EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS: )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 2844
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill was approved by the House of Representatives during the 17" Congress.

The dawn of technological advancement and economic development has taken
undue advantage on the environment and natural resources which have been its main
‘source of raw materials since the advent of time. Man's focus has been more on fiscal and
industrial success rather than on substantial balance of both progress and environmental
sustainability. To disregard the latter would allow man limitless access to the environment
‘and natural resources tending to its abuse without being mindful of what may be left for
those in the future.

The practice of Environmental Engineering is not a new venture in the field of
engineering. Instead, it has been in existence for more than four decades and the
Philippines is among the few countries which have not yet embraced the promise of
professionalizing its practice. Environmental Engineering is defined by the United States
Office of Personnel Management as a professional engineering work to protect or improve
air, land and water resources in order to provide a clean and healthful environment.

Thus, this bill seeks to professionalize the practice of environmental engineering in
the Philippines to advance the cause of a balanced and healthful environment in the midst of
industrial and economic growth. Its practice allows for capitalists and investors to explore
avenues of economic growth without posing serious detrimental effects to the environment
and thus harmonizing progress with environmental sustainability.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested

[


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS: )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 2844

AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING IN THE
PHILIPPINES, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in congress
assembled:

ARTICLE |
TITLE, DECLARATION OF STATE POLICY, COVERAGE,
DEFINITION OF TERMS, AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Environmental Engineering Law of
the Philippines”.

SEC 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the importance of environmental
engineers, environmental engineering technologists, and environmental  Bncinovnd
engineer. in nation building and development. As such, it is hereby declared the policy of
ton tite to recognize, promote, strengthen, and regulate the practice of environmental
tngineering profession in the Philippines by instituting measures that will result in relevant
Soo eneutal engineering education and enhanced roles and better career prospects for
ervirenmental engineering practitioners. The State shall develop and nurture competent.
productive, and well-rounded environmental engineering practitioners whose standard of
Professional practice and service shall be excellent, world-class, and globally competitive
through regulatory measures, programs and activities.

SEC. 3. Coverage. This Act shall cover the following aspects of the practice of
environmental engineering profession

(a) Examination, registration, and licensure of ‘environmental engineering practitioners,

(b) Regulation, supervision, and control of the practice of environmental engineering,

{c) Development, upgrading, and updating of the curriculum of ‘environmental
engineering, environmental engineering technology, and environmental engineeting
fechnician professions, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) and higher educational institutions (HEts)and other stakeholders;

() Development and improvement of the professional competence and practice of
environmental engineering practitioners through, among others, continuing
professional development (CPD); and

(e) Creation of relevant positions for environmental engineers, environmental
engineering technologists and environmental engineering technicians and such other
positions which require the knowledge and services of environmental engineering
practitioners in all levels of local government units, relevant National Government
Agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and -controlled
corporations (GOCCs) as well as in industries, private establishments, firms,
corporations, and institutions.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:


(@) Air Pollution Control Engineering refers to a branch of Environmental
Engineering in which scientific and engineering concepts and principles are
applied to control of air pollutant emissions, their generation and release from a
Source, their transport and transformation in and removal from the atmosphere,
and their effects on human beings, materials, and ecosystems. It covers
monitoring and correction of air pollution problems originating from relatively
Srrall_areas, such as an industrial park impacted by one or more emission
Sources, to those from large areas, such as urban area impacted by a number of
sources and a variety of contaminants. The overall goal is to improve ambient
air quality, to promote healthy environmental quality, and to protect property and
public health;

(©) Air pollution engineering refers to a branch of environmental engineering
Concemed with the control of pollutants in; their generation and release from a
Source, their transport and transformation in and removal from the atmosphere,
‘and their effects on human beings, materials, and ecosystems;

(c) Climate Change Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human
systems in response to actual or expected climactic stimuli or their effects .
which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities;

(d) Disaster refers to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or @
society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental
losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or
society to cope using its own resources;

(e) Disaster Mitigation refers to the lessening or limitation of the adverse impacts of
hazards and related disasters. Mitigation measures encompass engineering
techniques and hazard-resistant construction as well as improved environmental
policies and public awareness, land use planning, and climate change.

(f) Disaster Risk Management refers to the systematic process of using
‘administrative directives, organizations, and operational skills and capacities to
implement strategies, policies and improved coping capacities in order to lessen
the adverse impacts of hazards and possibility of disaster;

(9) Disaster Risk Reduction refers. to the concept and practice of reducing disaster
risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the casual factors of
disasters, including through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability
fof people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and
improved preparedness for adverse events;

(h) Environmental Engineer refers to an environmental engineering practitioner duly
registered with the Board and the Commission to practice environmental
‘engineering as defined in this Act;

() Environmental Engineering encompasses the application of science and
engineering principles to protect and improve the environment, including the air,
water, and land resources, to provide safe water, air, and land for human
habitation and for other organisms and to rehabilitate polluted sites, solid waste
management, environmental impact assessment, environmental risk
‘assessment and management, atmospheric pollution abatement; noise pollution
Abatement; conservation and protection of water resources; classification of
water; protection of watersheds; and management of toxic and hazardous
substances and radiological pollution. The ultimate goal of environmental
engineering is the protection of human populations from the effects of adverse
‘environmental factors and the protection of environments, both local and global,
from potentially deleterious effects of natural and human activities.

