(Note: This article was published earlier in three parts in the November 13, 14 & 17, 2010 issues of the People’s Journal)
In my last article, mentioned about “pagtanaw at pagpugay sa kontribusyon ng propesyong Inhiniyeriya Mekanikal sa pagpapaunlad ng bansa at...ipokus sa sambayanan ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan dito ng mga inhiniyero mekanikal”. Encouraged by the existence of the Philippine Mechanical Engineering Act of 1998, or R.A. 8495, and President Cory’s Proclamation No. 319 designating each third week of October as Mechanical Engineering Week, the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers or PSME (currently headed by Eng’r. Renato A. Florencio) is spearheading the effort to disseminate to the nation, and particularly industry, the relevance as well as significance of the mechanical engineering profession in the development of the country.
The thrust of the PSME to my mind is twofold. The first one is through pushing for the strict implementation of R.A. 8495 which is being done in close collaboration with the Professional Regulation Commission’s (PRC) Board of Mechanical Engineering (BME) Examiners. The second one is through the effort of the “Society” to further enhance the Mechanical Engineering Profession by pursuing programs that stress the need for the widespread assimilation of a “culture of excellence” amongst the practitioners.
First, the R.A. 8495, and the effort to strictly implement it. This law states that the State “recognizes the importance of mechanical engineers in nation building and development. Their talents through sustainable human development shall be promoted ...[and] the State shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive and well rounded mechanical engineers whose standard of professional practice and service shall be excellent, qualitative, word-class and globally competitive through regulatory measures, programs and activities”.
The educational training of the mechanical engineer gives them a profound understanding of the mathematical and scientific theories as well as the principles underlying the basic elements of machinery and mechanical systems which comprise most, if not all, processes found in industries. This knowledge, coupled with the skills they gain and refine through their years of experience and practice, would put them in the best position to achieve, aside from the protection of life and property, both operational success and sustainability for the organization they belong to. The strict implementation therefore of the ME Law, or R.A. 8495, would be good for both the profession and the country’s development as this law’s essence is the promotion of the talents of the Filipino mechanical engineer, and the recognition it gives would encourage the members of the profession to strive further for excellence in their field. This would augur well for development, but aside from this, it being a law, R.A. 8495 must be respected.
The law also defines mechanical engineering practice as: “...Consultation, valuation, investigation and management services requiring mechanical engineering knowledge;...Engineering design, preparation of plans, specifications and project studies or estimates for mechanical equipment, machinery, or processes...;...Management or supervision of the erection, installation, alteration, testing and commissioning [as well as the operation, tending or maintenance] of mechanical equipment, machinery, or processes in mechanical works, projects or plants;...Management or supervision of the manufacture, sale, supply or distribution of mechanical equipment, parts or components;...Teaching of mechanical engineering professional subjects...;...Employment in government as a professional mechanical engineer, registered mechanical engineer or certified plant mechanic...”.
There is currently the undergoing effort of the “Society” to educate the nation regarding the ME Law as the various chapters located all over the country have started to communicate/interact with LGUs, Government Agencies, Academe and Industries advising them not only of the law’s existence but also the importance of following its declarations. Reports regarding violations of the law have also been forwarded to the BME which prompted the board to write certain organizations for explanation about the reported violations. Actions of the BME has even gone to the extent of suspending licenses of practitioners proven to be violators and also threatening to sue at the Ombudsman’s office LGU Building Officials reported to have issued mechanical permits to entities that are not complying with the ME Law.
R.A. 8495 should not be taken lightly as SEC 42 of this law states that violation by any person of the “provisions of... [the] Act and its rules and regulations, upon conviction shall be penalized of not less than Fifty thousand pesos... nor more than Two hundred thousand pesos,... or imprisonment of no more than six (6) months nor more than three (3) years, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court”.
The State, to my mind, has recognized the significance of the mechanical engineering profession in the nation’s development and has made the first step to support it by crafting the ME Law. It is now the function of the practitioners to see to it that the law is followed so that the profession is enhanced and the contribution that is expected of it in the development of the nation is realized.
