The Urban Ecosystem Research Division (UERD) is the newly–formed technical division of the bureau as a result of the Rationalization Plan. At present, Dr. Simplicia A. Pasicolan is the OIC-Chief of the Division.
The UERD is tasked to perform the following:
- Formulates, implements, and coordinates integrated RDE programs/projects geared towards the improvement of urban areas including urban greening, environmental protection to address problems on water, land, and air pollution, toxic and hazardous wastes, and inappropriate land use and zoning;
- Monitors and evaluates RDE programs/projects related to urban areas;
- Assists in the assessment, integration, verification and packaging of technologies for adoption, transfer and commercialization;
- Develops, improves and recommends methods, protocols, standards, strategies and policies for the improvement of urban areas; and
- Provides technical assistance to DENR units, clientele, end-users and civil society.
- Plans, formulate, implements, and coordinates RDE programs/projects for the management and improvement of industrial and commercial zones; for environmental protection of water, land, and air pollution, toxic and hazardous wastes, and land-use and zoning
- Monitors and evaluates RDE projects related to industrial and commercial zones
- Assists in the assessment, integration, verification and packaging of technologies for adoption, transfer and commercialization;
- Develops, improves, and recommends a comprehensive system and policies for the protection and sustainable management of industrial and commercial zones; and
- Provides technical assistance to other DENR units/research centers, clientele, end-users and civil society.
To achieve its mandate tasks, the UERD created three (3) research sections and these are:
1. Industrial and Commercial Zone Research and Development: OIC-Section Chief, Dr. Lynlei L. Pintor
Functions:
On-going Projects:
- Ecosystems Perspective in Zoning and Land-Use Planning in Highly Urbanized Area
Project Leader: Ms. Fe T. Ociones
Technical Staff: Mr. Nelson Levi Lantican
- Bioremediation Schemes for Polluted Waterways and Wastewater Reservoir at Selected Industrial and Commercial Areas
Project Leader: Ms. Marcelina V. Pacho
Technical Staff: Julius Bañega
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
One of polluted rivers (sampling area) located in Dagupan City (Bioremediation Schemes for Polluted Waterways and Wastewater Reservoir at Selected Industrial and Commercial Areas) |
In situ physicochemical characterization of Binmaley River (Bioremediation Schemes for Polluted Waterways and Wastewater Reservoir at Selected Industrial and Commercial Areas) |
2. Communities and Settlement Areas Research and Development: OIC- Section Chief, Dr. Carmela G. Taguiam
Functions:
- Plans, formulates, implements and coordinates RDE programs/projects for the management and improvement of communities and settlement areas, and for environmental protection to address problems on solid and liquid wastes disposal and inappropriate land use and zoning;
- Monitors and evaluates RDE programs/projects related to communities and settlement areas;
- Assists in the assessment, integration, verification and packaging of technologies for adoption, transfer and commercialization;
- Develops, improves and recommends a comprehensive system and policies for the protection and sustainable management of communities and settlement areas; and
- Provides technical assistance to other DENR units/research centers, clientele, end-users and civil society.
On-going Projects:
- Development of Incentive Mechanisms for the Management of Solid Waste Management in Selected Urban Areas
Project Leader: Dr. Carmela G. Taguiam
Technical Staff: Lorlina Calderon
- Application of Green Technologies to Brace Communities on Impacts of Urbanization
Project Leader: Dr. Aurora S. Jose
Technical Staff: Marciana Orobia, Lydia Pader
Coordination and consultation with the DENR-PENRO-CENRO in Dagupan City (Development of incentive mechanisms for the management of solid waste management in elected urban areas project) |
![]() |
Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Dagupan City (Development of incentive mechanisms for the management of solid waste management in elected urban areas project) |
3. Urban Parks and Recreational Areas Research and Development: OIC- Section Chief, Ms. Marcelina V. Pacho
Functions:
- Plans, formulates, implements and coordinates RDE programs/projects for the management and improvement of urban parks, recreation areas and polluted waterways including urban greening , and land use and zoning;
- Monitors and evaluates RDE programs/projects related to urban parks and recreation areas;
- Assists in the assessment, integration, verification and packaging of technologies for adoption, transfer and commercialization;
- Develops, improves and recommends a comprehensive system and policies for the protection and sustainable management of urban parks, recreation areas and polluted waterways; and
- Provides technical assistance to other DENR units/research centers, clientele, end-users and civil society.
On-going Projects :
- Ecological Assessment in Parks, Green Spaces and School Campuses in Urban Areas
Project Leader: Dr. Simplicia A. Pasicolan
Technical Staff: For. Wencelito P. Hintural
- Effects of Planting Pollution Tolerant Species on the Levels of Pollutants and Urban Microclimate in Cagayan de Oro and Dagupan, Philippines
Project Leader: Dr. Lynlei L. Pintor
Vegetation stand in an industrial park located at Lim Kit Kai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City (Ecological assessment in parks, green spaces and school campuses in urban areas project) |
Pied Fantail (Rhipidura nigritorquis) observed in a glass window of a bank inside Lim Kit Kai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City (Ecological assessment in parks, green spaces and school campuses in urban areas project) |
A dumpsite beside Tondaligan Blue Beach Resort managed by LGU-DENR Region 1 which was converted into a plantation planted by beach species in Tondaligan, Dagupan City. (Ecological assessment in parks, green spaces and school campuses in urban areas project) |
For its initial R&D program, the theme is promoting health and sustainability of urban areas through research and development with three main projects, to wit:
R&D for the management and improvement of commercial and industrial zones at highly urbanized areas in the Philippines
R&D for improving and enhancing healthy ecosystem for communities and settlement areas
R&D for improving green parks and recreational areas at highly urbanized areas in the Philippines