REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
House Bill No. _76'79

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Plumbing system contributes a significant percentage to the value of every building or house.
Considering the complexities that plumbing installation covers, professional and licensed
plumbers are necessary.

Plumbing engineering involves the application of scientific principles in the design of efficient,
economical and ecologically-safe systems for the transport and distribution of fluids, solids and
gases to answer human and industrial needs. In the country, the act of plumbing works has
become more complex and multifaceted with the emergence and expansion of all types of
modernized building design and construction. This scenario is evident enough to elucidate the
demand for plumbing engineers.

However, there is a partially-met demand for plumbing expertise in the country. Although
Republic Act No. 1378, otherwise known as the Plumbing Law, provided for the regulation of
the trade of master plumbers, it has neither been amended nor revised since its enactment in
1955. Obviously, our Plumbing Law can be considered as obsolete - given the fact that there is a
growing need to adopt measures in carrying out more efficient plumbing design and installations.
‘Thus, professionals with adequate academic and technical background in accordance with sound
engineering practice and generally-accepted standards are also needed in the country.

‘Thus, this bill, which acknowledges the imperative to revise the old law to upgrade the practice
of plumbing, seeks to elevate the plumbing trade into a professional engineering practice in the
country. In view of having qualified plumbing engineers with sufficient academic background to
cope with the recent technologies worldwide, this proposed measure also endeavors to have a
standard Engineering Curriculum on Plumbing to be offered in colleges and universities in the
country.

Recognizing the fact that the Plumbing Engineering profession needs to keep abreast with
technological advancement in a rapidly-changing society, approval of this bill is earnestly
requested.

~

IC. ALEJANO
Representative
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. __7679

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING IN THE
PHILIPPINES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 1378,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO REGULATE THE TRADE OF MASTER
PLUMBER,” APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

ARTICLEL
TITLE, STATEMENT OF POLICY, AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Plumbing Engineering
Act of 2018”.

SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. — The State recognizes the importance of plumbing
engineering in nation-building and development. The State, therefore, shall develop and nurture
competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded professional Plumbing Engincers whose
standards of practice and service are aimed towards excellence, quality, world-class and global
‘competitiveness through inviolable, honest, effective, and credible licensure examinations and
regulatory measures, programs and activities that foster their integrity, continuing professional
education, development and growth.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a) Plumbing Engineer — a person who is a holder of a valid certificate of registration /
professional license and professional identification card issued by the Professional Regulatory
Board for Plumbing Engineering and the Professional Regulation Commission and who is legally
qualified to practice plumbing engineering in the Philippines pursuant to this Act.

b) Practice of Plumbing Engineering — the practice of Plumbing Engineering is a
professional and organized act of applying scientific principle and technique for the design,
installation and operation of plumbing systems involving hot and cold water supply installation
of fixtures, sanitary drainage, vent system, storm drainage, fuel gas piping, swimming pools,
water feature fire protection system, irrigation system, private water system, private sewage
disposal system within or adjacent to any buildings and other structures. It shall embrace
services, but not limited to, the following activities:

1) Consultations, designing, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates,
erection, installation, and supervision of plumbing work including the
inspection and acceptance of materials used therein;


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2) Extension, addition, alteration and modifications of all pipings for fixtures,
equipment, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with any of
the above scope; and

3) Engagement in the teaching or transfer of knowledge and technology of
plumbing engineering in any institution of learning particularly on
subjects included in the licensure examinations.

‘The enumeration of the above shall not be construed as excluding any other work
requiring plumbing engineering knowledge and application.

©) Master Plumber ~ one who is a holder of a valid certificate of registration/ professional
license and professional identification card as master plumber.

d) Practice of Master Plumber — the practice of master plumber upon the approval of this
Act shall embrace the following:

1) Design analysis, specification and preparations of plans of plumbing
installation of not more than twenty (20) plumbing units;

2) Preparation of plans including drawing and details of additional installation;
3) Preparation of cost estimates of the above items 1 and 2; and

4) Supervision or in-charge of all plumbing installation, operation and
maintenance of plumbing system.

