1st quarter for website

Salt Water Bulbs at Night | Your GenSets Affects Our Power System VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015

VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015

CONTENTS

14

ASEAN Integration: What’s in it for Filipino Electrical Engineers?

20

EE Woman features Luzita Mempin-Baccol

22

IIEE @ 40 Special Feature

24

A Multi-Cultural Photograph

29

Study in the Impact of Distributed Generator (DG) Placement and Sizing on a Ring Distribution Network

34

Sustainable Alternative Lighting

AEC 2015 Opportunities and Challenges

Chronicles of the IIEE Headquarters

Malaysia and Singapore in a traveler’s camera

Salt and water-powered lamp invented

6

Sign and Seal Rights Requires Prudence

Engr. Beltran’s white paper feedback

9

From the Office of the National President

10

What’s the News

11

What’s the News

Brainiacs prevailed at the National Student’s Congress

Local Leaders Grace North Luzon Conference Cagayan Valley Hosts the NLRC

12

What’s the News

IIEE Supports Fire Prevention Month Activities

You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord’s approval.

ABOUT THE COVER

integrity. innovation. empowerment. excellence.

2015 theme IIEE @ 40: A JOURNEY OF SERVICE FOR EXCELLENCE

MEET THE TEAM T H E E L E C T R I C A L E N G I N E E R E d it o rial B o ar d Chairman Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Technical Consultant Administrative Officer

Rolito C. Gualvez Kristian Carlo B. Victorio Marvin H. Caseda Allan C. Nerves Ramon P. Ayaton

Editorial Staff editorial assistant/Layout CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Contributing graphic artist

Gelyn O. Lee Angelina enriquez-Borican SHEEN Irerick Seeckts Amir Alipour, Christian Alexander C. Asis, Jefferson Joseph P. Avanzado and Michael C. Pacis Maevelyn Calapardo Justinberg C. Bantigue

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Vice Chairman Members

Overseer

Rolito C. Gualvez Ronald Vincent M. Santiago Cyrus V. Canto Marvin H. Caseda Allan C. Nerves MA. CRISTINA F. SANDOVAL Erlindo C. Tacneng Jr. Kristian Carlo B. Victorio Joebe B. Panhilason

advertising and marketing Marketing Support

It remains to be seen how the ASEAN integration will really impact the economies of the member countries and the whole landscape of the Southeast Asian region. For the men and women of the EE profession, the towering growth of our neighbors opens door of prospect and challenges. Will it be future perfect for Filipinos?

Volume XLIV 1ST Quarter 2 0 1 5

Apple June P. Ubay-Ubay

2015 IIEE BOARD OF GOVERNORS National President VP-Internal Affairs VP-External Affairs VP-Technical Affairs National Secretary National Treasurer National Auditor Governor-Northern Luzon Governor-Central Luzon Governor-Metro Manila Governor-Southern Luzon Governor-Bicol Governor-Western Visayas Governor-Eastern/Central Visayas Governor-Northern Mindanao Governor-Southern Mindanao Governor-Western Mindanao Executive Director ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MA. SHEILA C. CABARABAN Larry C. Cruz Florigo C. Varona Joebe B. Panhilason Florencio D. Berenguel RAMON Z. GATCHALIAN JR. NOEL T. FERNANDEZ SALVADOR B. PERALTA ROY Y. YUTUC LYNDON R. BAGUE ALBERTO R. HERRERA JR. FERNANDO R. CRUZ DANIEL C. CORCELLES WILFREDO P. CANIZARES PASTOR D. ABREGANA JOSEPH DARREN CLAIRE S. SOLICAR VICTOR P. FRIVALDO Ramon P. Ayaton Marjorie Aguinaldo-Mu単oz

IIEE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT DEPARTMENT HEADS Administrative-OIC Technical Marketing Membership-OIC Finance-OIC

Mary Ann B. Guillen Ma. Elena U. Liongson Allen M. Pido ALMA C. LARCE Emee F. Sulit

The Electrical Engineer is published quarterly by the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE), with editorial and business office at #41 Monte de Piedad St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.

Tel Nos. (632) 722-7383, 727- 3552, 412-5772, 414-5626, Fax Nos. (632) 721-6442 & 410-1899.

Website: www.iiee.org.ph; E-mail: eemagazine@iiee.org.ph.

For an e-copy, you may visit our website, www.iiee.org.ph The present circulation of the magazine is 35,000 copies per issue to members and industry stakeholders.

MI S S ION To deliver high-quality products and services in order to instill excellence in the electrical practitioner, and to enhance the technical profession to enable it to make positive contributions to national development.

VI S ION To be the best and most prestigious professional technical organization in the Philippines.

PRINTING B Y :

LEXMEDIA DIGITAL The views and opinions expressed by the contributors of The Electrical Engineer magazine do not necessarily reflect the views the editors and publishers of the magazine or of Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE). IIEE and the editorial board carry no responsibility for the opinions expressed in the magazine.

Articles or visual materials may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to accept, edit, or refuse submitted materials for publication. Articles, reactions, and feedback from readers may be sent through email at eemagazine@iiee.org.ph.

FEEDBACK

Sign and Seal Rights Requires Prudence Under the current RA 7920, there are three types of licensed Electrical practitioners in the Philippines, Professional Electrical Engineer (PEE), Registered Electrical Engineer (REE) and Registered Master Electrician (RME). Statistically, the number of PEEs have been very low compared to the number of REEs which signifies that a large portion of the REE populace, probably, are unable to pursue such registration due to numerous factors: lack of motivation, lack of required technical skills and experience, under-employment, overseas work, financial burden, etc.

Editor’s Note: The Electrical Engineer received a lengthy white paper from the author entitled ‘Improvement of the Practice of Electrical Engineering in the Philippines.’ For the interest of our readers, we are publishing it in four parts covering topics on sign and seal rights for REEs, furthering IIEE membership development, nonelectrical engineers preparing electrical plans, and House Bill 4325.

We welcome your ideas, questions, and photos.

Please send your letters to eemagazine@iiee. org.ph.

The Electrical Engineer reserves the right to edit articles for the sake of clarity, grammar, and brevity.

There is also growing opposition and dismay to RA 7920 provisions due to lack of work opportunities, technical support and accusations of corruption and monopoly.

There is also a collective demand to have “equal footing between REEs and PEEs” meaning, that REEs be allowed to sign and seal electrical plans without limitation which consequently suggests that there will only be one electrical engineering title, not two.

A PEE is someone who complied with RA 7920 requirements, is technically experienced, competent and specialized on a specific or several EE expertise. An REE who has the same experience, competency and with specialization may have “equally technical footing” to that of a PEE. However, an REE who is newly graduate and who just passed the REE Board Examination could NOT have an “equal technical footing” to that of a PEE. An REE who was underemployed (meaning did not practice EE as his work) could NOT have “equal technical footing” to that of a PEE. If RA 7920 is amended to allow equal technical footing between REE and PEE, how will the public distinguish the three types of REEs described previously without making discriminatory preferences? On the other hand, how will you protect the public from being “guinea pigs” or “lab rats” if they can’t distinguish or don’t care at all?

After completion of BSEE, the graduated will undergo overall technical review and required to pass the written examination as mandated by RA 7920. By passing the REE board examinations, the author assumes that the REE knows his EE theories and principles based on the BSEE course description completed. It does NOT prove his ability and competence to apply these theories and principles in REAL WORLD applications wherein the safety and welfare of the public is at stake. It would take the either or a combination of the following to develop his real world technical competence: a. Sufficient technically relevant work experience in the application of EE principles and theories and PEC compliance. This would be normally 3-4 years minimum (suggestive only)

b. Such work experience should be under the supervision and mentorship of either a PEE or an REE whose expertise and experiences may be equal to that of a PEE. c. In addition to item a, has undertaken technical training and several technical seminars.

The author wishes to emphasize the importance of a good understanding on the application of the PEC requirements. All electrical plans of new electrical installations should be strictly PEC compliant by default and if necessary, code deviations should be made. it should be supplemented by the application of engineering theories, calculations and technical safety. For inexperienced REE, this would require supervision and mentorship from an experienced REE or PEE.

Prudence dictates that the inexperienced REE should EARN RELEVANT work experience to expand his knowledge and competence in the application of engineering theories and PEC in the realworld design and supervision/management.

In this case, if the REE is allowed to seal, the author offers to allow REEs to sign/seal electrical plans related to residential dwelling utilizing 600 V and less (mostly lighting and small power loads). It should be noted that the author ONLY suggest the sealing of electrical plans locally to the residential dwelling, dominant in municipalities, rural areas and subdivisions/large scale housing complexes in cities.

The following are the suggested set of conditions which should be complied before the REE registration and license to seal electrical plans associated with residential dwelling units: • For new BSEE graduates who passed the REE board examinations, a minimum of 3-4 years relevant technical work experience, under the supervision of a REE or PEE, should be attained after passing the REE examinations.

• For BSEE graduates with relevant technical work experience, under the supervision of a REE/PEE prior to taking the examinations (like in the case of some RMEs), the REE can be given the authority

VI | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

to seal after passing the REE board examinations.

• Requirements will be reviewed by PRC and if approved and REE board examinations is completed and passed, REE license with the authority to seal residential dwellings will be issued.

