The 178th General Membership Meeting, themed “Synergizing Government-Chemical Industry Partnership for Enhanced Growth & Public Welfare,” recently convened key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration between the chemical industry and the government.

Opening the program was an invocation and singing of the national anthem of the Philippines, followed by a welcoming speech from Engr. Joel Malaluan, Director at SPIK.

At the 178th General Membership Meeting of SPIK, SEIPI formalized its alliance with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Engr. Gretchen Enarle, SPIK President, and Mr. Cristjan Dave Bael, SEIPI Associate Business Lead-External Affairs, led the signing, while witnessed by Engr. Arnold C. Benitez, VP Internal of SPIK and Engr. Jade Dayag, SEIPI Industry Analyst Technology.

This is a pivotal step in bringing the chemical and semiconductor industries closer together in collaboration. In their agreement, both organizations have made undertakings that not only will benefit each other but also will produce a model for better business practices. It also provides a basis for joint ventures, which will promote economic growth while ensuring public welfare.

The President’s Message was given by Engr Gretchen F. Enarle, SPIK President, with particular emphasis on the necessity for Industry and Government to work together. She discussed how joint efforts are needed to strike a balance between development and environmental preservation. Engr. Enarle stressed that sustainable growth would only be possible if partnerships that involve innovation, compliance, and public welfare can be achieved.

In the Keynote message Engr. Joel Maleon, Senior Environmental Management Specialist at the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-EMB), reinforced the Government’s policy of moving chemical industry activities towards sustainability and regulation.

After Engr. Maleon’s presentation, an open forum was held to encourage dialogue between the participants. In this interactive session, deeper understanding was found and new channels of cooperation established between government agencies responsible for environmental protection and the chemical industry.

On the program’s Sponsor Time spot, Ms. Lina D. Rogel, CEO Of World Safety Supply Center, Inc., presented the latest safety supplies and facilities. Her report emphasized the vital role of safety to the operation of chemical firms and the bearing it carries in protecting workers and the environment.

The meeting ended with a speech from Ms. Mary Grace San Jose, Director of SPIK, who emphasized continued partnership for enhanced growth and public welfare.

The 178th General Membership Meeting was a successful reaffirmation of the fact that cooperation between government and the chemical industry is inevitable if economically ecological development is to be pursued.