Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15™ CONGRESS
First Regular Session

miNo._ 38051

HOUS!

Introduced by REP. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public Welfare and Proper Plumbing System are the concern of all. These are
underscored in the plumbing works of buildings. It is necessary that plumbing design and
installation be undertaken by people with adequate academic and technical background in
accordance with sound engineering practice and generally accepted standards.

Some forty years ago, 1955, Congress enacted R.A. 1378, otherwise known as the
Plumbing Law, which regulates the trade of master plumbers. High School graduates with
five years plumbing experience used to dominate the trade. With the advent of high rise
buildings their numbers are dwindling but sustaining. Master Plumbers with engineering
expertise are coming about. Since then the law has become outmoded with provisions that do
not harmonize with the times: To date the practice of plumbing is still considered a trade,
although the act of plumbing works has become more complex with the emergence and
expansion of all types of buildings design and construction, coupled by the trend of
urbanization, the proliferation of urban centers, and the subsequent complexity of
architectural and engineering works these all the more spell out the demand for plumbing
engineer,

The burgeoning plumbing industry dramatizes the need for the participation of
Plumbing Engineers with good academic background in engineering to cope up with the new
technology required. The time has come, after two scores to upgrade the plumbing
profession. R.A. 1378 must give way to a new law for Plumbing Engineers. Plumbing
Engineering must be accorded professional acceptance and recognition.

Section 1 (B), Item (15) of R.A. 6511, An Act Amending Republic Act 465, An Act
to Standardize the Examination and Registration Fees charged by the National Examining
Boards, and the other purposes, provide and lists down the Profession of Plumbing Engineers
as a preparation for the regulation of the profession, For this reason, registered engineers who
are holders of Master Plumbers Certificate have responded to the call of the times and bonded
themselves together under one roof, the Philippine Institute of Plumbing Engineers (PIPE),

“Their move was backed up by colleges and universities who recognized the importance of
plumbing engineering by offering it as a distinct course. Congress has to come up with the
law to elevate the plumbing trade to one of professional engineering and in the interest of

public welfare.
ouvir H. ESC!

Representative
1* District, Sorsogon

Approval of this bill is urgently requested.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

5" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 8054

Introduced by REP. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III

AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING IN THE

PHILIPPINE:

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

SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Plumbing
Engineering Act", a

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms:

(a) Practice of Plumbing Engineering - The practice of Plumbing Engineering is a
professional and organized act of gathering physical data for an effective performance in the
‘design and installation of plumbing systems of 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 in connection with any of the following:

a. Storm Drainage Piping Systems;

b. Soil Waste and Vent Piping Systems;

Hot and Cold Water Supply Piping System;

d, Private Sewage Disposal Systems; and

e. All other related piping installation within the building.

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

(3) The enumeration of sub-section (1) and (2) above shall not be construed as
excluding any other work requiring plumbing knowledge and application.

(4) Engagement in the transfer of the knowledge and technology of plumbing
engineering in any institution of leaning.

SEC. 3. Creation and Composition of the Board of Plumbing Engineering - There
is hereby created a Board of Plumbing Engineering, hereinafter called the Board, to be
composed of a chairman and two (2) members to be appointed by the President of the
Philippines from a list of three (3) recomendees of the Professional Regulation Commission,
hereinafter called the commission for each position, chosen in rank in the order of preference



and from the list of five (5) nominees for each position submitted by the accredited Integrated
National Organization of Plumbing Engineers and Master Plumbers. The first set of nominees
for the first composition may be submitted by the present association of Plumbing Engineers
unless the integrated shall have been set up for the purpose. The first composition shall be
organized not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 4. Qualifications of Members of the Board - A member of the Board shall at
the time of his/her appointment, possess the following qualifications:

(a) Natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines;

(b) Must be at least forty (40) years of age;

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

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

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

(8) Must not have been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude.

SEC. 5. Term of Office - The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of
three (3) years and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. Of the
members of the Board first appointed under this Act, one (1) member shall be appointed and
hold office for three (3) years; and one (1) member for two (2) years, one (1) member for one
year.

