EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 2481
Pa TP! slap.24 2022 fn
• 8:05 a.m.
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
CREATING THE "COUNCIL FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT," 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Any country aiming to stimulate growth and development most certainly always 
relies on building infrastructures to encourage investors and increase government 
spending on infrastructures projects. Building infrastructures towards sustainable 
growth and development, however, does not rely on a single industry or profession 
alone.
A country that builds a resilient and sustainable community needs to and must 
rely on the collective action and competence of several professionals who work in the 
field of built environment, such as (i) architecture; (ii) interior design; (iii) landscape 
architecture; (iv) environmental planning; (v) geodetic engineering; (vi) civil 
engineering; (vii) electrical engineering; (viii) mechanical engineering; (ix) sanitary 
engineering; (x) master plumber; (xi) electronics engineering; and (xii) real estate 
services.
Clearly, Built Environment Professionals play a very important role in nation- 
building and development. Thus, it is necessary that we find ways to ensure that all


practicing Built Environment Professionals meet the minimum requirements to 
safeguard the life, health, property, and welfare of the public, foster their continuing 
professional growth and advancement, encourage and enhance collaboration, and 
continually review and improve the standards of regulation, professional service, and 
practice. This will be best addressed by establishing a Council which shall have an 
administrative supervision over these Buiit Environment Professions.
Accordingly, the proposed measure aims to create a Council of the Built 
Environment C'Council") that will exercise powers and functions pertaining to policy 
advisory, oversight, and collaborative platform among die different buiit environment 
professions with the primary objective of professionalizing and promoting synergy and 
cooperation among the built environment professions.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ] 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
Third Regular Session 
]
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2481
E-FILED
8:05 a.m.
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
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AN ACT
CREATING THE "COUNCIL FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT,"
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
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Council for the Built 
Environment Act of 2022."
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance and 
contributions of the Built Environment Professions in nation-building and development 
Hence, the State shall ensure that all practicing Built Environment Professional meets 
the minimum requirements to safeguard life, health, and property, foster their 
continuing professional growth and advancement, encourage and enhance 
collaboration, and continually review and improve the standards of regulation, 
professional service, and practice towards Filipino Built Environment Professionals 
becoming socially and environmentally responsible and globally competitive.


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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise
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requires, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
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a) Buiit Environment means the field within which the registered professionals
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practice their profession;
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b) Buiit Environment Professions means the following professions -
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i-
Architecture;
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ii.
Interior Design;
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iii.
Landscape Architecture;
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iv.
Environmental Planning;
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V.
Geodetic Engineering;
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vi.
Civil Engineering;
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vii.
Electrical Engineering;
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viii.
Mechanical Engineering;
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ix.
Sanitary Engineering;
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X.
Master Plumber;
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xi.
Electronics Engineering; and
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xii.
Real Estate Services.
c) Council the Council for the Built Environment created under Section 
8 of this Act;
d) Professional means a person who is registered as such under any of the 
Professional Regulatory Laws;
e) Professional Regulatory Laws refers to the legal framework governing the 
practice of specific profession; the legal charter creating and governing the 
various Boards, defining their functions and providing for the rules and 
policies that govern the practice of a specific profession;
f) Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) refers to the 
concerned Board and PRC Accredited Integrated Professional Organization 
for a given profession which is specifically mandated by the provision of the 
PRL to integrate the professionals into one national organization and where 
membership therein by professionals is automatic and mandatory;


