FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 12 ';' 
'1~ 
rEB "~ D' ." 7 
!.. 
!- -
L ( 
I' I .. ') 
. "\'CAL~ 
"i/~~--
Submitted jointly by the Committees on Civil Service and Government Reorganization; and 
Finance on 
FEB 2 7 2012 . 
RE: Senate Bill No. 
3138 
Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill No. 1401. 
Sponsor: Senator Trillanes IV 
MR. PRESIDENT: 
The Committees on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, and Finance, to 
which was referred Senate Bill No. 1401, introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda, entitled: 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, REPEALING 
FOR THE PURPOSE, PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBERED ONE THOUSAND 
THREE 
HUNDRED 
AND 
EIGHT, 
ENTITLED 
"LAW 
REGULATING 
THE 
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES", AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
have considered the same and have the honor to report it back to the Senate with the 
recommendation that the attached Senate Bill No. 313 B prepared by the Committees, 
entitled: 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, REPEALING 
FOR THE PURPOSE, PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBERED ONE THOUSAND 
THREE 
HUNDRED 
AND 
EIGHT, 
ENTITLED 
"LAW 
REGULATING 
THE 
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES", AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
be approved in substitution of Senate Bill No. 1401 with Senators Legarda and Trillanes IV as 
authors thereof. 


Respectfully submitted: 
Chairpersons 
~~/;bNESIV 
Committee on Civil Service and Government 
Reorganization 
Vice-Chairpersons 
g~DO{~ 
Committee on Finance 
MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO 
Member, Committee on Finance 
FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO 
Member, Committee on Finance 
GREGORIO B. HONASAN II 
COl11mittee on Civil Service and Government 
Reorganization 
Member, Committee on Finance 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID 
Member, Committee on Civil Service and 
Government Reorganization; and Finance 
LOREN B. LEGARDA 
Member, Committee on Civil Service and 
Government Reorganization; and Finance 
TEOFISTO L. GUINGONA III 
FERDINAND R. MAnCOS, JR. 
,Member, Committee on Finance /J 
};fember, COl11m' tee on Civil Service and 
[;tn(J 
U~\(-.tyJ.t~tt J fI7.)-e..4J~GOVernll1ent 
rganization; and Finance 
/J )\,ULAl 1/ 
iERGIO R. OSMENA III 
FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN 
Member, Committee on Finance 
Member, Committee on Civil Service and 
Government Reorganization; and Finance 


MAN YVILL R 
Member, Committee 0 Finance 
PANF~kcSON 
Mel1lber,rf.:/l1!;littee on Finance 
AQUILINO "[(0[(0" PIMENTEL III 
Member, Committee on Finance 
JOKER P. ARROYO 
Member, Committee on Finance 
RA ~VILLA'JR. 
~i~ber, Finance 
PIA "COMPANERA" S. CAYETANO 
Member, Committee on Civil Service and 
Government Reorganization; and Finance 


Ex-Offlcio Members 
riK~ 
;f~~~ 
ALAhE~'~;ANERO" s. 
CAYETANO 
Minority FloorLeader 
HON. JUAN PONCE ENRJLE 
Senate President 
President Pro-Tempore 
~ 
CENTEC. 
Majority Floo 
( 
I 


.. 
1 
2 
3 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 3138 
(In substitution of SEN 1401) 
I ",! 
°1? 
tL 
ITB 27 P 1 :'57 
.'·!::AL 
~ 
Prepared jointly by the Committees on Civil Service and Govemment Reorganization; and 
Finance with Senators Loren Legarda and Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV as authors 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, REPEALING 
FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBERED ONE THOUSAND 
THREE 
HUNDRED 
AND 
EIGHT, 
ENTITLED 
"LAW 
REGULATING 
THE 
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES," AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Ee it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
4 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Environmental Planning Act of 
5 
2012." 
6 
7 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the impoliance of Environmental 
8 
Plmming in nation-building and development. I-icnce, it shall develop and nurture competent, 
9 
virtuous, productive and well-rounded professional Environmental Planners whose standards of 
10 
practice and service shall be excellent, world-class and globally competitive through honest, 
11 
effective, relevant, and credible licensure examinations and through programs, regulatory 
12 
programs, measures, and activities that foster their professional growth, social responsibility, and 
13 
development. 
14 
15 
SEC. 3. Coverage of the Act. - This Act shall cover the following aspects of the practice 
16 
of the profession: 
17 
a. Examination, registration, and licensure of Enviro1U11entai Plmmers; 
18 
b. Supervision, control and regulation of the practice of Environmental Planning; 
19 
e. Development, upgrading, and updating of the curriculum of the environmental planning 
20 
profession; and 
1 


