Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._ 2894

Introduced by Honorable Karlo Alexei B, Nograles

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to professionalize the practice of plumbing engineering in the
Philippines and to guarantee a more effective government supervision and control
over the practice of plumbing engineers in the interest of the general public.

Plumbing engineering is not just a simple trade or occupation. It involves
public interes it deal with the health, comfort and safety of the public. As such,
it necessitates state legislation, Republic Act No, 1378, otherwise known as the
Plumbing Law, took effect in June 18, 1955 or almost sixty (60) years ago. The
said law regulates the practice of master plumber:

As advances in technology and the emergence of high rise buildings and
structures have tremendously changed the trends in the plumbing works system,
the law has become outmoded and impractical as there is a growing need to adopt
modern measures in carrying out more efficient plumbing designs and
installations. It is therefore imperative that the law be updated to be more
responsive to the constructions and plumbing needs of the construction industry in
the country

Unlike in other countries, the practice of plumbing is not recognized as a
regular profession in the Philippines but a mere trade. High school graduates with
five years plumbing experience as master plumber are still dominating the trade.
We are left behind by other developing countries because they are able to produce
highly competitive plumbers with engineering expertise educated in science and
engineering courses


Today, plumbing practice has grown in scope and magnitude with the
progress in complexities of constructions such as high rise buildings with multi-
level basement floors that now require electro-mechanical equipment and controls.
The dwindling water resources intensify water use conservation. Modern or state-
of-the-art plumbing designs and installations require formal education in
engineering science in order to cope up the complexity of architectural and
engineering works which spell out the demand for plumbing engineer

The time has come that the plumbing profession must be upgraded by giving
the plumbing engineering with professional acceptance and recognition, In
addition, by regulating the plumbing profession, the plumbing services will benefit
the businesses, residents, legitimate plumbers, and the government alike. Also,
licensing and registration of the profession will mean more government income

For this purpose, the bill aims to elevate the plumbing industry into
professional engineering and establish a governing board for the plumbing trade
that will regulate, set standards, supervise, improve, upgrade and ensure the quality
of education and graduates in plumbing engineering and master plumbing. The
proposed measure likewise mandates the Board to conduct licensure examinations,
registration and licensing for plumbing engineering and master plumbers in order
to professionalize the practice of plumbing engineering and master plumbing in the
country.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this highly recommended.

KABLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALES


Republic ofthe Pilippines
Hause of Representatives
Quezon City, Metra Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO,_ 2894

Introduced by Honorable Karlo Alexei B. Nograles

AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING IN THE
PHILIPPINES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
THEREOF

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

ARTICLE I
TITLE, OBJECTIVE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1.Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Plumbing
Engineering Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the importance of
plumbing engineering in nation-building and development by establishing or
encouraging the establishment of a growing pool of plumbing professionals who

are dynamic, responsive and innovative leaders in the advancement of plumbing

technology and improvement of the quality of life. Toward this end, the State shall

i


develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded
professional plumbing engineers whose standards of practice and service are aimed
towards excellence, quality, world-class and global competitiveness through
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. — As used in this Act:

a) Board refers to the Board of Plumbing Engineering;

b) Commission refers to the Professional Regulatory Commission;

c) Master Plumber refers to a person who is a holder of a valid
certificate of registration or professional license and professional identification
card as master plumber;

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

ARTICLE I

PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD
OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING

SEC. 4. Board of Plumbing Engineering. ~ There shall be created a Board
of Plumbing Engineering under the general supervision and control of the

2


Commission, which shall be composed of a chairperson and two members to be
appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the
Commission from a list of recommendees submitted by the duly registered
association of plumbing engineers and master plumbers.