The required number of years is the author’s suggestion and is based on that of the old Assistant Electrical Engineer’s experience requirement before he can qualify to be an Associate Electrical Engineer.

If the REE wishes to pursue the absolute EE scope (no voltage limitation), he will pursue PEE registration and all its current requirements + 5 years after REE license is issued.

IIEE may want to take charge of compiling the submitted documentation related to the work experience and endorse them to PRC.

The above suggested conditions aim to assure public safety and welfare in the practice of EE by ensuring that only qualified and competent engineers practice the profession. Obtaining relevant technical experience under the supervision of an experienced professional, the applicant can gain sufficient competence before he will be given the REE license and be allowed to seal electrical plans of residential dwellings.

Once the REE license is obtained, the REE would exercise his authority to the scope allowed with technical autonomy and with utmost occupational satisfaction. This will instill some motivation for the REE to continuously update his capability through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and pursue the ultimate goal of becoming a PEE later.

Although not mainly emphasized by the author, allowing the REEs to seal electrical plans, designs, etc., related to residential dwellings would also alleviate the work and financial opportunities of REEs and RMEs, who are BSEE graduates, this will also encourage them to pursue to be REEs.

The other option is to have only one Electrical Engineer License provided the requirements described in the above is implemented. This option will eventually require numerous changes to the system which may result to impractical and long conversions.

Graduated BSEE (1995) from the Mariano About the Sender Marcos State University (MMSU), Batac, Ilocos Primo G. Beltran, Jr. Norte. Obtained his REE license in 1996, he worked in electrical design, construction and commissioning in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait from 1996 to 2007 and worked as Senior Electrical Engineer at WorleyParsons Canada from 2007 to 2012, a Professional Electrical Engineer of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geologists of Alberta (APEGA) and regular member of IEEE. To date, he resides in Calgary, Alberta and is employed as Lead Electrical Engineer at AMEC Foster Wheeler, Oil and Gas Canada. He also conducts technical seminars on substation engineering, power systems and protection/ coordination of industrial power systems.

You may reach him through e-mail at primo.beltran@amecfw.com for future correspondences.

IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 | VII

EDITOR’S NOTE ASEAN economic integration is just around the corner. IIEE have hosted seminars, workshops, fora and discussions to make every EE practitioners ready on this. But still questions linger: What is it really? What is it for us? What else can be done?

So here comes another issue of our magazine, maintaining its refreshed look, discussing the talk of the town by December 2015, the integration of ASEAN Economic Community. The cover feature examines the prospects and challenges of its advent especially to you as EE practitioner. We asked five professionals of what they think lies ahead of us and maybe their answers are the same as yours, or give more light to your understanding.

Another feature we are sharing with you is the SALT – Sustainable Alternative Lighting. SALT is designed by our colleague in De La Salle University-Lipa and is now making waves in providing almost free lighting technology using salt water in different marginalized communities in the Philippines and as far as India.

Our quarter issue would not be complete without an inspiration from our feminine professionals. Let’s have an up-close and personal with Lucy Bacol, as she shares her plight in making a

name in a then male-dominated engineering career.

For our power system curious, we have in the technical section a thorough investigation of the effects of distributed generator to the power system, a concept that has been advocated by IIEE and Department of Energy to address summer 2015 power supply issues. The research describes the changes the generator brought in the performance and stability of the power grid under different loading conditions.

On the last leaves, we tour you around two countries in the Southeast Asia – Malaysia and Singapore – to acquaint to their rich history and culture. Who knows, you will be the next professional working in any of these two different, but somewhat-feels-like-home neighbor.

So what else can be done? They say EE practitioners are not leisure readers. They prefer to read technical reports, accomplishment reports, data sheets and operations manual.

As much as we want to keep you updated, we want to make you involve and on-board. After all this is your magazine.

We hope to give you a better alternative.

Kaycee V

Rectify From the 4th quarter 2014 issue, the title of one of the articles for our cover feature has the wrong impression about the Institute’s position in the anticipated power interruptions of the summer this year. The position paper, attributed to IIEE Former National Pres. Alex Cabugao and Council of National Presidents Chair Rodolfo Ferrer, should bear the title IIEE Speaks: Support the Grid, Say Yes to ILP. The article outlines the proposed measures of IIEE in securing uninterruptible electric power supply using the interruptible load program, Cabugao clarifies. Our apologies. *** The Electrical Engineer welcomes comments and suggestions, or complaints about errors that warrant correction. You can send us message via email to eemagazine@iiee.org.ph or faxed to (632) 721-6442, 410-1899.

Angelina EnriquezBorican is a course specialist of the communication and educational management progams of the PUP Open University and regular faculty in the Journalism department of the PUP College of Communication. She teaches research, organizational development and journalism subjects.

Justinberg C. Bantigue, currently finishing his EE degree at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. He is the former lay-out artist and editor-in-chief of the Engineering Spectrum, the official student publication of PUP College of Engineering.

Sheen Irerick Seeckts is a creative writer and a graduate from the University of the Philippines Film Institute.

The storyteller in her dreams of touring the world through a backpacker’s point of view, so she can further explore the different ways on how she can express a wonderful story with the use of words.

Maevelyn Calapardo, a freelance videographer and editor, is also a graduate from the University of the Philippines Film Institute.

Also a backpacker by heart, she uses her camera to immortalize scenes from her travels. She is currently exploring the other side of the field to further hone her storytelling skills.

Michael C. Pacis is a Registered Electrical Engineer with a BSEE and Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (M.Eng’gEE), major in Power Systems from Mapua Institute of Technology.

At present, he is a full time EE faculty member.

VIII | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

From the office of the national president

by MA. SHEILA C. CABARABAN

T

The Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) has made indelible mark in the profession and in the industry for almost forty years now.

Enthused with ““esprit de corps” principle as the Institute’s primary core this year, IIEE aspires to enjoin all members to serve with sustained passion and commitment.

As we celebrate 40 years of selfless service for excellence, we give back pride and honor to the people, places and events that made indispensable contributions to professional advancement of members and to national development. We will commemorate people and events that shaped and propelled the Institute to greater heights, spanned membership reach from 500 to over 40,000, established thought leadership and enhanced membership programs.

Apart from gratitude, IIEE also initiates renewal of commitment to the Vision and Mission of IIEE; turning our sworn statement into active participation to the IIEE’s programs and advocacies leading towards the Institute’s successful milestones.

Guided by the medium term strategic plan or Vision 2020, the Board of Governors crafted national and regional action plans aligned to the following key themes of the Institute.

1. Financial Growth and Sustainability-means optimizing resources and expanding revenue opportunities and continuously develop effective financial planning and control 2. Membership Engagement and Satisfaction-means enhancing membership programs, utilizing technology as enablers, advocating members to become PEE and harnessing chapter talents 3. Corporate Branding-means developing and sustaining corporate brand, enhancing regulatory influence, developing pool of subject matter experts of resource persons which will bring us to the fore of thought leadership.

4. Operational Excellence and Process Innovation-means improving operational effectiveness, establishing people

program, creating new products and services and instituting continuous process improvement 5. Program Management and Advocacy-means expanding local and international linkages, enhancing advocacy initiatives and establishing opinion process.

To ensure good relationship with government and other regulatory agencies, IIEE’s Executive Committee initiated courtesy visits purposely to discuss concerns related to the profession.

1. Hon. Carlos Jericho L. Petilla of Department of Energy on January 14.

2. Hon. Angeline T. Chuachiaco and Hon. Florentino Doble of Professional Regulation Commission on February 18 and March 5.

3. Hon. Melinda L. Ocampo of Philippine Electricity Market Corporation on March 17.

4. Hon. Edita S. Bueno of National Electrification Administration on April 8.

IIEE, being represented by its officers and distinguished members, participated in the recent two-day Competency Standard Profiling Workshop conducted by Philippine Business for Education, in partnership with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) which aims to have the industry define the competencies of the discipline that are more relevant to the electrical engineering profession.

The first-ever conference this year, 17th Northern Luzon Regional Conference, hosted by Cagayan-Kalinga-Apayao-Batanes Chapter, gathered over 200 delegates on March 13-14, 2015 at Hotel Carmelita, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley.

Recently, the Board of Governors approved the new composition of Technical Working Group (TWG) from various sectors of electrical engineering profession to represent IIEE in Congress for House Bill 4325 meetings/consultations.

IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 | 9

What’s the news

BRAINIACS Prevail at the national students congress

T

he Council of Student Chapter unveiled the winners in this year’s 16th NSCon held on February 19-21, 2015 at Meralco Multi Purpose Hall, Meralco Compound, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The NSCon conducted series of seminars, 14th National Math Wizard, 28th National Quiz Show and the Skills Olympics. The convention encourages the students to hone their competence and intelligence.

Camarines Sur Polytechnic College students as they compete in the Skills Olympics.

From a vast pool of participants in the regional quiz shows only 3 university reigned at the top of the National Quiz Show, namely—University of Batangas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sto. Tomas, Batangas (first runner-up) and Palawan State University (second runner-up.)

Concurrently, the National Math Wizard winners are Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila as the champion, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid La Union Campus as the first runner up and the Bicol University as the second.