1 
d. Development and improvement of the professional competence and practice of 
2 
Environmental Planners through, among others, Continuing Professional Education and 
3 
development. 
4 
5 
SEC. 4. Definition ()f Terms. -
6 
a. EnvirOlunental Planning, also known as "urban and regional planning, city planning, town 
7 
and country planning, and/or human settlements planning," refers to the multi-disciplinary art 
8 
and science of analyzing, specifying, clarifying, harmonizing, managing and regulating the 
9 
use and development of land and water resources, in relation to their environs, for the 
10 
development of sustainable communities and ecosystems; 
11 
b. Environmental Planner refers to a person who is registered and licensed to practice 
12 
Environmental Plmming and who holds a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid 
13 
Professional Identification Card from the Board of Environmental Planning and the 
14 
Professional Regulation Commission; 
15 
c. Accredited Professional Organization (APO) refers to the duly integrated and Accredited 
16 
Professional Organization of Environmental Planners, of which there shall be only one as 
17 
prescribed by Republic Act No. 8981, the Comprehensive Professional Code, and in Section 
18 
32 ofthis Act. 
19 
20 
SEC. 5. Scope (!f Practice. - The practice of Enviromnental Planning, within the meaning 
21 
and intent of this Act, shall embrace the following: 
22 
a. Providing professional services in the fonn of technical consultation, rendering of technical 
23 
advice, plan preparation, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation of implementation 
24 
involving the following: 
25 
I. National, regional or local development and/or physical framework and comprehensive 
26 
land use plans; 
27 
2. Zoning and related ordinances, codes, and other legal issuances for the development and 
28 
management, preservation, conservation, rehabilitation, regulation, and control of the 
29 
environment, including all land, water, air and natural resources;' 
30 
3. Planning and development of a barangay, municipality, city, province, region or any 
31 
portion or combination thereof; and 
32 
4. Development of a site for a particular need or special purpose, such as economIc or 
33 
ecological zones; tOUlism development zones; and housing and other estate development 
34 
projects, including the creation of any other spatial arrangement of buildings, utilities, 
35 
transport, and communications; 
36 
b. In relation to any of the activities enumerated in (a) above, preparing the following studies: 
37 
1. Pre-feasibility, feasibility, and other related concerns; 
38 
2. Environmental assessments; and 
2 


1 
3. Institutional, administrative or legal systems. 
2 
c. Curriculum and syllabi development in licensure examinations for enviromnental planners 
3 
and teaching in academic institutions and conducting review courses in environmental 
4 
plmming; 
5 
d. Serving as expert witness, resource person, lecturer, juror or arbitrator in hearings, 
6 
competitions, exhibitions, mld other public fora; Conduct of hearings, competitions, exhibits, 
7 
and other public fora; and 
8 
e. Ensuring compliance with environmental laws including acquisition of regulatory permits. 
9 
10 
The professional regulatory board, subject to approval of the Professional Regulation 
11 
Commission, may add to, or exclude from, this section any activity or act of professional 
12 
practice, or revise it as the need arises to conform to changes and new developments brought 
13 
about by the latest trends in enviromnental plmming. 
14 
15 
f. Perform other acts or conduct other activities that may be determined by the board subject to 
16 
approval by the Professional Regulation Commission in light of the trend of the practice of 
17 
the profession. 
18 
19 
ARTICLE II 
20 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING 
21 
22 
SEC. 6. Professional Regulatory Board of Environmental Planning. - There is hereby 
23 
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Environmental Planning, hereinafter referred to as 
24 
the Board, which shall be composed of a Chainnan and two (2) Members under the 
25 
administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter 
26 
referred to as the Commission. They shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from 
27 
a list of three (3) recommendees for each position, ranked by the Commission from a list offive 
28 
(5) nominees for each position, and submitted by the Accredited Professional Organization of 
29 
Environmental Plmmers. 
30 
31 
The new Board under this Act shall be constituted within six (6) months from the effectivity of 
32 
this Act. 
33 
34 
SEC. 7. Term of Office. - The Chairperson and Members of the Board shall hold office 
35 
for a term of three (3) years from the date of their appointment or until their successors shall 
36 
have qualified and been appointed. They may be reappointed to their positions for another term 
37 
of three (3) years immediately after the expiry of their tenns: Provided, That the holding of such 
38 
position shall not be for more than two (2) terms nor more than six (6) years, whichever is 
3 


