Workshop Seminar on Measurement Uncertainty for Testing Laboratories

Edgar F. Paski, PhD
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Canada

Why learn about measurement uncertainty?

The determination of measurement is needed to establish the accuracy of a chemical analysis. It is just as important as the test result. This workshop will include principal topics covered in Eurachem/CITAC Guide. Measurement uncertainty is now a requirement for chemical analytical results.

Davao
July 19-20, 2024
D’Leonor Hotel
JP Laurel St., Bajada, Davao City

Manila
July 26-27, 2024
OSHA, North Ave., Quezon City

ICP BOARD RESOLUTION No. 2024-002: ICP ELECTION PROCEDURE AND TIMETABLE FOR 2024

WHEREAS, the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines, Inc. (ICP) is the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization duly accredited by the Professional Regulatory Commission to represent the Chemistry profession;

WHEREAS, Section 1 of the By-Laws of the ICP states that the Board of Directors shall be made up of nine (9) members with equal representation from industry, academe, and government institutions. The full-term of office of a Board member is three (3) years. Every year, one Board member representing industry, academe, and government shall be elected from among the ICP regular members in good standing.

WHEREAS, the following members of the ICP Board of Directors have terms which will expire on 30 June 2024:

AcademeGovernmentIndustry
Dr. Lilibeth dlC. Coo, RChMr. Admer Rey C. Dablio, RChMr. Mark L. Grageda, RCh

WHEREAS, only active REGULAR members of the ICP (Chemists) may nominate and be nominated;

WHEREAS, the elected members of the board are expected to regularly attend the meetings of the ICP and actively participate in activities geared towards achieving the objectives of the ICP as follows:

  1. To support the implementation of the Chemistry Profession Act (R.A. 10657) and the Code of Ethics for the Chemistry Profession and to safeguard the professional interests of the registered Chemists and Chemical Technicians;
  2. To make chemistry professionals conscious of their serious responsibilities to promote public safety, contribute to the national economy, and to protect the environment;
  3. To provide a forum to exchange ideas on the chemistry profession, both within the profession and with the general public;
  4. To attend to the needs of the sector that they represent;
  5. To cultivate discipline among the members, develop the spirit of camaraderie, and maintain high standards;
  6. To promote chemical education; and
  7. To support a continuing program of activities leading towards upgrading of standards, including accreditation of laboratories and professional competencies.

WHEREAS, the ICP COMELEC 2024 has adopted the following election timeline:

Dates (2024)Activities
8 MayCall for Nominations to the ICP Board of
Directors
13-24 May, 11:59 pmNomination Period
24 May, 11:59 pmDeadline for submission of nomination form
31 MayAnnouncement of official candidates
31 MayPosting of CVs and Commitment Statements
of the official candidates
15 JuneCandidates’ Open Forum
(time and details to be announced)
15-21 JuneVoting period
21 June, 11:59 pmEnd of voting period
24 JuneAnnouncement of results on the ICP website
24-26 June, 11:59 pmProtest period
1 JulyAnnouncement of election winners and start of
term as member of the Board of Directors

WHEREAS, the ICP shall adopt the following election guidelines, to wit:

  1. Only active REGULAR members of the ICP in good standing can be nominated, submit a nomination, and vote. Self-nomination will not be accepted. The ICP Membership Committee shall confirm the status of nominators, nominees, and voters;
  2. Incumbent ICP Chapter or Cluster officers may be nominated, provided that if they are declared winners, they are considered automatically resigned from their position within the Chapter or Cluster;
  3. The ICP Election Committee will contact the nominee, nominator, and qualified voters through their ICP registered email address;
  4. The complete nomination form must be submitted by email on or before May 24, 11:59pm. The nominee should submit his/her CV using the ICP COMELEC prescribed format;
  5. The official list of newly elected Board members will be posted on the ICP website (https://www.icp.org.ph/) on 01 July;
  6. The winning candidate from each sector will hold office for a term of 3 years (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027);
  7. The ICP Elections Committee (ICP COMELEC) for 2024 is composed of the following: Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, RCh (Chairperson), Dr. Carmela Q. Capule, RCh and PLTCOL Albert Arturo, RCh, JD (Members).