The Chairman or member of the Board may be re-appointed for another term but in
no case shall he serve continuously for more than six (6) years. Each member of the Board
shall qualify by taking the proper oath of office prior to the assumption in the performance of
duties. Any vacancy occurring in tie membership of the board within the term of a member
shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only.

SEC. 6. Compensation of the Board Members - The Chairman and members of the
Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and
allowances received by existing Professional Regulatory Boards with Professional Regulation
. Commission (PRC), hereinafter referred to as the Commission, as provided for in the General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Vacancy and Removal of Board Members ~ 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 bf the Commission, on the following grounds:

(a) Neglect of duty or incompetence;

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

(c) Final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude.


He/She shall be given due notice and hearing where his/her right to be heard and to
defend him/ herself, assisted by counsel, shall be respected in a proper administrative
investigation the commission shall conduct.

SEC, 8. Powers and Duties of the Board - The Board shall exercise the following
specific powers, functions, duties and responsibilities:

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

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

(c) To administer oaths in connection with the successful examinees entering
the practice of Plumbing Engineering and Master Plumbing;

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

(e) To issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate the Certificate of Registration and
Professional License for the practice of the Plumbing Engineering profession;

(1) To adopt an official seal of the Board;

(g) To look into the conditions affecting the practice of the professions and
Whenever necessary, adopt such measures 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
(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 prescribed and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and a Code of Technical
‘Standards for the practice of the Plumbing Engineering professions;

(i) To hear and try administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its
implementing rules and regulations, the Code of Ethics / Technical Standards and for
the purpose, to issue subpoena 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 National Association of
Professional Plumbing Engineers;

() To prepare, adopt i
examination.

(m) To approve, issue,
practice Plumbing Engineerin,

(n) Discharge such other duties and functions as may be deemed necessary for
the enhancement of the Plumbing Engineering professions and the upgrading,
development and growth of Plumbing Engineering education in the Philippines;

sue or amend the syllabi of the subjects for

limit or revoke temporary special permit license to

SEC. 9. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its 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 results, minutes of deliberation, administrative cases and other
investigations involving Plumbing Engineers shall be kept by the Commission.

‘The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat
and other support services to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 10. Annual Relport - The Board shall, at the close of each calendar
submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines through the Profess
Regulation Commission, giving detailed account of its recommendation for the adoption of
measures that will upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of Plumbing
Engineering in the Philippi



SEC. 11. Examinations Required - All applicants for registration for the practice of
Plumbing Engineering shall be required to undergo and pass a written technical examination
provided for in this Act.

SEC.12. Qualifications of Applicant for Plumbing Engineering Examination -
Every applicant for Plumbing Engineer examination shall establish the following:

(a)

(b)
(©)

(d)

He/she is a citizen of the Philippines or a foreigner whose country state has
reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of the profession:

Of Good Moral Character; and

Within five yeas upon approval of this Act, a graduate of any BS degree in
engineering or Architecture may qualify for the examination provided.

iat he/she is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Plumbing Engineering
in a school, academy, institute or college duly recognized by the
Government.

SEC. 13. Fraudulent Application - The Board may suspend or revoke a Certificate
of Registration obtained through misrepresentation made in the application for examination.

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

a, Mathematics;
b. Theory and Practice of Plumbing
¢. Hydraulic and Plumbing Principles
d, Plumbing Design and Installation
f, Plumbing Laws and National Codes
g. Laws on Obligations and Contracts
h. Code of Ethics of the Profession

‘The said subjects and their syllabi maybe amended by the Board so as to conform to

technological changes brought about by conti

ing trends in the profession.

SEC.15. Rating in the Board Examination - To be qualified as having passed the

board examination for Plumbing Engineers, a candidate must obtained a weighted g

al

average of seventy (70%) with no grade lower than fifty-five percent (55%) in any given
+ subject must take the examination in the subject or subjects where he/she obtained a grade

below fifty-five percent (53

%).

SEC. 16. Report of Ratings - The board shall submit to the commission the rating

obtained by each candidate within twenty (20) calendar days after the exam:

ion, 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 given address using the mailing
envelope submitted during the examination,

C. 17. Re-examination - An applicant who fails to pass the examination for the

third time shall be allowed to take another examination only after the lapse of one year.

