PSAE Southern Tagalog Chapter (Region IV)

Background
Officers

PSAE founeded in 1950
Birth of the Agricultural Engineering Journal
Other PSAE activities and achievements

PSAE Southern Tagalog Chapter (Region IV)
 

Background:

The PSAE Southern Tagalog Chapter is composed of members working or residing in the Southern Tagalog Region. 

Officers:

President	Delfin C. Suministrado
Vice-president	Eugenio C. Castro Jr.
Secretary	Roseanna Marie C. Amongo
Treasurer	Sergio C. Capareda
Auditor	Virgilio G. Gayanilo
Public Relations Officer	Arnold R. Elepaño
Directors	Engelbert K. Peralta
	Ponciano S. Madamba
	Maximo W. Baradas

• PSAE founeded in 1950 

 

 

The Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE)  was founded in 1950 with the objectives of advancing the theory and practice of Engineering in Agriculture and the allied sciences and arts, enhancing the status of Agricultural Engineering as a profession, and increasing and enhancing the usefulness and role of the organized Agricultural Engineeing Society. 
The birth of the society was the result of the fertile minds of two dedicated Agricultural Engineers: Dr. Felix D. Maramba Sr., the first president and considered the father of PSAE, and Dr. Anastacio Teodoro.  Both  firmly believed that agricultural engineering is a constructive effort towards the application of the positive forces of engineering to the largest single industry in the world - Agriculture.  They further felt that the ultimate usefulness of an agricultural engineer lies in keeping firmly in mind the fact that their interests are inextricably linked with thousands of small farming units of varying sizes scattered all over the country putting their knowledge, skills, and usefulness to a test.  Dr. Maramba observed that Philippine Agriculture, like most other countries, represents the the total productive effort of a heterogeneous mass of family and small operating units.  He further noted that many of their farming operations were uneconomical.  There was even a time, Dr. Maramba claimed, that those in the profession were not rational enough in the application of modern Agricultural Engineering practices to these units, considering that the greatest oppurtunity for service can be found in them. 

Birth of the Agricultural Engineering Journal

The aforementioned facts challenge the Agricultural Engineers of the country, supported by others who were trained in various field of eneavors but were attracted to and practiced the profession agreed to join PSAE.  The founding members at that time also felt that one way of attracting and welding together the Agricultural Engineers into a potent group is to pulish the Agricultural Engineering Journal. 

Various government programs which concern agricultural development were participated fully by the Society.  Although the PSAE leadership changed from one han to another, the objectives of which the Society has been organized were accomplished. 

The Society was full of achievements from 1950 to 1957, but, became dormant from 1958 to 1963.  The society managed to eke out some notable programs with a few dedicated charter and regular members. 

The publication of the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Journal had to stop for some time from 1967 to 1972.  This could be attributed to various problems of the Society, foremost of which was the limited funds and lack of committed staff to manage the Journal.  Annual conventions during those trouled years were held amidst frustrations and difficulties to bring members closer and inspire them to play significant roles in nation building. 

Through the years, all past presidents and officers tried their best to put the PSAE in proper prospective. 

In 1973, there was a general concensus to revive the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Journal.  Then PSAE president Engineer Benito C. Gonzalo, supported by the other officers of the society, came up with a revitalized issue of the Journal.  Dr. Maramba, the most energetic member, likewise played an important role in pushing the project through.  This paid off, as the Journal came back to life and was sustained up to the present. 

Other PSAE activities and achievements

The PSAE had established contact with other engineering societies in the Asia-Pacific region for holding international conferences and meetings.  Meanwhile, the Society sustained its commitment to the agricultural development of the country.  PSAE members were urged by no less than the president of the Philippines to double their efforts in  helping the nation achieve economic self-sufficiency and productivity.  With the rationalization of farm mechanization in the country, the small farmer was given a better deal pursuant to the national policy of equitable distribution of wealth and income through the  principle of people empowerment. 

During the term of Engr. Ceferino Follosco Sr. as President, important projects were discussed.  Simposia on various technical subjects were conducted.  The Agricultural Engineering Law and its implementation, Agricultural Engineering Curriculum, Soil and Water, Farm Mechanization, and Structure and Environment were among the topics discussed.  Support to the mechanization program in the country has been on of the Society's commitments. 

The Philippine Agricultural Engineering Journal was back n circulation.  With an initial seed fund of about P10,000, the board was able to publish the journal on a quarterly basis. 

Another milestone in PSAE publication was the 28th Annual Convention Proceedings.  The Board of Trustees for Publication also revived as its 1997 project the publication of the PSAE Yearbook. 

The PSAE also created the Board of Trustees for Scholarship with the objective of giving scholarship grants to deserving Agricultural Engineering students in the Philippines. 

Since 1950 to the present, the PSAE has proven to be one of the most stable and impressive Engineering Society in the country.  One cannot help but pay tribute to the Society's founding fathers for their forsight and perseverence, and also the current members for their tenacity in upholding the dreams and aspirations of the founders. 

Onward the PSAE vision to serve the better interest of its members, the Agricultural Engineering profession as a whole, and the country in general.

Designed by: Philip B. Cedillo
Last updated: February 23, 2000.