NEDA VI OIC-RD Casing addresses new civil engineers

“Learning from experience in the course of my career as a professional, it has always been our duty to serve our people, not to be served.”

Engr. Arecio A. Casing, Jr., CESO IV, OIC-Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) VI, shared this important note during his inspirational message on the challenges of a practicing professional.

He is one of the guests of honor during the Oathtaking Ceremony of New Civil Engineers and Induction of New Members of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) at Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City on January 28, 2023.

Recalling his journey when he began his career, Engr. Casing also emphasized the value of lifelong learning as well as finding purpose in the work being done which led to him in the role of OIC-Regional Director of NEDA Regional Office VI.

Engr. Casing entered government service as City Administrator of Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental for 12 years. In 2019, he joined NEDA as Assistant Regional Director in Region VI.

“There are a lot of duties including planning, budgeting, and implementation of programs and projects. When there are natural calamities, there is an overwhelming demand for the local government. As an engineer, I am glad that it is innate in our nature to solve problems and act on them swiftly,” he shared remembering his time as city administrator.

An alumnus of the University of San Carlos for his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Engr. Casing also earned three master’s degrees in the course of his career beginning with his Master of Science in Civil Engineering major in Construction Technology and Management degree from De La Salle University, then Master of Management from the University of the Philippine Visayas – Cebu College, and finally, Master of Public Administration from the National University of Singapore – Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

A total of 199 new civil engineers participated in the event coming from various schools in the region and beyond: Aklan State University, Capiz State University, Central Philippine University, Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion, Garcia College of Technology, Northern Iloilo State University, Palawan State University, St. Anthony’s College – Antique, University of Antique, University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos, University of San Agustin, and Western Institute of Technology.

Together with OIC-Regional Director Casing was Dr. Pericles P. Dakay, Member of the Professional Regulatory Board of Civil Engineering who officiated the oath of the profession of the new civil engineers. The said activity was organized by the PICE Iloilo Chapter, an accredited private sector organizaton of the Regional Development Council VI, and the Professional Regulation Commission Regional Office VI.