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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

commirree rerort No, _1946

Se by. the Eommit on Civil Service and Professional Regulation on

Re: Tae on 5240

Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill Nos. 200.2797. 4071/and 4456
Sponsors: Representatives Andres D. Salvacion, Jr., Salvador H. Escudero Ill, Rufus B
Rodriguez. Maximo B, Rodriguez, Jr, Angelo B. Palmones and Aurelio D.

Gonzales, Jr. ee

Mr. Speaker

The Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation to which were referred House
Bill No. 2200 introduced by Rep. Salvador H. Escudero III, entitled:

ACT
FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 544, AS AMENDED,
OR THE CIVIL |GINEERING LAW

House Bill No. 2797 introduced by Reps. Rufus B. Rodriguez and Maximo B. Rodriguez. Jr.,
entitled

AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING SELES ACT NO. 544, AS AMENDED,

House Bill No. 4071 introduced by Rep. Angelo B. Palmones, entitled:

AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 544, AS AMENDED,
OR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING LAW

and House Bill No, 4456 introduced by Rep. Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr.. entitled:
AN ACT

‘URTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 544,
OR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING LA

§ AMENDED,

cael
3040
has considered the same and recommends that the attached House Bill No.
entitled:



AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 544. AS AMENDED.
OR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING LAW

be approved in substitution of House Bill Nos. 2200. 2797. 4071 and 4456 with Reps.
Salvador H. Escudero Ti, Rufus B. Rodriguez, Maximo B. Rodriguez. Jr. Angelo B
Palmones. Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr.. Andres D. Salvacion, Jr.. Daryl Grace J. Abayon. Agapito
H, Guanlao, Antonio L. Tinio, Rafael V. Mariano. Carlos M. Padilla and Eduardo R. Gullas as
authors thereof.

Respectfully submitted,

LVACION, JR.

Committee on Civil Service
and Professional Regulation

THE HONORABLE SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE GF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5240
HOUSE BILL No.2

introduced by Representatives Salvador H. Escudero fll. Rufus B. Rodriguez, Maximo B.
Rodriguez. Jr.. Angelo 8. Palmones. Aurelio D. Gonzales. Jr.. Andres D. Salvacion, Jr.
Daryl Grace J. Abayon, Agapito H, Guanlao, Antonio L. Tinio, Rafael V, Mariano, Carlos
M, Padilla and Eduardo R. Gutlas

AN ACT
3 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 544, AS AMENDED,

FURTOER AM
OR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING LAW

Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Represematives of the Philippines: in
Congress assembled:

ECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 544, as amended, is further amended to

read as follows:

“Section 2, Definition of Terms.

(a) The practice of civil engineering within the meaning and intent of this Act

shall embrace services in the form of consultation, design, preparation of
plans, specifications, estimates. erection, installation and supervision of the

construction of streets, bridges,

ghways, railroads, airports and hangars. port
works, canals, river and shore improvements, lighthouses. and dry docks;
buildings, fixed structures for irrigation, flood protection, drainage. water
supply and sewerage works; demolition of permanent structures; and tunnels.
‘The enumeration of any work in this section shall not be construed as
excluding any other work requiring civil engineering knowledge and
application.

(b) The term ‘civil engineer” as used in this Act shall mean a person duly
registered with the Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers in the manner as

hereinafter provided.


(C) THE TERM ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION (APO)

3 SHALL MEAN THE PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL
3 ENGINEERS DULY ACCREDITED BY THE PROFESSIONAL
q REGULATORY BOARD OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND THE
5 PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION.

2. Section 4 of the same Act, as amended, is further amended to read as

7 follows:

8 “Section 4, Powers and Duties of the Board. ~ The Boatd of Examiners for
° Civil Engineers is vested with authority. conformable with the provisions of
0 this Act, to administer oaths, issue. suspend and revoke certificates of
NW registration for the practice of civil engineering, [issue certificates of

2 recognition to civil engineers already registered under this Act for advanced
5 studies, research. ighly specialized training in any branch of civil
i engineering. subject 10 the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and
5 Communications} to investigate such violations of this Act and the
6 regulations, thereunder as may come to the knowledge of the Board and, for
7 this purpose, issue yubpoen ard subpoena duces tecum to secure appearance
ik of witnesses in connection with the charges presented to the Board, to inspect
9 at least once a year educational, institutions offering courses in civil
20 engineering, civil engineering works, projects or corporations, established in
“ll the Philippines and, for safeguarding of life, health and property, to discharge
rhs such other powers and duties may affect ethical and technological standards
3 of the civil engineering profession in the Philippines. For the purpose of this
24 Act, the {Director} SECRETARY of Public Works AND HIGHWAYS and/or

THE DULY authorized representative in the provinces and chartered cities

shall be.ex-officio agents of the Board and as such it shall be their duty to help

in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act.
28 The Board 1

Communications. issue} PROMULGATE such rules and regulations as may

y{. with the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and

be deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. THE LATEST.
31 EDITION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING CODE AND THE MANUAL OF
a2 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF CIVIL ENGINEERS AS PREPARED BY


THE ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL
ENGINEERS AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD SHALL FORM PART
OF THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. The Board
shall also adopt a code of ethics in the practice of civil engineering and have
an official seal to authenticate its official documents.

