JEDDAH, 14 July 2003 — A comprehensive training on planning and scheduling will he held for Filipino civil engineers and managers in the Western Region, starting July 18.
Organized by the Association of Filipino Civil Engineers in Saudi Arabia (AFCE – KSA), the training will feature the latest software on project management, said association president Romulo Bani.
He said an expert on this subject with more than 25 years of experience will share his expertise.
The training will be held every Friday from 2 p.m. 6 p.m. on July 18 and 25, and Aug. 1 and 8 at AFCE Headquarters in Jeddah. Participants will be accommodated on a “first come, first serve” basis.
But if there are many applicants who could not be accommodated in the regular session, the association may schedule another batch for a morning session. For reservation and registration, the contact persons are Romulo G. Bani at 059-636324, Bong A. Bongalonta at 622-0022/3042, Ronaldo B. Nilo at 059-335065, Dominic G. Malapitan at 059-308193, Esmael “Mike” S. Ali at 053-371340 or Gamie P. Mapandi at 056-653236.
AFCE is also holding a pre-board review for the incoming licensure examination to be conducted by the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah in October for civil, electrical and mechanical engineers and accountants as well.
The PRC has yet to announce the schedule of the examinations but the different Filipino professional groups in the Kingdom have been told to go ahead with their review classes.
Last year, the head of the PRC announced that no more licensure examination would be held abroad for 2003 because the commission does not have the mandate to do so. But Senate President Franklin Drilon, after meeting with the various professional groups in Dammam and Alkhobar early this year, promised to have the PRC reverse its decision and resume its outreach project. Drilon said there’s nothing in the PRC charter that prohibits the commission from conducting examinations for Filipinos abroad.
During ex-President Fidel Ramos’ term, he authorized the overseas licensure tests as an extension of the government’s service for Filipinos who have no time to take the exam at home due to the nature of their work abroad.
Overseas Filipinos, estimated to be more than 7 million, are honored as “new heroes” by the government owing to their dollar remittances that has become one of the major pillars of the Philippine economy.
