DO WE NEED A

FRESH ELECTRICAL

ENGINEERING LAW?

FOR THE BETTER?

or…

FOR WORSE … ?

AS PROPOSED by IIEE…

THE ELECTRICAL

ENGINEERING ACT OF 20___

(Part I)

If we look at the „prelude‟ of the PRC

MODERNIZATION LAW OF 2000

(RA 8981)….

It runs like this…:

Introduction…

Section 2: Statement of Policy:

‘The State recognizes the important role of professionals

in nation-building and, towards this end, promotes the

sustained development of a reservoir of professionals

whose competence has been determined by honest and

credible licensure examinations and whose standards

of professional service and practice are internationally

recognized and considered world-class brought about

by regulatory measures, programs and activities that

foster professional growth and advancement.’

THE PRC MODERNIZATION LAW

THE PROPOSED NEW ELECTRICAL

ENGINEERING LAW

Our own proposed New EE Law will

have the following

„Policy Statement‟….

AS ENVISIONED by IIEE…

Section 2: Statement of Policy. —

“The State recognizes the importance of the Electrical Engineering

Profession in nation-building and towards this end; the State fosters,

develops and nurtures a pool of proficient & quality electrical

engineering practitioners whose standards of practice shall be

outstanding, honorable & globally competitive through rational

regulatory measures; and the thrust in upgrading value to the

profession that are responsive to continuing growth in competence

& advancement in work-life.”

THE PROPOSED NEW EE LAW

THE NEW EE LAW IS THEREFORE ENVISIONED TO

ADDRESS & ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:

1) A POOL OF PROFICIENT, WELL-ROUNDED & QUALITY ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PRACTITIONERS,

2) A PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE THAT IS OUTSTANDING, HONORABLE & GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE,

3) A PROFESSION THAT IS VALUABLE,

4) A PROFESSION THAT SEEKS CONTINUING GROWTH IN COMPETENCE,

5) A PROFESSION THAT SEEKS CONTINUING PERSONAL GROWTH IN WORK-LIFE.

THE VISION OF THE PROPOSED NEW EE LAW

HISTORY:

WHAT‟S NEXT?

WILL IT BE BETTER?

OR WORSE?

R.A.

184

R.A.

7920

R.A.

????

A THROWBACK

TO HISTORY:

R.A. 184

Circa 1947

HISTORY:

History has it that the first electrical engineering law of the

Republic known as RA 184 was enacted in 1947 – the time

immediately after WW II.

The Republic was then young – a fledgling nation struggling

to recover from the ravages of war; and where for the first

time in its history a regulatory law made mandatory to

electrical engineering, as a profession.

R.A.

184

HISTORY:

The WISDOM of RA 184 is that:

For an infantile profession, RA 184 had served its purpose, most

significant of which was the assembling, synthesizing and

licensing of the scattered but qualified individuals whether they

were:

Electrical Engineering graduates from a handful colleges or

universities at the time or;

Non-graduates but skilled experts whose competence were

derived from mentors during the then American regime.

R.A.

184

HISTORY:

RA 184 succeeded in professionalizing the practice of the profession –

its scope & limitations and other professional necessities for a society

that fits the time.

Note that RA 184 focused on the factors of “maturity” & “experience” in

practice of “responsible character” – that‟s why there are „GRADES OF

THE EE PROFESSION”…

For 48 years in two generations, RA 184 was the Electrical Engineering

Law of the country and it served well.

R.A.

184

HISTORY: R A 184 vs.

R A 7920

LET US TAKE A LOOK…

TO SUMMARIZE:

The salient point that RA 7920 brought was

the licensing of electrical engineers limiting

only to persons who have completed Bachelor

of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.

This was appropriate for the time because

since 1947, a good number of electrical

engineering graduates had already become

available for the board examinations, along

with the fact that the original non-graduates

who were conferred licenses as „electrical

practitioners‟ of circa RA 184 had already

been fading out of this world.

RA 7920

RA 7920 was supposed to be an

improvement over RA 184. But along

its strengths, there also lies more

weaknesses.

Amongst its weaknesses, RA 7920

albeit unintentional, imprints a

question mark on the issue of

„employability‟ !

R.A.

7920

In RA 7920, the REE notwithstanding fresh and young or

heavily experienced (whatever he may be) can practice

the whole scope of the profession except „sealing‟.

So then in effect, if the condition of employment does not

require „sealing‟, there‟s no need for the PEE to be

around…

Without any personal interest, Let us look deeper…,

To repeat:

The ONLY difference between

the PEE and the REE is:

“Sealing Plans & Designs”.

