Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

21 February 2011

MEMORANDUM:
FOR : ‘The Deputy Secretary General
for Operations
ATTENUION : The Executive Director
Plenary Affairs Bureau
The Service Director HE35
Bills and Index Service
FROM : The Deputy Secretary General

for Committee Affairs

We are transmitting six (6) copies of the Commitee Report submitted baie
Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation on House Bill No,

the substitute bill to louse Bill Nos. 909 and 2134. entitled “AN ACT TO REGULATE.
AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES.
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8534, KNOWN AS ‘THE
PHILIPPINE [NIERIOR DESIGN ACT OF 1998,” APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”.

For your appropriate action.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

COMMITTEE REPORT Ni 635

Submitted by the Commitiees on Civil Service and Professional Regulation and

Appropriations on eh been

Re: House Bill No. 4,

Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill Nos. 909 and 2134

Sponsors: Representatives Andres D. Salvacion. Jr.. Joseph Emilio A, Abaya, Susan A. Yap
and Carlos M. Padilla

Mr. Speaker:

The Committees on Civil Service and Professional Regulation and Appropriations to which
were referred House Bill No, 909 introduced by Rep. Susan A. Yap, entitled:

AN ACT
TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR
DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES. REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 8534, KNOWN AS “THE PHILIPPINE.
INTERIOR DESIGN ACT OF 1998,” APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES:

and House Bill No. 2134 introduced by Rep. Carlos M. Padilla, entitled:

AN ACT
TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THF. PRACTICE OF INTERIOR
DESIGN IN THLE PHILIPPINES. REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 8534 (RA NO. 8534) KNOWN AS ~EHE
PHILIPPINE INTERIOR DESIGN ACT OF 1998,” APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSLS

have, considered the same and recommend that the attached House Bill No.
entitled:

AN ACT
TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR
DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES. REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8534, KNOWN AS “THE PHILIPPINE INTERIOR
DESIGN ACT OF 1998," APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES


be approved in substitution of House Bill Nos. 909 and 2134, and with Reps. Susan A. Yap.
Carlos M. Padilla, Andres D. Salvacion, Js.. Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, Jane Tan-Castro.
Salvador H. Escudero ill, Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas, Victor J. Yu, Mariano U. Piamonte.
Jr. and Cresente C. Paez as authors thereof.

Respectfully submitted,

HON. Ms SALVACION, JR.

Chairman’
Committee on Civil Service
and Professional Regulation.

THE HONORABLE SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
QUEZON CITY


Faye 2e

Republic wf the Pliliggines
House of Representatives
@ureon City, Metro Maile

HON. JOSEPH EMILIO A. ABAYA
Congressman, £st District, Cavite
Chairman, Committee an Appropriations

February 16, 2011

HON. ANDRES D. SALVACION, JR.
Chairman
Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation

Dear Chairman Satvacion:

Please be informed that the Committee on Appropriations in its meeting held today at
the Rolando R. Andaya Hall, approved to report out without amendment Substitute Bil! to
House Bill Nos, 909 and 2134, entitled "AN ACT TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE
THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 8534, KNOWN AS “THE PHILIPPINE INTERIOR
DESIGN ACT OF 1988", APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES".

Very truly yours,

Hon, Jane Tan-Castro

Hon, Salvador H. Escudero Ill
Hon. Martyn L. Primicias-Agabas
Hon. Victor J. Yu

Hon. Mariano U. Piamonte, Jr.
Hon. Cresente C. Paez


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City. Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BIL!

Introduced by Representatives Susan A. Yap, Carlos M. Padilla, Andres D. Salvacion. Jr.
Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, Jane ‘lan-Castro. Salvador H. Escudero UI, Marlyn L. Primicias-
Agabas, Victor J. Yu, Mariano U. Piamonte. Jr. and Cresente C. Paez

AN ACT
TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN
THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8534,
KNOWN AS "THE PHILIPPINE INTERIOR DESIGN ACT OF 1998,"
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
TITLE, POLICY, OBJECTIVES, TERMS AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Interior Design Act
of 2011".
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy, - The State recognizes the important role of the interior

design profession in nation-building. Towards this end, the State shall promote the sustained
development of professional interior designers. whose technical competencies have ben
determined by honest and credible licensure examinations and whose standards of
professional service and practice are intemationaily recognized and considered globally
competitive, brought about by regulatory measures and human resource programs and
activities that foster their professional growth and advancement.
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act provides for and shall govern:
(a) The examination, registration and licensure of professional interior designers:
{b) The supervision, control and regulation of the practice of interior design;
(©) The development of the professional competence of interior designers through
continuing professional education; and

(d) The integration of the interior design profession.


i
2

3
4

Coa DY

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined:
(a) Interior design refers to the

ence and art of planning, specifying, selecting and
organizing the surface finishes and materials including furniture. furnishings and
fixtures and other interior design elements for the purpose of interior space allocations
to suit, enhance and meet the intended function, movement and character for which
the interior of the building is designed.

(b) Professional interior designer refers 10 a natural person who holds a valid certificate
of registration and a valid professional identification card issued by the Board and the
Commission pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 5. Scope of the Professional Practice of Interior Design. - The practice of
imerior design is the act of planning. designing. specify

1& Supervising and providing
general administration and responsible direction to the functional. orderly and aesthetic
arrangement and enhancement of interior spaces. It shall include, but not be limited to. the
following activities:
(2) Consultation, advice, direction, evaluation. budgetary estimates and appraisals:
(b) Schematic interior design development. design development, execution of
professional contract documents and programming of construction phases:
(©) Preparation of interior design plans. design drawings, interior construction details.
and technical specifications;
(d) loterior construction administration. supervision coordination of’ alteration.
preservation or restoration of interior spaces; and
{e) All other works, projects and activities which require the professional competence of
the interior designer, including teaching of interior design subjects.
The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise, exclude from. or add
o. the above-enumerated acts or activities as the need arises to conform to the latest trend in
the practice of interior design.
ARTICLE I
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF INTERIOR DESIGN
SEC. 6. Creation and Composition of the Board of Interior Design. - Vhere is
hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Interior Design, hereinafter referred to as
the Board, under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC), hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be composed of a
Chairperson and two (2) members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a

2


list of two (2) recommendees for each position submitied by the Commission, and from a list

of three (3) nominees for each position recommended by the duly accredited professional

organization of interior designers. The new Board shall be created within six (6) months
from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members. — The Chairperson and
members of the Board shall, at the time of their appointment, possess the following
qualifications:

{a) Must be a citizen and resident of the Philippines:

(b) Must be a degrce holder of Bachelor of Science in Interior Design (BSID), Bachelor
of Interior Design (BID) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), major in Interior Design. or
an equivalent degree conferred by a school. academy, college or university in the
Philippines or abroad that is recognized and/or accredited by the Philippine
government;

(c) Must be a registered interior designer with a valid certificate of registration and
professional identification card and an active practitioner of interior design for not
less than ten (10) years prior to appointment;

(d) Must not be a member of the faculty of any school. where a regular course in Interior
Design is being taught, or have pecuniary interest in, or administrative supervision
over any such institution of leaning:

{e) Must not be connected with a review center or with any group giving review classes
or lectures in preparation for the licensure examination;

(1) Must be a member in good standing of the duly accredited professional organization
of interior designers but not a trustce or officer thereot, and

{g) Has never been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. or 2 civil and/or
criminal offense.

SEC, 8. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shail hold office for a term of
three (3) ycars from the date of appointment or until their successors shall have been
appointed and qualified. They may be reappointed for another term of three (3) years
immediately upon the expiration of their term: Provided, That no member shall hold office
for more than six (6) years.

Of the members to be appointed for the first Board under this Act, one (1) member
shall hold office as Chairperson for three (3) years; one (1) member for two (2) years: and
‘one (1) member for one (1) year. Each member of the Board shall take the proper oath prior
to assumption of duty.


SEC. 9, Compensation of the Board Members. - The Chairperson and members of
the Board shall receive compensation and allowances compurible to the compensation and
allowances received by existing regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for in
the General Appropriations Act.

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

(a) Adopt, promulgate and administer the rales and regulations necessary for carrying out
the provisions of this Act;

(b) Supervise and regulate the registration. licensure and practice of the professional
interior designers in the Philippines:

{c) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

{d) Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate the certificate of registration or professional license
for the practice of the interior design profession;

(e) Adopt an official seal of the Board:

() Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of interior design und adopt such
measures as may be deemed proper for the cnhancement of the profession and/or the
maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards:

(g) Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Iligher Education (CHED). that all
other educational instructions offering interior design comply with the policies.
standards and requirements of the course prescribed by the CHED in the areas of
curriculum, faculty, library and facilities:

(h) Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethical and Professional Standards for the practice
of the Interior Design profession:

(@) Hear and try administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its implementing
rules and regulations (IRR), the Code of Fthics for Professional Interior Designers
and, for this purpose. to issue subpoena and subpocna duces tecum to secure the
appearance of witnesses and the production of documents in connection therewith:

@ Prescribe guidelines in the Continuing Professional Fducation (CPE) program in
coordination with the accredited professional organization of interior designers:

(k) Prepare. adopt and issue the syllabi of the subject for examination by determining and
preparing the questions, which shall strictly be within the scope of the syllabi of the
subject of examination; and

() Discharge such other duties and functions as may be deemed necessary for the
enhancement of the interior design profession and the upgrading, development and

4


+

Sewruayuw

growth of interior design education in the Philippines.
SEC. 11. Grounds for Removal or Suspension of Board Chairperson and Members.
- The President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, after giving
the Chairperson and members of the Board an opportunity to defend themselves in an

administrative investigation conducted by the Commis

ion, may remove or suspend them on
any of the following grounds:

(a) Gross neglect, incompetence or dishonesty in the discharge of their duties;

(b) Violation of any of the causes/grounds and the prohibited acts provided in this Act and
the offenses in the Revised Penal Code. the Anti-Grafi and Corrupt Practices Act, and
other laws; and

() Manipulation or rigging of the licensure examination for interior designers results.
disclosure of secret and confidential information on the cxamination questions prior to
the conduct thereof, or tampering of grades.

The Commission, in the conduct of the investigation, shall be guided by Section 7(s)
of Republic Act No. 8981, known as the PRC Modernization Act of 2000, the rules on
administrative investigation and the applicable provisions of the new Rules of Court.

SEC. 12. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records,
Secretariat and Support Services. - The Bourd shall be under the administrative supervision
of the Commission, All records of the Board, including applications for examination,
administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board shall be under the
custody of 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. 13. Annual Report. - ‘the Board shall, at the close of each calendar year.
submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines. through the Commission, giving a
detailed account of its proceedings and accomplishments during the year and making
recommendations for the adoption of measures that will upgrade and improve the conditions
affecting the practice of interior design.

