For the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners – Qatar Chapter, 2021 will be an extraordinary year. It does not only have one or two but multitudes of reasons to celebrate. Members of the chapter, previously known as environmental planners in Qatar before being granted Full Chapter status in 2019 worked smart as a young group in the environmental planning Profession to equip themselves and serve as an inspiration to other planners.
PIEP Qatar celebrated its second anniversary last October 22 – the very first hybrid celebration during the pandemic. It boasts of its 34 members to date with a number of them residing in the Philippines. Even miles apart, it didn’t hinder the members from participating actively in the chapter's activities. Unlike regular celebrations, the chapter introduced new ways to make the year memorable. A panel discussion was moderated with panelists representing various sectors and organizations on the planning community namely: EnP Maria Ana Pulido, with her consultancy company: represented the private sector; EnP Felicisimo Tejuco, Jr, from the University of Sto. Thomas College of Architecture represented the academe; EnP Benita Regala, represented the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Housing (EAROPH); and EnP Eleanor Mohammad, President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) represented the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP).