MERALCO Power Academy and the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) hosts the 1st National Electrical Safety Summit
It was a day of insightful learning and an extraordinary gathering of multi multi-sectoral sectoral safety practitioners as MERALCO Power Academy and the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) convened the 1st National Electrical Safety Summit last May 29 at the MERALCO Multi-Purpose Purpose Hall.
The event which carried the theme “Working Together Towards an Electrical Safety Safety-Conscious Nation� was participated by more than 350 0 delegates from private industrial and commercial sectors together with the government from various parts of the country. The public sector, composed of local government units and concerned agencies and the private sector, composed of property developers, construction companies, building administrators, industrial companies, academe and professional organizations provided a healthy mix of participants who aimed to learn, share and network with a common purpose of elevating electrical safety standards in their own fields.
The summit also culminated the celebration of the Electrical Safety Month (every month of May) as declared by President Aquino in 2012 under Presidential Proclamation no. 193 -- which aims to educate and increase public awareness on electrical safety, noting tthat hat many lives and properties are lost due to fire and electrocution. Delivering the keynote message was Undersecretary Eduardo del Rosario, the Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense and Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and nd Management Council (NDRRMC). In his talk, he underscored the strategic role of electrical safety in the national development agenda thru risk reduction and reinforcing resilience in our community; the need to work across industries and among our stakeh stakeholders in order to ensure sustainable development.
The he plenary talk started with a thought-provoking provoking message from the Chairman of the Board of Electrical Engineering of the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC), Engr. Fortunato Leynes Leynes. Defining the strategic and national issues of electrical safety, he urged the audience to look at the greater scheme and recommended to create a national safety fora or board to standardize safety practices, legislation and enforcement.
Afterwards, a panel discussion of experts involving a Q&A with the audience on significant electrical safety issues and concerns followed led by Engr. Joseph Mariano of BFP, Mr. Rey Tagudando of DPWH, Engr. Francis Mapile of PRC-BEE, Engr, Jesus Motoomull of CIAP/PCAB and Engr. Rustico De Borja of Meralco Network. Our very own IIEE National President Engr. Greg Cayetano ended the panel discussions with a strategic call for action to the EE practitioners, the government sectors and
private institutions. A series of feature talks from local experts ensued throughout the day on the following key topics such as: The he Value of PEC Standards and Safety Design by Engr. Jaime Mendoza; Concerns on the Safe Distribution of Electricity by Engr. Ricardo Baysic; Inspection Strategy and Guide by Engr. Hipolito Leoncio; New Technologies for Safe Buildings by Engr. Cesar Gatpo; Gatpo and a Guide to Electrical Product Standards and Quality by Engr. Samson Paden. In addition, several exhibits on safety-related related products and services w were showcased by the event partners.
The summit’s highlight saw the world world-renowned architect and urban planner, Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox as he generously shared his wisdom and experiences, inspiring the audience with his talk on Best Practices on Property / Urban Design to Ensure Safe Work and Living Environment.
In closing the event, MERALCO’s HR Head, Mr Ramon Segismundo emphasized the roles and cooperation of each sector in the society in advocating and ensuring a safe future for each one. He said, “Electrical safety is a way of life. Being aware empowers us to be ready to move forward in building our nation”
Indeed, this 1st National Safety Summit has shown that working together across industries, professions, stakeholders plus the support from various government agencies can make things move more effectively. It has been the aspiration of the various stakeholders in the industry to have a more strategic solution and programs to address and promote electrical safety towards sustainable development.
Safety-Conscious Nation” “Working Together towards an Electrical Safety
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