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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5548

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Rep. Raneo E. Abu, Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo, Rep. Sergio A.
F. Apostol, Rep. Anthony M. Bravo, Rep. Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla, Rep. Elenita
Milagros Ermita-Buhain, Rep. Evelina G. Escudero, Rep. Florencio T. Flores, Jr.,
Rep. Gwendolyn F, Garcia, Rep. Rico B. Geron, Rep. Fernando V. Gonzalez, Rep.
Joseller M. Guiao, Rep. Ibarra M. Gutierrez HI, Rep. Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona,
Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles, Rep. Gavini C. Pancho, Rep. Elmer E. Panotes, Rep.
Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr., Rep. Regina Reyes - Ongsiako, Rep. Estrellita B.
Suansing, Rep. Angelina DL ‘Tan, Rep. Jose I. Tejada and Rep. Noel L.
Villanueva

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Civil Enginecring Law, Republic Act No. 544, which governs the practice of civil
‘engineering in the Philippines, was last amended 54 years ago.

Since then, the number of registered civil engineers has grown to over 130,000 today, A
now role for the civil engineer has likewise evolved in the light of globalization and cross- border
practice. Whereas before the civil engineer was confined to the application of technical
knowledge and skills in the successful implementation and completion of projects, the civil
engineer is now confronted with a broader range of issues to deal with. The civil engineer now
has to face the challenges of integrating the socio-economic and environmental issucs with the
technical aspects of the construction projects, The civil engineer is constantly challenged to
design and build developments in a manner that is environmentally sound, socially acceptable,
and globally competitive,

This Bill, therefore, seeks to achieve the following objectives
1, To attune the law to the needs for national development;

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

3. To continually upgrade the level of competence of the civil engineers through:
a, peer recognition of specialization in civil engineering,
b. continuing professional development, and
¢, strengthening of the accredited professional organization of civil engineers;

4, To define more clearly the practice of civil engineering in the Philippines by
foreign nationals:


5. To make the law better serve and safeguard public interest by establishing a
clear, precise and practicable delineation of professional accountability in the
civil engineering practice

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is eamestly sought.

ANTHOM M. BRAVO.

Lopbace

#RYL P. DELOSO-MONTALLA ELENITA MILAGROS ERMITA-BUHAIN



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 5548

Introduced by: Rep. Raneo E. Abu, Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo, Rep. Sergio A. F.
Apostol, Rep. Anthony M. Bravo, Rep. Cheryl P, Deloso-Montalla, Rep. Elenita Milagros
Ermita-Buhain, Rep. Evelina G. Escudero, Rep. Florencio T. Flores, Jr., Rep. Gwendolyn
F. Garcia, Rep. Rico B. Geron, Rep. Fernando V, Gonzalez, Rep. Joseller M. Guiao, Rep.
Ibarra M. Gutierrez 11, Rep. Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona, Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles,
Rep. Gavini C. Pancho, Rep. Elmer E. Panotes, Rep. Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr., Rep.
Regina Reyes - Ongsiako, Rep. Estrellita B. Suansing, Rep. Angelina DL Tan, Rep. Jose
I. Tejada and Rep. Noel L. Villanueva

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

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

SECTION 1. Sections 4, 13 and 19 of Republic Act. No. 544, as amended,
are hereby further amended to read as follows:

“Section 4. Powers and duties of the Board. - The Board of Civil
Engineers is vested with authority, conformable with the provisions of
this Act, to administer oaths, issue, suspend and revoke certificates of
registration for the practice of civil engineering, [issue certificates of
recognition to civil engineers already registered under this Act for
advanced studies, research, and/ or highly specialized training in any
branch of civil engineering, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the
Public Works and Communications,] to investigate such violations of this

Act and the regulations, thereunder as may come to the knowledge of the

Board and, for this purpose, issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum

to secure appearance of witnesses in connection with the char;

presented to the Board, to inspect at least once a year educational
institutions offering courses in civil engineering, civil engineering works,
projects or corporations, established in the Philippines and, for safe-
guarding of life, health and property, to discharge such other powers and
duties as may affect ethical and technological standards of the civil


engineering profession in the Philippines. For this purpose of this act,
the Director of the Public Works and/or his 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.

‘The Board may [, with the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and
Highways and Communications issue] PROMULGATE such rules and
regulations as may be deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of
this act. THE CIVIL ENGINEERING CODE AND THE MANUAL OF
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF CIVIL ENGINEERS AS PREPARED BY
THE ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL
ENGINEERS (APOCE) 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.

SECTION 4(A). CERTIFICATE OF SPECIALIZATION - IN ORDER TO
ENCOURAGE THE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND
DEVELOPMENT OF REGISTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS, THE
ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
(APOCE) BY THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION 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 HIS
ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, RESEARCH,
AND TRAINING IN A RECOGNIZED BRANCH OF CIVIL ENGINEERING;
PROVIDED, THAT AT THE INITIAL EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, THE
SPECIALIZATIONS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY ENGINEERING,
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING, STRUCTURAL — ENGINEERING,
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING, AND WATER ENGINEERING SHALL
BE SO RECOGNIZED. PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT OTHER
SPECIALIZATIONS MAY ADDITIONALLY BE RECOGNIZED BY THE
APOCE SPECIALISTS IN EACH RECOGNIZED BRANCH MAY FORM A.
SPECIALTY ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS (SOCE); PROVIDED
FURTHER, STILL, THAT THIS SOCE IS AFFILIATED TO AND
RECOGNIZED BY THE APOCE. PROVIDED FINALLY, THAT THERE IS
ONLY ONE SOCE FOR EACH RECOGNIZED BRANCH OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING, WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO MEMBERSHIP IN OTHER
VOLUNTARY PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. THE HOLDER OF


SUCH CERTIFICATE OF SPECIALIZATION MAY USE THE SPECIALIST
TITLE, IN ADDITION TO AND NOT REPLACING HIS CIVIL ENGINEER
TITLE, IN THE SIGNING OF RELEVANT PLANS AND DOCUMENTS. THE
APOCE 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."
ful candidates in the

"Section 13. Oath of Civil Engin All suce

examination shall be required to take a professional oath before the
Board of Civil Engineers or other government 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 (APOCE) AND
SHALL COMPLY WITH ALL THEIR MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS. ALL
REGISTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS MUST REMAIN MEMBERS IN GOOD
STANDING OF THE APOCE TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PRACTICE
THE PROFESSION."

"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
regis
by such persons in good standing shall have the same force and effect as

ered under the provisions hereof. Certificates of registration held

though the same have been issued under the provisions of this Act.
CERTIFICATES OF SPECIALIZATION ISSUED TO REGISTERED CIVIL,
ENGINEERS BY THE BOARD OR ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL.
ORGANIZATION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS (APOCE) 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."

SECTION 2. 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 of effect.


SECTION 3. Repealing Clause - All other laws, decrees, presidential
issuances, 15 proclamations, and administrative regulations inconsistent with
or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified or

repealed accordingly.
SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,