The Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. (PSM) conducted the Cluster 2 symposium entitled “Regulations and Requirements for Conformity: Adapting to the Changing Microbial World” last January 28, 2012 at the University Conference Center, Far Eastern University in Morayta, Manila. The cluster symposium highlighted the current strategic regulations and quality standards employed by the agricultural, aquatic, environmental and industrial sectors.

The speakers included Mrs. Cirila S. Botor, former head of the Bureau of Product Standards, with topic on “National Quality Infrastructure (NQI): Is it Necessary?”, Mrs. Marilou G. Directo of Laguna Lake Development Authority talked about “Microbiological Monitoring and Regulations for Drinking, Ambient and Waste Waters” while Ms. Abigail E. Marcos of San Miguel Brewery Inc. talked about “Microbiological Uncertainty of Measurement: Requirement for Measurement Traceability”. After a sumptuous lunch, Dr. Ruby J. Apilado of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, DOST gave a lecture on “Strategies to Improve Traceability of Food Microbiology Measurements”. The symposium was capped with talk by Ms. Cathleen Ann Gauuan of Merck Chemicals on “Globally Harmonized System of Labelling and Classification”.

The symposium was attended by 389 participants from the FEU Faculty, students and teachers from various universities, as well as practitioners from the food and related industries. A total of 75 new PSM regular members and 11 new life members took oath during this event. The Cluster 2 symposium was co-sponsored by Far Eastern University and Procter & Gamble Philippines, Inc. (PG Garcia)