Professional imbalance - also a mechanical engineering profession concern

30 November 2011

It was serendipitous that while I was contemplating on this article more than a week ago, the editorial of the People’s Journal titled “Tragic and ironic” came out. The editorial talked of professional imbalance, particularly pointing to the shortage of professionals in the mining and health care industries, and how the corresponding professional regulatory boards (i.e., mining and optometry) are addressing their respective problems.

It seems however that this concern extends beyond that of the earlier mentioned professions, as according to Professional Regulation Commission commissioner, Atty. Jenifer Manalili, the country is also suffering from a severe shortage of licensed optometrists, guidance counsellors, psychologist, medical technologist, social workers, pharmacists, nutritionist and dentists. The editorial also noted that the PRC has likewise warned that “...the country may soon run out of mining engineers and other professionals...”

Professional imbalance, if this mechanical engineer may opine, is also a concern (among others) of the mechanical engineering profession – that of the Professional Mechanical Engineer grade in particular. Based on the latest statistics that came my way, there are currently about 5,000 PMEs registered with the PRC, half of whom are already dead, inactive or retired. Section 34 of the ME Law (RA 8495) dictates, among others, that a mechanical work, project or plant with an aggregate rating of more than 2,000 Kilowatts, and which operates for 24 hrs, should have a complement of at least 4 PMEs. This is so that each of the three shifts can be manned by one (while the fourth can also serve, on top of other responsibilities, as a buffer). A simple computation would show that the nation has currently enough PMEs for only about 625 such facilities with a rating of more than 2,000 kW. The effect of this is the large scale non-compliance with this particular aspect of the ME law in various industries. This discrepancy is further magnified by the fact that a good number of PMEs are employed abroad.

The ME law in its statement of policy (Section 2) declares that, “The state recognizes the importance of mechanical engineers in nation building and development... [and] shall develop and nurture competent... mechanical engineers...through regulatory measures, programs and activities”. On the basis of this policy, this writer believes that among the underlying objectives of the law in developing and nurturing the mechanical engineers’ competence is the enhancement of their ability to contribute to the success of the enterprise they are with, as well as, ensure the safety and protection of life and property. In this manner the mechanical engineer’s value is likewise enhanced and would translate into better gains for him from the practice of his profession. The prevalence therefore of the shortage of PMEs that has resulted in the unchecked and large scale violation of the ME law is a disservice not only to the profession but also to the country, as the shortage, in a way, deprives the various enterprises of competent personnel that can enhance their success, and in effect, undermine the country’s nation building and development initiatives. Such a situation, to this writer’s mind, points only to one course of action, which is, expediting the correction of the prevailing particular professional imbalance.

The ME law was passed in 1998, some 13 years ago, but sadly, its implementation is grossly wanting as of today. The situation has prevailed despite PSME, with its roughly 10,000 members, engaging in an effort during the last few years to rectify the anomaly (but barely made a dent in improving the situation). This development, again, to this writer’s mind, may be the biggest factor that caused the stagnation of the profession and parked it to the sad state that it is now in. There seems to be however a proverbial “light at the end of the [dark] tunnel” development in the person of the new PRC Chairperson, Atty. Teresita Manzala who has personally assumed oversight function over the mechanical engineering profession (the only engineering profession under the PRC chair). As I mentioned in an earlier article about her message to the “Society” during the 59^th Natcon, she feels that this enabled her to gain a deeper awareness and involvement which has given her intimate views of its issues and concerns. “This, according to her gives the profession a special place among the roster of regulated professions, and has made, as well, the upliftment of the mechanical engineers of special significance in the PRC”.

Hopefully, her “presence” would usher in the necessary initiatives and changes that would improve the profession, and also, bring about dynamism to this “sleeping giant-resource” – the more than 70,000 mechanical engineers registered with the PRC- so that it could finally unleash its potential abilities and gain its rightful place as a significant partner in the country’s effort to achieve economic prominence and progress for all.

Comments/reactions from the readers, especially from the 60,000 or more inactive registered mechanical engineers, can be sent through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com) or through this writer’s blog (mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).