Officers take higher posts in Iloilo Province, DPWH-6

Two members of the PICE Iloilo Chapter recently climbed the ranks in the civil service cementing their excellence in their profession through nation-building.

Engr. Romeo Andig, Vice-President for Government of the PICE Iloilo Chapter is the new Provincial Engineer of the Province of Iloilo while Engr. Jose Al Fruto, former President and currently Member of the Board of Directors of the PICE Iloilo Chapter is now the full-fledge Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office VI.

Engr. Andig succeeded Engr. Gracianito Lucero who retired earlier this year.
He took his oath of office along with six other provincial government heads in the Iloilo Provincial Government officiated by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. on September 21, 2021.

His son, Vincent, lauded his father’s commitment to civil service being connected with the Provincial Government of Iloilo for at least 38 years.

“You deserve this big break for all your hardwork, sweat, tears and sacrifices. I’m pretty sure your workmates, friends and colleagues would attest to that, 38 years and counting serving the Province of Iloilo,” he shared in his Facebook account.

Meanwhile, Engr. Fruto who served as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Assistant Regional Director was promoted to the position of Director III earning him a designation as the full-fledge Assistant Regional Director.

He took his oath of office on November 13, 2021 along with several other appointees officiated by DPWH Secretary Roger Mercado during the DPWH Unified Directors’ Meeting held in Baguio City.

Secretary Mercado pleaded to them to work towards maintaining and broadening public confidence with a strong commitment to personal integrity.

“I wish to congratulate all the appointees and greatly look forward to your commitment to public service and perform the responsibilities of the position with the highest sense of integrity”, he shared. (PICE Iloilo/RAM)

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Outstanding CE graduates lauded

NINE Bachelor of Science major in Civil Engineering graduates earned recognition for their accomplishments in academics and leadership during their college years.

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Iloilo Chapter held its first virtual PICE Iloilo Student Awards on August 30, 2021 to adapt with the logistical challenges and health and safety protocols in the wake of the ongoing pandemic.

Among the awardees, five come from the Central Philippine University (CPU), one each from the University of Iloilo – PHINMA (UI) and the University of San Agustin (USA), and two from the Western Institute of Technology (WIT).

The Academic Excellence award is conferred to honor graduates while the Leadership Award is conferred to presidents of the PICE student chapter of the respective schools.

The lead among the awardees was Christian Ruiz from CPU who earned both the Leadership Award and Academic Excellence Award.

His schoolmates, Clarezza Mae Dolor, Frank Lloyd Magno, Madrigal Mandalawi and Jason Sobrevega, were also conferred the Academic Excellence Awards.
Meanwhile, Arianne Shane Sogo-an of UI and Donna Saquilon were conferred with a Leadership Awards.

For WIT, Narbie Joy Paclibar was conferred with the Academic Excellence Award while Janice Tillor was conferred with the Leadership Award.

In his opening message, PICE Iloilo Chapter President Oscar “Richard” Garin, Jr., emphasized the importance of the civil engineering profession and its contribution to the society.

“This is a celebration of what [we have] accomplished at the core of our organization. Our values of fraternity, camarederie and fellowship… committed to society’s progress and development,” he shared in his message.

On the other hand, Engr. Antonio Belarga, PICE Iloilo Chapter ex-officio and Immediate Past President rendered an inspirational message and reminded the graduates that they are entering a new phase in their lives as professions.

“You [will be] on your own and your preparations to become successful civil engineers depend on you… Nevertheless, we wish you all the best and we look forward to having you as active members of the PICE,” he ended his speech with this challenge to the new graduates.

The PICE Iloilo Chapter confers these awards annually and are usually given during separate occasions in each respective higher education institution.

Due to the pandemic and with the lack of graduation ceremonies or any gathering, the Board of Directors decided to hold this virtual event in lieu of the past tradition. (PICE Iloilo/RAM)

PICE Iloilo holds first CPD webinar

The Iloilo Chapter of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) held its first-ever virtual seminar this May 29, 2021 that provided eligible participants with continuing professional development (CPD) credits.

