The Transition Movement was created by Louise Rooney and popularized by Rob Hopkins. The aim of the project is to equip communities for the dual challenges of climate change and peak oil. The concept emerged from work permaculture designer Rob Hopkins had done with the students of Kinsale Further Education College, Ireland in writing an “Energy Descent Action Plan”. This looked at across-the-board creative adaptations in the realms of energy production, health, education, economy and agriculture as a “road map” to a sustainable future for the town. One of his students, Louise Rooney, set about developing the Transition Towns concept and presented it to Kinsale Town Council resulting in the historic decision by Councilors to adopt the plan and work towards energy independence.

The movement currently has member communities in a number of countries worldwide. (source: Wikipedia)

From www.alternet.org:

“You may or may not have heard of the Transition Movement — described by its founder, Rob Hopkins, as ‘an exercise in engaged optimism’— yet Transition’s ideas are informing and even guiding the conversation of how communities confront the twin crises of peak oil and climate change.

The movement is driven by one simple idea: Rather than hand-wringing and lamenting dwindling energy reserves and climate change, Transition wants people to envision and create models for that future — and find much to be cheerful about.

Transition is often seen as an environmental movement, but ultimately it’s about cultural change.

Read the full article here.

Or if you’re not into reading, watch this nicely done short film.

The movement itself looks promising albeit experimental. It benefits from initiatives at the community level and is fueled by a powerful (online) network where ideas flow and are shared freely. It lets people know and feel that they can do something, that they are not helpless, and that they can start RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.

Does it work? From the official Transition Network website:

We truly don’t know if this will work. Transition is a social experiment on a massive scale.

What we are convinced of is this:

• if we wait for the governments, it’ll be too little, too late
• if we act as individuals, it’ll be too little
• but if we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.

If it were me I would love to have government, individuals, communities and various sectors working together, but that isn’t the case at present for most cities and countries around the world. And while the Transition Movement may have its own pitfalls by acting on its own, at least it has acted. The outcomes are very interesting. Projects can be very small consisting of 6 people, or they can be citywide with about 30 or more people working at one time; they can be home-based gardens or extensive energy education modules. What the projects have in common though is the thrust towards cultural change rather than hard engineering solutions.

This paradigm shift of human attitudes, habits and mindsets is actually hard to pull off since we’re so entrenched in the world of one-note, physical answers to multi-dimensional problems (a concrete dike to prevent flood, more roads to decongest cities, airconditioned buildings to shield us from the heat, etc. You get the picture).

There are few examples worldwide of sustained socio-culturally based efforts — how willing are you to change your lifestyle? But I believe we can get there, and we can start now. Let’s hope The Transition Movement is in it for the long haul.

In the meantime, you (yes, you) go and take some initiative.

http://www.transitionnetwork.org

http://www.transitiontowns.org

http://www.transitionus.org

Urban and regional planning has always been there. But it is only recently that it is being given attention, and unfortunately, it is because the effects of climate change and the series of disasters are seriously being felt globally.

Next week (November 12-14),  an online conference shall be held to allow a greater number of stakeholders to share thoughts on the theme: ” Why my town or city – or the planning system I work in- will be resilient to Climate Change.” (for those interested, you could register at http://www.planningtheworld.net)

In the Philippines, there have been mounting efforts relative to climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as disaster risk reduction. For some time, there has been no centralized body or institution who has a clear hold of all the efforts relating to climate change nor has the teeth to implement necessary interventions to bridge the gap between what most of the experts know about climate change and disaster risks and what are being done to make our communities climate change resilient.

I believe that participatory planning and sharing of knowledge about the adaptive measures that need to be done to address the threats of climate change are the key instruments in making communities climate change resilient. Resilience is about how easily and quickly it is to recover from a damaging event. It does not stop on physical measures but it can also be gained from being aware of sustainable ways to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

At the micro-level, we may need to take a look on greening shelters as well as work and production-structures/spaces to make them resilient. At the macro-level, it may require re-thinking regulatory policies, reviewing land uses and assessing the current settlement and production areas in both rural and urban areas. There may be a need to build capacities; re-engineer or redo the current regulations, plans and programs so as to pave the way for adopting new spatial/development plans or for going back to indigenous practices that would minimize the vulnerability to the effects of climate change.

Last month, Philippine Republic Act 9729 was approved by the President to mainstream climate change into government policy formulations, establishing the framework strategy and program and creating a Climate Change Commission to be headed by the President. Said Commission shall be the sole policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change.

