Nearly 300 agricultural engineers nationwide threshed out issues and action plans as they assert the legal practice of their profession in the academe, government, private and various agri-fishery sectors during the 54th Annual National Convention of the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE) at the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Muñoz Science City, Nueva Ecija on April 20-22.
While there are already approved rules and regulations requiring the signature and seal of licensed agricultural engineers on plans, designs, feasibility studies, inspection reports and other related documents of agricultural facilities and projects, the participants discussed issues on the implementation of these rules such as reallocation of positions performing agricultural engineering functions, project preparation, implementation and monitoring protocol, schedule of fees and others.
The signing and sealing of pertinent documents by licensed agricultural engineers are embodied in the following legal bases:
>Republic Act 8559 or the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998
>Professional Regulation Commission Board of Agricultural Engineering (PRC-BAE) Resolution No. 7, promulgated on September 22, 2003. This was made effective on January 22, 2004 after its publication in the official gazette on January 12, 2004.
>Department of Agriculture (DA) Memorandum dated February 17, 2004 directing all heads of attached agencies and corporations, foreign assisted projects offices and regional executive directors to enforce the said rules and regulations alongside the adoption of Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards (PAES).
This development has also opened a consultation line with concerned agencies like the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and state colleges and universities (SUCs).
In his speech, DA Assistant Secretary Ibarra Poliquit also announced the designation of Engr. Ariodear C. Rico, member of the PRC-BAE, as national coordinator for agricultural engineering concerns. As such, Engr. Rico will work closely with the office of DA Secretary Luis Lorenzo.
In other group discussions, PSAE brought up the initiatives on the organization of agricultural engineering educators and updating of curriculum. Engr. Alvin B. Curada and Ms. Helen R. Calica, Science Research Specialist I and Acting Division Chief of the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) Training Division, respectively, also presented the program