ICP Conducts Annual Chapters’ Meeting Online


Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) held its 9th Annual Meeting of Chapters last 12 June 2020 via video conference for the first time. The meeting was attended by officers of the ICP’s nationwide chapters and also by the Board of Chemistry (BOC).

ICP President Dr Fabian Dayrit kicked things off with an annual report on the state of ICP’s organizational matters. He stressed that each ICP chapter must be strengthened through public events such as seminars and community involvement as this equates to an overall improvement of the chemistry profession in country. He also enumerated events that the national chapter initiated such as the 3rd National Conference of Chemical Laboratories. Dr Dayrit also highlighted some events such as the launching of the Bicol and Zamboanga Peninsula chapters and the establishment of the Unilab Cluster. In addition, the ICP National Chapter is coordinating with the BOC in the development of a career progression and specialization program for the country’s chemistry professionals. Dr Glenn Alea, ICP’s Vice President for Internal Affairs, gave an insight on the membership composition of the organization.

Each chapter then took turns in presenting their own accomplishment reports for the past year. Most chapters organized relevant events to their community: the Panay and Bacolod chapters each held seminars that tackled instrumentation methods of analysis; the Southern Mindanao chapter organized a seminar on good laboratory practice; the Bicol chapter convened the inaugural Bicol Chemistry Forum; the Cebu chapter held a few seminars for chemistry majors; and the Region 3 chapter held a livelihood seminar on making soap and alcohol. Meanwhile, in response to the COVID-19 situation, the Region 3, Bicol, Cebu, Panay, X/XII/BARMM/CARAGA, and Southern Mindanao chapters were able to make a significant volume of alcohol and hypochlorite solutions which were handed over to medical and government authorities. The Bacolod chapter also allocated a significant amount of money to the local frontliners to help in the purchasing of personal protective equipment.

The BOC also gave an update on the evaluation of compliances of the chemical laboratories that they were able to inspect. This was also a chance for the chapter representatives to air their problems and concerns, such as the disregard of some chemical laboratories to comply with the Chemistry Profession Act and the shortage of chemistry professionals in specific localities.

ICP Head Office Preventive Measures During the General Community Quarantine

Please be advised of the following measures that the ICP will be implementing at its head office in Mandaluyong City during the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) starting 1 June 2020:

• The online application for your ICP membership and online purchase of your chemist seal and other merchandise shall still continue. However, please expect a delay in the delivery of the membership card, chemist seal, or other merchandise especially to areas where strict movement orders are still in place.

• Due to physical distancing regulations, the picking up of your membership card and/or chemist seal, or claiming of unclaimed official receipts, certificates, and other relevant materials at the ICP head office is temporarily suspended. To facilitate the delivery of these items, contact Ms Julie Trinidad (ICP office secretary) at: integratedchemists@gmail.com, (02) 8635-3575, or (0907) 751 7121. Do note that the delivery fee for any of the aforementioned items will NOT be shouldered by the ICP.

• In case there will be events organized by the ICP, interested participants opting to pay directly at the ICP head office (whether by cash or check) will NOT be accommodated. To follow physical distancing regulations, payment to ICP events must be remitted through bank deposit or online transfer.

These measures shall be enforced until the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, or until the national government lifts the GCQ status over the National Capital Region. Thank you for your understanding.

ICP Board Election 2020: Call for Nominations

The term of office of three members of the ICP Board of Directors expires on 30 June 2020.  Nominations are invited for the election of the ICP Board members who will hold office starting 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2023.

Three board members -- one representative each from the industry, government and academe -- are to be elected. Only active REGULAR members of the ICP (chemists) may be nominated.

End Term
Academe
Government
Industry
2020 Dr. Glenn Alea* Ms. Nenita Marayag* Ms. Priscilla Alice Samonte*
2021 Dr. Lilibeth Coo Dr. Rosalinda Torres Ms. Edna Mijares
2022 Dr. Fabian Dayrit Col. Victor Drapete Ms. Ma. Josephine Gonzales

* Terms to expire on June 30, 2020.

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. Support the implementation of Chemistry Law and the Code of Ethics for chemists and safeguard the professional interests of the registered chemists;

2. Make the chemistry professionals (both chemists and chemical technicians) conscious of their serious responsibilities in helping the country develop;

3. Provide a forum to exchange ideas on the chemistry profession;

4. Cultivate discipline among the members, develop the spirit of camaraderie, and maintain occupational standards;

5. Encourage and foster chemical education;

6. Develop a continuing program of activities leading towards upgrading of standards, such as accreditation of laboratories and professional competencies.