SEC. 18. Oath - All successful candidates in the examinations shall be required to
take an oath of profession before the Board or any PRC Official authorized by the PRC to
administer oaths, prior to entering upon the practice of the Plumbing Engineering profession.


SEC. 19. Certificate of Registration and Prof
Registration’ shall be issued to applicants who pass the examination for Plumbing Engineers
subject to payment of registration fees.

‘The Certificate of Registration of a Professional Plumbing Engineer shall bear the
signatures of the Chairman of the Board and its member attested by the Secretary of the
Professional Regulation Commission and stamped with the official seal of the Board
indicating that the person named therein is a registered Plumbing Engineer.

A professional license bearing the registration number, date of issuance, expiry date
and duly signed by the Chairman of the Board, shall likewise be issued to every registrant,
upon payment of the professional fees. No person shall practice Plumbing Engineering in the
manner contrary to herein provided. A license is entitled to practice the profession with all
the privileges appurtenant thereto until the expiration of the validity of his license.

SEC. 20. Seal and Use of Séal - (a) Each registrant shall, upon registration, obtain the
seal of such design as the Board of Plumbing Engineering may adopt. Plans and
specifications prepared by, or under the direct supervision of a registered Plumbing Engineer,
shall be stamped with said seal during the validity of the professional license. No person shall
stamp or seal any document with the seal of a registrant after his professional license has
expired, lost its validity, unless he has been reinstated at the practice and/or unless his license
has been renewed

(b) No officer or employee of the government, chartered cities, provinces and
municipalities now or hereafter charged with the enforcement of laws, ordinances. or
regulations relating to all Plumbing Engineering practices shall 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 be approved by any such officer for any
work, the plans ahd documents of which have not been prepared, signed and sealed by a duly
licensed Plumbing Engineer.

(c) No Plumbing Engineer shall sign his name, affix his seal or use any other method
of signature on plans, specifications or other documents made by under another Plumbing,
:ngineer’s supervision unless the same is made in such manner as to clearly indicate the part
of such work actually performed by him; and no person, except the Plumbing Engineer in
charge, shall sign for any branch of work or any function of Plumbing Engineering practice
not actually performed by him. The Plumbing Engineer in-charge shail be fully responsible
for all plans, specifications and other documents issued under his seal or authorized signature,

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, specifications, reports and other documents by Plumbing
Engineers.

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

SEC.21. Indication of License and Professional Tax Receipt - The Plumbing
Engineer shall be required to indicate his professional license number, the duration of
validity, including the professional tax receipt number and the official receipt number of the
payment of his/her annual dues with the duly accredited organization on the documents he
signs, uses in connection with the practice of his profession.

SEC. 22. Grounds for Suspension and Revocation of License, Cancellation of
‘Temporary / Special Permit - The Board shall have the power, upon due notice and hearing,
to revoke or suspend the license of a Plumbing Engineer, 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 deceit in obtaining a c
registration;

(b) For incompetence, negligence, or for abatement of the illegal practice of
Plumbing Engineering:

(©) Violation of the provisions of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations
and/or violation of the policies of the Board including the Code of Ethics for
Plumbing Engineers.

ficate of

Provided, however, that such action of the Board shall, be subject to appeal to the
Commission, within fifteen (15) days from written notice.

SEC. 23. Vested Rights: Automatic Registration of Practicing Registered Master
Plumbers/Plumbing Engineers ~ All practicing Master Plumbers / Plumbing Engineers who
are registered at the time this Act takes effect shall automatically be registered. As per
qualification enumerated in Sec. 30 sub-section (c).

SEC. 24. Practice Not Allowed for Firms and Corporations - ‘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 the plumbing work.

No firm, company, partnership, association or corporation may be registered or
licensed as such for the practice of Plumbing Engineering. Provided, however, that persons
properly registered and licensed as Plumbing Engineering may among themselves or with a
person or persons properly registered and licensed as Plumbing Engineer may form and
obtain registration with the Securities and Exchange Commi n (SEC) of a firm,
partnership or association using the term "Plumbing Engineer", but nobody shall be a
member, partner or associate unless he is a duly registered and licensed Plumbing Engineer,
and the members who are Plumbing Engineers shall only render work and services proper for
a Plumbing Engineers as defined in this Act.

