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

 

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MINDANAO

Diploma/Masters in Urban and Regional Planning

https://www2.upmin.edu.ph/index.php/admission-sp-13858/degree-programs/durp-maurp

 

MIRRIAM COLLEGE

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning and Management

Masters/PhD in Environmental Planning and Management

https://www.mc.edu.ph/epm

 

BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY (also offered at BSU Open University)

Master in Urban Management

http://www.bsu.edu.ph/content/master-urban-management

http://www.bsu.edu.ph/open-university

 

UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning

http://www.usc.edu.ph/academic/department/23

 

 

 

 

SOME IDEAS TO ADDRESS COVID-19

Fast Track the Implementation of RA11055 or the Philippine Identification Systems Act and RA11315 or the Community-Based Monitoring System Act

The IATF should fast track the implementation of National ID System (RA11055) as well as the implementation of Community-Based Monitoring System Act (RA11315). These will be both helpful in conducting massive testing, contact tracing and in the distribution of relief goods, services and other relief assistance.

Mandatory Establishment of Laboratory Testing Facility and Mass Testing at the Provincial Level

Make it mandatory for the Provincial Government to establish testing facility using portion of their 20% Economic Development Fund from their Internal Revenue Allotment. Further, provincial governments in partnership municipal/city local government units should conduct rapid mass testing to isolate at once those who are found positive at an early stage so that one will be able to receive hospital care immediately and to avoid infecting others.

Mandatory construction of respective isolation or quarantine facilities in every municipality and barangay

Make it mandatory for LGUs to construct their respective isolation or quarantine facilities. I observed that most LGUs, here in my province are converting classrooms for such use which may expose schoolchildren and teachers to possible infection.

Question is, where will be these persons under monitoring and suspected Covid 19 patients be quarantined once the classes start.

LGUs therefore should do their best to have their own isolation facilities. They can utilize their Bayanihan Fund given to them pursuant to DBM Local Budget Circular No. 125 dated April 7, 2020 which is equivalent to their one-month IRA. In addition to that, they can realign a portion of their 20% EDF for this purpose subject to the regulations under DBM-DILG JMC No. 01 dated March 27, 2020.

How COVID-19 will Affect the Future of Governance and Development?

Governance and development will be definitely reshaped by the new normal in social interaction which is basically a lifestyle of physical distancing or isolation. The Fourth Industrialization which is mark by technology-driven interactions will disrupt the traditional ways of face-to-face interactions.

The concepts of transparency, accountability and participation may now be measured thru the use of data analytics.

Definitely, there will be higher demand for efficiency, transparency and accountability at all levels as this pandemic made all realize the need for swifter and credible delivery of services while at the same time facing challenges to the economy.

Based on observation, the following are some policy reforms which may happen in the “new normal” :

International and Regional Level

•     Strengthening of international cooperation among member-countries of the United Nation, World Health Organization, ASEAN, to name a few in terms of information and resources sharing and setting of standards to prevent or combat pandemics.

•     Imposition of stiffer sanctions for countries who have irresponsibly handled outbreaks resulting to pandemic.

National and Local Level

•     Capacity-building for frontline workers, inter-agency task forces and skeleton workforce from the national to the local level.

•     Upgrading of qualifications for those who would like to enter public service.

•     Institutionalization of alternative work arrangements policy which include four-day work week and telecommuting or work from home, among others.

•     Policy reform to ensure that supply-chain is seamlessly operating amidst lockdowns/quarantines. (The current difficulty in the delivery of goods has led to price increases (based on my observation) and scarcity of food supply in some areas.)

•     Strict enforcement of law against hoarding and overpricing.

•     Setting-up of an effective communication system in every government level and offices for the public to have an access to legitimate information only. This is also a countermeasure against the proliferation of fake news especially in the social media.

•     Re-examine the Local Government Code to harness local autonomy and maximize local resources.

•     Strengthening of the Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZ) and other areas of interlocal cooperation. In my observation, some LGUs have inactive ILHZs. This is important in improving referral system and in extending medical assistance especially to indigent patients.

•     Strengthening of partnership with civil society organizations and the business sector.

•     Mainstreaming of pandemic scenario in development plans

Politics

•     Public health will definitely be a hot election issue come 2022. Hopefully, voters will take note of their current experiences and will vote for good leaders who have the capacity to address such huge health crisis.