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

a) Natural born Filipino citizens and residents of the Philippines for at
least five (5) consecutive years;

b) At least thirty-five (35) years of age;

c) Of proven integrity and high moral values;

d) — With no final conviction by any court for offense involving moral
turpitude;

) Holders of the degree of Bachelor of Science in any engineering
course from a university, school, college, academy or institute duly constituted,
recognized and accredited by the government; and

f) With valid certificate of registration and license to practice plumbing
engineering in the Philippines.

The chairperson and the members of the Board shall not be officials or
members of the faculty of, nor have pecuniary interest in any university, college,
school or institution conferring a bachelor's degree in engineering for at least three

(3) years prior to their appointment, and are not connected with any review center

3


or with any group or association where review classes or lectures in preparation for
the licensure examinations are offered or conducted at the time of the appointment.

SEC. 6. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a
term of three (3) years from the date of appointment or until their successors shall
have been appointed and duly qualified. They may be reappointed for another
term. Of the members of the Board first appointed under this Act, the chairperson
shall hold office for three years; one member for two years, and one (1) member
for one year, which shall be specified in their appointment. Any vacancy occurring
within the term of a member shall be filled up for the unexpired portion of the term
only.

SEC. 7. Compensation. ~ The chairperson shall receive a monthly salary of
not less than twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) and the members of the Board
shall each receive a monthly compensation of not less than fifteen thousand pesos
(P15,000.00). The compensation may be increased or modified pursuant to the
provisions of the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Powers and Duties. ~ The Board shall exercise the following
powers and duties:

a) Supervise and regulate the examination, registration, licensure, and
the practice of plumbing engineering and master plumbing in the Philippines;

b) Determine and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for

registration;


c) Prepare the examination questions in accordance with Sections 13 and
15 hereof and supervise, check and rate the licensure examination papers;

d) Prescribe, amend or revise the requirements and subjects in the
licensure examination for plumbing engineers and master plumbers and their
relative weights, subject to the approval of the Commission;

e) Administer oaths to successful examinees entering the practice of
plumbing engineering and master plumbing in the Philippines;

f) Issue, suspend, or revoke the license for the practice of plumbing
engineering and master plumbing or to reissue the same;

h) Issue special permits to foreign plumbing engineers and plumbers for
specific projects and for a specific duration of time;

i) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

j) Look into the conditions affecting the practice of the plumbing
engineering profession and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be
deemed proper for the enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of high
professional, technical, and ethical standards of the profession;

k) Prescribe and adopt a set of ethical and technical standards for the
practice of plumbing engineering in the Philippines and cause the same to be
published and disseminated;

1) Investigate, hear and try administrative cases involving violations of

this Act, its implementing rules and regulations, the sets of ethical and technical

5


standards and, for the purpose, issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure
the appearances of witnesses and the production of documents in connection
therewith;

m) Submit an annual report on the action on all applications for licensure;
the names of all persons licensed or certified; actions involving suspension,
revocation or denial of license; recommendations for reciprocity; receipt and
disbursement of any monies; and such other matters that may be required by law
from the Commission after the close of each fiscal year;

n) Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),
that all educational institutions offering plumbing engineering and master
plumbing education comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the
course prescribed by CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library, and
facilities;

0) Coordinate with the Commission, CHED and TESDA in prescribing,
amending and revising the curriculum of the related courses;

p) Prescribe guidelines and criteria for the continuing professional
education (CPE) program for plumbing engineers and master plumbers as a
condition for the renewal of their professional licenses; and

q) Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary for the

effective implementation of this Act.


SEC. 9. Administrative Supervision. - 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 the plumbing
engineers or 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. 10. Removal of Board Member. — After due notice and hearing in an
administrative case, the President may remove any member of the Board,
including the chairperson, upon the recommendation of the Commission, for
neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, unprofessionalism, immorality,
unethical or dishonorable conduct.

ARTICLE Il
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSE

SEC. 11. Licensure Examination Required. — All applicants for
registration as plumbing engineers and master plumbers shall be required to
undergo and pass a written examination as hereinafter provided.