() Environmental Engineering Technologist refers to an environmental engineering
practitioner duly registered with the Board and the Commission whose
Competence lies in the application of environmental engineering technologies.
Environmental engineering technologists shall be graduates of Bachelor of
Science in Environmental Engineering Technology or its equivalent conferred by



‘a school, academy, college or university in the Philippines or abroad which is
recognized by the CHED. An environmental technologist shall also refer to a
sanitary inspector with civil service eligibility;

(k) Environmental Engineering Management refers to an entire spectrum of
activities covering environmental impact assessment (EIA), water quality
management, ambient air quality management, climate change adaptation and
mitigation, disaster risk reduction and management, and other programs and
strategies to maintain safe and healthy environment and protect public health;

() Environmental Engineering Technician refers to an environmental engineering
practitioner duly registered with the Board and the Commission whose role is to
apply established methods or techniques of environmental engineering. An
environmental engineering technician shall be a graduate of associate or
certificate programs for environmental engineering technicians offered by a
school, academy, college, or university in the Philippines or abroad which is
recognized by the CHED. An environmental engineering technician shall also
refer to a sanitary inspector;

(m)Environmental Health and Safety Engineering refers to the branch of
Environmental Engineering in which scientific and engineering concepts and
principles are applied to the examination of indoor and outdoor environmental
quality and condition to identify, monitor, evaluate and eliminate or control of
hazards that expose people, environment or property to danger;

(n) Environmental Impact Assessment refers to the process that involves predicting
and evaluating the likely impacts of a project including cumulative impacts on the
environment during construction, commissioning, operation, and abandonment
It also includes designing appropriate preventive, mitigating, and enhancement
measures addressing these consequences to protect the environment and the
community's welfare;

(0) Hazardous Wastes refers to those wastes defined and designated as hazardous
wastes by Republic Act No. 6969, otherwise known as the “Toxic Substances
and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990;

(p) Noise pollution control engineering refers to a branch of environmental
engineering that is concerned with the control of the generation and propagation
of environmental noise/sound that impact negatively on flora and fauna.

(q) Radioactive and Nuclear Waste Management refers to the branch of
Environmental Engineering in which the basic principles of science and
engineering are applied to responsible mining, milling, processing, refining of
radioactive materials, and disposal of any material that contains or is
contaminated with radio nuclides at concentrations or activities greater than the
clearance levels as established by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
(PNRI), and for which no use is foreseen;

(f) Sanitary Engineer refers to person duly registered with the Board of Sanitary
Engineering and the Commission as provided in R.A. 1364, otherwise known as
the "Sanitary Engineering Law,”

(s) Sanitary Engineering refers to a branch of Environmental Engineering which
covers the control of all factors in man’s physical environmental that adversely
affect human life, health and safety. It focuses on the identification and
prevention of transmission of diseases through the control of physical aspects of
the environment including food, water, air, refuse, soil, insects, and vermin and
also the control of domestic and personal hygiene practices. Specific activities
include sanitation of establishments, institutions and public places; insect and
vermin control; industrial hygiene; nuisance abatement; healthful lighting and
ventilation; emergency water supply and sanitation; environmental health impact
assessment; disposal of dead persons; water supply system design and
management both potable and used water and inclusive of those in



buildings/structures; food sanitation; and other engineering services related to
the protection of public health and welfare;

(t) Sanitary Inspector refers to a person performing the duties ascribed to an
environmental engineering technologist or technician in this Act;

(u) Sanitary Utilities for Buildings refer to the water supply distribution system,
sanitary drainage system, wastewater recycling and reuse, storm drainage
system, and waste water treatment facility in buildings;

(v) Sanitary Utilities in Buildings refer to water supply system, sanitary and storm
systems as well as fire protection systems in building;

(w) Site Remediation refers to a branch of Environmental Engineering in which
scientific and engineering concepts and principles are applied to environmental
quality investigation to characterize the concentrations and locations of
contaminants in the soil and groundwater, conduct of risk assessment to
estimate the health hazards of the contamination to humans and the ecosystem,
and strategies to clean-up the site and retum it to safe utilization;

(x) Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering and Management refers to a branch of
Environmental Engineering in which scientific and engineering concepts and
principles are applied to the management of municipal solid and hazardous
wastes to protect human health and the environment and the conservation of
limited resources through resource recovery and recycling of waste materials. It
covers research, siting, design, operation, and maintenance, monitoring,
evaluation, and upgrading of facilities and related support structures including
the functional elements for the control of the generation, characterization, onsite
storage, collection, segregation, transfer, transport, processing, and recovery,
recycling, and ultimate disposal of waste materials in a manner that is in accord
with the best principles of public health, economics, engineering, conservation,
aesthetics, and other environmental considerations;