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g) Accredited Professional Organization (APO) refers to the PRC Accredited 
Professional Organization where membership therein by professionals is 
only voluntary;
h) C/tB9 refers to the Commission on Higher Education;
i) MRA refers to Mutual Recognition Agreements between or among states;
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PRC refers to the Professional Regulation Commission;
k) PRBrefers to the Professional Regulatory Board.
ARTICLE 11
ORGANIZATION OFMULTIPARTTTE COUNCILS FOR 
BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS
SEC 4. Creation of Multipartite Councils for the Buiit Environment Professions. 
- A Multipartite Council for each of the Built Environment Professions (herein referred 
to as "MC") is hereby created and shall be considered an attached agency to the PRC.
SEC. 5. Objectives of the MC. -The objectives of the MC are as follows:
a) Provide a platform to discuss policy concerns in the education, internship, 
professional regulation, and continuing professional development; and
b) Promote and encourage collaboration between the different stakeholders in 
the regulation and practice of the Built Environment Professions.
SEC. 6. Functions, Powers and Duties of the MC. - The MCs shall perform the 
following functions;
a) Monitor local and international benchmarks in professional education, 
internship, regulation and practice;
b) Study and evaluate educational innovations that shall lead to curriculum 
development;
c) Regularly review the Subjects for Examination;
d) Develop and regularly review the Table of Specifications for the Licensure 
Examination;


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e) Develop and regularly review Intemship/Guidelines in the areas such as 
diversification of experience, duties and responsibilities of Mentors and 
collaborative work;
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Develop and regularly review Continuing Professional Development 
Guidelines;
g) Develop and regularly review of Standards of Professional Practice in areas 
such as Scope of Services, Schedule of Fees, and inter-professional 
collaboration; and
h) Develop and regularly review professional education, internship, regulation 
and practice standards in reference to the Philippine Qualifications 
Framework Act.
SEC. 7. Composition of the MC. - The MC shall be composed of the following -
a) Chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board;
b) President of die AIPO;
c) President of the Academic Organization (Deans and Heads of Schools) duly 
accredited by the PRC upon the recommendation of the CHED;
d) One (1) representative from Private Practice; and
e) One (1) representative from Government Practice.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
SEC. 8. Creation of the Council of the Built Environment - The Council of the 
Built Environment (herein referred to as the "Council") is hereby created and shall be 
an attached agency to the PRC.
SEC. 9. Objectives of the Council. -The Council is an overarching body that has 
the following objectives -
a) Advise on policy matters concerning the interests of the public in the built
environment, including but not limited to:


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i. 
sustainable development;
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ii. 
human resource development; and,
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iii. health, safety and environmental protection standards;
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b) Oversee the regulation of Built Environment Professions, providing guidance
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on:
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Required qualifications;
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ii. 
Standards of education;
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Training and competence;
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Promotion of professional status; and
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Uniform application of standards and guidelines set by the PRC; and
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c) Facilitate collaboration and cooperation of the Built Environment Professions
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with:
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Other Built Environment Professions;
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ii. 
Foreign Professionals; and
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iii. 
Non-professional creatives and artists.
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SEC. 10. Mandate, Functions, and Powers of the Council. - The Council shall
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exercise the following powers and functions:
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a) Act in an advisory capacity on any matter concerning the built environment,
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including, but not limited to resource utilization, socio-economic development,
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public health and safety, and the environment;
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b) Provide advice and consultation on national policy that could impact on the
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built environment, human resource development in relation to the built
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environment professions, and ttie recognition of new professions;
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c) Comment, if necessary, on all proposed legislation impacting on health and
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safety in the built environment;
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d) Ensure the consistent application of policy for the Built Environment
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Professions with regard to:
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i. Registration requirements of registered professionals;
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ii. Key elements of competence testing of registered professionals;


