Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers holds mid-year confab

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), the country’s largest organization of civil engineers, opened yesterday its three-day national midyear convention with the theme “Civil Engineers Sustaining Infrastructure Development Amidst Global Economic Crisis” at the Bacolod Pavillon Resort Hotel, Bacolod City.

Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be the keynote speaker at the opening session. Civil Engineer Jose Mabanta, recipient of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) “2009 Most Outstanding Civil Engineer” Award, will deliver an inspirational talk. PICE national president Venancio I. Besavilla Jr. said the convention will tackle technical issues involving construction management and engineering, transportation engineering and structural engineering.

Dr. Benito M. Pacheco, officer-in-charge director, Institute of Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines college of engineering, will give an overview of the workshop on the PICE disaster mitigation and preparedness strategies and disaster quick response program. The speakers are 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; Medardo C. Batiller,operations manager, Emergency Response Unit Foundation; Dr. Masanori Hamada, professor, department of civil and environment engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan and former president, Japan Society of Civil Engineers.

 The other 2009 PICE officers are Jaime Pacanan, 2nd vice-president; Ruben Sy, secretary; Miriam Tamayo, treasurer; David Sanchez, business manager; Ronaldo Ison, PRO, and Julius Maguiling, auditor. The directors are Jesus Cammayo, Senaolan Macaraabon, Aser Mallari, Eugenio Pipo Jr., Nerio Ronquillo Jr., Danilo Sueriano and Angelito Twaño, and Willy Go, officio director as immediate past president. The Council of Advisers is composed of past presidents Juanito Abergas, Primitivo Cal, Ph.D.; Mocamad Raki-In Sr.; Peter Aventajado, Manuel Bonoan, Felipe Cruz, Nelsn Irasga, David Consunji, Angel Lazaro III, Ph.D.; Jesus Hipolito, Ramon Hechanova, and Angel Lazaro Jr. Other officials are Antonio Abola, chancellor, College of Fellows; Leo Cleto Gamolo, legal counsel, and Nannette Villanueva, national administrative officer.