Camarines Sur Polytechnnic College, took the championship in Skills Olympics while Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation and Divine Word College of Legaspi placed first runner-up and second runner-up respectively. The skills olympics shows that the students were not only able to do theoretical knowledge but also hands-on activities.

The Meralco Multi Purpose Hall full of participants.

Engr. Mark Duane P. Soriano as he talks about Power Line Safety.

10 | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

Local Leaders Grace North Luzon Conference

C

onducted at Events Place, Hotel Carmelita, Tuguegarao City on March 12-14, 2015, the IIEE 17th Northern Luzon Regional Conference was a success through the guidance of Northern Luzon Governor, Engr. Salvador Peralta. It held series of technical presentations, product presentations and various exhibitions of products. The conference was attended by Hon. Leonides “Odi� N. Faus, Vice Governor of Cagayan as the guest speaker and Rev. Fr. Ranhilio C. Aquino as the keynote speaker.

The official cutting of ribbon during the opening ceremonies.

Participants attentively listen during the opening ceremonies.

CAGAYAN DE ORO HOSTS 19TH NMRC

T

he Institute of Integrateed Electrical Engineers Cagayan de Oro Chapter hosted the Northern Mindanao regional conference on April 9-11, 2015 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, The event was spearheaded by Engr. Pastor D. Abregana as the Northern Mindanao governor and Engr. Julius A. Waga as the Cagayan de Oro Chapter president.

Awarding of Plaques during the conference.

Hon. Oscar S. Moreno, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor as he deliver his speech during the conference.

IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 | 11

What’s the news

IIEE supports Fire Prevention Month activities The IIEE, through the Electrical Safety Committee headed by Chairman Hipolito A. Leoncio, joined several firefighters and members of fire volunteer groups from various sectors and regions as well as civic groups and students that walked the streets of Quezon City in the wee hours of the morning in support of the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) unity walk last March 3.

The BFP has called on different sectors for cooperation in raising public awareness on fire safety and its impact to everyone’s lives and property.

The IIEE team posed for the unity walk.

The activity, which is a part of the the BFP’s month-long celebration of the Fire Safety Month, started in front of the BFP Headquarters in Agham Road and ended at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

With this year’s theme “Kaligtasan sa Sunog: Alamin, Gawin at Isabuhay Natin!,” the BFP hopes to impart to the public that being aware is not enough and that everyone should take action in preventing fire incidents to happen.

A short program followed the unity walk wherein several firetrucks and ambulances from Japan were officially donated and turned over to the BFP. Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar A. Roxas was the keynote speaker of the program. In his speech, Sec. Roxas emphasized that the BFP is now looking at the long term solution to the fire incidents problem being encountered by the country on a yearly basis.

In line with its safety advocacy, the IIEE Bukidnon Chapter conducted an electrical safety seminar on March 20, 2015 in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

The crowd gathered at Quezon City Circle during the program.

12 | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

ASEAN INTEGRATION: WHAT’S IN IT FOR FILIPINO ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS?

Words by Angelina Enriquez-Borican

Illustrations by

he 39th Annual National Convention of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. held November last year focused on the vibrant opportunities awaiting our engineers when the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Integration is completed. However, with these

prospects, are challenges that need careful evaluation and appropriate actions.

As we move toward a regional integration, let us explore what the ASEAN Integration means and what are in store for our Filipino electrical engineering practitioners when it is finally completed by end of this year.

N:

The ASEAN Integration The ASEAN Integration is a product of the ASEAN Vision 2020, first conceptualized by the South East Asian Leaders at the Kuala Lumpur Summit in December 1997, with the goal of transforming ASEAN into a “stable, prosperous, and highly competitive region with equitable economic development, and reduced poverty and socio-economic disparities.”

O

In October 2003, during the Bali Summit in Indonesia, ASEAN Leaders declared that the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) shall be the goal of regional economic integration by 2020, aside from two additional pillars, namely ASEAN Security Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

However, during the 12th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu, Philippines in January 2007, the Leaders agreed to accelerate the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 and to transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor, and freer flow of capital.

This decision by the South East Asian countries caused mixed reactions especially on what should be done within the next eight years to meet this “ambitious” declaration.

Fast forward to year 2015, experts are still in discussions on what has been achieved and the impact of this integration to the member countries.

ns by Justinberg C. Bantigue

Photos from Copper Alliance, HEMs, PRC, Freepik.com public domain, www.pond5.com, asean.aim.edu, PTC, ASEAN-Shine

Cover story The Philippines, for its part, is an active and a staunch supporter of the ASEAN Integration. President Benigno S. Aquino III, in a statement he made during the Philippine Investment Forum last March 24, 2015, mentioned that the “ASEAN is a formidable economic force,” thus, considering its size, he believes that if the region is just one country, it would create a 2.4 trillion dollar economy. “This is precisely why, as ASEAN integration takes full effect, the Philippines is taking every possible measure to take on a more dynamic economic role in the region,” President Aquino emphasized.

especially our engineers, to facilitate their movement within the region. And the Philippines has a lot to gain from this development as the country has become a major source of skilled labor and professionals who have strong advantages because of high education attainment, skills, language proficiency, and work ethics.

What are we really expecting?

As mentioned by Labor Secretary Rosalinda DimapilisBaldoz during the 5th Asian Business Summit last September 2014, “… [the] Philippines remains a top origin country of migrant workers going to destinations outside the ASEAN… An estimated four million Filipino workers have found contractual work in almost 200 countries and territories--as engineers, teachers, medical and health professionals, workers in the services sectors, and production workers.” Another important outcome of the integration is the endorsement of Mutual Recognition Arrangements or MRAs on key services such as engineering, medical and dental practitioners, architectural services, and accountancy services to name a few.

The AEC is the end-goal of the economic integration espoused in the ASEAN Vision 2020. It will establish ASEAN as a single market and production base, making ASEAN more dynamic and competitive with new mechanisms and measures to strengthen the implementation of its existing economic initiatives; accelerating regional integration in the priority sectors; facilitating movement of business persons, skilled This decision by the labor and talents; and strengthening the South East Asian institutional mechanisms of ASEAN.

“

Considering this end goal, the AEC is particularly envisioning the realization of four pillars, namely: (a) a single market and production base, (b) a highly competitive economic region, (c) a region of equitable economic development, and (d) a region fully integrated into the global economy.

countries caused mixed reactions especially on what should be done within the next eight years to meet this “ambitious” declaration.

Of these pillars, what will definitely have an impact to the engineering profession is the creation of a single market and production base in the ASEAN community, comprised of five core elements: (i) free flow of goods; (ii) free flow of services; (iii) free flow of investment; (iv) freer flow of capital; and (v) free flow of skilled labor.

First, it is expected that the integration will substantially remove restrictions to ASEAN services suppliers in providing services and in establishing companies across national borders within the region, subject to domestic regulations. As Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima once said, “In an integrated ASEAN, mobility of labor will be important.”

To manage the mobility or movement of persons engaged in trade in goods, services, and investments, ASEAN will “facilitate the issuance of visas and employment passes for ASEAN professionals and skilled labor who are engaged in cross-border trade and investment related activities.”

Thus, it will become easier for local workers, most

”

“MRAs are instruments that recognize the education, experience, and qualifications of a person regardless of where such credentials were obtained,” DimapilisBaldoz explained.

Fortunately, the MRA for Engineering Services was the first to be finalized on December 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, even before the decision to move the economic integration to an earlier timeline. The said arrangement has facilitated the mobility of engineering services professionals, and the exchange of information to promote adoption of best practices on standards and qualifications.

This MRA allowed engineers to be emplaced on the ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineers Register (ACPER) and accorded the title of ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE). This is aside from the professional license obtained by Filipino engineers from the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).

Opportunities and Challenges The ASEAN Economic Community opens more doors for Filipino professionals and fellow engineers in seeking better opportunities to neighboring countries in the region. As the Philippines produces significant number of graduates in the field of business, medicine, education, engineering and information technology every year (403,120 in 2011 according to the Commission on Higher Education or CHED), the AEC could contribute 3.1 million jobs in the Philippines.

16 | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

Ask the Professionals We asked five EE professionals from various fields on their take regarding the ASEAN integration and this is how they see the Philippines beyond 2015.

Fortunato Leynes,PEE, Vice President, Manila Electric Company

Rowena Cristina Guevarra, Phd, REE, Undersecretary, Department of Science and Technology

Victor Jabile, RME, Electrical Officer, MV Costas L. (Carribean)

Aprilyn Panganiban,RME, Project Engineer, RAI Contractor Ltd. (Papua New Guinea)

Rodolfo N. Ferrer,PEE,AE, President, RN Ferrer and Associates

What is your understanding of ASEAN integration?

The ASEAN economic integration is the free flow of goods, services, investment capital and skilled labor in the region.

While tariffs and non-tariff barriers will be reduced, this will have implications for intra-regional trade and investment.

On December 31, 2015, the ASEAN economic integration will formally commence, whereby goods, professionals and capital will flow freely among ASEAN memberstates.

ASEAN integration is a socio-economic plan to narrow the gap of economic development amongst members via synchronize general populace development and promotion of competitiveness amongst local products and services.

My understanding on ASEAN Integration is synchronizing the level of profession in ASEAN countries.

