A metallurgical engineer of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)chaired the recently concluded 9th Philippine Women Engineers and Scientists Summit (PWESS 9) held in Davao City from August 7 to 9, 2025.
Engr. Carina de Vera Pecson of the Metallurgical Technology Division (MetD) led this year’s summit with the theme:“Deep Dive: Women Engineers and Scientists Advancing the Future of Intelligent and Sustainable Technology”. It aims to highlight the role of women engineers and scientists in creating innovative solutions to navigate the future of global intelligent and sustainable technology.
More than 260 women engineers and scientists participated, including other MGBwomen engineers and scientists who represented their respective professional organizations. MGB Regional Office (RO) No.XI Director Beverly Brebante,Ms. Josephine Aleta of MGB RO No.VII, and Ms. Maria LordesStephanieLeido of MGBCentral Office represented the Geological Society of the Philippines, while Engr.NandryClaeLagman and Engr. Paula MoranteofMGB RO No.Irepresented the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers.
PWESS 9 showcased speakers and presenters, who are also representatives of the 13 Engineering Professional Organization members of the Philippine Technology Council Women Engineers Network (PTC WEN), generously shared their personal roles in developing groundbreaking technologies that are sustainable and beneficial to the environment. These successful women’s statements are living proofs of the increasing number of leadership roles women have occupied in the pursuit of an intelligent and sustainable future. Furthermore, the different presentations well represented the various sectors of society, such as industry, academe, and government.
Establishing linkages is one of the vital advantages of the said Summit. The relationships and networks that have started with the persons the women engineers and scientists chanced to meet in this summit are invaluable and priceless. These could lead to future collaboration and success. They just have to stay connected, continue the conversations, and establish support for each other in their professional journeys.
Another highlight of the Summit is the 8thLakambiningInhinyera(LI) pageant, which showcases a woman engineer'sintelligence, beauty, and charm. This year’s pageant was participated in by candidates from the Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines (8th LI Grand Winner), the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (1st Runner-up), the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (2nd Runner-up), the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Society of Metallurgical Engineers of the Philippines, and the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers.
In her Closing Remarks, Engr. Pecsonshared her personal imprint on how one could easily adopt and immerse in an environment highly characterized by intelligent and sustainable technology. During her deliverance, she quoted, “Nowadays, with the fast-changing innovations, it is no longer ‘the big fish that eats the small fish’ but rather ‘it is the fast fish that eats the slow fish’”. Thisemphasizes the importance of exercising pro-activeness at work to ensure that we are inphase with the fast-changing technologies at all times.”
The summit is an annual activity of the PTC WEN, an organization that promotes the advancement and empowerment of women engineers in the Philippines.
