Certificate in Basic Environmental Impact Assessment

Program Summary

Mission Orientation

The Certificate in Basic Environmental Impact Assessment (CBEIA) aims to develop a cadre of professionals with full introductory understanding and knowledge on the concepts, principles, policies, process, procedures, and techniques of environmental impact assessment through e-learning mode of instruction.

Main Thrust

The main thrust of the Certificate in Basic Environmental Impact Assessment is the training of interested people employed by private and public organizations that are active in environmental management and studies. Consultants, local government employees, researchers, community workers, non-government workers and unemployed individuals must have a clear understanding of the various procedures and activities included in Environmental Impact Assessment to address their respective areas' concern on clean, green and healthy environment.

Objectives:

• To provide graduate level certification program for students desiring to develop skills in environmental impact assessment and expand knowledge on environmental management beyond their undergraduate training
• To provide students with professional certification leading to pursue graduate courses with thesis (MS) or dissertation in Environmental Science/Environmental Management
• To develop graduate students with work habits for entry level employment in environmental management or related industries.

Continuity and Complementarity

The Certificate in BEIA has a unique salient feature of accommodating graduate of any baccalaureate degree. It is relevant for practitioners, non-practitioners and graduate students who wish to gain a background or additional knowledge in BEIA but do not have time to undertake a full Diploma or MS degree program. However, this program could be a take-off point in order to enroll in Diploma in Environmental Management or MS in Environmental Management.

Clientele

The proposed clientele of this course will be national and local government employees, researchers, non-government organization workers, community workers, graduates of any bachelor's degree who are interested and active in environmental management.

Program Structure

• The Certificate in BEIA is an offering of the Open University in collaboration with the Environmental Management Institute (EMI). It will be delivered thru the e-learning mode. A Coordinator will be designated from among the Program Faculty/Staff.
  
• Course Requirements

  The course requirements for the Certificate in BEIA consist of subject modules and BEIA field practice, broken down as follows:

  • Module Lesson 1 - Basic Ecological Concepts and Principles in Sustainable Development
  • Module Lesson 2 - Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Module Lesson 3 - EIA Regulatory Framework
  • Module Lesson 4 - Process and Methodologies of EIA
  • Module Lesson 5 - Identification, Prediction and Assessment of Impacts
  • Module Lesson 6 - Environmental Risk Assessment
  • Module Lesson 7 - Environmental Management Plan
  • Module Lesson 8 - Monitoring, Enforcement and Permits
  • Module Lesson 9 - Social Impact Assessment
  • Module Lesson 10 - EIA Field Practice and Preparation of EIA Statement

Program Structure

Module Lesson 1 - Basic Ecological Concepts and Principles in Sustainable Development

Basic concepts in ecology which include ecosystem, energy flow, food chain/food web, trophic level, biogeochemical cycles, diversity, carrying capacity, limiting factors and ecological succession. Basic principles in sustainable development, six tests of sustainability's in the projects level and pillars of sustainable development.

Module Lesson 2 - Principles of EIA

Goals, principles, purpose, functions of EIA. EIA in development planning, EIA process and role of EIA in project development.

Module Lesson 3 - EIA Regulatory Framework

Legal and administrative frameworks, EIS procedural flow, Philippine EIS System, Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC), public participation in EIA.

Module Lesson 4 - Process and Methodologies of EIA

EIA process which include the screening, scoping, description of environmental setting, steps in EIA study, etc. and methodologies, such as checklist, matrices, network, models, etc., criteria for evaluation of EIA methodologies and public participation in environmental decision - making.

Module Lesson 5 - Identification, Prediction and Assessment of Impacts

Identification, prediction and assessment of the environmental impacts on natural resources such as air, water, soil, noise, plant and animal ecology and human health.

Module Lesson 6 - Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA)

Purpose, uses, importance and steps in ERA. ERA process and risk management.

Module Lesson 7 - Environmental Management Plan

Impact management which include mitigation and enhancement plan, compensation plan, contingency plan and monitoring strategies.

Module Lesson 8 - Monitoring, Enforcement and Permits

Compliance monitoring, enforcement and permits needed by the different types of projects. Guidelines of Environmental Guarantee Fund.

Module Lesson 9 - Social Impact Assessment

Importance, salient points, process, methodologies, tools needed for Social Impact Assessment.

Module Lesson 10 - EIA Field Practice and Preparation of EIA Statement

Study visits to model projects and proposed projects. Preparation and submission of environmental impact assessment statement.

•  Course Duration

The Certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment will be offered for one (1) semester for fulltime students.

