No mechanical eng’r hired in city’s OBO

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu City’s Office of the Building Official does not have a professional mechanical engineer, the person tasked to review the “mechanical rating” of establishments as mandated by law.

This was found out during the deliberation of a proposed ordinance that aims to supplement Republic Act 8495 or the Act Regulating the Practice of Mechanical Engineering in the Philippines.

The proponent of the ordinance, Councilor Nestor Archival Sr., wants business establishments in the city to hire mechanical engineers.

“I think it is very important because nag-review ta sa mga plan when, in fact, sa ato mismo sa city, wala ta mi-abide sa law, and this is one thing we should realize. Probably OBO should make intervention, Archival said.

The problem, however, should Archival’s proposal is approved, is that OBO does not have the manpower to enforce it, so much so that it does not have professional mechanical engineers, said Engr. Victor Acenas, the office’s public officer.

OBO is tasked to issue building permits, ancillary permits, accessory permits, occupancy permit and certifications and impose fines, penalties and surcharges. 

Engr. Vicente Vosotros, himself a mechanical engineer and board member of the Professional Regulations Commission, explained that there are categories of licenses that PRC grants: certified plant mechanic, mechanical engineer and professional mechanical engineer.

Because establishments vary in sizes, not all hire a professional mechanical engineer. Those that require a professional mechanical engineer are establishments with a mechanical rating of above 2000 kw like hotels.

Imperative

Ramon A. Picornell, president of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, said it is important that local government units hire professionals to approve plans of establishments.

“The most important is the local government to be adequately equipped with proper trained people to approve plans of establishments,” he said.

Ideally, he said, the establishment’s mechanical engineer comes up with the plan and submits the same to the city for review by its experts. This isn’t happening now, at least in Cebu City.  

Picornell acknowledged that the additional cost to business is one reason why several establishments do not comply with the law religiously.

“To follow the law, they have to pay more. But it’s not that big that can break the company,” Picornell said.

While he underscores the importance of mechanical engineers, Picornell noted that no local government unit has created a specific ordinance to support the enforcement of RA 8495 because parties often just come up with a memorandum of agreement.

Vosotros contended, however, that a city ordinance might be more effective compared to a MOA as far as enforcement of the law is concerned.

“If you will implement it, it’s mandatory. It is better off to have an ordinance,” he said.

If the ordinance is approved, an accreditation board will be created to enforce its provisions.

The accreditation board will be composed of a chairperson, the city mayor, and seven board members, which will be comprised of the head of OBO, chairperson of the committee on infrastructure of the City Council, the chairperson of the committee on urban planning and development, the city engineer or officer of the department of engineering and public works, representative of the Philippine Association of Practicing Professionals, Inc., representative of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers – Cebu Chapter, and representative of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Vosotros said the PSME – Cebu Chapter has 2,000 members, enough mechanical engineers to hire if the ordinance will be approved.

RA 8495 stipulates that “the state must re-cognize the importance of mechanical engineers in nation building and shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive and well rounded mechanical engineers whose standard of professional practice and service shall be excellent, qualitative, world class and globally competitive through regulatory measures.” — (FREEMAN)