ASEAN integration means the establishment of a common market for products and services.

What do you think are the effects of the ASEAN integration to the electrical engineering profession, specifically in your current field of practice?

The effects of the ASEAN integration will be quite minimal as we are even in demand in the neighboring ASEAN countries. The electric distribution systems of the neighboring ASEAN countries are not quite advanced when compared with the Philippines.

There will be more opportunities for electrical engineers in ASEAN, and collaboration will be encouraged within the profession and with other professionals.

There will be more competitions amongst electrical practitioner because all ASEAN member states will open its door to all professionals.

It is on our competitive advantage. Whenever we go to other countries under ASEAN, our job title will be the same as our job title in the Philippines.

Racial discrimination will be avoided. There will be fair and just compensation of work whatever your nationality is.

Subject to compliance with local laws and regulations, engineers from all ASEAN countries can now practice their profession in any member country.

How do you see yourself, the company you belong, or the field of practice you are engaged into in the arena of integrated market of Southeast Asia? Do you see stiffer competition, misplace talents?

Manila Electric Company, as an electric distribution company, is not in any way threatened by the ASEAN economic integration and neither do we see a displacement/ misplacement of talents.

The Philippines’ professionals will be competitive in the ASEAN since we have been practicing globally for quite some time now as evidenced by the number of EEs among OFWs.

The objective the proponent of House bill 4325 is “in order for the Philippines to cope for the ASEAN Integration”.

Once RA 7920 will be repealed RMEs like me will be stripped of our professional title and opportunities abroad.

I think it would be a stiffer competition because based on experience, Filipinos are known to have greater knowledge and expertise among other countries. The quality of our work has already a reputation on skills and workmanship that other countries are looking for.

Disadvantaged due to lack of supportive government programs, particularly of funding and promotions, burdensome regulations, and uncompetitive tax rates. The bigger arena although presents more opportunities than threats.

Define the Filipino EE practitioner in the advent of ASEAN integration. What values do they have to possess? What skills they need to enhance or to have?

The Filipino electrical engineers will continue to be competent, diligent and even better compared with the electrical engineers in the neighboring ASEAN countries. In fact, because of shortage of talents in some of the more progressive ASEAN neighbors, we are even in demand to fill up the gap in their labor market.

The Filipino electrical engineer will be the same, but to be competitive in ASEAN, s/he will need the qualifications/values/ skills of ASEAN Engineers, as defined in the ASEAN Engineering Register.

We need to seriously review our self-imposed delineation among engineering professions as defined by our EE Law, ME Law, ChE Law, etc.

Maintain their dedication to their profession and field of work, they must possess abundant knowledge and skill, continuous studies and to learn more as the technology evolve and improve.

It is natural for us to be competitive, madiskarte, and God-fearing. Filipino EEs must enhance their design skills (building establishments, power plant, automation, etc.), economically but not sacrificing the best quality they can offer for a particular project.

We must have integrity and a drive towards excellence which has always been the goal of the IIEE.

What is the future of EE profession in ASEAN integration?

Because of the level of The value chain for For now, I don’t have any I see that the ASEAN The EE profession should the electrical engineering industries where EEs work idea what can happen in integration would be be dominant influence education and the will be completed with the the profession. But we can a great advantage for in the ASEAN region. competence and skills ASEAN integration. The benchmark and re-trace us. The quality of our Promoting the EE profession of licensed electrical opportunities to practice ourselves in the lessons of works would be known. alone will not bring practitioners in the the profession in higher the European Union.

There would be a fair the economic benefits Philippines, I believe the value added activities will compensation of our derive from the ASEAN EE profession has a great abound. Thus, the future of service and there would integration. We must have future in the ASEAN EE profession is quite bright be no discrimination with on board all the other IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 to| complete 17 economic integration. in the ASEAN integration. other nationalities. professionals the picture.

Cover story An International Labor Organization (ILO) joint study with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has even recognized in 2014 that demand for high-skilled employment could also increase by 60 percent.

However, the engineering industry is facing two important challenges here, according to Rafael Nestor Mantaring, head of Design and Development for Asia of Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. First, talent mobility within the ASEAN may result to an exodus of workers from Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and maybe even Indonesia. For him, “This could strain local industries, especially SMEs that cannot afford to pay engineers as much as large corporations and multinationals.” Therefore, the industry must learn to cope with this.

Prof. Federico Macaranas, during the IIEE 39th Annual National Convention last year shared that the Philippines has a steady supply of engineering graduates, at around 49,000 a year, while the number of licensed engineers are slightly increasing. But he emphasized that the share of engineering graduates to the total graduates has been decreasing, according to the CHED. Therefore, brain drain might potentially ensue.

“In 2010, there are 12,685 newly licensed Filipino engineers.

In the same year, more than 16,000 Filipino engineers left the country for overseas employment,” Macaranas said.

But still, Macaranas is optimistic that these realities will eventually turn positively for the country. “The global war for talent is diffusing local engineers and could stifle innovation in the domestic front. There is a need to keep them abreast with these issues and invest energies turning these challenges to economic opportunities,” he said.

To do this, the country should employ PEEs, REEs, and RMEs for national development agenda. Keeping engineering talents at home relies on making engineering relevant to development and the capacity of the local industry to provide competitive compensations.

Another challenge for Filipino engineers is to remain competitive for they are expected to be benchmarked or even compared against other engineers in the region. “It is therefore incumbent upon the educators and trainers among us to keep the engineers we produce current with the times,” Mantaring explained.

A World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report in 2013-2014 showed that the Philippines ranks 23rd out of 26 countries assessed on the quality of Math and Science education in schools. Therefore, the need to improve the engineering education program in the country.

18 | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

For Macaranas, “education and leadership training remain vital for shaping a ready workforce for an ever-competitive landscape.� There is a need to reengineer education that is relevant and globally benchmarked by complementing this with leadership training programs that will keep our engineers abreast of the development issues.

Silver Lining It remains to be seen how the ASEAN Economic community will really impact the economies of the member countries and the whole landscape of the ASEAN Community.

For PEEs, REEs, RMEs, there are surely more opportunities when the integration has been finally completed by end of this year. As the ASEAN Integration widens opportunities for workers in the whole region, electrical professionals

also need to take the pressure of improving the engineering profession.

The potential is huge and the benefits are tremendous.

However, the Philippines has to innovate and become more flexible in terms of providing our local talents the domestic opportunities so that the country will not suffer from the widening opportunities outside. The global war of talent is becoming worrisome. A vibrant Philippine economy should generate suitable jobs for Filipino talents to remain in the country.

Lastly, Filipino engineers have to stay competitive and find better ways to do our jobs. Surely, the competition in the region will become tougher and tighter going to the final stage of the ASEAN integration.

IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 | 19

ee woman

Luzita P. Mempin-Baccol CALL HER Baby or Lucy

My Life Mantra is: People should always strive to do better than what he has accomplished so far. That means continuously studying on how to improve his or her trade.

PEople assume I’m: Bossy, arrogant and hard to please.

But I’m really: Down to earth, soft-hearted and easy to please.

I’m secretly good at: Convincing people and negotiating with delinquent employees.

I’M INTO: Reading, cooking, playing computer games.

My interests are: Exploring the wonders of the world and travelling to scenic places.

My goals are: To be a respectable electrical engineer and be able to impart to my fellow engineers the value of professionalism and good service to humanity.

The reason why I becAme an engineer: I became an engineer by accident only. I wanted to become a doctor when I was young, but my parents cannot afford to send me to medical school. My father, an ME/EE graduate and a professor at that time convinced me to take EE. At first, I hated the idea, but insistently enrolled me at FEU Technology. I was not serious in my studies then, because I planned to shift. My professors then convinced me and even assisted me in my subjects and they became my friends. I was ashamed to let them know that I do not like my course.

What have you done for IIEE? During my stay at IIEE, I was very idealistic. I tried to give proper directions to the employees while I was the electrical secretary to arouse the productivity instinct. I was also the one who spearheaded the expansion of the organization of the exhibit bureau into the electrical, energy and electronics or 3EXPO, which until now they are applying. When I was chairman of the exhibit bureau, I really went out of my way convincing top electrical manufacturers and suppliers to join the exhibits. Thus, the 3EXPO became an income producing set up for IIEE.

How has IIEE helped you?

This is I learned that we professional should not be enemies in our trade but rather we should complement each other’s shortcomings. As electrical engineers, we have our own mission in the development and growth of our country, so we should not fight, everybody has his own place, and responsibility to accomplish.

Invading a male-Dominated Profession Up-close and Personal with Lucy Baccol

The greatest asset a woman can have is: Being an electrical engineer, I have invaded what used to be a male dominated world. I believe that the greatest asset I had as a woman that made me where I am now is my CHARM. The work I have to do combined with charm becomes easy and acceptable. At first, the male engineers will not give an edge, but when they realized that we can our work easy through charm, then it becomes acceptable to them that we are not enemies but allies.

The Solar Entertainment Network’s consultant explains how she thrives in a male-dominated profession.

Fluke 289 Digital Multimeter

From 1st March to 30th June 2015, receive COMPLIMENTARY Personal Protective Equipment with any purchase of selected Fluke test tools*.