ARTICLE IL
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE
SEC. 14. Passing of Licensure Examination Requirement, - Except as otherwise

specifically allowed under this

Act, applicants for registration for the practice of interior

design shall be required to pass a licensure examination as provided for in this Act in such

places and dates as the Commission may designate in accordance with the provisions of

5


Section 7{d) of Republic Act No. 8981.

SEC. 15. Qualifications of Applicants. - Applicants for the licensure examination for
interior designers shall satisfactorily prove that they possess the following qualifications:

(a) Citizen of the Philippines or foreign citizen whose country/state has reciprocity with
the Philippines in the practice of interior design;

() Of good moral character;

(©) A holder of a bachelor’s degree in interior design or its equivalent degree duly
recognized or accredited by the CHED and conferred by a school/college/university
duly authorized by the government or its equivalent degree obtained by either @
Filipino or forcign citizen from an institution of learning in a foreign country’state:
Provided, That it is duly recognized and/or accredited by the CHED: and

(d) Not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of competent
jurisdiction,

SEC. 16, Subjects for Licensure Examination. - The examination for interior design
shall basically cover the following subjects:

{a) Interior Design;

(b) Furniture Design and Construction:

(c) Materials for Decoration and Color Theory;

(d) History of Arts and Interior Design:

{e) Interior Detailing and Construction: and

(f) Professional Practice und Ethies
The subjects and their syllabi may be amended by the Board so as to conform 10

technological changes brought about by continuing trends in the profession, in coordination
with the accredited council of interior design educators.

SEC. 17, Rating in the Licensure Examination. - io be qualified as having passed
the Board examination for interior designers. a candidate must obtain a weighted general
average of seventy percent (70%).

SEC. 18. Report of Ratings. - The Board shall submit to the Commission the ratings
obtained by each candidate within twenty (20) days after the examination unless extended by
the Commission 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 the given address using the
mailing envelope submitted during the examination.

SEC. 19. Oath. - All successfill candidates in the examination shall be required to
take an oath of profession before the Board or any government official authorized by the

6


i

Bw

Commission to administer oaths prior to entering the practice of the interior design
profession.

SEC. 20. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification
Card. - A certificate of registration shall be issued to applicants who pass the examination for
interior designers subject to payment of registration fees.

‘The certificate of registration as professional interior designer shall bear the
signatures of the Chairperson of the Commission and Board members, stamped with the
olficial seal, indicating that the person named therein is entitled to practice the profession
with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. ‘This certiticate shall remain in full force and
effect until withdrawn, suspended or revoked. in accordance with this Act.

A cenificate of registration bearing the registration number, date of issuance and
expiry date. duly signed by the Chairperson of the Board, shall likewise be issued to every
registrant who has paid the required fees. This license will serve as evidence that the licensee
can lawfully practice the profession.

A professional identification card. whether new or renewed, shall be released by the
PRC upon compliance with the requirements for the application or renewal of identification
card and upon presentation of the updated receipt of payment of annual membership dues of
the accredited professional organization and proof of completion of the CPE requirements.
Once registered, the interior designer may use IDr. as the official appendage title.

SEC. 21, Refusal to Register. - The Board shall not register any successful applicant
for registration with or without licensure examination who has been

(a) Convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of competent
jurisdiction;

(b) Found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct by the Board;

(c) Summatily adjudged guilty for violation of the General Instructions to Fxaminees by
the Board; and

(A) Declared of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction

In refusing such registration, the Board shall give the applicant a written statement
setting forth the reasons therefor and shall file a copy thereof in its records.

SEC. 22. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and
Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. - The Board shall have the power, upon notice
and hearing, to revoke or suspend the certificate of registration of a registered and licensed
imerior designer or | cancel a temporary/special permit granted to foreign interior designer.
for any of the grounds or causes in Section 21 of this Act, except (c) thereof and any’ of the

7


1
2
3
4

Somuauw

following grounds:

{a) Violation of a provision of this Act. its IRR, the Code of Fthics, the Code of Good
Governance, the Code of Technical Standards for the practice of interior design.
policy and measure of the Board and/or the Commission;

{b) Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining the certificate of registration, professional
identification card or temporary/special permit;

(c) Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance resulting to death, injury or damage;

(d) Refusal to join or to remain a member in good standing of the Accredited Professional
Organization (APO);

(€) Neglect or failure to pay the annual registration fees for five (5) consecutive years:

() Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered and licensed person by
allowing the use of one’s certificate of registration and/or professional identification
card or temporary/special permit;

(g) Illegally practicing the profession during the suspension from the practice thercof:

(h) Addicted to a drug or alcohol, impairing the ability to practice the profession or
declared with unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction: and

@) Non-compliance with the CPE requirement, unless exempted therefrom. for the
renewal of one’s professional identification card.

The Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds und revise or
exclude or add now ones as the need arises. subject to approval of the Commission. Any
person. firm or association may file charge/s in accordance with the provision of this section
against any registrant, or the Board may investigate violation of any of the abovementioned
causes. Affidavit-complaint shall be filed together with the affidavits of witnesses and other
documentary evidence with the Board through the Legal and Investigation Office, The motu
Proprio move to conduct an investigation shall be embodied in a formal charge to be signed
by at least a majority of the members of the Board. The rules on administrative inv estigation
issued by the Commission shall govern the hearing or investigation subject to applicable
provisions of this Act, Republic Act No. 8981 and the Rules of Court.

SEC. 23. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of Lost
or Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card or
Temporary/Special Permit, - The Board may. upon petition, reinstate or reissue a revoked
certificate of registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the period for revocation,
which is the date of surrender of the said certificate and/or the professional identification card
i’ still valid to the Board and/or the Commission. The Board may not require the holder

8


thereof to take another licensure examination. The petitioner shall prove to the Board that
one has valid reason/s to practice the profession.

For the grant of the petition, the Board shall issue a Board resolution subject to
approval by the Commission. A duplicate copy of lost certificate of registration, professional
identification card or temporary/special permit may be reissued in accordance with rules

thereon and upon payment of the prescribed fee therefor.

RC. 24. Nonpayment of the Annual Registration Fees. - The Board shall suspend a
registered interior designer from the practice of the profession for non-payment of the armual
registration fees for five (5) consecutive years from the last or previous year of payment, The
resumption of the practice shall take place only upon payment of the delinquent fees plus
surcharges and interest and in accordance with the rules of the Commission. The running of
he five (5}-year period may be internupted upon written notice about the discontinuance of
the practice and surrender of the certificate of registration to the Board and/or the
Commission.

SEC. 25. Vested Rights. - All practicing imerior designers who are registered at the
time of the passage of this Act shall automatically be registered and issued certificates of
registration.

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN

SEC. 26. Lawful Practitioners of Interior Design. - The following persons shall be
authorized to practice the interior design profession:

(a) Natural persons who are:

(1) Duly registered and licensed as interior designers and holders of
valid certificates of registration and valid professional identification cards
issued by the Board and the Commission pursuant to this Act; and

(2) Holders of valid temporary/special permits issued by the Board and
the Commission to foreign licensed interior designers pursuant to this Act.

(b) Juridical persons:

(1) Single proprietorship whose owner is a registered interior designer:

(2) Partnership duly registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) as professional parmership pursuant to the Civil Code
and composed of all partners who are all duly registered interior designers:
and

(3) Corporation whose key chief executive officers (CEOs) and


majority of the Board of Directors are all registered and licensed interior
designers may be duly registered with the SEC as engaged in the practice
of interior design. Juridical persons shall also be registered with the Bourd
and the Commission in accordance with the rules and regulations thereon.

SEC. 27, Seal, Issuance and Use of Seal. — A duly registered interior designer shall
sign and affix the seal duly approved and provided by the Board of Interior Design on all
plans and specifications and contract documents prepared by, or under one’s direct
supervision during the validity of one’s certificate of registration and professional
identification card.

Officers or employees of the government. chartered cities, provinces, municipalities
now or hereafter charged with the enforcement of the laws, ordinances of regulations relating
to the construction or alteration of the interiors of buildings shall accept only those interior
plans or specifications and contract documents which have been prepared. signed and sealed
by a duly licensed interior designer and submitted in full accord with the provisions of this
Act. Na approval shall be given by any such person for any work, as defined under this Act.
plans and specifications of which have not been so prepared, signed and sealed by a duly
licensed interior designer.

Violation of the foregoing shall be a ground for administrative and/or criminal action.

SEC. 28, Intellectual Property Rights. - Drawings and specifications and other
contract documents duly signed, stamped or scaled, as instruments of service, and all the
works included therein, are the intellectual property of the interior designer. Any person is
prohibited from engaging

any activity prejudicial 10 the intellectual property rights of the
imerior designer, including the reproduction of the contract work or substantial portion
thereof. and making any alteration, distortion. mutilation, or other modification of. or any
derogatory action in relation to, the contract work and the works therein, prejudicial to and
without the written consent of the interior designer.

SEC. 29. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign interior designer shall be issued a
certificate of registration to practice the interior design profession or be entitled to any of the
rights and privileges under this Act unless the country of which one is a subject of citizen
specifically permits Filipino interior designers to practice within its territorial limits on the
same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country.

SEC. 30. Practice Through Temporary/Special Permit. —

(a) Foreigners intending to work in the Philippines to perform professional services as
imerior designers or consultants whether employed through official foreign-funded or
10


1

foreign-assisted projects initiated by the government, or engaged by private Filipino,
foreign contractors or firms shall first secure a temporary/special permit from the PRC
through the Board of Interior Design specifically authorizing him/her to practice on
the special project or commission named therein: Provided, further, ‘That:

(1) One is legally and professionally qualified and registered to practice

interior design in one’s own coum

(2) One's expertise is unique and useful to the Philippines, resulting in the
transfer of information and technology. The establishment of
international standards in design. and of sharing of other specialized
skills; and

G3) Duty licensed forcign nationals shall be required to work with a
Filipino counterpart who bas been in continuous practice of interior
design for at least ten (10) years. Professional fees and services, and
expenses of documentation pertaining to the project shall be shared by
both foreign and Filipino interior designers, including liabilities and
taxes due to the Philippine government. if any, according to their
participation in, or professional services rendered to the project.

(b) A foreign interior designer shall be required to work in every case with a duly licensed
Filipino counterpart whose competence and integrity has been established by the
Board of Interior Design on the basis of uniform standards contained in their IRR.

(c) Foreign and Filipino firms working jointly on a special project shall divide the
professional fees and other charges collected from said project equitably. Similarly. all
documentation expenses, taxes and other liabilities incurred om the shared project
shall also be borne cqually by both foreign and Filipino firms.