(y) Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste Management refers to the process
which involves reducing the amount of hazardous substances produced, treating
hazardous wastes to reduce their toxicity, and applying sound engineering
controls to reduce or eliminate exposures to these wastes;

(2) Water Supply Engineering refers to a branch of Environmental Engineering
concerned with the scientific principles and analysis of water supply systems;
development of sources of water supply; quality assessment, collection and
treatment of water from sources to drinking water, municipal water works, storm
waters, groundwater, surface water, rain water, seawaters desalination, filtration
systems and water re-use applications; Water quality criteria and standards and
their relation to public health, environment and urban water cycle; Water quality
concepts and their effect on treatment process selection; operation and
maintenance of water supply systems; evaluation of project alternatives on basis
of chosen selection criteria for drinking water,

Water supply engineering within a watershed context to evaluate the water
balance within a watershed, management of watershed environment, determine
the available water supply, the water needed for various needs in that
watershed, the seasonal cycles of water movement through the watershed and
development of the systems to store, treat, and convey water for various uses;
Design and rehabilitate raw water abstraction, transport, treatment and
distribution processes and systems; Water supply and treatment to secure water
supplies for potable and domestic use; Provisions of potable water supply where
water is treated to minimize risk of infectious disease transmittal, risk of non-
infectious illness, and create a palatable water flavor that meet various end-user
needs such as domestic use;

(aa) Water Quality Management refers to the protection and improvement of the
physical, chemical, biological, microbiological, and radiological quality of water to
maintain its most beneficial use; and


(bb) Wastewater Engineering refers to a branch of Environmental Engineering in

Which the basic principles of science and engineering are applied to the
problems of water pollution control. It covers wastewater characterization,
Analysis and determination of waste water flow rates and constituent loadings,
‘as well as physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes, and design,
wastewater treatment plant residuals management, and ‘other issues related to
wastewater treatment plant performance and wastewater disposal.

SEC. 5. Scope of Practice. The practice of environmental engineering practitioners shall
include the following:

(a) Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering;

(b) Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering;

(©) Air Quality and Noise Pollution Control Engineeri

(d) Sanitary Engineering including Sanitary Utilities for Buildings;

(e) Site Remediation;

(f) Environmental Health and Safety Engineering; and

(g) Environmental Engineering Management which covers Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA), Water Quality Management, Ambient Air Quality Management,

Climate Change Adaptation and

igation, Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management, and other programs and strategies to maintain safe and healthy
environment and protect public health.
1. Environmental Engineer shall perform the following:

(a)
()

(c)

(d)

(e)
)

Provide consultation services on environmental engineering;
Plan, design, approve, investigate, evaluate, supervise, and monitor
environmental engineering processes, facilities including sanitary utilities in
buildings, and other related projects;

Develop, implement, and manage programs for waste minimization and
recycling, resource recovery, cleaner production, pollution abatement and
mitigation, polluted sites remediation, and other relevant environmental
strategies;

Conduct research on environmental problems, including current and
emerging contaminants, pollutants, and public health issues, and create and
design innovative solutions;

Teach courses in the environmental engineering and allied programs and
serve as resource person; and

Prepare and certify technical and environmental reports for compliance to
environmental laws and regulation.

2. Environmental Engineering Technologist shall perform the following services under
the supervision of an environmental engineer:

(a)
(b)

(c)

‘Conduct laboratory and field works pertaining to environmental engineering
projects and undertakings;

Recommend the issuance of environmental and other related permits,
clearances, or licenses, including discharge permits, permit to operate air
pollution source and control installations, and sanitary permits; and

Assist environmental engineers in the practice of the profession.

3. Environmental Engineering Technician shall perform the following services under the
supervision of an environmental engineer and environmental engineering

technologist, or both:

(a)

(b)

(e)

‘Conduct inspection, investigation, and sampling in pollution control facilities,
sanitary utilities in buildings, public places and establishments, and ambient
environment (ambient air, water bodies, land);

Perform well-defined functions related to the practice of environmental
‘engineering as directed by an environmental engineer and/or environmental
engineering technologist; and 5
Prepare reports and correspondence pertaining to their acti

ies.


ARTICLE II
BOARD OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

SEC. 6. Creation and Composition of the Board. There is hereby created a Professional
Regulatory Board of Environmental Engineering, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under
the administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC), herein referred to as the Commission. The Board shall consist of a Chairperson and
four (4) Members:

(a) The Chairperson and two (2) members shall be responsible for the
‘environmental engineering licensure examinations, whereas, the Chairperson
and the remaining fourth (4") and fifth (5") members shall be responsible for
the environmental engineering technologists and environmental engineering
technicians examinations,

(b) The Chairperson and members of the Board shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Commission, from
a list of at least three (3) nominees for each position who shall be endorsed by
the duly accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO) of the
environmental engineering practitioners in the Philippines.