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iii. Codes of conduct;
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iv. Delineation of scope of services;
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V. The principles upon which to base the Standards of Professional
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Practice and Schedule of Fees;
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Vi. Standards of health, safety and environmental protection within the
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built environment;
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vii. The accreditation of APOs/AIPOS for the built environment professions,
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by approving the accreditation framewori< giving due recognition of the
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characteristics of each Built Environment Profession;
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viii. Establishment of education and training standards in terms of the
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Philippine Qualifications Framework Act;
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e) Act as an appeal body with regard to matters referred to it in terms of the
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PRLs regulating the Built Environment Professions;
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f) Receive and assimilate the annual reports of the PRBs, AIPOs and Academic
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Sectors and submit a summary to the Commissioner.
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g) Promote coordination between the Commission on Higher Education and the
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Academic Sectors for the Built Environment Professions in relation to the
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accreditation of education institutions;
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h) Coordinate the establishment of MRAs for Built Environment Professionals,
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providing guidelines on Wne practice of Filipino Professionals abroad as well
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as Foreigner Professionals in the Philippines;
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Foster and encourage collaboration and cooperation between Built
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Environment Professionals by setting up guidelines, terms of reference and
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standards;
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Establish terms of engagement to facilitate the efficient and mutually
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beneficent collaboration of Built Environment Professional with Non-
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Professional creatives and artists.
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SEC. 11. Composition of Council. - The Council shall be composed of ex-officio
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members and regular members.


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The ex officio members of the Council are:
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Chairperson of the PRC;
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Chairperson of the CHED;
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Chairpersons of the PRBs of all Built Environment Professions;
The regular members of the Council are one (1) representative from each of the 
Multipartite Councils (non-PRB) of all Built Environment Professions.
SEC. 12. Appointment of Members of the Council. The ex-officio members of the 
Council, except the Chairperson of the PRC, who shall serve as Chairperson of the 
Council, may designate ttieir respective next-in-rank officials as permanent alternates 
whose acts are considered as the acts of their principals.
Every regular member shall be appointed by the President from a list submitted 
by the Chairperson of the PRC upon consultation with the other ex officio members of 
the Council, drawn from a nomination process resulting from public consultations with 
stakeholders engaged in each Built Environment Profession, nominating at least three 
(3) nominees for every regular member seat: Provided, That each of the nominees is 
not a holder of any government position and must have at least ten (10) years of 
experience in the profession which the nominee belongs to; Provided, further, That 
each of the nominees shall have been officially endorsed by the AIPO and the duly 
recognized association of academics of their profession; Provided, finally. That the list 
of nominees shall be vetted by a joint task force constituted by the Professional 
Regulation Commission and the Commission on Higher Education representing the 
professional and academic interests of the Filipino people, respectively.
SEC. 13. Removal From Office. - The Chairperson of the Council may remove a 
member of the Council from office on account of misconduct or inability to perform 
his or her duties after due process.
SEC. 14. Disqualification, Vacation and Filling of Vacancies. - A person may not be 
appointed as a member of the Council if that person:


