Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BIL. No, 8918

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Environmental Engineering is not new in the field of engineering and it has been practiced in the
Philippines for more than four decades. Despite this, Philippines is yet to embrace the promise of
professionalizing the practice of Environmental Engineering. Environmental Engineering is the
application of science and engineering principles to improve the environment to provide healthy
water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted
sites. Environmental engineers are actively involved in the design of systems and processes used
for pollution control and mitigation. Physical, chemical and biological aspects of treatment
processes are investigated and developed.

Considering the worldwide threat of climate change due to human-induced activities and the
country's need to strive towards economic growth while sustaining the environment, there is a
growing concern to adopt policies that give the right balance on both.

In this light, this bill seeks to professionalize and regulate the practice of environmental
engineering in the Philippines to advance the cause of a balanced and healthful environment in
‘the midst of industrial and economic growth.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City's Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

REP. 3 S: 3 duly,

(_2nd(District, Parafiaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8918

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING IN THE
PHILIPPINES, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in congress
assembled.

ARTICLE I
TITLE, DECLARATION OF STATE POLICY, COVERAGE,
DEFINITION OF TERMS, AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Environmental Engineering Law of the
Philippines.”

‘SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the importance of environmental engineers,
environmental engineering technologists, and environmental engineering technicians in nation
building and development. As such, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize,
promote, strengthen and regulate the practice of environmental engineering profession in the
Philippines by instituting measures that will result in relevant environmental engineering
education and enhanced roles and better career prospects for environmental engineering
practitioners, The State shall develop and nurture competent, productive, and well-rounded
environmental engineering practitioners whose standard of professional practice and service shall
be excellent, world-class, and globally competitive through regulatory measures, programs and
activities.

SEC. 3 Coverage. This Act shall cover the following aspects of the practice of environmental
engineering profession:

a) Examination, registration, and licensure of environmental engineering practitioners,

b) Regulation, supervision, and control of the practice of environmental engineering;

©) Development. upgrading, and updating of the curriculum of environmental engineering,
environmental engineering technology, and environmental engineering technician
professions, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and
higher educational institutions (HETs)and other stakeholders,


d) Development and improvement of the professional competence and practice of

e)

environmental engineering practitioners through, among others, continuing professional
development (CPD); and

Creation of relevant positions for environmental engineers, environmental engineering
technologists and environmental engineering technicians and such other positions which
require the knowledge and services of environmental engineering practitioners in all levels
of local government units, relevant National Government Agencies and instrumentalities,
including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) as well as in industries,
private establishments, firms, corporations and institutions.

SEC. 4, Definition of Terms, As used in this Act

a

b)

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e)

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Air Pollution Control Engineering refers to a branch of Environmental Engineering in which
scientific and engineering concepts and principles are applied to control of air pollutant
emissions, their generation and release from a source, their transport and transformation
in and removal from the atmosphere, and their effects on human beings, materials, and
ecosystems. It covers monitoring and correction of air pollution problems originating from
relatively small areas, such as an industrial park impacted by one or more emission sources
to those from large areas, such as urban area impacted by a number of sources and a
variety of contaminants. The overall goal is to improve ambient air quality, to promote
healthy environmental quality and to protect property and public health;

Air pollution engineering refers to a branch of environmental engineering concerned with
the control of pollutants in, their generation and release from a source, their transport
and transformation in and removal from the atmosphere and their effects on human
beings, materials. and ecosystems;

Climate Change Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in
response to actual or expected climactic stimuli or their effects which moderates harm or
exploits beneficial opportunities;

Disaster refers to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society
involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts,
which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own
resources;

Disaster Mitigation refers to the lessening or limitation of the adverse impacts of hazards
and related disasters. Mitigation measures encompass engineering techniques and
hazard-resistant construction as well as improved environmental policies and public
awareness, land use planning, and climate change.

Disaster Risk Management refers to the systematic process of using administrative
directives, organizations, and operational skills and capacities to implement strategies,
policies and improved coping capacities 1n order to lessen the adverse impacts of hazards
and possibility of disaster;

Disaster Risk Reduction refers to the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks
through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the casual factors of disasters, including
through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise
management of land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse
events;


h) Environmental Engineer refers to an environmental engineering practitioner duly
registered with the Board and the Commission to practice environmental engineering as
defined in this Act;

i) Environmental Engineering encompasses the application of science and engineering
principles to protect and improve the environment, including the air, water, and land
resources, to provide safe water, air, and land for human habitation and for other
organisms and to rehabilitate polluted sites, solid waste management, environmental
impact assessment, environmental risk assessment and management, atmospheric
pollution abatement; noise pollution abatement: conservation and protection of water
resources, classification of water; protection of watersheds, and management of toxic
and hazardous substances and radiological pollution The ultimate goal of environmental
engineering is the protection of human populations from the effects of adverse
environmental factors and the protection of environments, both local and global, from
potentially deleterious effects of natural and human activities.

