A commitment to strengthening international civil engineering partnerships was reaffirmed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with their South Korean counterparts during the 2024 Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE) Convention, Conference, and Civil Expo held in Jeju, South Korea recently.
Held from Oct. 16 to 17, the convention provided a platform for the Philippine delegation composed of DPWH and Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) officials to engage with South Korean engineers and promote sustainable infrastructure development, said DPWH Senior Undersecretary and PICE National President Emil K. Sadain.
The Philippine delegation included key officials such as PICE Vice President and DPWH Assistant Secretary Rey Peter B. Guille and Assistant Secretary Nerie D. Bueno, along with prominent directors and past presidents of PICE.
At the International Roundtable Meeting which focused on "Future Cities and Smart Urban Development," Sadain presented the Philippine government's "Build Better More" initiative, aimed at transforming urban environments under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
He detailed significant DPWH infrastructure projects critical to establishing resilient and sustainable systems throughout the country.
Showcased projects included the Panguil Bay Bridge, the Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR), and Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (IDRR-CCA) measures in Pampanga Bay.
These initiatives, funded through Korea’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), exemplify the effective partnership between the Philippines and South Korea in addressing pressing infrastructure challenges, Sadain said.
Sadain also underscored ongoing and proposed initiatives such as the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (Phase I), Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project, and the Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR-II) Project.
Additional proposed projects under Korean ODA include the Consolacion-Liloan Bypass Road, Lapu-Lapu Coastal Road, and Maasin City Coastal Bypass Bridge.
The Philippine delegation's presence at the South Korean convention highlighted the strengthening relationship between the civil engineering sectors of both countries, Sadain noted.
The collaboration was further cemented by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Sadain and KSCE President Choong-Ki Chung earlier this year, establishing a framework for enhanced cooperation in sharing best practices and technological innovations.
Beyond industry collaboration, the MOU emphasizes the importance of academic partnerships, preparing future civil engineers from both nations to tackle contemporary infrastructure challenges, Sadain said.