Birthing Years
The Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE) as an organization was birthed in 1950 by Dr. Felix Maramba Sr. and Dr. Anastacio Teodoro, famous practitioners and advocates of the agricultural engineering profession during their time. Their aim was to advance the theory and practice of the profession considering that during this period, Philippine agriculture was looming with great potentials. Their vision was anchored on the potentials and prospects of the agricultural engineering profession as a lynchpin of accelerated agricultural and rural development.
Dr. Maramba served as the first president of the Society during its founding years, and was considered as the father of PSAE. In the early fifties, observant and keen as he is, Dr. Maramba noted the operations in the agriculture sector was not economical and efficient and need to be transformed and developed through the application of agricultural engineering principles and practices. As a take off point, he launched the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Journal to chronicle the latest advances in the field and to attract more agricultural engineers to become members of the Society.
Growing Years
As a growing organization, the PSAE was nurtured through the leadership of prominent and distinguished agricultural engineers, namely;
Engr. Alejandro Catambay (1951-1952)
Engr. Santiago Cruz (1952-1953)
Engr. Alexander Gordon (1953-1954)
Engr. Jesus Mamisao (1954-1955)
Engr. Alexander Teodoro (1955-1956)
Engr. Alejandro Apacible (1956-1957)
Engr. Ignacio Ang (1962-1963)
Engr. Teofilo Mendoza (1963-1964)
Engr. Julian M. Bulanadi (1964-1965)
Engr. Pedro N. Laudencia (1965-1966)
Engr. Andres P. Aglibut (1966-1967)
Engr.Edilberto A. Uichanco (1968-1969)
Engr. Dante B. De Padua (1969-1970)
The decade that followed, notable agricultural engineers held the reins of the organization. During the 1970’s, the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Journal was revived in its circulation during the term of Engr. Benito Gonzalo (1973-1974). The following list of presidents marked the 70’s:
Engr. Raymundo E. Jovellanos (1970-1971)
•Engr. Crispin R. La Marias (1971-1972)
Engr. Benito C. Gonzalo (1972-1973)
Engr. Rogelio C. Lazaro ( 1973-1974)
Engr. Felipe T. Mateo, Jr. (1974-1975)
Engr. Fabian T. Abella ( 1975-1977)
Engr. Ceferino L. Follosco, Sr. (1977-1978)
Engr. Reynaldo M. Lantin ( 1978-1979)
Engr. Faustino G. Cueto ( 1979-1980)
In 1977, a new set of leadership led by Engr. Ceferino L. Follosco, Sr. revitalized the PSAE. The new leadership introduced new policies and strategies that perked up its operation and growth. During this term, a list of notable and noteworthy achievements and contributions of the organization to the agriculture sector soared. PSAE became a more active and dynamic drive in the implementation of new programs. These new programs which propelled the status of the organization include the creation of a board of trustees for scholarship. The holding of symposia on various technical subjects such as agricultural engineering law, soil and water conservation, and farm mechanization was first launched during this period. Later on, Dr. Ceferino L. Follosco, Sr., was appointed Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.
Maturing Years
In the 1980’s, PSAE just like any organization, has survived its growing years and has become a maturing organization bestowed with bigger responsibilities and tasks for its burgeoning members. Past Presidents during this decade include highly respected agricultural engineers namely: Engr. Leopoldo J. Magpale, Engr. Teresita Castañeda-Silva, Engr. Ricardo P. Venturina, Engr. George Q. Canapi, Dr. Marietta S. Adriano, Engr. Teodulo Diaz, Engr. Carlito P. Fernandez, Dr. Rodolfo C. Undan, Engr. Crestituto C. Mangaoang, and Dr. Honorato L. Angeles.
During this decade, under the leadership of Dr. Rodolfo C. Undan, a memorandum of agreement was forged with the Department of Trade and Industry which spelled out the mechanics and operations of prompt transfer and dissemination of agro-industrial technologies. The subsequent term of Engr. Crestituto C. Mangaoang saw the birth of the celebration of the Agricultural Engineering Week through Proclamation No. 399 by President Corazon C. Aquino. Active involvement of agricultural engineers in government projects was ushered in by an agreement with the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) to assist the implementation of the Livelihood Enhancement of Agricultural Development (LEAD) Program.
Similarly, this decade ushered in the new policies beneficial to the practice of the agricultural engineering profession. The “Establishment of a National Agricultural Engineering Profession” was approved during the terms of Dr. Honorato L. Angeles and Dr. Joselito V. Dela Cruz.
The Vibrant Years
The next decade of the PSAE emerged new blood in the reins of leadership. Emerging leadership with new paradigms and ideals took hold of the organization.
Young and ambitious leaders during this decade include, Engr. Ariodear C. Rico (two terms), Engr. Enrico B. Paloma, Dr. Gloria P. Jimenez, Engr. Rodrigo N. De Guzman, Dr. Reynaldo C. Castro, Engr. Raul B. Alamban, and Dr. Vicente R. Vicmudo. From 1991 to 1993, Engr. Ariodear C. Rico of the Department of Agriculture accomplished the following: formulation of strategic plan for the PSAE, forging of more responsive electoral policies, signing of PRC Resolution No. 270 (regulation of the practice of agricultural engineering in the country); strengthening and revitalizing the PSAE regional chapters; expansion of the PSAE external and media linkage; enhancement of the role of agricultural engineers in the Department of Agriculture through the establishment of agricultural engineering services group at the DA Central Office. More vibrant programs ensued during these years like the conduct of various symposia, training courses and other capacity building activities for agricultural engineers like in the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
During the leadership of Engr. Enrico Paloma, a nationwide information dissemination campaign was launched to inform the industry stakeholders about the profession. As result, leaders of the banking sector, local government units, cooperatives and non-government organization became aware on the roles and responsibilities of agricultural engineers. This year marked the selling point of the agricultural engineering profession to industry stakeholders.
The following years that ensued marked the involvement of the agricultural engineers in government projects like the agricultural modernization program. PSAE entered into various memoranda of agreements between the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Post-harvest Research and extension, Department of Agrarian Reform and various local government units to provide technical and professional services on agricultural modernization.
Reference: www.psabe.org.ph, images (owned)