26 July 2024

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Region IV-A (DHSUD CALABARZON) Environmental, Land Use and Urban Planning and Development Division (ELUPD), met with UPLB Department of Community and Environmental Resource Planning (UPLB DCERP) last 22 July 2024 in UPLB to discuss matters related to the renewal and updating of their partnership.

Dr. Efraim D. Roxas, EnP., who serves as the coordinator for the Technical Assistance Program on Human Settlements Planning (TAP-HSP) of UPLB College of Human Ecology, led the one-day workshop which was attended by UPLB DCERP faculty members, REPS and staff together with ELUPD Division staff of DHSUD CALABARZON including its chief, EnP. Elizabeth Bandojo and personnel from their division who also act as Planning Mentors: EnP. Jenna Buising, EnP. Lowieann Hinanay, and EnP. Maria Lourdes Medina.

The meeting began with the review of the standing MOA between the two institutions, followed by a workshop to identify the major challenges and opportunities in achieving the objectives set for the partnership.

With its growing network in the CALABARZON region, the partnership will maintain its undertaking on mentoring and recruiting Human Settlements Planning major graduates and graduating students from UPLB DCERP to serve as Planning Assistants / Practicum Students for various environmental planning projects with local government units in the region. Capacity-building activities based on theoretical and practical needs will also be continued for the Division and UPLB DCERP, respectively.

Moreover, the research aspects of TAP-HSP was emphasized during the workshop as the partnership also aims to develop scientific publications for the advancement of environmental planning discipline and profession.

So far, the partnership between UPLB DCERP and DHSUD CALABARZON has been running since 2021 and has deployed 46 practicum students across nine (9) LGUs and employed seven (7) Human Settlements Planning graduates deployed across three(3) towns in the Philippines accomplishing various planning projects such as comprehensive land use plan, climate and disaster risk assessment, and local shelter plan. It has also organized three (3) capacity-building activities that are well attended by LGUs from CALABARZON and from other regions. 

(JCEligue/APManeja)