in the coming years.

· The country's archipelagic nature and geographic location have made it highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Climate change in the Philippines has been acutely felt in the last ten years through increased temperature, precipitation, rainfall, drought, flooding, storm surges, rising sea level, limited water supply, forest fires, and other changing weather patterns. Metro Manila is at high risk from cyclones, floods, and earthquakes. Metro Davao, the largest urban agglomeration in the island of Mindanao, is also exposed to the same risks. Cebu, Tacloban, and Iloilo in the Visayas have likewise sustained tremendous damages from major earthquakes and super typhoons these past years. National and local governments have made significant strides in mainstreaming climate change action (CCA) and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) in their city development and comprehensive land use planning. Emerging good practices in CCA and DRRM are being monitored, distilled, and developed as tools for quick application by local governments and communities. But challenges remain in institutionalizing policies, systems, and procedures and in making sure the coordination mechanisms among all stakeholders work.

· Together, the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) of the Philippines and the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992 mandate the preparation of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and a Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) by local governments. Guidebooks and sourcebooks are available and regularly updated for the use of local governments in the preparation of their CLUPs and CDPs. They streamline the planning process, integrate environmental guidelines, facilitate cross-sectoral integration, standardize the formats used, and incorporate CCA and DRRM. However, the urban sprawl in the Philippines has become evident, caused mainly by the search for cheaper land outside the metropolises and the weak implementation of local plans and zonal ordinances. Many local governments lack the capacity to properly guide the direction of urban expansion. Transport networks and utility service extensions have been used more to service developments already in place than to shape and influence the direction of development. Open spaces for public use are not being protected sufficiently for the public. Sidewalks, even traffic islands, are being appropriated for private use, particularly in highly urbanized cities. Waterfronts, coastal zones, mountain ridges, and other visual corridors that offer excellent views of landscapes and seascapes have been built over, blocking the public view. Even some heritage sites are not being spared. Urban-rural linkages, particularly to fuel more economic activities and enhance urban as well as peri-urban food production, have yet to be more carefully considered.

· Urban governance in the Philippines involves a number of institutions, resulting in complex vertical-horizontal institutional coordination and linkages for planning, implementation, and operation of infrastructure and services. Although the decentralization process can be deemed a success, the nature of the urban challenges currently confronting Philippine cities calls for some changes, particularly for regional and large-scale infrastructure projects involving inter-jurisdictional cooperation. There have been watershed urban legislations, particularly the LGC and the UDHA which continue to be highly relevant for enabling sector investments, programs, and projects. Several measures have also been adopted for improved urban governance, including the Local Government Performance Management System and the Seal of Good Local Governance. These help measure the effectiveness and efficiency of local governance and promote transparency, accountability, financial management, disaster preparedness, social protection, business friendliness, peace and order, and environmental management.

· But the accelerated pace of urbanization in the Philippines, with its archipelagic nature and geographic location making it highly vulnerable to climate change, calls for some modifications to the existing urban governance framework. Strengthening urban sector leadership, addressing the urban legal gaps, and fine tuning the decentralized urban service delivery framework are priorities for the coming years. Transparency and accountability through digital governance are also vital. Participatory mechanisms in the Philippines have become noteworthy, especially those involving NGOs and other civil society organizations. Given the complexity of the evolving urban challenges, however, they need to become even more innovative, aimed at more meaningful placemaking and public space design, leading to neighborhood livability and the public's wellbeing.

· Philippine cities, particularly Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities, have helped to propel the overall urban economy, which in turn has spurred the country's sustained economic expansion. However, many of them are still confronted by a multitude of urban problems such as congestion, overcrowding, poor quality of life, and rapidly growing poor urban communities. There is deficient investment in urban infrastructure—mostly for housing, water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, and low-carbon yielding urban transport. Moreover, unemployment and underemployment persists despite the sustained expansion of the overall economy and its record growth record of late. The highest incidences of unemployment in the country are seen among males, workers with higher educational attainment, and the youth. Meanwhile, underemployment is highest in the agriculture-based regions and in regions more vulnerable to climate change. The combined unemployment and underemployment rates account for the high poverty incidence that lingers in the country. Growth has, therefore, not been inclusive so far. More and better jobs, as well as equal access to improved livelihood opportunities are needed. The fast-growing sectors of the economy, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should be fully supported.

· The delivery of safe water, sanitation, waste management, energy, and transport continues to be a major challenge in the Philippines, particularly with respect to creating the conditions necessary for livability and resiliency in the cities. The strategies to be employed must consider economies of scale—which in many cases can be achieved by a more spatially integrated and regionally balanced approach—as well as sustained private sector participation. Climate change also imposes the inclusion of more "green" features. Investments can be more rationalized using a co-benefit approach which espouses that projects to be considered must have multiple benefits in different sectors resulting from one policy, strategy, or initiative.

