Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Any country aiming to stimulate growth and development relies heavily on 
the development of infrastructure. With that said, the erection of infrastructure 
relies greatly on several professions coming from the built environment sector. A 
country that builds a resilient and sustainable community must rely on the 
collective action and competence of several professionals who work in the field 
of designed and built environment, such as architecture, interior design, landscape 
architecture, environmental planning, geodetic engineering, civil engineering, 
electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, sanitary engineering, master 
plumbing, electronics engineering and real estate services. Considering the vital 
role that members of the built environment play in the development of our 
country, the State is inclined to ensure that all practicing Built Environment 
Professionals meet the minimum requirements to safeguard the life, health, 
property and welfare of the public.  
To address this, a Council for the Built Environment is hereby proposed. 
The Council for the Built Environment shall be primarily tasked to advise on 
policy matters concerning the interests of the public in the built environment; and 
oversee the regulation and facilitate collaboration and cooperation of built 
environment professions.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought. 
    EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
January 20, 2023
8:00 am
6806


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No._____ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE EDWIN L. OLIVAREZ 
AN ACT CREATING THE COUNCIL FOR THE BUILT 
ENVIRONMENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic 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 2023." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby the declared policy of 
the State to recognize 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. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, unless the context 
otherwise requires, the following terms shall be defined as follows: 
a. Built Environment means the field within which the registered
professionals’ practice;
b. Built Environment Professions means the following professions –
i.
Architecture;
6806


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. 
 
c. Council shall refer to the Council for the Built Environment created 
under Section 8 of this Act; 
 
d. Professional shall refer to a person who is registered as such under 
any of the Professional Regulatory Laws; 
 
e. Professional Regulatory Laws shall refer 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) shall 
refer 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; 
 
g. Accredited Professional Organization (APO) shall refer to the PRC 
Accredited Professional Organization where membership therein by 
professionals is only voluntary; 
 
h. CHED shall refer to the Commission on Higher Education; 
 
i. MRA shall refer to Mutual Recognition Agreements between or 
among states; 
 
j. PRC shall refer to the Professional Regulation Commission; 
 
k. PRB shall refer to the Professional Regulatory Board. 


 
 
ARTICLE II 
ORGANIZATION OF MULTIPARTITE COUNCILS FOR BUILT 
ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS 
 
SECTION 4. Creation of Multipartite Councils for the Built 
Environment Professions. – A Multipartite Council for each of the Built 
Environment Professions (herein referred to as “MC”) is hereby created to be 
attached to the PRC. 
 
SECTION 5. Objectives of the MC.  -The objectives of the MC are the 
following:  
 
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. 
 
SECTION 6. Functions, Powers and Duties of the MC. – The MC 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; 
 
e. Develop and regularly review Internship/Guidelines in the areas 
such as diversification of experience, duties and responsibilities of 
Mentors and collaborative work; 
 
f. Develop 
and 
regularly 
review 
Continuing 
Professional 
Development Guidelines; 
 


g. Develop and regularly review 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. 
 
SECTION 7. Composition of the MC. – The MC shall be composed of 
the following: 
 
a. Chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board; 
 
b. President of the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization 
(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 OFTHE COUNCIL OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 
 
SECTION 8. Creation of the Council of the Built Environment. –The 
Council of the Built Environment (herein referred to as the “Council”) is hereby 
created, to be attached to the PRC. 
 
SECTION 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: 
 
i. 
sustainable development; 
ii. 
human resource development; and,  
iii. 
health, safety and environmental protection standards; 
 
b. Oversee the regulation of Built Environment Professions, providing 
guidance on: 


 
i. 
Required qualifications; 
ii. 
Standards of education; 
iii. 
Training and competence; 
iv. 
Promotion of professional status; and 
v. 
Uniform application of standards and guidelines set by the 
PRC; and 
 
c. Facilitate collaboration and cooperation of the Built Environment 
Professions with: 
 
i. 
Other Built Environment Professions; 
ii. 
Foreign Professionals; and 
iii. 
Non-professional creatives and artists. 
 
SECTION 10. Mandate, Functions, and Powers of the Council. –  The 
Council shall exercise the following powers and functions: 
 
POLICY ADVISORY 
a. Act in an advisory capacity on any matter concerning the built 
environment, including, but not limited to: resource utilization, 
socio-economic development, public health and safety, and the 
environment; 
 
b. Provide advice and consultation on national policy that could impact 
on the built environment, human resource development in relation 
to the built environment professions, and the recognition of new 
professions; 
 
c. Comment, if necessary, on all proposed legislation impacting on 
health and safety in the built environment; 
 
OVERSIGHT 
d. Ensure the consistent application of policy for the Built Environment 
Professions with regard to – 
 
i. Registration requirements of registered professionals; 
ii. Key elements of competence testing of registered 
professionals; 
iii. Codes of conduct; 
iv. Delineation of scope of services; 
v. The principles upon which to base the Standards of 
Professional Practice and Schedule of Fees; 


vi. Standards of health, safety and environmental protection 
within the built environment; 
vii. The accreditation of APOs/AIPOS for the built environment 
professions, by approving the accreditation framework giving 
due recognition of the characteristics of each Built 
Environment Profession; 
viii. Establishment of education and training standards in terms 
of the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act; 
 
e. Act as an appeal body with regard to matters referred to it in terms 
of the PRLs regulating the Built Environment Professions; 
 
f. Receive and assimilate the annual reports of the PRBs, AIPOs and 
Academic Sectors and submit a summary to the Commissioner. 
 