j) Environmental Engineering Technologist refers to an environmental engineering

practitioner duly registered with the Board and the Commission whose competence lies in

the application of environmental engineering technologies. Environmental engineering
technologists shall be graduates of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering

Technology or its equivalent conferred by a school, academy, college or university in the

Philippines or abroad which is recognized by the CHED. An environmental technologist

shall also refer to a sanitary inspector with civil service eligibilit

Environmental Engineering Management refers to an entire spectrum of activities covering

environmental impact assessment (EIA). Water quality management, ambient air quality

management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and
management. and other programs and strategies to maintain safe and healthy
environment and protect public health;

1) Environmental Engineering Technician refers to an environmental engineering practitioner
duly registered with the Board and the Commission whose role is to apply established
methods or techniques of environmental engineering. An environmental engineering
technician shall be a graduate of associate or certificate programs for environmental
engineering technicians offered by a school, academy, college, or university in the
Philippines or abroad which is recognized by the CHED. An environmental engineering
technician shall also refer to a sanitary inspector;

m) Environmental Health and Safety Engineering refers to the branch of Environmental

Engineering in which scientific and engineering concepts and principles are applied to the

examination of indoor and outdoor environmental quality and condition to identify.

monitor evaluate and eliminate or control of hazards that expose people, environment or
property to danger;

Environmental Impact Assessment refers to the process that involves predicting and

evaluating the likely impacts of a project including cumulative impacts on the environment

during construction, commissioning, operation, and abandonment. It also includes
designing appropriate preventive, mitigating, and enhancement measures addressing
these consequences to protect the environment and the community's welfare;

k)

i)


©) Hazardous Wastes refers to those wastes defined and designated as hazardous wastes by
Republic Act No. 6969, otherwise known as the “Toxic Substances and Hazardous and
Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990";

Noise pollution control engineering refers to a branch of environmental engineering that
is concerned with the control of the generation and propagation of environmental
noise/sound that impact negatively on flora and fauna;

q) Radioactive and Nuclear Waste Management refers to the branch of Environmental
Engineering in which the basic principles of science and engineering are applied to
responsible mining milling. processing, refining of radioactive materials, and disposal of
any material that contains or is contaminated with radio nuclides at concentrations or
activities greater than the clearance levels as established by the Philippine Nuclear
Research Institute (PNRI), and for which no use is foreseen;

Sanitary Engineer refers to a person duly registered with the Board of Sanitary Engineering
and the Commission as provided in R.A. 1364, otherwise known as the “Sanitary
Engineering Law;"

Sanitary Engineering refers to a branch of Environmental Engineering which covers the
control of all factors in man's physical environmental that adversely affect human life
health and safety. It focuses on the identification and prevention of transmission of
diseases through the control of physical aspects of the environment including food, water,
air, refuse, soil, insects, and vermin and also the control of domestic and personal hygiene
practices Specific activities include sanitation of establishments, institutions and public
places, insect and vermin control; industrial hygiene; nuisance abatement healthful
lighting and ventilation; emergency water supply and sanitation; environmental health
impact assessment; disposal of dead persons. water supply system design and
management both potable and used water and inclusive of those in buildings/structures;
food sanitation; and other engineering services related to the protection of public health
and welfare;

Sanitary Inspector refers to a person performing the duties ascribed to an environmental
engineering technologist or technician in this Act;

Sanitary Utilities for Buildings refer to the water supply distribution system, sanitary
drainage system, wastewater recycling and reuse, storm drainage system. and waste
water treatment facility in buildings;

Sanitary Utilities in Buildings refer to water supply system, sanitary and storm systems as
well as fire protection systems in building;

w) Site Remediation refers to a branch of Environmental Engineering in which scientific and
engineering concepts and principles are applied to environmental quality investigation to
characterize the concentrations and locations of contaminants in the soil and groundwater,
conduct of risk assessment to estimate the health hazards of the contamination to humans
and the ecosystem, and strategies to clean-up the site and return it to safe utilization;
Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering and Management refers to a branch of
Environmental Engineering in which scientific and engineering concepts and principles are
applied to the management of municipal solid and hazardous wastes to protect human
health and the environment and the conservation of limited resources through resource
recovery and recycling of waste materials. It covers research. siting, design, operation,
and maintenance, monitoring, evaluation, and upgrading of facilities and related support