· On the housing front, the current level of production represents a very small fraction of the estimated housing need—perpetuating the formation of informal settlements and slums in Metro Manila and other urban metropolis around the country. Informal settler families must be transformed and enabled to find secure and better places to live—in resilient communities that are able to withstand climate change and natural disasters, vibrant communities animated with socio-economic dynamism and quality urban infrastructure and services, and connected communities that are linked by transport and telecommunication to employment, sources of livelihood, the urban economy, and the rest of the city. The country's archipelagic setting combined with the magnitude of urbanization makes accessibility between and within the islands costly and time consuming. The intense movement of people, materials and information, combined with generally inadequate urban transport systems in the Philippines, is causing millions in lost productivity and economic opportunities. There has been a bias so far towards planning for individual motorized transport rather than accessibility. This has led to tremendous traffic congestion and urban sprawl. The "Avoid-Shift-Improve Framework" is being promoted in planning subsequent urban transport systems. The envisioned outcome is a successful transition to a more inclusive, greener urban transport system with a lower carbon footprint for Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities nationwide.

· Against this background, the Philippine Government began its national report preparation for the Third World Conference on Human Settlements or Habitat III to be held in Quito, Ecuador on 17-20 October 2016. The New Urban Agenda was formulated using a consultative, participatory, and consensus building approach, entailing a series of thematic, regional, and multi-sectoral workshops. The theme of the New Urban Agenda is Better, Greener, Smarter Cities in an Inclusive Philippines— reflective of the aspirations of millions of Filipinos for the future of their cities. Better Cities are globally competitive, economically vibrant, and livable. Greener Cities are environmentally sustainable, climate resilient, and safe. Smarter Cities are connected, physically, spatially and digitally. An Inclusive Philippines is equitable, participatory, and provides universal access to quality basic services. It safeguards children, women, the elderly people, and persons with disability. It equalizes access to livelihood opportunities. And last but not least, it facilitates the transformation of informal settler families in the metropolises, enabling them to live their lives with more pride and dignity.

Reference

https://hudcc.gov.ph/HABITAT_III#:~:text=The%20theme%20of%20the%20New,%2C%20economically%20vibrant%2C%20and%20livable.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Relevant Laws Environmental Planners Should Know

Republic Act No. 10587 Environmental Planning Act of 2013

EO 71 Devolution of Land use planning

EO 72 CLUP Preparation

EO 184 HLURB functions

EO 226 Omnibus Investments Code of 1987

PD 953 Tree Planting and Urban Forestry

PD 1308 Regulating the Profession of EnP

RA 6541 National Building Code of 1972

RA 6938 Cooperative Code of the Phils 1990

RA 6957 BOT Joint Venture Guidelines

RA 7611 Strategic Environment Plan of Palawan

RA 7835-CISFA

RA 7916 Philippine Economic Zone Authority Act 1994

RA 8371 Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997

RA 8981 PRC Modernization Act of 2000

RA 9184 Government Procurement Act

RA 9295 IRR - Domestic Shipping Shipbuilding

RA 9418 Volunteerism for Rural Development Act of 2008

RA 9501 Amendments to Magna Carta for Small Enterprises

RA 9507 Loan Restructuring Condonation of Socialized Housing

RA 9510 Credit Information System Act of 2008

RA 9512 Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008

RA 9514 Revised Fire Code of 2008

RA 9520 Revised Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008

RA 9710 Magna Carta of Women of 2009

RA 9904 Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Association

RA 10066 National Culture Heritage Act of 2010

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Land Laws Environmental Planners Should Know

Commonwealth Act 141 of 1936 The Public Land Act.

PD 27 Land Reform - Emancipation from bondage

PD 1517 Urban Land Reform IRR

PD 1529 Land Registration

RA 1199 Agricultural Tenancy Act

RA 3488 Agrarian Reform of 1963

RA 6657 Agrarian Reform Law

RA 9700 Extension of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program

RA 10023 Free Patents to Residential Lands

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Housing Laws Environmental Planners Should Know

Republic Act No 11201- Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act

Batas Pambansa 220 Socialized and Low Cost Housing

House Bill 3769 Local housing boards

PD 933 Creating HSRC now HLURB

PD 957 Subdivision & Condominium Buyers Protection Act

PD 1096 National Bldg Code of 1977

RA 4726 Condominium Act of 1995

RA 7279 Urban and Housing Development Act of 1992

RA 7835 Comprehensive Integrated Shelter Finance Act

RA 9397 Amendment of UDHA

RA 9904 Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowner Associations

Republic Act No. 9653: Rent Control Act (2009)

Republic Act No. 9397: Disposition of Lands for Socialized Housing (2006)

Republic Act No. 9341: The Rent Control Act (2005)

Republic Act No. 8501: Penalty Condonation (1998)

Republic Act No. 8368: Repeal of Presidential Decree No. 772 (1997)

Republic Act No. 8437: Rent Control Law (1997)

Republic Act No. 7835: CISFA (1994)

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Environmental Laws Environmental Planners Should Know

