Problem overview:

     Awareness and visions: To maintain the state of the environment without straining the development of the economy, policy makers should have a clear understanding of Sustainable Development. To make sure they do, an aptitude test has been carried out in the Philippines in conformation with the countrys Agenda 21.

     Framework for coordination: The aptitude test has been formulated by a number of related agencies, in which have come together for this purpose.

Background:

      Conducting an Environmental aptitude test to evaluate the understanding of government officials towards Sustainable Development

      The Philippine Agenda 21, the countrys blueprint for sustainable development, provides for the integration of environmental aptitude in tests administered by the Civil Service Commission and the Career Service Executive Board. This is to ensure that policy-makers and government officials posses the right level of understanding of issues, concerns, and proper values for sustainable development governance.

Objectives

      To formulate and pilot-test mechanism for the integration of environmental aptitude in tests administered by the Civil Service commission and the Career Service executive Board as well as evaluate the levels of awareness and understanding of government employees and officials in sustainable development.

Updates

• A Committee composed of representative from the DENR, CSC, and PCSD Secretariat/NEDA has been organized.
  
  
• A memorandum of agreement has been drafted and circulated to concerned agencies for comments to formalize cooperation arrangements.

Under the MOA---

1. CSC and CESB shall:
   • Assist in pilot-testing the EIQS in DENR and NEDA;
     
     
   • Prepare a program for the setting-up of EIQS in tests administered by CSC and CESB, DENR and NEDA to support dissemination;
     
     
   • Incorporate the EIQS in the Sub-Professional, Professional and Career Executives;
2. PCSD/NEDA shall:
   • Facilitate the active involvement of the PCSD primarily to provide overall guidance and direction in the formulation of EIQS;
3. DENR shall:
   • Provide assistance in the formulation and operationalization (i.e. establishment of a mechanism, conduct of consultation-workshops, pilot-testing, etc.) of the EQIS;

      The Terms of Reference for the consultant who will formulate the framework have been finalized recruitment of consultant is on going. The CSC has agreed to incorporate, through indirect means, environmental undertones in the next exams. The CSC has agreed to promote EQIS through the Asean Resource Center. The expected program launching will be in June; pilot testing will be within DENR and NEDA, and operationalization will be in August.