PMT receives a Tech-Upgrade

By VW Joseph Harold W. Santiago, GSc (48)

1440 San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila

The term of MW Agapito S. Suan, Jr. consequently extended due to the Corona Virus Pandemic has been a productive one as the Grand Master took advantage of the downtime resulting from reduced Masonic Activities in the jurisdiction.

Renovations at the GLP are still ongoing as of this writing. Here are some of the high impact projects of the Grand Master which are in sync with this Edition of the Cable Tow.

Among the earlier accomplishment is replacement of the old Schindler Elevator with a brand-new unit to the amount of 2.5 Million Pesos. The new elevator was blessed & made operational on December 12,2019 right in time to serve the Brethren & Guests on the 107th GLP Anniversary on December 19 of that year. Serviced by the IFE Elevator Company with their office based in Manila, the cost includes one year maintenance covering the period of December 19, 2019 to December 19, 2020. It services the Ground Floor (G/F) up to the 5th Floor (5/F) of the Plaridel Masonic Temple and can transport up to 15 people at a time. The IFE Unite is guaranteed to be in good running condition within the next five years, provided that periodic and preventive maintenance is applied.

GLP has no investment on the unit considering that the Ten(10) Man, Ways & Means Committee, Chaired by VW Jaime A. Pacanan raised the needed funds to finance the project thru solicitation from Donors & Sponsors, mostly brethren & friends of Masons. The committee was able to raise the amount of 4 Million Pesos of which the remaining amount of 1.5 Million was used to finance the next project.

Two (2) upright mounted 5-tonner Air conditioning Units have been installed at the newly renovated Stafford & Palma Halls. The 1.5-million- peso project was undertaken by ASHLAR Builders Corporation. Scope of project includes civil works as well as a provision for fixed glass partition with sliding doors.

In November 2020, while the renovation of the Stafford, Palma, and Bonifacio Halls were ongoing. The current administration recalled the fire incident in the old Plaridel Masonic Temple twenty years ago which was suspected to have been caused by faulty electrical wiring. Not leaving anything to chance, the Grand Master had the GLP building inspected and evaluated by licensed engineers. Employing the services of Bro. Rholand Dindo Sioson (441) – a Civil Engineer Contractor. With the professional assistance of Bro. Leo Punio (52) an Electrical

Engineer. Their Team subjected the entire electrical system of the Plaridel Masonic Temple to 100% load capacity for 3 days and made actual computations.

The result of the stress test revealed an overloaded system. Years of accumulating electrical appliance units installed by preceding administrations are slowly overwhelming the electrical system of the edifice that is the seat of Philippine Masonry, thus in need of immediate rehabilitation.

The existing GLP Master Electrical Plan was reviewed, evaluated, and updated to address all technical concerns. The following solutions were implemented as recommended by VW Jaime Pacanan with the approval of the Grand Master:

• The 30-year-old Main Distribution Panel (MDP) 1000-amp was upgraded to 1200- amp. • General re-wiring of the entire Airconditioning System of the Building and selective re-wiring of the outlets & lights (particularly in renovated areas). • The worn-out Main Distribution Panel (MDP) Enclosure, Busbars, Assorted

Breakers, and obsolete Panel Boards, including Ammeter & Voltmeter were all replaced. • A new area panel board was set-up for aircon condensing units and given new feeder lines going to the new electrical room on the roof deck. They are now separated from those for light & outlets. • The old powerhouse located beside the

York Rite Office behind the Aguinaldo Hall was reclaimed from the GLP Security and

Maintenance Crew who have started using

the area as their quarters. Both Security and Maintenance Staff have been relocated to safer and more suitable accommodations near the IMES Office. • The GLP Roof Deck was refurbished to prevent water-leaks due to inclement weather.

The 5.7 Million Peso Project took four (4) months to complete, requiring electrical shutdowns as well as new stress tests to validate the safety and efficiency of the new GLP electrical system.

“The overall examination of the entire Grand Lodge Complex done during my term made us realize the need of an overseer with a professional experience in the maintenance of multiple edifices like what we have here at the GLP Compound.” Said MW Suan. ‘’Equally important, such building steward should have an extended stay beyond a Grand Master’s Term to act as a conduit between the outgoing and incoming set of Grand Lodge Officers.” The concerned Grand Master added. ‘’Had this top-to-bottom assessment not been made, nobody in the jurisdiction would have realized that our power system is becoming overloaded. Imagine what could have happened…’’

Aside from addressing the unexpected findings, the Grand Master issued Edict No. 336 – Creating the Office of the Grand Lodge Building Engineer and Defining his Duties & Responsibilities. With the fervent hope that the same oversight will be prevented in the succeeding years.

For his outstanding performance in delivering the needed results. MW Suan have appointed VW Jaime Pacanan as the first Grand Lodge Building Engineer.