Thursday, November 15, 2007 Engineers to meet in Cebu to discuss energy, pollution
MORE than 500 engineering professionals from 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are coming to Cebu next week for the 25th Conference of the Asean Federation of Engineering Organizations (Cafeo 25).
The three-day conference, to be held on Nov. 26 to 29 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, will discuss relevant engineering issues involving the use of energy and its impact on the environment, said Cafeo 25 steering committee member Joel Marciano.
“Engineers from various fields involved in the development projects in their respective countries will be coming here and it is again another opportunity to promote Cebu,” Marciano told a press conference Monday at the City Sports Club Cebu.
Local stakeholders have been aggressively promoting the province as a destination for conventions and leisure activities.
Cafeo 25 conference—which will be held with the theme “Engineering, Energy, and the Environment: Ensuring the Survival of Future Generations” —will include plenary discussions on renewable energy, mining, solid waste management, air pollution control, and river basin control strategies, Marciano said.
Other discussions will include the need for Filipino engineers to have themselves listed in the Asean Engineer Register.
Marciano said this will allow Filipino engineers to get access to employment opportunities in different Asean countries and raise the competency level of the country’s engineering professionals.
“We have an advantage because we speak good English, are trainable and have good quality. These are the testimonials of foreign employers,” said Marciano.
The convention also displays an exhibit of 35 booths by players in the environment, technology and energy sectors, he said.
The event is organized by the Philippine Technological Council (PTC), the umbrella organization of engineering and architectural professional organizations in the country, together with the Department of Energy.
“We have chosen Cebu because there is so much emphasis on environment and energy here,” PTC president Enrico Nera said.
Cafeo is an annual convention not only among engineering professionals, but also government and business leaders in the Asean. (MMM)
