SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
24Bt.l 
S. B. No. ____ f<. 
Introduced by Senator FRANKLIN M. DRILON 
'. , 
~', i ',' , 
"~' 
AN ACT TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACfICE OF NAVAL 
ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES 
Nearly a third of the world's 1.5 million seafarers are Filipinos, comprising the 
biggest segment of the global mariner population. Because of their exceptional skills 
and outstanding work ethic, the Filipino is undeniably the world's seafarer of choice. 
Such dominance translated to about US$ 5.2 Billion in remittance last year, which 
helped oil the wheels of our economy. 
Our position of influence in the global maritime industry has started to 
encompass the shipbuilding sector. In 2012, the Philippines ranked 5th largest 
shipbuilding country following China, Japan, South Korea and Brazil. The economic 
upswing in this sector rests on the appeal of our naval architects, who are highly 
valued for their proven competence and remarkable diligence. 
To ensure the global competitiveness of our shipbuilders and secure our 
position as a leading global maritime nation, the proposed measure seeks to 
modernize the practice of naval architecture by updating and incorporating 
innovations to the existing law. governing the professional practice of naval 
architecture in line 'Ivith the latest international practices and standards. 
The bill aims to revise the definition of Naval Architecture, update the scope of 
the professional practice, strengthen the Professional Regulatory Board of Naval 
Architecture, and outline the procedure and requirements for licensure examination 
and registration, and impose heavier penalties for the practice of such profession 
without a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card. 
Foregoing considered, the immediate passage cif this bill is earnestly sought. 


·1 
2 
3 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
~. B. No. 2482 
Introduced by Senator FRANKLIN M. DRILON 
AN ACT TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF NAVAL 
ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
TITLE, POLICY AND DEFINITIONS 
. 4 
SECTION 1. Short Title'. This Act shall be known as the "Naval 
5 
Architecture Law". 
6 
7 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the importance of 
8 
naval architects in nation building and development. The State shall therefore 
9 
develop and nurture globally competitive naval i\rchitects whose standard of 
10 
professional practice and service shall be of the highest quality through effective 
11 
regulatory measures, programs and activities. 
12 
13 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
14 
be defined as follows: 
15 
a) Naval architecture -
a branch of engineering concerned with the 
16 
hydrodynamic and hull form characteristics of the ship, the structural design 
17 
ofthe hull, its maneuverability characteristics and its ability to operate in the 
18 
marine environment. It includes Marine Engineering which is primarily 
19 
concerned with the engineering systems including the main propulsion plant, 
20 
the powering and mechanical aspects of ship functions such as steering, 
1 


1 
anchoring, cargo handling, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical 
2 
power generation and distribution and communications. 
3 
b) Naval architects - professional engineers to who posses a Bachelor of Science 
4 
Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and thus has 
5 
completed the study of engineering discipline dealing with the design, 
6 
construction, maintenance and operation of marine vessels and structures as 
7 
well as its machinery and engineering systems. 
8 
c) Practice of naval architecture - a person shall be deemed to be practicing 
9 
naval architecture or rendering naval architecture service when he performs 
10 
the following: 
11 
1) Design, 
preparation 
of 
plans, 
specifications, 
estimates, 
12 
project/feasibility studies and supervision of the construction, 
13 
conversion, modification, repair or survey of any floating vessel or 
14 
structures, self propelled or otherwise; 
15 
2) Design, 
preparation 
of 
plans, 
specifications, 
estimates, 
16 
project/feasibility studies and supervision of the installation of the 
17 
main propulsion plant, the powering and mechanical aspects of ship 
18 
functions such as steering, anchoril)g, cargo handling, heating, 
19 
ventilation, 
mr conditioning, electrical power generation and 
20 
distribution and communications; 
21 
3) Consultation, valuation, investigation and management servtces 
22 
requiring naval architecture and marine engineering knowledge; 
23 
4) Management, operation and maintenance of any shipyard facility with 
24 
graving dock, ship lift and marine slipways, capable to drydock, repair 
25 
or do maintenance works on any floating vessels or structures; 
26 
5) Teaching of naval architecture professional subjects in government-
27 
recognized and accredited engineering schools; and 
28 
6) Employment in government as a professional naval architect if his 
29 
work is in line with his profession requiring professional knowledge in 
30 
naval architecture. 