Urban and regional planning will be at the core of this Climate Change Commission’s operations since it is expected to formulate the National Climate Change Action Plan within one year after the formulation of the Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change. It will be a daunting task for the concerned government agencies as well as the technical experts from the private sector and other stakeholders but is is definitely a very critical task. Among the components of the National Climate Change Action Plan are the following:

1. Assessment of national impact of climate change,

2. Identification of the most vulnerable communities/areas, including ecosystems to the impacts of climate change, variability and extremes,

3. Identification of differential impacts of climate change on men, women, and children,

4. Assessment and management of risk and vulnerability,

5. Identification of greenhouse gas mitigation potentials, and

6. Identification of options, prioritization of appropriate measures for joint projects of national and local governments.

Under this law, local government units (LGUs) are also expected to formulate their respective local climate change action plans that are aligned with the national plan.

Yes, like most of the people who have been yearning for action instead of more talks and theory-building, I also ask WHY ONLY NOW? But would it really matter at this point to dwell on the reasons that delayed the enactment of such a significant law? Like most of those who want to urgently address the adverse effects of climate change, I am counting on this significant initiative to make the most of opportunities to strategically plan and collaborate with institutions, communities, and organizations that have already attained milestones in the resolution of climate change issues. As an environmental planner, I look forward to being an active stakeholder who will help translate policies into actions.

Relatedly, a forum on Urban Development and Climate Change is scheduled on November 11 and 12, 2009 in Manila to bring together urban development and climate change experts/practitioners, leaders from both the national and local government, representatives of the civil society and other stakeholders to discuss climate change, improve understanding of how climate change will impact on the country’s sustainable urban development and highlight the important role of cities in increasing the country’s resilience to the projected impacts of climate change.

Truly, it is time to revisit urban and regional planning systems, not only to adequately respond to the impacts of climate change, but also to ensure that we will all have a sustainable future to speak of and plan about.

It is said that China is on its way to phenomenal growth that would put it at the center of global economic power.

What has China become in the recent decades?

- home to largest industrial zones

 - an economy open to foreign capital and technologies, as they say, the multinational corporations’ export platform

- the world’s largest producer of rice and is among the principal sources of corn, wheat, and yes, even peanuts.

- the world’s manufacturing factory

 - the biggest supplier of shoes, silk, socks and even toothpicks!

Despite all these, China envisions the need to reform its planning and education system to make it more open and progressive and efficient. A country as populous as China would definitely face problems especially at the local level where many of the citizens still feel the pangs of poverty.

China is the largest developing country with the most population around the world. The problems that emerged in western developed countries in different stages during the process of industrialization happened altogether in China in the late 1970s. With the rapid urban development in China, the conflict between environment and development has become critical. The shortage of resources, fragile environment and restricted capacity of the environment are the most important issues standing in the way of China’s development.

China has recognized the central role of governance in gaining economic benefits. While banking on a strong state that promotes discipline, efficiency and public participation, China doubles its efforts in putting up necessary infrastructure such as power, airport, railways, roads, and communication to attract investments and provide employment for its huge population. China is looking at its past and picking up the success stories and best practices, it is getting everybody involved in the present, local and foreign to build the foundations of a stronger economy, and it is stepping up into the future, not just as a mere provider or manufacturer, but as the next global leader.

It is an opportune time to look at China while work is in progress, to be able to backtrack to its past and see the culture and practices that have been upheld through time. At the same time, we could learn a lot from knowing what is in store from China to the world.

Urban Development

The scale and pace of China’s urbanization continues at an unprecedented rate. If current trends hold, China’s urban population will hit the one billion mark by 2030. In 20 years, China’s cities will have added 350 million people more than the entire population of the United States today. By 2025, China will have 221 cities with one million–plus inhabitants—compared with 35 cities of this size in Europe today—and 23 cities with more than five million. For companies in China and around the world, the scale of China’s urbanization promises substantial new markets and investment opportunities. (McKinsey Global Institute)

With the accelerated socio-economic development and urban construction in China, the country is faced with many challenges. Beijing and Shanghai are two centers of urban development that have attained tremendous progress through investments in infrastructure and continuing improvement of its urban environment through public involvement.

 Along with the rapid urbanization are the threats and damages to natural resources, the human health and the physical environment. It is said that by 2010, half of all the Chinese people shall be residing in cities. Among the pressing concerns is the lack of effective pollution controls that adversely affects the urban environment.

