House Bill 2836: Amendment Of The National Building Code of the Philippines

On the past, one of the most controversial questions on the Electronics Engineer profession (EcE) in the Philippines is the use of EcE license. The EcE license seems to incorporate only with pride merely like a medallion but failing to have a significant role in the industry or to the career the Electronics Engineer is trying to pursue. Furthermore, in other countries where many opportunities are offered, EcE licenses are void. It is not recognized in any country it is only recognized here in the Philippines. In the industry, EcE license seems to matter less since in the long run it is the experience that gets the better in all job application forms.

On the IECEP Convention 2010 held on SMX beside Mall of Asia, the amendment of the National Building Code was discussed. The speaker who is Congressman Maximo Bautista Rodriguez Jr. is a representative of a party list named Abante Mindanao. He emphasized that he joined IECEP for the aid to the development of Mindanao. He is involved with the proposed House Bill 2836 which the amendment of Republic Act No.6541 or the National Building Code of the Philippines. The speaker seems to know less of the EcE profession, since he was thrown some professional questions which he failed to answer. An example was the question asked that of the police, also an EcE, he implied about the problem on the wireless communication network of the PNP (Philippine National Police). He explained that their wireless transmissions are being blocked by the construction of buildings. Making it impossible for Line of Sight transmissions, such transmission is very important since it is through that means of communication, they contact every PNP station in the area along with each personnel. Since such communication is a necessity the PNP is forced to allot a very huge budget for the rental of the top of the building, where they would place their antenna so that the signal would not be blocked. He stated that, there must be an ordinance regarding that matter, either there would be a standard building height for any infrastructure to be build near a PNP headquarter thus would prevent any signal blocking or the building owner would be compelled to allow the PNP to rent the top of their building free of charge. The speaker answered poorly. He discussed about computers, modernizing every computer in PNP headquarters and bases; his response was pretty miles away from the answer that should have been given. He responded more on I.T. stuffs, on wired technology, which is the opposite of the wireless technology the police is trying to imply. From there the limitation of the speaker was seen, he is a plain statesman with little knowledge of I.T. but knows so little about the technicalities of the Electronics engineer profession. I hope if the National Building Code of the Philippines is ammended, there would be the presence of professionals (EcE, EE, CE, etc. those that would be involving) that could be consulted in the functionality of the amendment. So that the amendment would exhibit a satisfying and complete definition for every specific profession that would be involved either partially or completely with the amendment. There should be an EcE representative in the congress, same goes with other professions since statesmen are not all knowing though they pretend to be all knowing. The speaker’s technicalities were pretty poor, but he kept on insisting that they have a very strong desire to pass the Bill, which is the said amendment. The idea of the seminar is to inform the PECE (Professional Electronics Engineer) of their new task as professionals, specifically on the construction of any infrastructure. The seminar also cleared that only PECE could sign a building permit; any other EcE’s signature would be void. There were many questions asked in the seminar, though the speaker responded poorly on the technicality of the amendment, he ensured full responsibility that he would do his best to amend the Bill that is related to Electronics Engineers in utmost coherence with the definition of both the essence and technicality of the Electronics Engineer profession.

The seminar was a big aid for incoming EcEs to make them knowledgeable about the opportunities that lie ahead of them and the responsibility that goes along with such opportunities. The seminar may have failed to discuss the amendment thoroughly, to the fullest of its definition, but it gave each of the listeners a starting line to what is to know more. It is also recommended that IECEP give more time in discussing about such amendment to give a clearer direction for present PECE and incoming PECE. Overall, the seminar helped each one of the attendees to know their value as EcE and as incoming EcE.

Bringing to light the significance of the amendment and concluding the benefits it has for every EcE professional, especially the PECEs. The amendment implies a very important subject for the EcE community. Since in the amendment, every building plan to be approved would require a permit duly signed by a professional electronics engineer (PECE). It was also cleared out that any permit signed by an EcE but not a PECE will not be void if the documents were signed before the promulgation of the law that state that only PECE could sign such documents related to the building permit. The reference or standard of payment for every document signed by a PECE related to the building permit was also discussed. That brings to the light the old age issue about EcE licenses, since to be a PECE one requirement is one must be a licensed EcE. Once the amendment is approved every municipality in the Philippines is required to allot an office exclusively for an Electronics engineer, this will be a great advantage for the EcE community. Such amendment also signifies that the government shows Thus House Bill 2836 not just gives an additional job opportunity for EcEs but it also brings forth recognizable worth for the EcE’s license.

Furthermore, as stated earlier about the license, such amendment would make any students who pass the licensure exam more proud about themselves. Furthermore, the amendment would give EcE professionals a chance to participate in the government’s aim of a better Philippine country.