(d) Foreigners working jointly with Filipino firms shall sign contracts, designs and other
credits together with the Filipino counterpart. Both foreign and Filipino firms shall at
all times be acknowledged in international tri-media on proprietary and intellectual
Property rights. All residual earnings shall also be equitably shared between foreign
und local firms.

(e) Foreign design firms or individuals practicing in the Philippines before the
promulgation of this Act are required to comply with the requirements established by
the Board of Interior Design in its IRR within the timetable it stipulates therein.

(O Any violation of these requirements or other illegal practices undertaken by either
foreign design firms or their Filipino counterparts shall be punishable by law or under

It


aun

we AY

the IRR of the Board of Interior Design.

SEC. 31. Indication of Numbers: Certificate of Registration, Professional Tax
Receipt and APO Membership. - The interior designer shall be required to indicate the
certificate of registration number and date of issuance, the expiry of the current professional
identification card, the professional tax receip! number and date, and the APO membership
number and date with official receipt number and date of membership payment
(ancual/lifetime) on the documents one signs, uses or issues in connection with the practice
of one’s interior design profession.

SEC. 32. Roster of Interior Designers. - The Board shall prepare and maintain a
roster of the names, residence and/or office address of all registered interior designers which
shall be updated annually in cooperation with the APO, indicating therein the status of the
certificate of registration, professional identification card and APO membership. whether
valid, delinquent, suspended or revoked or inactive due to death or other reasons. The said
roster shall be conspicuously posted within the premises of the Commission and the
information therefrom made available to the public upon inquiry ot request.

SEC. 33. Integration of the Interior Designers. - The interior designers shall be
integrated into one (1) national organization of interior designers that is duly registered with
the SEC. The Board of Interior Design. subject to approval by the Commission. shall
accredit the said organization as the one and only integrated and accredited professional
organization of intcrior designers. All interior designers whose names appear in the Registry
Book of Interior Designers shall ipso facto or automatically become members thereof and
shall receive therefrom all the benefits and privileges upon payment of APO membership fecs
and dues.

Amembership in an affiliate organization of interior designers shall not be barred.

ARTICLE V
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 34. Penal Clause. - The following acts shall be punished by a fine of not less
than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php300.000.00) but not more thun One Million Pesos
(Php1.000,000.00) and revocation of certificate of registration or imprisonment of not less
than six (6) months but not more than three (3) years. or both fine and imprisonment at the
discretion of the court:

{a) Local Practitioner. —
(1) Practicing interior design. rendering work und consultations or

rendering cquivalent services as interior designer as detined in this Act


or using the title Lnterior Designer, Interior Design Consultant, interior
Design Stylist or Interior Design in any signage, calling card.
advertisement or any other mode of publicity without a valid
certificate of registration and/or a valid professional identification card

or a valid temporary/special permi
(2) Attempting to use the seal. certificate of registration and/or
professional identification card of a registered interior designer or
temporary/special permit issued to foreign professional;
(3) Abetting the illegal practice of interior design by an unregistered or

unauthorized person:
(4) Impersonating a registered interior designer or a holder of a

temporary/special permit; and
(5) Violating any provision of this Act or the IRR thereof.

(b) Foreign Practitioner/Firm. - Foreign interior design firm or individuals who shall be
found to be illegally practicing their profession shall be penalized with a fine of a
minimum of fiftcen percent (15%) of gross fees under Five Million Pesos
(Php5,000,000.00) and a minimum of ten percent (10%) of gross fees above Five
Million Pesos (Php5,000,000.00) in addition to payment of back taxes to the
Philippine government, imprisonment of not Jess than six (6) months but not more
than three (3) years, or both fine and imprisonment or permanent ban from further
practice in the Philippines at the discretion of the court.

SEC. 35. Civil Liability. - The interior designer shall assume full responsibility for
the contract work within six (6) months from the final acceptance by the client and shail be
held responsible for any damage or destruction of the works except those occasioned by force
majeure. The interior designer shall be fully responsible for the safety, protection, security
and convenience of his clients/user, personnel, third parties, and the public at large. as well as
the works, equipment installation and the like to be affected by his work.

The lability period for defects in the projects shall be six (6) months from final
acceptance by the client. During this period. the interior designer shall undertake the repair
works, at his own expense, of any damage to the projects on account of the use of materials
of inferior quality within ninety (90) days from the time the client has issued a notification of
the need to undertake repair. In case of failure or refusal to comply with this mandate. the
client shall undertake such repair works and shall be entitled to full reimbursement of
expenses incurred therein upon demand.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

>
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Hirst Regular Session LD

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

No.__909

House Bi

Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap.

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

Not to be confused with inteatur decoration, iteriut detign, which evolved from interior
decurstion, involves a multitude of technical, analyueat, creative skills, and understandings of
archotectural elements. It is the act of planning, designing, specifying, supernsing and providing
geueral administration and responsible direction 10 the functional, orderly and aesthetic
Arrangement and enhancement of intetiot spaces. -

The profession of intenor desge in ovr country has been put to a lot of pressure lately
because of thé incressed volume of infeustracrure aud teal estate projects, the influx of foreign
Professionals practicing in the country, and the illegal practice of unlicensed interior detigners. Also,
professional etandards in the country have been put mto question lately becwuse of loopholes and
Paipracuees of rome professional board members, nor necessanly in the board of interior desig. As
suck, there is a need to overhaul che uld Interior Design Act to provide safety nets and measures tO
ecaure the development of the profession

As such, this Bill provides clearer grounds on the removal ur suspension of a member of the
sé of mterior design, for example “manipulstion or ngging of the licensure examinxuon, disclosure
weerct and confidential information on thr examinations questinny prior te: the conduct theteol, OF
reespering of grades.”

To fuciltate transfer of technology, the hill allows » foreign citwen to take leensure exam
whose country/state has reciprocity with the Philippines in the [yructice of interior design. Likewase,
toreygn inrerior designers may practice interior design uader a tensprucy cor special pereut especially if
hhiss.n7 expertise is unique and useful te the Philippines -

The bill however, iv strict to chose who shall practice illegally. Under the bill, Foreign intenox
desgo finm ot individuals who shall be found co be illegally practicing their profession shall be
penalized with » fine of # miuimum of 15% of gross fees wader PS million ancl » minimum of 10%
pezcens of gross fees above PS milion an addicion £0 the payment of back payment to the Philippine
gevemmrent, The bill alse lists down grounds on the sevornion of license and cancellation of
Keroparnry permits, Viohtions include aiding or abetting the legal practice of non-registered person,
sddiction 10 drug or alcobol, and fefusal to join or to remain » member in good standing of the
accredited peofessional organization.

A mayor sdvancemeat in the profesnun of interior desiyn proposed under chis bill ix che
protection of the professional's intellectus! peoperty right to the drawings, specifications, and acher
contact duvuments, duly signed and sealed. as instruments of service. The. bill prohibirs the use,
Feproducuun, even alteration and madificatisa contained an the contence of work without the written
consent af the interior designer. This ensures that menor designers can now be secured that the
deavongs they leave to clients will remain solely theirs and its application duly for the clieat’s purpose

of Tarlac

Representative, 2"


So

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )

OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

For Regular Sessron )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House BillNo___ 909

Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap

AN ACT
TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN
IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 8534, KNOWN AS "THE PHILIPPINE INTERIOR DESIGN ACT OF 1998,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Se it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phitippines in
Congress assembled:

ARTICLE
ATELE, POLICY, OBJEC FIVES, TERMS ANID SCOPT: OF PRACTICE

SECTION 4. Title -
of 20",

tis Aer shail be koown as the "Philippine Interior, Design Act

SEC. 2, Statement of Boiss. - “Une State recognizes the important role of the interior
sgn profession in nation-building. Towards this end, the State shall promote the sustained
development of professional interior designers, whose techmical competencies have been
determined by honest and credible licensure examinaticas and whose standards of
protessional service and practice are mtemnationally recognized and considered globally
compentive, brought about by regulators measures and human resuree programs ead
acrovmies that foster theit protessiunal rowth and advancement.

SEC. 3. Objectives -Vins Act provides for and skal govern:
{2) The cxamination, reyistration and beensure of professional interior designers;
() The supervision, control and regulation of the practice of intenor design:
(c) The development of the proferswonal competence of interior designers darough
continuing professional education: and
() The integration of the interior design profession.

SECA. Definition of term, ~ For purposes of this Act, the following cerns are hereby defined:

(0) trteriar design refers co the saeace ant! att of planning, specifying, sclecting and
organizing the surface Gaishes and muterials including furniture, furnishings and fixures and
‘other items of decor of an architectural mtesior fur the purpose of space allocations to suit,
enbsnce and meet the intended funcuun, movensem and character for which the interior of
the buikding is designed.

(b) Profrsional interne devygner refees tos a manual person why holds a vabd certificate of
ecgatimition aad a valid professional idenuticanion card issued by the Board and the
Commusston pursuntt to chis Act

SHC. 5S. Scape of she Proftuions’ Pract of Intenor Deven, ~ "the prucnce of intenor
tena fy the act OF plaanoy:, designing, speoiving, supervising and providing geneenl
sAiministeation and responsible cLection t orderly und aesthetic arcangement

funenon:



a0

responsible ditection to the functional, ondcrly md aesthetic attangement and enhancement of
sstetior, spaces. Ht shall include, bat nor be buted to, the following activities:

{2} Consultanon, advice, durecon, evaluxtion, budgetary estimates and appraisals,

(b) Schematic interior design development, desiga development, execunon of professional
coniraer documents and programming of coastmuetion phases;

(©) Preparation of interior design plans, design drawings, interior construction details and
technical specifications;

(0) Intenor coastruction admunais:ration, supervision coordination of alteration, preservation
vr restoration of interior spaces: and

(6) AU other works, projects and ecnvities which roqsite the professional competence of the
iatenor designer, including teaching of intenior design subjects

The Board, subject to approval bs the Camnmission, may revise, exclude from, or add to, the
sbevecenumerated 4618 OF netivites us the need arises to confirm to ihe latost trend in the pmetice
‘ef intetior design,

ARLICLEN
FUE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF INTERIOR DES

ON

SUR. 6, Creation amd Composstion ui the Burd of Interior Design. - hei as hereby created a
Professnont Regulatory Board of interior Desygn, hereinaiter reterred tw ay the Board, under the
sdmeustative contol and supervision of the Professional Regulaion Commission PRC),

erewafter roferred to ay the Commuission, to be composed of a Chairperson and nwo (2) member

in appomited by the President of the Poalippaies from a list uf two 2) tecummendees fut each
poate sobnutted by the Commision, and from a fist of thice’ @) cominees for each posison
ientnmended by the duly accredited professional organization of raterior designers. The new Board
sot he cteated veithun six (6) monriss fron: the efiectiiaty of this Ace

SEC, 7 Qnnkgicatont of the Chairperson and Members ~The Chairperson and mecahers vf the
Havied shall, at dhe rime of thei appointment, pussess the following qualifications

{a) Must be a narucal born citizen and resident of the Philippines;

{bi Must be » holder of a bachelor's degree in Intenor Design ot Bachelor of Fine Arts,
vr in Inrenor Design, conferred by a school, academy, college of univeratty in che Philippines os
broad thar ie recognized and/or acextehted by the Philippine government; .