How will development be measured in the future? 

Development will not only be measured on economic terms. Higher level of emphasis will be given to human development index which measures development in terms of a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable and have a decent standard of living (http://hdr.undp.org. All of which will depend on how countries manage and deliver basic services like health and education.

Country’ resiliency against pandemics in addition to natural disasters will now become of the standard of governance. Covid pandemic will definitely redefine the standards of service delivery. For example, our hospitals, classrooms, and public mode of transport will be re-planned to make it possible for everybody to observe physical distancing.

How will the new normal impact on development?

With isolation becoming a personal and a community lifestyle, economic and social development will suffer greatly. According to economists, recession is inevitable which will lead to higher prices and high unemployment rate.

Production areas like manufacturing factories which used to have a huge number of workers will be trimmed to ensure distancing. Advanced countries may opt to employ more robots as substitute to humans.

Lesser social interaction means the spirit of community cooperation will suffer. Social media will be a big help in terms of communication but it cannot replace face to face gathering in forging sense of community and belongingness. Social life is part of development especially if we are using Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness as a measure of development.

The new normal will definitely redefine the current model of development which is more concentrated on the development of urban areas or cities. There is now an effort for Balik Probinsya Program which intends to encourage people in the cities to go back to the provinces. Their families will be provided with livelihood opportunities to lure them to stay.

As I see it, the government both national and local will provide higher investment in health, water and sanitation as a way of strengthening resilience of the communities against Covid 19.

Using modern communication platform and other related technologies will now be more common. The use of the Internet in the delivery of services like health, education and other government transactions and in the delivery of good and services will now be the new normal. Open and distance education like UPOU will be offered by universities.

HOUSE RULES IN OUR QUARANTINE FACILITY (IN VERNACULAR)

HOUSE RULES

1.  Igindidiri an pagawas san Quarantine Facility sulod san 14 ka adlaw nga quarantine period.

2.  Igindidiri an pagpasulod sin maski sin-o nga bisita sa sulod san Quarantine Facility.

3.  Alayon niyo pag-obserbar san physical distancing ug pagsul-ot pirmi san facemask, ngan tama nga pag-ubo (coughing etiquette).

4.  Kun may-ada kam ipadarara nga gamit o igharatag sa iyo kapamilya, alayon niyo pagpabutang o pagbutang sa drop-off point ngan surati san ngaran san tag-iya ngan kun para kan kanay ighahatag.

5.  Alayon niyo pagkuha san iyo pagkaun sa drop-off point sa gintalaan nga oras.

6.  Kun may-ada kam sin sakit o kun nanu nga gin-aabat sugad san ubo, sip-on, o trangkaso, etc., pasabuta dayon an naka-assign nga health personnel sa iyo kwarto.

7.  Siguruhon niyo pirmi an kalimpyaduhan san sulod ug gawas san iyo kwarto. Limpyahan gud pirmi an CR kada pagamit.

8.  Ayaw pag-itatapok maski diin an iyo basura. Alayon niyo pagbutang sini sa “waste collection facility.”

9.  Igdidisinfect an iyo basura o mga labahan sugad san bado, taplak o ulunan antes niyo ini igawas san iyo kwarto.

10.   Bisan tapos na an iyo 14 ka adlaw nga pag quarantine ngan nakauli na kamo sa iyo balay, igpadayon gihapon niyo an an pag-monitor san iyo kalugaringon kun mayda kam sintomas sulod sin 14 ka adlaw man ta. May-ada mga panhitabo nga gunawas an sintomas kahuman san quarantine period. Kun mayda sugad nga panhitabo, alayon niyo pagsabot dayon sa iyo BHERT o sa RHU.

11.   Ighatag niyo an bug-os nga kooperasyon sa mga nakabantay nga personahe san PNP, barangay ngan san Rural Health Unit.

12.   Kun may-ada kam sin iba pa nga mga importante nga problema ug karuyag klaruhon, alayon pagpasabot sa iyo health personnel nga naka-assign. Pwede liwat niyo igtext an Facility Manager.

