ALKHOBAR, 30 November 2002 — Filipino mechanical engineers in the Kingdom were urged anew to take advantage of available continuing education programs and keep abreast of developments in their profession.
In separate messages during the recent convention of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) in the Eastern Region, Ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla and other speakers warned that competition in the world market is getting tighter and tighter.
In a speech delivered by Minister Counselor Mariano Dumia of the Philippine Embassy, Guinomla said the emergence of a global community has provided Filipinos with wider access to bigger markets, better services and stronger potential for economic cooperation. But the same global market also demands the best and the only way to get in is to be competitive.
The convention was held on the occasion of the 12th year anniversary and annual general membership meeting of the PSME – Eastern Region chapter, which was held at the Le Gulf Meridien Hotel in Alkhobar last weekend.
Assistant Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre, in his own speech, asked the mechanical engineers to also give emphasis on information and communication technology related seminars as he noted that “the whole world is now gearing up and refitting their manpower development plans to suit the ICT demands in the years to come.”
As part of the event, technical presentations were delivered by the sponsors of the the event. Product presentations and exhibits were displayed by Abbar & Zanny Electric & A/C Co., ALAA Industrial Equipment Factory, Saudi Consulting and Design Office, Al-Iman Factory, Dresser Al-Rushaid Valve and Instrument Co., and Al-Yusr Townsend and Bottum Co. (AYTB).
Technical presentations are considered essential to professional groups as it gives their members a peek at the latest technology available in the market.
Dela Torre later inducted the new officers of the chapter during the turnover and recognition ceremonies at the Gulf Pearl Compound in Alkhobar.
The new officers are: Murry Demdam, president; Gene Rivera, vice president for internal affairs; Rio Pascasio, VP for external affairs; Joenell Gallego, secretary; Edmar Suguitan, assistant secretary; Edwin Marcos, treasurer; Resty Sibug, assistant treasurer; Tony Morales, auditor; Samuel Buena, assistant auditor; Lamberto Pablo, business manager; Lorenzo Reyes, assistant business manager; and directors Armand Calizo, Jojie Apolinario, Conrado Cruz, and Rody Pangilinan.
