PSABE-8 held 1st Regional Convention, Dr. Guarte elected as new Regional President

On April 5-6, the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineers (PSABE)  had its 1st Regional Convention at the Tierra De Milagros in Palo, Leyte. Engr. Ariodear C. Rico, Chairman of the Board of Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering, and Engr. Cristituto C. Mangaoang former Assistant Regional Director of National Food Authority graced the event. Both were also former national presidents of the then Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE). With participants from Local Government Units (LGUs) and regional offices in attendance, the convention focused on the updates regarding Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering, its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and the compliance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Dr. Roberto C. Guarte talked about the evolution of Agricultural Engineering to Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering. He highlighted on the urge to update the previous degree program and why it was necessary to change it. “Due to the decrease in enrolment on Agriculture, it showed that the enrolees are focused more on Biology and Engineering. Hence, the update to Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering which could be considered as science-based instead of application-based,” Dr. Guarte said.The updated Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering will be offered at Visayas State University this coming school year 2018-2019.

Prof. Arthur It. Tambong also presented a study co-authored by Engr. Manuel E. Casangcapan, Engr. Triana F. Sorono, Engr. Christian Bagol, and Engr. Rito Bernat entitled, “Temperature Change Analysis of 4-Decade Climatological Data Observed at PAGASA-VSU, Philippines”.  The study is part of the Climate Change Research Project of the Department of Agricultural Engineering (DAE) of Visayas State University. This project enables to analyse the data gathered such as maximum and minimum temperatures, rainfall, wind speed, and relative humidity.

On the second day of the event, the participants elected a new set of officers by which Dr. Guarte was elected as the new regional president. Among the new set officers are engineers from LGUs and representatives for each province. This is the second time for Dr. Guarte to be elected as an officer of the organization. He was the national president of the then PSAE in 2014-2015.

The PSABE will have its annual national convention and will celebrate the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Week at University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City this coming April 22-28. VSU will also hold its first grand alumni homecoming for the graduates of Bachelor of Science in

Agricultural Engineering from class 1980-2017 on May 19.