SOME IDEAS TO MAINTAIN A COVID 19-FREE OFFICE

•   Decongest crowded offices by allowing alternative work arrangement, specifically Four-Day (Compressed) Workweek, pursuant to CSC Memo Circular No. 10 dated May 7, 2020 as may be determined and recommended by the concerned department head subject to the approval by the HRMO and the undersigned. Priority should be given to senior citizen employees and those with underlying medical condition;
•   Strictly enforce “No Face Mask, No Entry” policy for employees and clients;
•          Frequent washing of hands with water and alcohol;
•         Physical distancing inside the office building/room;
•    Limit number of clients to be accommodated inside the office;
•          Set up waiting area outside the office;
•          Assign one reception area only for clients;
•     Rearrange office tables and fixtures to establish physical distancing;
•    Regular disinfection of the offices especially the doorknobs, table surfaces, computers and other office equipment and fixtures and comfort rooms;
•          Observe coughing etiquette;
•       Ensure1-meter physical distance between clients on queu by putting permanent circle marks, and;
•          Advise those who are sick to stay at home

Role of Government in Project Implementation

a)        Zoning, subdivision and building regulations

The NEDA PIP and DBM guidelines have clearly stipulated the specific parameters in the formulation and preparation of project proposal to be submitted for funding. Zoning, subdivision and building regulations are necessary considerations in the sense that projects should be properly located. Projects should be consistent with the PDP, RDP, Provincial Physical Framework Plan and Comprehensive Land Use Plan and should be in consonance with the vision of the area. These should avoid also hazard areas and the location should guarantee opportunity for expansion and sustainability as mentioned in the guidelines.

With regard to subdivision and building regulations, these should be strategically located. Hazard areas should be avoided. Important social provisions and support infrastructures should also be considered like water, electricity, drainage system and accessibility to road networks should be considered. If these will not be considered, the project proposal might not pass the project appraisal that will be conducted by the NEDA Board.

b)        Development permits and licenses

Regarding development permits and licenses, these are necessary considerations prior to project implementation. Acquiring permits and licenses are the mark of readily implementable projects. These are the guarantees that the project is socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally sustainable. If these will not be secured, a project will be definitely not approved. With regard to land use regulation, securing locational clearance or zoning certification is a prerequisite to securing building permit. This is to ensure that the project is consistent with the zoning ordinance and land use regulations. One important clearance that must be secured is the environmental compliance certificate from the DENR. This is to ensure that the project will not pose any environmental threat or destruction.

c)        Public works programming and capital budgeting

Project programming and budgeting are usually the hindrance to the realization of everything that the land use plan set to envision. Found in the land use plans are ambitious huge projects which the local government units do not have the technical and financial capacities to implement. It is good that national government provided avenues for fund accessing, essentially, through public-private partnership.

For the proponent to access this fund, it is important that the proposal should carefully observed specifications and guidelines. Based on the DBM-NEDA Joint Circular 2016-1, the project should contribute to identified gaps to achieve development targets and should observed programmatic approach, spatial/geographical context, and priority areas for increased spending.

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All About Public-Private Partnership

1.      What is a PPP?

PPP is a mode of project implementation where the government enters into a long-term partnership with private entities to fund, undertake and deliver public services and accelerate infrastructure development while at the same ensuring reasonable profit for the latter’s investment. Its success depends on the terms and conditions for ensuring quality and quantity of the project as well as risk-sharing.

2.      On funding and implementation strategies. How government projects are normally financed and implemented?

THREE (3) BASIC MODALITIES

Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Variants

·         TRANSFER IMMEDIATELY

1.         Build and Transfer (BT)

2.         Build-Transfer-and-Operate (BTO)

·         TRANSFER AFTER COOPN PERIOD

1.         Build-Lease-and-Transfer (BLT)

2.         Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)

3.         Contract-Add-and-Operate (CAO)

4.         Develop-Operate-and-Transfer (DOT)

5.         Rehabilitate-Operate-and-Transfer (ROT)

·         NO TRANSFER

1.         Build-Own-and-Operate (BOO)

2.         Rehabilitate-Own-and-Operate (ROO)

3.         Other variations: approved by the President

4.         Joint Ventures (JVs)

5.         Concession Agreement

3.      Based on your basic understanding on PPP as a tool for project implementation. Who are the normal Implementing/ Procuring Agencies for PPP projects?