•  Course Credit

Students who have completed the Certificate of Environmental Impact Assessment will be given 4 units credit.

•  Course Fees

The program fee of the Certificate of EIA is P 5,910.00 for one semester. This course fee is for the tuition fee, module and tutor compensation excluding the expenses that will be needed for the field visitation.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Certificate in Basic Environmental Impact Assessment are as follow:

• College graduate of any course
• Computer literate
• College Diploma/Transcript of Records
• 2 Recent 2 x 2 color pictures
• Two letters of recommendation from former professors or from past and/or present supervisor.

Mode of Instruction

The Certificate in Basic Environmental Impact Assessment will be offered in a distance education mode of instruction thru e-learning (internet session). Students are required to have Face to Face session with their module tutors 5 times during the semester: the first session will be at the beginning of the class, the second session will be during the submission of activities for Modules 1 - 5, the third session will be during the submission of activities for Modules 6 - 9, the fourth session will be during the time of Written Examination and the last session will be during the Submission and Oral Presentation of the EIA statement.

Job Opportunities

Graduates of the Certificate in Basic EIA can be employed in the following government agencies and institutions, non-government organizations, local government units and private industries and institutions where environmental management is the prime concern and responsibility:

CENRO, DENR Private Industries
ENRO State Colleges & Universities
PENRO EMB, DENR
Local Government Units Private Colleges & Universities
Non-Government Organizations (Haribon, Foundation for Philippine Environment, Conservation International, etc.)

Faculty/Staff

The Certificate in Basic EIA will be handled by faculty members who have long experience in teaching EIA and environmental management courses to the graduate students of MS Environmental Management in CLSU and have undergone training in EIA and Environmental Studies in UPLB and further training in EIA either as consultants and EIA reviewers at DENR.

Their expertise and knowledge on EIA and environmental management studies is a tool to be shared and can enhance the awareness and education of students who will be enrolled in this program.

The Faculty members who will handle this course are the following:

ANNIE MELINDA PAZ-ALBERTO
MAT Biology, UP Diliman
Ph.D. Botany, Major: Plant Ecology/Plant Physiology
Minor: Environmental Studies
UPLB

Trainer/Resource Person to several local, regional, national and international trainings and seminar-workshops on EIA; Environmental Education, Environmental Management, Ecological Waste Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Development, Agroecosystem Management, Soil and Water Conservation and Climate Change.

Researches Conducted

On-Going

• Integrated Research and Development Program on Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation in Central Luzon - 2003-Present
• Survey of Botanical Pesticides in Agroecosystems of Central Luzon - 2003-Present
• Utilization of Potential Phytoremediators of Heavy Metals, Pollutants and Mutagenic Agents - 2004-Present

Completed

• CLSU Flora
• Assessment and Conservation of CLSU Biodiversity Towards Sustainable Development
• Biodiversity Studies in Nueva Ecija
• Assessment of Awareness of College Students and High School Students on Solid Waste Management in Private and Public Schools in Nueva Ecija
• Environmental Impact Assessment Studies of Forests, Aquatic Ecosystems and Agroecosystems in Nueva Ecija
• Instructional Materials Production in Environmental Issues for Environmental Education and Awareness

RONALDO T. ALBERTO
MS Plant Pathology, UPLB
Ph.D Plant Pathology
Minor: Environmental Studies
UPLB

Trainer/Resource Person to several trainings, seminars and workshops locally, regionally, nationally and internationally on EIA, Integrated Pest Management Technologies, Rice-Based Farming Systems, Environmental Management and Biological Control of Pests.

Researches Conducted

On - Going

• Management of Anthracnose of Onion
• Chemical Control of Purple Blotch of Onion
• Biological Control of Soil-Borne Pathogens

Completed

• Integrated Disease Management of Vegetables
• Chemical Control of Vegetables in Melons
• Cultural Management of Vegetables
• Environmental Impact Assessment of Several Development Projects in Nueva Ecija

DANILO S. VARGAS
MS Business Administration, Araullo University
Ph.D Community Development
UPLB

Trainer/Resource Person to several trainings, seminars and workshops locally, regionally, nationally and internationally on Sustainable Agriculture, Farming Systems, Rural Development and Community Development.

Research Conducted:

• Coping Mechanisms of Farmers Against El Niño & La Niña
• Watershed Development Social Dimension
• The Evolution of Lowland Rainfed Based Farming Systems Towards Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development: Focus on Nueva Ecija , Philippines .
• Rural Development and Community Development Research Studies