(c) Must be a registered interior designer with a valid certificate of registration and

Pevtessiuod identification card and an acnce practitioner of inteyior design for not less than tea (10)
‘eas psior y appomnement;

fd) Must not be «member of the Zculty of am school, whete 4 regular course in Lacemat
Hesign ws being taught, oc have pecuniary interest in, o¢ administrative supervision over any such
insurutien of learning,

ie) Mose nor he connected with « rertew center or with any group giving teview classes ot
lectures in preparation for the licensure examination;

{0 Must be a member tn gaurd standing of the duh’ accredited profevsiaaal organizauon of
mncerer designer but not a trustee or officer thereuf: and:

{yj Has never been convicted of . cme involving moral tuepicude, or a cril and/or eamunal

nttense,

SUG, 8 erm of Offe. - ‘The arerabers of the Board shall hetd office for a term of duree (3)
ears fron the date of appointment or unl cheir successors etull have been appointed and qualified
they euy he eeappointed for another ten of sree 3} years unmediately upon the expiration of
shear conn! Prntided. ‘That no member shalt held office for more chan six (6) years

Of the members to be appuanted for the first Board under dis Act, one (1) member stall
office as Chairperson for three (3) vears: one {1} member for two (2) years; and one (1)
rember for one (1} vear. Hach member of dhe Board shall cake the proper oath prior eo assumption
Rony



52

SEC. 9. Compensatan of the Hourd Member. - The Chaizperson and members of the Board shail
tecetve compensation and allowances comparable 10 the compensation and allowances received by
feusting, seyulatury boatds under the Commission as piovided (or m the General Apprupriavoas
Aer

SEG. 10. Poners: Fancions, Dales and Responnhikies of ibe Bourd - The Board shall exetcise the
following specific powers, fuactoas, dunes aad responsibilities:

i) Adopt, promulgate and adminster the rules and regulations necessity for cazeying out the
provisions of this Acts

(b) Supervise and regulate the registeation, licensure and practice of se professional interior
designers in the Philippines:

(©) Admunisrer oaths in connection wath the adrminusteation of this Act,

{d) Issue, suspend, revoke ut reinseate the certificate uf registration or professional license
for the practice of the ntetivt design profession;

(@) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

(® Montox te conditions affecung the practice of intenor design and adopt such measures
as may be deemed proper for the enhaacement of the profession and/or the rruimtenance of high
professional, ethical and technical seandands

49) Vasore, in, coordination with the Corumissiom on Migher Vducation (CHED), that all
other educational instructions offerng interior design comply with the policies, standards and
sequireanents of the course prescribed by the CHED in che areas of curticuduum, faculty, libeary and
fucibres,

&)) Prescribe and/or adopt a Code oof Ethical and Professional Standards for the practice of
the tmerior Design profession:

{@ Hear and try admimstrative cases involving violations of this Act, its implementing rules
and regulanions GRR), the Code of Ethics for Professional Interior Designers and, for this purpose,
to issue subpoena and subpoena dacs sam to secure the appearance of witnesses and the production
of dacuments ia connection therewith;

{) Prescribe guidelines in the Continuing Professional Lducation (CPE) program in
coordination with the accredited professional organization of intetior designers;

{h) Prepare, adopt and issue the syllabi of the subject for examination by detexmning and
Preparing the questions, which shall stnedy be within the scupe of the <yllabi of the subject of
examination; and -

@ Discharge such other duties and funenons as muy be deemed necessary for the
cabancement of the inetior design profession and the upgrading, development and growth of
intecor design education in the Philippines,

SEC.11, Grownds for Remonal or Suspension of Board Chairperson] Member, ‘The Prendent of the
Piulippiues, upon the recommentagon of the Commission, after giving the Chairperson or the
inanber of the Board an opportunny ro defend hunselt“hercelf in an admiaisirauve invesugation
coudected by the Cumtnissioa, may retove or suspend hum/her on any of the following grounds:

{@) Gross neglect, incompetence or dishonesty mn the discharge of his/her duty:
{®) Violation of any of the causes/ grounds and the prohibited acts provided in dhs Act and
the offenses in the Revised Penal Code, the Aau-Graft and ‘Corrupt Practices Act, and other laws;
and
(© Manipulation or dgging of the licensure examination for interior designers tesubs,
disclosure of secret and confidential information on the examination questions ptior to the conduct
therenf, of tampering of grades.

The Commission, in the conduct of the invesngation, shall be guided by Sectian 7(6} of
Republic Act’No, 8981, otherwise koowin as the PRO Modetazagon Act of 2000, the nvles on
adnunisteative investigation and the applicable provisions of the new Rules of Court


a0

SEC. 12. Auiministrative Supervision of the Board. Custedian of its Revords, Secretarial and Support
Seon «~The Board shall be under the adminisurative supervision cf the Commission, All tecords of
the Board, meluding spplications for examination, administrative aud other investpative cases
‘cennlucted by the Board shall be uncler the casted: of the Commission,

The Commission shall desgnate the secretary of the Bust and shall provide the secretanat
aad other support services to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEG. 13. Anmmal Report, - The Board shall, at the cluse cf each calendar year, submut an
armual report to the President of che Phulppines, through the Conumission, giving a detaled account
OF 16 proceedings and accomplishmens during the year and making recommendanons for the
adoption of measures that will upgrade and improve che condipuns affecting the practice of interior

ARTICLE Hi

EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE

SC. 1S. Pasting of Ltenure Exsmanation Regureneas, - Except as otherwise specificalls
allowed under this Act, applicants for registration fur the pencnce uf interior devigm shall be required
fo pass licensure examination a5 provided for in this Act in such places and dates a5 the
Cosmmission may designate in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(d} of Republic Act No
YOR

SECIS: Queiticarions of Aprcioime~ Ne applieant for the licctsure esamtiaanen Gor intenor
Cesigners shall sabsfactorily prove that he. she possesses the fallewing qualificauons

a) Cmzen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose countty/stute has recproaty wrth
the Phulippines in the practice of incerior desiga,

{b) Of good moral character,

(© A holder of a bachelor's dognee in intesior design duly ceocognized ot accredited by the
CHED and conferced by x schont/coltege/university duly auchorized by the goverment of its
cquivalear deyzee obrained by eithes a bakpino or foreign citizen ftom an institution of learsang in
foneiga eountry/state: Provided, That 1 is duly recognized and/or accredited by the CHIED: and (d}
Not convicted of an offense involving moral nepitude by a court uf competent junsdietion.

SEC. 1G, Saji for Lienare Exemnation The examination for interior desiga shall basveallr
saver the following. subjects:
(©) latetior Design:

} Furniture Design and Construction;
(© Materials for Decoration and Color Theory;

History of Arrs and Interior Design:
{6} Constrvction; and
© Prutessionat Practice and Ethies.

The said subjects and thew svllabi may be amended by the Board so as to ennform 10
recthnologseal changes brought about by continuing trends m the profession, in coondinanen wich
the aceredited council of intenor desiya educarors.

SEC. 17. Rating in ibe Licensure Bxcorinaion . To be qualified a3 having passed the Board
exanuaation for interior designers, + candidare must obtain 4 weighted general average of seveaty
percent 70")

SEC. 18, Report of Ratings, » Tee Boatd shall submic to the Commission the cating obtained
by cach candidate within eeenty (20) days aiter the examinanon unless extended by the Cormission
for just canse. Upon the release of the tesulss of the examination, the Hoard shall send by mail the
‘arity recerwed bs each examinee at hus prweo address using the mailing envelope submitted dung,
the examinagon,


Risers Haun

BR
14
is
16
7
18
10

SEC. 19. Qarh, All successful candidates in the exammanon shall be tequited (0 take an
oath of profession before the Boartt or any government offical authorized by the Commissiva te
vadmunister oaths prior to entecing the practice of the interior design profession.

SEC. 20. Leatance of Cerificate of Registration ond Proftssional Identification Card - A vertifncate of
segistration shall be issued to applicants who pass the examination for interior designers subject
parmenr of eegistration fees.

The ceraticare of segistcation as professicmal imterior designer shall bear the signatures of the
Chospenon of dhe Commission and Board members, stamped vith the officul seal, indicating ehat
the person named thereiss is entided to practice the profession sith all the privieges appureoant
thereto. This certificate shall rermain in full force and effect until withdrawn, suspended of revoked,
in accorduce with this Act.

A certificate of registration bearing the registration number, date of issuzace and expiry date,
Gulp signed by the Chairperson of the Board, shall likewise be issued to every registrant who has
paid the required fees. This license will serve as evidence thar the licensee can lawfully practice
Ins her profession.

\ prntessional identificagon card, whether new ut renewed shall be eeleased by the PRC
ugon conpbance with the tequirements for the apphcaion ux renewal of identifieation card and
8 presentation of the updated receipe of pavment of annual metniership cues of the accredited
professional organiration aad proof of complenoa of the CPI: requizeients. Once registered, the

tenor designer may use “IDs” as his official appendage tide.

SBC. 21. Refisad m Register. The Board shall nor register any successful applicant for
registeation with of without licensure examination who has been

(2) Convicted of an offense involving moral rarpitude hy a coutt uf competent jutisdicuon;
() Found guilty of ianinaral or dishonorable conduct by the Brac,
(c) Suminatily adjudged guilty for viglation of the General Instructions to Examinees by the
Hoard: aad
(@) Declared of unsound mind by 4 court of competent jurisdiction

Jn refosing, such registration, the Board shall give the applicaut 2 written statement sernng
fomh the teasons thetefor and shall file a eepy thereof in ifs records.