SEC. 7. Terms of Office. The Chairperson and members of the Board shall hold office for a
term of three (3) years from the date of appointment, or until their successors shall have
been appointed or qualified. They may, however, be reappointed for only a second term as
may be recommended by the Commission and the AIPO of the environmental engineering
practitioners. Each member shall qualify by taking an oath of office before entering the
performance of the duties. Vacancies in the Board shall be filled by the President of the
Philippines, from the list of candidates endorsed by the Commission, who were chosen and
Tecommended from the list of nominees submitted by the AIPO of the environmental
engineering practitioners, but for the unexpired term only. At the expiration of the term or
removal of the Board Chairperson, the most senior of the Board member shall temporarily
assume and perform the duties and functions of the Chairperson, until a permanent one is
appointed by the President.

SEC. 8. Qualifications and Disqualifications of the Members of the Board. A member
of the Board at the time of the appointment, shall possess the following qualifications:

(a) Must be a Filipino citizen and a resident of the Philippines for at least five (5) year

(b) At least thirty-five (35) years of age, of good moral character, and of proven integrity
in the personal and professional conduct;

(c) Holds a degree of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering or Bachelor of
Science in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering (BSEnSe) or Bachelor of
Science in Sanitary Engineering (BSSE) from a university, school, college, academy
or institute in the Philippines that is recognized by the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED); Provided , That the Chairperson must preferably be a holder of a
Master's or a doctorate degree in Environmental Engineering;

(d) A registered Environmental Engineer with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant
experience;

(e) Must neither be an official nor a faculty member, nor shall have pecuniary interest in
any university, college, school or institution conferring bachelor's degree in
environmental engineering for at least three (3) years prior to the appointment. A
person must not be connected with a review center, or with any group or association
Which offers or conducts review classes or lectures in preparation for the licensure
examinations, at the time of the appointment and during the incumbency as
chairperson or member of the Board.

(f) Must not be an incumbent officer of the AIPO of the environmental engineering
practitioners within a period of three (3) years prior to nomination; and

(g) Must not have been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude.



SEC .9. Compensation and Allowances. The Chairperson and members of the Board shall
receive compensation and allowances comparable to those being received by the
chairpersons and members of existing Boards under the Commission as provided for in the
General Appropriations Act.

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

exercise the following powers, functions and responsibilities:

(a) To promulgate the implementing rules and regulations necessary in carrying out the
provisions of this Act;

(b) To regulate the registration, licensure and the practice of environmental
engineering, in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(c) To issue the certificate of registration and professional identification cards to
successful registrants;

(d) To administer oaths in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(e) To issue special temporary permit to qualified foreign environmental engineering
practitioners, who may be authorized by existing laws to practice environmental
‘engineering in the Philippines for a specific project and duration of time only;

(f) To monitor the conditions affecting the practice of the environmental engineering
profession and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures deemed proper for the
enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of high professional technical
and ethical standards;

(g) To hear and investigate cases arising from violations of this Act, its Implementing
Rules and Regulations (IRR), Code of Ethics, administrative policies, orders and
issuances promulgated by the Board. For this purpose, the Board shall issue
subpoena ad testificandum and/or subpoena duces tecum to secure the attendance
of the respondents or witnesses and the production of documents relative to the
investigation conducted by the Board;

(h) To hear and investigate cases filed before the Board where the issue or question
strictly concerns the practice of the professions, in which case, the hearing shall be
presided over by at least one (1) member of the Board assisted by a Legal or
Hearing Officer of the Commission;

To conduct, through the Legal Officers of the Commission, summary proceeding on

minor violations of this Act, its IRR, including the general instructions to examinees,

and render summary judgment thereon, which, unless appealed to the Commission,
shall become final and executory after fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the
decision;

(j) To suspend, revoke, reissue, or reinstate the certificate of registration and
professional identification card or special temporary permit for causes provided by
this law;

(k) To prepare, adopt, and issue the syllabi or Tables of Specifications (TOS) of the
subjects for examination, in consultation with the academe; determine and prepare
the questions for the licensure examinations which shall strictly be within the scope
of the syllabus or table of specifications of the subjects for examination; score and
rate the examination papers and submit the results in all subjects duly signed by the
members of the Board to the Commission within thirty (30) days from the last day of
‘examination, unless extended for justifiable cause, and subject to the approval of
the Commission;

() To prescribe and adopt a Code of Ethics for Environmental Engineers,
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Environmental Engineering
Technicians in consultation with the AIPO;

(m) To prescribe guidelines in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program
and to create the CPD Council with the objective of providing and ensuring the
continuous development of all environmental engineering practitioners;

(n) To adopt an official seal of the Board; and

(0) To perform other functions and duties as may be necessary to implement this Act.



The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations issued or promulgated by the Board shall
be subject to review and approval of the Commission. However, the Board's decisions,
resolutions and orders rendered in administrative cases shall be subject to review only if on

appeal.

