ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
Philippine Corrosion Society, Inc. (PhiCS)
Organization of the Society
Sometime in mid-1998, three (3) staff from the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) and about 5 professors of the De La Salle University (DLSU), Taft Avenue , Manila , met to discuss about the formation of a professional society in the field of corrosion. From this group came the initial members of the organizing committee that continued to meet for the succeeding months to craft the draft constitution and by-laws of the proposed organization and envision its activities. However, not long afterwards, the group realized that participation from the various sectors must be encouraged to jump start the fledging organization. Hence in 19 March 1999, the first meeting with representatives from the different industry sectors, government and the academe was held, and it was attended by nineteen (19) participants, including ten (10) from the industry representing seven (7) companies, thus expanding the number of members of the organizing committee. Immediately afterwards, the initially drafted constitution was reviewed and finalized by the expanded organizing committee, and the name Philippine Corrosion Society (PhiCS) was unanimously adopted to become the name of the organization.
Election of 1 st Set of Officers
In May 1999, the 1st set of officers was elected from among the expanded organizing committee members. These officers served from May 1999 to August 2000.
1st Philippines-Japan Corrosion Seminar
In August 27, 1999 , together with the induction of the new set of officers, the first seminar on corrosion, entitled "Recent Studies in Corrosion and Corrosion Control Mechanisms Under Atmospheric Conditions", was held at the Century Park Hotel, Manila . Two distinguished guests from the Japan Society of Corrosion Engineering (JSCE) were presentors, Dr. Kenzo Kobayashi, the president of JSCE and Dr. Tooru Tsuru, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of JSCE. The President of PhiCS, Dr. Rolan P. Vera Cruz, is the third presentor. Dr. Rogelio A. Panlasigui, the Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was the guest of honor.
Philippines-Japan Partnership Forged
During the round table discussion which ensued the same day after after the seminar between the visiting JSCE officers and the PhiCS Officers, a technical partnership between the two corrosion Societies were forged. As a first step, JSCE will send corrosion experts every year to help PhiCS develop its expertise in corrosion.
PhiCS Existence as Organization Formalized
In the latter half of 1999, PhiCS made the necessary preparation for its registration to the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-profit professional association and registration was completed 24 January 2000 .
Study Tours
Two site visits were conducted to promote awareness of corrosion among its members – host and visitors alike and promote cooperation in order to solve corrosion problems. The first was held December 1999 at the plant of the United Coconut Chemicals, Incorporated (Cocochem), and the second was held in April 2000 at the MV Doulos – the world's oldest maritime vessel. In both instances, the corrosion problems being encountered by the host are the main interest and points of discussion. The venue gave PhiCS members opportunity not only to increase their awareness of corrosion but also to share their expertise and sometimes introduce products.
Introduction of a Basic Corrosion Course
For the year 2000, the Board of Governors decided to focus the activities of PhiCS to the institutionalization of a basic corrosion course. The members of the Board of Governors were in agreement that this should be a priority since further development of corrosion expertise in the Philippines hinges on the availability of an eye opener course in corrosion especially for young engineers or plant personnel. Hence, on March 31, the first basic corrosion course was held, with Mr. Francis Xavier Martinez as the lecturer. A panel discussion on practical problems was also held later in the day with 5 Filipino corrosion experts as panelists in order to focus discussions on practical problems encountered by the participants in their respective industries.
2nd Philippines-Japan Corrosion Seminar
On August 30 through September 1, 2000, PhiCS, together with JSCE, organized the seminar entitled “How to Prevent Corrosion?” were two JSCE corrosion experts served as resource speakers – Dr. Tsuguo Suzuki (then Vice President of JSCE) conducted a lecture on Fundamentals of Corrosion (to give PhiCS an overview of how a basic corrosion course is conducted in Japan), and Mr. Tadashi Matsushita (Nihon Parkerizing) conducted a lecture on Conversion Coatings for Low Polluting Paints (to assist the expertise development of the surface coatings sector). The Surface Coatings Research and Development Center co-sponsored the second session. A general assembly and election of officers was conducted during the first day of the seminar.
Election of 2 nd Set of Officers
The 2 nd set of officers of PhiCS was elected the first day of the seminar. The 2 nd set of officers reduced the number of committees to three (3), namely: Membership Committee, Technical and Education Committee and Program Committee.
3rd Philippines-Japan Corrosion Seminar
The 3 rd PhiCS-JSCE corrosion seminar, “Diagnosis of Corrosion (with emphasis on test methods)” was held on June 20-22, 2001 at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It was scheduled as one of the activities during the 100 th Year Anniversary celebration of ITDI. A special session was made available that showcased the current corrosion testing/monitoring techniques being offered by local corrosion service providers.
Special Seminar on Plant Reliability and Asset Management
A special seminar entitled “Plant Reliability Management Techniques Leading To Asset Life Maximization” was organized by the Philippine Council of Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD) together with PhiCS. It was held on 27 February 2002 at the Century Park Hotel. Distinguished experts in the plant maintenance and materials reliability fields were resource speakers, namely: Mr. Francisco Amarra (President, AMARRA Consultants Services), Introduction to Reliability Management Concept ; Mr. Noel A. Fernandez (Metallurgy Specialist, I-Mat Pro Company), Plant Life Extension and Reliability Management using Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) Technology ; Mr. Tito Herrera-Lim (Reliability Manager, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation), Pilipinas Shell Experience on RBI Technique ; Mr. Ramon S. Publico (President, Altius Mainteneering Corporation), Condition Monitoring Technique ; and, Dr. Rolan P. Vera Cruz (Industrial Corrosion Specialist, I-Mat Pro Company), Case Studies in the Application of Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) in Selected Industries .
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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President
Raul C. Sabularse
Deputy Executive Director
PCIERD - Department of Science & Technology (DOST)
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Vice President / Treasurer
Nelson C. Aguila
President & Managing Director
Aguila Group Companies (AGC)
Development Corp. |
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Director
Francis Xavier I. Martinez
Executive Vice President
Corrosion Technical Services Inc. |
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Director
Mila Estrella
General Manager
Chemetall Phils, Inc. |
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Director
Orlando B. Araujo
President
Precision Sandblasting Inc.
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Director
Dr. Rolan P. Vera Cruz
Director
I-Mat Pro Company
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Director
Rolly Ortanez
President
Asia Corrosion Services, Inc. |
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Director
Shun-ichi Harada
Consultant
Surface Coating Research & Devt. Center (SCRDC)
DOST |
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Director
Yolanda Brondial
Professor
Dela Salle University |
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