ASEAN engineer status for DPWH E. Visayas official

NAVAL, Biliran — The assistant district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Engineering Office (DEO) in Biliran is the first in Eastern Visayas to be accredited as a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Engineers.

Alfredo L. Bollido said in an interview with Manila Bulletin the accreditation was conferred to him during the 36th Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO) last November at the Resort World Convention Center, Sentosa, Singapore.

Bollido said there were 150 Filipino engineers from different professional engineering organizations who were recognized as ASEAN Engineers at the conference, majority of whom were from the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE).

He said the organization demands a high set of standards and guidelines for the applicants. Bollido said it took him three years before his application was approved during the AFEO Mid-Term Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, last August.

“You really have to show your competence, focus on quality and excellence on your accomplishments,” Bollido said.

To become part of AER, the applicant must have a degree recognized by the home institution, must be a full-time member of the engineering or technological association and licensed to practice in the home country.

The applicant must also have at least seven years of post-graduate working experience in an engineering environment.

“Becoming a member of the ASEAN engineer means that you are not just an ordinary engineer, but an internationally competitive engineer,” said Bollido.

The opportunities of becoming an AER member include bigger market for expertise, better employment prospects, and wider networking and strategic alliances.

AER members are also entitled to the exclusive use of the title ASEAN Engineer (ASEAN Eng.) after their names.

The ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO) is a non-governmental body made up of engineering institutions and organizations within ASEAN.