SEC. 22, Revocation or Suspenizan of the Certificate of Registration and Canceliation of
Pemponary/ Speci Permit, - The Board shall have the power, upon natice’ and heanng, to revoke or
sespend the cernficate of registrativa of a reggstered and licensed interior designer or to cancel a
snpenun /spectal permit geapced tu foreign interior designer, for vivlation of any of dhe grounds ur
crates in Seetioa 21 of this Act, excepe (6) therent and any of the following grounds:

() Violation of a provision of dus Act, its IRR, the Code of Bthies, the Code of Good
Gos en:anee, the Code ut Techaical scandands toa the prictice of anteainn desig, policy and measure
of the Buatd and/or the Commission;

() Perpetranon of use of frad at obtanmg his/her certificate of registration, professional
idendification ecard or temporary special perinit,

{6} Gross incompetence, negligence or ggnurance resulting tc death, injury or damage:

44) Refusal to join ar to remain a member in guod standing of the Accredited Professional
Orgauranion (APO);

‘y) Neglect oF failure to pay she annual registratin fees for five (8) consecutive yeacs;

(f) Aiding o abetting the itlegal practice of non-registered and licensed person by allowing
him/her te use his/her certificate of registration and/or professional idenaficadon card or his/her
tumporary/special permit

rp Tlegaly practicing he profession Juring his/her suspension from the practice hereof,



(h) Addicted to a drug or wbcohol, mnpainng his/ber abiliy co practice his/her profession of
declared with unsound mand by a court of competent jurisdiction, and]

@ Noncompliance with the CPE, requirement, unless he/she is exempted therefrom, for the
renewal of his/her professional idennificanon card,

‘he Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise o¢ exclude or
aid new’ ones as, the need arises, subject to approval of the Commission Any person, firm or
ae the Boned nt charae/ i accordance with the provision of this section against any teyistane
oc the Board may investigate violation of any of the abuvementioned caucer Affidavn-complaint
pial fs fled together with the affidavus of witnesses and other documentity evidence enh ae
Board cirough dhe Legal and Iavestigatron Office. The male proprio unowe to conduc a invesngation
pat Ps embodied ins formal charge to be signed by ar least i majonty of the tember ee ibe
ttvaed The rules om administrative iavestigauon issued by the Commicion shall govern the bi
Uf iumesuigntion subject ro applicable provisions of this Aet, Republic Act No. 4981 wnd the Rake ce
the Cour,

SEC. 23. Reismanr of Revoked Cerate of Regitraton. Repsmen’ of Last or Damaged Certificate of
Regatration, Professions) Identification Card or Temporary] Special Permit, Ve Boned may, upon petstion,
state oF reissue a revoked certificate of fegistration after two (2) years from the ffectivity of the
ou for revocation, which is the date of surtemder of the said cenafente and/or the professional
tanaiheadon card if salt vali to the Board and/or the Commission. The Board inay noe require the
okier thereof to take enother Licensure examinaton. The petitioner shall prove to the Bowel dee
hhevshe has valid seaneon/s to ptactice his/her prufession.

{or dhe grant of his/her petinoa, the Board shalt tue « Borsrd resolution subjeet to approval
bs the Commission. A duplicate copy of lost cernficate of registration, professional uleaaenney
Card or temporary/special pemnit may be cexssued in accordance with rules thereon ont upon
Payment of the prexccibed fee therefor.

SEG. 24 Nowparment of the Anmua! Regutranen Fats. - The Boned shall suspend a cegistered
Bzcre designer from the’ practice of his/her profession for nonpayment of the smmal registration
ec: for Sve (5) consecutive years from his/her last or previous yeat of payment, The resumption of

SEC. 25, Vesied Rights - All pracocing amtenor desyners whi» are sepistered at the ime of the
Passage of ths Act shall automatically be registered and issued ceruficates of eygateation

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN:

SEC, 26. Laaufal Prastivoners of Intenor Design, - The following, peasons shall be authorized to
Prine the interior design professivn.

{2 Natural persons who ate: (1: Daly regatered and lteensed ay interior designers and
Rekdess of valid ceaufeates of eegistracion: and valid profensiatal Mlentilication cards bored by ake
Board and the Commission pursuant to this Acr, and 2) Holders of vatid temporury/special permits
sssued by the Board and the Commussion w foreygn ucensed interior designers pursuany tothe Aer

(b) Jusical persons: (1) Single proprietorship whose owner is a registered invent designer,
© Pactnership duly tegistered with the Secunues and Exchange Commission (SRC) a6 professional
Partnership pursuant ro the Civil Code and composed of all parmers who are all duly registered
Gustior designers; and (3) Corporation whose key chief executive officers (CEOs) and aujonty of
the Board of Directors are all registered and licensed interior designers may be duly registered with
the SEC as engaged in the practice of interior desagn. Juridical persons shall ako be registered with
she Hoard and the Commission in accordance with the rules and regulations thereon


SEC 27. Sah Lemon ans 1 i¢ Seat A duly cogistered imetine desagnet shall affix the seat
duly approved and provided by the Board of iutetior Design On all plans and specifications
Prepared br, or under his/ber direct supervision dung the valdity of his/her cenificate of

stration, Officers or employees of the gavemment, charteted cities, proviices, amametpalties
‘uw or hereafter charged with the cnforcement of the laws, ordinances of regulations relating to the
senenuction of alteration of che imtenoes of huulding shall accept only those interior plaas or
aiwufeativns and contract documents which have been prepaecd, signed pnd sedled bY 9 de
Teesised untertor designer und svbmitced in full accord with the pravisions of dus Act. No zpproval
shal be given hy any’ such person for ang work, as defined wader this Act, plins and specibcations
‘oF which have not been so prepared, signed and sealed by a duly licensed anterior designer

Violation of the foregoing skal! be a ground for administeative and /or criminal acon

SEG, 28. Intlletwal Property Keghe Drawings anu specifications and other conteace
documents duly signed, stamped or sealed, as instruments of service, and all the works included
ferein, age the laeellectual property vf the interior designer. Any person is prohibited from engaging
“any acuity prejudicial ta the intellectual property cghis of the interior designer, including the
septoduetion of the contmet work or substantial portion thercof, snd making any alteration,
Getwenen. mutilation, oF other modificanon of, or any derogatory action in relaGon tu, the coutreer
sserk and che works therein, preyakiial cs asd widiout the wlitten consent af the intenor designer

SEC. 29. Forrign Reaproaty. - No foreign interior designer shall be issued a centificate of
Fgmtnnon © practice the intenor design protession or be enutled to any of the oghts and
penileges under this Act anless che country of which he/she a a subject ot citizen speafically
Permits Filipino interior designers 10 practice wathin its texsitorial limuts on the same basis as the
subjcets ot citizens of much foreign stare o: counter

SEC. 30. Prati Through Tempura! Spacial Premit. - {a} Vorcigners intending to work an the
Philippines to perform professional services as interior designers cr consultants whether emplored
throueh official foneign-Fonded or forcign-assisted projects ininated by the goverament, or engaged
s prvate Filipina, foreign contractors ot firms sball rst secure 3 tempocaty/special permit from
the PRC through the Board of Interior Design specifically authoring hum/her to practice on the
spcual project or cominission nated theteui: Promukd,fetier, That

(1) He/She 1s legally and professioually qualified and registered to practice interior design in
Insther owe country:

2) His/Her expertise is unique and useful co the Philippines, resulting in the transfer of
snccrnmative and technology, The establishn-ent of intemational sivndaids in design, and of shatmg
of other specialized skills; and

(3) Duly licensed foreign nationals shall be required to work with a Filipino counterpart whe
fhas heen im contumous practice of intenor design for at feast ten (10) years, Professional fees and
“ervines, and expenses of documentation pertaining 10 the project shall be shared by both foreign
Filipina intetior clexigners, including lisbiknes and taxes die to the Philippine government, if
any, according to their participation in, or professional services reridered (o the project

hy A foreign intezioe Uesiguer shall be reyuired to work in every case with a duly licensed
Filipine conpterpact whose competence and integriy has been established by the Board of Interior
Lesa basis of uniform stancdatds contained in ther IRK.

(©) Foreign and Filipmo Gems working wooly on a special project shall divide the
professional fees and other charges collected faom said project equitably. Similarly, all
documentation expenses, taxes and other libnlities incurred on the shared project shall also be bore
‘equally ly both foreign and Filipino firms

(@ Foreigners working jointly with Filipino Gtms shall sign contcacts, designs and other
credits together with his/her Filipino counterpart. Both foreign and Filipino firms shall at all dimes
be acknowledged in international tn-media on proprictary and intellectual property rights. All
resnlual earnings shall also be equitabls shared benween foreign and local fires.

sc heey design tims or sndividests practicing m che Philippines belore che promulganon

hos Neease required fo comply with che tequsnements established by the Board of Interior Dengan
wide IRR within the umerable i stipulates therein.

fo


{6 Any violation of these requicements ot other egal prictces undertaken by either foreign
design firms or their Filipino counterpars shall be puaishable by law ot under the IRR of the Board

of Inrerior Design,

SEC. 31. Endkcation of Nawebers: Certfcal- of Registration, Profesional Taw: Recep and APO
Membeibip. . The interior designer shall be requited 10 indicate his/her certificate of regisursuon
number and date of issuance, the expiry of his/her current professional identification card, the
profesmonal tax teceipt oumber and date, and his/her APO membership number and date with
official receipt number and date uf membership payment (annual/lifetime) on the documents
he/she signs, uses or issnes in connection with the prachce of his/her interior design profession.

SEC. 32. Raster of Interior Designers. - The Board shall prepare and maintain 2 coster of the
names, rexidence and/or office address of all repstered intenor designers which shall be updated
annually in cooperation with the APO, iadicatiog therein the status of the certificate of registracoa,
professional identification card and APO membership, whether valid, delinyuent, suspended or
tevoked or inactive due to death or other reasons, The sail roscer shall be conspicuously posted
seithun the premses of the Commissian ané the informanon therefrom muadle available to the public
pen inquiry of request.

SRC. 33. Integration of the Interor Designer. - The interior designers shall be integrated imo ane
) manonal organization of intenot designers that is culy zegistered with the SEC. The Board of
luterior Design, subject to approval by the Commission, shall accredit the said organization a3 the
‘uc and only inegrated and accredited professional orgaoization of interior designers. AD interior
engnens whose names appear in the Registry Book of Interior Designers shall ipso fate or
autwmancally become members thereof and shall recerve theretrorn all the henetice and prvileges
‘upon payment of APO membeeship fees and dues

‘A membership in an affihate organization of intenor designers shall not be barred.

ARTICLE V
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 34. Pena! Clause, - The following acts shall be punished by a fine of not less than Three
hundred thousand pesos (Php300,000.00; but cor more than Cue million pesos Php1,000,000.00)
and revocation of certificate of registration or impeisonment of not less than six (6) months but aot
more than three (3) years, of both fine and wnprisoniment at the diseretion of the court

(1) Local Practitioner. - (1) Practcing interior design, rendering work and consultations or
rendering equivalent services as interior designer as defined tn his Act or using the ctle "Interior
Desgaer", “Intesior Design Consulanc”, "Interior Desiga Styli er “Interior Design’ in any
signage, calling catd, advertisement of any other mode of publicity withour 2 valid certificate of
registration and/or a valid professional identifcanon card or 2 valid temporary /special permit, (2)
Anempting to use the seal, certificate of reystration and/or prfessional identfication card of a
registered interior designer oF tempotary/spectal petmit issued to foreign professional; (3) Abetting
the legal practice of interior design by 29 uncegstered ur unauthorized person, (4) Impersonating 2
registered intesior desymer or a holder of a wemporary/special permit; and (5}’Violaung any
prewision of this Act or the URR thereof,

fb) Forcign Practitioner/ Fin. - Foreign interior design firm or individuals who shall be
found to be illegally practicing their profession shall be penalized with a fine of a munimuin of
fifteen percent (15%) of gross foes under Five million pesos (Php5,000,000.W) and a munimum of
ten percent (10°%) of gross fees above Five milton pesos (Php$,000,000.00) in addyaon tw payment
of back uxes to the Philippine government, impasanment of not less than six (Q) months bur not
‘more than three (3) years, of both fine and irapnsoament or permanent ban from farther prnchce ia
the Philippines at the discretion of the court.


