Forty-one technical officers of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) graduated from the University of the Philippines-Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP- IESM) on July 17, 2025, completing a comprehensive training program in Meteorology and its Impact on Air Quality.

The intensive training dives deep into how the atmosphere works, covering everything from daily weather patterns to long-term climate changes. It is built on a solid foundation of math and computer skills, teaching participants how to analyze complex weather data and understand the science behind it all.

EMB Assistant Director Maria Dorica Naz-Hipe said, “Because of efforts like these, we can elevate our capacity for accurate data analysis, forge evidence-based policies, and ensure truly effective environmental enforcement. This is how we build a stronger, more responsive environmental framework for the Philippines, especially in air quality management.”

 

This partnership with UP-IESM represents a strategic investment in the technical expertise of the EMB, empowering its officers with advanced skills to monitor better, assess, and manage air pollution, contributing to healthier environments and communities throughout the Philippines.

The extensive curriculum spanned 42 virtual lecture and discussion sessions, totaling 126 intensive lecture hours, providing participants with a robust theoretical foundation. Complementing the virtual learning, officers engaged in practical dry laboratory sessions to apply their knowledge.

A critical component of the program included site visits to key meteorological facilities, such as the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST PAGASA) Science Garden and the PAGASA Synoptic and Upper Air Station in Tanay, Rizal. These visits offered invaluable firsthand experience with meteorological instruments and practical training in processing real-world meteorological data, linking scientific principles to their impact on air quality.

The enhanced competencies of the technical officers from the central and regional offices will directly translate into more robust and proactive air quality management initiatives nationwide.

With improved skills in atmospheric data interpretation, the graduates are poised to refine and optimize air quality monitoring networks, ensuring more precise and real-time data collection; develop more targeted and effective interventions to address sources of air pollution, from vehicular emissions to industrial discharges; and contribute to the formulation of updated and more stringent air quality standards aligned with international best practices.

Moreover, the graduates are expected to strengthen public awareness campaigns by providing clearer, scientifically backed information on air quality conditions and their health implications and foster greater inter-agency collaboration by acting as expert resources in environmental planning and policy discussions.

The second batch of this specialized program was participated by technical staff from the EMB Central Office’s Solid Waste Policy and Program Development Section (SWPPDS), Hazardous Waste Management Section (HWMS), Water Quality Management Section (WQMS) and Air Quality Management Section (AQMS), and EMB Regional personnel from the Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement Division (EMED) and Clearance and Permitting Division (CPD). ###