Bacolod City is set to host the 37th Philippine Chemistry Congress, the biggest annual conference of chemists, chemistry educators, and chemistry researchers in the Philippines at the SMX Convention Center on Wednesday, to Friday, July 26 to 28.
The event is organized by the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) National and Bacolod Chapters, in partnership with the Philippine Federation of Chemical Societies (PFCS).
This year’s theme is “Chemistry and Agriculture 4.0: Chemistry for Agriculture and Food Security” which reflects the importance of chemistry in raising the level of agricultural productivity to attain food security, its organizers said in a press release.
Negros Island is an appropriate setting for this theme being one of the agro-industrial hubs of the Philippines as the gathering aims to focus on the various challenges facing the agricultural sector and the contributions that chemistry can make, it said.
The chemistry congress will cover topics on climate change, trends in agricultural chemicals, food contaminants, and food security, among others.
Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga and Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. are expected to give speeches during the event.
Other speakers include Prof. Sir Charles Godfray of the University of Oxford, England, Nora Mae C. Gareza of the Center for Integrated STEM Education Inc., Nopmanee Suvanggang of the Global Soil Laboratory Network, Thailand, Dr. Jonel Saludes of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Dr. Christopher Caipang of UP Visayas, and Dr. Glenn Gregorio of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), UP Los Baños (UPLB), Laguna.
The congress will also feature technical exhibitors who will showcase new products in the industry, the press release added.*