In Beijing, the Olympics event in 2008 has opened doors in spurring economic activities by increasing investments in infrastructure, tourism, and real estate development. Beijing is rapidly moving from the traditional, manufacturing-based economy to being the hub for innovative and high technology industries and modern services, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Consequently, Shanghai is gearing its urban environment towards showcasing China again by being the ideal destination for the 2010 Expo entitled “Better City, Better Life”.

However, there remain challenges and obstacles that are being addressed by China. One is the consequence of the urban-rural divide which is felt in the socio-economic development aspect. Urbanization requires more utilization of resources such as land, energy, and water. The carrying capacity must be ascertained. It is observed that urban development is not consistent with regional development as seen in redundant investments in infrastructure and industries. The development of public services, such as water supply and sewage disposal, especially in small towns has yet to be fully achieved. Planning system needs improvement as well given the rampant violation of the plans and approval of projects despite lack of proper authorization.

Achieving Sustainable Development

According to the China National Development and Reform Commission (CNDRC), China is prioritizing the following concerns to achieve sustainable development:

1. Economic development. Adjust, dynamically, the industrial and regional economic structure as well as the urban-rural economic structure; participate actively in economic globalization; gradually achieve a strategic transformation of the national economy, so that economic growth will be based on lower consumption of resources and less pollution.

2. Social development. Build a sound system for population management and quality childbirth and child rearing, stabilize the fertility rate at a low level; control the population aggregate and improve the population quality. Build a health and medical care system, employment structure and social safety net compatible with the country’s level of economic development; greatly improve public services; create a disaster monitoring and forecast system and an emergency relief system and build up disaster-prevention and relief capacities.

3. Resource Allocation, Utilization and Protection. Rationally use, conserve and protect resources and improve the efficiency of resources utilization. Create a system that ensures the security of supply of major resources and a strategic reserve system to make certain that the needs of the national economy for resources are met.

4. Ecological Conservation and Development. Build a scientific and sound system for ecological monitoring and management and establish nature reserves of all types with rational distribution and appropriate sizes. Build an anti-desertification system and reinforce efforts to combat soil erosion. Improve the ecological environment for farming; improve afforestation in urban areas, thereby ameliorating the quality of the ecological environment.

Key ecological projects. Focus on the protection of natural forests in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River, and the natural forests in northeast China. Curb soil erosion, alleviate damages done by sandstorm, strengthen protection of biodiversity, build fast-growing and high-yield timber production bases, and gradually meet demands for ecological soundness and forest products. Step up implementation of six key projects: protection of natural forests and return unfit cultivated farmland to forest; remove sandstorm sources around Beijing and Tianjin; build shelter belts in north China, northeast China and northwest China and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River; construction of wild animal and plant protection parks and nature reserves; and the construction of fast-growing, high-yield timber production bases in targeted regions.

5. Environmental Protection and Pollution Control. Control the aggregate discharge of pollutants and curb water pollution in river systems. Reinforce air pollution control in key cities and water cleanup efforts in key sea areas. Improve legislation and law enforcement on environmental protection and revise technical standards for environmental protection. Aggressively apply clean production and environmental-protection industries and actively participate in regional and global environmental initiatives, contributing to global environmental conservation while improving the quality of China’s environment.

6. Capacity Building. Build a legal framework for population, resources and environmental management and improve law enforcement. Make full use of the mass media to enhance public awareness of sustainable development. Build a set of indicators and monitoring system for sustainable development and establish an information-sharing system for government offices, the general public and the research community.

Because of Ondoy, the public spotlight has turned to the issue of urban development – its factors, processes, and impacts. This heightened consciousness is groundbreaking. However, it is also overdue and, in the case of the recent tragedy, too late.

I quite agree with most of my tribe that Ondoy – or rather the destruction that she left in her wake – was not an act of God, but human error. I’m not going to do a Jacque Bermejo here, but I’m also not allowing myself – us – to get away with this.

The massive flooding that followed Ondoy almost instantaneously was a failure of planning. From conceptualization to implementation to monitoring, it was the lack or awareness, and in many ways, the complete disregard for planning principles and guidelines that did us in. Media is rife with updates of what may have caused the massive flooding: the location and topography of the affected areas that made them naturally prone to inundation; the deforestation of Sierra Madre that peeled away the ability of the land to absorb or delay runoff; the unchecked development in the Marikina Valley that led to rivers and esteros – natural drainage ways – as well as man-made floodways to be covered or blocked by roads and settlements; the floodplain to basically lose its absorptive capacity because the once permeable soil has been replaced by impermeable cement; and other factors.

