23 February 2014

To: PICE-Singapore BOD

Through: Engr. Harriet Follosco
PICE-Singapore President


Subject: An Appeal to PICE National for Relaxation of Requirement; for Endorsement to
APEC/ASEAN Engineer and ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE)
Registration Applications by PICE Members

Dear Madam,
I would like to call on PICE-Singapore BOD to impart some support on this appeal to PICE National,
for a relaxation of the requirement; from Accredited Specialist to PICE Life Member, for those who
are keen in applying for APEC/ASEAN Engineer and ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer
(ACPE) registration.
I present the below facts as justification in support of this appeal:
1. The Numbers
Current PICE Accredited Specialists (2014): Registered Filipino APEC/ASEAN Engineer / ACPE:
Structural Engineering 168 APEC/ASEAN Engineer
Geotechnical Engineering 29 (Civil Engineer) 15
Transportation Engineering 34
Water Engineering 88 ACPE 0
Project & Construction Management 456
Environmental Engineering 38
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Total 813 Total 15

Based on the PRC license numbers of the above Specialists (by obvious judgment) majority of them
are in the age bracket of 50 and above years. Each of these people, at their age and professional
standing, may already have or is running a very established Civil Engineering company in the
Philippines. The idea of them applying to become Chartered Engineers to join other
companies/projects or get employed overseas may not be their priorities. These professionals are
now enjoying the benefits of being in the list of high ranking Civil Engineers with big names in the
Philippines. The possibility of them working overseas is very slim. Note that in the above number of
registered Filipino APEC/ASEAN (Civil) Engineers most if not all 15 of them are Presidents and
CEOs or are Owners of their Companies.

2. Who really needs a Chartered Engineer status?
Again based on the license numbers, perhaps only about 10% of the above number of Specialists is
under the age brackets of 35 to 50 years old which tallies around 81. A good assumption of the
most likely enthusiastic ones that are keen on becoming Chartered Professional Engineers and take
career opportunities and challenges abroad is about 50%, which totals to about 40 professionals. At
this age of an Engineer (35 years old) he/she would have earned significant professional and career
experience, of at least 10 years, more than enough to be qualified as Chartered Professional
Engineer and just about the right age to become PICE Life Members. A huge number of this group
of professionals is already working overseas who needs advancement in professional standing to
become more globally competitive and be at paced with professionals of other nationalities.
3. The impediments
Difficulties arise when these qualified professionals (and probably PICE Life Members already)
wanting to apply for Chartered Professional Engineer status but are held back by the requirement
from PICE National that he/she should first become an Accredited Specialist before they could
endorse him/her for further assessment by the APEC & ASEAN National Monitoring Committees
(PRC, CHED & PTC). Even if a member is fully qualified to become a Specialist the processing of
application by PICE National takes at least 12 months prior to conferment. Then another 12 months
must be allowed for the APEC/ASEAN National Monitoring Committees to carry out their own
assessment. A program of 2-
1
/
2
to 3 years is the most probable period of time to be expected in the
fulfilment of this entire undertaking, which seemed to be too long for the qualified professional who
badly needed the Chartered Engineer status. Three (3) years of waiting in a professionals life and
career is very vital as it could often times lead to the deferment of promotions or advancement to
higher ranks and probably even the loss of job due to lack of competency and professional status in
the international scene.
4. What was actually required by the Monitoring Committees?
Both the National Monitoring Committees, AERP for APEC/ASEAN Engineer and AMCESP for
ACPE only require a Certificate of Member in Good Standing from APO (Accredited Professional
Organization), which in this case the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers. The National Monitoring
Committees did not specifically require that the applicant must be certified by APO as an Accredited
Specialist.

As per Article VIII Section 8 of the PICE By-laws:
SECTION 8 - MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING - Every member who is up-to-date in the payment of
all fees, dues and all authorized special assessments as provided in these By-laws, as well as those that
may be payable solely to his Chapter shall be considered " Member in Good Standing" , provided that
such member is not under suspension from the practice of Civil Engineering by the PRC or from
membership privileges in the Institute under Sections 11 and 12 of Article II of these By-laws.

Therefore a bona fide member of PICE in good standing can either be a Regular Member, a Life
Member or a Fellow; he/she does not have to be an Accredited Specialist
I appeal to PICE National to have a review of their current requirement and consider the benefits
and possibilities of having a significant number of very competent and proud Filipino Chartered
Professional Civil Engineers around the world. Thank you very much indeed.


Yours very truly,
Eddie Naldoza, BSc C.Eng M.ASCE MIEI MIET MIESingapore
Accredited Structural Engineering Specialist, StE No. 168
PICE Life Member No. 4999