Dear Fellow Members, Colleagues, and Friends,
It is with deep gratitude and a sense of responsibility that I accept the privilege of serving as your President for the 2026–2027 Society Year. My thanks go to our past presidents and Board of Governors, whose stewardship built the chapter we inherit today, and to every member, volunteer, sponsor, and partner who gives this chapter its life.
ASHRAE Society President Sarah E. Maston calls us this year to “Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience” — a reminder that the greatest opportunity in the built environment lies in the buildings we already have. For the Philippines, where climate risk is not an abstraction but an annual reality, that call could not be more timely. Our chapter will answer it through six pillars.
We begin with membership and our Young Engineers in ASHRAE. A chapter is only as strong as the people who show up for it, so we will grow our roster deliberately, engage those already with us more meaningfully, and invest in developing the next generation of leaders — because YEA is not merely our future, it is our present.
Second, we commit to technical excellence. Through our bootcamp, technical series, roundtables, and seminars, we will keep raising the standard of practice among Filipino engineers — pairing the rigor of ASHRAE standards with the realities of our tropical climate, our codes, and our project conditions. Competence is the most durable service we can offer our members and the public alike.
Third, we will deepen our government engagement, moving from relationship building to meaningful partnership. Our aim is substantive collaboration on codes, standards, efficiency policy, and capacity building, where the chapter is sought out as a trusted technical resource rather than merely a familiar name.
Fourth, we will pursue financial stability by creating shared value. A well-resourced chapter is a chapter that can deliver. We will steward our funds transparently and build sponsor relationships in which our partners gain genuine visibility, access, and technical exchange — so that supporting ASHRAE Philippines is an investment with returns, not an act of charity.
Fifth, we will strengthen our regional and global visibility. Filipino engineering talent deserves a wider audience. We will show up and participate at Region 13 activities and Society events, contribute to committees and technical work beyond our shores, and pursue recognition that reflects the real quality of what our members do every day.
Sixth, and underpinning all of it, we will practice governance as leadership with continuity. We will document our processes, strengthen succession and turnover, mentor incoming officers early, and make decisions that serve the chapter long after this term ends.
These six pillars are commitments, not slogans — and they will only hold if we carry them together. I invite every member to take part: attend a session, join a committee, mentor a student, sponsor an activity, or simply bring a colleague into the fold. Whatever your capacity, there is a place for you in this year’s work.
Let us change the game together.
Sincerely,
MARK LESTER SALVADOR
President, ASHRAE Philippines Chapter
2026–2027 Society Year
