The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) proudly celebrates the outstanding achievement of its graduates from the Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP) program who successfully passed the August 2025 Environmental Planners (EnP) Computer-Based Licensure Examination and the June 2025 Special Overseas Examination.

This year’s licensure examination marks a historic milestone for UPOU, which emerged as one of the top-performing schools in the August 2025 Environmental Planners Licensure Exam (EPLE) with an impressive 98.36% passing rate—the highest among the three universities recognized in the list. Adding to this success, UPOU’s lone examinee in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also successfully passed the June 2025 Special Professional Licensure Examination.

Leading the roster of new Environmental Planners nationwide is EnP Irel Fortugaleza Manansala of UPOU, who secured Top 1 with a rating of 87.80%. Also bringing pride to the UPOU community is EnP Maria Elena Jimenez Sumisim, who ranked 3rd place with a score of 86.85%. Their achievements underscore UPOU’s commitment to excellence and its pioneering role in providing accessible, high-quality online education in the Philippines. 

Among the new Environmental Planners (EnPs) from UPOU are:

  1. Alunday, Roel Lingbawan
  2. Amorganda, Mechille Tabanao
  3. Ancla, Marietta Resus
  4. Bataller, Ayra Balbin
  5. Bolaños, Joana Iris Santos
  6. Breva, Gemrex Dumaqu
  7. Briones, Charene Joy Rapsing
  8. Buenavente, Elias Belza
  9. Bulil-Lit, Marc Stanley Bumanglag
  10. Caranza, Japhet Regime Tabuzo
  11. Castañeda, Ria May Santiago
  12. Cerera, Jessie Mari Cerera
  13. Codoy, Gabriel Globio
  14. Cornelio, Jay-Ann Torqueza
  15. Cruz, Abigail Sabino
  16. Dalicun, Diana Pasicolan
  17. Escosura, Karla Jean Alojado
  18. Gelaga, Jovelin Garciano
  19. Gutierrez, Joanne Fe Miraflores
  20. H. Ismael, Abdul Rahim Pandi
  21. Herrera, Krezzle Lyne Taberna
  22. Hingpit, Loraine Pebte
  23. Jimenez, Al Jun Esquivel
  24. Joaquin, Arnold Alis
  25. Lacanilao, Mark Guel Balmeo
  26. Lantaca, JR Intong
  27. Luna, Precious Jansen Damaso
  28. Madanum, Edward Agnas
  29. Manansala, Irel Fortugaleza (Top 1)
  30. Mapadat, Imelda Rae Prepotente
  31. Morales, Rhea Imelda Bernal
  32. Morada, Joan Priela
  33. Nollido, Patrick Suarez
  34. Paronda, Flynne Alcalde
  35. Patindol, Gio Ledama
  36. Peran, Will Orellana
  37. Rabanal, Beatriz Dalicun
  38. Rosales, Jude Shahara Goc-Ong
  39. Sabangan, Raquel Mamaradlo
  40. Salamero, Maria Odessa Piamonte
  41. Santos, Tria Mae Malonzo
  42. Selim, Al Christ Dizon
  43. Siason, Chezah Erl
  44. Sornito, May Modelo
  45. Sorromero, Frank Gray Mercado
  46. Sumisim, Maria Elena Jimenez (Top 3)
  47. Tabile, Alma Pascasio
  48. Timkang, Jhoeymae Arianne Castañares
  49. Toledo, Oscar Ruiz
  50. Torregosa, Eleno Jr Basbas
  51. Vale, Jelo
  52. Valerio, Mc Jefferson Miranda
  53. Vecino, Sara May
  54. Vibandor, Bernardette Denise Balares
  55. Vidal, Janela Flores
  56. Vidal, Lizel Perea
  57. Viernes, Wilbert Geno
  58. Villapando, Cristina Rivera
  59. Yambot, Tyrone Benedict Ricafrente
  60. Yparraguirre, Margie Gonzales

The DLUP program is under the Faculty of Management of Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS). As part of its continuing commitment to support its graduates beyond academic coursework, UPOU-FMDS implemented the Pasado program this year. The Pasado program formalized DLUP’s support to EPLE takers in terms of providing supplemental learning sessions with planning practitioners and former successful EPLE passers, web-based mock exams, and guidance on administrative concerns. 

The EPLE, administered annually by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), ensures that only those who meet the high standards set under Republic Act 10587 (Environmental Planning Act of 2013) are granted the title of Environmental Planner. This profession involves the multidisciplinary science and art of analyzing, managing, and regulating land and water resources to create sustainable and resilient communities.

The whole UPOU community warmly congratulates all its new Environmental Planners for their hard work and determination. With their expertise, they are now equipped to contribute significantly to the fields of environmental planning, sustainable development, and nation-building. 

Written by: Dona Lyn M. Piamonte • Edited by: Larry N. Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals

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