In R.A. 7920,

In R.A. 7920,

Should there be any vacant positions in

the industries previously requiring a PEE

in circa RA 184, the PEE is no longer

necessary in RA 7920.

In other words, a huge plant doesn‟t

require anymore PEE‟s and but one REE

can stand for the entire plant as one

over-all engineer-in-charge.

FACT IS:

Since the specific or unique role of

the PEE from that of the REE is

now only „sealing‟, then a „self-

employed PEE‟ somewhere in the

neighborhood can fill in the job of

just affixing his signature and

stamping his seal on documents for

legal purposes only…

Simply put: In R.A. 7920,

FACT IS:

If there‟s only (1) PEE

left alive in this

country, RA 7920 can

still roll over…!

Simply put: In R.A. 7920,

Now irrelevant, the thin line between the PEE from that of the REE

somehow made the PEE no longer „employable‟ in

establishments.

Drifting out of the wings of the industry, this unfortunate condition

had (inadvertently) caused to develop a culture of „signing &

sealing for a fee‟.

Sadly, this culture as a result of RA 7920, made many PEE‟s

relegated to become „para pang-legal-na-lang public engineers‟, -

signing & sealing plans and documents made by whoever comes.

But PEE’s must not be thought of as contractors,

installers, constructors, designers, signers or

sealers.

Eighty percent (80%) of the electrical engineering

community are in the industries & commercial

complexes; thus, a large majority of them are NOT

signers & sealers for a living.

In this regard, RA 7920 is not responsive to the PEE’s

employability in the industries & commercial

establishments.

However, it‟s worthy to say that „Sealing‟ as a

„job‟ never was the intent of the Law. Why?

Because „Sealing‟ is never a job.

Because it is not a job, signing & sealing

must not to be remunerated for.

Without any personal interest, Let us look deeper…,

R.A.

7920

Isn‟t it that „Signing & Sealing‟ is the ultimate part of the

PEE‟s responsibility & accountability, and that the

signature and the stamp of the seal are meant that the

plans & designs reflected on the documents are

professionally done by him or under his strict supervision

and is guaranteed by him to be safe to humanity and

properties for the next fifteen (15) years.

R.A.

7920

Is “signing & sealing” a scope of

work to “make money” for?

Is the CULTURE OF „SIGNING &

SEALING PLANS FOR A FEE‟… the

intent of the LAW?

AGAIN…

„HOW DOES

THE USA DO

IT?

FOR US, FILIPINO ELECTRICAL

PRACTITIONERS TO BECOME GLOBAL; it is

always reinforcing to mirror at how the advance

countries are doing their licensure process.

For engineers in the USA, there are only two

grades, namely:

a) The „EIT‟, and b) The „PE‟.

WHAT IS:

The

„EIT…?‟

THE ENGINEER-IN-TRAINING (EIT):

The Engineer-In-Training (EIT) licensure in the USA can only

be availed of by at least graduates of ABET(Accreditation

Board for Engineering & Technology) four-year college or

university program with a degree in engineering (e.g., bachelor

of engineering, bachelor of science in engineering, master of

science in engineering, master of engineering or doctorate in

engineering).

THE ENGINEER-IN-TRAINING (EIT):

For the EIT license applicant, he has to pass the so-

called „Fundamentals of Engineering‟ (FE) written

examination, which tests applicants on the breadth of his

understanding of basic engineering principles and, the

elements of an engineering specialty practices.

Completion of the first two steps qualifies applicants for

certification as an Engineer In Training (EIT), also known

as Engineer Intern (EI).

The

„PE‟

THE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER (PE):

The EIT licensee upon accumulating a certain amount of engineering

experience (in most states, four years), can submit himself to a written

“Principles & Practice in Engineering‟ (PE) examination, which tests the

applicant's knowledge and skills in their chosen engineering discipline (civil,

electrical, industrial, mechanical, etc.).

Passing the PE exams will qualify the EIT to a next level license of

„Professional Engineer” or PE.

The PE‟s in the USA are the only ones authorized to design, sign and seal

plans & specifications.

THE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER (PE):

The ELECTRICAL PE‟s in the USA are the only ones authorized to design,

sign & seal plans & specifications.

Because his responsibility in this scope for whatever voltage covers:

1) Power Plants

2) Transmission & Distribution Systems

3) Switching & Power Substations

4) Industrial Plants & Complexes

5) System Protection Systems

6) Commercial Complexes

7) High Rise Buildings

8) Airports & Seaports

9) Military Establishments

10) Hospitals

11) Hotels

12) Dwellings & Residences

13) Among Others

IN THE „PHILIPPINES‟

…?