31 
The enumeration of any work in this section shall n.ot be construed as excluding 
32 
any other work requiring naval architecture knowledge and application, including 
33 
specialized work like ship salvaging and ship recycling. 
34 
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1 
2 
3 
4 
ARTICLE II 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OIl NAVAL 
ARCHITECTURE 
5 
SEC 4. Composition of the Board. There is hereby created a Professional 
6 
Regulatory Board of Naval Architecture, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which 
7 
shall be under the administrative control and snpervision of the Professional 
8 
Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission. The Board shall 
9 
be composed of a chairperson and two (2) members, who shall be appointed by the' 
10' 
President of the Philippines from among those recommended by the Commission, 
11 
from the nominees of the accredited professional organization of naval architects. 
12 
13 
SEC 5. Term of Office. The chairperson <\nd the members of the Board 
. 14 
shall hold office for a term of three (3) years from the date of their appointment or 
15 
until their successors shall have qualified and been appointed. The incumbent 
16 
members may be reappointed for another term of three (3) years immediately after 
17 
the expilY of their respective terms. 
18 
No member shall serve for more than two (2) terms or more than six (6) 
19 
years, whichever is longer. Any vacancy occurring within the term of a member due 
20 
to resignation, conviction of any kind, disability or death, or removal from office, 
21 
shall be filled through an appointment by the President of the Philippines; and such 
22 
appointed member shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the term vacated. 
23 
Each member shall take his oath of office prior to the official performance of his 
24 
duties. 
25 
26 
SEC. 6. Suspension or Removal of the Board Members. The President 
27 
of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission after conducting an 
28 
administrative investigation and observance of due process, may suspend or remove 
29 
any member of the Board on any of the following grounds: 
30 
a) Gross neglect, incompetence or dishonesty in the discharge of his/her duty; 
31 
b) Manipulation or rigging of the licensure examination results, disclosure of 
32 
examination questions and related confidential information prior to the 
33 
conduct of the examination, or tampering ofthe grades; 
34 
c) Final judgment or conviction of any criminal offense; or 
3 


1 
d) Unprofessional or unethical conduct. 
2 
In the conduct of the investigation, the Commission shall be guided by Section 
3 
7(8) of Republic Act No. 8981 an'd the applicable provisions of the New Rules of 
4 
Court. 
5 
6 
SEC. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. The Board shall exercise the 
7 
following powers, functions, duties and responsibilities: 
8 
a) Supervise and regulate the practice of naval architects in the Philippines in 
9 
accordance with this Act; 
~O 
b) Determine the requirements and evaluate the qualifications of applicants for 
11 
registration to engage in the practice naval architecture; 
12 
c) Prescribe the subjects in the licensure examination, determine the syllabi of 
13 
the subjects and their relative weights, construct the test questions in the 
14 
examinations; and submit the examination results to the Commission; 
15 
d) Administer oath and issue certificate of registration to persons admitted to the 
16 
practice of naval architecture; 
17 
e) Suspend or revoke, upon observance of due process, the certitJ.cate of 
18 
registration, professional identification card or special permits of naval 
19 
architects for just cause; 
20 
D Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and Professional Standards for the 
21 
practice of naval architecture; 
22 
g) Hear and decide administrative cases filed against naval architects for the 
23 
violation of this Act, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, or the Code of 
24 
Ethics and Professional Standards. Any decision must be concurred in by 
25 
majority of the Board. The decision of the Board may be appealed to the 
26 
Commission within fifteen (15) days from notice, otherwise such decision shall 
27 
be final and executory. 
