Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 294)
Commonwealth Act No. 294 is officially known as the "Mechanical Engineering Law."
The Board of Mechanical Engineering Examiners is composed of three members, one of whom is designated chairman.
Each member must be a Filipino citizen and resident, hold a mechanical engineering degree or its equivalent, be legally qualified to practice mechanical engineering, have at least ten years of active practice, and must not be a faculty member or have pecuniary interest in any mechanical engineering school.
The four grades are: (1) Professional Mechanical Engineer, (2) Mechanical Plant Engineer, (3) Junior Mechanical Engineer, and (4) Certified Plant Mechanic.
No, unless exempted by the Act, no person shall practice or offer to practice mechanical engineering without a previously obtained certificate of registration from the Board.
Mechanical engineering includes any professional service for a fee or otherwise involving consultation, design, construction, supervision, or operation of mechanical equipment, machinery, or processes related to mechanical works, projects, or plants, and includes using titles or descriptions implying one is a registered mechanical engineer.
Mechanical works, projects, or plants of less than twenty (20) horsepower, works of the U.S. army or navy, and those of government units exempted by the Secretary are excluded.
Exemptions include U.S. military personnel and employees, Philippine government employees practicing mechanical engineering unless decided otherwise, foreign engineers temporarily consulting, technical officers or consultants in special branches, apprentices and students, and those practicing in plants below 20 horsepower.
They are guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction may be fined between 100 to 1,000 pesos, or imprisoned for up to three months, or both.
Only a registered Professional Mechanical Engineer may be in responsible charge of preparation of plans, designs, investigations, or other professional mechanical engineering services for any mechanical works, projects, or plants.
Such plants must have resident registered mechanical engineers or certified plant mechanics as per horsepower capacity, ensuring appropriate supervision per shift.
Causes include criminal conviction involving moral turpitude, fraud in obtaining a certificate, gross negligence, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct, or falsely issuing or supervising engineering works not prepared or controlled by the registrant.
Professional Mechanical Engineer and Mechanical Plant Engineer: 30 pesos; Junior Mechanical Engineer: 20 pesos; Certified Plant Mechanic: 10 pesos.
Yes, but only if the country of their nationality grants Filipino mechanical engineers the same practice rights on a reciprocal basis.
The Board submits annual reports, publishes examination programs, maintains a roster of registrants, and with law enforcement officers, ensures compliance with the Act.