I 
longer: Provided,further, That the first Board under this Act shall hold these temlS of office: the 
2 
Chairperson for three (3) years, the first Member for two (2) years, and the second Member for 
3 
one (I) year; Provided, furthermore, That any appointee to a vacancy with an unexpired term 
4 
shall only serve such period. The Chairperson and the Members shall duly take their oath of 
5 
office. 
6 
7 
SEC. 8, Qualifications of Board Members. - Each Member of the Board shall, at the 
8 
time of his/her appointment, possess the following qualifications: 
9 
a. 
A citizen and resident of the Philippines; 
lOb. Of good moral character and of sound mind; 
II 
c. A holder of a Master's Degree in Environmental Planning or its equivalent; 
12 
d. A registered and licensed Environmental Plmmer with a valid Celiificate of Registration and 
13 
a Professional Identification Card and with at least 
seven (7) years of practice in 
14 
Environmental Panning prior to his/her appointment; 
15 
e. Not a member of the faculty of any school, college, or university where a regular academic 
16 
course or review course in Environmental Plmming is offered, nor a member of a Staff of 
17 
reviewers in a review school or center and does not have mly direct or indirect pecuniary 
18 
interest in such an institution; 
19 
f. 
A member in good standing but not an officer or trustee thereof of the Accredited 
20 
Professional Organization; and 
21 
g. Not convicted by a cOUli of competent jurisdiction of an offense involving moral turpitude. 
22 
23 
SEC. 9. Powers, Duties and Responsibilities of the Board. - The Board shall have the 
24 
following specific powers, duties and responsibilities: 
25 
a. Prescribe and adopt the rules m1d regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
26 
Act; 
27 
b. Supervise the registration, licensure, and practice of Environmental Planning 111 the 
28 
Philippines; 
29 
c. Administer oaths in connection with the implementation of this Act; 
30 
d. Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate Certificate of Registration for the practice of 
31 
Environmental Plmming; 
32 
e. Adopt an official seal of the Board; 
33 
f. 
Prepare the contents of licensure examination; score and rate the examination papers, and 
34 
submit the results thereof to the Commission; 
35 
g. Adopt and promulgate a Code of Ethics and a Code of Technical Standards issued by the 
36 
Accredited Professional Organization; 
37 
h. Assist the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure that all instmction and 
38 
offering of Environmental Planning comply with the policics, standards, and requirements of 
4 


1 
the course prescribed by the CHED or other authorized government offices in the areas, 
2 
among others, of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities; 
3 
1. 
Adopt measures necessary for the enhancement of the profession; 
4 
J. 
Investigate officially reported violations of this Act and its rules and regulations, Code of 
5 
Ethics, Code of Technical Standards, policies and measures and for this purpose issue 
6 
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of witnesses and submission 
7 
of the documents and other evidences necessary in cotmection with the performance of its 
8 
functions; 
9 
k. Seek the assistance of the Commission in the conduct of hearing or investigation of 
10 
administrative cases filed before the Board; 
11 
1. 
Promulgate decisions on such administrative cases; 
12 
m. Discharge such other powers and duties that may affect professional, ethical and 
13 
technological standards of the environmental planning profession in the Philippines; 
14 
n. Perfonn such other functions and responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of 
15 
Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the "Professional Regulation Commission 
16 
(PRC) Modernization Act of 2000. " 
17 
18 
The policies, resolutions, by-laws and rules and regulations, issued and promulgated by the 
19 
Board shall be subject to review, and approval by the Commission; however, the Board's 
20 
decisions, resolutions or orders which are not interlocutory, rendered in an administrative case, 
21 
shall be subject to review only on appeal. 
22 
23 
SEC. 10. Compensation of the Board. - The Chairperson and Members of the Board 
24 
shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances 
25 
received by the Chairpersons and Members of other existing professional regulatory boards 
26 
under the Commission as provided for by the General Appropriations Act. 
27 
28 
SEC. 11. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, 
29 
Secretariat and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of 
30 
the Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for examinations, and 
31 
administrative and other investigative hearings conducted by the Board shall be under the 
32 
custody of the Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and 
33 
shall provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the provisions of this Act. 
34 
35 
SEC. 12. Groullds for Disciplinmy Action on Suspension or Removal of BOaI~d 
36 
Members/Chairperson. - The President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the 
37 
Commission, after due process and administrative investigation conducted by the Commission, 
38 
may remove or suspend a Chairperson or Member of the Board on any of the following grounds: 
5 