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structures including the functional elements for the control of the generation,
characterization, onsite storage, collection, segregation, transfer, transport, processing,
and recovery, recycling and ultimate disposal of waste materials in a manner that is in
accord with the best principles of public health, economics, engineering, conservation,
aesthetics, and other environmental considerations;
Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste Management refers to the process which involves
reducing the amount of hazardous substances produced, treating hazardous wastes to
reduce their toxicity, and applying sound engineering controls to reduce or eliminate
exposures to these wastes;
Water Supply Engineering refers to a branch of Environmental Engineering concerned with
the scientific principles and analysis of water supply systems; development of sources of
water supply; quality assessment, collection and treatment of water from sources to
drinking water, municipal water works, storm waters, groundwater, surface water, rain
water, seawaters desalination, filtration systems and water re-use applications, Water
quality criteria and standards and their relation to public health, environment and urban
water cycle; Water quality concepts and their effect on treatment process selection:
operation and maintenance of water supply systems evaluation of project alternatives on
basis of chosen selection criteria for drinking water;
aa) Water supply engineering within a watershed context to evaluate the water balance within
a watershed management of watershed environment, determine the available water
supply, the water needed for various needs in that watershed, the seasonal cycles of water
movement through the watershed and development of the systems to store treat, and
convey water for various uses; Design and rehabilitate raw water abstraction. transport,
treatment and distribution processes and systems, Water supply and treatment to secure
water supplies for potable and domestic use Provisions of potable water supply where
water is treated to minimize risk of infectious disease transmittal, risk of non-infectious
illness, and create a palatable water flavor that meet various end-user needs such as
domestic use;
bb) Water Quality Management refers to the protection and improvement of the physical,
chemical, biological, microbiological, and radiological quality of water to maintain its most
beneficial use; and
cc) Wastewater Engineering refers to a branch of Environmental Engineering in which the
basic principles of science and engineering are applied to the problems of water pollution
control. It covers wastewater characterization, analysis and determination of waste water
flow rates and constituent loadings, as well as physical, chemical, and biological treatment
processes, and design, wastewater treatment plant residuals management, and other
issues related to wastewater treatment plant performance and wastewater disposal.

y)

z

SEC. 5. Scope of Practice. The practice of environmental engineering practitioners shall include
the following.

a) Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering;
b) Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering;

©) Air Quality and Noise Pollution Control Engineering;

d) Sanitary Engineering including Sanitary Utilities for Buildings;
e) Site Remediation;


f) Environmental Health and Safety Engineering; and

9) Environmental Engineering Management which covers Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA), Water Quality Management, Ambient Air Quality Management, Climate Change
Adaptation and Mitigation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and other programs
and strategies to maintain safe and healthy environment and protect public health.

1) Environmental Engineer shall perform the following:

2

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a. Provide consultation services on environmental engineering;

b. Plan, design, approve, investigate, evaluate, supervise, and monitor environmental
engineering processes, facilities including sanitary utilities in buildings, and other
related projects;

c. Develop implement, and manage programs for waste minimization and recycling,
resource recovery, cleaner production, pollution abatement and mitigation,
polluted sites remediation, and other relevant environmental strategies;

d. Conduct research on environmental problems, including current and emerging
contaminants, pollutants, and public health issues, and create and design
innovative solutions.

e. Teach courses in the environmental engineering and allied programs and serve as
resource person; and

f. Prepare and certify technical and environmental reports for compliance to
environmental laws and regulation,

Environmental Engineering Technologist shall perform the following services under the
supervision of an environmental engineer:

a. Conduct laboratory and field works pertaining to environmental engineering
projects and undertakings,

b. Recommend the issuance of environmental and other related permits. clearances,
or licenses, including discharge permits, permit to operate air pollution source and
control installations, and sanitary permits, and

c. Assist environmental engineers in the practice of the profession.

Environmental Engineering Technician shall perform the following services under the
supervision of an environmental engineer and environmental engineering technologist,
or both:

a. Conduct inspection, investigation, and sampling in pollution control facilities,
sanitary utilities in buildings, public places and establishments and ambient
environment (ambient air, water bodies, land),

b. Perform well-defined functions related to the practice of environmental
engineering as directed by an environmental engineer and/or environmental
engineering technologist and

c. Prepare reports and correspondence pertaining to their activities.


ARTICLE IT
BOARD OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

SEC. 6. Creation and Composition of the Board. There is hereby created a Professional
Regulatory Board of Environmental Engineering, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the
administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), herein
referred to as the Commission. The Board shall consist of a Chairperson and four (4) Members:

a) The Chairperson and two (2) members shall be responsible for the environmental
engineering licensure examinations, whereas, the Chairperson and the remaining fourth
(4%) and fifth (5%) members shall be responsible for the environmental engineering
technologists and environmental engineering technicians examinations.

b) The Chairperson and members of the Board shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines upon the recommendation of the Commission, from a list of at least three (3)
nominees for each position who shall be endorsed by the duly accredited integrated
professional organization (AIPO) of the environmental engineering practitioners in the
Philippines.