NOW THEREFORE, the ICP, HAS RESOLVED TO APPROVE, AS IT HEREBY APPROVES
the subject: “ICP ELECTION PROCEDURES AND TIMETABLE FOR 2024.”

(sgd)
FABIAN M. DAYRIT, RCh, PhD
President

(sgd)
PRISCILLA ALICE L. SAMONTE, RCh, MSc
Vice President for External Affairs

(sgd)
GLENN V. ALEA, RCh, PhD
Vice President for Internal Affairs

(sgd)
MA. CRISTINA L. MORATALLA, RCh, JD
Secretary

(sgd)
LILIBETH DLC. COO, RCh, PhD
Treasurer

(sgd)
CARMELA Q. CAPULE, RCh, PhD
Auditor

(sgd)
ADMER REY C. DABLIO, RCh
Public Information Officer

(sgd)
MARK L. GRAGEDA, RCh
Board Member

(sgd)
PLCOL ALBERT S. ARTURO, RCh, JD
Board Member

Upholding the Chemistry Profession One Chemical Laboratory at a Time

Maria Kristina Dabi
Staff at the Professional Regulation Commission

Back in 2018, I was asked by Dir. Atty. Maria Liza M. Hernandez to assist the Professional Regulatory Board of Chemistry composed of Hon. Adoracion P. Resurreccion, Hon. Soledad S. Castañeda, and Hon. Ma. Theresa C. Cayton in the inspection and monitoring of applicants for the Certificate of Authority to Operate Chemical Laboratory (CATO). It was the year when the grace period set by the Republic Act 10657, otherwise known as the Chemistry Profession Act, ended. That year, the Commission received a bulk of applications from all over the Philippines.

From 2018 to 2020, I had the honor of working closely with the Board of Chemistry, from determining the schedule of inspection and preparing its logistics to assisting the Board in the inspection and monitoring. Looking back, working with these outstanding, intelligent, caring, and inspiring women was a privilege. I have witnessed how the Board of Chemistry worked from the grassroots to ensure the maintenance of high professional, ethical, and technical standards and safeguard the welfare of its professionals.  

You may wonder, what is the importance of the Certificate of Authority to Operate Chemical Laboratories? Who will benefit from it? Why is it vital to secure such?

In 2017, to guarantee that establishments and institutions are adequately guided by this directive, the Board of Chemistry issued Resolution No. 02, or the “Rules and Regulations Implementing Section 35 of the Chemistry Profession Act on the Issuance of Certificates of Authority to Operate Chemical Laboratories and other Related Establishments.” In this resolution, the Board set standards that a chemical laboratory must meet to ensure that its employed Chemists and Chemical Technicians are competent and that their safety and well-being are taken care of.

Hon. Resurreccion and Hon. Cayton together with the Chemists of Petron Bataan in 2019.

There are eight criteria that the Board evaluates in a Chemical Laboratory, all these are based on the provisions in the Chemistry Law and its IRR. First, the Board checks for the sufficiency of the laboratory’s personal protective equipment and safety devices. Second, the Board inspects for adequacy of space, proper storage of chemicals, and proper waste disposal. The Board sees to it that the Chemists and Chemical Technicians know Their hazardous chemical wastes and advises them to look for ways to reduce them. The Board also recommends verifying and inspecting the 3rd party treaters to ensure that the chemical wastes the establishment or institution sent is appropriately handled and treated. The third measure the Board checks into is the adequacy of facilities and instruments used for chemical testing. The fourth standard is the availability of the Safety Manual and its proper communication to the employees. The Board also looks into the qualifications and skills of the professionals and sees to it that the head of the chemical laboratory is a registered chemist and that all its Chemists and Chemical Technicians are active members of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP). In addition, the Board also checks that the Chemist signs the Certificate of Analysis. The Board also looks into the professionals’ credentials and checks for the availability of their Certificate of Registration and updated Professional Identification Card. Lastly, the Board looks at the benefits provided to the professionals, such as hazard pay, health insurance, and legal assistance.