C O M P L I M E N TA R Y

Reflective Vest

C O M P L I M E N TA R Y

Fluke VT04A Visual IR Thermometer

Fluke 376 Clamp Meter

Fluke 1000FLT Fluorescent Light Tester

WITH PURCHASE OF:

FLUKE 28II • FLUKE 28IIEX • FLUKE 287 • FLUKE 287/FVF FLUKE 289 • FLUKE 289/FVF • FLUKE 353 • FLUKE 355 FLUKE 360 • FLUKE 381 • FLUKE 568 • FLUKE 568EX FLUKE 922/KIT • FLUKE 975V • FLUKE 1507 • FLUKE 1577 FLUKE 1587 • FLUKE 2042

WITH PURCHASE OF:

Anti-Fog Eyewear FLUKE 27II • FLUKE 52-2 50HZ • FLUKE 53-2 B 50HZ FLUKE 54-2 B 50HZ • FLUKE 77-4 • FLUKE 83-5 • FLUKE 87-5 FLUKE 88-5 • FLUKE 177 EJKCT • FLUKE 179 EJKCT FLUKE 233 • FLUKE 375 • FLUKE 376 • FLUKE 566 • FLUKE 902 FLUKE 971 • FLUKE 1503 • FLUKE 9040 • FLUKE CO-220

Get maximum protection with Fluke Tools and Personal Protective Equipment now: http://www.fluke.com/ Safety-PH-IIEE Share your experience, Stand to WIN a Fluke Mystery Gift.

Visit us now!

Fluke South East Asia Pte Ltd 1 Clementi Loop, #06-02/03/04, Singapore 129808 Tel: +65-6799-5575 · Fax: +65-6799-5577 Email: ig-promo@fluke.com · Website: www.fluke.com/ph

C O M P L I M E N TA R Y

Facepiece Respirator

WITH PURCHASE OF:

FLUKE 51-2 50HZ • FLUKE 62 MAX ESPR • FLUKE 62 MAX+ ESPR FLUKE 113 • FLUKE 114/EM ESP • FLUKE 115/EM ESP • FLUKE 116 FLUKE 117/EM ESP • FLUKE 175 EJKCT • FLUKE 323/ESPR FLUKE 324/ESPR • FLUKE 325/ESPR • FLUKE 365 • FLUKE 373 FLUKE 374 • FLUKE 561 • FLUKE 1000FLT • FLUKE VT04-ELEC-KIT FLUKE VT04 GLOBAL • FLUKE VT04A GLOBAL • FLUKE VT04-HVAC-KIT FLUKE VT04-MAINT-KIT

*Terms and Conditions apply, log on to our website for more details now.

Fluke. Keeping Your World Up and Running.

Special feature: IIEE@40

A

s the IIEE celebrates its Ruby years, The Electrical Engineer brings you the things you probably don’t know about our institute. In this issue, we’ll tackle about our home.

The story of the IIEE building started way back at its first headquarters at 1438 San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila. It was a small room shared with PAMEE, PSME and PSEE. Subsequently, a 10 sq. m. room for lease at Centroid, Inc. along Quezon Blvd. Extension, Quezon City served as IIEE’s administrative center for six years since 1976.

In 1983, as the rental contract was about to expire, the board decided to move at the Florenter Building in front of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) along E. delos Santos Avenue, Quezon City. One unit, measuring about 60 sq. m, was not enough for frequent meetings and activities.

The first Professional Electrical Engineering License holder, Engr. Gabriel Daza, with Quezon City Mayor Adelina S. Rodriguez sponsored the IIEE Building Cornerstone laid during the ceremonies on Nov. 12,1985.

The groundbreaking rites for the proposed three-storey IIEE building took place on August 15, 1987 with then Public Works and Highways Secretary Juanito N. Ferrer as one of the guests.

Thus, fund-raising activities, solicitations and contributions came pouring in. The Board even asked for a permission to borrow some money from the Life Membership trust fund.

This results to proceed with the initial phase of the construction.

Who’s who in the design of the IIEE office?

Architectural Plan- Arch. Susan M. Rebaño Electrical Plan- Engr. Meleusipo E. Fonollera Sanitary/Plumbing Plan- Engr. Antonio A. Mansueto Structural Plan- Engr. Guadalupe O. Mansueto Construction Company- Inphase Construction Company, Inc.

(Left to Right) Willington K.K.C Tan, Rafael Florentino, Guadalupe Mansueto, Antonio Mansueto

22 | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

Chronicles of the IIEE Headquarters Construction started officially on September 1, 1987. After all the efforts, the ground floor was finally inaugurated on March 12, 1988.

On the following year, the second floor was finished before the end of Engr. Rafael F. Florentino’s term.

The work was followed through up to the completion of the third floor in 1990 under the leadership of then President Willington K.K.C Tan. The three-storey IIEE building was inaugurated on May 12, 1990 with Rep. Nikki M.L. Coseteng as the Guest of Honor.

In succeeding years, there’s an urgency to expand the development of IIEE infrastructure. And so it happened on September 15, 1999 during IIEE’s 24th Founding Anniversary, the fourth floor and annex building were constructed.

The 5 storey annex building was formally inagurated on the 14th day of Dec. 2012 by Engr. Francisco L. Viray, PhD. The renovation started on April 14, 2012 to Dec. 14, 2012.

The establishment of IIEE Foundation on Oct. 26, 1998 steered to the procurement of 640 square meters lot adjacent to the IIEE Building along the Monte de Piedad Street (formerly Arizona), Cubao, Quezon City. Incidentally, the owner, Mrs. Rosario C. Flores was put it on sale. She happened to be the sister of Engr. Mario Cruel, an IIEE member and former SPECS president.

After a year of negotiations, IIEE was finally acquired the said property on May 5, 1999.

There are claims of eerie experience inside our headquarters. Don’t worry; they just don’t want to be out of place.

Consisting of five floors, the new office would be bigger with more rooms for members.

The ground floor will serve as a parking lot, IIEE shop and an area for membership. The second floor would have a canteen/dining area, a library and rooms that would accommodate members who would want to stay for a night or two.

The third floor would include the administration office, national president office, ExeCom room, National Board room and two lecture rooms that would be used for trainings and seminars. On the fourth and fifth floors, there would an auditorium and testing facility for IIEE Foundation on each floor. Indeed, our legendary building is intended as a form of solid investment that stands with time through leaps and bounds.

IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 | 23

Travel

A Multi-Cultural Photograph Malaysia and Singapore in a traveler’s camera

The tracks mingling with the greens.

Words by Sheen Irerick Seeckts Photos by Sheen Irerick Seeckts and Maevelyn Calapardo

O

n the far corners of a photograph are limestone caves beautifully lit by the rising sun. A towering minaret and the statue of Hindu god, Murugan compete with Petronas over the horizon. An enormous Buddhist temple oversees Chinatown, where the Merlion statue stands proudly. A jampacked train passes by, filled with Malays, Indians, Chinese and Muslims braving the Kuala Lumpur and Singapore rush hours.

With its wide range of destinations both for the city-dwellers and the nature-trippers, Malaysia and Singapore are a few of those countries, which can extract the most multi-cultural photographs out of a traveler’s camera.

A group of horse statues lead guests to the statue of Lord Rama at the Ramayana Cave.

CAVING WITH THE HINDU GODS The famous Batu Caves, located north of Kuala Lumpur, offers shrines dedicated to Hindu gods, with a touch of limestone cave adventure. Near the entrance, statues of Lord Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, and Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, lead guests to the Ramayana Cave. Inside the well-lit limestone walls are creative depictions of the events narrated in the Indian epic story, Ramayana. At the far end of the limestone complex is a 140-feet steel colossus, considered to be the world's largest statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of Tamil Nadu, India.

24 | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

After the sacred visits, one can make a detour to the Dark Caves.

Educational tours are offered to introduce guests to the 100-year old fauna living inside the cave, including the remaining species of the Trapdoor Spider, known to be confined only at Batu Caves. For adrenalin enthusiasts, an adventure tour is offered, wherein visitors experience the wetter and wilder side of the cave.

APPRECIATING ISLAM The National Mosque of Malaysia enjoys a strategic location near the railway station and botanical garden.

The mosque is a representation of Malaysia’s thirteen states and Islam’s five pillars, as depicted in the eighteen-point star roofing.

Beside the mosque is the sleeklydesigned 240-feet high minaret.

Also known as the Masjid Negara, the holy place employs strict rules in terms of clothing, especially for Non-Muslim guests. Because of this, mosque personnel lend robes and headscarves at the entrance.

Footwears are not allowed inside.

Next to it is the Main Prayer Room and its pleated ceiling, which directly reflects the eighteen-point star of the roof. There is also a mausoleum housing the remains of important people.

A scene from Ramayana.

Limestone formations inside the cave.

Lord Murugan, beside the stairs leading to the Cathedral Cave.

The Minaret.

The Mausoleum.

A sweet blend of warm and cold hues inside the Main Prayer Room.

SECRET RENDEZVOUS One’s trip to Malaysia will not be complete without seeing the world’s tallest twin towers: the Petronas.

