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. Agraan, Merwin Sabado
  2. Alunday, Roel Lingbawan
  3. Amorganda, Mechille Tabanao
  4. Ancla, Marietta Resus
  5. Baldjay, Brian Josue
  6. Bataller, Ayra Balbin
  7. Bolaños, Joana Iris Santos
  8. Breva, Gemrex Dumaqu
  9. Briones, Charene Joy Rapsing
  10. Buenavente, Elias Belza
  11. Bulil-Lit, Marc Stanley Bumanglag
  12. Caranza, Japhet Regime Tabuzo
  13. Castañeda, Ria May Santiago
  14. Cerera, Jessie Mari Cerera
  15. Codoy, Gabriel Globio
  16. Cornelio, Jay-Ann Torqueza
  17. Cruz, Abigail Sabino
  18. Dalicun, Diana Pasicolan
  19. De La Cruz, Estelita Navidad
  20. Escosura, Karla Jean Alojado
  21. Gelaga, Jovelin Garciano
  22. Gutierrez, Joanne Fe Miraflores
  23. H. Ismael, Abdul Rahim Pandi
  24. Herrera, Krezzle Lyne Taberna
  25. Hingpit, Loraine Pebte
  26. Jimenez, Al Jun Esquivel
  27. Joaquin, Arnold Alis
  28. Lacanilao, Mark Guel Balmeo
  29. Lantaca, JR Intong
  30. Luna, Precious Jansen Damaso
  31. Madanum, Edward Agnas
  32. Manansala, Irel Fortugaleza (Top 1)
  33. Mapadat, Imelda Rae Prepotente
  34. Morales, Rhea Imelda Bernal
  35. Morada, Joan Priela
  36. Nollido, Patrick Suarez
  37. Paronda, Flynne Alcalde
  38. Patindol, Gio Ledama
  39. Peran, Will Orellana
  40. Rabanal, Beatriz Dalicun
  41. Rosales, Jude Shahara Goc-Ong
  42. Sabangan, Raquel Mamaradlo
  43. Salamero, Maria Odessa Piamonte
  44. Santos, Tria Mae Malonzo
  45. Selim, Al Christ Dizon
  46. Siason, Chezah Erl
  47. Sornito, May Modelo
  48. Sorromero, Frank Gray Mercado
  49. Sumisim, Maria Elena Jimenez (Top 3)
  50. Tabile, Alma Pascasio
  51. Timkang, Jhoeymae Arianne Castañares
  52. Toledo, Oscar Ruiz
  53. Torregosa, Eleno Jr Basbas
  54. Vale, Jelo
  55. Valerio, Mc Jefferson Miranda
  56. Vecino, Sara May
  57. Vibandor, Bernardette Denise Balares
  58. Vidal, Janela Flores
  59. Vidal, Lizel Perea
  60. Viernes, Wilbert Geno
  61. Villapando, Cristina Rivera
  62. Yambot, Tyrone Benedict Ricafrente
  63. 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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