Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers Batangas Chapter

History

Here you can find how the chapter was created as well as the problems it encountered throughout the two decades of its existence.

1998 - Birth of the PIChE Batangas Chapter

PIChE Batangas Chapter was revived by the 21 founding members from Central Azucarera Don Pedro, National Power Corporation, Triple R Oil Mill and Caltex on April 18, 1998. It was then recognized as an accredited CPE Provider.

From time to time, membership was doubled in which majority of the members came from UNICHEM, LNG Chemicals, PBMIT, Shell and Caltex. More than a week after its revival, the very first seminar was conducted entitled "Environmental Management" held at NPC Science Centrum at Calaca, Batangas. Seven months after, the second seminar was commenced with the theme "Energy Utilization for Sustainable Development".

1999 - Birth of the Junior Chapter Batangas

In 1999, starting March 13, three (3) seminars were successfully spearheaded by the chapter which included "Process Control and Fieldbus Technologies", "Air and Waste Quality" and "Clean Technologies". Such seminar was conducted once every four months.

Junior Chapter comprising B.S. Chemical Engineering Students from Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute which would later be named Batangas State University and Golden Gate Colleges was born.

2000 - 2001: The Increasing Activity

In 2000-2001, the chapter participated in the annual PIChE Convention held at Cebu City and Bacolod City, respectively. During these years, the students were bagging most of the prizes of Quiz Bees. In November 14, 2000, the first Regional Quiz Bee was held at Batangas City and was won by the Junior Chapter participants. For the next year, the students garnered 4th place in the National Quiz Bee while topping the NCR Luzon Inter-University Quiz Bee held at UP Diliman. One of the quizzers placed 7th in the Licensure Examination upon his graduation.

This was also the time when the first Chem Collision (now at its 19th Anniversary) sponsored by the combined efforts of the Junior Chapter and the Local Chapter was commenced. To date, this event is one of the most sought-after academic related activities at Batangas State University.

Meanwhile, the officers were also doing well. Engr. Jeffrey Mijares (now a member of the Philippine Regulatory Board for Chemical Engineers) who was affiliated with CADP and the previous chapter president of Batangas, was awarded with Outstanding Chemical Engineers Award (OCEA), the highest award given to chemical engineers in the country who have made significant contributions in the field of chemical engineering.

2002 - 2003: The Birth of Bicol Chapter

While the students kept on performing well, with the Junior Chapter members from GGC placing third in the Licensure Examination and topping the National Quiz Bee held simultaneously at the National Convention in February 2002, the Local Chapter of Batangas supported the campaign on saving Pandacan depot.

On September 2002, the newly formed Bicol University Junior Chapter was met by the local chapter. They were also assisted with the ChE Curriculum to pave the way in the creation of PIChE Batangas-Bicol Chapter.

2004 - 2005: Against Declining Membership

During these years of declining membership, PIChE Batangas Chapter focused on the environmental aid thru PG-ENRO as Batangas Clean-up drive was materialized.

Meanwhile students continued to flourish in their academic expertise with the Junior Chapter members of Batangas State University garnering 2nd Place in the National Quiz Bowl held at Iloilo City. This was followed by winning 2nd place in the Inter-University Quiz Show held at UP Diliman on August 12 of the same year.

2006 - 2007: The CPE and Membership Drive

In 2006, the PIChE Batangas Chapter sponsored the 6th ChEm Collision held at Batangas State University. The said school also garnered 2nd place in the Top Performing Schools Nationwide with Engr. Howell Reblando, who would later become a member of the Local Chapter, topping the Licensure Examination held in November of the same year.

On April 3, 2007 a special meeting was commenced participated by 11 officers and/or active members from both industry and academe sectors. It was re-iterated that due to the Chemical Engineering Board rules that were not binding pertaining to reviving the CPE requirement prior to the licensure release of identification card, the membership to PIChE Batangas was not highly regarded by new licensed Chemical Engineers and even old practicing ones. It was also highlighted that in order for the membership to be productive, it was requested that an amendment of the law be done or release of a resolution pertaining to the said CPE requirement would've been strictly implemented. It was then followed by the East Sector Meeting which aimed to promote the environment through ChEKalikasan.

To further increase its members, a networking type of membership was proposed where each member would invite five chemical engineers or practitioners to become part of the group. This endeavor would later be headed by the committee assigned for Eastern and Western part of Batangas. Seminars that boost morale and all the know-how to arm engineers were also conducted like the one held at Cocochem Administration Building Training Room in Bauan, Batangas which was entitled "Equipping Oneself Towards Employment".

For a decade, the PIChE Batangas Chapter achieved a lot of milestone and thus, the first evident documented report and brochure that showcase the chemical engineers at work were highlighted. It featured members in the field as well as the values of the chapter that were held up to this date. The first membership ID of the local chapter was also documented.

In this year, the Constitution and By-Laws were hugely amended with reference to the National. The first revision was the name of the chapter abbreviated as PIChE - Batangas (now PICHE BATANGAS CHAPTER). Before, it included the following details:

There could be two offices: one was the Principal Office of PIChE - Batangas and the other one was the Secretariat Office.
The jurisdictional area of the two large sectors of Batangas was only divided into four districts.

Now, those clauses are already amended especially the second one which was revised to accommodate the six (6) existing districts of Batangas.

Also, from the last year's endeavor to increase membership, the chapter was successful in pooling members from different sectors and new member working in companies located in both eastern and western part.

2008 - 2009: Chemical Engineers on the Move

TO BE UPDATED SOON

Back to Home

Google Sites

Report abuse