Ms. Irel Fortugaleza Manansala, a graduate of the Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP) from UP Open University (UPOU) topped the Environmental Planners Licensure Examination in August 2025 as announced by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on 22 August 2025.
UPOU also ranked first among the top-performing schools, garnering an average passing rate of 98.36 percent. Ma. Elena J. Sumisim, another UPOU alumna, ranked third.
Ms. Manansala, who is a Development Management Officer IV at the Bayawan City Planning and Development Office in Negros Oriental, shared her reaction upon receiving the news: “At about 10 pm, someone finally announced that the results were out. With trembling hands, I hurriedly scrolled to find out if my name was on the list. Sure enough, it was there. I shouted with glee, ‘Thank you, Lord!’”
When she re-opened her group chat, she saw several posts congratulating her. She wondered why she was singled out.
“Instinctively, I clicked on the link for the list of top 10 passers, thinking I would be somewhere in the middle — so that’s where I focused my eyes. However, lo and behold, I was in utter shock when I realized it was my name at the very top!” she said.
Ms. Irel F. Manansala, Diploma in Land Use Planning (2024)
Ms. Manansla completed her Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP) in 2024. She noted that the DLUP program equipped her with theories, concepts, and tools that she can apply in the field. “Our FICs and the DLUP Program Chair, Professor Remsce Pasahol, have been so facilitative and responsive to our queries, constantly guiding and mentoring us. UPOU’s approach, which emphasizes linking knowledge with praxis, increases learners’ appreciation of the course. This leads to a deeper understanding of the subject matter, which helps in the licensure exam.”
This was not her first degree from UPOU; she completed her Master of Development Communication degree back in 2012. “UPOU opened doors for me that I wouldn’t have unlocked under conventional classroom settings. It is very helpful for working people with families,” she shared.
When asked about her plans after passing the exam, she said, “I will continue to give my best at work in LGU Bayawan City, as I always have. Now that I am a fully fledged EnP, I am more equipped and could therefore be a more effective public servant. “
According to PRC, 404 out of 436 passed the Computer-Based Licensure Examination given by the Board of Environmental Planning in August 2025.
Written by Primo G. Garcia | Photo from Irel F. Manansala
