REECS examines contemporary policies in the management of environment and natural resources in the light of sound and relevant economic principles – which is what distinguished REECS in its analytical approach. This helps ensure efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability in the resource use, as well as in implementation of the policy itself. In this respect, microeconomic theories that are well within REECS key expertise such as the concepts of Pareto optimum, economic rent, welfare economics, resource depletion and externalities, always play a major role in the determination of the most appropriate policy that need to be implemented by the national or local government. REECS personnel are also equally at ease with the application of macroeconomic concepts in policy analysis. It has pioneered in the introduction of environmental accounting geared towards improving the management of the country’s environment and natural resources. Overall, REECS efforts in looking at the economic-environment interactions within a holistic framework have generated the necessary database used in studies recommending changes in the present policy mix in environment and natural resource management in the Philippines.
  

Scarcity of resources requires efficient allocation and judicious management if sustainable development is to be achieved. The accomplishment of this goal starts with correct planning and appreciation of the different problems and issues at multi-dimensional levels. REECS integrated and participatory approach unites various disciplines and expertise in a cohesive framework, which takes into consideration the diverse concerns, and maps out strategies and policies leading to the resolution of the issues. It makes full use of the internationally-accepted extended cost-benefit analysis, resource valuation, impact & social assessment and economic modeling in the determination of efficient and equitable resource use. It spouses well-grounded policies that leads to confident and effective policy implementation. In short, REECS ensures that scarce resources will go a long way through its economic-based planning and evaluation.
 

REECS realizes that no amount of natural or social science research will help is deal with our environmental problems unless we learn to implement management programs through legal and political institutions. Laws, rules and regulations have to be crafted and approved by relevant legislative body or agency. Here, advocacy is essential so that sufficient healthy level of debate or public awareness could be has. While these are usually complex tasks, REECS is fully prepared to undertake advocacy program at any levels of government to pursue environmental policy initiatives, and at the same time, meet the legal and political criteria of justice and equity.
  

One of the least understood area is public economics and fiscal policy. However, their role impacts on everyone. As the government is veering away from command-and-control mode and shifting to market-based instruments in controlling pollution and improving environmental quality, corresponding changes in fiscal policy have to be made. In a paradigm-shift like this, not only the fiscal system of the government needs overhauling but also the traditional perception of public managers who were accustomed with regulatory restrictions. REECS is well versed in examining and explaining the fiscal policy options in simple economic terms that are useful and meaningful to government policy makers.
  

Resource scarcity, law enforcement and regulations, technological innovation and other factors of production permeates through international trade and industry. Pressing issues like free trade, tariff increase/reduction, and government subsidies cast imposing shadows to any international trade agreements or activities of the industrial sector. The natural resource industries are no exception. Export of unprocessed logs from natural forests and cutting of old growth forest are banned. A number of mineral products continually suffers production decline despite reduction in tariff. And many more policy issues that need rethinking and synthesis if sustainable development is to be pursued vigorously. REECS is at the forefront of policy analysis in the natural resource trade and industry sector. It can provide you with up-to-date information and state-of-the-art tools in examining the most appropriate policy that will maximize economic and social benefit.
  

While overlooked by many, the decision whether or not to pursue development in agriculture and rural areas is, first and foremost, an economic problem.  The supply and demand curves are constantly shifting over time. Interest rates, application of technology, institutional arrangements, poverty, depletion and scarcity of resources are some of the key issues that could unravel the sustainable path to rural development.  REECS long-standing experience and awareness of the myriad issues facing policy makers makes its analysis of, and solution to any problem in agriculture and rural development well suited, holistic, objective, and practical to all concerns.
  

REECS pioneered the introduction of environmental and natural resources accounting (known as ENRA) in the Philippines, which generated the necessary database for policy formulation in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as well as in selected Local Government Units. In 1990, ENRA was identified as a major tool in the Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development.