28 
h) Issue subpoena ad testificandum to secure the appearance and testimony of 
29 
witnesses, or subpoena duces tecum to direct the production of documents in 
30 
connection with any administrative case before the Board; 
31 
i) Inquire into the conditions affecting the practice of the profession and adopt 
32 
measures for enhancement and maintenance of high professional, ethical and 
33 
technical standards; 
34 
j) Prescribe guidelines for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 
4 


1 
program in coordination with the accredited professional organization for 
2 
naval architects; 
3 
k) In coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the 
4 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and in 
5 
consultation with other concerned government entities and the accredited 
6 
professional organization for naval architecture, study and subsequently 
7 
prescribe the standards, requisites and qualifications in formulating the 
8 
curricula to be implemented and determining the facilities to be provided by 
9 
schools, colleges or universities seeking approval to offer courses or programs 
10 
in naval architecture and related courses or programs, and to ensure the full 
11 
and continuous compliance 'ofthe schools, colleges or universities therewith; 
12 
I) Promulgate and adopt the rules and regulations necessary for implementing 
13 
and carrying out the provisions of this Act; 
14 
m) Adopt an official seal of the Board; and 
15 
n) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to implement the 
16 
provisions of this Act. 
17 
, 18 
SEC. 8. Qualifications of Members of the Board. A member of the 
19 
Board must, at the time of appointment, possess the following qualifications: 
20 
a) He/she must be a natural-born citizen, and a resident of the Philippines for at 
21 
least five (5) years immediately prior to appointment; 
22 
b) He/she must be of good moral character and of sound mind; 
23 
c) I-Ie/she must be at least thirty-five (35) years of age; 
24 
d) He/she must have obtained'a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture 
,25 
and Marine Engineering conferred by a college or university in the Philippines 
26 
recognized by the CHED, or by a reputable foreign college or university; 
27 
e) He/she must be duly registered with the Commission as a naval architect and 
28 
must have been in active practice for at least ten (10) years; 
29 
f) He/she must be a member in good standing, of the accredited professional 
30 
organization for naval architecture; 
31 
g) For at least three (3) years immediately prior to appointment, he/she must not 
32 
have any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any college or university 
33 
conferring an academic degree or certification necessary for admission to the 
34 
practice of naval architecture, or in an institution offering or conducting 
5 


1 
review classes in preparation for the licensure examination; nor must he/she 
2 
be a member ofthe faculty, teaching staff or administration thereof; and 
3 
h) He/she must not have been convicted by a court of an offense involving moral 
4 
turpitude. 
5 
6 
SEC. 9. Custodian of Records, Secretariat and Support. All records of 
'7 
the Board, including applications for examination, examination papers and results, 
8 
minutes of meetings, deliberation of administrative and other investigative cases, 
9 
shall be kept by the Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of 
10 
the Board and shall provide Secretariat and other support services to implement the 
11 
provisions ofthis Act. 
12 
13 
SEC. 10. Compensation and Allowances of the Board Memhers. The 
14 
chairperson and members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances 
15 
comparable to that being received by chairpersons and members of other regulatory 
16 
b?ards under the Commission, as provided for in the General Appropriations Act. 
17 
18 
SEC 11. Annual Report and Annual Meeting. The Board shall, within 
19 
thirty (30) days after the close of each calendar year, submit an annual report to the 
20 
Commission giving a detailed account of its proceedings and accomplishments 
21 
during the year and containing recommendations to the Commission as the Board 
22 
may desire to make. At least once a year, the Board shall meet with the accredited 
23 
professional organization, representatives of colleges or universities conferring an 
24 
academic degree or certification necessalY for admission to the practice and the 
25 
CHED to discuss matters concerning the professional practice of naval architecture. 
26 
27 
28 
29 
ARTICLE III 
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
30 
SEC. 12. Licensure Examination, Fees and Schedule. All applicants 
31 
for registration to engage in the practice of naval architecture shall be required to 
32 
pass the written licensure examination prescribed herein unless otherwise provided 
33 
for in this Act. 