THE PHILIPPINE SCENARIO:

The EIT is the REE

and the

PE is the PEE in the Philippines.

THE BIG DIFFERENCE

But the „EIT‟ or „EI‟ in the USA is only “licensed to be

trained” or licensed as an “intern” under the official

mentorship of a PE.

In the Philippines, the fresh-from-school REE, by Law is

licensed to practice the full scope of ELECTRICAL

ENGINEERING, and thus is permitted to handle an entire

huge industrial complex at any voltage magnitude, for as

long as there is no „sealing‟ of plans involved.

So then, what does it

mean?

Isn‟t it that the REE has

the best in the world

under RA 7920?

Under RA 7920, it seems that the REE‟s have the edge in

„EMPLOYABILITY‟ over any other grades - but then, NOT

QUITE!

Since RA 7920 has no mention about capacity levels nor

voltage limitations, the scope of the REE except for „signing &

sealing‟ appears to be limitless!

It sounds awesomely good tidings to the REE‟s, but it is the

same advantage that renders it disadvantageous.

A very huge industrial complex composing of a

power plant with clusters of manufacturing plants

and Substations of different voltages under RA

7920 only needs one fresh-from-school REE per

shift for the entire complex.

That brings the required complement of electrical

engineers to the very impractical minimum but

still lawfully compliant.

How many REE‟s are now

crying foul that because of

non-employability of the

profession; had forced them

to drive „habal-habals‟ for a

living?

Why, when they have it all

in the world in this law?

NOTE THAT: the overwhelming majority of the electrical

engineering community are employed in the industries

and in large commercial complexes.

If a good REE in a good industrial or commercial

establishment happens to become a PEE, his stock

rises, and thus, the new PEE becomes expectant of a

good raise in salary.

But the position of a PEE in that company is not

mandatory henceforth, “NOT NECESSARY”,

under RA 7920.

So then, same REE who now is a PEE would

soon be promoting himself out of the bounds of

the company‟s willingness to employ.

Sadly, he may end up into one target candidate for

„early retirement‟.

Of course, RA 7920 calls for an REE per shift, but then

again, because there is no mention of “capacity” or

“voltage” levels, One REE Per Shift is still Law-compliant

even if the capacity is so large, that in many cases,

becomes impractical.

HOW ABOUT THE RME?

The RME seemed left behind in RA 7920. This therefore

is one of the highlights of the proposed new law that IIEE

focuses to improve.

Under RA 7920:

1) Is the PEE employable?

2) Is the REE employable?

3) Is the RME employable?

In Fairness to All of us…,

REALITIES OF

TODAY…

fact is;

Times had changed in a fast pace along with the rapid

transformation in the society that we are in.

Technologies had soared to new heights,

The way of doing things changed, and…

The needs of the times had evolved extensively.

fact is;

Other disciplines or professions had already updated

their own regulatory laws.

In fact, some of them had even encroached into our

domain.

Sadly, the Electrical Engineering Law is left behind.

New responsibilities & accountabilities on the practitioners as well as new

demands for a culture of quality in the profession have emerged.

1) quality of electrical materials, to fit into new creations,

2) the quality of installation & construction methods,

3) the quality of plans & designs, and,

4) the quality & teeth in the imposition or enforcement of safety,

5) the globalization or internationalization through accords,

… have put due pressures to the competence of the electrical engineers

and the relevance of our Law.

THE DRAFTING OF THE NEW EE LAW IS CONSEQUENTLY

BOUND TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

The New EE Law must:

1) Foster the molding & creation of quality, competent and globally

competitive electrical engineers,

2) Promote the profession to become valuable to the practitioners, to

employers, to the country and internationally,

3) Cultivate a professional practice that is honest, honorable, of high

integrity, and supportive to safety of mankind and preservation of

properties,

4) Further a profession that seeks continuing growth in proficiency

and competence,

5) Advance the profession of high employability and conducive to

growth in work-life.

6) Cultivate a culture that drives responsibility, liability and

accountability in the practice of the profession.

THE PROPOSED NEW EE LAW

MAY GOD

BLESS US…

END OF

PART I

HISTORY:

Let‟s take a look at RA 184:

R.A.

