Established Filipino American architects and engineers are setting their sights on tapping Philippine expertise as a way of giving them access to the large U.S. market for their services. Ricardo Sitjar, President of the Filipino American Society of Architects and Engineers (FASAE), made this announcement after a Board meeting of the Society held on January 26, 2008.
FASAE will be sending a full-pledged delegation to the May 8-11, 2008 International Conference on "Building the Global Filipino Nation for Effective Governance", to be hosted by the Global Filipino Nation (GFN) at the University of Makati. GFN is an unincorporated association of leading organizations and leaders onshore and offshore, including those in academe, think tanks, peasant groups, labor, media, grassroots organizers, business, banking and investments, consulting, OFW/migrant rights advocacy, youth, indigenous peoples, foundations and law.
The May Conference will create opportunities for bringing players of substance at both sides of the Pacific. In the one hand, there are those in the developed markets who need qualified and reliable architectural and engineering services. On the other hand, there are architectural and engineering firms and professionals in the Philippines searching for contracts outside the local markets. The FASAE initiative will be an integral part of the "Innovation and Tech Collaboration" component of the May Conference, whose oversight is under Ted Aquino, GFN Convenor, former FASAE President, and former President, U.P. Alumni Association of America,
"The matching of demand and supply players for architectural and engineering services would lead to value added for both parties," Sitjar stressed. "The Philippine professionals will generate more contracts at premium prices over prevailing local contracts, while the U.S. contractors are able to source cost-effective services," he added.
Aquino commented that "FilAm architects and engineers could facilitate transfer of knowledge to their Philippine counterparts and could take an active role in important Philippine projects."
Prior to the actual May 8-11, 2008 International Conference, both FASAE and GFN will carry out preparation work to identify market opportunities in the U.S. At the same time, they would generate the potential interest of architectural and engineering groups in the Philippines who are interested in seriously exploring the possibilities.
Recent published reports, including those attributed to observations of GFN convenors, pointed to the reentry into the Philippine job market of engineers and architects returning from foreign assignments. Local market constraints, especially the lack of awareness of Philippine employers and contractors, have limited the reintegration process for returning contract professionals.
The GFN-sponsored conference, according to Sitjar, will be a great opportunity of creating broader market awareness that would enhance the stature and revenue stream of local architectural and engineering professionals. Current market imperfections have impeded optimal rewards for the professionals, he said.
Those in the U.S. and the Philippines, not currently in contact with FASAE or GFN, may directly send their expression of interest to Ricardo Sitjar, President, Filipino American Society of Architects and Engineers,
rsitjar@sbcglobal.net or
rsitj@bi.cccounty.us, 1 925 383 7708 (cell) and 1.925.335.1398 (work).
The contact information for GFN is: Makati Secretariat: University of Makati, Main Bldg. Basement, J. P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo, Makati City, Philippines · D.L. +632.409.8698 · Trunk +632.883.1862, + 632.883.1868 or +632.882.0535 Loc. 103 · Fax: +632.883.1870 · Nelia Lim:
organicnelia@yahoo.co.uk, +63.921.806.1080, +63.916.568.1357 · Elena Roque:
ellenroq02@gmail.com, +63.917.835.0522, +63.922.835.0522 · Shelyn Tayanes:
shelyn.tayanes@hotmail.com, +62.917.988.4608
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