• RA 9593 Tourism Act 2009

• RA 9729 Climate Change Act

• RA 10121 DRRM act of 2010

• PD 1151 Philippine Environmental Policy

• PD 1152 Philippine Environmental Code

• CA 120 Creating the National Power Corporation

• PD 334 Creating the Phil National Oil Company

• PD 1442 Exploration & Development of Geothermal Resources

• BP 33 Energy Conservation

• RA 5207 Atomic Energy

• RA 387 Petroleum Act of 1949

• RA 7638 Creating the Department of Energy

• RA 9367 Biofuels Act of 2007

• RA 9513 Renewable Energy Act of 2008

• PD 1198 Exploration, Development and Exploitation of Natural Resources or in the Construction of Infrastructure Projects to Restore or Rehabilitate Areas

• PD 1899 Small-scale Mining

• RA 7076 People's Small Scale Mining Act of 1991

• RA 7942 Philippine Mining Act of 1995

• DAO 2010-21 Mining Act IRR

• DAO 96-40 IRR on CLRF

• PD 705 Revised Forestry Code

• BP 701 Amendments of the Forestry Code

• PD 1775 Amendments to the Forestry Code

• PD 1559 Further Amending the Revised Forestry Code

• RA 3571 Prohibition against Cutting of Trees in Public Roads & Plazas

• RA 9175 Chainsaw act of 2002

• EO 277 Amending Section 68 of the Revised Forestry Code

• Proclamation 926 Subic Watershed Forest Reserve Law

• RA 7586 NIPAS Law of 1992

• RA 7586 NIPAS Law of 1992 IRR

• RA 7586 NIPAS Law of 1992 DAO

• RA 9147 Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation

• RA 9072 Caves and Cave Resources Conservation of 2002

• RA 9168 Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act of 2002

• PD 704 Fisheries Code

• PD 1015 Amendment to Fisheries Code

• RA 8550 New Fisheries Code of 1998

· Republic Act No. 10654 amending Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

• RA 8435 Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act

• RA 8550 Fisheries Code of 1998 Implementing Rules

• PD 979 Marine Pollution Decree

• PD 977 Philippine Fish Marketing Authority

• PD 1219 Conservation of Coral Resources

• PD 1198 Permit to Gather Coral for Scientific Purposes

• PD 1067 Water Code of 1976

• RA 9522 Baselines of Philippine Territorial Sea

• RA 8041 National Water Crisis Act of 1995

• PD 198 Creation of Provincial Water Utilities

• PD 1586 Establishment of the Environmental Impact Statement System

• DENR DAO 1996-37 Environmental Impact System

• PD 424 Creating the NWRC

• RA 7160 Local Government Code of 1991 Book 1

• RA 9275 Clean Water Act of 2004

• DAO 05-10 Clean water act implementing rules and regulations

• PD 856 Sewage and Drainage IRR 1995

• CA 383 Anti-Dumping in Waterways

• PD 984 Pollution Control Law

• RA 9003 Ecological Solid Waste Management of 2001

• RA 6969 Control of Toxic Hazardous Nuclear Wastes

• RA 4850 Laguna Lake Development Authority

• RA 6234 Creating MWSS and Dissolving NAWASA

• PD 281 Creating the Pasig River Development Council

• DAO 90-34 Revised Water Usage & Classification Criteria

• DAO 90-35 Revised Effluents Regulations

• DAO94-26A Standards for Drinking Water

• PD 856 Sanitation Code of 1975

• DAO 97-39 Control Order for Cyanide

• DAO 98-58 Priority Chemical List

• RA 8749 Clean Air Act of 1999

• RA 3931 Water and Air Pollution Control Commission

• DAO 2000-82 Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework

• DAO 93-14A Amendment to Administrative Order No. 14

Series of 1993 and Clarifying its Coverage and Scope

• MC 97-10 Standard Cost and Fees for Various Services of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Relative to Mining Rights.

• EO 97-446 Phase out of Leaded Gasoline

• DAO 98-47 Phase out of Leaded Gasoline IRR

• DENR DAO 2003-51 Vehicle Emission Standards

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Saturday, November 28, 2020

SCHOOLS OFFERING ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING COURSES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Under section 18 (b) of the RA 10587 or the Environmental Planning Act of 2013, an applicant for environmental planning board exam must be a holder of any of the following degrees from schools, colleges or universities duly recognized and accredited by the CHED:

1. A graduate in environmental planning, urban/city and regional planning, or town and country planning or its equivalent;

2. A Post-Graduate Diploma in Environmental Planning, city and regional planning or its equivalent, and with at least one (1) year of on-the-job training as required herein;

3. A Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, city planning or urban and regional planning, or town and country planning, or its equivalent, and with two (2) years of on-the-job training as required herein

Note: Graduates of related courses and incumbent planners as previously allowed since 2014 are no longer allowed to take.

The following are some universities offering environmental planning and urban and regional planning courses in the Philippines (this is not a complete list):

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES – SCHOOL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning

Master of Arts (MA) In Urban and Regional Planning

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Urban and Regional Planning

Master of Science (MSC) in Regional Development Planning

https://www.surp.upd.edu.ph/offerings.html

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES OPEN UNIVERSITY

Diploma in Land Use Planning

https://fmds.upou.edu.ph/academics/post-bac/dlup/

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES VISAYAS

Diploma in Urban and Regional Management

https://www.upv.edu.ph/files/UPV-Catalogue-Academic-Programs.pdf