Civil Engineers Holds 50th National Convention and 2nd International Expo in Pasay City

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) marked a significant milestone in the organization’s history with its 50th National Convention and Technical Conference held alongside the 2nd International Engineering Expo and Technical Conference from October 29 to 31, 2024 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and PICE National President Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said that the grand gathering of the Philippines’ civil engineering community, international partners, and industry leaders was attended by over 9,000 onsite and 10,000 virtual delegates.

The event brought together notable guests, including Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Tolentino, DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo, and Consul General Sang Seung-Man from the South Korean Embassy, representing Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa.

Officials from partner organizations were also in attendance, notably the Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE) with its 2025 President Professor Dong-Ho Choi and Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) Vice President Dr. Kenichi Tsukahara, underscoring PICE’s expanding international collaboration.

In his opening remarks, Senior Undersecretary Sadain extended a warm welcome to the delegates and highlighted the significance of the convention’s theme, “Building Global Partnerships, Bridging Boundaries, and Fostering New Technologies Towards a More Resilient and Sustainable Development.”

Senior Undersecretary Sadain said that the 50th PICE National Convention and the 2nd International Engineering Expo reflect the organization’s legacy and continued commitment to excellence, global engagement, and resilience, paving the way for future advancements in the civil engineering sector in the Philippines.

The PICE National President stressed that as infrastructure demands grow, collaboration among Filipino engineers and their international counterparts becomes increasingly vital.

Senator Tolentino delivered the keynote address, underscoring the pivotal role of Filipino engineers in nation-building and the importance of sustainable infrastructure.

“Our Civil Engineers are among the pillars of our nation. Their expertise and skills have created the infrastructure that connects our communities and fuels economic growth. We honor not only their excellence but also their commitment to building a stronger and more prosperous future for every Filipino,” said Senator Tolentino.

DPWH Secretary Bonoan served as the guest of honor, emphasizing the government’s commitment to the “Build Better More” initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration and the integral role of civil engineers in driving forward the vision of a Bagong Pilipinas.

Secretary Bonoan also called on Filipino civil engineers to embrace their role as nation-builders by innovating and integrating sustainable practices in order to adapt to evolving challenges.

The DPWH Chief highlighted the urgency of adapting infrastructure in response to climate change, citing the recent impact of severe tropical storm “Kristine”, and emphasized the need for civil engineers to integrate sustainable practices.

The 2024 PICE Technical Conference offered a series of engaging lectures, plenary discussions, and technical sessions showcasing cutting-edge technologies from Japan and Korea.

Key presentations highlighted advancements in infrastructure innovations, providing valuable insights for civil engineering students, as well as public and private sector professionals in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Senior Undersecretary Sadain in his year-end report underscored key accomplishments, new global partnerships, and future endeavors of PICE.

Under the leadership of Senior Undersecretary Sadain, the “New PICE” vision emphasized global competitiveness and active collaborations with both local and international organizations.

Through strategic alliances, PICE has worked to elevate the standards of Filipino civil engineering and empower engineers with advanced knowledge and resources.

Senior Undersecretary Sadain reported the remarkable membership growth, now comprising nearly 100,000 professional members and over 38,000 student members across 107 local and 13 international chapters.

He emphasized the critical role of civil engineers in the nation’s “Build Better More” program under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which includes 186 flagship infrastructure projects to date that aim to transform the country’s infrastructure landscape.

Reflecting on PICE legacy, Senior Undersecretary Sadain reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of civil engineering and contributing to sustainable national development.

This 2024, PICE have formalized collaborations through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with KSCE and an amended Agreement of Cooperation (AOC) with JSCE. These agreements have facilitated an enriching exchange of technical expertise, which is vital in elevating the standards of engineering practice in the Philippines.

In line with its commitment to continuous learning, PICE hosted multiple Regional Technical Conferences across the Philippines and the 11th International Technical Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing insights and innovations directly to members.

These events facilitated technical exchanges, enhanced expertise, and provided Filipino engineers with opportunities to showcase research internationally, reinforcing the stature of Filipino engineering on the global stage.

This partnership symbolizes the fruition of PICE’s longstanding goal to establish a modern facility that will serve as a center for engineering innovation, collaboration, and professional development.

Through dedicated fundraising efforts and the steadfast support of partners and sponsors, PICE National has successfully generated over ₱130 million in 2024 alone, reinforcing its commitment to building a new national headquarters for the engineering community. This recent success adds to the collective savings of ₱91 million accumulated over the years under various past presidents, positioning the organization on firm financial ground for this ambitious project.

Lastly, Senior Undersecretary Sadain in his closing remarks, extended his gratitude to the DPWH family, recognizing the Project Directors from the five Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) clusters as well as the Regional Directors, for their significant contributions in helping PICE reach this milestone.