Gregorio R. Vigilar
Secretary

President's Report

A quarter has passed since I assumed the presidency of ACEL. I am pleased to inform you that your board has accomplished much since then and I would like to cite some of these accomplishments:

• Finalized the mechanics for the development of training modules for Heavy Equipment Operation (earthmoving). Modules which have been finalized are Motor Grader, Bulldozer, Wheel Loader, Hydraulic Excavator, Backhoe Loader, Road Roller and Off-Highway Dump truck (Rigid & Articulated).

• Developed and finalized a Procedures Manual for Accreditation of Assessment Center and Competency Assessors. With the finalization of the procedures manual we are now awaiting accreditation of chapters and other ACEL member. Assessors will be accredited by ACEL.

• Conducted the following trainings:
1. Forklift Truck Operation and Basic Maintenance Training
2. Mobile Crane Operation and Rigging Training
ACEL has tied up with PHILCAMSAT for the training and testing certification of all seamen seeking skills upgrading.

• Request to TESDA for technical and financial assistance to conduct an Assessors Course for Heavy Equipment Operators and Mechanics. Tentative schedule in May 2007.

• Formulated Training Regulations for various occupations (e.g. Off-highway Dump truck (Rigid), Backhoe Loader, Screed, Gantry and Stacker. These were submitted to the TESDA Board for panel discussion and were subsequently approved by the Board.

• Two Hundred Fifty (250) people are the total number of the Heavy Equipment Operators and Mechanics certified since January to April 2007 and seven (7) units of heavy equipment certified.

• Acceptance of three (3) new members namely:
1. International Plant & Equipment Corporation – Associate Member
2. G. U. Engineering, Inc. – Associate Member
3. L. C. Builders & Developers – Regular Member

• Launching of the 23rd Edition of the ACEL Equipment Guidebook.

• Sought the endorsement of DPWH for the 23rd Edition ACEL Equipment Guidebook to be used as basis for the cost estimates for government projects.

• On-going preparation for the holding of the 4th Buena Cup Golf Tournament 2007 at the Veteran’s Golf Club on May 25, 2007.

• ACEL in cooperation with CMDF will conduct a 40-HOUR CONSTRUCTION SAFETY & HEALTH COURSE FOR SITE SAFETY OFFICER on April 28 & May 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2007, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (every Saturday) at the ACEL Training Room, Jollibee Plaza Condominium, F. Ortigas, Jr. Road, Ortigas Commercial Complex, Pasig City.

I would also like to inform you that we plan to hold two (2) golf tournaments, one (1) Billiard Tournament and a Poker Challenge for the year.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters and friends who have gone out of the way to help the Association in its activities. Specially, we thank CIVIC Merchandising, Inc. for their sponsorship of this General Membership Meeting. We hope other members will do their share to ensure the success of our endeavors.

For the second quarter ended, I am pleased to report on the highlights as follows:

• ACEL-DPWH Meetings on the Equipment Guidebook, Edition 23

ACEL & DPWH representatives have conducted several meetings to discuss salient features of the Guidebook Edition 23 before DPWH can issue an endorsement. The DPWH headed by Director Virgilio Arpafo has equested for classification on several issues, namely:

• Productivity: Estimated Hourly Production
• Efficiency
• Economic Life Number of Hours
• Age of Equipment
• Factors on Equipment Age (Brand new up to 30 years)
• Age Factor
• Acquisition Cost of Units
• Rental Rates Formula
• Comparisons of Earlier Editions

• Rationale behind the use of Dollar rates and operated dry rates

The meetings are on-going and the ACEL representatives are composed of Directors’ Peter Pancho, Edward Anyayahan, Chito Litam, Past Presidents’ Tito Manalo, Gerardo Pancho, Gilbert Garcia and member-representatives Clarence Carlos and Cris Maramag.

• MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT

The Committee on Manpower through Director Lito Garcia and Board Advisor Flor Quianzon has sent a letter addressed to Director Isidro Asper, Chairman of the Standards Setting & Systems Development of TESDA to propose a reclassification of heavy equipment operation qualifications. They noted that the packaging rule devalues the certification system for heavy equipment operators compared with other functional areas in construction. As per consultation with the other panel of experts tapped by ACEL in the formulation of

standards for TESDA recommendations are as follows:

1. Operators that possess the abilities to operate one (1) heavy equipment should be certified under NC II level.
2. Operators that possess the abilities to operate any three (3) heavy equipment should be certified under NC III level.
3. Operators that possess the abilities to operate any complicated heavy equipment such as lifting (cranes), articulated or rigid off-highway dump trucks, concreting & asphalting and grader should be certified under NC III level.

The Committee has successfully argued this case and the TESDA Board of Directors as agreed to reclassify the qualifications.

In another development ACEL has requested for technical and financial assistance for the conduct of the Assessor’s and Trainer’s Qualification (AQ/TQ) Course for Heavy Equipment Operators and Mechanics from TESDA. Related all members are enjoined to send prospective trainees for said course.

A seminar on “Construction Safety and Health Course for Site Safety Officer” was held last April 28 & May 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2007. Twenty five (25) participants attended the seminar.

A training seminar on Mobile Crane Operation and Rigging was held last April 16, 17 & 18 and June 18 to 20, 2007. The training is tie-up with PHILCAMSAT.

Finalization of Training Regulation for the following skills: Bulldozer, Hydraulic Excavator, Wheel Loader, Motor Grader, Rough Terrain Crane, Truck Mounted Crane, Crawler Crane, Tower Crane, Forklift and Heavy Equipment Servicing (Mechanical) NC II have been promulgated.

The following skills on the other are still in the process of being promulgated: Road Roller, Backhoe Loader, Rigging, Gantry Crane, Container Stacker, Articulated Off-Highway Dump Truck, Rigid On & Off-highway Dump Truck, Concrete Pump, Transit Mixer, Paver and Screed Operation.

Four Hundred Twenty (425) people are the total number of the Heavy Equipment Operators, riggers and Mechanics certified since January to July 20, 2007 and twenty six (26) units of heavy equipment certified.

Modules which have been finalized are Motor Grader, Bulldozer, Wheel Loader, Hydraulic Excavator, Backhoe Loader, Road Roller and Off-Highway Dump truck (Rigid & Articulated). These modules are ready for implementation.

• MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Two (2) new associate members have been approved and these are:

1. FEDECO Equipment Sales & Broker is engaged in importation, distribution, sale, broker, repair works, and warehousing of civil construction machine, light and heavy transport equipment. The company with office address at Rm 708 BPI Bldg., Plaza Cervantes, Binondo, Manila.

2. FASTEM Construction, Inc. is exclusive distributor of SANY heavy equipment and engaged in general construction. Their office is located at Ortigas Avenue Extension, Brgy Sto. Domingo, Cainta, Rizal.

• FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE

The 4th Buena Cup Golf Tournament was held last June 1, 2007 at the Veteran’s Golf Club, VMMC Compound Gate 2, Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City. Fifty five (55) participants attended. Guest clubs joined the tournament.

The Badminton Tournament will be held on August 11, 2007 at the Club 650, E. Rodriguez, Jr. Avenue, Libis, Quezon City. Tournament fee is P750.00 inclusive of lunch. Members are invited to send their participants to the tournament.

ACEL will be sending a delegation for the CONEXPO ASIA 2007 which will be held at Guangzhou, China on December 4-7, 2007. Interested Parties may contact ACEL Secretariat for details.

A sponsor for the General Membership Meeting is Monark Equipment Corporation.

Your Board has been working double time to ensure that all our objectives pertaining to manpower development and skills standardization are kept on-track. We will continue doing so with your support.

DODGIE P. BUENASEDA
President