Our ENRA approach is unique from other accounting systems as it explicitly accounts for the economically valuable services of natural resources and the environment such as medium for the disposal of wastes, a supplier of recreational services, esthetics, and the life support of species. It covers air, water, forestry, fisheries, lands, minerals, protected areas and wildlife, and the household sectors.

With ENRA, our public sector clients are able to examine the complex interactions between the economy and the environment within a comprehensive framework that meets government objectives – in a way not usually done before.

There are now over 130 studies produced under ENRA, which are available to public in hard copies or in CD-ROM format called ENRAP SHELF. Please contact is for details and updates on our publication.
  

In estimating the monetary value of goods and services, REECS takes the traditional cost and benefit analysis further, to include non-marketed goods/services (not priced or traded in the market) and offsite (outside of the project area) effects. These account environmental services, environmental damages, direct nature services, natural resource depreciation, and non-marketed household production. Its inclusion in the physical quantification and monetary valuation processes has profound effects on the management measures that will be adopted. By doing so, our clients better appreciated the social and environmental costs and benefits of a particular activity under evaluation.

We begin by considering the concept of Total Evaluation Value of a resource. This comprises not only the Use Value but also Option Value (value attached to the possibility of using the resource at some future time), Existence Value (value placed to a resource knowing it exist and will continue to exist), and Bequest Value (value placed by the current generation to a resource to make it available for future generation). Physical quantification of the benefits and costs follows. Then we employ state-of-the-art valuation techniques, which REECS is very familiar with, such as human capital approach, benefit/cost transfer approach, changes-in-productivity technique, cost-of-illness approach, defensive expenditure, travel cost method, contingent valuation, method, and hedonic pricing, as appropriate.
  

REECS conducts environmental impact assessment (EIA) of any proposed development of projects based on government rules and regulations. Our multi-disciplinary EIA team examines the existing environmental conditions – land, water and air, and the likely impacts of a proposed development using scientific procedures, field sampling and statistical analysis, laboratory analysis and simulation modeling. Potential adverse environmental effects are evaluated and mitigating measures or alternatives are proposed. We also assess environmental hazard and risks due to uncertain natural events or conditions and technological processes.
  

Apart from physical quantification of impacts and risks, REECS is also well adept at assessing economic and social impacts of projects, events or policy options, proposed or current.

REECS personnel are acknowledged experts in the conduct of economic and social survey, participatory rapid appraisal, household survey, focus group discussion, key informant interview and stakeholder analysis.

Our growing list of clients in this field will attest to the credibility, authority, reliability and relevance of our impact studies.
  

REECS is well ahead in the field of economic valuation in terms of knowledge, track record and use of methodology to estimate and monetize the value of a particular impact or activity.

In the public and private sectors, valuation studies carry a tremendous weight in decision-making or policy formulation.
  

REECS’ multidisciplinary team starts working with private and public sector clients at the planning stage. Our integrated approach and balanced perspective sets us apart – we see the process as a continuum from conceptualization to process design to implementation.

REECS understandS what it takes to prepare a good feasibility study that is truly relevant to your need – the client. Our ability to synthesize insights from various disciplines and concerns, and to integrate economic, environmental, social, legal, institutional and infrastructure considerations into the study results to innovative approaches, sensible planning and cohesive implementation.
   

The role of technology on industries cannot be overemphasized. It can make or unmake any industry.  An effective technology can put resource scarcity at bay.  However, to appreciate the value of technological innovation requires deliberate and careful consideration of many impacts it can wrought, within and without the industry. While there are risks and uncertainties with the advent of new technology,  REECS’ interdisciplinary team ensures that all aspects of technological innovations are evaluated, including the environment into which innovations are introduced.
  

REECS is equally competent at examining natural resource conservation issues. Our interdisciplinary team employs extended benefit-cost analysis, multi-criteria analysis, welfare economics, property rights and institutional analysis, resource systems modeling and other relevant tools in evaluating resource use options. We have leading experts in forestry, mining, fishery, coastal & marine, parks, wildlife, protected areas, biodiversity and land management.
  