SEC. 7. Terms of Office. The Chairperson and 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 or qualified. They may, however, be reappointed for only a second term as may be
recommended by the Commission and the AIPO of the environmental engineering practitioners.
Each member shall qualify by taking an oath of office before entering the performance of the
duties. Vacancies in the Board shall be filled by the President of the Philippines, from the list of
candidates endorsed by the Commission who were chosen and recommended from the list of
nominees submitted by the AIPO of the environmental engineering practitioners, but for the
unexpired term only. At the expiration of the term or removal of the Board Chairperson, the most
senior of the Board member shall temporarily assume and perform the duties and functions of
the Chairperson, until a permanent one is appointed by the President.

SEC. 8, Qualifications and Disqualifications of the Members of the Board. A member of
the Board at the time of the appointment, shall possess the following qualifications:

a) Must be a Filipino citizen and a resident of the Philippines for at least five (5) years:

b) At least thirty-five (35) years of age, of good moral character, and of proven integrity in

the personal and professional conduct;

Holds a degree of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering or Bachelor of Science

in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering (BSEnSe) or Bachelor of Science in Sanitary

Engineering (BSSE) from a university, school, college, academy or institute in the

Philippines that is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Provided,

That the Chairperson must preferably be a holder of a Master's or a doctorate degree in

Environmental Engineering;

d) A registered Environmental Engineer with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant
experience;

e) Must neither be an official nor a faculty member nor shall have pecuniary interest in any
university, college, school or institution conferring bachelor's degree in environmental

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9)

engineering for at least three (3) years prior to the appointment. A person must not be
connected with a review center, or with any group or association which offers or conducts
review classes or lectures in preparation for the licensure examinations, at the time of the
appointment and during the incumbency as chairperson or member of the Board.

Must not be an incumbent officer of the AIPO of the environmental engineering
practitioners within a period of three (3) years prior to nomination: and

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

SEC. 9. Compensation and Allowances. The Chairperson and members of the Board shall
receive compensation and allowances comparable to those being received by the chairpersons
and members of existing Boards under the Commission as provided for in the General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 10. Powers, Functions, and Responsibilities of the Board. The Board shall exercise
the following powers, functions and responsibilities:

a)
b

iS

1)
e)

g

h)

To promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary in carrying out the
provisions of this Act;

To regulate the registration, licensure and the practice of environmental engineering, in
accordance with the provisions of this Act:

To issue the certificate of registration and professional identification cards to successful
registrants:

To administer oaths in accordance with the provisions of this Act:

To issue special temporary permit to qualified foreign environmental engineering
practitioners, who may be authorized by existing laws to practice environmental
engineering in the Philippines for a specific project and duration of time only;

To monitor the conditions affecting the practice of the environmental engineering
profession and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures deemed proper for the
enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of high professional technical and
ethical standards;

To hear and investigate cases arising from violations of this Act, its Implementing Rules
and Regulations (IRR), Code of Ethics administrative policies, orders and issuances
promulgated by the Board. For this purpose, the Board shall issue subpoena ad
testificandum and/or subpoena duces tecum to secure the attendance of the respondents
or witnesses and the production of documents relative to the investigation conducted by
the Board,

To hear and investigate cases filed before the Board where the issue or question strictly
concerns the practice of the professions. in which case, the hearing shall be presided over
by at least one (1) member of the Board assisted by a Legal or Hearing Officer of the
Commission;

To conduct, through the Legal Officers of the Commission, summary proceeding on minor
violations of this Act, its IRR, including the general instructions to examinees, and render
summary judgment thereon, which, unless appealed to the Commission. shall become
final and executory after fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the decision;


j) To suspend, revoke, reissue, or reinstate the certificate of registration and professional
identification card or special temporary permit for causes provided by this law;

k) To prepare, adopt, and issue the syllabi or Tables of Specifications (TOS) of the subjects
for examination, in consultation with the academe: determine and prepare the questions
for the licensure examinations which shall strictly be within the scope of the syllabus or
table of specifications of the subjects for examination; score and rate the examination
papers and submit the results In all subjects duly signed by the members of the Board to
the Commission within thirty (30) days from the last day of examination, unless extended
for justifiable cause, and subject to the approval of the Commission;

1) To prescribe and adopt a Code of Ethics for Environmental Engineers, Environmental
Engineering Technologists and Environmental Engineering Technicians in consultation
with the AIPO;

m) To prescribe guidelines in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program and
to create the CPD Council with the objective of providing and ensuring the continuous
development of all environmental engineering practitioners:

n) To adopt an official seal of the Board; and

0) To perform other functions and duties as may be necessary to implement this Act.

The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations issued or promulgated by the Board shall be
‘subject to review and approval of the Commission. However, the Board's decisions, resolutions
and orders rendered in administrative cases shall be subject to review only if on appeal.

SEC. 11. Annual Report. The Board shall, at the end of each calendar year, submit to the
Commission a detailed report of its activities and proceedings during the year embodying also
such recommendations as it may deem proper to promote the policies and objectives of this Act.

