Swimming against the current in PSME

29 October 2012

My previous four articles focused on concerns regarding the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineering, and this is on account of the Mechanical Engineering Week which is being celebrated every 3^rd week of the month of October (on the strength of E.O. 319 signed by President Cory in 1998). Incidentally, October 2012 was also proclaimed as Mechanical Engineering Month (as per Proclamation No. 480) by President Benigno S. C. Aquino III in conjunction with the “Society’s” 60^th Diamond Anniversary and its 60^th Annual National Convention which was done last week. Today’s column will be the last of this series dealing with PSME.

The celebration of ME month was centered on the 60^th Annual NatCon, which, by my observation drew in about the same number of delegates present last year.  Many good things took place during the convention among which were the 1-1/2 day 2^nd National ME Student conference which drew in about 3000 student delegates (double that of last year), coming from about 80 schools; the 2^nd Philmach Exhibition which had quality exhibitors and appeared to be more organized this year; the completion of the road map for the global competitiveness of the ME profession in which the “Society” participated; the announcement that the organization’s fund has already grown to some PHP 12 million and is expected to increase further to PHP15 million by year-end; and the approval of the New Mechanical Engineering Code by the PRC, signified by Chairperson Teresita Manzala’s signing the said document in front of the general assembly.

It is but right that the good is acknowledged, and it should make the members of the organization happy. However, it should not negate the existence of any bad that may be happening, nor inhibit any effort to expose whatever is bad so that these can be properly addressed. Exposing what seems bad in PSME, at this point in time, would be, as a saying goes, “swimming against the current”.

It is in line with this thinking that on the second day of the convention, a number of reform-minded PSME members came out and distributed   a “Manifesto for NatCon 2012” containing eight concerns which the reform group believes needs looking into. Some students, who felt they should also start getting involved in making right what is not, volunteered to distribute the manifesto. They were apprehended by the venue’s security force, but eventually released after Eng’r. David and Eng’r. Maglana (who incidentally is also a lawyer) made representations and contested the reason for the apprehension as well as the suppression of the distribution of the manifesto.

Members of the reform group identified themselves by wearing red arm bands which they were also prepared to provide others who may want to openly show support for the move. There were quite a lot who sympathised but were hesitant to expose themselves because they say they didn’t want to encounter difficulties in the future…some saying “alam na ninyo yuon”.

On the third day, upon the suggestion of a young engineer, the reform group set-up a “freedom wall” so that more members could be informed. Two such freedom walls made from red “cartolina” were posted on the wall of the venue, but then, as advised by a staff member of the venue, these were transferred to blank spaces (and finished activities) of a tarpaulin column showing the program schedule of the convention. In less than two hours, the convention chairman arrived to supervise the removal of the “freedom wall”. The members of the reform group reacted and objected by invoking their right to use the tarpaulin (being members), as well as the right to dissent. This caused a more or less 10 minute heated discussion with the convention chairman, but the removal, however, eventually prevailed, with the convention chairman removing the “freedom wall” himself as required by the reform group.

During the internal affairs workshop, the manifesto was entered for discussion with the intention of getting resolutions (for proper action) approved for each of the eight concerns, and which will then be presented during the closing plenary for ratification. This intention did not materialize due to what appeared to me as a strong and orchestrated effort to block it. What prevailed was a resolution requiring that the “manifesto” be formally sent to the national board for action, and for the results of the board’s action/s regarding the “manifesto” to be reported back to the general membership. This to me is odd, considering that most, if not all, of the eight concerns have reference to the national board. (For those who may be interested, copies of the resolutions may be accessed at http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com/).

By the way, on the election for the members of the 2013 national board, I mentioned in my October 9 column that “…it seems that the hand(s) that intend to manipulate has already started to move because someone appeared to have made the mistake of sending to me a ‘listing of preferred candidates as per so-and-so’. As per this list the following are to be elected: (for NCR) Aguiluz, Reyes, Paulino, Maglaya, So and Mamawal; (for Luzon North) Yorobe, Nicolas; (for Luzon South) Dadua, Cometa; (for Visayas) Chong, Moncada, Montero; (for Mindanao) Sultan, Aquillera.”

The actual result of the election, as reported, is as follows: (for NCR) Aguiluz, Reyes, Paulino, So, Mamawal and Ocampo; (for North Luzon) Yorobe, Nicolas; (for Luzon South) Badillo, Cometa; (for Visayas) Chong, Moncada, Montero; (for Mindanao) Sultan, Aguinea. I leave it up to the reader to make his/her own conclusion.

At any rate, I wish the incoming 2013 national directors, and the 2013 national officers, good luck! May the real interest of the profession and the “Society” prevail. Mabuhay ang PSME!

Meanwhile, comments/reactions from the readers will be appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com) or through this writer’s blog (mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).