Guidelines:

  • Only active REGULAR members of the ICP in good standing can be nominated, submit a nomination, and vote. Nominations cast by active ASSOCIATE members (chemical technicians) will NOT be recognized. The ICP Membership Committee shall confirm the status of nominators, nominees, and voters.
  • The nominee must confirm acceptance of nomination by signing the attached nomination form or by sending an email indicating acceptance of nomination. Members may nominate one candidate to each sector. Click here to download nomination form.
  • The winning candidate from each sector will hold office for a term of 3 years (2020 to 2023).
  • The nomination period is from May 25 to June 8, 2020. Nomination forms should be submitted by e-mail to ICPComelec@gmail.com by 5PM of June 8.
  • The list of nominees will be posted on the ICP website (https://www.icp.org.ph/) by June 15.
  • The election period will be from June 15 to 25, 2020.
  • The ICP Elections Committee (ICP COMELEC) is made up of the following: Dr. Lilibeth Coo (chair), Dr. Rosalinda Torres, and Ms. Edna Mijares.

On the Preparation of Disinfectants and Other Chemicals

(English Translation)

Official Statement of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) Regarding the Preparation of Disinfectants and Other Chemicals

Many individuals, including chemists, have taken the initiative to assist in COVID-19 efforts by preparing alcohol and other disinfectant products. While we support your initiative, we, as chemists, have a special responsibility to ensure that the solutions that we prepare meet the right specifications that ensure their efficacy and safety. In particular:

• Regarding ethanol and isopropanol: from analytical data that we have obtained by gas chromatography (GC), many of the technical grade ethanol and isopropanol products sold by chemical suppliers may contain high levels of methanol or are below the claimed concentration. You should obtain your alcohols from reliable sources only. If in doubt, have the raw material analyzed by GC or ask for a certificate of analysis.

• Hypochlorite is an industrial product and may contain impurities. It may be adulterated by unscrupulous dealers. There are standard methods of chemical analysis for hypochlorite. Also, ensure that your product is used to disinfect objects and is not used on people.

• Consult only reliable sources for technical information and observe restrictions set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant Philippine government agencies.

(Pagsasalin sa Filipino)

Opisyal na Pahayag ng ICP Tungkol sa Pagtimpla ng Mga Disinfectant at Iba Pang Produkto

May mga tao, kabilang ang ilang mga kimiko, na kusang umaalalay sa ilang mga pagsisikap upang labanan ang COVID-19 sa pamamagitan ng pagtimpla ng rubbing alcohol at iba pang produkto na makapupuksa ng mikrobyo. Habang sinusuportahan namin ang mga hangaring ito, kami, bilang mga kimiko, ay may natatanging tungkulin upang masiguro na ang tinitimpla naming mga produkto ay tugma sa itinakdang antas ng bisa at ligtas ring gamitin.

• Tungkol sa ethyl alcohol at isopropyl alcohol: Mula sa datos na nakalap namin gamit ang gas chromatography (GC), karamihan sa mga technical grade na ethanol at isopropanol na binebenta ng mga chemical supplier ay naglalaman ng mataas na antas ng methanol o kaya'y hindi man lang umabot sa isinaad na tapang. Upang maiwasan ito, siguruhing maaasahan ang inyong pagkukuhanan. Kung kaduda-duda ang iyong nabiling produkto, ipasuri ito gamit ang GC o humingi ng certificate of analysis.

• Ang hypochlorite ay isang kemikal na ginagamit sa industriya at maaaring naglalaman ito ng karumihan. Maaaring pang maglagay ng mga hindi kanais-nais na sangkap ang mga nagbebenta nito upang makalinlang. Mayroong mga tamang pamamaraan upang masuri ang kalidad ng hypochlorite. Siguruhin din na ang mga produktong naglalaman nito ay nakalaan lamang gamiting panlinis ng mga bagay, at hindi ng mga tao.

• Sumangguni lamang sa maaasahang mga pagkukunan ng impormasyon tungkol dito at sunding mabuti ang mga inilahad na utos ng WHO at mga angkop na ahensya ng pamahalaan.

ICP’s X/XII/ARMM/CARAGA Chapter Makes Ethyl Alcohol For Frontliners


Members of the X/XII/ARMM/CARAGA Chapter of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP), under the co-leadership of incumbent president Mr Higinio Barros and immediate former president Mr Mark Valentine Balanay, were able to successfully make a significant volume of ethyl alcohol solution in accordance to the guidelines set by the World Health Organization. This initiative is in response to the lack of sanitizing solutions for medical professionals serving as frontliners due to the alarming novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

On March 25, the chapter officers turned the first batch of alcohol-filled bottles over to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City. The chapter wishes to thank those who have volunteered in the production of the chemical, and the donors who helped fund the project.

Donations to fund succeeding batches of the formulation are still being accepted. You may deposit your cash donation to the following bank account:

BPI Savings Account
Account #: 002323-0022-18

For further inquiries, you may contact Mr Higinio Barros at 0917-770-4150 or Mr Mark Valentine Balanay at 0917-561-7658.