Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 3 September 2025

Mark Albert H. Zarco
Professor, University of the Philippines, Diliman

The National Engineering Center of the University of the Philippines Diliman in partnership with Giken Seisakusho Asia Pte., Ltd. hosted, through its i-conNECt program, and organized a seminar entitled Advanced Technologies on Vibration-free and Noise Free Installation of Steel Sheet Piles and Pipe Piles on 4 June 2025. The seminar was offered to the public for free in partnership with Giken Seisakusho Asia Pte., Ltd.  
 
The resource speaker was Mr. Ryo Kamioka, Manager of Construction Solutions Department, Giken Seisakusho Asia Pte., Ltd. Also present during the seminar was Mr. Yoshihisa Fujisaki, Managing Director of Giken Seisakusho Asia Pte., Ltd.
 
During the seminar, updates on projects in the Philippines involving the potential application of the SILENT PILER^TM and GYRO PILER were presented. This included the planned rehabilitation and retrofitting of the Guadalupe Bridge in Manila, Philippines by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Republic of the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This project is seen as the very first application of the GYRO PILER in the Philippines. Agreements were also reached to explore the establishment of a program between De La Salle University (DLSU), the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Giken for students to visit Giken’s Red Hill Facility in Akaoka-Cho, Konan City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. The seminar was attended by more than 90 representatives from government, academia, and the private sector. The event was moderated by Prof. Mark Albert H. Zarco, IPA Director, and covered by the Information Office of the University of the Philippines Diliman.
 
The i-conNECt series of seminars/webinars aims to disseminate information and provide a venue for discussion among the industry, academia and the government on important issues affecting the nation. It aims to spread awareness about relevant topics in engineering and how they affect the lives of ordinary people.