SEE 3S. Enforcement Tne Corsumission shall implement the concerned peovisions of this Ace
STE a IRR 2 adopted by the Bozed, conduct invesnyatuons om complain inchuding vwolstions
of the Code of

Conduct of the profession and prosecute when so warranted

SEC 26. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the PRC sball immediately inchule ia the
pemsen's progeam the amplementaaoa of this et, the funding of which shal be included w the
cowul Genetal \pproptiutions Act

SUC. 37. Transitory Provisions, - The rncumbeat Board shall in aa interio capaci, continue to
‘Docuon by catming out the provisions of this Act withour the aced to issue new appeansmone [oy
the Chairperson and members thereof unui the first Board crcites! under dus Act srall hace bec
<consuruted oF orgunrzed pursuant thereto.

SEC 3A Iplewenting Rak ord Keputwions ~ The Board, with the approval of the
SaNunon, shall adopt and promulgate such aules and reguiatons to implemet the provisions nf
ths Act which shal be effective after Gfteen :15) days following its publication ie the Offiaiat Gagrte
or 2 major dally newspaper of general citeulaion

SUC. 39. Separabilty Classe. - If ane dause, provision. paragraph or part hereof shall be
declared unconsututional or invalid, such jucdgroent shall ot afiect, invalidate or impaur any other
pare hereof, but such judgment shall be mezely eontined to the clause, provisie Panigraph or part
dhrectly involved in the controversy in which such judgment has been rendered,

SHC 40. Repeating Classe - Repubhe Act No, 8534 rs hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees,
srewuive orders and administracve issuances or parts thercof which aze incomasent wuh the
Provisions of this Act are hezeby maditied, superseded or repealed aceundingly,

sth Fllesnty- This Act shall take effect fieen (15) days following ies publication an at
least cow (2) newspapers of general crrcuion

Approved,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__2134

Introduced by: HON. CARLOS M. PADILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This legislative measure was previously filed as HB 2264 during the
Fourteenth Congress and was subsequently substituted as House Bill No. 6795
as reported in Committee Report No. 2343 on September 9, 2009. While said
bill was approved on 3rd reading by the House, it failed to get the imprimatur of
the Senate during the tast Congress.

This measure seeks to regulate the practice of interior design and to
institute reforms to conform with the international standards in the practice of
the profession. It is also aimed at providing safety nets for the practice of
interior design against practitioners engaged in illegal acts.

It is observed that the existing Philippine Interior Design Law or Republic
Act 8534 is no longer efficient and effective in Promoting the interest of the
Filipino professionals in the field of interior design. In this time when our
country has to legally adopt the open trade policy on professionat services as
embodied in the General Agreement on Trade Services (GATS), there is a
necessity to revisit RA 8534 and to consolidate policies, guiding principles and
courses of action under a single law responsive to the times.

Approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

6 AAO OO
LOS M. PADILLA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fiftecath Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 2134

Introduced by Honorable Carlos M. Padilla

AN ACT TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF
INTERIOR DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 8534 (RA NO. 8534) KNOWN AS

“THE PHILIPPINE INTERIOF: DESIGN ACT OF 1998”,
APROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR. AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Rape sentatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

ARTICL'3 1
TITLE, POLIcy, OSJE: “TIVES, TERMS AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

SECTION 1 Title. ~ Ths Act shall be kne-wn as the “Philippine Interior Design
Act of 2010”,

interior design profession in natic n-building. Towar's this end, the State shall Promote the
fustained development of professional intecor designers, whose technical competencies

have been determined by honest ; nd eredible licensur : examinations and whose standards of
Professional service and practice : t2 internationally rec ognized and considered globally
competitive, brought about by reg slatory measures an. human resource programs and
activities that foster their professic nal growth and adva, 1cement.

. SEC. 3. Objectives. This Act Provides for anc’ shall govern:
@ The examination, regist ation and licensure of professional interior designers;
©) The supervision, contre | and tegulation of the j tactice of interior design;


(©) The development of the professional competence of interior designers through
continuing professional education; and
(@) The integration of the interior design profession.

SEC. 4. Definition of Teems. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined:

) Interior design refers to the science and art of planning, specifying, selecting and
orgenizing the surface Hnishes and matesials including furniture, furnishings and fixtures and
other interior design elements for the purpose of the interior space allocations ro suit,
enhance and meet the intended function, movernent and character for which the interior of
the building is designed.

(b) Proftssional interior designer refers to 4 natural person who holds a valid cemtificate of
registration and a valid professional identification card issued by the Board and the
Commission pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 5. Scope of the Professional Practice of’. Interior Design. - The practice of
interior design is the act of planning, designing, specifying, supervising and ptoviding general
administranon and responsible direction to the functional, orderly and aesthetic afrangement
and enhancement of interior spaces. It shall include, but sot be limited to, the following
activities:

(2) Consultation, advice, direction, evaluation, budgetary estimates and appraisals;

(b) Schematic interior design development, design development, execution of
professional conuract documents and programming of construction phases;

(© Preparation of interior design plans, design drawings, interior construction details,
and technical specifications;

(@) Interior construction administration, supervision coordination of alteration,

Preservation ot restoration of interior spaces; and

(€) All other works, projects and activities which require the professional competence of
the interior designer, including teaching of interior design subjects.

The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise, exclude from, of add to, the
above-enumerared acts or activities as the need arises to conform to the latest trend in the
Practice of interior design.


ACTICLE IT
‘THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF INTERIOR DESIGN

SEC. 6. Creation and Composition of the Boatd of Interior Design. - There is
hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Interior Design, hereinafter referred to as
the Board, under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulason
Commission (PRO), hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be composed of a
Chairperson and two (2) members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines from
a list of rwo (2) recommendees for each position submitted by the Commission, and from a
list of three (3) nominees for each position recommended by the duly acceedited professional
organization of interior designets. The new Board shall be created within six (6) months
from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members. — The Chairperson and
members of the Board shall, at the time of their appoiatment, possess the following
qualifications:

(2) Must be a (delete “natural bom”) citizen and resident of the Philippines;

(b) Must be a degree holder of Bachelor of Science in Interior Design (BSID),

Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BPA), major in
Totverior Design, ot an equivalent degree conferred by a school, acaderny,
college or university in the Philippines or abroad that is recognized and/or
accredited by the Philippine government;

(©) Must be a registered interior designer with a valid certificate of registration and
professional identification card and an active practitioner of interior design for
not less than ten (10) years prior to appointment;

(4) Must not be a member of the faculty of any school, where a regular course in
Interior Design is being taught, or have pecuniary interest in, or administrative
supervision over any such institution of learnings

(© Must not be connected with a review center or with any group giving review
classes or lectures in preparation for the licensure examination;

(® Must be a member in good standing of the duly accredited professional
organization of interior designers but not a trustee or officer thereof; and

@ Has never been convicted of a crime involving moral eurpicude, or a civil and/or

criminal offense.


SEC. 8. 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 qualified. They may be reappointed for another term of three (3) years
immediately upon the expiration of their term: Provided, That no member shail hold office for
more than six (6) years.

Of the members to be appointed for the first Board wader this Act, one (1) member shall
hold office as Chairperscn for three (3) years; one (1) member for two (2) years; and one (1)
member for one (1) year. Each member of the Board shall take the proper oath prior to
assumption of duty. ,

SEC. 9. Compensation of the Board Members. ~ The Chairperson and members
of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation
and allowances received by existing regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for
in the General Appropriations Act

SEC. 10. Powers, Functions, Duties and Responsibilities of the Board - The

Board shall exercise the following specific powers, functions, duties and responsibilities:

@ Adopt, promulgate and administer the rules and regulations necessary for carrying
cout the provisions of this Act;

(b) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of the professional
interior designers in the Philippines;

(©) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act,

(@) Issue, suspend, revoke or ceinstate the certificate of registration or professional
license for the practice of the interior design profession;

(©) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

(© Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of interior design and adopt such
measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement of the profession
and/or the maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards;

(@ Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Fducation (CHED),
that all other educational instructions offering intetior design comply with the
Policies, standards and requitements of the course prescribed by the CHED in the
areas of cuzriculum, faculty, brary and facilities;

(h) Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethical and Professional Standards for the

practice of the Interior Design profession;


® Hear and ty administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its
implementing rules and regulations (IRR), the Code of Ethics for Professional
Interiot Designers and, for this purpose, (0 issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum
to secure the appearance of witnesses and the production of documents in
connection therewith;

@ Prescribe guidelines in the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program in.
coordination with the accredited professional organization of interior designers;

{k) Prepare, adopt and issue the syllabi of the subject for examination by determining
and preparing the questions, which shall strictly be within the scope of the syllabi
of the subject of examination; and

@ Discharge such other duties and functions
enhancement of the interior design profession and the upgrading, development
and growth of interior design education in the Philippines.

s may be deemed necessary for the

SEC. 11. Grounds for Removal or Suspension of Board Chaitperson/Member.

~ The President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, after

giving the Chairperson or the member of the Board an opportunity to defend
himself/herself in an administrative investigation conducted by the Commission, may
remove or suspend him/her on any of the following grounds:

(a) Gross neglect, incompetence or dishonesty in the discharge of his/her duty;

(b) Violation of any of the causes/grounds and the prohibited acts provided in this Act
and the offenses in the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices
Act, and other laws; and

(© Manipulation ot rigging of the licensure examination for interior designers results,
disclosure of sectet and confidential information on the examination questions prior
to the conduct thereof, or tampering of grades

The Commission, in the conduct of the investigation, shall be guided by Section
7(8) of Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the PRC Modernization Act
of 2000, the cules on administrative investigation and the applicable provisions of
the new Rules of Court.


SEC. 12. Administrative 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 applications for
examination, administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board shall be
under the custody of 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, 13. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of each calendar year,
submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines, through the Commission, giving,
a detailed account of its proceedings and accomplishments during the year and making
recommendations - for the adoption of measures that will upgrade und improve the

conditions affecting the practice of interior design.