1 
a. Gross negligence, incompetence or dishonesty in the discharge of his/her duty; 
2 
b. Commission of any of the prohibited acts provided in this Act and the offenses in the revised 
3 
Penal Code, Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the "Anti-Graft and Corruption 
4 
Practices Act, " and other laws; 
5 
c. Manipulation, tampering or rigging of the results of the licensure examination for the practice 
6 
of Environmental Planning; and 
7 
d. Unlawful disclosure of secret and confidential infOlmation on the examination questions or 
8 
other administrative matters pertaining thereto plioI' to the conduct thereof. 
9 
10 
The Commission, in the conduct of the investigation, shall be guided by Sec. 7(s) of Republic 
II 
Act No. 8981, the Rules on Administrative Investigation, and the applicable provisions of the 
12 
New Rules OfCOUli. 
13 
14 
SEC. 13. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the end of each calendar year, submit to 
15 
the Commission a detailed report of its activities and proceedings during the year, embodying 
16 
also such recommendations as it may deem proper to promote the policies and objectives of this 
17 
Act. 
18 
19 
ARTICLE III 
20 
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
21 
22 
SEC. 14. Registration Required. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, no person shall 
23 
practice or offer to practice Enviromnental Planning in the Philippines without having obtained 
24 
from the Board and the Commission a Certificate of Registration and a Professional 
25 
Identification Card or a Temporary/Special Permit. 
26 
27 
SEC. 15. Examination Required. - Unless provided otherwise under this Act, all 
28 
applicants for registration for the practice of Environmental Planning shall be required to pass 
29 
the professional licensure examination as herein provided, subject to the payment of fe"{s 
30 
prescribed by the Commission. Examinations for the practice of Environmental Planning in the 
31 
Philippines shall be given by the Board at least once every year in such places and dates as the 
32 
Commission may deSignate in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8981. 
33 
34 
SEC. 16. Rating in the Licensure Examination. - To pass the licensure examination, 
35 
each person must obtain a weighted average of not less than seventy per centum (70%) and a 
36 
rating of not less than fifty per centnm (50%) in any examination snbject. 
37 
6 


I 
SEC. 17. Subjects of Examinatioll. - The licensure examination for Environmental 
2 
Platmers shall inclnde, but shall not be limited to, the following: 
3 
a. History, concepts, theories, and principles of Environmental Platming; 
4 
b. Environmental Planning process, methods/techniques, and strategies; 
5 
c. Environmental plan implementation, legal aspects atld administration. 
6 
7 
These subject areas and syllabi shall include topics atld SUbtopics in accordance with the syllabi 
8 
or tables of specifications of subjects for licensure exatninations by the Board in consultation 
9 
with the academe and the Accredited Professional Organization. The subject areas and syllabi 
10 
may be revised as the need arises to confol1n to changes atld new developments brought about by 
II 
trends in the practice of Environmental Planning. 
12 
13 
SEC. 18. Qualifications for Taking the Examination. - Any person applying to take the 
14 
licensure examination as herein provided shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that 
15 
he/she has the following qualifications: 
16 
a. A citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose country or state has a policy on 
17 
reciprocity in the practice of the profession; 
18 
b. A holder of atly of the following degrees from schools, colleges or universities duly 
19 
recognized and accredited by the CHED: 
20 
1. A Graduate in Environmental Planning, urban/city and regional planning, or town and 
21 
country planning or its equivalent; 
22 
2. A Post-Graduate Diploma in Environmental Plmming, city and regional planning or its 
23 
equivalent, and with at least one (l) year of on-the-job training as required herein; or 
24 
3. A Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Planning, city planning or urban and regional 
25 
planning, or town and country planning, or its equivalent, and with two (2) years of on-
26 
the-job training as required herein; 
27 
4. A Degree in either architecture, engineering, ecology, economics, geography, geology, 
28 
public administration, business 
administration, 
sociology, 
social 
science, law, 
29 
environmental science, enviromllental matlagement, development management, natural 
30 
resources planning and development, and related disciplines acceptable to the Board, and 
31 
with three (3) years of on-the-job training as required herein: Provided, That a person 
32 
falling under this paragraph, shall be allowed to take the licensure examination only 
33 
within the next five (5) years from the effecti\~ty of this Act; 
34 
5. A Bachelor's Degree in architecture, engineering, economics, public administration, law, 
35 
social work and community development or sociology and other related disciplines 
36 
acceptable to the Board and with five (5) years of on-the- job training as required herein: 
37 
Provided, That a person falling under this paragraph, shall be allowed to take the 
38 
licensure examination only within the next five (5) years from the effectivity ofthis Act; 
7 


