Philippine Reclamation Authority Leads Global Effort for Responsible Reclamation
First Row:(L-R) PRA Board of Direcors, General Manager Cesar Siador Jr.; Dir. Onyx Crisologo; Chairman Atty. Alexander T. Lopez; Dir. Dioscoro E.Esteban Jr.; Dir. PBGen. Nolasco K. Bathan (Ret.) Second Row: Surbana Jurong Subject Matter Experts
Promoting Economic Development Through Insightful Collaboration at Surbana Jurong’s Environmental and Coastal Seminar
The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has recently spearheaded a significant engagement at Surbana Jurong’s prestigious Environmental and Coastal Seminar, affirming its proactive industry leadership. This strategic initiative emphasized the PRA’s commitment to steering the nation’s economic growth by adopting and disseminating global best practices in responsible reclamation.
At the forefront of this pivotal seminar were notable figures from PRA’s Board of Directors and management team, notably Chairman Atty. Alexander T. Lopez, General Manager/CEO Engr. Cesar S. Siador Jr., alongside Directors Dioscoro E. Esteban Jr., PBgen Nolasco K Bathan (Ret.), and Engr. Anthony Peter D. Crisologo. Assistant General Managers Atty. Joseph John Literal and Atty. Joselito Gonzalez further elevated PRA’s presence and contributions at this influential event.
Conducted from December 19-21, 2023, the Surbana Jurong seminar delved into a comprehensive spectrum of critical topics, elucidating vital aspects of responsible reclamation through the insights shared by distinguished industry experts:
1. Coastal Engineering and Understanding Natural Elements – Dr. Zhao Kuifeng
Dr. Zhao Kuifeng, an esteemed Executive Engineer specializing in Coastal Engineering at Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd, provided illuminating insights into cumulative impact assessment and advanced modeling techniques within coastal engineering. Drawing from extensive involvement in coastal protection measures and climate change adaptation in various international projects, Dr. Zhao’s expertise significantly enriched the comprehension of essential coastal engineering paradigms necessary for responsible reclamation.
2. Comprehensive Site Investigation and Soil Analysis – Dr. Zhang Yaodong
Dr. Zhang Yaodong, with over four decades of experience in infrastructure and coastal engineering, delivered an enlightening session on soil investigation methodologies and advanced laboratory testing techniques vital for robust reclamation projects. His expertise and insights shed light on deriving crucial engineering properties essential for successful and sustainable reclamation initiatives.
3. Environmental Management in Land Development – Mr. Mohamed Arif Bin Mohamed Hussain
Drawing from over seven years of extensive experience in marine and reclamation projects, Mr. Mohamed Arif Bin Mohamed Hussain meticulously detailed effective environmental mitigation practices. His lecture emphasized the paramount importance of meticulous monitoring during dredging and land development, underlining the significance of comprehensive planning for sustainable environmental outcomes.
4. Climate Change Adaptation in Coastal Projects – Ms. Ashleen Tan Su Ying
Ms. Ashleen Tan Su Ying, a distinguished Coastal Ecologist at Surbana Jurong Coastal Engineering, shared comprehensive insights into climate change adaptation strategies. Leveraging her diverse background in marine biology, climate paleontology, and extensive consulting experience, she underscored the critical role of these strategies in mitigating sea-level rise and land subsidence, offering a holistic view for integrating them into reclamation endeavors.
5. Optimal Practices in Dredging and Reclamation – Engr. Ho Wah Hin
Engr. Ho Wah Hin, a registered Professional Engineer with over 40 years of expertise in infrastructure and coastal engineering, provided invaluable insights into best practices for dredging and land reclamation. His extensive experience and problem-solving approaches highlighted effective methodologies essential for successful execution in these critical phases of reclamation projects.
6. Utilization of Alternative Materials in Land Development – Engr. Ho Wah Hin
Engr. Ho Wah Hin, a veteran coastal engineer from Surbana Jurong was one of the many engineers that were heavily involved in the reclamation project.
His detailed discourse focused on the relevance of alternative materials and their interaction with water in sustainable land development. His insights emphasized the integration of these materials into reclamation projects, showcasing their pivotal role in fostering environmentally conscious and sustainable land development practices.
These lectures, delivered by distinguished experts in their respective fields, collectively elevated the seminar, providing practical insights, methodologies, and best practices crucial for responsible and sustainable reclamation endeavors.
The collaborative engagement with Surbana Jurong Group, recognized for its excellence in urban and infrastructure consultancy, further fortified this initiative. Operating across 40 countries with a global talent pool of 16,000 individuals and a proven history of successful project deliveries, Surbana Jurong’s multidisciplinary expertise resonates profoundly with PRA’s vision for responsible reclamation and sustainable development.
PRA’s proactive participation at Surbana Jurong’s seminar marks a significant stride in embracing and implementing the best global practices in reclamation. This initiative not only propels economic growth but also reaffirms the commitment to environmental stewardship in the Philippines.