‘The practice of Master Plumber, who holds a valid certificate of Registration Professional
License prior to the effectivity of the Act shall not be subjected to the above mentioned plumbing
installation limitation.

ARTICLE I
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING

SEC. 4. Creation and Composition of the Board of Plumbing Engineering. — There is
hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Plumbing Engineering, hereinafter referred to
as the Board, under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation
Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, composed of a chairperson and two (2)
members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines from three (3) recommenders for
each position, chosen and ranked by the Commission, which recommendees from a list of five
(5) nominees for each position, submitted by the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization
(AIPO) of Plumbing Engineers. The first set of nominees for the first Board may be submitted by
the present association of Plumbing Engineers unless the AIPO shall have been setup for the
purpose. The first Board shall be organized not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of
this Act.

SEC. 5. Qualifications of the Member of the Board. ~The chairperson and members of
the Board must possess the following qualifications at the time of their appointment:


a) Must be a Plumbing Engineer holding a valid Certificate of Registration /
Professional License as a Plumbing Engineer having a degree of Bachelor of Science
in Plumbing Engineering and have been an active practitioner in the profession of
Master Plumber/Plumbing Engineering for not less than ten (10) years prior to
appointment;

b) Must be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines;

©) Must be a member of the accredited organization of plumbing engineering;

d) Must not be a member of the faculty of any school, academy, institute, college or
university where a regular course in Plumbing Engineering is being taught, nor have
pecuniary interest in or administrative supervision over any such institution of
learning;

©)

Must not, for a period of three (3) consecutive years prior to his/her appointment, be
connected with a review center or with any group or any association review classes or
lectures in preparation for the licensure examination are offered or conducted at the
time of appointment; and,

£) Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude.

SEC. 6. Term of Office. ~ The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three
(3) years or until their successors have been appointed and qualified. Of the member of the first
Board appointed under this Act, one (I) member shall be appointed and hold office for two (2)
years, and one (1) member for one (1) year.

‘The chairperson or member of the Board may be re-appointed for another term but in no
case shall serve continuously for more than six (6) years. Each member of the Board shall
qualify by taking the proper oath of office prior to assumption in the performance of duties.

Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the board within the term of a member shall
be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only.

SEC. 7. Compensation and Allowances of the Board Members. — The chairperson and
members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to that being
received by the chairperson and members of existing regulatory boards under the Commission as
provided for in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of Records, Secretariat and Support
Services. — The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of the Commission. All
records of the Board, including the application for examination, examination papers and Result,
minutes of deliberation, administrative cases and other investigation involving the plumbing
Engineers/Master Plumbers, shall be kept by the Commission.

The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the
Secretariat necessary support services to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9. Powers, Function, Duties and Re ies of the Board. — The Board shall
exercise the following specific powers, function, duties and responsibilities:

a) To promulgate and adopt the rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the
provisions of this Act;


b) To supervise the examination, registration, licensure and practice of Plumbing
Engineering/Master Plumbing in the Philippines;

©) To administer oaths to successful examinees entering the practice of Plumbing
Engincering;

d) To issue the Certificate of Registration to successful examinees;

©)

To issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate the Certificate of Registration for the practice
of the Plumbing Engineering profession;

f) To adopt an official seal of the Board;

2) To look into the conditions affecting the practice of the profession and whenever
necessary, adopt measure as may be deemed proper for the enhancement and
maintenance of high professional and ethical standards of the professions;

h) To ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education Department
(CHED), that all educational institutions offering Plumbing Engineering education
comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the course prescribed by
CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities;

i) To prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and a Code of Technical Standards for the
practice of Plumbing Engineering/ Master Plumbing profession;

j) To hear and try administrative cases involving violation of this Act, its implementing
rules and regulations, the Code of Ethics/Technical Standards and for the purpose, to
issue subpoena testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearances of
witnesses and the production of documents in connection therewith;

k) To prescribe guidelines for the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program in
coordination with the accredited integrated professional organization of Plumbing
Engineers/Master Plumbers;

