CPDO lauds Environmental Planning Act

CEBU, Philippines - The local city planning office lauded the signing of Republic Act 10587 otherwise known as “Law Regulating the Environmental Planning Profession in the Philippines.”

Licensed urban planner Niceforo Iroy from the city planning and development office (CPDO) said the Environmental Planning Act of 2013, signed by President Benigno Aquino III May 31, is beneficial to their office.

“Because of this law, the planning offices are really enhanced. Makita na gyud by virtue of the law nga in order to be an effective planning officer, you have to have the right skills,” Iroy told The FREEMAN.

He added that RA 10587 standardizing the planning office position and local ordinances on the practice of urban planning will ensure that competent and licensed environmental planners will be in-charge with significant projects like Comprehensive Land Use Program (CLUP) and Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for every local government unit (LGU).

Environmental planning, as defined by the law, is “also known as urban and regional planning, city planning, town and country planning, and/or human settlements planning, refers to the multi-disciplinary art and science of analyzing, specifying, clarifying, harmonizing, managing, and regulating the use and development of land use and water resources, in relation to their environs, for the development of sustainable communities and ecosystems.”

The law further requires that CPDO of every LGU must be headed by a licensed urban planner.

Iroy said Cebu City need not worry about the said provision since CPDO chief Alipio Bacalso, Jr. is a licensed urban planner.

Of the CPDO employees at the city hall, only Iroy and Bacalso are licensed urban planners.

Moreover, the law created the Professional Regulatory Board of Environmental Planning, composed of a chairperson and two members, which will supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practices of environmental planners.

The board will also adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and other measures necessary for the profession.

Iroy urged young professionals to become environmental planners considering the significant role that they play in every local government unit.

“We encourage those who would like to contribute toward community development to take up environmental or urban and regional planning. Medyo mihinay man gud ni siya karon sa Cebu. UP Cebu used to have this program with a visiting professor from UP Diliman. But after the sixth batch in 2006, gibalik na ang program sa Diliman kay gamay na ang enrollees dinhi. Sayang ba kay daghan baya’ng mga maayo dinhi sa Cebu and Central Visayas,” he added.

He further revealed that only three from Central Visayas took and passed the environmental planning licensure examination just this June 4 and 5 with one from Bohol and two from Cebu.

Iroy finished his urban and regional planning course in year 2000 through the same program, under the fifth batch.

He decided to take and passed the licensure examination in 2012.—/MIT (FREEMAN)