SEC. 11. Annual Report. The Board shall, at the end of each calendar year, submit to the
Commission a detailed report of its activities and proceedings during the year embodying
also such recommendations as it may deem proper to promote the policies and objectives of
this Act.

SEC. 12. Removal of Board Members. The President, upon recommendation of the
Commission, may remove any member of the Board on the following grounds: neglect of
duty, incompetence, malpractice, tolerance of irregularities in the examinations, or for
unprofessional, unethical, or dishonorable conduct, after having been given the opportunity
to defend oneself in a proper administrative investigation.

ARTICLE Ill
LICENSURE, REGISTRATION AND PRACTICE
OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

SEC. 13. Examination Requirement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act,
all applicants for registration for the practice of environmental engineering shall be required
to pass a written technical examination which shall be given at such times and places as
may be determined by the Commission.

SEC. 14. Qualifications of Applicants for the Environmental Engineers Licensure
Examinations. An applicant for the licensure examination for environmental engineer shall
establish to the satisfaction of the Board that the following qualifications are met:

(a) A citizen of the Philippines or of a foreign country which has a policy on reciprocity

for the practice of environmental engineering with the Philippines;

(b) Has a good reputation and good moral values;

(c) Has not been convicted by the court of any offense involving moral turpitude; and

(4) Holds a Bachelor's degree in Science of Environmental Engineering from a

university, college, academy or institute, duly constituted and recognized by the
CHED.

Subject to the evaluation of the Board, the following may be allowed to take the
Environmental Engineering Board Examinations within seven (7) years upon the effectivity of
this Act:

(a) A holder of a degree in ecological and environmental engineering, sanitary
‘engineering, environmental and sanitary engineering, or sanitary and public
health engineering from a recognized and legally constituted school, college,
or university in the Philippines;

(b) A holder of a degree in any field of engineering plus a Master's Degree in
Environmental Engineering from a recognized and legally constituted school,
college or university in the Philippines; and

(c) A holder of a degree in any field of engineering from a recognized and legally
constituted school, college or university in the Philippines, with at least two (2)
years of environmental engineering experience.

SEC. 15. Qualifications of Applicants for the Environmental Engineering
Technologists Licensure Examination. An applicant for the licensure examination for
environmental engineering technologists shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that
the following qualifications are met:
(a) A citizen of the Philippines or of a foreign country which has a policy on reciprocity
for the practice of environmental engineering with the Philippines;


‘SEC. 20. /ssuance of Certificates of Registration and Professional Identification Card.
The Board and the Commission shall issue a certificate of registration to a registrant who
has met all the requirements for registration under this Act. The certificate of registration
shall bear the full name of the registrant, the signatures of the Chairperson of the
Commission and all members of the Board, and the official seals of the Board and the
Commission. The certificate of registration shall be the evidence that the person named
therein is entitled to practice the environmental engineering, environmental engineering
technology or environmental engineering technician profession, as the case may be, with all
the privileges appurtenant thereto

A professional identification card indicating the registration number, and dates of its
issuance and expiry, duly signed by the Commission Chairperson, shall likewise be issued to
a successful registrant. The professional identification card shall be renewed every three (3)
years, subject to compliance with the requirements as may be prescribed by the Board and
the Commission.

SEC. 21. Registration without Examination. Within the periods specified below, the Board
shall issue certificates of registration and professional identification cards to the following
qualified persons without examination: Provided, That the persons possess the following
qualifications as validated by the Board: ~

1. Environmental Engineers must satisfy the following requirements:

{a) Hold a degree in ecological and environmental engineering, environmental

engineering, sanitary engineering, environmental and sanitary engineering, or

sanitary or public health engineering, with at least five (5) years of environmental
engineering experience; or a degree in any field of engineering plus a masters
degree in environmental engineering from a recognized and legally constituted
school, college or university in the Philippines, with at least three (3) years of
environmental engineering experience; or a degree in engineering and a
doctorate degree in environmental engineering from a recognized and legally
constituted school, college or university in the Philippines.
This provision may be exercised within seven (7) years after the effectivity of this Act,
2. Environmental Engineering Technologists must satisfy the following requirements:
(a) Employed as pollution control officers or environmental management
specialists or employed with a permanent status as a Sanitary Inspector or
Sanitarian at the Department of Health (DOH) or other local government
agencies.
(b) With ten years experience; and
(c) Baccalaureate degree
3. Environmental Engineering Technicians must satisfy the following requirements:

(a) Employed with a permanent status as a Sanitary Inspector or Sanitarian at the
Department of Health (DOH) or other local government agencies for at least
ten (10) years; and

(b) With appropriate civil service eligibility.