SEC. 12. Removal of Board Members. The President, upon recommendation of the
Commission, may remove any member of the Board on the following grounds: neglect of duty,
incompetence, malpractice, tolerance of irregularities in the examinations, or for unprofessional,
unethical, or dishonorable conduct, after having been given the opportunity to defend oneself in
a proper administrative investigation.

ARTICLE Il
LICENSURE, REGISTRATION AND PRACTICE
OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

SEC. 13. Examination Requirement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, all
applicants for registration for the practice of environmental engineering shall be required to pass
a written technical examination which shall be given at such times and places as may be
determined by the Commission.

SEC. 14. Qualifications of Applicants for the Environmental Engineers Licensure
Examinations. An applicant for the licensure examination for environmental engineer shall
establish to the satisfaction of the Board that the following qualifications are met:

a) Acitizen of the Philippines or of a foreign country which has a policy on reciprocity for the
practice of environmental engineering with the Philippines;


b) Has a good reputation and good moral values;

©). Has not been convicted by the court of any offense involving moral turpitude; and

d) Holds a Bachelor's degree in Science of Environmental Engineering from a university,
college, academy or institute, duly constituted and recognized by the CHED

e) Subject to the evaluation of the Board, the following may be allowed to take the
Environmental Engineering Board Examinations within seven (7) years upon the effectivity
of this Act:

f) Abholder of a degree in ecological and environmental engineering, sanitary engineering,

environmental and sanitary engineering, or sanitary and public health engineering from a

recognized and legally constituted school, college, or university in the Philippines;

Abholder of a degree in any field of engineering plus a Master's Degree in Environmental

Engineering from a recognized and legally constituted school, college or university in the

Philippines; and

h) Aholder of a degree in any field of engineering from a recognized and legally constituted
school, college or university in the Philippines, with at least two (2) years of environmental
engineering experience.

g

SEC. 15. Qualifications of Applicants for the Environmental Engineering Technologists
Licensure Examination. An applicant for the licensure examination for environmental
engineering technologists shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that the following
qualifications are met:

a) Acitizen of the Philippines or of a foreign country which has a policy on reciprocity for the
practice of environmental engineering with the Philippines;

SEC. 20. Issuance of Certificates of Registration and Professional Identification Card.
The Board and the Commission shall issue a certificate of registration to a registrant who has met
all the requirements for registration under this Act. The certificate of registration shall bear the
full name of the registrant, the signatures of the Chairperson of the Commission and all members
of the Board, and the official seals of the Board and the Commission. The certificate of registration
shall be the evidence that the person named therein is entitled to practice the environmental
engineering, environmental engineering technology or environmental engineering technician
profession, as the case may be, with all the privileges appurtenant thereto,

A professional identification card indicating the registration number, and dates of its issuance and
expiry, duly signed by the Commission Chairperson, shall likewise be issued to a successful
registrant. The professional identification card shall be renewed every three (3) years, subject to
compliance with the requirements as may be prescribed by the Board and the Commission.

SEC. 21 Registration without Examination. Within the periods specified below, the Board
shall issue certificates of registration and professional identification cards to the following qualified
persons without examination: Provided That the persons possess the following qualifications as
validated by the Board:

1) Environmental Engineers must satisfy the following requirements:
a) Hold a degree in ecological and environmental engineering, environmental
engineering, sanitary engineering, environmental and sanitary engineering, or
sanitary or public health engineering, with at least five (5) years of environmental


engineering experience; or a degree in any field of engineering plus a masters
degree in environmental engineering from a recognized and legally constituted
school, college or university in the Philippines, with at least three (3) years of
environmental engineering experience; or a degree in engineering and a doctorate
degree in environmental engineering from a recognized and legally constituted
school, college or university in the Philippines.

This provision may be exercised within seven (7) years after the effectivity of this
Act.

2) Environmental Engineering Technologists must satisfy the following requirements:

a) Employed as pollution control officers or environmental management specialists or
employed with a permanent status as a Sanitary Inspector or Sanitarian at the
Department of Health (DOH) or other local government agencies.

b) With ten years experience; and

©) Baccalaureate degree

Environmental Engineering Technicians must satisfy the following requirements:

a) Employed with a permanent status as a Sanitary Inspector or Sanitarian at the
Department of Health (DOH) or other local government agencies for at least ten
(10) years; and

b) With appropriate civil service eligibility.

Provided further, That qualified Environmental Engineering Practitioners shall register

within two (2) years after the effectivity of this Act.

z}

SEC. 22. Foreign Reciprocity. No foreigner shall be admitted to the licensure examination, or
be given a certificate of registration and professional identification card, or be entitled to any of
the rights and privileges under this Act, unless the requirements for the registration or licensing
in said foreign country or state are substantially the same as those required and contemplated
by the laws of the Philippines, and that the laws of such foreign country or state specifically
permits Filipino environmental engineering practitioners to practice within its territorial limits on
the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign country or State:

a) Has a good reputation and good moral values:
b) A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering Technology;

©) Has not been convicted by the court of any offense involving moral turpitude; and
d) Isin good health.