34 
An applicant admitted to take the examination shall pay fees as may be 
6 


1 
prescribed before being allowed to 'take the examination. 
2 
The licensure examination shall be given once every calendar year on the date 
·3 
and venue prescribed by the Commission in accordance with Republic Act No. 8981. 
4 
5 
SEC. 13. Qualification for Examination. An applicant for admission to 
6 
the naval architecture examination must possess the following qualifications: 
7 
a) He/she must be a citizen of the Philippines, or a citizen of another state which 
8 
observes reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of naval architecture; 
9 
b) He/she must be of good moral character and of sound mind; 
10 
c) He/she must not have been convicted by a court of a crime involving moral 
11 
turpitude; and 
12 
d) He/she must have obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Archite.cture 
13 
and Marine Engineering conferred by a college or university in the Philippines 
14 
recognized by the CHED, or subject to the Board's evaluation, must have 
15 
earned an equivalent degree accorded by a reputable foreign college or 
16 
university. 
17 
18 
SEC. 14. 
Scope of Examination. The licensure examination for naval 
19 
architects shall cover the following: general engineering, naval architecture, marine 
20 
engineering, ship design and construction, maritime rules and regulations. The 
21 
Board may modify the coverage of the examinations as reqnired by developments in 
22 
the professional practice of naval architecture. In such a case, the Board shall consult 
23 
with the CHED and the accredited professional organization for naval architects. The 
24 
Bpard shall announce revisions in the coverage at least two (2) years prior to their 
25 
inclusion in the licensure examination. 
26 
27 
SEC. 15. 
Ratings. To pass the licensure examination, the applicant must 
28 
obtain a general average of at least seventy (70%) percent, with no rating below sixty 
29 
(60%) percent in any of the subjects. 
30 
31 
SEC. 16. Report of Ratings. The Board shall submit to the Commission 
32 
the ratings obtained by the applicants within fifteen (15) days after the examinations, 
33 
unless extended for just cause. 
34 
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1 
SEC. 17. Re-examination. An applicant who fails to pass the examination 
2 
for the third time shall be allowed to take another examination only after the lapse of 
3 
one (1) year. 
4 
5 
SEC. 18. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration. A certificate of. 
6, 
r~gistration for naval architects shall be issued by the Board to applicants 
7 
successfully passing the rel'evant licensure examination and satisfying the other 
8 
requirements under this Act, su1:>ject to the payment of fees prescribed by the 
9 
Commission. The certificate of registration shall indicate the full name of the 
10 
registrant and his/her registration number, bear the signatures ofthe chairperson of 
11 
the Commission and the members of the Board, and contain the official seal of the 
12 
Commission and the Board. The certificate of registration shall remain in full force 
13 
and effect until withdrawn, suspended or revoked in accordance with this Act. 
14 
15 
SEC. 19. Issuance of Professional Identification Card. A professional 
16 
identification card for shall be issued to holders of a valid certificate of registration 
17 
for naval architects, subject to the payment of fees prescribed by the Commission. 
18 
The professional identification card shall indicate the full name of the registrant and 
19 
his/her registration number, bear the signatures of the chairperson of the 
20 
Commission and chairperson of the Board, and contain the official seal of the 
21 
Commission and the Board. The p,rofessional identification card shall be valid for a 
22 
period of three (3) years, subject to renewal: Provided, That the certificate of 
23 
registration shall not have been suspended or revoked under the provisions ofthis 
24 
Act. 
25 
26 
SEC. 
20. Requirement of, Certificate of Registration and 
27 
Professional Identification Card in the Practice of Naval Architecture. 
28 
Unless exempt from examination or registration under this Act, no person shall 
29 
practice or offer to practice as a naval architect in the Philippines without having 
30 
previously obtained a celtificate of registration and a professional identification 
31 
card. A person who secured a certification of registration and professional 
32 
identification card shall be entitled to practice as a naval architect with all the 
33 
privileges appurtenant thereto, subject to compliance with all applicable 
34 
requirements. 