ARTICLE II
EXAMINATION. REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE

SEC. 14. Passing of Licensure Examination Requirement. ~ Except as otherwise
specifically allowed under this Act, applicants for cegistration for the practice of interior
design shail be required to pass a licensure examination as provided for in this Act in such
places and dates as the Commission may designate in accordance with the provisions of
Section 7(d) of Republic Act No. 8981

SEC. 15. Qualifications of Applicants. — An applicant for the licensure
examination for interior designers shall satisfactorily prove that he/she possesses the
following qualifications:

(@ Citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose countyy/state has reciprocity

with the Philippines in the practice of interior design;
(b) Of good moral character,

(© A holder of a bachelor’s degree in interior design or ite equivalent degree duly «
recognized or accredited by the CHED and conferred by a


school/college/university duly authorized by the government or its equivalent
degree obtained by either a Filipino o: foreign citizen from an institution of
learning in a foreign country/state: Prowided, That it is duly recognized and/or
accredited by the CHED; and

(d) Not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by 2 court of competent
jurisdiction,

SEC. 16. Subjects for Licensure Examination, — The examination for interior
desiga shall basically cover the following subjects:

(a) Interior Design;

(b) Furnitue Design and Construction;

(©) Materials for Decoration and Color Theory;

@ History of Arts and Interior Design;

(©) Interior Detailing and.Construction; and

(P) Professional Practice and Ethics.

‘The said subjects and their syllabi may be amended by the Board so as co conform (0

technological changes brought about by continuing trends in the profession, in coordination
with the accredited council of interior design educators.

SEG. 17. Rating in the Licensure Examination, ~ To be qualified as having passed
the Board examination for interior designers, a candidate must obtain a weighted general

average of seventy percent (70%),

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


SEC. 19. Oath. ~ All successful candidates in the examination shall be required to
take an oath of profession before the Board or any government official authorized by the
Commission to administer oaths prior to entering the practice of the interior design

profession.

SEC. 20. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card.
— A certificate of registration shull be issued to applicants who pass the examination for
" ‘ntetior designers subject to payment of registration fees.

The certificate of registration as professional intetior designer shall bear che
signatures of the Chairperson of the Commission and Board members, stamped with the
official seal, indicating that the person named therein is entitled to practice the profession
with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. ‘This certificate shall temain in full force and
effect until withdrawn, suspended or revoked, in accordance with this Act.

A certificate of registration beating the registration number, date of issuance and
expiry date, duly signed by the Chairperson of the Board, shall likewise be issued to every
registrant who has paid the required fees. This license will serve as evidence that the licensee
can lawfully practice his/her profession.

A professional identification card, whether new or for renewal, shall be released by
the PRC upon compliance with the requirements for the application of renewal of
identification card and upon presentation of the updated receipt of payment of annual
membership dues of the accredited professional organization aad proof of completion of the
CPE requirements.

Once registered, the interior designer may ase “ID.” As his official appendage tite.

SEC. 21. Refusal to Register. — The Board shall not register any successful applicant
for registration with or without licensure examination who has been:
(@) Convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a coust of compecear
judsdiction;

(b) Found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct by che Board:


(© Sumunarily adjudged guilty for violation of the General Instructions to Examinees by
the Board; and
{@ Declared of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction.
In refusing such registration, the Board shalt give the applicant a written statement setting
forth the reasons therefore and shall file a copy thereof in its records.

SEC. 22. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and
Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. — The Board shall have the power, upon
notice and hearing, tq revoke or suspend the certificate of registration of a registered and
licensed interior designer or to cancel a remporary/special permit granted to foreign interior
designer, for violation of any of the grounds or causes in Section 22 of this Act, except (c)
thereof and any of the following grounds:

{@) Violation of a provision of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics, the Code of Good
Governance, the Code of Technical Standards for the practice of interior design,
policy, and measure of the Board and/or the Commission;

(©) Pespemration or use of feaud in obtaining his/her certificate of registration,
professional identification card or temporary/special permit;

(©) Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance resulting to death, injury or damage;

@ Refusal to join or to remain a member in good standing of the Accredited
Professional Organization (APO),

(©) Neglect or failure to pay the annual registration fees for five (5) consecutive years;

(© Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered and licensed person by
allowing him/her to use his/her certificate of registration and/or professional
identification card ot his/her temporary/special permit;

© legally practicing the profession during his/her suspension from the practice
thereof;

(®) Addicted to a drug or alcohol abuse, impairing his/her ability to practice his/her
profession or declared with unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction; and

@® Noacompliance with the CPE requirement, unless he/she is exempted therefrom, for
the renewal of his/her professional identification card,


‘The Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise of
exclude or add new ones as the need arises, subject to approval of the Cornmission
Any person, firm or association may file charge/s in accordance with the provision of
this section against any registrant, or the Board may investigate violation of any of the
abovementioned causes. Affidavit-complain: shall be filed together with the affidavies of
witnesses and other documentaty evidence with the Board though the Legal and
Tovestigation Office. The motu proprio move to conduct an investigation shall be embodied in
3 formal charge to be signed by at least majority of the members of the Board. The rules on
administrative investigation issued by the Commission shall govern the heating or
investigation subject to applicable provisions of this Act, Republic Act No. 8981 and the
Rules of the Court.

SEC. 23. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of
Lost or Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card or
Temporary/Special Permit, — The Board may, upon petition, reinstate or reissue a
revoked certificate of registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the period for
revocation, which is the date of surrender of the said certificate and/or the professional
identification card if still valid to the Board and/or the Commission. The Board may not
fequire the holder thereof to take another licensure examination. The petitioner shall prove
to the Board that he/she has valid reason/s wo practice his/her profession. For the grant of
his/her petition, the Board shall issue a Board Resolution subject to approval by the
Commission.
A duplicate copy of lost certificate of registration, professional identification card or
temporary/special permit may be reissued in accordance with rules thereon and upon
payment of the prescribed fee therefor.

SEC. 24. Nonpayment of the Annual Registration Fees. — The Board shall
suspend a registered interior designer from the practice of his/her profession for
nospayment of the annual registration fees for Give (5) consecutive years feom his/her last or
previous year of payment. The resumption of his/her practice shall take place only spon


Payment of the delinquent fees plus surcharges and interest and in accordance with the rules
of the Commission. The running of the five (5)-year petiod may be interrupted upon written

notice about the discontinuance of his/her practice and surrender of his/her certificate of
registration to the Board and/or the Conunission.

SEC. 25. Vested Rights. — Ali practicing intetior designers who are registered at che
time of the passage of this Acc shall automatically be registered and issued certificates of

registration.

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN
SEC. 26. Lawful Practitioners of Interior Design. ~ The following persons shall
be authotized co practice the interior design profession:

(#) Natural persons who are:
Q) Duly segistered and licensed as interior designers and holders of valid
certificates of registration and valid professional identification cards issued by the
Board and the Commission pursuant to this Act; and
@) Holders of valid temporary/special permits issued by the Board and the
Commission to foreign licensed interior designers pursuant to this Act.
(b) Juridical persons:
() Single proprietorship whose owner is a registered interior designer;
@) Partnership duly cegistered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
GEC) as professional partnership pursuant co the Civil Code and composed
of all partners who are ail duly registered interior designers; and
@) Corporation whose key chief executive officers (CEOs) and majority of the
Board of Directors are all registered and licensed interior designers may be
duly registered with the SIEC as engaged in the practice of intenor design.
Jeridical persons shall also be registered wich the Board and the Commission in
accordance with the rules and regulations thereon.


SEC. 27. Seas Issuance, end Use of Seal. — & duly registered interior designer shall
sign and affix the seal duly approved and provided by the Board of Intetior Design on all

Plans, specifications and_contract documents Prepared by, of under his/her direct

supervision during the validity of his /hee cestificate of registration.

Officers or employees of the government, chartered cities, Provinces, municipalities
now or hereafter charged with the enforcement of the laws, ordinances or regulations
relating to the constraction or alteration of the intetiors of buildings shail accept only those
intetior plans, specifications and contract documents which have been prepared, signed and
scaled by a duly licensed interior designet and submitted in full accord with the provisions of
this Act, plans and specifications of which have aut béen so Ptepated, signed and sealed by a
duly licensed interior designer.

Violation of the foregoing shail be ground for administrative and/or criminal action.

SEC. 29. Foreign Reciprocity. ~ No foreign intesox designer shall be issued 2 certificate of
registration to practice the interior design profession or be entitled to any of the rights and
Privileges under chis Act unless the country of which he/she ix a subject or citizen
Specifically permits Filipino interior designers to practice within its tecritorial limits on the
same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or counuy.

+ SEC. 30. Practice Through Temporary/Special Permit. — (a) Foreigners
intending to work in the Philippines to perform professional services as interior designers or
consultants whether employed through official foreign-funded or forcign-assisted projects
initiated by the government, or engaged by private Filipino, foreign contactors or firms shall
first secure a temporaty/special permit from the PRC through the Board of Intetior Design
specifically authorizing him/her to practice on the Special project or commission named
therein: Provided, further, That:

(1) He/She is legally and professionally qualified and registered to practice interior
design in his/her own country;


@) His/Her expertise is unique and useful (‘the Philippines, tesulting in the
transfer of information and technology. The establishment of international
standards in design, and of sharing of other specialized skills; and

@) Duly licensed foreign nationals shall be required to work with a Filipino
Sounterpart who has been in continuous Practice of interior design for at least
ten (10) years. Professional fees and Services, and expenses of documentation

IRR of the Board of Interior Design.


SEC. 31. Indication of Numbers: Certificate of Registration, Professional Tax
Receipt and APO Membership. ~ The interior designer shall be requited to indicate
his/her certificate of registration number and date of issuance, the expiry of his/her current
professional identification card, the professional tax receipt number and date, and his/her
APO membership number and date with official receipt number and date of membership
payment (annual/lifetime) on the documents he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with

the practice of his/her interior design profession.

_ SEC. 32. Roster of Interior Designers. — The Board shall prepare and maintain a
roster of the names, residence and/or office address of all registered interior designers which
shall be updated anaually in cooperation with the APO, indicating therein the status of the
certificate of registration, professional identification card and APO membership, whether
valid, delinquent, suspended or revoked or inactive due to death or other reasons. The said
roster shall be conspicuously posted within the premises of the Commission and the

information thereftom made available to the public upon inquiry or request.

SEC. 33. Integration of the Interior Designers. — The interior designers shall be
integrated into one (1) national organization of interior designers that is duly registered with
the SEC. The Board of Iaterior Design, subject to approval by the Commission, shall
accredit the said organization as the one and only integrated and accredited professional
organization of interior designers. All interior designers whose names appeae in the Registry
Book of Intetior Designers shall ipso farto or automatically become members thereof and
shall receive therefrom all the benefits and privileges upon payment of APO membership
fees and dues.

