Regulates Mechanical Engineering Practice PH

The practice of mechanical engineering includes consultation, valuation, investigation, and management requiring mechanical engineering knowledge.
It involves engineering design, plan preparation, supervision of erection and installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical equipment and processes.
Teaching mechanical engineering in recognized institutions and government employment related to mechanical engineering are included.
Mechanical equipment and machinery cover prime movers, boilers, furnaces, heat exchangers, materials handling equipment, HVAC systems, environmental control systems, and more.
Mechanical processes encompass various power plants, industrial facilities, and other projects powered by diverse energy sources.
Plant-rated capacity is defined by the total kW ratings of installed engines, motors, boilers, turbines, or other prime movers.

A Board composed of a Chairman and two members is created, appointed by the President from nominees submitted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and accredited mechanical engineers association.
The Board must be organized within six months from the Act's effectivity.

Board members must be natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 35 years old, licensed professional mechanical engineers with a minimum of 10 years practice, and meet other criteria to prevent conflicts of interest.
Term of office is three years, renewable once, with a maximum of two full terms.
Compensation aligns with other regulatory boards and determined by the General Appropriations Act.
The Board is supervised by the PRC, which also maintains all records and provides secretariat and support services.
Powers include rulemaking, registration supervision, oath administration, issuance and revocation of licenses, ethical standard enforcement, administrative hearings, continuing education guidelines, temporary licensing, and professional development.
Annual reports must be submitted to the President through the PRC.
Board members may be removed for neglect of duty, incompetence, ethical violations, or crimes involving moral turpitude.

Written technical examinations are mandatory for registration.
Three registration categories exist: Professional Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Certified Plant Mechanic.
Applicants for Professional Mechanical Engineer must be Filipino citizens, crime-free, registered mechanical engineers, have an engineering degree, four years of active practice, and competence attested by professionals.
Mechanical Engineer applicants require citizenship, crime-free record, and a mechanical engineering degree.
Certified Plant Mechanic applicants must be crime-free, have vocational/trade school training, at least two years course completion, and one year active plant operation experience, with attestations of competence.
Examination scopes are tailored to each category, including technical subjects, engineering economics, laws, ethics, machine design, and power plant knowledge.
Passing requires 70% average with no score below 50% in any subject.
Ratings are submitted to the PRC within 15 days after examinations.
Re-examination allowed after one year upon failing three times.
Successful examinees must take an oath prior to practice.
Certificates of registration and professional licenses are issued upon fulfillment of fees and requirements and bear official signatures and seals.
Specialty certificates can be issued subject to Board and PRC approval.

An integrated and accredited mechanical engineers organization is established; membership is automatic upon registration and payment of dues.
Voluntary organizations may coexist with the integrated organization.
Professional Mechanical Engineers must obtain a seal to affix on documents prepared, which must not be used after license revocation.

Certificates are not issued to persons convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude or declared mentally unsound.
Certificates and licenses can be revoked or suspended for fraud, gross negligence, incompetence, unprofessional conduct, or ethics violations, with rights to hearings and appeals.
Reinstatement possible after two years from revocation upon application and fee payment.
Lost certificates can be replaced per Board rules.

Licenses are valid evidence of lawful practice until expiry.
Renewal covers three consecutive years and requires payment of renewal fees.
Mechanical Engineers registered before the Act take effect are automatically registered under the Act.

Temporary permits required for foreign mechanical engineers consulting or working for no more than 3 months in a 12-month period, provided they meet qualification equivalency.
Foreign technical officers or consultants may be permitted under specific conditions including prior employment and necessity due to lack of local expertise.
Engagement periods limited to 6 months (renewable once) or up to 2 years for new firms.

Only licensed Professional Mechanical Engineers may undertake responsible charge of professional mechanical engineering activities, including preparation of plans, teaching, and supervision of installation.
Operation and maintenance of mechanical plants require licensed personnel depending on plant size (100 kw, 300 kw, 2000 kw thresholds) and shifts.
Mechanical plans and proposals must be signed and sealed by Professional Mechanical Engineers.
Firms, corporations, or associations may not practice mechanical engineering, but licensed engineers may form such entities with restrictions.
Certificates must be posted conspicuously on mechanical plants of 100 kw or more.
A publicly available roster of registered engineers and mechanics is maintained.
Foreign practitioners permitted only under reciprocal arrangements.
Enforcement responsibility lies with the PRC and all government authorities.
Professional mechanical engineers may fill positions requiring master's degrees, and vice versa involving registration requirements.

Violations subject to fines between ₱50,000 and ₱200,000, imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years, or both.
The Board is tasked with issuing implementing rules and regulations.
Appropriations to fund the Act will be included in the General Appropriations Act.
A separability clause preserves the validity of the Act if parts are invalidated.
Prior laws inconsistent with this Act are repealed.

Existing Mechanical Plant Engineers with valid registration and BSME degrees are to register as professional mechanical engineers under the new Act.
Faculty currently teaching mechanical engineering have 5 years to comply with licensing or degree requirements.
The existing Board continues functioning until the new Board is organized.
The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a major newspaper, whichever is earlier.