8 


1 
SEC. 21. 
Oath. Ali applicants who successfully passed the licensure 
2 
examination shall be required to take their oath before the Board or any government 
3 
official authorized by the Commi~sion, prior to the issuance of the certificate of 
4 
registration. 
5 
6 
SEC. 22. Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization. 
7 
There shall be one (1) integrated and accredited professional organization for naval 
8 
architects in the countly, which shall be registered with the Securities and Exchange 
9 
Commission as a non-stock, non-profit corporation. The Board, subject to approval 
10 
by the Commission, shall accredit said organization as the one and only integrated 
11 
and accredited national organization for the naval architects. 
12 
All naval architects whose names appear in the registry book of the Board 
13 
shall automatically become members of the accredited professional organization and 
14 
sl'Iall receive all the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto, upon payment of 
15 
membership fees and dues. Membership in this accredited professional organization 
16 
shall not be a bar to membersl:J.ip in other professional associations, maritime 
17 
related or not. 
18 
Compliance 
to 
Continuing 
Professional 
Development 
programs 
as 
19 
promulgated by the Commission shall be one of the requirements for the 
20 
maintenance of membership in good standing in the accredited professionaL 
21 
organization. 
22 
Failure to maintain membership in good standing with the accredited 
23 
professional organization shall be a cause for delisting in the roster of professionals. 
24 
25 
SEC. 23. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programs. 
26 
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program guidelines for naval 
27 
ai'chitects shall be prescribed and promUlgated by the Board, subject to the approval 
28 
of the Commission. The Board shall create a CPD Council to administer the CPD 
29 
Program. The CPD Council shall .be composed of a chairperson coming from the 
30 
Board, a member from the accredited professional organization and a member from 
31 
the academe. 
32 
'33 
SEC. 24. 
Exemption from Examination and Registration. The 
34 
following persons shall be exempt from the examination and registration 
9 


1 
requirements under this Act, provided that they must have first secured the 
2 
appropriate Temporary/Special Permits from the Board: 
3 
a) Foreign professional naval architects who are temporarily employed by the 
4 
Philippine government or private firms to work in the Philippines under any 
5 
of the following applicable cases: 
6 
1) Where no qualified equivalent Filipino professional naval architect is 
7 
available for the specific work to be rendered, as attested to by the 
8 
accredited professional organization; 
9 
2) Where the conditions of the scope and funding for the work or project-
10 
are such that it stipulates the temporary employment of a foreign 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
professional naval architects; 
3) As defined in the General Agreement on Trade and Services, the 
ASEAN and APEC Engineer Registry programs and other similar 
international treaties, agreements and/or covenants which the 
Philippine Government has ratified: Provided, however, that: 
i) The foreign professional is legally qualified to practice his/her 
profession in his/her own country, wherein the required 
standards for examination and registration are not lower than 
those specified under this Act; 
ii) The work to be performed by said foreign professional shall be 
limited only to the particular work or project for which he/she 
was specifically contracted; 
iii) Prior to commencing the work, the foreign professional shall 
have already secured the Temporary/Special Permit from the 
Board, with the approval ofthe Commission; and Provided, that 
the Temporary/Special Permit shall precede the issuance of any 
working visa and/or permit by the Department of Labor and 
Employment in favor of said foreign professional; 
iv) The foreign professional shall not engage in private practice on 
his/her own account; 
v) For every foreign professional contracted for the work or 
project, at least one (1) corresponding Filipino professionals 
who are registered under this Act shall be employed as 
counterparts by the Philippine Government or the private firm 
10 


1 
utilizing the services of such foreign professional for at least the 
2 
same duration of time as the foreigner's tenure of work; and 
3 
vi) The Temporary/Special Permit herein granted and issued by the 
4 
Board shall be valid only for a period of not more than six (6) 
5 
months and renewable every six (6) months thereafter subject 
6 
to the discretion of the Board and the approval of the 
7 
Commission, Provided, That said Permit shall cease to be valid 
8 
if the foreign professional terminates his/her employment in 
9 
the work or project for which said permit was originally granted 
10 
and thereafter engages in an occupation that requires another 
11 
Temporary/Special Permit underthis Act. 
