EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Any country aiming to stimulate groMh and development most certainly always rely on
building infrastructures to encourage investors and increase government spending on
infrastructures projects. "Building" infrastructures towards sustainable growth and
development, however, does not rely on a single industry or profession alone.
A country that builds a resilient and sustainable community needs to and must rely on
the collective action and competence of several professionals who work in the field of built
environment, such as (i) architecture; (ii) interior design; (iii) landscape architecture; (iv)
environmental planning; (v) geodetic engineering; (vi) civil engineering; (vii) electrical
engineering; (viii) mechanical engineering; (ix) sanitary engineering; (x) master plumber; (xi)
electronics engineering; and (xii) real estate services.
Under this bill, "[t]he State recognizes the importance and contributions of the Built
Environment Professions in nation-building and development. Hence, the State shall ensure
that all practicing Built Environment Professionals meet the minimum requirements to
safeguard the life, health, property, and welfare of the public, foster their continuing
professional growth and advancement, encourage and enhance collaboration, and continually
review and improve the standards of regulation, professional service, and practice towards
Filipino Built Environment Professionals becoming socially and environmentally responsible,
and globally competitive."
It is, thus, imperative to establish a council which shall have an administrative
supervision on these Built Environment Professions. This is the objective of the proposed bill.
The proposed bill aims to create a council of the built environment ("Council') to (i)
advise on policy matterc concerning the interests of the public in the built environment; and
(ii) oversee the regulation and facilitate collaboration and cooperation of Built Environment
Professions. ln relation to these objectives, the Council shall have the powers and functions
pertaining to policy advisory, oversight, and collaborative platform.
Among others, it shall:
i. 
act in an advisory capacity on any and all matters concerning the built environment;
ii. 
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;
iii. 
ensure the consistent application of policy for the Built Environment Professions
with regard to registration requirements of registered professionals, identifying key
elements of competence testing of registered professionals; establishment and
implementation of codes of conduct, and delineation of scope of services
iv. 
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; and
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House Bill No. _
March 23, 2022
5:55 pm
10829


v 
foster and encourage coraboration and cooperation between Buirt Environment
professionats by setting ,p iliJ;tr;;, i"r"#[ir"r"r"n"" and standards
wth the foregoing salient provisions, the proposed bill will be able to help professionalize
and promote synersy and cooperarion ;r;;jffi"biiil Jlrionr"nt professions.
rn view of the foregoing' immediate approvar of this measure is earnesry requested.
RUF
UEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
)
)
)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
AN AGT
CREATING THE "COUNCIL FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT," APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines ,n Congress
assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Shofi lifle. - This Act shall be known as the "Council for the Built Environment
Act".
Section 2. Statement of Policy. -The State recognizes the importance and contributions of
the Built Environment Professions in nation-building and development. Hence, the State shall
ensure that all practicing Built Environment Professional meets the minimum requirements to
safeguard life, health, and property, foster their continuing professional growth and
advancement, encourage and enhance collaboration, and continually review and improve the
standards of regulation, professional service, and practice towards Filipino Built Environment
Professionals becoming socially and environmentally responsible and globally competitive.
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, unless the context otheruise requires,
the following terms shall be defined as follows:
a. Built Environlnerf means the field within which the registered professionals practice;
c. Council means the Council for the Built Environment created under Section 8 of this Act;
d. Professiona/ means a person who is registered as such under any of the Professional
Regulatory Laws;
House Bill No.
b. Built Environment Professions means the following professions -
i. 
Architecture;
ii. lnterior Design;
iii. LandscapeArchitecture;
iv. EnvironmentalPlanning;
v. GeodeticEngineering;
vi. Civil Engineering;
vii. ElectricalEngineering;
viii. MechanicalEngineering;
ix. SanitaryEngineering;
x. Master Plumber;
xi. Electronics Engineering; and
xii. Real Estate Services.
10829


Professional Regulatory Laws-refers to the legal framework governing the practice of
specific profession, the legal charter creating and governing the various Boards, defining
their functions and providing for the rules and policies that govern the practice of a specific
profession;
f. Accredited and lntegrated Professional Organization (AlPO)refers to the concerned Board
and PRC Accredited lntegrated 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) rcfers to the PRC Accredited Professional
Organization where membership therein by professionals is only voluntary;
h. CHED refers to the Commission on Higher Education;
IrilRA refers to Mutual Recognition Agreements between or among states;
j. PRC refers to the Professional Regulation Commission;
k. PRB refers 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 lvlC are to -
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 Dufies of the MC. The ltIC 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 lnternship/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 of Standards of Professional Practice in areas
such as Scope of Services, Schedule of Fees, and inter-professional
collaboration; and


h. Develop and regularly review professional education, internship, regulation and
practice standards in reference to the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act.
Section 7. Composition of the MC. The MC shall be composed of the following -
a. Chairperson ofthe Professional Regulatory Board;
b. President of the AIPO;
c. President of the Academic Organization (Deans and Heads of Schools) duly
accredited by the PRC upon the recommendation of the CHED;
d. One (1) representative from Private Practice; and
e. One (1) representative from Government Practice.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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. Ohjectives 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. 
sustainabledevelopment;
ii. human resource development; and,
iii. health, safety and environmental protection standards;
b. Oversee the regulation of Built Environment Professions, providing guidance
on:i. 
Requiredqualifications;
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 1O. 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 forthe 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 refered to it in terms of the pRLs
regulating the Built Environment Professions;
f" Receive and assimilate the annual reports of the PRBs, AlpOs and Academic
Sectors and submit a summary to the Commissioner.
C O LLA BO RAT I O N P LAT F O RM
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 exofficio 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. ls 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. ls 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. ls removed from office under Section 13 of this Act.
lf 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. Chairpetson 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.
ln 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 (1 1)
shall hold office for a term of three (3) years and the remaining eleven (11) for a term of six
(6) yedrs.
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 Commitlee. The Council shall have an Executive Committee
consisting ofthe Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson ofthe 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 19. Committees of Council. The Council may establish any Committee to -
a. Assrst it in the performance of rts functions; or
b. lnvestigate 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 -
a. shall establish a Secretariat; and
b. 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 oranymemberof 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 ofthe functions ofthe council;
b. a report regarding the envisaged strategies ofthe council; and
c. such other information as the Commissioner may from time to time determine.
Section 23. Delineatlon 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. ldentify 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.
Section 18. Powers of the Executive Commitlee. The Executive Commiftee shall exercise
the following powers:
a. Ensure that the resolutions ofthe 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.


ARTICLE IV
FINAL PROVISIONS
Section 24. Approprialioas. The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 25. lmplementing 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
lmplementing Rules and Regulations (lRR) required for the implementation of this Act. The
IRR shall be promulgated within ninety (90) days upon approval of this Act.
Section 26. Separability Crause. ll for any reason, any section or provisions of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, or invalid, the other sections and provisions, which are not affected
by it, shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Section 27. Repealing C/ause, All laws, decrees, executive orders, agreements, rules, and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.
Section 28. Effectivfty.fhis Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after is complete publication
in either the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,