SEC. 16. Qualifications of Applicants for the Environmental Engineering Technicians
Licensure Examination. An applicant for the licensure examination for environmental
engineering technicians shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that the following
qualifications are met:

a) Acitizen of the Philippines or of a foreign country which has a policy on reciprocity for the
practice of environmental engineering with the Philippines;
b) Has a good reputation and good moral values,


©) Is an Associate of or holds a Certificate in Environmental Engineering, or finished two
years of the prescribed curriculum for BSEnE.

d) Has not been convicted by the court of an offense involving moral turpitude; and

e) Isin good health.

SEC. 17, Subjects of the Environmental Engineering Licensure Examination. Unless
modified by the Board and the Commission, the Environmental Engineering. Environmental
Engineering Technologists and Environmental Engineering Technicians Licensure Examination
shall cover the following subjects:
a) Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering;
b) Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering;
©) Air Quality and Noise Pollution Control Engineering;
d) Sanitary Engineering including Sanitary Utilties for Buildings;
) Site Remediation;
f) Environmental Health and Safety Engineering; and
g) Environmental Engineering Management - covers Environmental Impact Assessment,
Water Quality Management, Ambient Air Quality Management, Climate Change Adaptation
and Mitigation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and other programs and
strategies to maintain safe and healthy environment, and to protect public health.

The Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, may amend or revise the subjects, the
syllabi, and the system and procedure in the Environmental Engineering, Environmental
Engineering Technologists and Environmental Engineering Technicians Licensure Examination

SEC. 18. Rating in the Licensure Examination, To be qualified as having passed the
Environmental Engineering, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Environmental
Engineering Technicians Licensure Examination, a candidate must obtain a weighted general
average of at least seventy percent (70%), with no grade lower than fifty percent (50%) in any
given subject. However, an examinee who obtains a weighted general average rating of seventy
Percent (70%) or higher, but obtains a rating below fifty percent (50%) in any given subject,
must retake the examination in the subject or subjects where the grade obtained is below fifty
percent (50%).

‘An examinee who fails to pass the examination for the third (3rd) time shall be allowed to take
another examination only after the lapse of one (1) year from the last examination taken and
after having completed a refresher course in a government-recognized institution.

SEC. 19. Oath of Environmental Engineering Practitioner. All successful registrants, with
or without examination, shall take the prescribed professional oath before any member of the
Board or any other authorized official of the Commission prior to entering the practice of the
profession.

SEC. 23 Special Temporary Permits. The following are required to secure a special temporary
permit from the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission:

a) Environmental engineering practitioners from other countries called in by the government.
for consultation and for a specific project; or both, Provided, That such foreign


environmental engineering practitioners are legally qualified to practice environmental

engineering in their country or State.

b) Foreign consultants specializing in the field of environmental engineering, who, in the
judgment of the Board, may benefit the local practitioners through the transfer of
technology: Provided, That such registrants shall satisfy the following conditions:

1) That, at the time of engagement, no Filipino environmental engineering practitioner
in the country is competent, available and willing to perform the services for which
the foreigner has been hired; and

2) Any particular or specific engagement shall not be in excess of one (1) year, renewable
at the discretion of the Board and the Commission.

SEC. 24, Refusal to Register. The Board shall not register any applicant for registration with
or without licensure examination, who suffers from any of the following disqualifications:
a) Conviction by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of any offense involving
moral turpitude;
b) Conviction by final judgment in any administrative case involving immorality or notoriously
undesirable conduct;
©) Adjudged guilty for violation of the General Instructions to Examinees by the Board;
d) Declared to be of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
e) Proven to be afflicted with addiction to substance/s impairing the ability to practice the
profession through a finding to this effect by a medical or drug testing facility accredited
by the government.

In case of refusal to register, the Board shall issue to the applicant a written statement setting
forth the reasons for such refusal and shall file a copy thereof in its records.

SEC. 25. Suspension and Revocation of the Certificate of Registration and
Professional Identification Card or Special Temporary Permit. The Board shall have the
power, after due notice and hearing, to suspend a member for a period of six (6) to twelve (12)
months, depending on the gravity of the offense or revoke the cettificate of registration and
professional identification card or special temporary permit on any of the following grounds:

For Suspension:
a) Unjustified refusal to join or to remain a member in good standing of the AIPO;
b) Unjustified or unexplained neglect or failure to pay the annual registration fees for five
(5) consecutive years; and
¢) Unjustified or unexplained non-renewal of the professional identification card for more
than five (5) consecutive years

For Revocation:
a) Violation of any provision of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics, and other policies and
regulatory measures of the Board and the Commission, or both;
b) Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining the certificate of registration, professional
identification card or special temporary permit;
Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance in the practice or exercise of the profession
resulting to death, injury of persons and damage to property;