12 
b) Those who make plans or specifications for any boat, dugout or other floating 
13 
vessels made of wood, fiber-reinforced plastic, steel and other materials, for 
14 
pleasure or business purposes; and those who construct for themselves, either 
15 
personally or otherwise, any such floating vessel without utilizing the services 
16 
of a registered naval architect for as long as these vessels or constructed 
17 
materials do not exceed (5) gross tons. 
18 
c) Draftsmen, apprentices and subordinates of or other persons undergoing 
19 
training under the supervision of those lawfully engaged in the practice of 
20 
naval architecture, who perform any of the acts constituting such practice 
21 
under the instruction, control and supervision of their engagement, strictly 
22 
pursuant to and for the purpose of such training. 
23 
24 
SEC. 25. Non-issuance of Certificate of Registration and/or 
25 
Professional Identification Card. The Board and/or the Commission shall not 
26 
issue a certificate of registration and professional identification card to the 
27 
following: 
28 
29 
a) A person convicted by a comt of any criminal offense involving moral 
30 
turpitude; and 
31 
b) A person of unsound mind. 
32 
33 
The Board shall furnish the person concerned a written statement containing 
34 
the reasons for such action, which statement shall be incorporated in the records of 
11 


1, 
the Board. 
2 
3 
SEC. 26. Suspension and Revocation of Certificate of Registration, 
4 
Professional Identification Card and Temporary/Special Permits. The 
5 
Board shall have the power, after due notice and hearing, and consultation with the 
6 
accredited professional organization, to suspend or revoke the certificate of 
7 
registration, professional identification card, or temporary I special permits on any of 
8 
the following grounds: 
9 
a) Any act of misrepresentation, dishonesty, unethical conduct or gross 
10 
incompetence in connection with the performance of his profession as 
11 
defined in this Act or any law inimical to the profession; 
12 
b) Gross immorality or commission of any act involving moral turpitude; 
13 
c) Any person who has been convicted of any criminal offense by final jndgment' 
14' 
of a court of competent jurisdiction; or 
15 
d) Any person who has been judicially declared to be of unsound mind. 
16 
17 
SEC. 27. Reinstatement, Re-issuance or Replacement of Certificate 
,18 
of Registration, Professional Identification Card and Temporary/Special 
19 
Permits. The Board, upon application and for reasons deemed proper and 
20 
sufficient, may reinstate the validity of a revoked certificate of registration, 
21 
professional identification card and temporary/special permit, two (2) years after its 
22 
revocation, subject to compliance with the requirements and penalties to be imposed 
23 
by the Board andlor Commission, if any: Provided, That hel she did not commit any 
24 
illegal practice of the profession or any violation of this Act, its implementing rules 
25 
and regulations and the Code of Ethics for Naval Architects during the time that his 
26 
celtificate of registration, professional identification card and temporary I special 
27 
permit was revoked. 
28 
A new celtificate of registration, professional identification card or 
29 
temporary I special permit to replace any lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate of 
30 
registration or professional identification card may be issued, subject to the rules 
31 
promulgated by the Board and the Commission, and upon payment of the required 
32 
fees. 
33 
34 
SEC. 28. 
Seal of Registered Naval Architects. All registered naval 
12 


1 
architects shall obtain and use a seal of a design prescribed by the Board, bearing the 
2 
registrant's name, the registration number and the legend, "Registered Naval 
3 
Architect". 