The 88-storey skyscraper offers intricate patterns of glass and stainless steel, which is viewed best when the night lights start to play around the famous giants. A special viewing area is located at 34th to 36th Floors of the Menara KH building in the shopping district of Bukit Bintang. The Heli Lounge Bar opens at the 34th floor, offering a variety of food and drinks with an aeronautically-inspired surroundings.

Two flights of stairs from there is the helicopter landing pad which offers an astonishing 360-degree view of the Kuala Lumpur nightscape, with the Petronas standing out from the rest.

The Petronas Twin Towers at Night.

And just a friendly note, there are no railings, walls or any safety barricade around the helipad for it is fully operational during the day. It will be best to stay at the inner circles for safety purposes.

IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 | 25

Travel INTERCITY EXPRESS After enjoying a picturesque Kuala Lumpur, a trip to the southern tip of the Peninsular Malaysia can bring one into another cultural city.

Singapore is just a one-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur but if one is the type who enjoys sceneries at eyelevel, then a train ride is a better alternative. KTM Intercity offers direct railway trips from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, Thailand and Singapore.

At around 34 Malaysian ringgits (or around 420 Philippine pesos), one can already enjoy his or her eighthour ride with a comfortable reclining seat in a second-class air-conditioned wagon. This diesel-powered local train also boasts of giving guests a smooth transition of sceneries from urban tracks to rural stations and then back to the metro landscape.

The train starts from the transportation hub of Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station to the pre-war building in Seremban station.

Greens start to appear at Rembau, in the state of Negeri Sembilan, and gradually increase, overpowering the establishments, up to Chamek Railway Station. Around halfway through the state of Johor, concrete begins to mingle again with the trees at Kluang, and eventually fill up all the space, eating all the greens, as the train finally enters the modern cultural city of Singapore, through the Woodlands Station.

and rooftop, the temple is home to more than a hundred statues of Buddha. The sacred compound of almost 3,000 square meters also accommodates a bell tower, a drum tower, several kinds of guardians and Buddhist sutras, a sacred light hall, a pagoda and a prayer wheel.

Unfortunately, taking of photographs is prohibited inside the holy place.

A guardian situated at the entrance of BTRTM.

A CHILD ONCE AGAIN Diversity among Singapore’s citizens is not only evidenced in religion but in pop culture as well. Along Seah Street, above Mr. Punch Restaurant & Winebar, comes a secret garden of nostalgia where everyone can feel like a child again.

The MINT or the Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys Museum showcases the rarest vintage toys from over 40 countries around the world.

Toys, toys and more toys.

Inside KTM Intercity.

THE BUDDHA’S TOOTH Buddhism, as one of Singapore’s major religions, is being practiced by almost three-fifths of the population.

Because of this, 27 sacred temples are present in the entire island state.

And one of them boasts, not only of being designed after the Chinese Tang Dynasty arts and culture, but also of keeping a tooth relic of the Buddha.

Located at South Bridge Road in Chinatown District, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum (BTRTM) is specifically built to provide shelter to a holy tooth relic recovered from a fallen stupa in Myanmar.

Having a total of seven floors, including the basement, mezzanine,

The dolls and the doll-maker, Michael Lee.

26 | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

This magnificent assemblage of toys, amounting to almost five million Singaporean dollars, belongs to Mr. Chang Ya Fa. His collection spans from the only known exisiting pieces in the world to the very first creations of famous toy-makers.

Some of the rarities that are displayed here are: a Batman Magic Slate Printing Plate; a transparent plastic Dan Dare water-pistol; a Steiff Musical Bonzo from the 1930’s; and a battery-operated Popeye Rollover tank. All are the only ones of their kind in the world.

Bumblebee.

The museum also keeps the first two handmade dolls, created in 1946 and 1948, by Hong Kong doll-maker, Michael Lee. Mr. Chang Ya Fa also owns a rare Please Please Me record which contained autographs of the four Beatles legends.

The museum also has a shop which sells vintage toys including a box set of 1997 Japan edition Sailormoon collectible cards and a 1990 Japan edition Ultraman figure.

UNIVERSALLY YOURS Western pop culture, in the form of the Universal Studios theme park, has also found a spot in the multi-cultural picture of Singapore. Known to be the first in Southeast Asia, the park contains rides and attractions featuring some of the best movies from Hollywood like Jurassic Park, Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers, and even some animated box-office hits like Shrek and Despicable Me. But it seems like another group of citizens are working its way to be included in the said cultural photograph.

Filipinos are starting to create a name in Singapore, with the dance group called Rockafellas 3.

The group members displays their talents outside Palace Worldwide Premier, one of the establishments along the New York area of the theme park. Their splendid backflips and dance moves, when coupled with their signature Pinoy wits and humor, never fail to make the multi-national crowd laugh.

On the upper portion of another multi-cultural photograph comes a night sky colored with fireworks shooting from Universal Studios Singapore. Malays are now safe inside their homes after braving the afternoon rush hour. Indians are now preparing curry for dinner while the Chinese roast the Peking ducks to perfection.

The Muslims, on the other hand, are cooking a Halal meal.

Indeed, Malaysia and Singapore are melting pots of the richest cultures in the world. Though once been under a Western rule, these two nations are proud representations of the East, ready to bring guests to destinations that are genuinely Asia.

The Pinoy group Rockafellas 3 and their audience.

Product lines and Services BATTERY Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Vented / Flooded type Deep Cycle / Solar / Golf Car Traction / Motive Power Nickel Cadmium (Nicad)

DC POWER SYSTEMS Industrial type Battery Charger Switchmode Rectifier Modular Traction Battery Charger

AC POWER SYSTEMS Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) Inverters

SURGE PROTECTION (TVSS) AC Power Photovoltaic Telephone Line Data Line High Frequency Coaxial Gas Discharge

Engineering Services Installation Commission Testing Preventive Maintenance

Valve Regulated Lead –Acid Sealed / Maintenance-free AGM Technology Standby / Float application

#335-A R.S. Cristobal Sr. Street, Sampaloc, Manila Philippines 1008 Telefax No.: (+63-2) 7814626 Email: inquiry@genikos.com Tel. No.: (+63-2) 5220103 Website: www.genikos.com Mobile No.: 09189515040 (Smart), 09178632002 (Globe), 09328583975 (Sun)

TECHNICAL

Study in the Impact of Distributed Generator (DG) Placement and Sizing on a Ring Distribution Network h by g

Amir Alipour, Christian Alexander C. Asis, Jefferson Joseph P. Avanzado and Michael C. Pacis Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Mapua Institute of Technology Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

Abstract— The increasing demand of electrical energy in our country requires an increase in the generation part of the power system and this leads to an increase in the amount of distributed generation on the power system. Distributed generator (DG) provides electric power to a specific location near to the customers and it eliminates the unnecessary transmission and distribution costs. Due to the penetration of distributed generators to the power system, the power system will experience a drastic change on its performance and stability. A thorough investigation is needed so that the researcher can analyze the effect of distributed generators in a meshed distribution network particularly to determine the best distributed generators’ placement and rating. System performance during normal and abnormal conditions can be further analyzed using computer software. Simulating a 46-Bus meshed network, load flow analysis is done to check the voltage limit values. Different cases were considered, having no distribution generators in the power system as the reference case. To further investigate the effect of distributed generators’ penetration on the system performance of a 46Bus meshed network, the researchers looked into the fault current contribution of distributed generators at different fault points in the system using short circuit analysis and transient stability analysis. Also, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test is used as a statistical treatment to examine if the effect of distributed generators’ penetration of the system is large enough compared to the base case.

Keywords—Distributed Generation, Renewable Energy, 46-Bus Meshed Network, ETAP

I. Introduction In all distribution generations, if any fault occurs in the system of generation, it might have different influences to the distribution generations and substations depending on the distance of the fault to the DGs (Distributed Generators). The penetration of DGs to a distribution network results in losing radial configuration and consequently losing the existing protection coordination among protective devices along with the decreasing reliability of the system. By knowing how DG influences the short circuit protection of mesh and radial feeder, and by looking into possibilities of utilizing distance protection for automated fault location in a distribution network with DG, the researchers can provide the system with greater protection. In the performance of meshed, simulation of

the effects of DG rating and placement of the distribution network should be done.

There are many papers which studied how to determine the DGs location of the radial generation system by using computation or simulation. Papers on DGs placement focuses on determination of DGs placement without considering abnormal conditions. Most of the previous methods deal with conventional radial distribution systems with lesser buses. However, recently, very little attention has been paid to the mesh distribution systems to investigate the effects of DG rating and placement of the distribution network, during normal and abnormal conditions. It is needed before designing or constructing any distribution generation system to simulate what is the influence of the DGs during normal and abnormal conditions.

The results of this study are vital to the determination of the best location of the DG as well as to the effects that the DG can contribute to the system performance and fault characterization.

Thus, it can help the relay engineer or the management to evaluate in advance their decision in adding a DG in the power system.

The main objectives of this thesis are to model a power system test case for simulation using ETAP (Electrical Transient and Analysis Program) software and to characterize the fault currents and study the load flow in mesh configuration. Furthermore, to simulate cases based from the placement of the DG from the substation with the corresponding size and to decide the best DG placement and rating. A knowledge on the effect of fault currents and load flow to the DGs placement and rating can be useful to simulate different cases in the test model and determine the best location of DGs to be added or removed from the system. With these, the researchers can analyze the performance of DGs in meshed distribution network from different locations in the system by considering normal and abnormal conditions.