A membership in an affiliate organization of Intesior Designers shall not be barred.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

MINUTES OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON
CIVIL SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION HELD ON 17
NOVEMBER 2010, WEDNESDAY, 9:30 A.M., CONFERENCE ROOM NOS. 1 &
2, RAMON V. MITRA, JR. BLDG., BATASAN COMPLEX, Q.C.

CALL TO ORDER

Hon. ANDRES D. SALVACION, JR., the Chairman of the Committee on
Civil Service and Professional Regulation, called the meeting to order at
exactly 9:35 AM.

ROLL GALL/APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Upon mation and duly seconded, the Body dispensed with the calling of
the rolt and reading of the minutes of the previous meeting. Thereafter,

upen motion and duly seconded. the minutes of the previous meeting was
approved.

OPENING REMARKS OF THE CHAIR

‘The Chairman acknowledged the presence of the invited guests and
resource persons and requested the Committee Secretary to introduce
them:

Civil Service Commissio1

Ms. Maria Leticia G. Reyna
Dir IV

Mr. Dick Echavez
Div. Chief

Ms. Jo Anne S. Sarmiento
Personne! Specialist UI

Ms. Bemardita C. Erpelo
Chief Personnel Specialist


Government Security and Insurance System (GSIS)

Atty. Lucio Yu Jr
VP-GSIS Law Office

Professional Requlation Commission (PRC)

Atty. Carlos G, Almeior
Secretary of Professional Regulatory Boards

Board of Interior PR

Ms. Sonia S. Olivares
Chairperson

Ms. Maria Carlota D. Hilvano
Member

Arch. Kathryn Milagrosa B. Abano
Member

Board of Interior Design CPE Council

Dr. Raquel B. Florendo
Member

Business Concessions Office
Office of the Director

U.P Diliman, Q.C.

iversity of 10 Tomas (UST)

Asso. Prof, Lilia de Jesus
CIDE Officer

t. DELIBERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING BILLS

A. Security of Tenure

H.B. Nos. 28, 226 And 2237: “An Act Granting Security Of Tenure Under
Certain Conditions To Government Employees Whose Nature Of Appointment ts
Either Temporary Or Contractual And Who Have Rendered A Total Of Ten (10)
Years Of Efficient Service” By Reps. Jane Tan-Castro, Amado S. Bagatsing
And Marcelino R. Teodoro, respectively.


H.B. No. 644: "An Act Granting Civil Service Eligibility To Government
Employees, Under Certain Conditions, Whose Status Of Appointment Is Either
Casual Or Contractual And Who Have Rendered A Total Of Five Years Of
Efficient Service,” by Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara

H.B. No. 1432: “An Act Granting Civil Service Sub-Professiona! Eligibility
To All Co-Terminus, Contractual And Casual Employees, Who Have Rendered
Nine (9) Straight Years Of Services" by Rep. Carmeto F. Lazatin

H.B. No. 3028: “An Act Granting Civil Service Eligibility To Contractual
And Go-Terminus Government Employees Who Have Rendered A Total Of Five
(5) Years Of Efficient Service, And For Other Purposes” by Rep. Rodolfo G.
Biazon

Remarks of Rep. Bagatsing:

All government employees shall be made permanent in status after a
certain period of time. After serving the government for five to ten or fifteen years
they are still not permanent nor they have GSIS or retirement benefits. He
Jambasted the practice of contractualization in the private and public sectors and
that has made life difficult for Filipino workers.

Comments of the Civil Service Commission (CSC)

Ms. Maria Leticia G. Reyna said that the bills contravene the
constitutional mandate that appointment in the civil service shall be made
according to merit and fitness and shall be determined as far as practicable
through competitive examinations. They violate the fundamental law since they
give premium on years of service to compensate for the merit and fitness
fequirements.

Contractual appointments are issued to persons who shall undertake
specific work or jab for a limited period not to exceed one (1) year. On the other
hand, casual appointments are issued only for essential but short and intermittent
services and that there are not enough regular staff to meet the demands of the
service.

Both casual and contractual employees have no plantilla positions. R.A.
No. 6850 which was enacted in 1980 provides that all government employees
who are holding career civil service positions appointed under provisional or
temporary status and who have rendered at least @ total number of seven (7)
years of efficient service may be granted the civil service eligibility that will qualify
them for permanent appointment to their present positions. Such covered
provisionai or temporary employees were holding piantilla positions for seven (7)
years of service and were granted their respective first or second-grade civil
service eligibilities according to the plantiila positions they were occupying. They


were given permanent status because they were holding plantilia positions at the
time they were appointed. It devolves upon the DBM if they will be able to put a
budget or fund for the temporary or contractual employees under the proposed
bills. She further said that DBM shall first regularize the positions of contractual
and casuat employees by budgeting said positions before they can be given
eligibilities

Upon motion duly seconded, the Body approved and consolidated the four (4)
bills on security of tenure of temporary/contractual employees and the two (2)
bilis on granting of eligibility bills subject to style and refinement.

B,_ Entrepreneurship Development

H.B. No. 29: “An Act Providing For The Development Of Entrepreneurship
Skills Among Government Employees For An Innovation-Inspired Corps Of Civil
Servants And A Productive Post-Service Citizenry’, authored by Rep. Jane Tan-
Castro

At the outset the proponent informed the Body that this bill has been
approved during the past congresses. She apprised the Committee that the
objectives of the measure are: 1) to make government a partner in developing
the entrepreneurial skills of its employees to ensure their continued productivity
even after working in government; 2) to enable government empioyees to pursue
entrepreneurial endeavors after their employment in government so that they can
contribute in making the Philippines more of a “country of employers” and less of
a “country of job seekers”, 3} to provide a better chance of improving employees’
lives by encouraging them to organize themselves into cooperatives.

Upon motion duly seconded, the Body approved bill

C. Release of Retirement Benefits

H.B. No. 31 and H.B. No. 284: “An Act Requiring All Government Offices
To Ensure The Release Of The Retirement Benefits Of Its Employees Within
Fifteen Days From Retirement’. authored by Rep. Jane Tan-Castro and Rep.
Roilo Golez, respectively

H.B. No. 3016: “An Act Mandating The Payment Of Retirement Benefits

To Government Retirees On The Date Of Their Retirement’, authored by Rep.
Salvador H. Escudero lif

Comments of Rep. Escudero
Rep. Escudero apprised the Body about the fictitious loans being made by

unscrupulous individuals at the expense of legitimate members who have not
filed any loan application. He said that GSIS is the most hated goverment

4


agency. He batted vigorously for a longer period of imprisonment of six (6) years:
80 as to discipline the concemed public officers and that retirement benefits be
given on the actual day of retirement of a government employee

Viewpoints of GSIS

Atty. Yu of GSIS proposed in Sec. 1 of 31 and 284 that the following be
inserted: “provided all documentary requirements are submitted to GSIS sixty
{60) days prior to the effective date of retirement’. He further proposed that in
Sec. 2 of the penal clause of the said bills the phrase “within fifteen (15) days
from the time the force majeure or insuperable cause ceased to exist”.

Upon motion duly seconded, the above bills were approved subject to
consolidation and style

O. interior Design

H.B. No. 909 and H.B. No. 2134: “An Act To Regulate And Modemize The
Practice Of Interior Design In The Philippines, Repealing For The Purpose
Republic Act No. 8534 Known As ‘The Philippine Interior Design Act Of 1998"
Appropriating Funds Therefor And For Other Purposes’, authored by Rep.
Susan A. Yap and Rep. Carlos M. Padilla, respectively

Rep.Yap said that the objectives of her proposed bill are: 1) to regulate
and modemize the practice of interior design in the Philippines in order to
conform to international standards and at the same time, provide safety nets for
the practice of the profession against foreign practitioners and those engaged in
illegal practice: and 2) to recognize the practice of interior design as a full-fledged
profession vital to the building and construction industry and to institute policies
and regulatory measures to protect the interests of the Filipino professionals.

Upon motion duly seconded the bill was approved without amendments.
Vv. ADJOURNMENT

There being no other matter to be discussed, the Presiding Officer
adjoumed the meeting at 12:30 P.M.

| hereby certify to the correctness of the foregoing minutes.

Prepared by:

GERALD A. scan

Supervising Legislative Staff Officer II


Approved by:

Rep. ANDRES D. SALVACION
Chairman


FACT SHEET

House Bill Nos. 909 and 2134

AN ACT
TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF
INTERIOR DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 8534 (RA No.
8534) KNOWN AS “THE PHILIPPINE INTERIOR DESIGN
ACT OF 1998,” APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVES SUSAN A. YAP
and CARLOS M. PADILLA

Committee Referral: COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE AND
PROFESSIONAL REGULATION (Primary)
Committee Chairperson: HON. ANDRES D. SALVACION, JR.
Committee Referral: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS (Secondary)
‘Committee Chaierson: HON. JOSEPH EMILIO A. ABAYA

OBJECTIVES:

» To regulate and modernize the practice of interior design in the
Philippines to conform to international standards and, at the same
time, provide safety nets for the practice of the profession against
foreign practitioners and those engaged in illegal practice

* To recognize the practice of interior design as a full-pledged profession
vital to the building and construction industry and to institute policies
and segulatory measures to protect the interests of the Filipino
professionals.

KEY PROVISIONS:

* Mandates the creation of a Professional Regulatory Board of Interior
Design which shalt be placed under the administrative control and
supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). It shall
be composed of a chairperson and two (2) members, to be appointed
by the President of the Philippines, from a list of two (2)
recommendees for each position submitted by the Commission, from a
list of three (3) nominees for each position recommended by the duly


accredited professional organization of interior designers. The new
board shall be created six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act

* Provides that the members of the Board shalll hold office for a term of
three (3) years from the date of appointment or until their successors
shall have been appointed and qualified. They may be reappointed for
another term of three (3) years immediately upon the expiration of their
te nrst’ Board Gnder this "AGE" one’ (1S member shail t
Chairperson for three (3) years; one (1) member for two (2) years; and
one (1) member for one (1) year. Each member of the Board shall
take the proper oath prior to assumption of duty.

«Integrates the interior designers into one (1) national organization of
interior designers that is duly registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). The Board of Interior Design, subject to
approval by the Commission, shall be accredited as the one and only
integrated and accredited professional organization of interior
designers. All interior designers whose names appear in the Registry
Book of Interior Designers shall ipso facto or automatically become
members thereof and shall receive therefrom all the benefits and
privileges upon payments of APO membership fees and dues. A
membership in an affiliate organization of interior designers shalt not
be barred.

RELATED LAW:

* Republic Act No. 8534 (Philippine Interior Design Law)