PSME: AIPO for Mechanical Engineers

By Dr. Rex Casiple

On October 2, 2024, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) approved the Professional Regulatory Board of Mechanical Engineering’s Resolution No. 37, Series of 2024. This resolution addressed the petition for the accreditation of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, Inc. (PSME) as the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) for mechanical engineers. The approval reaffirms PSME’s roles and responsibilities, which must be carried out in accordance with the Revised Rules on the Accreditation of Professional Organizations and Integrated Professional Organizations.

Founded in 1952, the PSME was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non-stock, non-profit organization, with Engr. Tobias P. Marcelo serving as its first president. On July 8, 1975, PSME was accredited by the PRC as the national professional organization of mechanical engineers under PRC Accredited Certificate No. 004.

The PSME has played a pivotal role in the development of mechanical engineering in the Philippines. It assisted the PRC and the Board of Mechanical Engineering (BME) in formulating guidelines on Continuing Professional Education (CPE), which was fully implemented in 1988. The organization received multiple accolades, including the Most Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization Award in 1995 and 1998.

In 2003, PSME was recognized as the sole Integrated and Accredited Organization of Professional Mechanical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, and Certified Plant Mechanics under PRC-BME Resolution No. 04. The renewal of its accreditation was approved in 2008 under Certificate of Accreditation No. 1-APO-005. In 2011, PSME renewed its status as an AIPO with the PRC.

Through its continuing professional education programs, which include plant tours, seminars, technical presentations, training, conferences, and conventions, the PSME has significantly contributed to the growth of mechanical engineers in the country and abroad. The organization has approximately 50,000 members, with at least 151 chapters across the Philippines, the Middle East, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

PSME is affiliated with various organizations such as the Philippine Federation and Professional Association (PFPA), the Philippine Technological Council (PTC), and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO). Additionally, some PSME members serve on the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Technical Panel/Committee and Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) for Engineering Education.

Mechanical engineering is a broad field offering students numerous opportunities. Graduates can pursue careers in power and industrial plant operations, research and development, mechanical systems design, management, entrepreneurship, or education. They may also work in government offices related to their profession.

The comfort we are enjoying now and in the past several years: thru elevators, escalators, refrigerators, heaters, air conditioners, cars and other forms of vehicle, power plants and other forms of conventional and non-conventional power supply generators, water pumps, industrial production equipment, farm equipment, manufacturing robots among others are the products of mechanical engineering and the works of Mechanical Engineers and/or Certified Plant Mechanics (CPMs).