58th Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers Annual Convention

“Industries Towards Excellence.” This is the driving concept of this year’s Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Conference to be held on Oct. 13–16 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The four-day conference will focus on the group’s drive to rally all industries to appreciate and take advantage of the various developments in their profession. Included in the discussions will be issues such as quality assurance and management, continuing professional education, and of RA 8495 (Philippine Mechanical Engineering Law) and how its provisions could be implemented.

Mechanical engineers from the private practices, government, and the academe are expected to attend the conference and present some of their technical papers to keep their fellow engineers updated regarding the trends and technological advances in the field of mechanical engineering.

For more details regarding the conference, please call 736-2043, 493-4268, or 0917-8681700. You may also visit www.psmenow.org.

WEAP 5th Annual Convention

The Water Environment Association of the Philippines (WEAP) Inc., a member of the association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) of the United States held its 5th Annual Convention last August 5 and 6, 2010 at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino Lahug, Cebu City.

This year’s theme is “Climate Change: Act Now for Future Generations.” Andrew T. Montalbo and Artemio F. Baylosis, WEAP president and president-elect respectively, welcomed delegates and the representatives from the various water districts, private companies, LGUs, manufacturers, environmental practitioners and pollution control officers that attended the event.

On the other hand, the technical sessions highlighted the following topics: “The Basics of Global Warming,” “The La Niña and El Niño Phenomenon,”“Sewerage and Sanitation: The Emerging Challenge,” “Combined Sewage and Septage Treatment: The FTI STP Experience,” “Renewable Energy: The Alternative Source of Energy”, and “Mitigation and Adaptation of Climate Change and The Green Design”.

For more inquiries, contact WEAP Secretariat, (632) 775-2030, email weaphil@yahoo.com, or visit the WEAP website http://www.weaphil.com.

Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, Inc. 2010 Midyear National Convention

Proper sanitation is one of the keys to healthy living environments and lifestyles.

Focused on the theme “Working Together Towards a Clean, Safe, and Healthy Environment,” the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, Inc. launched their 2010 Midyear National Convention last July 29–31 at the Hotel Stotsenberg in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Lined up in the series of lectures/seminars were general subjects subdivided into specific topics: (1) Solid Waste Management (Updates on Health Care Management, Design Considerations of a Sanitary Landfills, and Updates on the Implementation of RA 9003); (2) Public Health Engineering (Water Safety Plans, The National Sustainable Sanitation Program, Household Water Treatment, and Floating Toilet); (3) Water and Wastewater Engineering (The National Sewerage and Sanitation Program, Septage Management Program, and Updates in Local Water Supply); and (4) Innovation and Updates in Building Systems, Fire Protection and the Green Building Technology.

For details and inquiries, please contact the secretariat at (632) 434-0591, email info@psense.org.ph or log on to the website www.psense.org.ph. You may also contact the convention chairman Engr. Ramil Gutierrez (convention chairman) at 0922-5621357, Engr. Noel Yumol (co-chairman) at 0922-8936988, or Engr. Ascencion Forte Jr. (national president) at 0915-4118560.

COMSTE, MO hold two-day conference on Country’s Resilience over Climate De-stabilization

Engineering covered the discussions on the two-day conference entitled “Engineering Resilience: Confronting Risk Beyond Adaptation” organized by the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) and the Manila Observatory (MO). This conference was held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel last March 15 and 16, 2010.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, COMSTE Chair, attended the event and shared insights and actions that can remedy or stabilize the civilization while climate change is inevitable. He expounded on the the importance of raising the level of preparedness of the Philippines in the face of the rising challenges brought on by the devastation caused by natural calamities.

“Resilience is the ability of a nation to bounce back in the face of calamity. This is why it is important for the Philippines to understand and minimize the vulnerability of its cities, especially Metro Manila, which is mostly below sea level,” said Angara. This has been a realization in his part as he also shared the hitting of typhoon Ondoy in the country, especially in Metro Manila last September 2009 when the natural calamity devastated lives, destroyed livelihood and infrastructures, and wiped out the efforts in modernizing the country.

