WELCOME MESSAGE

The PTC Board of Trustees, Executive Officers and our member engineering organizations warmly welcome all of you to the Philippines and most especially to our CAFEO 43. It is an honor to extend to all of you the warmest greetings of friendship and solidarity as we gather under the inspiring theme, “ASEAN Engineers: Beacons of Prosperity, Inclusivity, Equity, Resilience and Sustainability.”

This theme reminds us that engineering is more than science and technology — it is a noble calling to build a better and prosperous ASEAN and a better world. Across ASEAN, engineers have long been at the heart of progress — shaping our cities, powering our industries, and connecting our peoples. Today, as our region faces new challenges and opportunities in a VUCA world, our role becomes even more vital.

We are called to design not only infrastructures, but also inclusive and equitable communities; to innovate not only for growth, but for resilience and sustainability; and to lead not only with skill, but with compassion and vision. We are called to engineer not only with the cold precision of science and technology, but with the heart for real and selfless service to humanity.

CAFEO 43 stands as a testament to our shared commitment to an ASEAN that thrives in unity — a region built on prosperity for all, empowered by the ingenuity of its engineers. CAFEO has always been looked forward to by our members since years past because it has remained a beacon that regularly calls us back to opportunities to renew long lasting friendships and camaraderie. A privilege that each one of has surely and personally experienced time and again during CAFEOs. Moreover, CAFEO has served as a very important and fitting avenue for us to discuss and share ideas among peers on how engineering could be harnessed for the betterment of all in our nations.

May this conference strengthen our bonds, spark new ideas, and inspire us-ASEAN Engineers - to continue serving as beacons of progress and hope for our nations and for our beloved ASEAN.

Welcome to CAFEO 43 — and may our collective work today light the path toward a sustainable and resilient future.

Let this be our call to action! Mabuhay po tayong lahat sa CAFEO 43!

It is with immense pride and deep gratitude that I welcome you to the 43rd Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (CAFEO 43)—a gathering that stands as a powerful symbol of regional cooperation, professional excellence, and shared commitment to a sustainable and inclusive future.

This year marks a historic milestone for the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) as we celebrate our 50th Founding Anniversary—five decades of steadfast service to the Filipino nation, and five decades of empowering electrical engineers to become catalysts of progress in their communities, industries, and the country at large. It is truly meaningful that this golden anniversary coincides with the Philippines’ hosting of CAFEO 43.

The theme of this year’s conference, “ASEAN Engineers: Beacons of Prosperity, Inclusivity, Equity, Resilience, and Sustainability,” captures the very heart of what the engineering profession must represent in our times. It calls on all of us—not only to lead—but to lead with vision, with purpose, and with conscience.

Engineers are uniquely positioned to shape the trajectory of ASEAN—through education and capacity building, sustainable urban development, water and

energy security, and innovations that drive both economic growth and social equity. In these transformative efforts, engineers must not only be builders of infrastructure, but also architects of hope and guardians of sustainability.

CAFEO 43 is more than a conference—it is a call to action. It challenges us to forge deeper collaborations, to exchange knowledge freely, and to collectively respond to the urgent demands of a changing world. Let us seize this moment to strengthen our solidarity as ASEAN engineers, and to amplify our shared impact across borders.
As we celebrate 50 years of IIEE, we renew our unwavering commitment to excellence, service, and regional cooperation. Let this event mark not only our past achievements but also our continuing pursuit of a future where electrical engineering solutions uplift lives, protect the environment, and uphold the dignity of every ASEAN citizen.

On behalf of the IIEE, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our partners in the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations, our distinguished delegates, and every individual and institution who made CAFEO 43 possible.

Mabuhay ang IIEE. Mabuhay ang PTC. Mabuhay ang CAFEO!

Congratulations to the organizers of the 43rd Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO43), hosted by the Philippine Technological Council
(PTC) beginning October 28.

It is my distinct honor to welcome you to Clark Freeport Zone-Gateway to the Luzon Economic Corridor. Strategically positioned, Clark links Metro Manila to the high-growth provinces of Central and Northern Luzon, fueling trade, mobility, and regional competitiveness.

From its origins as a former U.S. military air base, Clark has transformed into a thriving hub for investment and tourism through strong public-private collaboration.

Government-led infrastructure and policy reforms, paired with private sector capital and expertise, have positioned Clark as the region's growth engine.

In 2024, Clark secured P77 billion in investment commitments, welcomed over 1,200 locator-companies, and supported more than 147,000 jobs. In the first half of 2025 alone, the Freeport Zone generated US $29.5 million in approved investments-clear signals of trust and resilience.

On October 13, Clark was named Asia's Leading Meetings and Conference Destination 2025 by the World Travel Awards, affirming its role as a collaborative hub for ideas and partnerships.

Clark hosts multinational companies in aviation, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, agro-industrial, and services. We foster interdependence among locators-encouraging local sourcing, shared infrastructure, and innovation. Products proudly bear the Made in Clark, Philippines mark, a symbol of quality and community-driven excellence.

Good governance spells good economics-and Clark reflects this in action. Clark International Airport (CRK), honored as one of the world's most beautiful airports by UNESCO's Prix Versailles, exemplifies our commitment to world-class infrastructure.

From CRK to the upcoming North-South Commuter Railway, and legacy projects like the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center and the National Museum of the Philippines Clark, we continue to build for progress. Our Business One-Stop Shop streamlines processes, ensuring ease of doing business for partners and investors.

Clark is not just building for today—we are building for what's next.

May CAFEO43 be a catalyst for ideas that shape ASEAN's future.

Mabuhay, and welcome to Clark.