QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 8495)
RA 8495 recognizes the importance of mechanical engineers in nation building and development and mandates the State to develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded mechanical engineers, with professional practice that is excellent, qualitative, world-class, and globally competitive through regulatory measures, programs, and activities.
It includes: consultation, valuation, investigation and management services requiring mechanical engineering knowledge; engineering design and preparation of plans/specs/project studies/estimates for mechanical equipment/machinery/processes; management/supervision of erection/installation/alteration/testing/commissioning; management/supervision/operation/tending/maintenance of mechanical equipment/machinery/processes; management/supervision of manufacture/sale/supply/distribution of mechanical equipment/parts/components; teaching mechanical engineering professional subjects in government-recognized/accredited engineering schools; and certain government employment as professional mechanical engineer/registered mechanical engineer/certified plant mechanic when the work is in line with the profession and requires professional mechanical engineering knowledge.
It covers prime movers (engines/turbines), steam generators/boilers, furnaces, heat exchangers, materials-handling equipment, HVAC and refrigeration equipment, compressors and centrifugal fans, mechanical pollution abatement/environmental control systems, and piping systems with a working pressure of not less than 70 kPa, among others.
It is the total kilowatt ratings of all engines, motors, boilers, turbines, or other prime movers installed for use in the works/projects/plants, whether operating or not, without regard to how many mechanical equipment/processes receiving power from or intended to be driven by such prime movers.
It consists of a Chairman and two (2) members appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) recommendees per position submitted by the PRC. The lists are chosen/ranked from five (5) nominees submitted by the duly accredited association of mechanical engineers in the Philippines.
They must be: (a) natural-born citizen and resident of the Philippines; (b) at least 35 years old; (c) holder of BS Mechanical Engineering or equivalent from a CHED-accredited school; (d) a Professional Mechanical Engineer with a valid license and active practice for at least 10 years; (e) not a faculty member teaching regular mechanical engineering in any school for three consecutive years prior; (f) not connected with any review center or review group/classes for three consecutive years prior; and (g) never convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude.
A member holds office for three (3) years from appointment, or until successor is qualified. Reappointment is allowed for another three-year term, but no member shall serve more than two (2) regular terms.
Among others: promulgate rules/regulations; supervise registration, licensure, and practice of mechanical engineers; administer oaths; issue certificates of registration and licenses; suspend/revoke certificates and cancel/suspend permits after due process; adopt an official seal; enforce ethical standards via a Code of Ethical and Professional Standards; hear/try administrative cases and issue subpoenas; prescribe guidelines for Continuing Professional Education (CPE); prepare/amend exam syllabi; approve/limit/revoke temporary licenses; and discharge other duties for professional enhancement and education development.
They are, in order of rank: (a) Professional Mechanical Engineer; (b) Mechanical Engineer; and (c) Certified Plant Mechanic.
At filing, the applicant must show: Filipino citizenship; no conviction for moral turpitude; possession of a valid certificate of registration and being a registered mechanical engineer with a valid professional license; graduation from an engineering school with an approved mechanical engineering course; specific record of at least four (4) years active mechanical engineering practice reckoned from the time registered mechanical engineering practice; and competence attested by at least two (2) professional mechanical engineers.
The applicant must be a Filipino citizen; not convicted of moral turpitude; and hold the BS Mechanical Engineering degree from a government-recognized university/school/college/academy/institute duly constituted and recognized as such.
The applicant must not have a conviction for moral turpitude; have graduated from a recognized vocational/trade school after completing an approved course of at least two (2) years in stationary or power plant engineering or mechanical plant operation; and have specific record of an additional one (1) year active practice in mechanical plant operation. The applicant must also be competent to operate/tend/maintain mechanical works/projects/plants of not less than 100 kilowatts, as indicated by affidavit of a registered professional mechanical engineer.
For all categories, the candidate must obtain an average of 70% on all subjects, with no rating below 50% in any subject.
Designs/plans/layouts/specifications and related proposals/quotations for mechanical equipment/works/projects/plants, including mechanical pollution abatement systems and mechanical fire protection systems, and pressurized pipes with working pressure not less than 70 kPa, must be prepared by or under the responsible charge of, and duly signed and sealed by a Professional Mechanical Engineer.
No firm/company/partnership/association/corporation may be registered or licensed as such for the practice of mechanical engineering. However, registered/licensed mechanical engineers may form a firm or association using terms like “Mechanical Engineers” or “Architects and Mechanical Engineers,” but only registered/licensed mechanical engineers may be members/partners/associates, and members may render only work/services proper for mechanical engineers as defined in the Act.
Upon conviction, the offender may be penalized by a fine of not less than PHP 50,000 nor more than PHP 200,000, or imprisonment of not less than 6 months nor more than 3 years, or both, at the discretion of the court.