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a) Is not a Filipino citizen and resident of the Phiiippines;
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fa) Has faeen convicted of a criminal involving moral turpitude;
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Has in terms of this Act been found guilty by the Council of improper conduct;
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d) Is not a registered professional as embodied in this Act.
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A member of the Council must vacate his or her office if he or she -
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a) Becomes disqualified from being appointed as a member of the Council;
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Resigns by written notice addressed to the Chairperson;
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Has, without leave of the Council, been absent for more than two consecutive
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meetings of the Council;
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d) Ceases to be permanently resident in the Philippines; or
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Is removed from office under Section 13 of this Act.
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If a member of the Council dies or vacates his or her office before the expiration
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of his or her term of office, the Chairperson must, within sixty (60) days from the date
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on which the vacancy occurred, appoint the person nominated by the Council, to fill
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the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the period for which that member was
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appointed.
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SEC. 15. Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. ■ The Council shall be chaired by
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the Chairperson of the PRC.
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The Council shall elect a deputy chairperson 
among the regular members.
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The regular members of the Council shall serve for a term of six (6) years, unless
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sooner separated from the service due to death, voluntary resignation, or removal for
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cause. In case of death, resignation, or removal for cause, their replacements shall
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serve only the unexpired terms of the replaced members. Of the first set of regular
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members, eleven (11) shall hold office for a term of three (3) years and the remaining
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eleven (11) for a term of six (6) years.
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The regular members of the Council shall receive per diem every meeting in
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accordance with existing rules and regulations.
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SEC. 16. Meetings of the Council. • The Council shall meet at least once every six
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(6) months, or as often as necessary at the call of tine Chairperson or majority of the
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members. Members of the Council who cannot physically attend or vote at Council
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meetings can participate and vote through remote communication technologies or
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other electronic means, such as videoconferencing, teleconferencing, or other
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alternative modes of communication tiiat allow them reasonable opportunities to
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participate. A majority of the incumbent members of the Council shall constitute a
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quorum to do business.
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SEC. 17. Executive Committee. -The Council shall have an Executive Committee
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consisting of a Chairperson, a Deputy Chairperson, and not more than three other
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members elected by the Council. The Council may appoint alternate members to the
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Executive Committee.
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A member of the Executive Committee shall have a term of one year, and shall
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remain in such position until his or her successor has been elected and duly qualified;
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Provided that said member may be re-elected to serve as such on the Executive
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Committee.
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No two members of the Executive Committee shall come from the same Built
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Environment Profession.
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The Executive Committee must hold a meeting as and when necessary, but at
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least four (4) times per year.
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SEC. 18. Powers of the Executive Committee. - The Executive Committee shall
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exercise the following powers:
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a) Ensure that the resolutions of the Council are carried out;
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b) Consider any matter delegated to it by the Council in terms of any law, and to
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advise the Council in connection therewith;
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c) Exercise or perform any power, duty or function delegated to it by the Council;
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d) Report at every ordinary meeting of the Council on the activities of the 
Executive Committee.
SEC. 19. Committees of Council. • The Council may establish any Committee to:
a) Assist it in the performance of its functions; or
b) Investigate and make recommendations on matters relating to any of its 
functions.
The Council shall designate a Chairperson for any such Committee and determine 
the quorum for meetings. The Council shall also determine the terms of reference of 
the Committees.
SEC 20. Secretariat and Staff. - The Council shall establish a Secretariat; and may 
employ such staff, as’it may deem necessary, for the carrying out of its functions, on 
such conditions, including the payment of remuneration and allowances, as it may 
determine, and may dismiss any person so appointed.
SEC 21. Delegation of Powers. - The Council may, delegate any power, duty or 
function conferred or imposed on it by this Act to -
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A Committee established under Section 19;
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The Executive Committee elected under section 17;
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The Chairperson of the Council or any member of the Council; or
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Any officer of the Council.
SEC. 22. Reporting. - The Council shall furnish the Commissioner an Annual 
Report on the performance and exercise of the functions and affairs of the Council 
including, but not limited to:
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a report regarding the execution of the functions of the Council;
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a report regarding the envisaged strategies of the council; and
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such other information as the Commissioner may from time to time 
determine.
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SEC. 23. Delineation of Scope of Work and Terms of Reference for Collaboration. 
- The Council must, after receipt of the recommendations submitted to it by the MCs 
in terms of the Professional Regulatory Laws -
a) Determine policy with regard to the identification of work for the different 
Built Environment Professions;
b) Consult with any person, body or industry that may be affected by the 
identification of work in terms of this Section;
c) Identify the scope of work for every Built Environment Profession; and
d) Establish terms of reference for collaboration between Built Environmental 
Professionals, Foreign Professionals and Non-Professional creatives and 
artists.
ARTICLE IV 
FINAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 24. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the immediate 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Professional Regulation 
Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, together with the Professional 
Regulatory Boards and AIPOs of the Built Environment Professions are tasked to 
prepare the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) required for the 
implementation of this Act. The IRR shall be promulgated within ninety (90) days upon 
approval of this Act.
SEC. 26. Separability Clause. ■ If, for any reason, any section or provisions of 
this Act is declared unconstitutional, or invalid, the other sections and provisions, 
which are not affected by it, shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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SEC. 27. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, agreements, 
rules, and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 28. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after is complete 
publication in either the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,
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