Senator Loren Legarda, the primary author of the Climate Change Act of 2009 and also, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change warned that, “A mere one meter rise in sea level would threaten the lives and homes of millions of Filipinos. This is a serious matter that cannot be ignored. That is why I am pleased to see representatives from all over the world present here, as part of the global community, willing to share their knowledge gained from experience to make the Philippines better prepared to handle the volatile whims of Mother Nature.”

The first day of the conference provided an overview of the country’s climate-change studies, risks, hazards and vulnerability assessments and policy directions (“What The Philippines Should Do About Climate Change”) as well as the lessons the country has learned from typhoon Ondoy (post-Ondoy analysis).

The second day concentrated to infrastructure development by Dr. Vinod Menon, from India, food and agriculture by Dr. Asanee Kawtrakul, from Thailand, marine and coastal- areas resource management by Filipino expert Dr. Laura David from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, energy security through expert analysis from the Manila Observatory, and public health by Dr. Eric Rasmussen of the US.

The said conference was supported by PLDT / SMART Business Solutions.

For more details, contact Manila Observatory at telephone numbers (632) 426-5921, 426-0837, 426-6495, email at manila@observatory.ph or visit the website http://comste.gov.ph/, or contact Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering at their front desk (632)551-7920 local 7140, telefax at (632)551-7920 local 7141, direct line at (632)446-8745 or visit the website http://comste.gov.ph/.

Twin engineering conference celebrated

The Philippine Institute for Industrial Engineers (PIIE) celebrated the 10th PIIE National Congress coincided with the 4th IE Research Conference last March 11-12 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City.

With the theme “75 Years of IE in the Philippines: A celebration of Excellence”, the conference featured well-known and experienced speakers not only in the field of Engineering but from other companies as well, which include: Ms. Rosanna S. Javier, Managing Director and CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers Financial Advisors, Inc.; Mr. Thomas Jefferson M. de Leon, Logistics Head of Globe Telecom; Ms. Magdalena L. Mendoza, Vice President of the Development Academy of the Philippines; Ms. Shiela Grace B. Nacorda, OPMD Manager of Timex Philippines Inc.; Mr. F. “Perry” Ferrer, Managing Director of EMS Components Assemble Inc.; Mr. Joel M. Gonzales, Executive Director of Amkor Technology Philippines; Mr. Erwin D. de Arroz, Director of SGC & Co.; Mr. Karthik Subburaman, Country Manager of Environmental Compliance Consultants Int’l Corporation; and Dr. Rosemary R. Seva, President of the Southeast Asian Network of Ergonomics Societies of the De La Salle University.

The conference is supported by the Business Mirror, Sanko Plastics Philippines, Standard, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Big Pix, TIMEX, the Department of Trade and Industry, Meralco, Panasonic, Mandarin Hotel, and HytecPower Inc.

WORLDBEX 2010 Goes Green

WORLDBEX 2010 has turned green into more than just a color—it has become a goal, a statement and a mission.

In its 15th year anniversary and its grandest show to date, WORLDBEX (Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition), the first and foremost international construction trade show in the country, has adapted the theme “Constructing the Future Green Communities through Efficient Technologies and Materials.” Here, the latest building materials and technology will be showcased from March 17 to 21, 2010 at the World Trade Center, and Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City to aid architects, engineers, contractors and interior designers in making better structures that will stand up to the elements.

While this annual world-renowned expo has become the source of the most premium local and international products and services in the construction industry, local architects and building specialists are also looking forward to it because it has become an indispensable source of information for the latest construction trends and developments. This is all because of the highly anticipated WORLDBEX Seminars.

Acclaimed speakers from different parts of the globe who will grace the event include Engr. Sipco de Jonge (Netherlands); Arch. Timothy Wong (Singapore); Arch. Tai Lee Siang (Singapore); Ken Witherell (USA); and Terry Waterhouse (UK).