Provided further, That qualified Environmental Engineering Practitioners shall register
within two (2) years after the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 22. Foreign Reciprocity. No foreigner shall be admitted to the licensure examination,
or be given a certificate of registration and professional identification card, or be entitled to
any of the rights and privileges under this Act, unless the requirements for the registration or
licensing in said foreign country or state are substantially the same as those required and
contemplated by the laws of the Philippines, and that the laws of such foreign country or
state specifically permits Filipino environmental engineering practitioners to practice within
its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign country or
State.


(b) Has a good reputation and good moral values;

(c) A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering Technology:
(d) Has not been convicted by the court of any offense involving moral turpitude; and
(e) Is in good health.

SEC. 16. Qualifications of Applicants for the Environmental Engineering Technicians
Licensure Examination. An applicant for the licensure examination for environmental
engineering technicians shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that the following
qualifications are met:
{a) A citizen of the Philippines or of a foreign country which has a policy on reciprocity
for the practice of environmental engineering with the Philippines;
(b) Has a good reputation and good moral values;
(c) Is an Associate of or holds a Certificate in Environmental Engineering, or finished
two years of the prescribed curriculum for BSEnE;
(d) Has not been convicted by the court of an offense involving moral turpitude; and
(e) Is in good health.

SEC. 17. Subjects of the Environmental Engineering Licensure Examination. Unless
modified by the Board and the Commission, the Environmental Engineering, Environmental
Engineering Technologists and Environmental Engineering Technicians Licensure
Examination shall cover the following subjects:

(a) Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering;

(b) Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering;

(c) Air Quality and Noise Pollution Control Engineering;

(d) Sanitary Engineering including Sanitary Utilities for Buildings;

(c) Site Remediation;

(1) Environmental Health and Safety Engineering; and

(e) Environmental Engineering Management - covers Environmental Impact

Assessment, Water Quality Management, Ambient Air Quality Management, Climate
Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and
other programs and strategies to maintain safe and healthy environment, and to
protect public health.

The Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, may amend or revise the
subjects, the syllabi, and the system and procedure in the Environmental Engineering,
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Environmental Engineering Technicians
Licensure Examination

SEC. 18.. Rating in the Licensure Examination. To be qualified as having passed the
Environmental Engineering, Environmental Engineering Technologists and Environmental
Engineering Technicians Licensure Examination, a candidate must obtain a weighted
general average of at least seventy percent (70%), with no grade lower than fifty percent
(50%) in any given subject. However, an examinee who obtains a weighted general average
rating of seventy percent (70%) or higher, but obtains a rating below fifty percent (50%) in
any given subject, must retake the examination in the subject or subjects where the grade
obtained is below fifty percent (50%).

‘An examinee who fails to pass the examination for the third (3"°) time shall be allowed to
take another examination only after the lapse of one (1) year from the last examination taken
and after having completed a refresher course in a government-recognized institution

SEC. 19. Oath of Environmental Engineering Practitioner. All successful registrants, with
or without examination, shalll take the prescribed professional oath before any member of the
Board or any other authorized official of the Commission prior to entering the practice of the
profession


SEC. 23 Special Temporary Permits - The following are required to secure a special
temporary permit from the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission:

(a) Environmental engineering practitioners from other countries called in by the
government for consultation and for a specific project; or both, Provided, That such
foreign environmental engineering practitioners are legally qualified to practice
‘environmental engineering in their country or State.

(b) Foreign consultants specializing in the field of environmental engineering, who, in
the judgment of the Board, may benefit the local practitioners through the transfer of
technology: Provided, That such registrants shall satisfy the following conditions:

(1) That, at the time of engagement, no Filipino environmental engineering
practitioner in the country is competent, available and willing to perform the
services for which the foreigner has been hired; and

(2) Any particular or specific engagement shall not be in excess of one (1) year,
renewable at the discretion of the Board and the Commission.

SEC. 24. Refusal to Register. The Board shall not register any applicant for registration
with or without licensure examination, who suffers from any of the following disqualifications:
(a) Conviction by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of any offense
involving moral turpitude;
(b) Conviction by final judgment in any administrative case involving immorality or
notoriously undesirable conduct;
(c) Adjudged guilty for violation of the General instructions to Examinees by the Board;
(d) Declared to be of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(e) Proven to be afflicted with addiction to substance/s impairing the ability to practice
the profession through a finding to this effect by a medical or drug testing facility
accredited by the government.
In case of refusal to register, the Board shall issue to the applicant a written statement
setting forth the reasons for such refusal and shall file a copy thereof in its records.

SEC. 25. Suspension and Revocation of the Certificate of Registration and
Professional identification Card or Special Temporary Permit. The Board shall have the
power, after due notice and hearing, to suspend a member for a period of six (6) to twelve
(12) months, depending on the gravity of the offense or revoke the certificate of registration
and professional identification card or special temporary permit on any of the following
grounds:

For Suspension:

(a) Unjustified refusal to join or to remain a member in good standing of the AIPO;

(b) Unjustified or unexplained neglect or failure to pay the annual registration fees for
five (5) consecutive years; and

(c) Unjustified or unexplained non-renewal of the professional identification card for
more than five (5) consecutive years.