SEC. 3. A new Section 4(A) is inserted to read as fotlows:

“SECTION 4(A). CERTIFICATE OF SPECIALIZATION — IN ORDER TO
ENCOURAGE THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION OF
REGISTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS, THE ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS SHALL BE VESTED WITH
AUTHORITY CONFORMABLE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
TO ISSUE A CERTIFICATE OF SPECIALIZATION TO A REGISTERED
CIVIL ENGINEER WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED AN ADVANCED
KNOWLED( EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, RESEARCH. AND
TRAINING IN A RECOGNIZED BRANCH OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
PROVIDED. THAT AT THE INITIAL EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, THE
SPECIALIZATIONS OF ENVIRONMENT AND — ENERGY
GINEERING, GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING, STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING, TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING. AND WATER
ENGINEERING SHALL BE SO RECOGNIZED: PROVIDED FURTHER,
THAT OTHER SPECIALIZATIONS MAY ADDITIONALLY BE
RECOGNIZED BY THE ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. SPECIALISTS IN EACH
RECOGNIZED BRANCH MAY FORM A SPECIALTY ORGANIZATION
OF CIVIL ENGINEERS: PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THIS SOCIETY
OF CIVIL ENGINEERS 1S AFFILIATED TO AND RECOGNIZED BY
THE ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL
ENGINEERS: PROVIDED FINALLY. THAT THERE SHALL BE ONLY
ONE SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS FOR EACH RECOGNIZED
BRANCH OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO
MEMBERSHIP IN OTHER VOLUNTARY —_ PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS. THE HOLDER OF SUCH CERTIFICATE OF

E



follows:

follows:

follows:

SPECIALIZATION MAY USE THE SPECIALIST TITLE IN THE
SIGNING OF RELEVANT PLANS AND DOCUMENTS.

THE ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL
ENGINEERS SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND OR
REVOKE A CERTIFICATE OF SPECIALIZATION PREVIOUSLY
ISSUED ON GROUNDS OF VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS ACT.”

SEC. 4. Section 13 of the same Act. as amended, is further amended to read as

“Section 13. Oath of Civil Bngineers=:All successful candidates in the
examination shall be required to take a professional oath before the Board of
Examiners for Civil Engineers or other govemment officials authorized to
administer oaths, prior to entering upon the practice of the civil engineering
profession. ALL REGISTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS SHALL ALSO TAKE
THEIR OATH AS MEMBERS OF THE ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS AND SHALL COMPLY WITH

ALL THEIR MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS.

SEC. 5. Section 16 of the same Act. as amended, is further amended to read as

“Section 16. Refusal to Issue Certificate ~ The Board of Examiners for Civil
Engineers shall not issue a certificate to any person convicted by a court of
competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral urpitude, or to
any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or to any person of
unsound mind. THE BOARD SHALL NOT ISSUE A CERTIFICATE TO
ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF GOOD STANDING OF
THE ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL.
ENGINEERS. In the event of refusal to issue a certificate to any person, the
Board shall give to the applicant a written statement setting forth its reason for
such action, which statement shall be incorporated in the records of the
Board.”

SE

6. Section 19 of the same Act, as amended, is further amended to read as


“Section 19. Transitory Provisions: — As soon as this Act takes effect, any

person desiring to practice the profession of civil engineering shall be required

to obtain a certificate of registration in the manner and under the conditions
hereinafter provided

All civil engineers duly licensed under the provisions of Act Numbered
Twenty-nine hundred and eighty-five, as amended, at the time this Act takes
effect, shall be automatically registered under the provisions hereof.
Certificates of registration held by such persons in good standing shall have
the same force and effect as though the same have been issued under the
provisions of this Act. CERTIFICATES OP SPECIALIZATION ISSUED
TO RPGISTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS BY THE BOARD OR
ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL
ENGINEERS HELD BY SUCH PERSONS IN GOOD STANDING SHALL.
HAVE THE SAME FORCE AND EFFECT AS THOUGH THE SAME
HAVE BEEN ISSUED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.

XXX”

SI

Separability Clause. ~ Should any provision of this Act or any part thereof
be declared invalid, the other provisions. so far as they are separable from the invalid ones,
shall remain in full force and effect

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, presidential issuances,
proclamations, and administrative regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions
of this Act are hereby amended, modified or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 9, Effectivity Clause ~ This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazerte

newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.


FACT SHEET

House Bill No.
(As Approved on September 26, 2011)

AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 544, AS
AMENDED, OR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING LAW

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVES SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III,
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ, MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. ANGELO B.
PALMONES AND AURELIO D. GONZALES, JR

Committee Referral’ COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL
REGULATION
Committee Chairperson’ HON. ANDRES D. SALVACION.

OBJECTIVES:

* To update the present law to respond to national development
needs

« To strengthen the civil engineering profession and enable civil
engineers to cope with the formidable challenges brought about by
globalization and cross-border practice

+ To continually upgrade the level of competence of the civil
engineers through: peer recognition of specialization in civil
engineering: continuous professional development and
strengthening of the accredited professional organization of civil
engineers

KEY PROVISIONS:

«Encourages the continuing professional education of registered civil
engineers by vesting the Accredited Professional Organization of
civil engineers (APO) with authority that conforms with the
provisions of this act, to issue a certificate of specialization to a
registered civil engineer who has demonstrated advanced
knowledge, experience, education, research, and training in a
recognized branch of civi! engineering.

* Provides that the fatest edition of the civil engineering code and the
manual of professional practice of civil engineers as prepared by
the accredited professional organization of civil engineers and


approved by the board
and regulations

i form part of the implementing rules

+ Mandates that the board shall not issue a certificate to any person
who is not a member of good standing of the accredited
professional organization of registered civil engineers

* Integrates all registered civit engineers inta one (1) accredited
professional organization (APO) of registered civil engineers upon
recognition and accreditation by the Board of Civil Engineers
subject to the approval by the Professional Regulation Commission

RELATED LAWS:

4 RIA, 544, An Act to Regulate the Practice of Civil Engineering in the
Philippines

*% R.A. 1582, An Act further Amending Rep. Act. No, 544, as
Amended