Being a Registered Mechanical Engineer in the Philippines...

It's been quite a long time now since I passed the board exam for the Registered Mechanical Engineers in the Philippines. Quite a long time have passed and yet even now, I still can't find any reason or purpose why the Board exam is needed in the Philippines. As per my experience, the card that comes with being a "Professionally certified" does not differentiate a person from those who do not have one during job searching(both in the Philippines and overseas, except in the Arab nations.). The only thing that I remember about this card is that it needs to be renewed after every three years. Renewed as in paying all the so-called dues... Dues for what? For trying to meet both ends during the board exam preparation? For trying to absorb every possible formulas and theorems that might popped out during the board exam? Or was it for this simple card which bears my name under the logo of the Professional Regulation Commission and a simple note which says Registered Mechanical Engineer. Quite so expensive huh. The only time that I found this card to be useful was during the time when I need to leave an ID at the canteen(of a company where I was applying with...) in exchange for a spoon and fork. Such a pity isn't it?

Imagine those poor students in the Philippines who have spent most of their families' meager properties and wealth just to be able to take this exam. It will be much more better if the students have just allocated the money for their job hunting expense. Afterall, both those with card and no card will just be treated equally during the job interview... The Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers(PSME) together with the Professional Regulation Commission(PRC) should convene and discuss the importance of being a board passer with the Companies both in the Philippines and abroad. They should act ASAP! If its purpose is to Regulate the so-called Registered Mechanical Engineers in the Philippines, then, they should impose it! If its purpose is to show that the card bearer is certified, then, they(PSME and PRC) should promote it! Else, this card will lose its essence. Else, more and more new Mechanical Engineering graduates will opt not to take this board exam since this will just be a waste of time...