Civil engineers hold 'green' confab

MANILA, Philippines - Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane will be the keynote speaker at the opening of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Inc. (PICE) 35th national convention with the theme “PICE: Leading the Way for Green Buildings and Infrastructure” at the Camp John Hay Trade and Cultural Center in Baguio City on Nov. 26-28.

PICE president Venancio I. Besavilla Jr. and vice president Dr. Jaime A. Pacanan said members from 96 chapters from Cagayan to Sulu, belonging to government departments and agencies, construction companies, consulting firms, colleges and universities are expected to join the convention.

To be highlighted are PICE construction technologies, services and building materials, Best Celebrated Civil Engineering Week exhibit, PICE national awards, a job fair, special lectures and presentations on technical studies authored by civil engineers here and abroad on structural engineering, geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering, transportation engineering, water resources and hydraulic engineering, construction management and engineering, and geotechnical engineering.

Civil engineering students will participate in the grand finals of the 28th National Civil Engineering Students Quiz, the 12th National Civil Engineering Students Conference, the 2009 Search for the Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Students and the 10th Bridge Building Competition.

During special lectures, Dr. Benito M. Pacheco, director of the University of the Philippines Institute of Civil Engineering; and chairman, committee on Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness Program (DMPP) and Disaster Quick Response Program (DQRP); will tackle “Disaster Risk Management Background for Infrastructure,” and engineer David G. Sanchez, PICE national business manager, “Green Buildings.”