DAMMAM, 10 March 2004 — The Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) in Manila has said it will give special licensure examinations in the Kingdom only for electrical and mechanical engineers.
Filipino professional groups in the Eastern Region has received a letter from PRC chairwoman Antonieta Fortuna-Ibe saying the the examinations in the Kingdom will be held on April 15 to 17.
Ibe said that only the written licensure examinations for electrical and the mechanical engineering will be held in the Kingdom, and no oral examinations for professional levels on both fields.
She said no licensure examinations for civil engineers and accountants would be given because both groups failed to meet the minimum required number of 50 examinees per board per region.
“We regret that the examinations for Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and Civil Engineering will definitely not push through because of failure to meet the required minimum number of examinees,” Ibe said in her letter.
The PRC had lowered the minimum from the original 200 examinees upon the request of the Philippine Professional Organizations (PPO).
The PPO is composed of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME), Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE), Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), and Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).
The electrical and mechanical groups were able to register close to 120 examinees each, most of whom come from Alkhobar and Jeddah.
Ibe, however, reiterated that the official number is still subject to the submission of complete requirements not later than March 26. Incomplete applications or those with inaccurate informations will not be accepted, she said.
She also said that electrical and mechanical candidates from Riyadh may have to take their special exams either in Alkhobar or in Jeddah.
Ibe also warned that the PRC’s plan to hold the special exams in the Kingdom is still subject further to the opinion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila on the legality of conducting licensure examinations outside the Philippines.
In her separate letter to Ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla, copy of which was obtained by the PPO groups in Alkhobar, Ibe asked the embassy to provide the facilities for the examinations.
The examinations must be held only inside the premises of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah and extension office in Alkhobar, “which shall be at no cost or at a minimum cost to the Philippine government,” according to Ibe.
The PRC requested for a security printing room with one set of computer and printer and reproduction machine for each test center in Alkhobar and Jeddah.
It also asked the embassy to provide watchers and to arrange accommodation and transportation for the PRC examination team for a period of six days.
Because of the PRC notice, PICE-Riyadh Chapter and Order of Filipino Civil Engineers in Riyadh told those taking its review classes in mathematics, hydraulics and design to coordinate with officials George Manlangit at 059-150785 or Mel Espinosa at 055-243968 “for further details.”