SEC.25. Integration of Membership To One National Organization - Upon
registration with the Board, the Registered Plumbing Engineers shall be integrated to one
" National Organization in accordance with the Rules of Integration adopted by the Supreme
Court in integrating the members of the Philippine Bar. The members shall receive the
benefits and privileges appurtenance thereto. Those who have been registered with the Board
but not yet a member of the accredited organi the time of the effectivity of this act,
shall be allowed to register as member of the said organization within three(3) years after the
effectivity of this.act.

SEC. 26. Foreign Reciprocity - No foreign Plumbing Engineer shall be issued a
temporary license to practice the Plumbing Engincer shall be issued a temporary license to
practice the Plumbing Engineering profession or consultancy thereof or be entitled to any of
the rights and privileges under this Act unless the country of which he is a subject or
specifically permits Filipino Plumbing Engineers to practice within its territorial Lim
same basis as the subjects or citizens or such foreign state or country

on the

ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS,

SEC. 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Subject to the approval of the
Commission, the Board shall adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations, including the
Code of Ethies 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. 28. Funding - Such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment

. into law and thereafter. Provided, however, that fifty percent (50%) of the fees derived from
examination, registration and licenses shall be utilized by the Board of defray its
administrative and other operational expenses, including the enhancement of the Plumbing
Engineering profession.

SEC, 29, Enforeement - The Professional Regulation Commission shall be the
enforcement agentcy of the Board. As such, enforce its implementing rules and regulations as
adopted by the Board, conduct investigations upon complaints, including violations of the
Code of Conduct of the profession and prosecute when so warranted

SEC. 30. Transitory Provisions - (a) The
continue to function in the inter
pursuant to this Act.

ing Board of Master Plumbing shall
ime as the new Board shall be duly constituted

'b) Examination for Master Plumber shall cease to be conducted upon
ty of this Act

(c) Certificate of Registration without Examination shall be issued within a
grace period of two (2) years by the Board first constituted to applicant Who meet the
qualifications and requirements enumerated hereunder.

(d) Registered Master Plumber to Profess

nal Plumbing Engineer:

(1) That he is a citizen of the Philippines and at least twenty one (21)
years old;

(2) That he is of good moral character;

(3) That he is aphysically and mentally healthy;

(4) That he is a registered and licensed Master Plumber at the
time he is registered and licensed engineer and arc

(5) That he is a registered and licensed Master Plumber with at least
two (2) years of college in Engineering and Architecture, two (2) years of
plumbing experience acceptable to the Board; or

(6) That he is a registered and licensed Master Plumber with at least
three (3) years of college in Engineering or Architecture and one (1) year
experience acceptable to the Board; or

(7) That he is a registered and licensed Master Plumber with at least
four (4) years experience in plumbing acceptable to the Board; or

(8) That he is a registered and licensed Master Plumber with at least
two (2) years plumbing experience and CPE units earned as prescribed by the
CPE Council and approved by the Board;

(9) That he is a registered and licensed Master Plumber with a

: combination of college work, plumbing experience and CPE units earned as

shall be prescribed and approved by the Board

(c) A registered and licensed Master Plumber who does not qua
automatic registration for Plumbing Engineer as provided for in the preceding
paragraph (d), sub-section (c) Section 30, Article VI are therefore required to take the
Bachelor Science in Plumbing Engineering course to qualily for the Plumbing
Engineering examination.



SEC. 31. 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 (P
30,000.00) nor more than ‘Two hundred thousand pesos (P 200,000.00) or imprisonment of
not less than six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.

SEC. 32. 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. 33. Repealing Clause - Republic Act No. 1378 is hereby repealed. All other
laws, decrees, National Codes, executive orders, fetter 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. 34. Effectivity - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in full in the Official Gazette or major daily newspaper of general circulation in
* the Philippines, whichever is earlier.

Approved,