II. MECHANISMS FOR INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO OVERALL ECONOMIC POLICIES
[ II-A | II-B
| II-C | II-D ]
D. Strengths and weaknesses of current mechanisms
[ D | D-1
| D-2 | D-3 | D-4 | D-5
]
1. Capacity for environmental integration
The concept of, and rationale for, integrating environmental considerations into policy decisions has yet to be fully appreciated, particularly by planning practitioners in most government agencies of the Philippines.
In most cases, while an awareness of the need for such integration may be present, the absence of expertise or skills coupled with a dearth of relevant tools for environment-economy integration has severely limited the capability of practitioners to effectively integrate environmental considerations into policy measures, programmes and projects.
The recent move to develop an environmental intelligence quotient test is expected to address, albeit indirectly, that concern.
That test will require a certain level of environmental awareness and skills for the career advancement of public officials and employees.
The system of evaluating agency performance will also need to be reassessed, in order to move towards developing a broadening of environmental accountability.
Also fundamental to the issue is the current education system which is weak in aspects related to the environment. Only a limited number of institutions for higher education have integrated the environment into their curricula, resulting in a dearth of local professionals in that field.
Significant mileage could also be achieved if the environment can be integrated into other curricula to ensure that practitioners of future development as well as public servants possess a minimum level of environmental awareness when they enter the workforce.
Overall, effective and intensive dissemination of information, education, communication and advocacy are the keystones in the development of the capacity of government agencies in the integration process. Adequate availability of resources, financial and otherwise, is vital in that regard.
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