Ten outstanding high school students in Davao City are given the Excellence in Chemistry Award for the second year by the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines- Southern Mindanao Chapter. The awardees are selected from the nominees of Secondary Schools. They are the following:

1. Colegio de San Ignacio – Daniel Dominic C. Lemana
2. Phlippine Science High School-SMC – Lemuel E. Samson
3. Daniel R. Aguinaldo NHS – Renzo Edrian G. Reyno
4. Ateneo de Davao High School – Kobe Brian F. Peteros
5. Davao Christian High School – Philip John J. Tampus
6. Brokenshire College – Rowi Mae M. Guerra
7. Holy Child Colllege of Davao – Camille Trisha C. Aguilon
8. Davao City National High School – Bliss A. Capidos
9. University of Immaculate Conception – Jennicel Jane M. Acosta
10. Davao Central High School – Melissa C. Amban

Nominees were evaluated according to: Grade in Chemistry (60%), Participation in Science/Chemistry Quizzes & Events (30%), Recommendation (10%). The top ten students are given medals and certificates.

Chemists greet Sen. Antonio Trillanes at the Senate public hearing on the New Chemistry Law, SB 914. In the photo are (left to right): Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit (President, ICP), Dr. Adoracion Resurreccion (Chair, Board of Chemistry), Ms. Edna Mijares (Vice President, ICP), Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Dr. Lilibeth Coo (Treasurer, ICP), and Dr. Aida Aguinaldo (Outstanding Chemist 2004).

The Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, under the chairmanship of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV conducted a public hearing on the proposed revision of the Chemistry Law on January 27, 2014, at the Senate Building.

Senate Bill 914, entitled “AN ACT TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF CHEMISTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 754 ENTITLED “AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF CHEMISTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES”, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” was also filed by Sen. Trillanes last July 18, 2013 in the Sixteenth Congress.

Dr. Adoracion Resurreccion, chair of the Board of Chemistry, attended the public hearing representing the Professional Regulation Commission. The Board of Chemistry manifested its support for SB 914.  Also present to endorse SB 914 were the officers of the ICP, Dr. Fabian Dayrit (president), Ms. Edna Mijares (vice-president), and Dr. Lilibeth Coo (treasurer). Dr. Aida Aguinaldo, Outstanding Chemistry professional for 2004, also attended the public hearing to show her support.

The bill will be finalized by a technical working group before being presented again in another public hearing. A House version of the bill has also been filed by Congresswoman Victoria Isabel Noel and is awaiting public hearing at the Batasan.

View the Senate Bill 914 HERE.

View the Board Position on the Senate Bill 914 HERE.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Professional Regulatory Board of Chemistry announce today, January 13, 2014 the rescheduling of the Chemists board exam originally scheduled on May 14-15, 2014.

The Board of Chemistry resolved to amend PRC Resolution No. 2013-782 by issuing Board Resolution No. 1 dated January 8, 2014 rescheduling the Board Licensure Examination for Chemists to SEPTEMBER 16-17, 2014 and the deadline for the filing of applications on AUGUST 27, 2014.

According to the Board, the move to reschedule the date of the exam is based on the clamor of the academe and members of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines to retain the old schedule which is on September of every year on account of the limited time to afford prospective examinees to secure the examination requirements and to prepare for the examination itself.

Retrieved from PRC Board News Website.

Text by Nick Tan

The gloomy weather did not deter the 320 newly-licensed chemists, their parents, and distinguished guests to attend their Oath-Taking and Induction, organized by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP), at the historic Manila Hotel last October 11.

General Liza Sabong, PNP Chief Superintendent and President of the PNP Cluster of ICP, served as the honorary speaker for the said event. She stressed the importance of duty and service to her role in the Philippine National Police, and asked everyone to do the same. She also invited the newly-licensed chemists to partake in the rising role of forensic chemistry as a way of nation-building.

This year’s board topnotcher, Miguel Francisco de Jesus of the University of the Philippines – Manila, gave a speech in behalf of the other passers. He underlined the uniqueness of chemistry and how it is imbibed in all of us. He also stressed the interdisciplinary characteristic of chemistry nowadays, and challenged his fellow passers to use the skills that they have learned in the classroom in solving the problems of our society.

The event was also an opportunity to induct Dr. Fabian Dayrit (Academe), Dr. Antonio Laurena (Government), and Ms. Ludy Avendano (Industry) as newly-elected board members of the ICP. They will serve the organization for three years.