I 
6. Incumbent holders of planning positions in the national, regional, or local government 
2 
offices or agencies including government owned and controlled corporations and have 
3 
been engaged in development plarming functions acceptable to the Board: Provided, 
4 
That they are holders of professional civil service eligibility and they have undergone at 
5 
least eighty (80) hours of in-service training or distance leaming in developmental 
6 
plarming from a govenm1ent agency, school or institution recognized by proper 
7 
authorities: Provided, further, That a person falling under this paragraph may be allowed 
8 
to take the licensure examination only within the next five (5) years after the effectivity 
9 
of this Act. 
10 
c. Of good moral character; and 
II 
d. Not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a comi of competent jurisdiction. 
12 
13 
The on-the-job training required in this Section shall be undertaken under the supervision of a 
14 
registered and licensed Environmental Planner or the applicant's immediate supervisor in an 
15 
agency or organization acceptable to the Board, which is engaged or involved in environmental 
16 
plarming functions or programs. 
17 
18 
SEC, 19. Issuance of Cert!/icate of Registration and Professional Identification Card, -
19 
a. A Certificate of Registration shall be issued to those who are registered after payment of fees 
20 
prescribed by the Commission. It shall bear the signatures of the Chairperson of the Commission 
21 
and of the Chairman and Members of the Board, stamped with the official seal of the 
22 
Commission and of the Board, certifying that the person named therein is entitled to the practice 
23 
of the profession, with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. Until withdrawn, revoked, or 
24 
suspended in accordance with this Act, the Certificate of Registration shall remain in full force 
25 
and effect. 
26 
b. A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number and its validity and expiry 
27 
dates duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission shall likewise be issued to every 
28 
registrant who has paid the prescribed fees, and has submitted a certificate of membership in 
29 
good standing from the APO. 
The said card shall be renewed every three (3) years upon 
30 
mandatory proof of completion of continuing professional education. 
31 
32 
SEC. 20. Rejilsal to Register. - The Board shall not register any successful applicant for 
33 
registration with or without licensure examination who has been: 
34 
a. convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a comi of competent jurisdiction; 
35 
b. found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct by the Board; 
36 
c. adjudged guilty for violation of the General Instructions to Examinees by the Board; and 
37 
d. declared of unsound mind by the court of competent jurisdiction. 
38 
8 


1 
In refusing such registration, the Board shall give the applicant a written statement setting forth 
2 
the reasons therefor and shall file a copy thereof in its records. 
3 
4 
SEC. 21. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and Cancellation 
5 
of Tempora/y/Special Permit. - The Board shall have the power, upon notice and hearing, to 
6 
revoke or suspend the Certificate of Registration of a registered and licensed Environmental 
7 
Planner or to cancel a Temporary/Special Permit granted to a foreign Environmental Planner, for 
8 
the same grounds enumerated in Section 20 of this Act, except paragraph (c) hereof, and any of 
9 
the following grounds: 
lOa. Violation of any provision of this Act, Implementing Rules and Regulations, Code of Ethics, 
11 
Code of Teclmical Standards for the practice of Environmental Planning, and of policies and 
12 
regulatory measures of the Board and/or the Commission, and Code of Good Governance; . 
13 
b. Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining his/her Certificate of Registration, Professional 
14 
Identification Card, Temporary/Special Permit; 
15 
c. Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance in the conduct of the profession resulting to 
16 
death, injury of persons and/or damage to property; 
17 
d. Unjustified refusal to join or to remain a member in good standing of the APO; 
18 
e. Unjustified or unexplained neglect or failure to pay the annual registration fees for five (5) 
19 
consecutive years; 
20 
f. Unjustified or unexplained non-renewal of the Professional Identification Card after the lapse 
21 
of five (5) consecutive years; 
22 
g. Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered and unlicensed Environmental 
23 
Planning by, among others, allowing him/her to use his/her Certificate of Registration and/or 
24 
Professional Identification Card or his/her Temporary/Special Pennit; 
25 
h. Illegally practicing the profession during his/her suspension from the practice thereof; 
26 
1. 
Addiction to a drug or alcohol abuse impairing his/her ability to practice hislher profession or 
27 . 
declared with unsound mind by a court of a competent jurisdiction; 
28 
29 
The Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise or add new ones as 
30 
the need arises subj ect to approval by the Commission in order to meet the trends and 
31 
developments in the profession. 
32 
33 
SEC. 22. Filing of Charges. - Any person, firm or association may file charges against 
34 
any registrant in accordance with the provisions of Section 21, or the Board may investigate 
35 
violations of any of the above-mentioned provisions. An affidavit-complaint shall be filed, 
36 
together with the affidavits of witnesses and other documentary evidence with the Board through 
37 
the Commission's Legal and Investigation Oftice. The motu propio action to conduct an 
38 
investigation shall be embodied in a formal charge to be signed by at least a majority of the 
9 