It is unfortunate that Metro Manila – Imperial Manila, as a friend recently reminded me – takes notice only when it takes centerstage. The fact of the matter is that this problem in various states of severity has been occurring all over the country for years. It is happening in every plot of agricultural land that has been converted to a glittering, gated subdivision, in every mountain that rapidly loses its cover because of illegal logging, each time the flow of a river or other water body is controlled by humans to meet the ever-increasing demand for water, power and space.

But these recurring issues have been continuously glazed over by people in political power, financial influence, technical know-how or simple human necessity (and that means all of us). Why? Simply because we think we can.

We cannot. That much is obvious now. It’s about time that we face the issues head-on, and ask the hard questions that we have been ignoring for so long. Most of these questions begin with why.

Why did water flow down as fast as it did?

Why did it stay in the valley, when we had Marikina River and the floodway and all the passageways that, by nature, are supposed to lead the water out? More importantly, why hasn’t the water flowed out, one week after the rain?

Why were so caught unaware and offguard? Couldn’t it have been prevented?

Why have the urban development plans of 30 years ago remained in the bookshelves of the government, rotting away into oblivion when they should have been followed and implemented to, at the very least, avert disaster?

And while we’re at it, why are the hundreds upon hundreds of local, regional, national plans all around this archipelago remained tucked away as well? Are they waiting for their own disasters, too? If only these best laid plans could talk.

Why were people in those affected areas unaware of the risk they were taking by living there?

Why do our policy and local guidelines lack the teeth to ensure that our resources are not abused?

Some of these are gradually being answered by planning experts who have been doing their work far longer than I have (the suddenly famous MMETROPLAN was created five years before I was born). In the coming days they will come out to explain what may have, in the past, fallen on deaf ears.

These questions must also be answered by other sectors of our society, and that includes you, dear reader, because we are all in this together. I also hope that you ask more questions.

A note to fellow environmental/urban and regional planners: we can’t simply wash our hands of this mess. We are just as easily to blame as the other players in planning game. The local government may be the arbiter and implementor, the executive may have the power, but the technical knowledge and the task of imparting it effectively rest upon us. We so often justify the inaction of government officials and the stubbornness of private developers and civilians as their lack of appreciation for the insights and advice that we provide. But does that make us less guilty?

No. In fact it makes us more so. Because as planners we are blessed (or cursed) with the innate ability (or acquired skill) to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. This is key. This is the secret to effective planning. Knowing this, we should have taken the extra effort to reach a common ground, with a thorough understanding of different perspectives. In the same breath, we must never compromise the one principle that underlies everything that we do: sustainable development. We must always stand for it, no matter how tempting it is to succumb to the convenience of short-term, profitable solutions instead of long-term plans that also have longer ROIs. Even though we may get into philosophical tussles with those who control the financing for development. And despite our personal desire for career success, which could take us away from places where we are most needed.

Planning is not just a profession. It is not just a job. It is a vocation. To planners, the practice of environmental planning is something you must dedicate your life to, knowing that entire communities will be affected by what you do. It is a way of life. So for us to simply place blame on other sectors or individuals is a bit shameful, because it means we have been remiss in fulfilling our own purpose.

I am glad that finally, people are beginning to take a closer, harder look at the concept of sustainability. Sad that it had to take the death of nearly 300 and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. Sadder to realize that we could have done more to make learning less painful.

But we must replace sadness with hope. Now is the time for rebuilding. We should all take with us the harsh lesson that the most powerful element on Earth, water, has given us. Moreover, we must move forward with the best of intentions and a greater sense of honesty about what should be done, as opposed to what we can get away with.

We can’t go back. Like it or not, things have changed; it is and should no longer be business as usual. There is no returning to the life of blissful ignorance. We must soldier on, no matter how inconvenient, uncomfortable or terrifying the truth in front of us can be. It is the only way we can survive.

It was reported that the equivalent of a whole month’s rain fell in six hours as Ondoy lashed Luzon Island, causing the worst flooding in Metro Manila in 20 years.

What if another Ondoy comes along, what if Ondoy is already setting a precedent and all the succeeding storms are bound to put us in deeper trouble or to extinction?

I keep on praying that we will all be better stewards of what is left for us to nurture, to protect, to preserve.

Maybe this time, consciousness will be raised to a higher level….that the man-made hazards that we inflict upon Mother nature are taking its toll upon us. And we have to act fast, so our own acts do not become our own botheration. For a better tomorrow.