ICP had successfully conducted one of the much-awaited and a very relevant seminar entitled – PHILIPPINE CHEMICAL REGULATIONS: An Inter-Regulatory Agency Overview last August 15-16, 2013. Speakers from the PRC Board of Chemistry, DENR, PDEA, PNP, FDA, DOLE-OSHC, and BOC all came together and provided an overview of their regulatory mandates on chemicals in the Philippines.

The Board of Chemistry Chair, Dr. Dory Resurreccion provided an overview of the rules and regulations governing the inspection, appraisal, and licensing of chemical laboratories.  She defined the chemistry laboratory and related firms or establishments performing chemical testing and research as well as the labs in academic setting. Inspection guidelines are as follows: the practice of GLP, lab chemicals and equipment, laboratory personnel, facilities and reports.  She emphasized that only registered chemists may engage in the practice of chemistry and only registered chemists can head a chemical laboratory.

Engr Jose Maleon of the DENR-EMB gave a very fascinating presentation on TOXIC CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES MANAGEMENT AND PERMITTING.  He discussed the policies and regulations with regards to the control of any chemical substance through the: PICCS, PCL, CCO and for new chemicals through the SQI and PMPIN.  He also discussed the different permits for the importation and use of these chemicals.     The CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT SCHEME was presented which includes HANDLING, STORAGE, DISPOSAL, SUBSTITUTION PLAN and ACCOUNTABILITIES and RESPONSIBILITIES. As Hazardous Waste generators, it is our responsibility to check the handling of the toxic chemicals we generated from CRADLE to GRAVE.  He also discussed about contingency plans in case of exposure, spills and leaks and environmental contamination.

No less than the Director of the Compliance Service of PDEA herself, Director Helen Maita Reyes, provided a very dynamic presentation on the Regulatory Control of the Licit Use of Dangerous Drugs and Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals Substances. She identified the different international drug treatise of which the Philippines is a signatory.  Hence, the Dangerous Drugs Board was created to serve as the policy and strategy formulating body while the PDEA is its implementing arm.  She presented listings of Dangerous Drugs and the Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals. The regulatory enforcement of the DD and CPEC is through the two PDEA divisions: Licensing and Records Division and the Compliance and Investigation Division.  The presentation itself gave the participants the very simple guidelines on the licensing and permitting processes of PDEA.

Police Chief Inspector Dorothy A. Du gave a very interesting presentation on the Rules and Regulations for the Control and Supervision of Importation, Sale and Possession of Chemicals Used as Ingredients in the Manufacture of Explosives and for other purposes (RA 8294, EO 552) focusing on the following points:
a.    Laws governing the Licensing of Explosives
b.    Kinds of Explosives Licenses and Permits
c.    Requirements for Issuance of Licenses and Permits
d.    Licenses and Permits Fees
e.    Salient Features of RA 8294 and RA 9516
f.    Memoranda, Rules and Regulations re: Handling of Explosives/ explosive ingredients

Ms. Winnie A. Aguilar of DOLE-OSHC presented the Rules and Regulations in the Implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Standards when handling Chemicals in the Workplace (PD 442). The presentation was well-received for the new information that Ms. Aguilar emphasized especially on the number of Safety personnel needed based on the number of employees that a company has.
Ms. Maria Theresa T. Gutierrez  provided updates on the Rules and Regulations for Implementing RA 9711 for Household/ Urban Hazardous Substances (FDA Act of 2009) which assured the participants of FDA’s true commitment to service as the updates promise a more efficient processing of product registration.

And last but not the least, The Importation Regulations as Implemented by the Bureau of Customs was presented by Dr. Jesus Garcia Llorando. He exemplified that different government regulatory agencies have their own schedule of fees with regards importation and exportation of chemicals.

Ms. Arlene Villanueva of DOW CHEMICALS COMPANY shared industry best practices on regulatory compliance.  She encouraged the industry to become members of industry organizations and to attend public hearing and consultations especially with regards to topics on revisions and amendments to existing government laws and regulations.   Mr. Jonathan Chong of DU PONT FAR EAST, INC. expounded on Product Stewardship, Product Review and Life Cycle Analysis and Risk assessment and risk management.

The 129 participants from government, academe, and industry were able to take home valuable information. And a 2nd part forum is already being requested. It is truly time that we revise and possibly harmonize the Implementing Rules and Regulations.  Overall, the 2-day seminar was well worth the wait.