·           National Government Agency

·           Government-owned and Controlled Corporation

·           Government Financial Institution

·           Local Government Units

·           Partnerships: PPP/BOT or JV

·           Private Investors

4.      Based on your understanding, why pursue PPPs in urban plan implementation?

·         To deliver basic public services which require big financing cost

·         To accelerate infrastructure development in the country

·         To encourage private sector participation in the economic development of the country.

5.      Based on your understanding, who normally pays for PPP projects?

      Sources of Funding for PPP Projects

·         Commercial loans

·         Foreign investment

·         Investment bank

·         Bonds and stocks may be floated by LGU

·         Mutual funds

·         Interpersonal loans

·         Supporting resources

·         ODA – Official Development Assistance (grant or loan)

6.      Enumerated are the normal possible projects under PPP for your easy understanding and guidelines. In your own words, explain each type and please limit answer to a paragraph for each type:

      A. Hard Projects – are physical infrastructure projects like the following:

·           Highways, including expressways, roads, bridges, interchanges, tunnels, and related facilities;

·           Railways or rail-based projects that may or may not be packaged with commercial development opportunities;

·           Non-rail based mass transit facilities, navigable inland waterways and related facilities;

·           Port infrastructures like piers, wharves, quays, storage, handling, ferry services and related facilities;

·           Airports, air navigation, and related facilities;

·           Power generation, transmission, sub-transmission, distribution, and related facilities;

·           Telecommunications, backbone network, terrestrial and satellite facilities and related service facilities;

·           Information technology (IT) and data base infrastructure, including modernization of IT, geo-spatial resource mapping and cadastral survey for resource accounting and planning;

·           Irrigation and related facilities;

·           Water supply, sewerage, drainage, and related facilities;

·           Education and health infrastructure;

·           Land reclamation, dredging and other related development facilities;

·           Industrial and tourism estates or townships, including ecotourism projects such as terrestrial and coastal/marine nature parks, among others and related infrastructure facilities and utilities;

      B. Soft Projects – are physical projects that are necessary in the delivery of services like health, education etc. Under PPP, these include the following:

·         Government buildings, housing projects;

·         Markets, slaughterhouses, and related facilities;

·         Warehouses and post-harvest facilities;

·         Public fishports and fishponds, including storage and processing facilities;

·         Environmental and solid waste management related facilities such as, but not limited to, collection equipment, composting plants, landfill and tidal barriers, among others; and

·         Climate change mitigation and adaptation infrastructure projects and related facilities.

      C. Bundling – is a combination or a package of soft and hard projects. For example, reclamation project which is a hard project combined with a soft project like socialized housing.

7.In your own understanding from all the readings I sent on PPP as a major tool for urban plan implementation, what influence the determination of the usual contract life for a PPP project?

The contract life of a PPP project depends on the ability of the project proponent to recover its investment and maintenance and operating expenses which can be raised by collecting tolls, fees, rentals or other charges from facility users.

8.      Enumerated are the typical risks in PPP. In your own word, explain each risk (Note: please limit answer to a paragraph for each risk):

A.            Policy and Political

Change in political landscape or change in leadership may mean policy changes as well. Risks in this area may involve government not honoring contracts. Worst case scenario is when the government nationalizes or expropriate the project for whatever reason.

B.             Economic and Fiscal

Currency and interest rates pose a threat to PPP projects. Weakening of the currency and the increase in interest rates mean an adjustment to the financial obligation of the implementing agency.

C.             Legal and Procedures

Change in law or force majeure may threaten the enforcement of the provisions of the contract.

D.            Environmental and Spatial

Complying with the environmental and spatial regulations may mean additional cost to the project especially that during the implementation stage, the IA is required to prepare and implement the environmental management plan.

9.      In Urban Plan Implementation using PPP as a tool, how are risks spread between parties?

Normally, risk is allocated to parties that has the most capacity to cope up, control and mitigate it. In so far as legislation and government policies are concerned, it is the government that take risks. For project’s operation, it is the private sector. At the start of project implementation, risks allocation should be clearly emphasized in the contract. If risk allocation is not clearly defined, a conflict might arise later.

10.  How are risks assessed in terms of certainty and impact based on a) Likelihood and b) Significance?

Risks are assessed based on the following areas including market, technical, financial, economic, distributional analyses. There specific matrices being used to determine the certainly and impact of risks.