We Can’t Engineer Your Support

(A reaction to the Opinion Article entitled: More Engineers and Scientists Please! Published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

“Engineers are happy in the background, but maybe it’s time they weren’t. Maybe it’s time kids were actively encouraged to join this technological world, and engineers brought into leadership roles so the Philippines can lead and not be left behind — again.” – Peter Wallace, Philippine Daily Inquirer (September 12, 2019)

I stand with this writer’s opinion.

But, I just want to point out that it is not our number that should be alarmed of with. There’s a lot of us out there. Rather, its about the support that we do need. Speaking (in my field’s viewpoint), we the Agricultural Engineers are Scientist and Engineers combined. Because we don’t just consider the engineering aspect in our projects/works but so with its scientific impacts. We don’t just partner with mathematics but so with the theories, principles and scientific knowledge tackling about the atmosphere, weather conditions, the soil, water, flora and fauna, and even the life itself. We don’t just make farming easy and convenient, but it is in our core to make farming the best solution/tool in various problems – hunger, health, environment degradation, climate change etc.

But sadly, we are not given so much attention. It’s a sad reality that if we have an idea to pursue that requires funding, we have to write to sponsoring foundations outside our country instead of must having one in our government. It’s a sad realization that our sector – as a food provider, became the least priority not just by the government but worst by our community itself.

If you have children, even if you are a farmer, you intend to encourage them more to study a financial/business anchored courses than making them the heirs of your noble profession.

Commerce and Industry became a must belonged to sector, because of the huge money that it promises. While we, the Science and Engineering inclined Agricultural Sector, became a must leave to, due to the morale dragging neglection we receive.

Yes, all fields are necessary, for they are all complementary with others. We are not saying that we must obtain special treatment because we are more technically knowing than lawyers, accountants, etc., but we just want you to not forget about us. Its not a “more engineers please!” but “more supports please” rather.