184

RA 184 : FIELD OF PRACTICE

SCOPE: MASTER

ELECTRICIAN

SCOPE:

AsstEE

SCOPE:

AssoEE

SCOPE:

PEE

MASTER ELECTRICIAN:

To take charge of or

supervise the operation,

tending & maintenance

of electric generating

plant or to take charge

of or supervise any

electric wiring or

installation of utilization

equipment employing

voltages up to 750 volts

…

AsstEE: To take charge

of or supervise the

operation, tending and

maintenance of any

electric generating

plant or to take charge

of or supervise any

electric wiring or

installation of utilization

equipment employing

voltages up to 4,800

volts …

AssoEE: to take charge

of or supervise w/o

voltage limitations, any

electrical construction

or installation, or the

operation, tending and

maintenance of electric

generating plant; or to

take charge of the sale

or distribution of any

electric supply or

utilization equipment …

PEE: to practice w/o

any voltage or capacity

limitation the full scope

of the profession with

the sole authority to

design, “sign & seal”

plans …

RA 184: LICENSURE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

MASTER ELECTRICIAN AsstEE AssoEE PEE

Graduate in an

electrical course from a

vocational or trade

school or a correspond-

ence school, PLUS:

three years of practice;

Or: A high school

graduate, PLUS: five (5)

years of practice in

electric wiring or

installation of utilization

equipment. At least 23

years old.

BSEE Holder from a

College or University.

At least 23 years old.

NOTE that the AsstEE is

reserved for BSEE

Graduate without

experience at all!

BSEE Holder from a

College or University

PLUS two (2) years

practice of EE of

responsible character.

At least 25 years old.

BSEE Holder from a

College or University

PLUS four (4) years

practice of EE of

responsible character.

At least 25 years old.

OR: High School

Graduate PLUS eight (8)

years of active practice

of EE of responsible

character…

OR: Completed two (2)

years in College or

University Training

PLUS eight (8) years of

practice of EE of

responsible character.

HISTORY:

IT MEANS THAT:

R.A.

184

RA 184 : FIELD OF PRACTICE

Master Electrician AsstEE AssoEE PEE

SCOPE LIMITED TO:

To take charge the

operation, tending &

maintenance of any

electric generating

plant employing

voltages up to 750

volts;

Or: To take charge of or

supervise any electric

wiring or installation of

utilization equipment

employing voltages up

to 750 volts …

SCOPE LIMITED TO:

Same scope as of the

Master Electrician but

up to 4,800 volts;

SCOPE EXPANDED TO:

Same as the AsstEE but

with no voltage or kVA

limitation.

Plus: To take charge

Electrical construction

or installation of any

electric generating

plant;

Plus: To take charge of

the sale or distribution

of any electric supply or

utilization equipment …

PEE: FULL SCOPE

To practice w/o any

voltage or capacity

limitation the full scope

of the profession with

the sole authority to:

design, “sign & seal”

plans …

In effect, while the

AssoEE seemed to be

equal to the PEE, but

the AssoEE cannot

“design, sign & seal”

plans.

RA 184: LICENSURE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Master Electrician

is for non- BSEE Holder

whether :

A HS graduate only but

w/ 5 years experience

Or: A Trade, Vocational

or Correspondence

School Graduate w/ 3

years experience.

The AsstEE is only

applicable to BSEE

Holder from a College or

University who are at

least 23 years old.

Note that the

limitations of the

AsstEE is due to the

factor of „inexperience”

in actual EE work.

BSEE Holder PLUS two

(2) years practice of EE

of responsible

character.

OR: Hi-School Graduate

PLUS eight (8) years of

active practice of EE of

responsible character.

He may or not be an

AsstEE licensed.

At least 25 years old.

BSEE Holder PLUS four

(4) years practice of EE

of responsible

character.

OR: Completed two (2)

years in College or

University Training

PLUS eight (8) years of

practice of EE of

responsible character.

At least 25 years old.

RA 184 : BOARD SUBJECTS & COVERAGE

AsstEE AssoEE PEE

BOARD SUBJECTS

Limited to

fundamental

subjects only and to

questions involving

theories on:

1) Mathematics

2) General

Engineering

3) Electrical

Engineering

BOARD SUBJECTS

Same as of the AsstEE (Math,

GE & EE)…

But includes theory & practical

applications on:

Strength of materials used in

electrical construction,

including foundations, question

on the installation, erection,

operation, tending and

maintenance of electric

generating plants, lines and

other electric supply

equipments, knowledge of

standard materials used in

electrical installations and of

the approved methods of

construction, knowledge of the

rules and regulations embodied

in the latest editions of the

National Safety and Electrical

Codes of the United States or

of the Philippines as may be

adopted.

BOARD SUBJECTS

Same as of the AssoEE (Math,

GE & EE)…

But further includes theory &

applications on:

Production, transmission,

distribution & application of

electrical energy to power &

communication to determine if

the applicant has sufficient

knowledge to insure safety to

life, health and property.