As one of the employees of the Commission who had the privilege to be a PRC Representative and assist the Board, I have witnessed how they significantly impacted the maintenance and enhancement of their profession. Together with the Board, I have seen how dilapidated laboratories with hints of chemical odors have been renovated. I was in the room where it usually happens – the Board providing free consultations on managing the laboratories’ hazardous chemical wastes. I have seen how the Board has fought for the rights of every Chemist and Chemical Technician by strengthening their role in the chemical laboratory, enforcing the law that only registered Chemists and Chemical Technicians are allowed to perform chemical analyses. In one of our recent audits, when the institution we inspected reported that they increased their Plantilla position of Chemists due to the Board’s zealous implementation of the law, I can’t help but feel proud of the Board for the positive impact they continue to make for the profession. Personally, I believe the most significant contribution of the Board is mandating hazard pay for its professionals. In 2018, only a few Chemists and Chemical Technicians were receiving hazard pay, but because of the Board, all of the Chemists and Chemical Technicians working in the laboratory are now entitled for this benefit.

Inspection at National Reference Laboratory in East Avenue, Quezon City on February 16, 2024.

It is no secret that the Board has encountered several challenges before these trailblazing changes were achieved. Requiring a chemical laboratory in poor condition to have its facilities refurbished entails a hefty amount. The same goes for mandating hazard pay. We know that allocating budgets is difficult to achieve. The Board of Chemistry understands this issue and, with their good hearts, allows the establishment or institution to set its realistic target date of accomplishment on the recommendations of the Board that entail substantial financial costs. The Board’s actions towards such matters is one of the reasons why I sincerely appreciate them. They wield their authority, but they always bring humanity with their decisions. Sure, sometimes a laboratory takes a long time before complying with the set standards of the Board, but it’s all right, especially when it entails a massive positive transformation.

Those who had the chance to work with the Board of Chemistry, especially those assigned as the PRC Representative, will likewise attest to the Board’s passion and dedication towards improving the chemistry profession. I am sure not only myself but also my colleagues have witnessed how the Board willingly spent overtime when visiting the laboratories to share their expertise. In monitoring the compliances submitted through email by the establishments or institutions, my colleagues and I are often in awe with the Board when we see the time they reply to the applicants. Oftentimes, we see them answer in the middle of the night or even in the break of dawn.

It is easy to envision a better society, but the challenge lies in working toward that goal. Change does not happen overnight. Change is a gradual process. It takes time, and it takes effort. In the Chemistry profession, it has taken years and resources before we now see how this change has positively affected its professionals. The Board of Chemistry, composed of these dedicated women of science, is leading this change. Just like every celebrated woman in our history whom we know has fought for equality and made outstanding contributions that have benefited humanity, one thing is common among them – and that is how they have dedicated a significant amount of time of their life to make it happen. Like them, the Board of Chemistry has created positive changes by taking concrete actions that promote equality and empowerment. Now, fast forward to the present, as of February 2024, a total of 1069 inspections of chemical laboratories have been done, 617 of which have been issued with the Certificate of Authority to Operate, and 452 are in different stages of improvement. The Board of Chemistry continues its mission with a target of 151 chemical laboratories for inspection and monitoring for 2024.

For the Chemistry profession, indeed, change has come – led by three women, one chemical laboratory at a time!

Call for Nominations to the 2024 PRC Outstanding Professional of the Year in the Field of Chemistry

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has opened the nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Professional of the Year Award. Please see the PRC Resolution No. 1625 series of 2023 for guidance.

