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| The Officers and Board of Directors of the Lead Chapter after the Closing Remarks of Engr. Gil B. Lorenzo, the Chapter President and the PICE Region I Coordinator last May 26, 2018 at Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center. |
By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.-Ilocos Norte Laoag City Chapter hosted the 18th Region 1 Technical Conference last May 25-26, 2018 at Plaza Del Norte Hotel and Convention Center, this city.
With the theme “Heading North: Civil Engineers Leading the Way in Creating Innovations Towards Sustainable Development Through BUILD, BUILD, BUILD!”, 603 PICE delegates from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan Chapters among other chapters outside the region and including CE professionals who are currently non-members attended the event.
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| Awarding of Plaque of Appreciation to the DPWH Region I Director and PICE National Business Manager, Engr. Ronnel M. Tan, after his talk representing the Keynote Speaker, Engr. Maria Catalina E. Cabral, during the Opening Ceremony of the 18th Region I Technical Conference. |
The two-day event kick-started with a Eucharistic Celebration led by Rev. Fr. Leonardo Juan B. Lorenzo followed by the opening ceremonies.
After the Opening Program, Engr. Melchor L. Peralta, a PICE national director held a special session on “ASEAN Registry”.
The technical conference commenced in the afternoon with topics on “CPD Law and Water Resources Engineering” conducted by Engr. Robert S. Licup, Ph.D., PICE National’s First Vice President and Executive Vice President of VA TECH WABAG Philippines, Inc.
Engr. Michael Paolo V. Follosco, MSCE, a senior associate engineer and deputy project manager of AMH Philippines Inc., discussed topics on “Advanced Methods of Soil Stabilization and Ground Improvement/Liquefaction: Assessment Methodologies and Mitigation by Ground Improvement, and Design Consideration for Soil – Nailed Walls and Slopes”.
After the first day of the technical conference, Batac mayor Albert D, Chua, representing Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, delivered the governor’s message. He reiterated important roles of Civil Engineers in the BBB projects of the government. To enjoy the rest of the night, Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc sponsored a raffle draw.
On the second day of the event, Engr. Ernesto S. De Castro, Ph. D., PICE immediate past president, and president & CEO of ESCA International, discussed Building Information Modelling while Engr. Juanito C. Cunanan, treasurer of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), gave a talk on the “Highlights on the Updates of the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP) 2015 and Checklist of Minimum Structural Design Documents”.
Before the end of the event, Engr. Emily G. Baraoidan, a delegate from Ilocos Norte won the grand prize worth Php 50,000 in another raffle draw.
“This is by far the best Regional Technical Conference we attended,” stated delegates from La Union Chapter.
“As part of the PICE-INLACC group, we can say that this event was successful. We are happy that this is one of the most attended RTCs in the region so far. And we were able to promote our province, Ilocos Norte, as a Tourist Haven in the North,” said Engr. Maria Kay S. Eco, chairman of programs & events for the said RTC.
“Aside from the required CPD units, the big boost in the attendance was due to the information drive undertaken by PICE-INLACC in promoting the event through the PICE National website and by means of the social media through PICE INLACC FB account and SMS drive attracting CE professionals to grace the event”, said Engr. Gil B. Lorenzo, the PICE-INLACC President and PICE Region I Coordinator. (With reports from Rachelle Anne K. Remigio)