PIChE Batangas Chapter conducted its first Exposure Trip for this year 2019 at the First Philippine Industrial Park, Sto. Tomas Batangas. This event catered both the professionals (registered chemical engineers, chemical engineering practitioners or graduates) and students with the aim of bridging the gap of the academe and industry sectors in pursuit of the integrated learning method. It was attended by 11 professionals from different companies like P&G, Bauer International, South Luzon Power, Avestronics, Zama Precision and Batangas State University. In addition, five chemical engineering and ten food engineering students taking up Field Trips and Seminars also participated in the said event.

The event was started with a prayer by one of the students, Glecile Fiestada. Then, Ms. Essi Cruzat, one of the chapter's own, provided the participants the information regarding the First Philippine Industrial Park. Additional plant insights were given by Engr. Christine Joy Sarmiento. It also tackled the different establishments inside the park and the maintenance of the whole industrial sector. The team proceeded with the brief technical discussion led by Engr. Nelson P. Lontok of the wastewater facility in Sto. Tomas, Batangas accommodating the different locators inside FPIP. This discussion also included the process flow as well as design aspects that made the facilities efficient in dealing with domestic and industrial wastes from different companies.

Actual exposure trip started at around 10:30 AM where the main process area was visited. The participants were able to actually witness the aeration process, clarifying process, and other core operations. Students and professionals were also able to ask questions and Mr. Lontok of the FPIP Team was able to provide them information that were very handy in their studies and/or researches. By the end of the process area visit, the participants were also able to access the laboratory with the team accommodating all questions regarding the problems encountered in the past and future plans.

After visiting the process area, an extra activity was added where participants toured the whole FPIP area. From FPIP 1 to FPIP 2, the participants were amazed with all the companies inside of the industrial sector, proving its claim that it is one of the fastest growing industrial parks in the region. After the whole round trip, the participants were gathered again in the conference room for the awarding of certificate of appreciation to the FPIP team, sponsored by the local chapter.

Meanwhile, it was also an avenue for companies like Bauer and Avestronics to pool client from a sector operating for many years and continually eyeing for technical improvements. Hence, this activity has paved the way in connecting the industrial sector of Batangas to the chapter itself as well as the academe sector. Both parties hope for broadening and expanding these bonds by tying up for more activities in the future.

PIChE Batangas Chapter officially opens its database for members and other engineers or graduate who are interested in the benefits of becoming an active member. Starting this January 20, 2019, the members can now renew their membership, access their own files, view their membership status and comment for improvements through the database. This is the first of the many big projects of the organization.

This database will be updated from time to time especially when members renew or update their data. Information stored in our database are strictly confidential and for the use of the members only. If a member asks for data about other members, the chapter shall inform the member prior to the discretion of data.

On June 5, 2019, a board meeting was conducted after the new set of officers took over the posi- tions. The agenda included the necessary turn-over of all duties and responsibilities, financial status, the amendment of the chapter by-laws for the benefit of the members, opening of new bank account, and creation of events, and the involvement of the members in the new Chemical Engineering Law.

During the amendment of the by-laws, one suggestion, which was agreed by everyone, included the membership points for professionals who would join the events and activities of the chapter. Merit points would be rewarded for each activity, correspondingly. By the end of the year, or during the General As- sembly, this professional will be recognized as the Most Outstanding Professional of the Chapter with a chance to be nominated by the chapter for the OChEA. Also, the chapter decided to provide a member- ship database where individuals can check their activity status online. For this online view, professionals can also check their membership status and its corresponding expiration date.

Included in the meeting was the proposal ID of the chapter in case professionals wanted to have their additional identification. This was seconded with providing proper ID laces and shirt for the members.

Additional events were also included to highlight the involvement of academe and industry support. These events were intended to address issues of professionals being idle in their professional life, the as well as students aspiring to become chemical engineers.

The meeting was adjourned after five (5) hours of discussion of the whole agenda. Other informal meet- ings included group chats and informal meetups to discuss minor agenda for the chapter.

Pursuant to the existing Constitution and By-Laws of chemical engineers, a general assembly was conducted last May 25, 2019 along with the 2nd CPD seminar aimed to elect the new set of officers for the fiscal year 2018-2019. Twelve (12) members of the local chapter were nominated and were elected in different positions by the members of the board themselves. The election was commenced by manual counting of votes as attested by the advisers and the existing COMELEC Committee. The offic- ers shall take their office effective immediately and shall end by December 31, 2019.

Engr. Monroe H. de Guzman, an officer of the previous fiscal year, was elected as the President; Engr. Rosamia D. Tubo and Engr. Essi Anne Kaye P. Cruzat were elected as the Vice Presidents for East and West, respectively. The position for secretary will also be held by the same person as for this year, Engr. Neres Ann S. Manguiat. Engr. Vanessa M. Magpantay was elected for treasurer position and Engr. Jackie Meileen B. Yurong was elected as the auditor. For PRO, the two engineers, Engr. Fati- ma Faye M. Guinhawa and Engr. Bianca Joahnna R. Nieves were designated to two large areas of Ba- tangas—East and West, respectively. The remaining of the 12 nominated members: Engr. Dave T. de Ramos, Engr. Jonathan C. Cantos, Engr. Ma. Isabel Angela R. Infante, and Engr. Robelle O. De Guz- man occupied the Board of Directors which shall spearhead the Education, Membership, Finance, and COMELEC committee, respectively.

The new members took their oath on the same day led by Engr. Maricris Vines, the National President.

As a form of support to the goals of the chemical engineers, PIChE Batangas Chapter joined the 80th PIChE National Convention with the theme “EXERGY: RADIATING THE CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE ACROSS GENERATIONS” last February 27 to March 1, 2019 at Crowne Plaza Manila, Quezon City. With about 1500 participants, the program provided plenary and technical sessions to update Filipino Chemical Engineers on the industry’s technologies and developments in order to expand opportunities and grow business.

One of our own, Engr. Neres Ann S. Manguiat, presented during the event as the representative of the Disaster Resilience and Response Committee where it aims to understand and identify the possible roles of a chemical engineer in times of disaster.

A special session on the discussion on House Bill HB 8625: Comprehensive Chemical Engineering Act were also discussed to echo the content of the house bill and to give comments and suggestions to further improve its content and satisfy the needs of every chemical engineer in their field of profession.

The HB shall also address loose provisions of RA 9297, safety in terms of compliance of industrial facilities to process requirements under the guidance of chemical engineers, all processes in industrial facilities safely operated, updating the chemical engineering programs to the Outcomes-based Principles and the translating these to the Licensure Examinations, inclusion of the Chemical Engineering Technologist and Technician Level and the fields of specialization of chemical engineers.