I 
Members of the Board. The rules on administrative investigation issued by the Commission shall 
2 
govern the hearing or investigation, subject to applicable provisions of this Act, Republic Act 
3 
No. 8981, and the Rules of Court. 
4 
5 
SEC. 23. Re-issuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of Lost or 
6 
Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card or Tel1lporaly/Special 
7 
Permit. -
The Board may, upon petition, reinstate or re-issue a revoked Certificate of 
8 
Registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the revocation, which is the date of 
9 
surrender of the said certificate and/or the Professional Identification Card to the Board and/or 
10 
the Commission. The Board may nol require the holder thereof to take another licensure 
11 
examination. The petitioner shall prove to the Board that he/she has valid reasons to resume the 
12 
practice of his/her profession. For the grant of his/her petition, the Board shall issue a Board 
13 
Resolution subject to approval by the Commission. 
14 
15 
A duplicate copy of a lost Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card or 
16 
Temporary/Special Permit may be reissued in accordance with rules thereon and upon payment 
17 
of the prescribed fee therefor. 
18 
19 
ARTICLE IV 
20 
PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING 
21 
22 
SEC. 24. 
Vested Rights: Licensed Environmental Planners Registered When This 
23 
Law is Passed. - All Environmental Planners who are already duly registered with lhe Board 
24 
under Presidential Decree No. 1308 and are holders of valid Professional Identification Cards 
25 
issued by the Commission, and who are in good standing with the APO of Environmental 
26 
Planners at the effectivity of this Act shall be deemed automatically registered under this Act. 
27 
28 
Certificates of Registration and valid Professional Identification Cards held by such persons in 
29 
good standing shall have the same force and effect as though issued after the passage of this Act. 
30 
31 
SEC. 25. 
Consulting Firms, 
Partnerships, 
COIporations, Associations and 
32 
Foundations Engaged in Environmental Plmllling Practice. - A consulting firm, partnership, 
33 
corporation, association or foundation may engage in the practice of Environmental Planning in 
34 
the Philippines: Provided, That it complies with the "following requirements: 
35 
36 
a. The consulting firm, partnership, corporation or association applies for and is issued a 
37 
Certificate of Registration by the Board and the Commission to engage in the practice of 
38 
Environmental Plmming in the Philippines: Provided, That the majority of the partners of the 
10 


I 
partnership are registered and licensed Environmental Planners: Provided, jilrther, That the 
2 
majority of the Members of the Board of Directors or Members of corporations shall be 
3 
registered and licensed Environmental Planners; and 
4 
b. The practice of the consulting firm, patinership, corporation or association in Environmental 
5 
Planning shall be carried out by duly registered and licensed Environmental Planners. 
6 
7 
SEC. 26. Use (~f Seal. - All registered and licensed Environmental Platmers shall obtain 
8 
a seal of such design as the Board shall authorize and direct: Provided, That the serial number of 
9 
the certificate issued by the Board shall be included in the design of the seal. Plans, designs and 
10 
programs prepared by or under direct supervision of a registered and licensed Environmental 
11 
Planner shall be stamped with the said seal during the life of the registrant's certifIcate, and it 
12 
shall be unlawful for anyone to stamp or seal any document with the said seal after the 
13 
certificate of the registrant named thereon shall have expired or shall have been revoked, unless 
14 
said eeliificate shall have been renewed or re-issued. 
15 
16 
SEC. 27. Continuing Professional Education. - The Board, in consultation with the 
17 
academe and the APO, shall prescribe guidelines in the implementation of its Continuing 
18 
Professional Education (CPE) programs, subject to the approval of the Commission. 
19 
20 
SEC. 28. Foreign Reciprocity. - A foreign citizen may be allowed to take the licensure 
21 
examination and may be given a Celiificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card 
22 
if he/she can prove that the country or state of which he/she is a subject or citizen allows a 
23 
Filipino Environmental Planner to practice his/her profession within its territorial limits on the 
24 
same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country. 
25 
26 
SEC. 29. Special/Temporary Permits for Foreign Environmental Planners. - The 
27 
practice of foreign Environmental Planners in the Philippines shall be limited to natural persons 
28 
only and shall be governed by the provisions of Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the 
29 
"Professional Regulation Commission (PRe) Modernization Act of 2000:" Provided, That any 
30 
foreign national who has gained entry in the Philippines to perform professional services as an 
31 
El1viromnental Planner or render such services or prepare or produce such documents as are 
32 
within the scope of practice of Environmental Planners as set forth in this Act, such as but not 
33 
limited to being a Consultant in foreign-funded or assisted projects of the govemment or 
34 
employed or engaged by Filipino or foreign contractors or private firms, whether or not the 
35 
nomenclature of his/her profession is specifIcally called in his/her country of nationality as 
36 
Environmental Planner, but who does not meet or wish to comply with the requirements for 
37 
admission to take the licensure examinations shall, betore assuming the duties, functions and 
38 
responsibilities as Environmental Planner or Consultant, secure a Temporary/Special Permit 
11 