COLLABORATION PLATFORM 
g. Promote coordination between the Commission on Higher 
Education and the Academic Sectors for the Built Environment 
Professions in relation to the accreditation of education institutions; 
 
h. Coordinate the establishment of MRAs for Built Environment 
Professionals, providing guidelines on the practice of Filipino 
Professionals abroad as well as Foreigner Professionals in the 
Philippines; 
 
i. Foster and encourage collaboration and cooperation between Built 
Environment Professionals by setting up guidelines, terms of 
reference and standards; 
 
j. Establish terms of engagement to facilitate the efficient and mutually 
beneficent collaboration of Built Environment Professional with 
Non-Professional creatives and artists. 
 
SECTION 11. Composition of Council. – The Council shall be composed 
of ex-officio members and regular members. 
 
The ex-officio members of the Council are: 
 
a. Chairperson of the PRC; 
 
b. Chairperson of the CHED; 
 
c. Chairpersons of the PRBs of all Built Environment Professions; 


 
The regular members of the Council are: 
a. One (1) representative from each of the Multipartite Councils (non-
PRB) of all Built Environment Professions; 
 
SECTION 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 their 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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 14. Disqualification, Vacation and Filling of Vacancies. – A 
person may not be appointed as a member of the Council if that person: 
 
a. Is not a Filipino citizen and resident in the Philippines; 
 
b. Has been convicted of a criminal involving moral turpitude; 
 
c. Has in terms of this Act been found guilty by the Council of 
improper conduct; or 
 
d. Is not a registered professional. 
 
A member of the Council must vacate his or her office if he or she – 
 


a. Becomes disqualified from being appointed as a member of the 
Council; 
 
b. Resigns by written notice addressed to the Chairperson; 
 
c. Has, without leave of the Council, been absent for more than two 
consecutive meetings of the Council; 
 
d. Ceases to be permanently resident in the Philippines; or 
 
e. Is removed from office under Section 13 of this Act. 
 
If a member of the Council dies or vacates his or her office before the 
expiration of his or her term of office, the Chairperson must, within sixty (60) 
days from the date on which the vacancy occurred, appoint the person nominated 
by the Council, to fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the period for 
which that member was appointed. 
 
SECTION 15. Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. – The Council shall 
be chaired by the Chairperson of the PRC. 
 
The Council shall elect a deputy chairperson among the regular members.  
 
The regular members of the Council shall serve for a term of six (6) years, 
unless sooner separated from the service due to death, voluntary resignation, or 
removal for cause. In case of death, resignation, or removal for cause, their 
replacements shall serve only the unexpired terms of the replaced members. Of 
the first set of regular members, eleven (11) shall hold office for a term of three 
(3) years and the remaining eleven (11) for a term of six (6) years. 
 
The regular members of the Council shall receive per diem every meeting 
in accordance with existing rules and regulations. 
 
SECTION 16. Meetings of the Council. – The Council shall meet at least 
once every six (6) months, or as often as necessary at the call of the Chairperson 
or majority of the members. Members of the Council who cannot physically 
attend or vote at Council meetings can participate and vote through remote 
communication 
technologies 
or 
other 
electronic 
means 
such 
as 
videoconferencing, 
teleconferencing, 
or 
other 
alternative 
modes 
of 
communication that allow them reasonable opportunities to participate. A 
majority of the incumbent members of the Council shall constitute a quorum to 
do business. 
 


SECTION 17. Executive Committee. – The Council shall have an 
Executive Committee consisting of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of 
the Council and not more than three other members elected by the Council. The 
Council may appoint alternate members to the Executive Committee. 
 
A member of the Executive Committee – 
 
a. Serves on the executive committee for a period of one year; 
 
b. May be re-elected; and 
 
c. Remains in office until his or her successor is elected. 
 
No two members of the Executive Committee shall come from the same 
Built Environment Profession. 
 
The Executive Committee must hold a meeting as and when necessary, but 
at least four (4) times per year. 
 
SECTION 18. Powers of the Executive Committee. – The Executive 
Committee shall exercise the following powers: 
 
a. Ensure that the resolutions of the Council are carried out; 
 
b. Consider any matter delegated to it by the Council in terms of any 
law, and to advise the Council in connection therewith; 
 
c. Exercise or perform any power, duty or function delegated to it by 
the Council; and 
 
d. Report at every ordinary meeting of the Council on the activities of 
the Executive Committee. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 21. Delegation of Powers. – The Council may, delegate any 
power, duty or function conferred or imposed on it by this Act to – 
 
a. A Committee established under Section 19; 
 
b. The Executive Committee elected under section 17; 
 
c. The Chairperson of the Council or any member of the Council; or 
 
d. Any officer of the Council. 
 
SECTION 22. Reporting. – The Council shall furnish the Commissioner 
an Annual Report with regard to the functions and affairs of the Council 
including, but not limited to: 
 
a. A report regarding the execution of the functions of the council; 
 
b. A report regarding the envisaged strategies of the council; and 
 
c. Such other information as the Commissioner may from time to time 
determine. 
 
SECTION 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 
 
SECTION 24. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the immediate 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 26. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby 
shall remain valid and subsisting.  
 
SECTION 27. Repealing Clause. – All acts, executive orders, 
memorandum circulars/guidelines and other issuances or parts thereof, which 
are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
SECTION 28. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation 
 
 
 
Approved,