Meanwhile, local green advocates and experts will tackle a variety of topics: from living stylishly and efficiently in small spaces (by interior design guru Leo Almeria), to proper urban planning that will avert possible disasters (Arch. Felino Palafox, Jr.). Each day from March 18 to 20 will feature four different speakers who will share their expertise.

Who says the Philippines cannot go green? The country’s top architecture practitioners such as Arch. Jun Palafox, Arch. Albert Yu, and Arch. Philip Recto as well as leading interior designers Leo Almeria, Natalia Benitez, Suzet Cocuaco, Lot Hilvano, Wilmer Lopez, Chat Fores Lozano, Roland Laurena, Michael Pizarro, Tessa Prieto Valdez, Maritess Magcase & Rosalie Si, and Hubilla Design Group will show a uniquely local twist to sustainable design at the WORLDBEX’s Architects and Interior Designers Gallery.

Another facet of WORLDBEX 2010 that proves that sustainable development is now a global concern and responsibility is its Grand Embassy Pavilion. With about 28 countries represented, the Grand Embassy Pavilion will include United States of America, Turkey, Thailand, Finland, Syria, Indonesia, Korea, and Malaysia, among others.

WORLDBEX 2010 is sponsored by Boysen Paint, Davies Paint, Hunter Douglas, HCG, Lepanto Tiles, Mariwasa Tiles, WilsonArt, Puyat Steel, Puyat Flooring, and Cubes International.

For more information about the event, contact the Worldbex Services International at (632) 531-6374; 531-6350; 531-5044; 533-6988, fax (632) 533-2026, email: info@worldbex.com or visit their website at www.worldbex.com

IIEE Succeeded Its 34th Annual National Convention and EXPO 2009

Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers Inc. successfully held its 34th Annual National Convention and EXPO 2009 last November 4 to 7 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

This four-day convention centered on the convergence of electrical, electronics and energy (3E) concept to equip and endow the knowledge of “Achieving Excellence Amidst Challenges” which was the event’s theme. It started with a Fellowship Night participated by Electrical Engineering students and practitioners from NCR and different regions nationwide.

One of the participating team was the delegations from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) , one of the companies that operates in bringing 19,425 circuit-kilometers of high-voltage transmission and sub-transmission lines and 23,853 mega volt amperes of substation capacity in Luzon, Visayas, & Mindanao.

The convention also exposed technical presentations and exhibitions for free. The presentations’ topics included renewable energy, new test equipment, grounding system, partial discharge analysis, energy conservation, voltage sags, and arc flash analysis, and some other topics that benefitted the learning practice of the delegates.

IIEE-Council of Student Chapter also held its 23rd National Quiz Show and 9th National Math Wizard during the convention. For the National Quiz Show, the delegates from Marinduque State College emerged as the Champion, while the participants from the Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila triumphed the National Math Wizard title.

The 34th Annual National Convention and EXPO 2009 is sponsored by BAG Electronics GmbH , SOY MEI Advantages Multi-Sales, Inc. , PHILIPS, and Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH.

For more information about the convention, do contact their Marketing Department at (632) 410-1899, 721-6422, 727-3552, 722-7383, 414-5626, or marketing@iiee.com for e-mail. They can also be visited at www.iiee.org.ph.

Largest Construction Exhibition Slated at SMX This November

The largest construction exhibition in the country, the Philippine International Construction Equipment & Building Materials Exhibition & Technology Forum, (PHILCONSTRUCT 2009) is gearing for its 19th annual run on November 12–15, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Organized by the Philippine Construction Association, Inc. (PCA), PHILCONSTRUCT has become the venue for interrelated businesses to forge partnership and showcase the latest products and services in the construction, building, mining, and household industry.

Like in the previous years, PHILCONSTRUCT incorporates the 12^th International Heating, Ventilating, Air-Conditioning, Refrigerating, Pumps, Valves & Pipes Filtration and Purification Technology Exhibition & Conference (HVAC/R PHILIPPINES 2009), 4^th International Exhibition of Equipment, Machinery, Tools, Technology and Support Services for the Mining Industry (MINING ASIA 2009), and the 6^th International Interiors, Furnishing & Furniture, Lighting, Home Entertainment & Total Lifestyle Exhibition (INTERIOR WORLD 2009).