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d) Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a person who is not an environmental engineering
practitioner by allowing oneself to use the certificate of registration, professional
identification card or special temporary permit among others;

e) Practice of the profession during the suspension from the practice thereof; and

f) Addiction to a drug or alcohol abuse impairing oneself ability to practice the profession or
being declared of unsound mind by a court of competent Jurisdiction,

The Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise or add new ones
as the need arises, subject to approval by the Commission,

SEC. 26. Filing of Charges - The rules on administrative investigation of the Commission shall
govern the filing of charges and the conduct of hearing and investigation, or both subject to
applicable provisions of this Act, RA No. 8981 and the Rules of Court.

SEC. 27. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of Lost or
Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card or Spec
Temporary Permit. Suspensions imposed against a member shall be automatically lifted upon
expiration of the period indicated in the suspension order. The Board may, upon petition, reinstate
or reissue a revoked certificate of registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the
revocation, which is reckoned from the date of surrender of the sald certificate of registration and
professional identification card, or both to the Board and the Commission. The Board may not
require the holder thereof to take another licensure examination. The petitioner shall prove to
the Board that one has a valid reasons to resume the practice of the profession. For the grant of
one's petition, the Board shall issue a Board Resolution, subject to approval by the Commission.
A duplicate copy of a lost certificate of registration, professional identification card or special
temporary permit may be reissued in accordance with rules thereon and upon payment of the
prescribed fee therefor.

SEC. 28, Use of Seal. All environmental engineering practitioners shall obtain a seal of such
design as the Board shall authorize and direct Provided, however, That the certificate of
registration number issued by the Board shall be included in the design of the seal. Plans and
specifications prepared by, and under the direct supervision of an environmental engineer shall
be stamped with such seal during the validity of the latter's certificate of registration. It shall be
unlawful to affix the seal on any document after the environmental engineer's certificate of
registration has expired or has been revoked, unless such certificate of registration shall have
been renewed or re-issued.

SEC. 29. Display of Certificate of Registration in the Place of Practice. The proprietor or
manager of a firm, partnership or association which employs an environmental engineer shall
post or cause to be posted in a conspicuous place within the place of business of the firm,
partnership or association, the certificate of registration of the environmental engineer.

SEC. 30. Roster of Environmental Engineering Practitioners. The Commission shall keep
a roster of all duly licensed and registered environmental engineers, environmental engineering
technologists and environmental engineering technicians, with their names; registration numbers
and places of business. The Commission shall regularly update such roster and make it available
to all interested parties, upon request.


SEC. 31. Comprehensive Environmental Engineering Specialty Program. Within ninety
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board. in coordination with the AIPO for
environmental engineering practitioners and recognized specialty organizations, is hereby
mandated to formulate and develop a comprehensive environmental engineering specialty
program that would upgrade the level of skills and competence of environmental engineering
specialists in the country, such as the areas of Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering, Solid
and Hazardous Waste Engineering, Air Quality and Noise Pollution Control Engineering, Sanitary
Engineering. Site Remediation Environmental Health & Safety Engineering, Environmental
Engineering Management and such other areas as maybe determined by the Board.

SEC. 32. Environmental Engineering Code for Environmental Engineering
Practitioners -The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Standards of
Practice for environmental engineers, environmental technologists, and environmental
technicians prescribed and issued by the AIPO of environmental engineers.

ARTICLE IV
PENAL AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 33. Vested Rights. All sanitary engineers registered under RA No 1364, otherwise known
as the “Sanitary Engineering Law” shall automatically be registered under the provisions of this
Act.

SEC. 34, Practice of Firms, The practice of environmental engineering is a professional service
based on individual and personal qualifications, A firm, association or partnership may practice
this profession Provided, That the principals of the firm, association or partnership are
environmental engineers.

SEC, 35, Integration of the Environmental Engineering Professions. — The environmental
engineering profession shall be integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be
recognized by the Board as the one and only Accredited Integrated Professional Organization
(AIPO) of the environmental engineering practitioners. Every environmental engineering
practitioner shall, upon registration with the Board, ipso facto become a member of the AIPO and
shall receive all the benefits and privileges appurtenant to their membership in the AIPO, upon
payment of the required membership fees and dues.

SEC. 36. Appointment of Environmental Engineers to Relevant Positions in the
Provincial, City and Municipal Governments and Establishments with Environmental
Engineering Functions. Within two (2) years after the approval of this Act, all provinces, cities
and municipalities may appoint an environmental engineer in their respective Provincial, City and
Municipal Engineering Offices.

No person shall be appointed to the position of environmental engineer or those vested with
environmental engineering functions unless the person is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident
of the local government unit concerned, of good moral character, and a licensed environmental
engineer. The appointee must have acquired experience in the practice of the profession of
environmental engineering for at least five (5) years in the case of the provincial or city
environmental engineer, and three (3) years in the case of municipal environmental engineer.