1 
from the Board subject to the approval of the Commission and the Department of Labor and 
2 
Employment (DOLE), to practice his/her profession in connection with the project to which 
3 
he/she was commissioned: Provided, That the following conditions are satisfied: 
4 
a. That he/she is a citizen or subject or a country which specifically pennits Filipino 
5 
professionals to practice their profession within the territorial limits on the same basis as the 
6 
subjects or citizens of such foreign country or state; 
7 
b. That he/she is legally qualified to practice Environmental Planning in his/her own country, 
8 
and that his/her expertise is necessary and advantageous to the Philippines, particularly in the 
9 
aspects of technology transfer and specialization; 
10 
c. That he/she shall be required to work with a Filipino counterpart, a natural person who is a 
11 
registered and licensed environmental planner, and professional services fees and expenses of 
12 
documentation pertaining to the project shall be proportionately shared by both foreign and 
13 
Filipino Environmental Planners, including liabilities and taxes due to the Philippine 
14 
government, if any, relative to his/her participation therein, or professional services rendered 
15 
to the project in accordance with established rules and regulations; and 
16 
d. That he/she shall obtain an employment permit from DOLE; Provided, That the employment 
17 
permit may be issued to a non- resident alien or to the applicant-employer after a 
18 
determination by the Commission and the Board of the non-availability of a person in the 
19 
Philippines who is competent, able and willing at the time of application to perform the 
20 
services for which the foreign expert is being invited. 
21 
22 
SEC. 30. 
Information Required on Plans. - The Environmental Planner shall be 
23 
required to indicate his/her Certificate of Registration (CR), and/or PRe Identification Card, 
24 
APO Certificate of Membership and Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) numbers, date and place of 
25 
issuance and expiry on all plans and other documents signed by him/her. 
26 
27 
SEC. 31. UIIlawful Practices under this Act. - It shall be unlawful for any person or 
28 
group of persons to: 
29 
a. offer or render planning services as defined in Section 4 or within the scope of Section 5 of 
30 
this Act when he/she is not a Registered and licensed Environmental Planner; 
31 
b. cause, induce, encourage or coerce the preparation or implementation of any plan that is not 
32 
signed by a Registered and licensed Environmental Planner, when such plan is so required by 
33 
this Act to be signed by a Registered and licensed Environmental Planner; 
34 
c. amend, revise, duplicate or make copies of plans, designs, programs and other documents 
35 
prepared, signed and sealed by a registered and licensed Environmental Planner without 
36 
his/her explicit and written consent; and 
37 
d. sign his/her name, affix his/her seal or use any other method of signature on plans, 
38 
specifications or other documents not actually prepared by him/her. 
12 


I 
SEC. 32. Accredited Professional Organization (APO) of Environmental Planners. -
2 
All registered and licensed Environmental Planners shall organize themselves into one (I) 
3 
national organization that is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
4 
(SEC). The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, shall accredit the said organization 
5 
as the one and only accredited national organization of registered and licensed Environmental 
6 
Plamlers. All Environmental Plamlers whose names appear in the Registry Book of 
7 
Environmental Plamlers shall antomatically become members thereof and shall receive thereto 
8 
all the benefits and privileges upon payment of APO membership fees and dues. Membership in 
9 
other organizations of Environmental Planners shall not be balTcd. 
10 
11 
12 
13 
ARTICLE V 
ENFORCEMENT OF THE ACT AND PENAL PROVISIONS 
14 
SEC. 33. Enforcement by Government Officials and Officers of the Law. - It shall be 
15 
the duty of all government officials and dnly constituted law officers of the national, provincial, 
16 
city or municipal government, to assist the Board and the Commission in enforcing the 
17 
provisions of this Act and to cause the prosecution of any person violating the same. 
18 
19 
SEC. 34. Positions in Government with Environmental Planning Functions. - The 
20 
Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall create positions and set qualification standards for 
21 
Environmental Planners at various levels in government service, including government owned 
22 
and controlled corporations and other entities. 
After the lapse of five (5) years from the 
23 
effectivity of this Act only registered and licensed Environmental Planners shall be appointed fo 
24 
the position of heads and assistant heads of groups, departments, divisions in government 
25 
offices, agencies bureaus or instrumentalities thereof, including govemment owned and 
26 
controlled corporations, provinces, cities and mnnicipalities, and such other positions which 
27 
require the knowledge, skills and competence and qualifications of registered and licensed 
28 
EnvirolUllental Planners. Appointments made thereafter in violation hereof shall be considered 
29 
null and void. 
30 
31 
SEC. 35. - Civil Liability of Environmental Planners. - The Environmental Planner in 
32 
charge of the preparation of an envirOlunental plan and related documents, as well as other 
33 
members of the planning team involved in the preparation thereof may be held civilly liable in 
34 
cases of serious, large-scale or wholesale damage, failure or destrnction of any project subject of 
35 
or covered by an environmental plan, that result in significant adverse impact on affected 
36 
stakeholders or the concerned ecosystem, within a period of ten (10) years from the time of 
37 
implementation of such plan. These are in cases where it is determined by a court of competent 
38 
jurisdiction that such damage, failure or destruction was foreseeable and could have been 
13 