4 
Designs, plans, specifications, project studies, reports, 'proposals and other 
5 
professional documents prepared by and/ or executed under the supervision of and 
6 
issued by a registered naval architect shall be stamped on every sheet/page with said 
7 
seal with his signature, current Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) number, date/place 
8 
of payment and valid/current membership identification number from the 
9 
accredited professional organization when filed with government authorities or 
10 
when submitted or used professionally; Provided, that it shall be unlawful for 
11 
any registered naval architect or his representative to stamp or use said seal on 
12 
any document if the professional identification card had been revoked or due to 
13 
expire within one (1) month. 
14 
15 
SEC. 29. Vested Rights. All naval architects holding a valid certificate of 
lq 
registration and professional identification card at the time of effectivity of this Act 
17 
shall be automatically registered and recognized as registered naval architects and 
18 
shall be issued a new celtificate of registration and professional identification card 
19 
with the same license number as their original certificate of registration and 
20 
professional identification card, subject to the payment of prescribed fees and other 
21 
requirements of the Board and/ or Commission. 
22 
23 
SEC. 30. Prohibitions. Unless authorized under this Act, it shall be 
24 
unlawful for: 
25 
a) Any person to order or otherwise cause the construction, conversIon or 
26 
alteration of any floating vessel or equipment for any work or project to be 
27 
done in the Philippines whether for domestic or overseas trade unless the 
28 
design, plans or specifications have been prepared under the responsible' 
29 
charge of, and duly signed and sealed by a registered naval architect. 
30 
Likewise, said design, plans or specifications must be approved by a 
31 
registered naval architect in accordance with the standards prescribed by 
32 
national and/or international maritime rules, regulations and conventions. 
33 
b) Any person to admeasure and calculate gross and net tonnages of vessels of 
34 
more than five (5) gross tons for the assessment of anchorage, wharfage 
13 


1 
belthing, pilotage, dry docking, Panama or Suez Canal dues and other 
2 
passages; and to inspect vessel's hull, its outfitting and its main and auxiliary 
, 3 
machineries unless carried out by or be under the responsible charge of 
4 
registered naval architects; 
5 
c) Any person to teach professional subjects in naval architecture course unless 
6 
he is, at least, a duly registered naval architect with the Board and 
7 
Commission; 
8 
d) Any shipyard for new building, conversion, alteration or repair of any floating 
9 
10 
vessel or equipment to operate without contracting the services of a 
registered naval architect; 
11 
e) Any ship recycling or ship salvaging works or projects to be performed 
12 
without contracting the services of a registered naval architect; 
13 
f) Any classification society or third party certification body operating in the 
14 
countty, whether wholly-owned by Filipino or patt of a multinational 
15 
organization, to conduct surveys and inspection of floating vessels and 
16 
equipment without contracting the services of a registered naval architect, 
17 
and; 
18 
g) Any firm, partnership, corporation or association to practice naval 
19 
architecture, as only persons who are properly registered may practice naval 
20 
architecture. 
However, 
duly registered naval architects may form 
21 
pattnerships, corporations or associations among themselves or with other 
22 
registered architects and use the title "Naval Architects", "Architects" or 
23 
"Engineers" in their company's corporate name. 
24 
25 
SEC. 31. Foreign Reciprocity. No foreigner shall be admitted for 
26 
registration as licensed naval architect with or without examination under this Act 
27 
unless he/she proves in the manner as provided by the Board that, by specific 
28 
provisions of law, the country or state of which he/she is a citizen, subject or 
29 
national, or in accordance with international treaties, agreements and/or covenants 
30 
to which their country or state is a signatory, admits Filipino citizens to practice 
31 
as licensed naval architect after an examination or registration process on terms of 
32 
strict and absolute equality with the citizens of said country or state, including the 
33 
unconditional recognition of professional licenses issued by the Board and/or the 
34 
Commission and prerequisite degrees/diplomas issued by institutions of learning 
14 


1 
duly recognized by the governmenc of the Republic of the Philippines. 
