Overall Insights

As part of the requirement in the subject Seminars/Colloquia, the parents of the 4th year students of BS Electrical Engineering decided to conduct a National EduTour: Plant Visit 2023 along the different plants and areas in the Philippines. Upon decision of conducting national plant visit, choosing of tour agency is the next agenda afterwards. And as the meeting with parents and tour agency happened, Smart Flight was the chosen tour agency in the EduTour: Plant Visit 2023.

The plant visit was happened on March 20, 2023 to March March 25, 2023 and the proposed areas to be visited are Subic, Bataan, Ilocos, Pampanga, Rizal, Cavite, and Metro Manila.

On the first day of the plant visit, GigaMare and Subic EnerZone are the plants we visited. Monday morning was spent to GigaMare. As we arrived in GigaMare, I already saw some like maritime students who basically toured us in the said plant. I know there is a question in your mind about why are we visiting this plant where in fact, there is a gap between maritime and electrical engineering. Yet, as we moved along with the maritime students, we just knew that they are once became electrical engineering students and they are trained in GigaMare to be electrical engineers in ships. They are trained for almost six months in this company and afterwards, they were ready to work in ships. These electrical engineers toured us what is inside GigaMare and we are so amazed that there are different areas on engineering that they are training for. There are some mechanical, industrial, marine and also electrical engineering. They have also discussed the fire detection and alarm system and some maintenance system of their company. I can say that the engineers who are training on GigaMare were already to go to ships because they are already knew the systems and operations about ships and whatever questions we are asking, they were always ready to answer it professionally. While in the afternoon, we came to Subic EnerZone. SubicEnerzone distributes power of Subic Bay Freeport Zone, covering Zambales and Bataan. As we entered in this plant, the engineers brought us to their supply room which comprises different materials and paraphernalia that the company used in the transmission and distribution system of power in their area. We have seen some transformers, tools, huge wires, busbars, etc. that is related to electrical engineering. The staffs are very welcoming to their visitors and they have shared their insights about their work as electrical engineers in the said company. We are amazed that the power rate in Subic is lower than our usual power rate in Albay. They also told us that the power interruption in their area is very seldom and they are always rely on their announcement first before having a power interruption for no reason. In addition, they were very intelligent on their answers as we questioned about their company's distribution system on their community. 

On the second day, we visited the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. As we entering the premises of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, we are very amazed of the structures and ambiance of it. In the near point of view of the outer design of the nuclear plant, we noticed how huge and strong is the foundation of the plant. We are prohibited to take pictures inside the plant so we were not able to capture the different machines inside the plant. The temperature inside the plant is very high because of secured construction of the building. And since it stopped to operate, some of the equipment inside the plant needs major repair especially the telephone connection from Bataan Nuclear Power Plant to the Elected President of the Philippines. However, if I would be asked if I am in favor of reactivating the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, I would consider two factors about it. First is, it can be the most prominent and cheapest source of clean energy since it can mainly provide power to more than two million households who lack access to electricity. And second is, nuclear energy produces radioactive wastes such as uranium mill tailings, spent or used reactor fuels, etc. that are dangerous to human health. There are advantages and disadvantages as Bataan Nuclear Power Plant would be refurbished but redundant features are somehow their most critical asset within nuclear energy system.

On the third day of plant visit, in the morning, we came to Ilocos and mesmerized to the windmills in Bangui Bay, Ilocos Norte since it is considered to be one of the tourist spots in the Philippines. The location of the wind turbines are near the seashore for winds are the main requirement to produce wind energy. A wind farm is a site designated to be used for wind power generation. It's made up of a group of wind generators ranging from 600 kW to 5 MW spread across the land in order to take maximum advantage of the wind. Being one of the most greener areas of the Philippines, the Bangui Wind Farm provides about 50% of Ilocos Norte's electricity. It's been estimated that 56,788 tons of CO2 is being reduced by the project on a yearly basis. And in the afternoon, we visited Currimao Solar Power Farm in Ilocos Norte Province. Upon arriving in the premises of Currimao Solar Power Farm in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, we are amazed because there are several solar panels before going to the main office of the plant. We are prohibited to enter inside the solar plant but we have seen the entire solar panel and how big is the scope of their plant. Moreover, as a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production. The key benefit of a solar plant is that it will minimize your energy consumption and it will save you a lot on your energy consumption. As the sunlight is enormous, you will not face any difficulty to generate energy. The solar plants will convert the sunlight into energy. 