1) To prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi of the subjects for examination;

m) To approve, issue, limit or revoke temporary special permit to practice Plumbing
Engineering/Master Plumbers; and

n) Discharge such other duties and functions as may be deemed necessary for the
enhancement of the Plumbing Engineering/Master Plumbing Profession and the
upgrading, development and growth of Plumbing Engineering/Master Plumbing
education in the Philippines.

SEC. 10. Annual Report. — The Board shall, at the close of each calendar year, submit an
annual report to the President of the Philippines through the Professional Regulation
Commission, giving detailed account of its recommendation for the adoption of measure that will
upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of Plumbing Engineering/Master
Plumbing in the Philippines.

SEC. 11. Removal of Board Member. — Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the
Board within the term of a member shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. The
President may remove any member of the Board, upon the recommendation of the Commission,
on the following grounds:


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a) Neglect of duty or incompetence;

b) Violation or tolerance of the violation of this Act or the Code of Ethics or the Code of
Technical Standards for Plumbing Engineers; and,

©) Final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude.

He/She shall be given due notice and hearing where he/she has the right to be heard and
to defend himself/herself, assisted by a counsel. He/She shall be respected in a proper
administrative investigation with the Commission shall conduct.

ARTICLE Il
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, AND LICENSE

SEC. 12. Licensure Examination Required. — All applicants for registration for the
practice of Plumbing Engineering shall be required to undergo and pass a written technical
examination as provided for in this Act.

SEC. 13. Qualification for Admission to the Licensure Examination. — Every applicant
for Plumbing Engineering examination shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that he/she
is:

a) A citizen of the Philippines or a foreigner whose country state has reciprocity with the
Philippines in the practice of the profession;

b) Of good moral character;

c) A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Plumbing Engineering in a school, academy,
institute or college duly recognized by the Commission on Higher Education Department
(CHED): Provided, That, within seven (7) years upon the effectivity of this Act, a
graduate of any Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Architecture may qualify
for the examination.

SEC. 14. Scope of Examination. — The examination for Plumbing Engineering shall
basically cover the following subjects:

a) Mathematics 20%
b) Hydraulic Plumbing Principles and Practice 30%
©) Plumbing Laws and Code of Ethics 20%
4) Sanitation / Plumbing Design 30%
100%

The said subjects and their syllabi maybe amended by the Board so as to conform to
technological changes brought about by continuing trends in the profession.

SEC. 15. Applicants. — All applicants for registration as master plumber shall be required
to pass an examination as hereinafter provided.


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Persons applying for admission to the examination as herein provided, shall, prior to the
date of examination, establish to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners, that he/she is:

a) at least twenty-one years of age;

b) acitizen of the Philippines;

©) of good moral character;

d) at least a graduate of high school recognized by the government and
completing an approved course of not less than three (3) years in Plumbing
Technology or equivalent; or

©)

a high school graduate and has at least five (5) years of experience in actual
plumbing work under the supervision of a registered Master Plumber /
Plumbing Engineer.

SEC. 16. Subject for the Applicants. — Applicants for registration as master plumbers
shall be examined in the following subjects:

a) Plumbing arithmetic 20%
b) Plumbing code 10%
c) Sanitation, plumbing design and instillation 40%
4) Practical problems 30%

100%

SEC. 17. Rating. — To pass the licensure examination, a candidate for Plumbing
Engineers must obtain a passing rate of seventy percent (70%) in each subject given during the
examination: Provided, however, That a candidate who obtains a passing rate in the majority of
the subjects but obtains a rating in the other subject/s below passing seventy percent (70%) but
not lower than fifty percent (50%) shall be allowed to take one removal examination on the
subject/s where he/she failed to obtain the passing rate: Provided, finally, That should the
examinee fail to obtain a passing rate in the removal examination, he/she shall be considered as
having failed the entire licensure examination.