SEC. 12. Qualifications for Plumbing Engineering Examination. — The
applicant for plumbing engineer examination shall have the following
qualifications on the day of the examination;

a) At least twenty-one years of age;


b) A citizen of the Philippines or a foreigner whose country has
reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of plumbing engineering;

¢) Of good moral character; and

d) A graduate of Bachelor of Science (BS) in Plumbing Engineering,
Sanitary Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, or
any other engineering courses, and at least two years of experience in actual
plumbing work under the supervision of a plumbing engineer.

SEC. 13. Scope of Examination. — The applicant for registration as

plumbing engineer shall be examined in the following subjects:

a) Engineering mathematics 10%
b) Plumbing Code 20%
c) Sanitation and plumbing design and installation 40%
d) Practical problems 20%
e) Technical paper 10%
100%

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

SEC. 14. Qualifications For Master Plumber Examination. — The
applicant for master plumber examination shall have the following qualifications
on the day of the examination:

a) At least twenty-one years of age;


b) A citizen of the Philippines;

c) Of good moral character;

d) Atleast a high school graduate; and

e) At least five years experience in the practice of actual plumbing work
under the supervision of a registered master plumber or plumbing engineer.

For purposes of this Act, the “practice of master plumber” includes:

i. Design analysis, specifications and preparations of plans of
plumbing installation of not more than twenty (20) plumbing units;

ii, Preparation of plans including drawing and details of additional
installation;

iii, Preparation of cost estimates of the above items (i) and (ii); and

iv. Supervision of plumbing installation, operation and
maintenance of plumbing system.

The practice of master plumber who is a holder of a valid certificate
of registration or professional license prior to the effectivity of this Act shall
not be subjected to the abovementioned plumbing installation limitation.
SEC. 15. Scope of Examination. — Applicants for registration as master

plumbers shall be examined in the following subjects:

a) Plumbing arithmetic 10%

b) Plumbing Code 25%


c) Sanitation and plumbing installation 40%
d) Practical problems 25%
100%

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

SEC. 16. Suspension or Revocation. - The Board may suspend or revoke a
certificate of registration obtained through misrepresentation made in the
application for examination.

SEC. 17. Examination Fees. - Every applicant admitted to take the
plumbing engineering and master plumbing examinations shall pay such fees as
may be prescribed by the Commission.

SEC. 18. Schedule of Examination. — Examinations for candidates for
plumbing engineering and master plumber shall be given by the Board twice a year
in Metro Manila and in such other places as may be deemed necessary by the
Board. The dates of the examinations shall be fixed by the Board.

SEC. 19. Admission to Examination. — The Board, with the approval of the
Commission, shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to
implement or carry out the provisions of this Act, especially those relating to the
scope of examination for plumbing engineering and master plumbing, proper
conduct of the examinations, custody and correction of examination papers, and

registration of plumbing engineers and master plumbers.

10


The Board shall have control and jurisdiction over the examination papers
from the preparation, printing and distribution to the examinees, during the
checking or corrections up to the time the list of successful examinees is released
to the newspapers of general circulation in the country.

SEC. 20. Rating. — To pass the licensure examination, a candidate for
plumbing engineer or master plumber must obtain a passing rate of seventy percent
(70%) in each subject given during the examination. A candidate who obtains a
passing rate in the majority of the subjects but obtains a rating in the other subjects
below the passing rate of seventy percent (70%) but not lower than fifty percent
(50%) shall be allowed to take one removal examination on the subjects where the
examinee failed to obtain the passing rate. Should the examinee fail to obtain a
passing rate in the removal examination, the examinee 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 after taking a refresher course.

SEC. 21. Report of Results. — Within thirty (30) calendar days after the last
day of the examination, the Board shall report for release the ratings obtained by
each candidate to the Commission. Upon the release of the results of the
examination, the Board shall send by mail the rating received by the examinees at
their respective given addresses using the mailing envelope submitted during the

examination.


