Engineers: Quality should precede cost

CEBU, Philippines - Civil engineers expressed optimism that residential and commercial building owners in Cebu now have learned perhaps one of the most important lessons the powerful October 15 earthquake has taught — that quality should prevail over cost.

Daisy B. Toledo, president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) - Cebu Chapter, said in an interview that civil engineers play a great role in the assessment, repair and rehabilitation of infrastructures damaged by the recent disaster.

"I think one thing people have learned out of  that experience is not to compromise quality," said Toledo, who is set to lead the Cebu delegation to PICE's annual national convention in Davao City today.

Toledo said the local PICE chapter, along with a disaster quick response team from Manila, has been majorly involved in the evaluation on the extent of the quake's damage in Cebu, particularly among government buildings such as the Cebu City Hall, Provincial Capitol, Cebu International Convention Center, Cebu Port Authority and some schools, among others.

The chapter president also took the chance to laud those who helped in the distribution of  P150,000 worth of  relief  goods to the quake victims in Loon town in Bohol, which was donated through the chapter's own coffers.

According to Edgar B. Watin, the chapter's first vice president, disasters like earthquakes and typhoons pose an opportunity for the public to better appreciate the value of  civil engineers.

"Construction supervised by the owner is totally different from construction supervised by an engineer, primarily because owners are more concerned on cost, while engineers are bound to protect the integrity of their profession," Watin said.

Saying self-medication is a no-no in building a structure, both Toledo and Watin see no reason why prospective owners should not be alarmed of the structural aftermath that the quake left.

Becoming  popular

PICE Cebu officials also noted that civil engineering as a profession is becoming a popular choice among the youth because of the boom in the country's construction industry which is also felt here in Cebu.

"The unprecedented growth in Cebu's real estate sector, coupled with Cebu's strategic spot as a top outsourcing destination in the world—which further boosts construction activities, is inviting more and more students to chase civil engineering as a course," they said.

They also added that unlike the nursing boom before which was predominantly caused by an external demand and eventually died down a few years after, this engineering boom, so to speak, is seen to be sustained in the next decade since "the demand comes locally."

Given the expected surge in the demand for civil engineers' professional services, Watin feels civil engineering is now the top engineering course in colleges and universities at least here in Cebu.

In a separate development, Watin particularly pointed out that the upcoming Asean integration in 2015 serves both as a threat and opportunity for Filipino engineers.

A tariff-free, borderless market base that is visualized by the Asean Economic Community is expected to allow foreign engineers in the region to practice their profession here in the Philippines.

"If we will not brace ourselves for that change, we may eventually be overshadowed by engineers from other nations who are far better equipped than us," Watin said, although he clarified that the integration will also enable local engineers to practice in other Asean countries.

Readiness is the key, he reiterated.

Best chapter, hopefully

Meanwhile, with the previous year all filled with various civic and professional activities, the PICE Cebu Chapter is hopeful it will be able to clinch this year's title as the Best Chapter of the Year at their national convention in Davao City.

Leading the number one delegation in the country in terms of size and date of charter, Toledo said Cebu has a strong chance of being picked as the top chapter for this year.

Notable projects initiated by the chapter for 2013 include free construction of five classrooms using the green design, million-worth of free medicine in collaboration with several sponsors, conduct of operation tuli which benefited over 80 recipients in Talisay City, donation of  P20,000 worth of  bicycle pumps to Lapu-Lapu City beneficiaries and sponsorship of a free Auto-CAD training for college students.

The complete set of  PICE Cebu Chapter officers includes Edenna G. Guerrero as second vice president, Imelda J. Perez as secretary, Peter Paul P. Dy, Jr. as treasurer, Rizalito S. Casinillo as auditor, Belmore S. Mejares as press relations officer and Rodney P. Menchavez as business manager.

Currently, the chapter has 418 active members and over 6,630 total registered members.

Its mission statement says that the chapter wants to be recognized as a sustainable organization through continuing development of  the civil engineering profession with effective leadership that is responsive to the needs of the members, community and environment. (FREEMAN)