Gregorio R. Vigilar
Secretary

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

ALEX Y. GONZALES
ACEL President 2008

A new set of directors and officers are now at the helm of the Association and we have embarked on a year long program that will ensure the attainment of the goals of ACEL.

COMMITTEE ON MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT & CERTIFICATION –Chairman, Lito G. Garcia, Co-chairman Arvin Cristi and Board Advisor ,Flor Quianzon.

Foremost in our list is the skills and manpower and certification program of activities which have been focused on the following:

• Continuous Trade Testing and Certification of Heavy Equipment (Earthmoving and Lifting)
• Continuous Trade Testing & Certification of Heavy Equipment Operators and Mechanics. The following are bulldozer, loader, grader, road roller, backhoe loader, forklift, tower crane, rough terrain crane, truck mounted crane, crawler crane, rigger, on-highway dump truck (rigid & articulated) off-highway dump truck (rigid & articulated) gantry crane, container stacker, screed, concrete pump, transit mixer, paver and heavy equipment servicing (mechanical).
• Conduct of trainings on Heavy Equipment Operation for:  Forklift Operation & Basic Maintenance; Mobile Crane Operation and Rigging; Safety on Rigging Works; Backhoe Operation and Basic Maintenance; Bulldozer Operation and Basic Maintenance; Wheel Loader Operation & Basic Maintenance;  Motor Grader Operation & Basic Maintenance; Backhoe Loader Operation & Basic Maintenance; Road Roller Operation & Basic Maintenance and Off-Highway Dump Truck Operation & Basic Maintenance (Rigid & Articulated). 
• Finalize training modules for Basic Hydraulics System
• Conduct a Technoforum of Philconstruct 2008
• Come up with the Implementing Guidelines  for Competency Assessment Accreditation and Certification Program (ACEL-TESDA MOA)
• Development of Training Modules for Equipment Management Course.
• We are also coordinating with TESDA to come up with guidelines for the accreditation of assessors for ACEL Chapter in Davao and Cebu.
• We will also meet with representatives from TESDA Guiginto to look at the possibility of utilizing their facilities for the training of prospective operators and mechanics.

From January to March this year we have conducted nine (9) trainings and testing on different skills and equipment namely:

1. Up-Town Industrial Sales – Mobile Crane Operation (January 9, 17 & 18, 2008)
2. PHILCAMSAT – Mobile Crane Operation & Rigging (January 7 to 9, 2008)
3. SEACREST – Mobile Crane Operation & Rigging (February 11 to 13, 2008)
4. CHEVRON – Mobile Crane Operation & Rigging (February 25 to 27, 2008)
5. United Terminal Services Corp. – Forklift Operation & Basic Maintenance (February 16 to 18, 2008)
6. Walk-in Participants – Forklift Operation & Basic Maintenance (February 14 to 16, 2008)
7. JUMBO Manila – Forklift Operation & Basic Maintenance (February 21 & 22, 2008)
8. East Ceramic Phil. Corp.– Forklift Operation & Basic Maintenance (March 26 to 28, 2008)
9. PHILCAMSAT – Mobile Crane Operation & Rigging (April 7 to 9, 2008)
10. Walk-in – Forklift Truck Operation & Basic Maintenance (April 21 to 23, 2008)

Two Hundred Fifty Nine (259) people are the total number of the Heavy Equipment Operators and Mechanics certified since January to April 2008 and nine (9) units of heavy equipment certified.

Endorsement by TESDA of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. Request for assistance for the assessment and training for their heavy equipment operators at their facilities in Subic, Zambales.   ACEL conducted the assessment on April 14 to 18, 2008 and an ocular inspection of Hanjin Facilities on April 15, 2008.   A total of 201 operators were assessed during the period.

COMMITTEE ON SAFETY AND DISASTER RELIEF  headed by Past Dir. Roland Mancilla

Last April 14, we have conducted a 40-Hour Construction Safety & Health Course in cooperation with Labs Peak Consulting Training Services and First Phil. Skills & Equipment Testing Corp.  A total of twenty (20) participants attended.

Completion of the course is one of the major eligibility requirements by the DOLE-BWC to be accredited as a Safety Practitioners.  It provides a clear and concise explanation of the various responsibilities concerning employee safety and OSH standards.

COMMITTEE ON RENTAL RATES headed by Dir. Peter Pancho, Dir. Cesar Simbulan and Past President Gerardo Pancho.

ACEL will come out with a new Guidebook that will give ACEL rates showing peso value, operated hour, operated dry and bare month.  The new guidebook will essentially correct the fluctuations brought about by the drop in the dollar exchange rate.  ACEL has sent out a circular requesting member to give details of all their equipment for inclusion in the new guidebook.

COMMITTEE ON MEMBERSHIP – Chaired by Dir. J. Eladio Angeles and Dir. Edward Anyayahan

The Membership Committee continues to look for prospective members for the Association.  Target for this year are ten (10) new members and 100% collection of membership dues and receivables.

We have also started to update our database by asking members to submit their corporate profile indicating their business info, capabilities and field of specialization.

To foster closer relationship with members the officers and directors will conduct courtesy calls on selected ACEL members.

COMMITTEE ON FELLOWSHIP – Chaired by Past Presidents Tito Manalo, Kit Angeles and Past Dir. Ernesto Lim

The Fellowship Committee has scheduled three (3) Golf Tournaments (5th Buena Cup, PCA-ACEL & ULTRAFLITE DUAL MEET and Annual Golf Tournament), badminton tournament, billiard tournament and poker challenge for the year.

Civic Merchandising will sponsor the 1st General Membership Meeting for the year.  Maxima Equipment Company and Monark Equipment Corporation are also scheduled to sponsor the General Membership Meeting in the coming months.

COMMITTEE ON WEBSITE & NEWSLETTERS

Continuous updating of website and will study the viability of a pay per click for ACEL rates information at the website.

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

During the discussions on Senate Bill No. 14, 574 and 1622 – Compulsory Registration of Heavy Equipment;  ACEL has successfully recommended the following for consideration:

• Registration Fee – same for all types of heavy equipment
• Registration Agency – Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP)
• Validity of Registration – 3 years upon transfer of ownership, whichever comes first.
• Exclusions – stationary machineries and those installed in plants; motor vehicles registered with the LTO; and marine equipment registered with MARINA.
• Bidding in Government Projects – only registered heavy equipment will be allowed to participate.
• ACEL requested that the new registration should not result in further taxation for the equipment being registered since equipment owners are already paying taxes for their existing units.  The registration should only provide the government with an accurate listing of equipment resources available in the industry.
• ACEL emphasized that these heavy equipment and machineries are used to construction, repair, and improve roadways and facilities.  They are neither road hazards nor they contribute to the deterioration of road infrastructure in the country.

ACEL has also reiterated its stand that no further taxation should be imposed since taxes have already been paid for the equipment.  The registration should only serve as an accurate listing of equipment resources.

ACEL will also elaborate on the light and heavy equipment and the table of fees for the Registration.

ALEX Y. GONZALES
President