A candidate who failed to pass for the third time shall be allowed to take the examination
only one (1) year after taking a refresher course.

SEC. 18. Report of Ratings. — The Board shall submit to the Commission the rating
obtained by each candidate within twenty (20) calendar days after the examination, unless
extended for just cause. Upon the release of the results of the examination, the Board shall send
by mail the rating received by each examinee at his/her given address using the mailing envelope
submitted during the examination.

SEC. 19. Professional Oath. — All successful examinees and all those who have qualified
for registration without examination shall be required to take an oath of profession before any
member of the Board or any person authorized by the Commission to administer oaths before
he/she can be registered and issued a Certificate of Registration/Professional Identification card,
and as a prerequisite to practice as a Plumbing Engineer/Master Plumber.


SEC. 20. Issuance of Certificate of Registration/Professional Identification Card. — A
Certificate of Registration shall be issued to applicants who pass the examination for Plumbing
Engineer/Master Plumber and to those who registered without examination subject to payment of

registration fees.

The Certificate of Registration of a Plumbing Engineer/Master Plumber shall bear the
signatures of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Chairperson and Members of the Board
and stamped with the official seal of the Commission and of the Board indicating that the person
named therein is a registered Pluming Engineer/Master Plumber.

A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number, date of issuance,
expiry date and duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise be issued to
every registrant, upon payment of the professional fees. No person shall practice Pluming
Engineering/Master Plumbing in the manner contrary to herein provided. A Pluming
Engineer/Master Plumber holding a Professional Identification Card is entitled to practice the
profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto until the expiration of the validity thereof.

SEC. 21. Registration without Examination for Plumbing Engineer. — Within five (5)
years afier the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall issue certificates of registration and
professional identification cards without examination to applicants for registration as Plumbing
Engineers who shall present evidence or other proof of satisfactory to the Board that:

a) he/she is a registered and licensed Master Plumber, at the same time, he is a

registered and licensed Engineer or Architect;

b) he/she is a registered Master Plumber with five (5) years experience in Plumbing
work and a holder of a Baccalaureate degree of any engineering or architecture
course; and

c) he/she is a holder of any Baccalaureate degree and has been in active practice in
plumbing for at least ten (10) years: Provided, That the qualifications mentioned above
shall be obtained prior to the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 22. Seal and Use of Seal. ~ (a) Each registrant shall, upon registration, obtain the
seal of such design as the Board of Plumbing Engineering may adopt. Plans and specification
prepared by, or under the direct supervision of a registered Plumbing Engineer/Master Plumber
shall be stamped with said seal during the validity of the professional identification card. No
person shall stamp or seal any document with the seal of a registrant after his/her professional
license has expired, lost its validity, unless he/she has been reinstated at the practice and/or
unless his license has been renewed.

(b) Officer or employee of the government, chartered cities, provinces and
municipalities charged with the enforcement of laws, ordinances or regulations relating to all
Plumbing Engineering/Master Plumbing practices shall not accept or endorse any plumbing
plans or documents which have not been prepared and submitted in full accord with the
provisions of this Act, nor shall any payment to approve by any such officer for any work, the
plans and documents of which have not been prepared, sign by a duly licensed Plumbing
Engineer/Master Plumber.

(©) Plumbing Engineer/Master Plumber shall not sign his/her name, affix his/her seal
or use any other method of signature on plans, specification or other documents made by under

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another Plumbing Engincer’s/Master Plumber's supervision unless the professional service of the
former have been officially terminated and/or the same is made in such manner as to clearly
indicate the part of such work actually performed by him/her, and only the Plumbing
Engineer/Master Plumber in charge shall sign for any branch of work or any function of Pluming
Engineering/Master Plumbing practice actually performed by himv/her. Plumbing
Engineer/Master Plumber in-charge shall be fully responsible for all plans, specifications and
other documents issued under his/her seal or authorized signature.

