House body OKs regulation of mining engineering

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives committees of Civil Services and Professional Regulation and of Appropriations approved the proposed regulation of mining engineering under House Bill 4379 before Congress adjourned last June 11, a press release Monday read. Principally authored by Civil Services committee chairman Rep. Raul T. Gonzales Jr. of Iloilo, HB 4739, titled "Mining Engineering Act of 2008," expands the scope of mining engineering to include not just those involved in the actual act of mining but also those who calculate, estimate, and certify mineral, energy and water reserves; prepare mine feasibility studies, mine valuation or auditing; engage in mine consulting; those who prepare environmental studies for mining projects and monitor them; those working in government services that require professional knowledge of mining engineering; as well as those who teach or conduct reviews on professional mining engineering subjects in state-recognized and -accredited universities, colleges, schools and institutes. The same bill seeks to create the Professional Regulatory Board of Mining Engineering, under the Professional Regulatory Commission. The said board will supervise and regulate the practice of mining engineering; determine and evaluate qualifications of applicants for registration; prescribe subjects in licensure exams; determine the syllabi of the subjects and their relative weights; construct the test questions in the examinations; score and rate the examination papers and submit the examination results to the PRC 30 days after exam date. - BusinessWorld