19/02/2026
๐ฟ๐ ENR Academy Launches Pilot Specialized Course on Natural Capital Accounting (NCA)
The Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Academy officially opened the Specialized Course on Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) on 16 February 2026 at the Social Hall, DENR Central Office, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the Departmentโs capacity to implement the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Act.
The Opening Program was graced by Atty. Norlito A. Eneran, Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs, Enforcement, and Human Resources; Dir. Miriam M. Marcelo, OIC Director of the Human Resource Development Service; Dir. Lormelyn Claudio, Director of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB); and For. Wilson E. Henson, Chief of the Training and Development Division, together with subject matter experts from ERDB.
In his welcome message, Atty. Eneran underscored that this pilot batch of 27 learners carries a vital responsibility -- as prime movers in advancing NCA implementation across the Department. He emphasized that the knowledge and competencies gained must be cascaded to their respective offices, ensuring that Natural Capital Accounting is effectively operationalized on the ground.
Dir. Marcelo formally introduced the participants, carefully selected from priority areas requiring immediate capacity development in NCA. Meanwhile, Dir. Claudio delivered an inspiring reminder: โWe cannot treasure what we cannot measure.โ She highlighted the urgency of accounting for the nationโs natural resources and reaffirmed that the learnersโ work is not only a duty to the Department and the country, but ultimately an act of stewardship and service.
During the second part of the program, For. Henson presented the Workplace Development Objectives (WDO) and course overview, clearly outlining the expected outputs and outcomes of the training. He emphasized that beyond classroom learning, participants are expected to produce practical, workplace-based outputs that will directly contribute to the Departmentโs Natural Capital Accounting initiatives. The course design integrates lectures, workshops, collaborative exercises, and field assessments to ensure that theory is translated into actionable datasets and implementation-ready outputs.
The month-long training (16 February โ 15 March 2026) aims to equip DENR personnel with the competencies to apply NCA concepts, tools, and methods in support of sustainable resource management, science- and evidence-based policy-making, and the integration of environmental values into development planning and governance.
The program concluded with an interactive session fostering collaboration, camaraderie, and stronger professional networks among the learners.
As we move beyond traditional economic indicators, this initiative reinforces a clear message: nature countsโand it must be accounted for. ๐๐
Photos ๐ธ courtesy of DENR-SCIS