(4) Plans and documents duly signed, stamped or sealed as instruments of service are
the property and documents of the Plumbing Engineer/Master Plumber.

‘The Board shall formulate, adopt and promulgate all necessary rules and regulations for
the effective implementation of the provisions relating to the design of the seal, the signing and
sealing of drawings, specification, reports and other documents by Plumbing Engineers/Master
Plumbers.

SEC. 23. Indication of Professional Identification Number and Professional Tax
Receipt. — The Plumbing Engineer/Master Plumber shall be required to indicate his/her
Professional Identification card number, the duration of validity, including the professional tax
receipt number on the documents he/she signs uses in connection with the practice of his/her
profession.

SEC. 24. Grounds for Suspension and Revocation of Certificate of Registration,
Professional Identification Card and Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. — The Board
shall have the power, upon due notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend the Certificate of
Registration and accordingly the Professional Identification Card of a Plumbing Engineer/Master
Plumber, or to cancel a temporary / special permit for any cause specified in the proceeding
section, including but not limited to:

a) The use or perpetration of any fraud and deceit in obtaining a certificate of
registration;

b) Incompetence, negligence, or for abatement of the illegal practice of Plumbing
Engineering/Master Plumbing; and

©) Violation of the provision of this Act, its implementing rules and regulation and/or
violation of the policies of the Board including the Code of Ethics for Plumbing
Engineers/Master Plumbers: Provided, however, That such action of the Board shall
be subject to appeal to the Commission, within fifteen (15) days from written notice.

SEC. 25. Roster of Plumbing Engineers/Master Plumbers. - The Board shall prepare,
and maintain a roster of the names, residences and/or office addresses of all registered Plumbing
Engineers/Master Plumbers, which shall be updated annually in cooperation with the accredited
organizations, indicating therein the status of the certificate of registration, professional
identification card and membership identification card in the accredited organization of the
professional, whether valid, inactive due to death or other reasons, suspended or revoked. The
said roster shall be conspicuously posted within the premises of the Commission and the
information there from made available to the public upon inquiry or request.


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SEC. 26. Exemptions from Examination and Registration. - No examination and
registration shall be required for foreign Plumbing Engineer/Master Plumber who are
temporarily employed by the Philippine Government or by private firms in the Philippines in the
following cases:

a) Where no qualified equivalent Filipino Professional is available for the specific
item of work to be rendered, as attested to by the accredited professional organization;

b) Where the conditions of the scope and the funding of the work or project are
such that it stipulates the temporary employment of a foreign professional;

c) As defined in the General Agreement on Trade and Services and other similar
international treaties, agreements and/or covenants to which the Philippine Government
is a signatory and has ratified: Provided, however, That:

1) The said foreign professional is legally qualified to practice his/her
profession in his/her own country in which the requirements for licensing
and registration are not lower than those specified in this Act;

2) The work to be performed by said foreign professional shall be limited
only to the particular work or project for which he/she was specifically
contracted;

3) Prior to commencing the work, the foreign professional shall secure a
Special Permit from the Board, which shall be subject to the approval of
the Commission: Provided, further, That no working visa and/or permit
shall be issued by concerned government agencies unless such Special
Permit has been granted first;

4) The said foreign professional shall not engage in private on his/her own
account;

5) For every foreign professional contracted for the work or project, at
least two (2) corresponding Filipino professionals who are registered
under this Act be employed as counterparts by the Philippine Government
or the private firm utilizing the services of such foreign professional for at
least the same duration of time as the foreigner’s tenure of work; and

6) The Special Permit herein granted shall be valid only for a period of not
more than six (6) months and renewable every six (6) months thereafter
subject to the discretion of the Board and the approval of the Commission:
Provided, that said permit shall case to be valid if the foreigner terminates
his/her employment in the work or project for which said permit was
originally granted and thereafter engages in an occupation that required
another Special Permit or registration under this Act.