“The event is an overall industry affair covering construction, engineering, mining, equipment rental, real estate, and interior design. Last year, we started taking giant steps towards this direction. This year our goal is to strengthen this further by enhancing PCA's partnership and relationship with various organizations representing these core industries,” said PCA First Vice President overall chairman of PHILCONSTRUCT 2009 Tito Manalo.

Throughout the 4-day event, There will be an outdoor display featuring heavy and light construction equipment, and a film showing on mega construction projects. Technoforum 2009 will cover topics related to construction and equipment management, air-conditioning, electrical, mechanical and civil engineering, concrete and steel technologies, environmental and eco-friendly solutions to construction. For the first time, there will be a GP3 Conference (Green Productivity, Green Purchasing towards Green Philippines) which will discuss various efforts and practices in the construction industry that are environment-friendly. The country’s top interior design schools will square off at the Estilo de Vida VI.

PHILCONSTRUCT 2009 is presented by Samsung and DVM Plus III and co-organized by the Association of Carriers & Equipment Lessors Inc. (ACEL), Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), Philippine Society of Ventilating, Air-conditioning, and Refrigerating Engineers (PSVARE), and Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association. The event is managed by Global-Link MP Events International Inc., (Global-Link).

The event is sponsored by Bing Dian, Boysen Paint, Carrier, Cemex Philippines, Davies Paints, Handy Fix, Hyundai, Lafarge, MAN Automotives Concessionaires Corp., Maxima Machineries, Inc., Sanyo, Trane, Inc., Agility Logistics, Automation & Security, Inc. (ASI), Avolution, Inc., Boral, Centrex Corporation, Chase Technologies Corporation, EVI Distribution Inc., FocalCast Network, Foton Motor Philippines, Foxchit Business Systems, Inc. (FBSI), JIMAC Inc., Komatsu, Microdata Systems and Management, Inc., Monark Equipment, Multistiq, Inc., Qishu Heavy Equipment Corporation, Slingshot Effects System Inc, Tamayo’s Catering, The Brain Computer Corporation http://www.brain.com.ph/, TVSTYLE Video http://www.tvstylevideo.com/, VersaFlex, Inc., and World of Concrete.

Event Media partners are Archikonst Magazine, Blu Print Magazine, BrightBox, Inc., BusinessWorld, DaigdigPinoy.com, Orange, Slivers Magazine, The Philippine Star, 88DB Service Portal, BusyTrade.com, CgeNa.com, Inquirer.net, Philstar.com, Yehey.com, 97dot9 Home Radio, and Mellow 947.

For more information about the event, contact Global-Link MP Events International Inc. at (632) 750-8588, 887-1304; fax (632) 750-8585; email info@globallinkmp.com or visit their website at www.globallinkph.com or www.globallinkmp.com.

PICE held Mid-year Confab at Bacolod City

Over 1,500 members from the construction, consulting, academic, and commercial sector took part in the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) 2009 National Midyear Convention held last June 25 – 27, 2009 at the Bacolod Pavilion Resort Hotel in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Hosted by PICE Negros Occidental Chapter, the convention carried the theme, “Civil Engineers Sustaining Infrastructure Development Amidst Global Economic Crisis”. According to PICE National President Venancio I. Besavilla Jr., the convention aims to tackle technical issues involving construction management and engineering, transportation engineering and structural engineering.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. graced the opening ceremony and served as keynote speaker. His keynote address was followed by the inspirational talk of Engr. Jose Mabanta, recipient of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) “2009 Most Outstanding Civil Engineer Award”.

Dr. Benito M. Pacheco, officer-in-charge director of the Institute of Civil Engineering in the University of the Philippines College of Engineering, gave an overview of the workshop on the PICE disaster mitigation and preparedness strategies and disaster quick response program.