REECS has been at the forefront of pollution management in the public and private sectors. It has been instrumental in laying down economic-based government policies that improve pollution prevention and control, as well as encourage the participation of industries in environmental enhancement, either in air, waster or solid/hazardous wastes. We have scientific know-how to meet specific environmental requirements.
   

The study of the market and market organization entails systematic gathering and processing of data from suppliers and buyers of goods and services. Our market knowledge and experience can be translated into strategic capabilities suited for our client’s needs and preferences. REECS currently focuses on developing the market for environmental services, particularly the use of economic instruments or market-based instruments.
  

Sustainable yield or harvest can be best predicted using resource systems models, particularly in renewable resources like fishery. A bioeconomic model of fishery, which relates catches of fishing effort, can also provide the basis for estimating the rent and depreciation of fishery resources. REECS understands the need and application of model, which our experts can tailor-fit to suit the specific requirements of our clients, both in the government and private sectors, local or national.
  

REECS is equally competent at examining natural resource conservation issues. Our interdisciplinary team employs extended benefit-cost analysis, multi-criteria analysis, welfare economics, property rights and institutional analysis, resource systems modeling and other relevant tools in evaluating resource use options. We have leading experts in forestry, mining, fishery, coastal & marine, parks, wildlife, protected areas, biodiversity and land management.
  

REECS consistently relies on statistical methods and econometrics in tackling problems in the management of the environment and natural resources, as well as in creating solutions that are relevant to the client’s unique needs and constraints.

Our clients will tell you that our design and application of statistical methods and econometrics greatly help in eliciting management information that are significant to the situation at the hand. Qualitative and quantitative data are collected by REECS’ seasoned and well-trained personnel. They will also tell you that our conduct of household surveys and sampling techniques are objective, precise and accurate. The wise blending of statistics with impact assessment studies and project evaluation ensures that our clients receive sound and solid advice for their investments in environment and natural resources sector.
  

One of the strategies to promote voluntary compliance to government regulations is a public disclosure program. When the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) intended to improve its capacity in environmental management and protection, REECS was contracted to strengthen public disclosure of industries’ environmental performance, among others. Considering the limited budget and bureaucratic constraints faced by EMB, REECS helped by strengthening its self monitoring reporting system and the Industrial EcoWatch system. As a result, two DENR administrative orders were promulgated to implement its revitalized public disclosure program for environmental compliance nation-wide, including incentive and rating schemes for participating private firms.

REECS experts, with their understanding of the inner workings of government and its unique concerns and interest, can always innovate to apply public disclosure system to any government agencies that seek to improve compliance to regulatory requirements, at local or national levels.
  

REECS believes that a reliable monitoring and evaluation system is the backbone of an effective environmental governance or resource management. Whether it is project-based monitoring, compliance monitoring, cost/benefit monitoring, environmental monitoring (air, water, terrestrial) or impact monitoring, REECS multidisciplinary team shares the passion of getting timely, relevant, accurate and precise information, which would be thoroughly evaluated using pre-determined criteria, and presented in coherent manner.
  

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign is an indispensable tool in efficient governance as well as in the effective implementation of policies, programs and projects. REECS’ role, as advocates for sustainable economic development, is to inform the public and promote participation of stakeholders in the proposed courses of action. Our IEC experience will tell that well-executed IEC design can reduce conflict, enhance social acceptability, and increase the chances of success of a proposal.
  

Policy Analysis – Resource and Environmental Management Planning, Institutions, Public Economics and Fiscal Policy, International Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Rural Development

Environmental and Natural Resource Valuation – Environmental and Natural Resources Accounting, Extended Cost-Benefit Analysis

Impact Analysis – Environmental Impact Assessment, Economic and Social Impacts, Economic Valuation Commodity, Industry and Household Study – Feasibility Studies, Technological Change, Resource Conservation & Pollution Management, Market and Market Organization, Resource Systems Modeling Environmental and Natural Resource

Management Information System – Statistical Methods and Econometrics, Public Disclosure, Monitoring and Evaluation System, ‘Information, Education & Communication Campaign’ (IEC)