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ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF THE PROFESSION

SEC. 27. Vested Rights: Automatic Registration of Practice Registered Plumbing
Engineers. — Alll practicing Master Plumbers who are registered at the time this Act takes effect
shall automatically be registered as Plumbing Engineer provided they met the qualifications.

SEC. 28. Right to Practice Plumbing Engineering. — The practice of Plumbing
Engineering is a professional service, admission to which shall be determined upon the basis of
an individual's personal qualifications, for which the Plumbing Engineer is responsible for the
correctness of his/her professional work for which he/she is responsible therefore.

Only duly registered Plumbing Engineers may organize, establish or form firms,
partnerships or association for the practice of Plumbing Engineers/Master Plumbers pursuant to
the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

SEC. 29. Accredited Integrated Professional Organization. — ‘The plumbing engineering
profession shall be integrated into one (1) national professional organization of fisheries
professionals which shall be duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC). The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, shall accredit the said organization as
the one and only Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of registered
plumbing engineering professionals. All plumbing engineering professionals whose names
appear in the Registry Book of Plumbing Engineer Profession shall ipso facto or automatically
become members thereof and shall receive all the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto
upon payment of AIPO membership fees and dues.

Membership in the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) shall not be a
bar to membership in other organizations of plumbing engineering profession.

SEC. 30. Foreign Reciprocity. — No foreign plumbing engineer professional shall be
given a certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification card or be
entitled to any of the privileges under this Act unless the country of which the foreign plumbing
engineer professional is a subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino plumbing engineer
professionals to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens
of said country or state.

SEC. 31. Assistance of Law Enforcement and Other Government Agencies. — Any law
enforcement agency shall, upon call or request of the Board and/or Commission, render such
assistance in enforcing this Act including the Code of Ethics, Code of Technical Standards of
Practice and the Implementing rules and regulations and measures promulgated thereunder, by
prosecuting violators thereof in accordance with law and the Rules of Court.

ARTICLE V
PENAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 32. Penalties. — In addition to the administrative sanctions, any of the provisions of
this Act, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) nor more than Two Hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or imprisonment of not
less than six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

10


SEC. 33. Prohibitions and Limitations on the Practice of Plumbing Engineering /
Master Plumbing Profession. — Unless otherwise prescribed by any supervening law, the
practice of Plumbing Engineering/Master Plumbing shall be a professional service, admission to
which must be determined on the basis of the individual's personal qualifications. Hence, no
firm, company, partnership, association or corporation may be registered or licensed as such for
the practice of Plumbing Engineering/Master Plumbing. However, persons properly registered
and licensed as Plumbing Engineer/Master Plumber may, among themselves or with any other
allied professional, form a partnership or association or corporation and collectively render
services as such: Provided, That individual members of such partnership or associations or
corporations shall be responsible for their own respective acts.

SEC. 34. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Subject to the approval of the
Commission, the Board shall adopt and promulgate such rules, regulations, resolutions, the Code
of Ethics and the Code of Technical Standards for Plumbing Engineers to carry out the
provisions of this Act, which shall be effective after thirty (30) days following their full
publication in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of general circulation.

SEC. 35. Funding. — The Chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission shall
include in the Commission’s program in the implementation of this Act. The funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act.

SEC. 36. Separability Clause. — If any clause, provision, paragraph or part hereof shall
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impair any
other part thereof, but such judgment shall merely be confined to the clause, provision, paragraph
or part directly involved in the controversy upon which such judgment has been rendered.

SEC. 37. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act No. 1378 is hereby repealed. All other laws,
decrees, National Codes, executive orders, letter of instructions and other administrative
issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
modified, suspended, or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 38. Transitory Provision. — The existing Board of Master Plumbing shall continue
to function in the interim until such time as the new Board shall be duly constituted pursuant to
this Act.

SEC. 39. Effectivity. — This act shall effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in

full in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) major daily newspaper of general circulation in
the Philippines, whichever is earlier.

Approved,

1