Regarding the efforts of the PSME. Their “drive towards excellence for the mechanical engineering practitioner” is in full swing as reflected by the response of the more than 60 chapters and their members to the programs that can bring to realization this objective. Membership has been growing as dormant chapters have activated and new chapters in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the Middle East have either been formed or are in the process of being formed, giving more and more practitioners growth opportunities made possible through the ballooning network of the “Society”. Participation to the Annual National Convention – where technical knowledge is updated and where individual members can increase their network - has continuously grown tremendously from three years ago, reaching more than 1,500 delegates during the latest convention last October. More and more Registered Mechanical Engineers (RME) are upgrading their licenses to that of Professional Mechanical Engineer (PME) – a move that would legally qualify them to handle higher mechanical engineering responsibilities. The Continuing Professional Education (CPE) which has been revived, effective this year, as a requirement for the renewal of the practitioner’s licence will assure their annual exposure to training that can regularly update them on new technology, as well as broaden their knowledge or sharpen technical skills.
Indeed a new wind of change and promise for the country’s Mechanical Engineering Profession has started and among the areas where its effect is being felt is in the academe. There has been reportedly an increase of enrolment in the BSME course by 25 percent. The quality, in general, of the mechanical engineering education has also manifested great improvement as shown by the increasing passing rate among board examinees the last two or three years, reaching more than 60 percent – the highest ever – during the latest ME Board Exams last September. This wind of change and promise is also manifested in the joint move of the Board of Mechanical Engineering and the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers to adopt as an advocacy the strict implementation of the Mechanical Engineering Law, R.A. 8495. This joint move has received widespread support coming from the more than 60 chapters based all over the country, some of whom even formed legal teams to go after identified violators of the law.
These happenings point toward the enhancement of the mechanical engineering profession, which, if realized, will have a significant positive effect on the country’s development. This is because mechanical engineering has a very broad application as its practitioners are found in the Academe, the LGUs, Government Agencies and Facilities, High Rise Buildings, the Military, etc. With an improved mechanical engineering profession, performance of these institutions, where they are embedded, would probably also improve - to the benefit of the nation.
The services of mechanical engineers are also needed in most, if not all, industries – particularly manufacturing - where the application of their engineering knowledge and skills is of prime importance. Although a number of so called “knowledgeable” personalities tend to downplay the country’s manufacturing industry as an engine of growth, the fact is that this industry still exists, and, in the words of Mr Jesus Arranza, Federation of Philippine Industries Chairman, “employ millions of Filipinos and remit billions of [pesos in] taxes to the government”. It is therefore important that a determined effort is exerted to reinvigorate, make more competitive and stronger the domestic manufacturers so that they will prevail. This is for the benefit of the millions and millions of our countrymen who depend on them for their survival. In such an effort, the owners of industry – and the government – will find a very useful partner in the enhanced and enlightened mechanical engineer.
Mr Mike Collins, author of “Saving American Manufacturing” believes that “wealth is created in only three ways: agriculture and fishing, mining and manufacturing” and argues that all the other economic activities just transfer wealth and does not create it. He also believes that of the three, “manufacturing is the most important in terms of jobs and historical ability to improve middle class living standards”. I tend to agree with him and although his statements are with reference to America, I believe that it is also true with respect to the Philippines.
It is therefore heart warming to learn that President Noynoy Aquino, upon his return from the US recently, mentioned the mechanical engineer as among the three important professionals that has a better chance for employment in that country. This to me is recognition of the value of the profession which somehow is another form of encouragement for the members and particularly of the PSME, to continue with its effort in its pursuit of excellence. It is equally heart warming that it is in President Noynoy’s mind to “grow our manufacturing base... so that when... [OFWs] leave the country, it would be by choice and not by necessity” (p.4, Phil Star, Oct28). This, to my mind, brings back manufacturing within the range of our “economic radar”, so to speak, and the more reason for mechanical engineers to continuously strive for improvement so that their usefulness as an economic partner of the country will continue to prevail and grow. How to do this is another topic for discussion which will be covered in subsequent articles.
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