2 
3 
SEC. 32. Roster of Naval Architects. The Board shall prepare and 
4 
maintain a roster of the names, residence and/or office address of all registered 
5 
naval architects, which shall be updated annually in cooperation with the accredited 
6 
professional organization, indicating therein the status of their certificate of 
7 
registration, professional identification card and membership in the accredited 
8 
professional organization, whether valid, inactive due to death or other reasons, 
9 
delinquent, suspended or revoked. The said roster information shall be made 
10 
available to the public upon inquiry or request. 
11 
12 
SEC. 33. Positions in Government Requiring the Services of 
13 
Registered Naval Architects. Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, 
14 
all existing and proposed positions in the local and national government, whether 
15 
career, permanent, temporary or contractual and primarily requiring the services of 
16 
naval architects shall accordingly be filled only by registered naval architects. 
17 
The Maritime Industry Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Board 
'18 
of Marine Inquiry as convened shall provide permanent seats in their respective 
19 
Boards for the accredited professional organization of naval architects in order to 
20 
continuously promote and sustain maritime safety in the country with sound 
21 
technical advice and guidance on ship design, construction, operations and 
22 
maintenance. 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
ARTICLE IV 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 34. Enforcement Assistance to the Board. The Board shall be 
28 
assisted by the Commission in carrying out the provisions of this Act and its 
29 
implementing rules and regulations and other policies. The lawyers of the 
30 
Commission shall act as prosecutors against illegal practitioners and other violators 
31 
of this Act and its rules. The duly constituted authorities of the government shall 
32 
likewise assist the Board and the Commission in enforcing the provisions of this Act 
33 
and its rules. 
34 
15 


1 
SEC. 35. Penal Clause. In addition to the administrative sanctions 
2 
imposed under this Act, any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act 
3 
and its rules and regulations shall, upon conviction, be penaliied with a fine of not 
4 
less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (PHP50,000.00) but not more than One Million 
5 
Pesos (PHP1,000,000.oo) or imprisonment for a period of not less than six (6) 
6 
months nor more than three (3) years or both fine and imprisonment at the 
, 7 
discretion of the COutt. 
8 
9 
SEC. 36. Implementing ~ules and Regulations. Subject to the approval 
10 
of the Commission, the Board in coordination with the accredited professional 
11 
organization, shall adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations including the 
12 
Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards of Practice for Registered Naval 
13 
Architects to comply with the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days after 
14 
approval of this Act and which shall then be published in the Official Gazette or a 
15 
newspaper of 'general circulation and shall be effective fifteen (15) days after 
16 
publication therein. 
17 
18 
SEC. 37. Funding Provisions. Such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
19 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year 
20 
fdllowing its enactment into law and thereafter. 
21 
22 
SEC. 38. Repealing Clause. Republic Act No. 4565 is hereby repealed. All 
23 
other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, ordinances and other issuances or 
24 
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby superseded, repealed 
25 
or amended accordingly. 
26 
27 
SEC. 39. Separability Clause. If any provisions of this Act or any pOltion 
28 
hereof is declared unconstitutional by any competent court, the other provisions 
29 
hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
30 
31 
SEC. 40. Transitory Provisions. 
32 
a) 
Upon approval of this Act, valid certificates of registration and professional 
,33 
identification cards as possessed by registered naval architects shall continue 
34 
to be valid until its expIry. After which, they shall be renewed in, full 
16 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
b) 
c) 
compliance with all provisions of this Act. 
Faculty members currently teaching naval architecture courses in higher 
education institutions shall not be allowed to continue teaching after one (1) 
year from the approval of this Act, unless they are or have become, at least, a 
Registered Naval Architect, and has complied with the applicable 
requirements and qualifications prescribed under this Act. 
Upon effectivity of this Act, the present Board of Naval Architecture and 
Marine Engineering shall continue to function in the interim until such time 
as the new Board shall have been appointed and constituted. This new Board· 
shall formulate and thereafter promulgate the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act in consultation with the accredited professional 
organization. 
14 
SEC. 41. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
15 
publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation. 
16 
17 
Approved, 
17