Oyayi is probably my favorite of the whole bunch (also Kanlungan, but everyone loves that). Cheesy as this may sound, this song still brings me to tears. It is heartfelt, poignant, simple and striking. It drives at the heart of humans’ ills, and the Earth’s tired plea. But more than that, in so few words, Oyayi sa Mundo speaks of hope, of a promise to calm our Mother’s raging heart.

My wish is for all of us to live out this lullaby everyday.

~lara

—

Oyayi sa Mundo

Aking mundo, ihimlay ang pagal mong katawan
Sa duyan ng kalawakan
Hayaang maghilom ang mga sugat sa iyong dibdib
Na likha ng mga tao
At itigil ng isang saglit ang iyong paggalaw
Pagkat sa muli mong pag-inog ay may bago nang buhay.

At itigil ng isang saglit ang iyong paggalaw
Pagkat sa muli mong pag-inog ay may bago nang buhay
Aking mundo, ihimlay ang pagal mong katawan
Sa duyan ng kalawakan.

What is an environmental planner?

With less than 700 of them in an entire nation of more than 90 million people, not to mention a culture that is overwhelmingly familiar with engineers, doctors and lawyers, it is hardly surprising that no one knows for sure.

Few people know that the practice of environmental planning gained formality in the Philippines in the 1960s, was passed into law in the 1970s, and made part of the roster of PRC-regulated professions a little over ten years ago. Even fewer people know that its beginnings date back over several millennia, back when “all roads led to Rome” and Hippodamus introduced the “grid plan” in ancient Greek cities.

Today, this obscure profession is still evolving. In a time and place beset with myriad stressors that encumber our daily activities and pose uncertainty to the general quality of life – from traffic congestion, garbage, pollution and public health issues, to land conversion, overdevelopment and urban blight – the need for technical knowledge and action anchored on public interest is ever more present. Environmental planners (EnPs) respond to these realities. More importantly, they are concerned about the long-range consequences of present actions within, and relationships with the environment – natural, built, social, economic and institutional.

All that, and then some. In fact, the scope of “environment”, where environmental planning is concerned, is still a subject of debate. Are EnPs tree-huggers? Do they have a say in where the next gigantic mall is built? Can they eradicate urban poverty? Can they stop global warming??

With these and more burning questions in mind, EnPraxis, a small group of EnPs and planning students, is actively pursuing activities that lead to a deeper reflection of the State of the Environmental Planning Profession in the Philippines with the end goal of actively translating environmental planning theories to practice.

In July 2008, the Forum entitled “Raison de Etre”, co-sponsored by the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP-SURP) and attended by planning practitioners, students and the general public, provided a platform for a discussion on the environmental planning profession, its impacts and future.

The forum had as guest speakers EnP Nathaniel Von Einsiedel, President of the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners and former Commissioner for Planning and Development of the Metropolitan Manila Commission, and EnP Felino “Jun” Palafox, world-renowned architect and planner, among other notable panelists.

The forum asked the key questions: What does an EnP do? What are the opportunities and constraints? Where are the EnP headed?

Environmental Planners, according to EnP Palafox, are constrained by the following: (1) Majority of environmental planners work abroad for better pay and compensation and work opportunity; (2) Environmental planning is still regarded as something new to the ear; and (3) Departments/agencies that deal with planning issues and concerns are compartmentalized. EnP Palafox reiterated that EnPs must be a part of creating the built environment and communities, help formulate laws for development, and be a neutral player between the private and the public sector.

According to EnP Einsiedel, EnPs have a staggering array of areas to tackle, ranging from research to policy formulation. An EnP’s work is deemed relevant in knowledge management (eg, academe), policy development, area planning (eg, region, province, city, etc.), sectoral/services planning, and project planning, among others.

However, EnPs are faced with continuing challenges such as urbanization and high population growth rates, nagging problems such as poverty and lack of capacity, and emerging issues such as global warming and energy crisis. These are serious challenges. But they also represent opportunities. EnP Einsiedel noted that there is sufficient work to be done, both at the local and international level. But these will not simply come to EnPs; they are to be explored and pursued.

The EnPs could be instrumental in addressing the following concerns:

(1) Better appreciation for land use planning, EIA, ECC, “green” development, disaster mitigation, energy conservation, renewable energy sources, waste management, etc.

(2) Integrating planning with urban growth management

(3) Wider acceptance of mixed-use developments, walkable/”green” communities, etc.