For Revocation:

{a) Violation of any provision of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics, and other policies and
regulatory measures of the Board and the Commission, or both;

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

(c) Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance in the practice or exercise of the
profession resulting to death, injury of persons and damage to property;

(d) Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a person who is not an environmental
engineering practitioner by allowing oneself to use the certificate of registration,
professional identification card or special temporary permit, among others;

(e) Practice of the profession during the suspension from the practice thereof; and

() Addiction to a drug or alcohol abuse impairing oneself ability to practice the
profession or being declared of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction.



The Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise or add
new ones as the need arises, subject to approval by the Commission.

SEC. 26. Filing of Charges - The rules on administrative investigation of the Commission
shall govern the filing of charges and the conduct of hearing and investigation, or both
subject to applicable provisions of this Act, RA No. 8981 and the Rules of Court.

SEC. 27. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of Lost or
Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card or Special
Temporary Permit. Suspensions imposed against a member shall be automatically lifted
upon expiration of the period indicated in the suspension order. The Board may, upon
petition, reinstate or reissue a revoked certificate of registration after two (2) years from the
effectivity of the revocation, which is reckoned from the date of surrender of the said
certificate of registration and professional identification card, or both to the Board and the
Commission. The Board may not require the holder thereof to take another licensure
‘examination. The petitioner shall prove to the Board that one has a valid reasons to resume
the practice of the profession. For the grant of one's petition, the Board shall issue a Board
Resolution, subject to approval by the Commission.

‘A duplicate copy of a lost certificate of registration, professional identification card or
special temporary permit may be reissued in accordance with rules thereon and upon
payment of the prescribed fee therefor.

SEC. 28. Use of Seal. All environmental engineering practitioners shall obtain a seal of such
design as the Board shall authorize and direct: Provided, however, That the certificate of
registration number issued by the Board shall be included in the design of the seal. Plans
and specifications prepared by, and under the direct supervision of an environmental
engineer shall be stamped with such seal during the validity of the latter's certificate of
registration. |t shall be unlawful to affix the seal on any document after the environmental
engineer's certificate of registration has expired or has been revoked, unless such certificate
of registration shall have been renewed or re-issued.

SEC. 29. Display of Certificate of Registration in the Place of Practice. The proprietor or
manager of a firm, partnership or association which employs an environmental engineer
shall post or cause to be posted in a conspicuous place within the place of business of the
firm, partnership or association, the certificate of registration of the environmental engineer.

SEC. 30. Roster of Environmental Engineering Practitioners. The Commission shall
keep a roster of all duly licensed and registered environmental engineers, environmental
engineering technologists and environmental engineering technicians, with their names;
registration numbers and places of business. The Commission shall regularly update such
roster and make it available to all interested parties, upon request

SEC. 31. Comprehensive Environmental Engineering Specialty Program. Within ninety
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Board, in coordination with the AIPO for
environmental engineering practitioners and recognized specialty organizations, is hereby
mandated to formulate and develop a comprehensive environmental engineering specialty
program that would upgrade the level of skills and competence of environmental
engineering specialists in the country, such as the areas of Water Supply and Wastewater
Engineering, Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering, Air Quality and Noise Pollution
Control Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Site Remediation, Environmental Health & Safety
Engineering, Environmental Engineering Management and such other areas as maybe
determined by the Board.

SEC. 32. Environmental Engineering Code for Environmental Engineering
Practitioners— The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Standards of


Practice for environmental engineers, environmental technologists, and environmental
technicians prescribed and issued by the AIPO of environmental engineers.

ARTICLE IV
PENAL AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 33. Vested Rights. All sanitary engineers registered under RA No 1364, otherwise
known as the “Sanitary Engineering Law” shall automatically be registered under the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 34. Practice of Firms. The practice of environmental engineering is a professional
service based on individual and personal qualifications. A firm, association or partnership
may practice this profession Provided, That the principals of the firm, association or
partnership are environmental engineers.

SEC. 35. Integration of the Environmental Engineering Professions. - The
environmental engineering profession shall be integrated into one (1) national organization
which shall be recognized by the Board as the one and only Accredited integrated
Professional Organization (AIPO) of the environmental engineering practitioners. Every
‘environmental engineering practitioner shall, upon registration with the Board, ipso facto
become a member of the AIPO and shall receive all the benefits and privileges appurtenant
to their membership in the AIPO, upon payment of the required membership fees and dues.

SEC. 36. Appointment of Environmental Engineers to Relevant Positions in the
Provincial, City and Municipal Governments and Establishments with Environmental
Engineering Functions. Within two (2) years after the approval of this Act, all provinces,
cities and municipalities may appoint an environmental engineer in their respective
Provincial, City and Municipal Engineering Offices.