Plus: “Design & Construction”

subject which covers: Design,

construction, installation,

maintenance, organization &

management of electric

generating plants and others

wherein electric supply or

utilization equipment are called

for.

Plus: Technical Report

RA 184 Vs. RA 7920

RA 184 RA 7920 COMMENTS

Non-BSEE graduates

can become AssoEE

or PEE.

Not allowed in

RA 7920.

A good improvement in

this area.

A fresh AsstEE can

only be licensed at

23 years of age.

The intent of RA 184

is „maturity & degree

of experience‟ to the

realms of the

profession.

Except for „sealing‟, the

fresh REE at 21 years

old is licensed to

practice the full scope

of the profession even

w/o any orientation &

responsible experience.

In RA 7920, maturity &

experience is not given

due importance.

In the USA, the fresh

graduate has to be

licensed as “engineer-in-

training” (EIT). Four years

of EIT training is required

before qualifying for the

Professional Engineer‟s

exams (PE).

No provision for kVA

scope or limitation,

only on voltage

specific for Master

Electricians & the

AsstEE‟s

The REE can practice in

all areas with no kVA or

Voltage limitations. In

effect, the PEE is no

longer needed in

industries &

commercial complexes.

In contrast, the ME Law

requires a PME for 2000

kW (& above) per shift.

RA 184 Vs. RA 7920: FIELD OF PRACTICE

RA 184 RA 7920 COMMENTs

PEE: to practice w/o any

voltage or capacity limitation

the full scope of the

profession with the sole

authority to design, “sign &

seal” plans …

PEE: to practice w/o

voltage or capacity

limitation the full scope of

the profession with the sole

authority to “seal” plans.

REE‟s are equal to the

PEE, except for “Sealing”

of Plans. In 7920, REE‟s

may design plans but must

be reviewed and sealed by

the PEE‟s.

AssoEE: to take charge of or

supervise w/o voltage

limitations, any electrical

construction or installation,

or the operation, tending and

maintenance of any electric

generating plant; or to take

charge of the sale or

distribution of any electric

supply or utilization

equipment …

The REE can practice the

full scope of the profession

without limits as to voltage

& capacity including

designing; except “sealing”.

The scopes of both the

AssoEE & the AsstEE are

fully given to the REE to

include a large part of the

PEE scope.

With no more voltage

requirements in RA 7920,

there‟s no need for the

industrial plants &

commercial establish-

ments to employ PEE‟s;

thus, making the PEE

irrelevant in these areas.

AsstEE: To take charge of or

supervise the operation,

tending and maintenance of

any electric generating plant

or to take charge of or

supervise any electric wiring

or installation of utilization

equipment employing

voltages up to 4,800 volts …

The AsstEE is no longer

applicable in RA 7920.

Note: The voltage limitation

was scrapped in RA 7920.

Note: The field of practice

of the AsstEE & AssoEE

plus a large part of the

PEE scope are now part of

the REE field of practice.

RA 184 RA 7920 COMMENTS

As a general rule,

PEE candidates

(with prescribed

years experience as

AsstEE or AssoEE)

must pass a second

set of exams (PEE

Exams) with

subjects: Math, GE,

EE, Design &

Construction +

Technical Report ;

on top of their

previous AsstEE or

AssoEE exams

before they can

practice the full

scope of the

profession;

including

„designing, signing

& sealing‟.

Fresh REE‟s who had

passed only one set of

exams (Math, GE & EE)

w/ no „Design &

Construction‟ as board

subject; are already

given the silver platter of

full scope practice,

except „sealing‟. Note

that the REE board

subjects cover only

theoretical, where

„applications‟ of

electrical engineering

are not even included.

To become a PEE, the

REE has only to comply

four (4) years experience,

and; without written

exams must only submit

technical report & face

an interview.

It could have been wishful

thinking if RA 7920 must

have included the subject

„Design & Construction‟ in

the REE exams to justify

REE‟s “license to design”

same as other engineering

counterparts.

Granting that „designing‟ is

a given bonus to the REE

in RA 7920, the wisdom is

that there should be a PEE

supervising him, thus; the

PEE submits himself to

the responsibility & the

civil liability when he

„signs & seals‟ plans.

In the USA, the PE exams

as a measure of

competence; is still in

effect because it is found

effective.

BUT THEN:

It only takes four (4) short

years for an REE to become a

PEE…!

This is supposed to address

the “maturity” & “experience”

factors.

Simply put: In R.A. 7920,