This seminar featured software trends in civil engineering particularly discussions on current software applications essential in the structural engineering and construction specialization such as building information modeling (BIM), Tekla Structures, and Visual Basic Applications for Excel (Macro-Programming) in Construction Estimating.
The PICE Iloilo Chapter invited industry-leading Filipino professionals here and abroad namely, former PICE Singapore Chapter President Romualdo Lex S. Garcia, Marvin Josol Gracia and Felemuel D. Bullos, Jr.

R. Garcia is currently the BIM Manager of Asia Projects Engineering Pte Ltd, a 40-year old company in Singapore catering international infrastructure developments including some of the largest energy suppliers in Singapore and Indonesia in its stable of clients. He was named as Most Outstanding Graduate from the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City where he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering back in 2005. He discussed the first session entitled, “BIM for Contractors: Value Added on Design and Engineering Projects”.

Meanwhile, M. Garcia is currently a technical specialist of Trimble Solutions, the maker of the highly sought after software for structural engineers, Tekla. He was the resource speaker for the second session entitled, “Integrated Digital Delivery with Tekla Constructible BIM”.

The final session entitled, “Estimating Automation using Excel VBA Macro Programming” was delivered by F. Bullos, Director for Engineering and Technology in RV Architecture + Engineering + Technology. He is a veteran in the civil engineering industry particularly in the private and academic sectors. He topped the August 2010 Master Plumber board examination in the Philippines in 2010 and also placed 19th in the November 2001 Civil Engineering board examination.

PICE Iloilo President Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr., welcomed the participants together with PICE National President Erdsan Rene Suero.

This activity is organized by the PICE Iloilo Chapter with the generous support of Davies Paints and co-presented by Ace+ Review Center and Ilonggo Engineer Blog. (PICE Iloilo/RAM)

Pres. Garin: “Empowerment, technology can both work”

As a way of inspiring and challenging the next generation of civil engineers, PICE Iloilo Chapter President Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr. emphasized that the their skill plus their age is an essential component to sustain the demands for the civil engineering profession.

In his opening remarks during the first-ever webinar of PICE Iloilo Chapter on May 29, 2021, he shared that the pandemic itself has been an opportunity for every professional where they became more reachable through technology.

“Empowerment and technology [can] both work to the advancement of the profession,” he shared.

The PICE Iloilo chief executive shared that the organization has been in the forefront in ensuring civil engineers especially those in their early careers are empowered despite the effects of the pandemic.

Through the webinar which took about eight hours with three high-caliber speakers, he thought of technology’s evolution and the need of upgrading the skills of Ilonggo civil engineers. (PICE Iloilo/RAM)

Ilonggo earns post in International Road Federation

An Ilonggo civil engineer was appointed as one of the four members of the leadership team of the International Road Federation (IRF) Young Professionals (YP) Program.

Engr. Ray Adrian C. Macalalag, currently a senior economic development specialist in the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region VI, was selected by the IRF to be the YP Lead for East Asia and Pacific region.

Engr. Ray Adrian C. Macalalag

Holding the term for two years (2021-2022) he will be responsible for coordinating activities of the program and executing the strategies and plans of the IRF. He will be the main contact of his region assignment and will be the public face of the program.
“I know this will not be easy but I know the future of making our roads safe for all road users starts here. I know there is more that we can do for transport and mobility sectors and low-middle income countries will be part of this journey,” said Macalalag.

“As I take this new role entrusted to me by the International Road Federation through its young professionals program, I commit myself to ensuring no low-middle income country will be left behind in the ideas and innovations our team will be coming up,” he added.

Macalalag is joined by three other members from Belgium, India and Zimbabwe.

The IRF-YP is a platform of next generation of leaders and specialists in the road and mobility sector to propose initiatives, share ideas, and be engaged in the overall activities of the IRF.

Building on its vast network and expertise, the program has as its mission to present the road and mobility sector as a multidisciplinary area for development for young professionals from various backgrounds.

Director-General Susanna Zammataro of the IRF based in Geneva, Switzerland announced and welcomed the team on Twitter on January 13, 2021, and called for colleagues in the various sectors to support them.

Macalalag worked for over five years in the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office VI before transferring to NEDA Region VI. He is a civil engineering graduate of the University of San Agustin and he also earned his master’s degree in engineering from the Western Institute of Technology. (Iloilo Today/Nonoy Taclino)