The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), facilitated the National Air Quality Management Training Workshop for Policy Updates and Online Permitting and Monitoring System (OPMS) on 02-06 March 2020. The workshop aims to assess and improve the OPMS functionality prior to its implementation. The EMB Region 3 – Regional Director welcomed participants from the EMB Regional Offices.

OIC-Director William P, Cunado, in his opening remarks stated that all participants should acquire all the knowledge that they can get during the workshop and participate during the discussion. Implementation of the Online Permitting for Permit to Operate Air Pollution Sources will not just address paper conservation but also the implementation of Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA).

Engr. Jundy Del Socorro OIC Chief of Air Quality Management Section started the training with the Policy Updates regarding PTO and then followed by the presentation of EMB-RO Submissions for APSI/APCD compilation as commitment from August 2019 National AQ Workshop they also shared their best practices during the presentation. This was followed by Mock Session with the Scenario of Heavy Industry Device (e.g. Cement, Refinery, Power Plant ); (Combined Old Permit and New Permit Application scenario some with complete , some with Incomplete Requirement scenario) : a.) New Applicable ;b.) Multiple Fuel Burning Sources with each with Single Stack & Control, etc)Process Equipment (Conveyors, Silo, Fuel Tanks, etc.). then followed by the discussion of the findings and Problems Encountered on the third Mock Session. Multiple Mock sessions were done to familiarize the regional offices on the system in-case they encounter problems when the system is implemented.

In addition, EMB SISMS were given deadlines regarding proposed changes in programming the system while policy-wise concerns for consultation with EMB Legal Division were also noted. Finalization of the recently signed EMB Memorandum Circular 2020- 17 “Guidelines on the Issuance of Permit to Operate (PTO) for Air Pollution Source Installation or Equipment (APSI/APSE) through the Online Permitting and Monitoring System (OPMS)” was also tackled as the last activity of the Workshop.