The limitations of this study are for shunt faults only not taking into account series faults. DG's are limited to 46-Bus Network having 4 DGs penetrating the power system. Thus, the variables of the simulation are the rating and the distance of placement of DGs from the substation or bus. Analysis of the results would be based on the load flow and fault currents results. Determining the distance of the faults are assumptions of the researchers.

II. Methodology This chapter focuses on how the problem to be solved in this thesis is conducted. It will discuss the step by step procedure in determining the effects of different cases for the power system being penetrated with or without distributed generation or DG. This chapter will also show results in tables and graphs for easier comparisons and assessments. In this study, the researchers will use the 46-bus as their test system.

IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 | 29

TEST CASES: Case 1: No DGs in the power system. In this case, the system is analyzed without the penetration of DG in any bus of the power system. Therefore, the system is being fed only by the grid or main generating power station.

Cases 2 - 8: All DGs are being penetrated simultaneously in the power system rated 1 MVA each and placement is at 0 km, 5km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 25 km, and 30km, respectively, from the bus (bus 7, bus 13, bus 24 and bus 37).

Cases 9 - 15: All DGs are being penetrated simultaneously in the power system rated 2 MVA each and placement is at 0 km, 5km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 25 km, and 30km, respectively, from the bus (bus 7, bus 13, bus 24 and bus 37).

Cases 16 - 22: All DGs are being penetrated simultaneously in the power system rated 3 MVA each and placement is at 0 km, 5km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 25 km, and 30km, respectively, from the bus (bus 7, bus 13, bus 24 and bus 37).

Figure 1 Process Flow Chart TEST SYSTEM: Below is the specification of the test system (46-Bus Network) [16]: Grid: 115 kV system, 2500 MVA short circuit.

Substation transformer: 16.8/22.4/28 MVA, x1 = 8.5%, x/r = 10 on 16.8 MVA Line: as shown in Table 1, with x1 = 0.28 ohm/km; r1=0.20 and 0.28 ohm/km, for conductor 1 and 2 respectively.

Load: as shown in Table 2, with pf = 0.85 (lagging). Capacitor at node 6, 9, 17, 22, 32, 36 with 0.3 MVAR size each.

DG: 1 MVA up to 6 MVA, xs = 2 pu, xd� = 0.15 pu. Y connected, ungrounded.

TABLE I- LINE DATA

Cases 23 - 29: All DGs are being penetrated simultaneously in the power system rated 4 MVA each and placement is at 0 km, 5km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 25 km, and 30km, respectively, from the bus (bus 7, bus 13, bus 24 and bus 37).

Cases 30 - 36: All DGs are being penetrated simultaneously in the power system rated 5MVA each and placement is at 0 km, 5km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 25 km, and 30km, respectively, from the bus (bus 7, bus 13, bus 24 and bus 37).

Cases 37 - 43: All DGs are being penetrated simultaneously in the power system rated 6 MVA each and placement is at 0 km, 5km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 25 km, and 30km, respectively, from the bus (bus 7, bus 13, bus 24 and bus 37).

In these cases, the system is now being penetrated by 4 DGs (maximum number of DG in the test system). The test system will be simulated and then analyze the effect of each DG with its corresponding distance of placement from the substation or bus (i.e.

0 km up to 30 km) and rating (i.e. MVA up to 10 MVA) under normal and abnormal conditions. When under abnormal conditions, the fault at each bus can be characterized as a three-phase fault, lineto-line fault, single line-to-ground fault or double line-to-ground fault.

Also, three scenarios are considered for the investigation of the three-phase fault current contribution of the DG buses.

CASE SCENARIOS:

TABLE II- LOAD DATA

Scenario 1: In Fig. 5, a feeder is connected to Bus 7 and it is divided into six sections. DG1 is placed 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 km away from Bus 7 and its MVA rating is being varied from 1-6 MVA. Fault point is located at the end section of the feeder.

Also, the remaining DGs are set at their maximum MVA rating and they are placed 30 km away from their respective buses.

In this scenario, the three-phase fault current contribution of Bus 7 will be investigated with or without DG1 in the feeder.

30 | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

TECHNICAL significant difference among the means of LFA results of the cases, ANOVA test will be used. “No significant difference” indicates that the sample means are nearly equal and the variation between the sample means is relatively small. On the other hand, “significant difference” indicates that the sample means are not nearly equal and the variation between the sample means is large.

LFA: Case 1 and Case 2

Fig. 5 Single-Line Diagram of Scenario 1 Scenario 2: In Fig. 6, a feeder is connected to Bus 24 and it is divided into six sections. DG3 is placed 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 km away from Bus 24 and its MVA rating is being varied from 1-6 MVA. Fault point is located at the end section of the feeder. Also, the remaining DGs are set at their maximum MVA rating and they are placed 30 km away from their respective buses. In this scenario, the three-phase fault current contribution of Bus 24 will be investigated with or without DG3 in the feeder.

Fig. 6 Single-Line Diagram of Scenario 2 Scenario 3: In Fig. 7, a feeder is connected to Bus 37 and it is divided into six sections. DG2 is placed 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 km away from Bus 37 and its MVA rating is being varied from 1-6 MVA. Fault point is located at the end section of the feeder. Also, the remaining DGs are set at their maximum MVA rating and they are placed 30 km away from their respective buses. In this scenario, the three-phase fault current contribution of Bus 37 will be investigated with or without DG2 in the feeder.

Fig. 8 LFA: Case 1 and Case 2

Fig. 8 shows the statistical treatment of Short Circuit Analysis results using ANOVA. In this figure, Case 1 (No DG) and Case 2 (DGs: 1 MVA, 0 km) are considered. From the figure above, since F is less than F-critical, the null hypothesis is accepted which means that there is no significant difference between the means of the LFA results of Case 1 and Case 2. Since the two means are almost equal, tere is “No significant difference” between the two.

Case 2 has the same LFA results with cases 9, 16, 23, 30, and 37. From the ANOVA test, it can then be said that the LFA results of these cases have no significant to the LFA result of the reference case (Case 1) since just like in Fig. 8, F will also be less than F-critical. Thus, the null hypothesis is accepted for these cases.

B. DG Contribution Graphs (Constant DG Rating, Varying DG Distance from their respective buses, Three-Phase Fault Current) In this section, the three-phase fault current contribution of the 4 DGs to buses 3, 7, 13, 24, 27, 32, 37, and 43 will be investigated.

The DGs, namely, DG1, DG2, DG3, and DG4 are connected to buses 7, 37, 24, and 13 respectively while the other buses are only remote buses. Buses 3, 7, 13, 24, 27, 32, 37, and 43 will be faulted one by one to obtain the three-phase fault contribution of the 4 DGs to those buses.

For this section, the MVA rating of the DGs are kept constant while the distance of the DGs from their respective buses are being varied.

Fig. 7 Single-Line Diagram of Scenario 3

III. Results and Discussion A. Statistical Treatment of Load Flow Analysis using ANOVA In this section, the means of Load Flow Analysis results of Cases 1-43 of Appendix A are compared to the means of Load Flow Analysis results of the reference case (No DG). To test if there is a

Fig. 57 DG Contribution: 1 MVA, 0 km

IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 | 31

The graphs in Fig. 81 are obtained using the values in Appendix G. This figure shows that when there is no DG at the feeder, the three-phase short circuit current is constant and its value is approximately 0.564 kA. Furthermore, the graph shows that, with respect to the reference (NO DG), the reduction in the short circuit current is largest when DG1 is connected at the middle of the feeder about 5-15km away from Bus 7 and is smallest when DG1 is connected at both ends of the feeder. The smallest three-phase fault current occurs when the MVA rating of DG1 is 6 MVA and it is approximately 0.353 kA. D. Current vs, Time Simulation Using ETAP Transient Stability Analysis 1. Current vs. Time Simulation at Bus 7: Fig. 58 DG Contribution: 1 MVA, 5 km

In this section, a feeder will be connected to Bus 7. The feeder will be divided into six sections considering a distance of 5km between sections. Each section will have a load of about one-sixth of the total load of the Bus 7. The fault point will be at the end of the feeder, 30 km away from the Bus 7. DG1 will only be placed at the middle of the feeder, 15km away from Bus 7. Thus, the distance of DG1 from Bus 7 will be kept constant. The MVA rating of the DG1 will be varied from 1 to 6 MVA. After faulting the bus at the end section of the feeder, the three-phase fault current contribution of Bus 7 will be simulated with respect to time using ETAP Transient Stability Analysis.

Fig. 59 DG Contribution: 1 MVA, 10 km C. Bus Contribution Three-Phase Fault Current Contribution at Bus 7: In this section, a feeder will be connected to Bus 7. The feeder will be divided into six sections considering a distance of 5km between sections. Each section will have a load of about one-sixth of the total load of the Bus 7. The fault point will be at the end of the feeder, 30 km away from the Bus 7. DG1 will be placed in any section of the feeder. The MVA rating of the DG1 will also be varied from 1 to 6 MVA. After faulting the bus at the end section of the feeder, the three-phase fault current contribution of Bus 7 will be determined using SCA.