SEC. 22. 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 the examinee can be registered and issued a certificate of
registration and professional identification card. The oath is a prerequisite to
practice as a plumbing engineer or master plumber.

SEC. 23. Issuance of Certificates of Registration and Professional
License. — The registration of plumbing engineers and master plumbers
commences from the date the name is entered in the roll of registrants or licensees
for his profession. Every registrant who has satisfactorily met all the requirements
specified in this Act, upon payment of the registration fee, shall be issued a
certificate of registration as a plumbing engineer or a master plumber.

The certificate of registration shall show the full name of the registrant and a
serial number, signed by the Commissioner and by the chairperson and members of
the Board, stamped with the official seal, as evidence that the person named therein
is entitled to practice the profession with all rights and privileges appurtenant
thereto. The certificate of registration shall remain in full force and effect until
withdrawn, suspended, or revoked.

A professional license signed by the commissioner and bearing the
registration number and date of issuance thereof and the month of expiry or

renewability shall likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the annual
12


registration fees for three (3) consecutive years and has complied with the
requirements of the continuing professional education (CPE), unless exempted
therefrom. This license shall serve as evidence that the licensee can lawfully
practice the profession until the expiration of its validity.

SEC. 24. Registration Without Examination for Plumbing Engineer. —
Within five years after the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall issue certificates
of registration and professional identification cards without examination to
applicants for registration as plumbing engineer the plumbers who shall present
evidence or other proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is:

a) A registered and licensed master plumber and also a registered and
licensed engineer or architect;

b) _A registered master plumber with five years experience in plumbing
work and a holder of a baccalaureate degree of any engineering or architecture
courses; and

c) A holder of any baccalaureate degree and has been in active practice
in plumbing for at least ten years.

The qualifications mentioned above shall have been obtained prior to the
effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 25. Seal of Plumbing Engineer. - All licensed plumbing engineers
may obtain a seal of a design prescribed by the Board bearing the registrant's name,

the certificate number and the legend "Plumbing Engineer.” Plans, specifications,

13


reports and other professional documents prepared by or executed under the
immediate supervision of and issued by a licensee, shall be stamped on every sheet
with said seal when filed with government authorities or when submitted or used
professionally.

It is unlawful for anyone to stamp or seal any document with said seal after
the registrant's name has been delisted from the roster of plumbing engineers or
after the validity of the professional license has expired. The registrant shall be
allowed again to use the seal or stamp in the documents only after the registrant is
reinstated to the practice of the profession and reissued a new professional license.

SEC. 26. Refusal to Issue Certificates. — The Board shall not issue a
certificate of registration to any person convicted by the court of any criminal
offense involving moral turpitude or to any person guilty of immoral or
dishonorable conduct or to any person of unsound mind. In the event of refusal to
issue certificates for any reason, the Board shall give the applicant a written
statement setting forth the reasons for such action, which statement shall be
incorporated in the records of the Board.

SEC. 27. Grounds For Revocation. — The Board shall have the power,
upon proper notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend any certificate of registration
of any registrant for any cause specified in the preceding section, or for the use or
perpetration of any fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate of registration, or for

gross negligence or incompetence or for unprofessional or dishonorable conduct,

14


or for violation of this Act, the rules and regulations and other policies of the
Board and the Code of Professional Ethics. The action of the Board shall be
subject to appeal to the Commissioner whose decision shall be final.

Any person, firm, association or corporation, may file charges in accordance
with the provisions of this section against any registrant, or the Board may
investigate or take cognizance of acts and practices constituting cause of
suspension or revocation of the certificate of registration by proper resolution or
order, Such charges shall be in writing and sworn to by the persons making them
and filed with the Secretary of the Board.

