President Aquino Signs Law on Metallurgical Engineering Practice

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed into law the bill regulating the practice of metallurgical engineering in the country.

Republic Act No. 10688, which was signed by the President last Oct. 20, repeals Presidential Decree 1536, also known as the “Metallurgical Engineering Law of the Philippines.”

The “Metallurgical Act of 2015” covers the examination, registration and licensure of metallurgical engineers; supervision, control and regulation of the practice of metallurgical engineering; development and upgrading of the curriculum of the metallurgical engineering profession in conformity with the approved curriculum of the Commission on Higher Education; development of the professional competence of metallurgical engineers through continuing professional education; and the integration of the metallurgical engineering profession.

The law also penalizes any person who shall practice metallurgical engineering in the country without a valid certificate of registration, a valid professional identification card or a valid temporary/special permit in accordance with the provisions of the Act, unless declared exempt from registration, with a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P1 million, or imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than five years, or both, at the discretion of the court. (PNA) SCS/PND/EDS