On the fourth day of plant visit, in the morning, we arrived at Pampanga and visited another solar plant which is Citicore Clark Solar Power Plant. We are astounded to see several solar panels before reaching the plant's main office when we first enter the Citicore Clark Solar Power Plant's grounds in Clark, Pampanga. The only difference of this plant to Currimao Solar Power Farm is that we are able to see the actual look in nearer point of view. We are able to know the process of how solar energy is converted to electrical energy. The engineers and technicians from this plant is very welcoming and approachable because they are hesitant in their answers as we throw questions to them about their field of work in the said plant. They have also discussed the equipment within their plant. These include combiner box, inverter, and step-up transformer. Additionally, as solar energy is a renewable resource, it plays a significant part in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and preventing climate change, which is essential for safeguarding people, animals, and ecosystems. In the afternoon, we came to RMR Electric Corp. The staffs and workers from RMR Electric Corp are very approachable and accommodating because every time we throw questions, they are answering it professionally and politely. We have also met a BU alumni and also licensed electrical engineer from Naga. He worked in RMR as a testing engineer. He shared that it is good to work in their company because we can gain experience and relevant knowledge about production of electrical components and equipment. As we roamed around the premises of the company, we have seen different sizes and types of panel board, and the production workers of RMR. And they also explained how they managed to produced products in order to fulfill their customer's satisfactory. They also gave us informative flyers about their company and we have seen that they really offer many products and services all about electrical community. They also gave their contact number and website if we tend to contact and need help that is related to them.

On the fifth day of plant visit, we first arrived to DTI - Bureau of Philippine Standards Testing Laboratory. At first, when we entered in this company, we do not know what is within it not until we are oriented about their company. They have explained to us how they test different commercial products to know if it reached the standards that are settled to each product. The different products include cement, fire extinguishers, light bulbs, wires, appliances, etc. Product testing seeks to ensure that consumers can understand what products will do for them and which products are the best values. It helps manufacturers create products that are reliable within certain technical standards. In other words, testing is a necessary step for product development teams to go through to provide high quality products that last. Perhaps most importantly, product testing can ensure that an item is safe for general use. We should always consider that product that we are buying if it reached the standards of product testing in order to have efficient and safe products to use. While in the afternoon, we participated in exhibit of Water Philippines and PhilEnergy.

On the last day of plant visit, we arrived on Cavite and visited a company about electronics which is Chuanshun Electric Philippines, Inc. Though this company is not that related to electrical field, it was totally related to electronics since they deal with transformers and other electronics equipment. We are not allowed to take pictures inside their fabrication area but as we entered the fabrication area, we noticed that they are many workers who worked in their company to produce products to be sold on market. We witnessed how the steps in doing transformer were done in different areas of fabrication. They are using several machines in different parts of fabrication area and several transformers are produced a day because the workers are fast in working. Furthermore, we appreciated their company that we visited because it is very organized and the staffs and employees of CSE Power are accommodating, welcoming and friendly. We are thankful to them for giving us time and effort upon visiting their company and especially for giving snacks to us. 

Overall, we are grateful to the companies and plants that we have visited and also, to the employees, engineers, technicians and workers within these companies, thank you for sharing your knowledge about the field of engineering. Also, we are thankful to our travel agency which is Smart Flight for making this plant visit be possible. We experienced unforgettable memories that we will bring for a life time.