Fig. 84 Current vs. Time Simulation at Bus 7

The graphs in Fig. 84 are obtained using the values in Appendix F. The figure shows that the fault current greatly depends on the rating of the DG wherein as the MVA rating of the DG increases from 1 MVA to 6 MVA, the required relay pick-up current decreases.

Fig. 81 Fault Point near Bus 7

The maximum required relay pick-up current can be observed from the graph with no DG and it is approximately 590 A. On the other hand, the minimum required relay pick-up current can be observed from the graph with 6 MVA DG and it is approximately 360 A. If relay pick-up current is set to 590 A, the relay will not trip in the case with 1 MVA DG, 2 MVA DG, 3 MVA DG, 4 MVA DG, 5 MVA DG, and 6 MVA DG. The relay pick-up current can then be adjusted to 360 A so that the relay will be able to trip in all cases.

32 | VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 IIEE.ORG.PH

TECHNICAL IV. Conclusions Penetration of distributed generation causes the power system’s performance as well as its protection system to drastically change, which in turn make the system become unreliable.

In the simulation of the modelled system, load flow results and voltage limit values were critical because this is the only way that the researchers can verify if the modified power system is reliable of gathering data. With a 5% tolerance in the bus voltages or 95% - 105% of nominal bus voltage, load flow results shows that the 46-bus voltages ranges from 95.04% up to 102.265% of their nominal voltage which makes the modelled system to be valid and reliable of gathering data.

Given that the data gathered were true and reliable, different cases were developed in the system. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to speed up the data gathering and statistical treatment of the study. This is to know whether the test cases (Cases 2 to 43 – 4 DG penetration) have significant differences with the reference case (Case 1 – No DG penetration).

Test cases were indicated by varying the DGs’ distance and rating. The simulation results indicate that penetration of DGs in a system affects the fault currents regardless where the fault occurs

However, the fault current contribution of the DGs depends greatly on where the fault is located. When the DG is penetrated to the feeder, it contributes most to the reduction of short circuit current when connected near the feeder mid-point (about 10 to 15 km distance of DG from its respective bus). However, it contributes least when it is connected at both ends of the feeder (0-km and 30-km distance of DG from its respective bus). Transient stability analysis is done to know the required relay pick-up current for all the cases.

Acknowledgment Apart from our efforts, the success of this study cannot be fulfilled without the encouragement and guidance of many people. We want to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to those people who help and support us in the completion of this study. First and foremost, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to our thesis adviser, Engr. Michael Pacis, for his continuous support of our thesis work, for his patience, motivation, enthusiasm, and immense knowledge. Without his constant guidance, endless advices and persistent help, this study would not have been possible. To the EECE faculty member, Mr. Carlos Hortinela IV, who gave us some references for the statistical treatment of our study, for his knowledge and advices he imparted to us. To our friend, Mr. Joshua Bryle Rabena who provided us another laptop in simulating our test cases.

To our beloved families who are always there to help and support us not only financially but most importantly through their motivation, constant guidance, encouragement, and love.

Their presences are the reason behind our persistence to finish this dissertation. Last but not the least, to our God Almighty, for answering our prayers for giving us the strength to plod on despite our constitution wanting us to give up and throw in the towel, thank you so much Dear Lord.

References [1.] Angel Fernandez Sarabia, “Impact of distributed generation on distributed system”, Aalborg University - Department of Energy Technology Pontoppidanstraede 101 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark Printed in Denmark by Aalborg University [2.] K Kauhaniemi, L. K. (2004),“Impact of Distributed Generation on the Protection of Distribution Networks”, University of Vaasa, Finland, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland [3.] Mario Vignolo, R. Z. (2002),“Transmission Networks or Distributed Generation?”, Montevideo, Uruguay [4.] R.C Dugan and T.E. McDermott, “Distributed generation”, IEEE Industry Application Magazine, Vol.8, pp19-25, October 2001 [5.] S. Jamali and V. Talavat, “Accurate Fault Location Method in Distribution Networks Containing Distributed Generations”, Iranian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vol.10 No.1, Winter-Spring 2011 [6.] Edward Coster, Johanna Myrzik and Wil Kling, entitled “Effect of DG on Distribution Grid Protection” [7.] J. I. Marvik, A. Petterteig and H. K. Hoidalen (2007), entitled “Analysis of Fault Detection and Location in Medium Voltage Radial Networks with Distributed Generation” [8.] Hadi Zayandehroodi, Azah Mohamed, Hussain Shareef, and Marjan Mohammadjafari entitled “Determining Exact Fault Location in a Distribution Network in Presence of DGs Using RBF Neural Networks” [9.] Javadian, Tamizkar, and Haghifam (2009) entitled “A Protection and Reconfiguration Scheme for Distribution Networks with DG” [10.] José Ubirajara Núñez de Nunes and Arturo Suman Bretas entitled “Impact of Distributed Generation on Automatic Fault Location in Unbalanced Distribution Networks. An Extended Impedance Based Fault Location Formulation.”

[11.] S.K. Salman and S.F. Tan entitled “Comparative Study of Protection Requirements of Active Distribution Networks Using Radial and Ring Operations” [12.] James A. Momoh, Yan Xia and Garfield D. Boswell entitled “An Approach to Determine Distributed Generation (DG) Benefits in Power Networks” [13.] Barker and de Mello in their study entitled “Determining the Impact of Distributed Generation on Power Systems: Part 1 – Radial Distribution Systems” [14.] Sukumar M. Brahma and Adly A. Girgis entitled “Development of Adaptive Protection Scheme for Distribution Systems with High Penetration of Distributed Generation” [15.] Ferry A. Viawan, Daniel Karlsson, Ambra Sannino, and Jaap Daalder, “Protection Scheme for Meshed Distribution Systems with High Penetration of Distributed Generation” [16.] http://etap.com/index.htm [17.] http://www.scribd.com/doc/43403406/ETAP-Training-Manual [18.] “Power Systems Stability and Control” by P. Kundur.

[19.] http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~gelman/research/published/ econanova3.pdf [20.] http://www.statgraphics.com/analysiso_ fv_ ariance.htm [21.] “Research Statistics” by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2002

IIEE.ORG.PH VOLUME XLIV 1ST QUARTER 2015 | 33

Feature

This isn’t just a product.

IT’S A SOCIAL MOVEMENT. 1. What are your thoughts while conceptualizing the project?

What or who are your inspirations?

Few of the common things we noticed from marginalized island communities are their inability to access electricity, the use of fuelbased lamps and the abundance of seawater. These encouraged us to develop a lighting system that runs on the very basic items seen on every household -- water and salt, or for the islanders -- seawater.

There are over 7,000 island in the Philippines, most of these islands do not have access to electricity, and kerosene had become a commodity to households in unelectrified marginalized communities. Over the past few years of studying such living conditions after being with Greenpeace Philippines, developing the correlation between geographical location, status quo and the use of fuel-based lamps, we have come up with a conclusion that the practice of using such light source had been passed on from generations thus, these people never deviated from using fuel-based lamps. The method of refilling kerosene in lamps (according to a native, southwest of the Philippines) brings about emotional security despite its many cases of fire accidents caused by tipped over lamps and candles. This had been proven upon doing an immersion trip up in the mountains of Kalinga and learning how people endure long hours of walking to get kerosene for their lamps. And the Kalinga story is just one of the many stories of people who are still living in the dark. About 16 million Filipinos do not have access to electricty and could suffer the danger brought by combustion based light sources such as kerosene lamps and candles therefore making local governments and even private sectors more concerned, extending their efforts to replace such customs. And to contribute to these efforts, we have developed a more cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly lamp that runs on saltwater. Our mission is to decrease the light inequality in the Philippines and the world which has about 1.4 Billion people without access to electricity.

2. We see that your project has reached and benefited so many communities. Where do you plan to bring the benefits of the project?

For the next 3 years, we will partner with NGOs, Foundations and Local Government Units to purchase and distribute the lamps to Philippine communities who need help. We also plan to get it out in retail without losing the heart of the company and product by adapting TOMS one for one, so for every lamp you buy, we give one lamp to a family we are currently supporting.

We also would like to get this technology out in the Philippines and we will start in India as we are receiving attention from several NGOs and Foundations there. We plan to branch out from Philippines to India to neighboring countries and focus on the social side of the product until we gather enough resources to scale while continuously extending our efforts to give a more costeffective, sustainable and environmentally-friendly lighting system to marginalized communities.

3. Where do we go from here? What are your future plans and projects?

There is no other way than to scale up both on business and technology side so we will focus on the core of the company which is R&D. To achieve a greater scale, we will prioritize the R&D of our enterprise and develop more innovations based on the principle, and we are very grateful to receive support from people and organizations like the Ideaspace Philipines, a local startup incubator funded by Manny V. Pangilinan and the well-known Silicon Valley based Filipino Engineer, Diosdado Banatao who is our mentor for improving the technology, IPs and scaling the business.

an electrochemical LED lamp that runs on saltwater and can charge lowpower mobile devices.

Add 2 tablespoons of salt in 1 glass of water, use the lamp for 8 hours.

Engr. Aisa Mijeno is currently a faculty member of Engineering at De La Salle University — Lipa.