SEC. 28. Reissue of Revoked Certificate and Replacement of Lost
Certificates. - A person may apply to the Board for reinstatement of a license or
certificate at any time after one year from the date of revocation of said license or
certificate. The application shall be in writing and shall conform with the
requirements provided by the Board. No license or certificate shall be reissued
unless the Board is satisfied that good cause exists to warrant such reinstatement.

A new certificate of registration to replace any certificate that has been lost,
destroyed or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules of the Board.

SEC. 29. Exemption From Examination and Registration of Foreigners. ~
a) Examination and registration shall not be required of foreign plumbing
engineers, erection, commissioning or guarantee engineers, and foreign plumbing

installers for the erection and installation of a special project or for any other

15


specialized work, employed as technical consultants by the Philippine Government
or by private firms, for which the pertinent professional society certifies that no
qualified Filipino professional is available, subject to the following conditions:

i, That the abovementioned foreign professionals are legally
qualified to practice their profession in their own country in which the
requirements and qualifications for obtaining a license or certificate of
registration are not lower than those specified in this Act;

ii, That the scope of work to be performed by said foreign
professionals shall be limited only to the particular work for which they
were contracted;

iii, That prior to commencing work, the foreign professional shall
secure a special permit from the Commission;

iv. That said foreign professional shall not engage in private
practice on their own account;

y. That for every foreign professional contracted pursuant to this
section, one Filipino understudy who is registered under the provisions of
this Act shall be employed by the private firm utilizing the services of such
foreign professional for at least the duration of the alien expert's tenure with
said firm; and

vi. That the exemption herein granted shall be good only for six (6)

months, renewable for another six (6) months at the discretion of the Board.

16


In case the foreign professional ceases to be employed in accordance with
this section and engages in an occupation requiring registration as plumbing
engineer, such professional must be registered under the provisions of this

Act.

b) No registration with the Board shall be required of engineering
students, apprentices and other persons employed or acting as subordinates of, or
undergoing training under a person holding a valid certificate of registration and a
valid professional license under this Act.

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING

SEC. 30. Vested Rights, Automatic Registration. — All practicing master
plumbers who are registered at the time this Act takes effect shall automatically be
registered as a plumbing engineer as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 44 of
this Act.

SEC. 31. Practice of Plumbing Engineering. — Except as may be provided
in this Act, no person shall use the title “Registered Plumbing Engineer,” or
display or use any title, sign, card, advertisement, or other device to indicate such
person, practices or offers to practice plumbing engineering, unless such person
shall have received from the Board a certificate of registration and issued a

professional identification card by the Commission and the Board.

7


For purposes of this Act, “practice of plumbing engineering” refers to the
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:

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

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

iii. 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.

No firm, partnership, corporation or association may be licensed and

registered as such for the practice of plumbing engineering, but duly licensed and

18


registered plumbing engineers may form partnerships among themselves or with
other licensed and registered engineers and architects and use the title “Plumbing
Engineers,” “Engineers,” or “Engineers and Architects” in their partnership names.

SEC. 32. Prohibited Acts. — No person shall:

a) Practice or offer to practice plumbing engineering in the Philippines
without having previously obtained a certificate of registration and a professional
license from the Board of Plumbing Engineering.

b) Use or attempt to use the certificate of registration, professional
license or the seal of another;

c) Give false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board or to any
member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration or professional license;

4) _ Falsely impersonate any registrant of like or different name;

©) Attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration or an
expired professional license;

f) Use, in connection with the person’s name or otherwise assume, or
advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that such person
is a plumbing engineer, or master plumber without holding a valid certificate or a
valid license; and

g) Sign a document involving plumbing design, plan, technical

specification, valuation and the like on behalf of a plumbing engineer.

19


SEC. 33. Roster of Plumbing Engineers and Master Plumbers. — The
Commission shall keep a roster of all duly licensed and registered plumbing
engineers, stating their names, registration numbers and places of business. The
Commission shall regularly update such roster and make it available to the public.

