Key Definitions
- Defines terms such as Accreditation, Assessment, Certification, Country of Origin, Agricultural Engineering Services, Graduate Agricultural Engineer, Host Country, Professional Agricultural Engineer, PRA (Professional Regulatory Authority), Recognition, Registered Foreign Professional Engineer, and Registration.
- Agricultural Engineering Services encompasses consultation, management, design, research, testing, manufacturing, teaching, and government employment related to agricultural engineering.
Qualifications for ASEAN Chartered Professional Agricultural Engineer (ACPAE)
- Must hold an accredited agricultural engineering degree recognized by the Commission on Higher Education.
- Must possess a current and valid professional license in the Philippines.
- Must have at least seven (7) years of practical and diversified experience with two (2) years in responsible charge.
- Comply with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
- Must have no serious violations in technical, professional, or ethical standards.
Registration and Eligibility of ACPAE
- Qualified individuals may apply and, upon acceptance and fees, be listed in the ASEAN Chartered Professional Agricultural Engineers Register (ACPAER).
- ACPAEs from other ASEAN countries may apply to practice in the Philippines as Registered Foreign Professional Agricultural Engineers (RFPAE).
- RFPAEs must work in collaboration with local licensed agricultural engineers and comply with Philippine laws and ethics.
Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) Responsibilities
- The Board of Agricultural Engineering and the Professional Regulation Commission handle applications, monitor professional practice, uphold standards, and report violations.
- They ensure compliance with the MRA rules and exchange regional information for harmonization.
Monitoring Committee Functions
- Develops and maintains the ACPAER in the Philippines.
- Composed of the Board Chairman, Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers, and Commission on Higher Education representatives.
- Certifies qualifications, approves assessment criteria, ensures continuing compliance, and manages registration renewal.
- Withdraws registration upon failure to comply or serious violations.
ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer Coordinating Committee (ACPECC)
- Has authority to confer or withdraw ACPAE titles.
- Supported by the ASEAN Chartered Professional Agricultural Engineer Sub-Coordinating Committee (ACPESC).
- ACPESC facilitates register maintenance, promotes acceptance, develops standards, reduces practice barriers, monitors compliance, and coordinates information exchange.
Mutual Exemption and Supplemental Assessments
- The Philippines recognizes exemption arrangements only with PRA and government agency consent.
- Licensing authorities may require supplemental assessments to ensure understanding of local laws, codes, and safe practice.
Dispute Resolution
- Disputes under this arrangement are subject to the ASEAN Protocol on Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism (Vientiane, 2004).
Final Provisions
- Matters not specifically covered are subject to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS).
- Rules take effect 30 days after publication.
- Resolution copies are provided to the ASEAN Secretary-General for dissemination.