By: Mysel E. Taladhay – BSAE 4
Four faculty members and 17 students of Central Philippine University participated during the 69th PSABE Annual National Convention, 30th Philippine Agricultural Engineering Week and 16th International Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference and Exhibitions held at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City last April 21-27, 2019.
The CPU delegates were headed by Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Chairperson of the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Environmental Management under the College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences (CARES), together with the Department’s faculty, namely: Engr. Dee B. Lucena, Director of CPU’s Community Engagement and Service Learning Center; Engr. Levi O. De los Santos, Jr.; and Engr. Efren G. Amit.
The CPU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering students attended the annual event led by Richard M. Manolo, who is presently the President of the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers-Pre-Professional Group (PSABE-PPG), both of the CPU and Western Visayas Chapters.
With this year’s theme, “Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers: Catalysts for Infrastructure Modernization in Agriculture and Fisheries,” the one-week event started on April 21 with a roadshow of agricultural machineries, fellowship golf, and agri-fishery exhibits and posters.
The succeeding days were highlighted by the cutting of ribbon and formal opening of the activities. The program started with an opening remarks from PSABE President and ASEAN Engr. Aldrin Badua, the presentation of delegates, the welcome address from Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, messages of support from the Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, a keynote address from Senator Cynthia Villar, and the formal declaration of the opening of the convention by PSABE Vice President ASEAN Engr. Dennis Tactac.
The delegates were updated on the international and Philippine perspectives of modernizing agro- and fishery-machineries and processes towards the fourth industrial revolution. They also looked into food security and product quality amidst the effect of the new Rice Tarrification Law. Technical presentations on Agricultural Mechanization, Power, Machinery and Equipment; Soil and Water Conservation, Irrigation and Drainage and Rural Electrification and Agricultural Processing and Structures were also part of the convention. The weeklong event ended with city tours and visits to agri-related facilities near Bacolod City.
The PSABE also presented awards on different categories; one of which, the Agricultural Engineering Entrepreneur Award, was presented to CPU CARES alumnus, Engr. Jose Emie S. Siojo. Engr. Siojo is the owner and general manager of Turbulent Drip Sales, Inc., a company that helps farmers and growers by supplying and installing state of the art greenhouse technologies, sprinkler irrigation systems, landscape irrigation and plantation drip irrigation facilities.
Knowledge and skills competitions for the pre-professional group of the PSABE were also conducted to underscore the competence of the agricultural and biosystems engineering students coming from different student chapters all over the country.
The 17 CPU student delegates reaped the following awards: 2nd Place in Combine Harvester Parts Identification (Jasmin Ilyanna Gallego); 2nd Place in Agricultural Structure Design (John Patrick Casipe, Jasmin Ilyanna Gallego, and Lyka Hisu-an); 3rd Place in Electrical Wiring Installation (Kyrlle Dianne Deasis); 3rd Place in ABE Quiz Bee (Riolyn Lao, Philip Francis Jagunap, and Mysel Taladhay); 4th Place in Poster Making Contest (Trina Evangelista); 4th Place in CAD Challenge (Sheralaine Briones); 4th Place in Tractor Parts Identification (Emheryn Grace Calitisin). Meanwhile, Richard Manolo, who is, at present, the Prime Minister of the CPU Republic, was elected as the National PSABE Secretary.
The three activities of the PSABE are held annually on the fourth week of April and aim to gather all the agricultural and biosystems engineers of the country, including its pre-professionals (students) for updates and generation of new knowledge and technologies.