SEC. 34. Submission of Designs, Specifications and Reports. — Any
proposal, design, specification, working drawings, programs, or reports to be
submitted to any government agency, national or local, including government-
owned or controlled corporations, shall not be processed or approved if such
proposals, design, specifications, drawings and similar documents, have not been
signed by a registered plumbing engineer, with the seal and registration number
affixed thereto.

SEC. 35. Foreign Reciprocity. — No foreign engineer shall be admitted to
take a board examination, be given a certificate of registration, or be entitled to any
of the rights and privileges under this Act unless the country of which he is a
subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino engineers to practice within its
territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such country.

SEC. 36. License Number and Privilege Tax Receipt. — The plumbing
engineer or master plumber shall be required to indicate the certificate of
registration, professional identification card number, date of issuance and the

duration of validity, including the privilege tax receipt (PTR) on the documents the

20


plumbing engineer or master plumber signs, uses or issues in connection with the
practice of the profession.

SEC. 37. Integration of the Plumbing Engineering Professions, — The
plumbing engineering professions shall be integrated into one national organization
which shall be recognized by the Board as the one and only integrated and
accredited association of plumbing engineers and master plumbers. Every
plumbing engineer and master plumber upon registration with the Board as such,
shall ipso facto, become a member of the integrated national organization. Those
who have been registered with the Board but are not members of the said
organization at the time of the effectivity of this Act shall be allowed to register as
members of the said integrated organization within three years after the effectivity
of this Act. Membership in the integrated organization shall not be a bar to
membership in the other associations of the engineering profession.

SEC. 38. Continuing Professional Education. — The Continuing
Professional Education (CPE) guidelines shall be prescribed and promulgated by
the Board subject to the approval of the Commission, after consultation with the
integrated and accredited plumbing engineering associations, other associations of
the plumbing engineering profession, and other concerned sectors. The Board
shall incorporate in the said guidelines the creation of a CPE council that shall be
composed of officers coming from the Board, the Commission, the integrated and

accredited plumbing associations, and other concerned sectors. It shall be vested

21


with the functions, duties and responsibilities to implement the guidelines and shall
have the juridical personality that is distinct and separate from and independent of
the Board, the Commission, and the integrated and accredited plumbing
engineering association.

ARTICLE V
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 39, Penalties. — Any person, corporation, partnership or juridical
person who violates any provision of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment
of not less than three years and one day but not more than eight years, or a fine of
not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than Fifteen thousand
pesos (P15,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.

If the offender is a corporation, partnership or juridical person, the penalty
shall be imposed on the officer or officers responsible for permitting or causing a
violation by the corporation, partnership or juridical person of the provisions of
this Act.

SEC. 40. Enforcement. — The Board shall be assisted by the Commission in
carrying out the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations
and other policies. The lawyers of the Commission shall act as prosecutors against
illegal practitioners and other violators of this Act and its rules. The duly
constituted authorities of the government shall likewise assist the Board and the

Commission in enforcing the provisions of this Act and its rules.

22


SEC. 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Subject to the approval
of the Commission, the Board shall, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of
this Act, adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations including the Code of
Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Plumbing Engineers for the effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 42. Funding. — Such sums as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act
of the year following its approval into law and thereafter. Fifty percent (50%) of
the fees derived from examinations, registrations and licenses shall be utilized by
the Board to defray its administrative and other operational expenses, including the
advancement of the plumbing engineering profession.

SEC. 43. Transitory Provisions. —

a) 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.

b) All registered master plumbers holding valid certificates of
registration and professional license issued under Republic Act No. 1378 shall
register within three years from the effectivity of this Act and be issued new
certificates of registration and new professional license as plumbing engineers
under this Act to replace their original ones. Their serial numbers shall be

provided by the Commission.
23


ARTICLE VI
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 44. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act shall
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not
affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 45. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act No. 1378 is hereby repealed.
All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, ordinances, and other issuances or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly.

SEC. 46. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,

24