Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10688)
The title of Republic Act No. 10688 is the 'Metallurgical Engineering Act of 2015.'
The State recognizes the importance of metallurgical engineers in nation-building and development and aims to develop competent, virtuous, productive, and globally competitive metallurgical engineers through regulatory measures.
The objectives include examination, registration and licensure of metallurgical engineers; supervision and regulation of practice; upgrading metallurgical engineering curriculum; professional competence development through continuing education; and integration of the profession.
It is the offering or rendering of metallurgical engineering services for a fee, salary, other compensation, or even without compensation, and is synonymous with rendering metallurgical engineering services.
The branches include Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, Adaptive and Physical Metallurgy, and Fuel Technology.
The Board consists of a chairperson and two members appointed by the President from a list of recommendees submitted by the Professional Regulation Commission based on nominations from the accredited professional organization of metallurgical engineers.
The Board supervises and regulates the profession, conducts licensure exams, issues certificates and permits, investigates violations, adopts a code of ethics, and enforces standards for metallurgical engineering practice.
They must be Filipino citizens and residents, holders of a Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, registered and active metallurgical engineers with at least 10 years of practice, and not have pecuniary interests in related education institutions, among others.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or foreigners from countries with reciprocity, of good moral character, possess a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering or related degrees, and not have been convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.
Persons who graduated before the 1978 Metallurgical Engineering Law with 15 years of experience, or who hold a doctorate in metallurgy and related fields, may be registered without examination upon board approval and submission of documents.
Only those who are properly licensed and registered metallurgical engineers may legally practice metallurgical engineering.
Offenders may be fined between ₱10,000 to ₱1,000,000, or face imprisonment from one month to five years, or both, at the court's discretion.
No, firms or corporations cannot be licensed to practice metallurgical engineering; however, licensed metallurgical engineers may form partnerships among themselves or with other licensed engineers and architects.
Registered metallurgical engineers and plant foremen must comply with continuing professional education (CPE) and development programs as prescribed by the Board, Commission, and accredited professional organizations.
The Board may revoke or suspend certificates upon notice and hearing for violations such as fraud, gross negligence, immoral acts, illegal practice, addiction, and other specified grounds.