Other speakers were:

• Dr. Danilo C. Terante, division head of hydraulics and water resources engineering division, Civil Engineering Department, De la Salle University;
• Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., director, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology; Mr. Medardo C. Batiller,Operations Manager, Emergency Response Unit Foundation;
• Dr. Masanori Hamada, professor, Department of Civil and Environment Engineering, Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan and former president of Japan Society of Civil Engineers.

The guest speakers discussed topics on engineering technologies related to the five division of PICE such as Construction and Management Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Water Resources, and Hydraulic Engineering.

The PICE 2009 National Midyear Convention also featured the PICE Construction Technologies Services and Building Materials, Exhibit, Sports Tournament, Plenary Session, Technical Tracks, Job Fair, and Fellowship. The event was capped with the PICE Building Project Grand Slam Raffle where they gave away laptop bags, traveling bags, DVD players, a fax machine, cell phones, a digital camera, a digital video camera, a laptop and a brand new Nissan Navarra.

For more information about the PICE 2009 National Midyear Convention, contact the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers at (632) 448-7488 to 90, 376-4215 or visit their website at www.pice.org.ph/

ASEP Gathered Engineers, Others For International Convention

Architects, building officials, civil engineers, consultants, developers, manufacturers, materials engineers, field inspectors, project engineers and managers, as well as structural engineering students attended the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, Inc., (ASEP) 14^th International Convention held at the Grand Ballroom of Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City last May 21 – 22, 2009.

Guided by the theme, “Structural Engineering: Coping with the Global Crisis', the annual convention was filled with technical sessions that tackled a wide array of topics. These include performance-based design; retrofitting and strengthening; structural failures; structural risk; natural hazards and disaster crisis mitigation; ISO Standards and Codes of Practice, earthquake and wind engineering; value engineering; engineering ethics; urban planning and infrastructure development; fire, impact, and blast loads; case studies on high-rise buildings and long-span bridges; and prestresses and pre-cast construction, foundation, and geotechnical issues.

Seven plenary sessions were held throughout the event. These were the following:

Plenary Paper	Topic
Plenary Paper No. 1	Philippines & Japan Contributions to Seismic Retrofitting Techniques for Bridges
Plenary Paper No. 2	Climate Change & Structural Engineering
Plenary Paper No. 3	A Model to Assess Quantitative Risk in Building Structural Analysis & Design : An input to Design Development
Plenary Paper No. 4	Modeling of Shear Walls for Non Linear and Pushover Analysis of Tall Buildings
Plenary Paper No. 5	Direct Analysis Method: Valuing Engineering Efficiency and Economy in Structural Analysis and Design of Steel Structures
Plenary Paper No. 6	Nuclear Fall-out Survival Shelters
Plenary Paper No. 7	Permanent Slope Protection in Highly-Seismic and Landslide-Prone Area using Multi-Level Anchored Wall

The highlight of the convention was the election of officers for 2009 – 2010. The new set of ASEP Officers and Members of the Board of Directors are Mr. Adam Abinales, President; Mr. Anthony Vladimir Pimentel, Vice-President, Ms. Miriam Tamayo, Secretary; Mr. Virgilio Columna, Treasurer; Mr. Ronaldo Ison, Mr. Danilo Domingo, Mr. Vinci Nicolas Villasenor, Mr. Pedro Tolentino, Mr. Frederick Sison, Mr. Tony Avila, Directors, and Mr. Wilfredo Lopez, Immediate Past President and Ex-Officio Director.

The 14^th ASEP International Convention is sponsored by Millenium Erectors Corporation, Steel Centre Philippines, Inc., RS Caparros Associates and Company, VSL International Ltd., Hyder Consulting, HILTI Corporation, Romer Montoya, F. ASEP, F. PICE, and Antonio Gutierrez and Associates.

For more information on the 14^thASEP International Convention, contact the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, Inc., at(632) 411-8606, 410-0483, (63917) 823-7739, email info@aseponline.org, aseponline@gmail.com, or visit their website, www.aseponline.org.