No person shall be appointed to the position of environmental engineer or those
vested with environmental engineering functions unless the person is a citizen of the
Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concemed, of good moral character, and
a licensed environmental engineer. The appointee must have acquired experience in the
practice of the profession of environmental engineering for at least five (5) years in the case
of the provincial or city environmental engineer, and three (3) years in the case of municipal
environmental engineer. The appointment of an environmental engineer shall be mandatory
for the provincial, city and municipal governments. The environmental engineer shall:

(a) Initiate, review and recommend changes in policies and objectives, plans and
programs, techniques, procedures and practices in environmental engineering
works in general of the local government unit concerned;

(b) Advise the governor or mayor, as the case may be, on environmental engineering
matters and concerns;

(c) Administer, coordinate, supervise, and control the implementation of projects
relevant to environmental engineering;

(d) Provide engineering services to the local government unit concerned, including
investigation and survey, engineering designs, feasibility studies and project
management;

(e) In the case of provincial environmental engineers, exercise technical supervision
over all environmental engineering offices of component cities and municipalities;
and

(f) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may
be prescribed by law or ordinance.

Firms, companies, partnerships or associations which are engaged in the installation,
construction, manufacture, operation, or sale of environmental equipment, facilities and other
environmental engineering processes. or hold environmental permits such as Environment
Compliance Certificate (ECC), Water Permit, Discharge Permit, shall hire or engage the


services of at least one (1) environmental engineer. Industries, establishments, institutions,
waterworks, and facilities which generate, treat, discharge or dispose waste shall also be
required to hire or engage the services of at least one (1) environmental engineer who shall,
at the same time, perform functions of a Pollution Control/Environmental Officer.

SEC. 37. Ratio of Environmental Engineers, Environmental Engineering Technologists
and Environmental Engineering Technicians per population of Local Government
Units. The IRR of this Act shall set the standard ratio of environmental engineers,
environmental engineering technologists and environmental engineering technicians per unit
of population served in every province, city or municipality.

SEC. 38. Penal Provision. In addition to the administrative sanctions imposed under this
Act, upon conviction , the penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more
than five (5) years, or a fine of not less than One hundred thousand Pesos (PhP 100,000.00)
but not more than Five hundred thousand Pesos (PhP 500,000.00) or both, at the discretion
of the Courts, shall upon conviction be imposed on a person who commits any of the
following acts:

a. Engaging in the practice of environmental engineering in the Philippines without
having been registered or without having conformed with the provisions of this
Act;

b. Presenting or attempting to use as one's own the certificate of registration or
professional identification card of another environmental engineer, environmental
engineering technologists or environmental engineering technician, or special
temporary permit of a foreign environmental engineering practitioner;

¢. Submitting any false or forged evidence to the Board for the purpose of securing
a certificate of registration, professional identification card or special temporary
permit, or impersonating any environmental engineering practitioner,

d. Attempting to use or using a revoked or suspended certificate of registration,
professional identification card or special temporary permit;

e. Using or advertising any title or description tending to convey the impression that
@ person is an environmental engineering practitioner even without a valid
certificate of registration, professional identification card or special temporary
permit; or

f. Violating any of the provisions of this Act.

In case the offender is a corporation, partnership or juridical person, the penalty of
imprisonment shall be imposed on the environmental engineer jointly and solidarily with the
responsible professionals, as well the officer or officers responsible for permitting or causing
the violation.

SEC. 39. Enforcement of the Act by Officers of the Law. The Board and the Commission
shall implement and enforce the provisions of this Act, its IRR, and whenever warranted,
investigate complaints for violations of this Act, its IRR and the Code of Ethics and
Standards for Environmental Engineers, Environmental Engineering Technologists and
Environmental Engineering Technicians.

The National Goverment, any of its provincial, city or municipal government or
political subdivisions, shall assist in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. The
Department of Justice shall act as legal adviser of the Board and render such legal
assistance as may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 40. Transitory Provision. The incumbent Chairperson and members of the Board of
Sanitary Engineering shall continue to serve in such capacity for the purpose of
administering the Sanitary Engineers Licensure Examination to the graduates of Bachelor of
Science in Sanitary Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sanitary
Engineering until five (5) years from effectivity date of this Act.


The Board of Environmental Engineering created under Section 6 of this Act shall be
constituted not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. The Board shall
administer the Environmental Engineers Licensure Examination and register environmental
‘engineering practitioners prior to the full implementation of the qualifications prescribed for
environmental engineers, environmental engineering technologists and environmental
‘engineering technicians in Sections 14, 15 and 16 of this Act.

SEC. 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Board shall, within ninety (90) days
upon effectivity of this Act, formulate and issue the implementing rules and regulations (IRR)
to carry out the provision of this Act.

SEC. 42. Appropriations. The Chairperson of the Commission shall immediately include in
the Commission's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).The amount necessary to carry out
the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's
appropriations of the Commission. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the succeeding GAA

SEC 43. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act or the application thereof is
declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the same shall not affect the validity of
the other provisions.

SEC. 44. Repealing Clause. All laws, parts of laws, decrees, orders, letters of instructions
and ordinances, or regulations in conflict with the provisions hereof, are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 45. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,