The appointment of an environmental engineer shall be mandatory for the provincial, city and
municipal governments. The environmental engineer shall:

a) Initiate, review and recommend changes in policies and objectives, plans and programs,
techniques, procedures and practices in environmental engineering works in general of
the local government unit concerned;

b) Advise the governor or mayor, as the case may be, on environmental engineering matters
and concerns;

©) Administer, coordinate, supervise, and control the implementation of projects relevant to
environmental engineering;

d) Provide engineering services to the local government unit concerned, including

investigation and survey, engineering designs, feasibility studies and project

management;

In the case of provincial environmental engineers, exercise technical supervision over all

environmental engineering offices of component cities and municipalities; and

f) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be
prescribed by law or ordinance.

9) Firms, companies, partnerships or associations which are engaged in the installation,
construction, manufacture, operation, or sale of environmental equipment, facilities and
other environmental engineering processes, or hold environmental permits such as
Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC), Water Permit, Discharge Permit, shall hire or
engage the services of at least one (1) environmental engineer. Industries,
establishments, institutions, waterworks, and facilities which generate, treat, discharge or
dispose waste shall also be required to hire or engage the services of at least one (1)
environmental engineer who shall, at the same time, perform functions of a Pollution
Control/Environmental Officer.

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SEC. 37, Ratio of Environmental Engineers, Environmental Engineering Technologists
and Environmental Engineering Technicians per population of Local Government
Units. The IRR of this Act shall set the standard ratio of environmental engineers, environmental
engineering technologists and environmental engineering technicians per unit of population
served in every province, city or municipality.

SEC. 38. Penal Provision. In addition to the administrative sanctions imposed under this Act,
upon conviction, the penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than
five (5) years, or a fine of not less than One hundred thousand Pesos (PhP 100,000.00) but not
more than Five hundred thousand Pesos (PhP 500,000.00) or both, at the discretion of the Courts,
shall upon conviction be imposed on a person who commits any of the following acts:

a) Engaging in the practice of environmental engineering in the Philippines without having
been registered or without having conformed with the provisions of this Act,

b) Presenting or attempting to use as one's own the certificate of registration or professional
identification card of another environmental engineer. environmental engineering
technologists or environmental engineering technician, or special temporary permit of a
foreign environmental engineering practitioner:


©) Submitting any false or forged evidence to the Board for the purpose of securing a
certificate of registration, professional identification card or special temporary permit, or
impersonating any environmental engineering practitioner;

) Attempting to use or using a revoked or suspended certificate of registration, professional
identification card or special temporary permit:

) Using or advertising any title or description tending to convey the impression that a person
isan environmental engineering practitioner even without a valid certificate of registration,
professional identification card or special temporary permit; or

f) Violating any of the provisions of this Act.

In case the offender is a corporation, partnership or juridical person, the penalty of
imprisonment shall be imposed on the environmental engineer jointly and solidarily with the
responsible professionals, as well the officer or officers responsible for permitting or causing
the violation,

SEC. 39, Enforcement of the Act by Officers of the Law. The Board and the Commission
shall implement and enforce the provisions of this Act, its IRR, and whenever warranted,
investigate complaints for violations of this Act, its IRR and the Code of Ethics and Standards for
Environmental Engineers, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Environmental
Engineering Technicians.

The National Government, any of its provincial, city or municipal government or political
subdivisions, shall assist in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. The Department of
Justice shall act as legal adviser of the Board and render such legal assistance as may be
necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 40. Transitory Provision. The incumbent Chairperson and members of the Board of
Sanitary Engineering shall continue to serve in such capacity for the purpose of administering the
Sanitary Engineers Licensure Examination to the graduates of Bachelor of Science in Sanitary
Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering until five (5)
years from effectivity date of this Act.

The Board of Environmental Engineering created under Section 6 of this Act shall be constituted
not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. The Board shall administer the
Environmental Engineers Licensure Examination and register environmental engineering
practitioners prior to the full implementation of the qualifications prescribed for environmental
engineers, environmental engineering technologists and environmental engineering technicians
in Sections 14, 15 and 16 of this Act.

SEC. 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Board shall, within ninety (90) days
upon effectivity of this Act, formulate and issue the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to
carry out the provision of this Act.

SEC. 42. Appropriations. The Chairperson of the Commission shall immediately inciude in the
Commission's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).The amount necessary to carry out the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the


Commission. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of
this Act shall be included in the succeeding GAA.

SEC 43. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act or the application thereof is declared
unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the same shall not affect the validity of the other
provisions.

SEC. 44. Repealing Clause. All laws, parts of laws, decrees, orders, letters of instructions and
ordinances, or regulations in conflict with the provisions hereof, are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

‘SEC. 45. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,