BSU registers 19 Environmental Planners, studies possible program offering

Nineteen Benguet State University (BSU) alumni and faculty successfully passed the Environmental Planner Licensure Examination on June 6-7, 2018 with a 46.15% overall performance surpassing the national passing rate of 39.99%.

16 graduates include Rosita Apilis, Domelson Balangen, Mary Bintucan, Alice Busiley, Agusta Challis, Roshield Duguies, Judileen Gayaso, David Lampesa, Abner Lawangen, Fidela Luis, Lester Madino, Jocelyn Martin, Irene Pangpangdeo, Jovelyn Siena, Annalyn Valdez, and Sharmaine Vicente. Faculty members include Maricel Guron , Verna Duque-Lacanlale of the Department of Biology and Roscinto Ian Lumbres of the College of Forestry.

Duque- Lacanlale said that Environmental Planning focuses on urban development and on how to situate the commercial state of living to coexist with its environment.

“Ang pinaka trabaho niya is to find out the balance between an anthropological activity and the environment,” Duque-Lacanlale said.

She added that this is the last year for the Philippine Regulatory Board to accept graduates with degrees related to Environmental Planning in taking the licensure exam.

Another passer and faculty under CAS Maricel Guron said that it is sad not to consider other graduates from different fields.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Kenneth G. Laruan, in an interview, said that there are few schools who offer the degree, and that they are currently exploring the possibility of offering the degree, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning. He said however that there are many factors to consider and one requirement is that the faculty should be a licensed Environmental Planner. This then led to encourage the faculty members in relation to environmental planning to take the licensure examination. Guron on the other hand said that an Ad Hoc Committee was created to assess the feasibility of offering the degree within the university.

Laruan added that one of the factors to consider is the employability of graduates under the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Duque-Lacanlale added that agencies in the Philippines especially government offices prefer to hire individuals with a license as a quality measure.

“Probably in the next days, we will convene to review our position if we are qualified or have now the faculty resources to offer Bachelor of Science in Environment Planning,” said Laruan.//MDPenchog