Click here to view the Roster of PRC Outstanding Professional of the Year in the Field of Chemistry Awardees »

Click here to view PRC Resolution No. 1625 dated April 14, 2023 »

The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) is calling for nominations for the 2024 PRC Outstanding Professional of the Year in the Field of Chemistry. Nominations may come from the academe, government and the industry.

In connection with this, if you have chemists in mind, with active PRC licenses and membership to ICP, who will qualify, we highly encourage you to nominate them.

Click here to access the 2024 OPYA (Chemistry) Documents »

  1. PRC Resolution for 2024 OPYA
  2. List of Nomination Requirements for Submission to ICP
  3. Nomination Acceptance Form
  4. Nomination Form_CV for nominees to accomplish (OPYA Annex A)

Submit us the names for nomination to secretariat@icp.org.ph.

Deadline for submission of completed documents to ICP is on 15 April 2024.

7th National Conference of Chemical Laboratories (7NCCL)

7th National Conference of Chemical Laboratories: Harmonization of Methods for Food Safety
12 CPD Units granted by the PRC CPD Council for Chemistry!
26-27 February 2024
08:00 AM – 05:00 PM Philippine Standard Time
Century Park Hotel, City of Manila

Conference Objectives

The purpose of this conference is for chemical laboratories to be knowledgeable of the initiatives on the harmonization of chemical methods of analysis in the national and international arena for the provision of accurate and reliable chemical test results, addressing emerging concerns.

Who Can Attend?

  1. Management and Laboratory Personnel, and all involved in Laboratory Operations and maintenance of Laboratory Quality Management System; and
  2. Chemistry and Other Allied Professionals from the Academe, Government and the Industry.

Conference Programme

Click here to download the conference program.

Conference Registration Procedures

Click link to the Online Registration Form:

http://tinyurl.com/7thNCCL2024

We encourage one registrant, one payment. This is for easier verification of the payment.
The participant should prepare the following before filling out the form:

  1. Scanned copy/screenshot of validated deposit slip/fund transfer confirmation of payment of registration fee;
  2. Scanned copy of valid ICP membership ID, certificate of membership, or Official Receipt; and
  3. PRC Registration Number (for Registered Chemist/Registered Chemical Technician).

Confirmed slots for the 7th NCCL are on a first-come-first-served basis. An automatic response will be sent to the participant upon receipt of their registration.

Automatic Response:

“Thank you for your registration to the 7th National Conference of Chemical Laboratories. We will verify your membership and payment. You will receive a message from us officially confirming your registration.”

The turn-around time for the confirmation of the registration is ten (10) working days. After the verification of membership and payment, the participant/s will receive the confirmation of his/her registration.

The registration is non-refundable but maybe transferred to another individual.
Strictly one email address per registrant.

Registration Fees

Registration entitles the participant to the conference sessions, snacks, and meals.
The Registration Fees are as follows, depending on status of ICP Membership:

Active ICP Member, Registration Fee: PhP 5,000.00
Inactive ICP Member, Registration Fee: PhP 6,000.00
Non-ICP Member, Registration Fee: PhP 6,000.00

Proof of membership status must be uploaded together with the scanned copy of the machine-validated deposit slip or system-generated fund transfer confirmation during the online registration.

Payment of Registration Fees

Registration fees may be deposited over the counter (bank) or through electronic fund transfer. Any related charges are on the account of the participant. The depository banks are as follows:

Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
(Branch: Loyola Katipunan)
Bank Account Name: Integrated Chemists of the Philippines
Bank Account Number: 3081-0830-95

Official Receipts

Official receipts are provided during the onsite registration of attendance to the conference.

Inquiries

For inquiries regarding registration and payment, please contact:

Ms. Julie Trinidad
ICP Office Secretary
Landline Number: (+632) 8-700-39838
Mobile Number: (+63) 917-711-2132
Email Address: secretariat@icp.org.ph

Office hours are from Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM PhST.