In a significant move towards enhancing global civil engineering cooperation, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Senior Undersecretary and Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) National President Emil K. Sadain, spearheaded the Philippine delegation at the 2024 Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE) Convention, Conference & Civil Expo.
The event on October 16-17, 2024, at the Jeju International Convention Center in Jeju, South Korea, provided a platform for the two (2) nations to deepen their technical collaboration and advance shared goals in civil engineering excellence.
The National PICE delegation included Vice President and DPWH Assistant Secretary Rey Peter B. Guille; Secretary and DPWH Assistant Secretary Nerie D. Bueno; Treasurer Albert Perfecto; Auditor Michael David; and Directors Florencio Padernal, Dale Perral, Jani Cunanan, Arlene Adlawan, and Robin Salenga, along with Past Presidents Willy T. Go, Peter Paul Dy, and Benito M. Pacheco.
Joining from the DPWH were Undersecretary Eric Ayapana; Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Ramon A. Arriola III, Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, Teresita V. Bauzon, Soledad R. Florencio, Sharif Madsmo H. Hasim, Virgilio C. Castillo; and Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario.
As the keynote speaker at the International Roundtable Meeting (IRM), which focused on “Future Cities and Smart Urban Development,” Senior Undersecretary Sadain highlighted the Philippine government’s efforts to reshape urban landscapes through the “Build Better More” program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration.
He presented an overview of the game-changing infrastructure projects being implemented by the DPWH, aimed at accelerating the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure in the country.
The shared objective is to promote sustainable and resilient infrastructure that can withstand the demands of rapidly urbanizing environments.
Among the notable projects of DPWH were the Panguil Bay Bridge Project, Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR) Project, and the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (IDRR-CCA) Measures in Low-Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay.
These completed projects, were funded through Korea’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) that stands as testament to the successful partnership between the Philippines and South Korea in addressing the complex infrastructure challenges.
Senior Undersecretary Sadain also emphasized the importance of ongoing and proposed projects that will continue to strengthen the country’s infrastructure.
These include the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) Project (Phase I, Stage I), the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project, and the Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR-II) Project.
Other proposed projects under Korean ODA include the Consolacion-Liloan Bypass Road Project, Lapu-Lapu Coastal Road Project, and the Maasin City Coastal Bypass Bridge Project.
The invitation extended by KSCE to the Philippine delegation underscores the strong and growing partnership between the civil engineering communities of South Korea and the Philippines.
This collaboration was officially solidified with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Senior Undersecretary Sadain and KSCE President Choong-Ki Chung on February 26, 2024.
The agreement laid the groundwork for closer cooperation between the PICE and KSCE organizations, fostering the exchange of best practices, technological innovations, and insights that are crucial to the evolution of civil engineering in both nations.
The MOU not only focuses on industry-level collaboration but also emphasizes the importance of academic partnerships, ensuring that future civil engineers from both countries are equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of modern infrastructure development.
Under the leadership of Senior Undersecretary, PICE marks the beginning of a golden age for the organization —an era of collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to resilient and sustainable development, reflected in the theme: “Building Global Partnerships, Bridging Boundaries, and Fostering New Technologies towards a More Resilient and Sustainable Development”.
With the invaluable partnerships forged with the KSCE and Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) and building on the success of PICE 2024 Midyear Convention and inaugural International Engineering Expo in June, the organization is doing every effort to make the 50th PICE National Convention and Technical Conference along with the 2nd International Engineering Expo from October 29-31, 2024 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City the largest and most impactful event to date.
Funds from the 2024 PICE National and Midyear Conventions will support the construction of the long-awaited PICE National Building, with its concept design completed and procurement underway. This future landmark will serve as a symbol of inspiration and unity for Filipino civil engineers.