1 
anticipated, and are directly caused by gross negligence on the pati of such Environmental 
2 
Planner and/or the environmental planning team member or members, or by highly deficient or 
3 
inappropriate environmental planning methods, strategies, tools or techniques at variance with 
4 
generally accepted environmental planning principles, methods and standards. 
5 
6 
The govenunent or any affected stakeholder may bring an action to enforce such liability within 
7 
five (5) years from the time the damage or destruction occurs. 
8 
9 
SEC. 36. Penal Provisions. - Any person committing any of the unlawful practices 
10 
under Section 31 hereof atld/or any of the following acts shall, upon conviction, be sentenced by 
11 
imprisomnent of not less than six (6) months, nor more than five (5) years or a fine or not less 
12 
than One Hlllldred Thousand Pesos (Php 100, 000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand 
13 
Pesos (Php 500, 000.00) or both, at the discretion of the Court: 
14 
a. Engaging in the practice of Environmental Planning in the Philippines without having been 
15 
registered and licensed or without having conformed to the provisions of this Act; 
16 
b. Presenting or attempting to use as his/her own the Certificate of Registration and/or 
17 
Professional Identification Card of another registered and licensed Environmental Planner; or 
18 
a holder of a Temporary/Special Permit; 
19 
c. Giving any false, forged, or tampered evidence of any kind to the Board, or impersonating 
20 
any registered and licensed Environmental Platlller or a natural person who is a holder of a 
21 
Temporary/Special Permit; 
22 
d. Using a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration or an expired or un-renewed 
23 
Professional IdentifIcation Card or Temporary/Special Permit; 
24 
e. Using in connection with his/her name or otherwise assuming, using or advertising any title 
25 
or description tending to convey the impression that he/she is a registered and licensed 
26 
Environmental Planner without holding a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional 
27 
Identification Card or a valid Temporary/Special Permit; 
28 
f. Implementing or causing the implementation of any plan not prepared and signed by a 
29 
registered and licensed Environmental Planner; and 
30 
g. Violating atlY ofthe provisions of this Act and the Rules and Regulations thereof. 
31 
Any Filipino employer who hires foreign practitioners without obtaining special pennit for 
32 
the latter shall also be held liable under this act. 
33 
34 
In case the offender is a corporation, partnership, association, foundation or juridical person, the 
35 
penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the registered and licensed Environmental Planner-
36 
in-Charge jointly and solidarily with the responsible professionals, as well as the controlling 
37 
officer or officers thereof responsible for permitting or causing the violation. 
14 


1 
2 
3 
ARTICLE VI 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
4 
SEC. 37. Transitory Provisions. -
5 
a. Within a period of three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, local government units 
6 
may continue to issue appointments to persons who are not registered and licensed 
7 
EnvirolU11ental Planners for the positions of national, or local plamling and development 
8 
coordinators, or chiefs of local planning and development offices, only on a temporary status 
9 
or acting capacity. 
10 
II 
b. The incumbent Chainnan and Members of the Board shall, in an interim capacity, continue to 
12 
cany out their functions under the provisions of this Act without need for new appointments 
13 
as Chairman and Members thereof until the first Board, created under this Act, shall have 
14 
been constituted or organized pursuant thereto. 
15 
16 
17 
18 
ARTICLE VII 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
19 
SEC. 38. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the Commission shall immediately 
20 
include in its programs the implementation of this Act, the fnnding of which shall be included in 
21 
the atU1ual General Appropriations Act and thereafter. 
22 
23 
SEC. 39. Act Not Affecting Other Professions. - This Act shall not affect or prevent the 
24 
practice of any other legally-recognized profession. 
25 
26 
SEC. 40. Implementing Rules ami Regulations. - The Board, subject to approval ofthe 
27 
Commission, shall prescribe, promulgate, and issue the implementing rules and regulations of 
28 
this Act, after consultation with the APO, other agencies and concerned private organizations, 
29 
within one-hundred twenty (120) days from the constitution of the Board. 
30 
31 
SEC. 41. - Separability Clause. - If any part or section of this Act shall be declared 
32 
unconstitutional, such declaration shall not invalidate the other provisions hereof 
33 
34 
SEC. 42. - Repealing Clause. - Presidential Decree No. 1308 is hereby repealed. All 
35 
other laws, orders, rules at1d regulations or resolutions or parts thereof inconsistent with the 
36 
provisions ofthis Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
15 


I 
SEC. 43. - Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the 
3 
Philippines. 
Approved, 
16