(4) Strengthening social/community development orientation

(5) Integration of affordable housing, land management, and urban redevelopment

(6) Integration of local resources conservation and economic development (eg, inter-local planning)

(7) Increasing public interest in heritage conservation, and acceptance of adaptive re-use

EnP Liza Pulumbarit and EnP Agnes Villasenor underscored the importance of understanding the critical role of EnPs in moving the environmental planning profession forward and being active in the pursuit of sustainable development. While EnPs are faced with the problems in the planning environment such as the limited resources (people, funds, etc) and weak institutions/structures and consultative mechanisms, there also exist opportunities such as trainings/learning opportunities (e.g., specialized seminars/workshops, travels, information technology) and partnerships/advocacies (with the government, private sector, civil society, international community, academe, etc.). It would be valuable for an EnP to maintain focus, build up and maintain a planning database, and be flexible or customize without sacrificing quality.

The forum explored these opportunities and other concerns, with the aim of encouraging people to take an active part in the efforts towards creating more livable, more sustainable communities.

Certainly there is no monopoly when it comes to planning, managing, developing and taking care of our multifaceted environment. The more people are concerned about it and the constructive manner in which it is being developed over time, then all the better.

Truth be told, the current state and predicted future of land use, resource management, urban growth and rural development present many challenges as well as numerous opportunities, not only for the less than 700 Filipino EnPs, but also for the more than 90 million of us.

Presidential Decree No. 1308 (passed into law 30 years ago) spells out the scope of practice of environmental planning by environmental planners (EnPs). EnPs engage in professional services in the form of technical consultation, plan preparation, and/or implementation involving: a) Development of a community, town, city, or region; b) Development of a site for a particular need such as housing, centers for activities concerned with research, education, culture, recreation, or government, industrial estates, agriculture, and water resources, including creating a spatial arrangements of buildings, utilities and communication routes; c) Land use and zoning plans for the management and development preservation, conservation, rehabilitation, and control of the environment; and d) Pre-investment, pre-feasibility, and feasibility studies.

A licensed environmental planner, while having the opportunity to engage in a wide range of professional services, is also expected to know his or her responsibilities by heart: to serve the country and in so doing, safeguard public interest. Specifically, these responsibilities include: a) to have special concern for long-range consequence of present actions and must therefore pay close attention to the inter-relatedness of his decisions and opinions; b) to strive to provide full, clear, and accurate information on planning issues and concerns to the general public and government decision-makers in order to optimize their participation in the planning process; c) to strive to increase choice and opportunity for all persons, a special responsibility to plan for the needs of the disadvantaged, disabled and underprivileged groups or persons; d) to diligently protect the natural environment, opt for excellence of environment design and endeavor to conserve and sustain the unique physical heritage of the environment; e) to devote adequate attention to the physical, economic and social problems and needs of the people, as well as identification of positive cultural and social values and historical assets to be preserved; f) to provide flexibility and choice in planning without sacrificing the integrity of the master plan to give priority to proposals and projects which would contribute to the alleviation of poverty and inequity, thus, promoting community and national stability and unity; and g) to strive for a balanced urban and countryside development in support of the efforts for our comprehensive and sustainable economic recovery and growth.

Even before the law for EnPs was formulated, the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners or PIEP (an offshoot of a law on having an Institute of Planning within the University of the Philippines), has already been established to promote the comprehensive physical, economic, social and aesthetic development of the different regions, cities and municipalities of the Philippines and to encourage their balanced development in the best interest of the nation. Among the undertakings of PIEP are EnP-related research, advocacy and networking, continuing professional education, and information and publication that will advance the professional practice. The scope of “environment” where environmental planning is concerned is still a subject of debate.

I believe that EnPs can make a mark if indeed the outcomes of an EnPs’ services or actions translate into something sustainable ecologically, socially, culturally, and economically. EnPs can make a mark if information from the plans or undertakings made are being used to protect and improve community environment while meeting the demands of growth and development. EnPs can make a mark, if somehow, after all the efforts to preserve human ecological support systems, a ‘chunkier apple’ will be passed on to the future generation.

As a new member of the PIEP, I have so many questions in mind, most of which are anchored in the impact, so far, of the organization in the EnPs’ attempt to preserve, conserve, and rehabilitate the human environment. And I think I’ll be staying long enough to know the answers. I look forward to being on board as the PIEP advances toward more undertakings that will make a mark in creating better Filipino communities.