FIFTEEN~H CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
,~enttb! 
(llfl" •• f t~t;;m.j",~ 
REPUBLIC OF 1.'HE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'10 
NOV 15 P2:41 
SENATE 
S,No: 2594 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Plumbing system contributes a significant percentage of the value of every building or house. 
Considering the complexities plumbing installation covers, professional and licensed plmnbers 
are necessary. 
Plumbing engineering involves the application of scientific principles in the design of efficient, 
economical and ecologically-safe systems for the transport and distribution of fluids, solids and 
gases to answer hmnan and industrial needs. In the country, the act of plumbing works has 
become more complex and multifaceted with the emergence and expansion of all types of 
modernized building design and construction. This scenario is evident enough to elucidate the 
demand for plmnbing engineers. 
However, there is a partially-met demand for plumbing expertise in the country. Although 
Republic Act No. 1378, otherwise known as the 'Plmnbing Law', provided for the regulation of 
the trade of master plumbers, it has neither been amended nor revised since its enactment in 
1955. Obviously, our Plumbing Law can be considered as obsolete - given the fact that there is 
a growing need to adapt measures in carrying out more efficient plmnbing design and 
installations. Thus, professionals with adequate academic and technical background in 
accordance with sound engineering practice and generally-accepted standards are also needed 
in the country. 
This bill, which acknowledges the imperative to revise the old law to upgrade the practice of 
the Plmnbing, seeks to elevate the plumbing trade into. a professional engineering in the 
country. In view of having qualified plwnbing engineers with sufficient academic background 
to cope with the recent technologies worldwide, this proposed measure also endeavors to have 
a standard Engineering Curriculmn for Plumbing to be offered in colleges and universities in 
the country. 
Recognizing the fact that Plumbing Engineering profession needs to keep abreast with 
technological advancement in a rapidly-changing society, approval of this bill is earnestly 
requested. 
o "SONNY" F. TRlLLANES IV 
Senator 
1 


~etl/,ttt> 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
lllfh« of ,~.j>m,b'~ 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'10 
NOV 15 P2 :41 
SENATE 
S.No. 2594 
RECEIVED BY~ 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 
1378, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT TO ,REGULATE THE TRADE OF 
MASTER 'PLUMBER", APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled. 
1 
ARTICLE I 
2 
TITLE, STATEMENT OF POLICY, AND DEFINITION OF TERMS 
3 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as 
the "Philippine Plumbing 
4 
Engineering Act of 2010", 
5 
6 
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of plumbing 
7 
engineering in nation-building and development. The State, therefore, shall develop and nurture 
8 
competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded professional Plumbing Engineers whose 
9 
standards of practice and service are aimed towards excellence, quality, world-class and global 
10 
competitiveness through inviolable, honest, effective and credible licensure examinations and 
11 
regulatory measures, programs and activities that foster their integrity, continuing professional 
12 
education, development and growth. 
13 
14 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -
For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
15 
mean: 
16 
a) Plumbing Engineer - a person who is a holder of a valid certificate of registration I 
17 
professional license and professional identification card issued by the Professional 
18 
Regulatory Board for Plumbing Engineering and the Professional Regnlation 
19 
Commission and who is legally qualified to practice plumbing engineering in the 
20 
Philippines pursuant to this Act. 
1 


1 
b) Practice of Plumbing Engineering - The practice of Plumbing Engineering is a 
2 
professional and organized act of applying scientific principle and technique for the 
3 
design, installation and operation of plumbing systems involving hot and cold water 
4 
supply installation of fixtures, sanitary drainage, vent system, storm drainage, fuel gas 
5 
piping, swimming pools, water feature fire protection system, irrigation system, private 
6 
water system, private sewage disposal system within or adjacent to any buildings and 
7 
other structures. It shall embrace services, but not limited to, the following activities: 
8 
I) Consultations, designing, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, 
9 
erection, installation and supervision of plumbing work including the inspection 
and acceptance of materials used therein; 
10 
II 
2) Extension, addition alteration and modifications of all plpmgs for fixtures, 
12 
equipment, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with any of the above 
13 
scope; 
14 
3) Engagement m the teaching or transfer of knowledge and technology of 
15 
plumbing engineering in any institution of learning particularly on 
16 
subjects included in the licensure examinations. 
17 
The enumeration of the above shall not be construed as excluding any other 
18 
work requiring plumbing engineering knowledge and application. 
19 
c) Master Plumber - one who is a holder of a valid certificate of registration! professional 
20 
license and professional identification card as master plumber. 
21 
d) Practice of Master Plumber - the practice of master plumber upon the approval of this 
22 
Act shall embrace the following: 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
1) Design analysis, specifications and preparations of plans of plumbing 
, 
installation of not more than twenty (20) plumbing units; 
2) Preparation of plans including drawing and details of additional installation; 
3) Preparation of cost estimates of the above items I and 2; and 
4) Supervision or in-charge of all plumbing installation, operation and maintenance 
of plumbing system. 
The practice of Master Plumber who is a holder of valid certificate of Registration 
Professional License prior to the effectivity of the Act shall not be subjected to the 
above mentioned plumbing installation limitation. 
33 
ARTICLE II 
34 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING 
35 
SEC.4. Creation .f!nd Composition of the Board of Plumbing Engineering. - There is 
36 
hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Plumbing Engineering, hereinafter referred 
37 
to as the Board, under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation 
2 


1 
Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, composed of a chairperson and two (2) 
2 
members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines from three recommendees for each 
3 
position chosen and ranked by the Commission, which recommendees from a list of five (5) 
4 
nominees for each position submitted by the accredited Integrated National Organization of 
5 
Plumbing Engineers. The first set of nominees for the first Board may be submitted by the 
6 
present association of Plumbing Engineers unless the integrated shall have been set up for the 
7 
purpose. The first Board shall be organized not later than six (6) months from the effectivity 
8 
of this Act. 
9 
10 
S.EC. 5. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. - The chairperson and members 
11 
of the Board must possess the following qualification at the time of their appointment: 
12 
a) Be a Plumbing Engineer holding a valid Certificate of Registration / Professional 
13 
License as a Plumbing Engineer having a degree of Bachelor of Science in Plumbing 
14 
Engineering and have been an active practitioner in the profession of Master 
15 
PlumberlPlumbing Engineering for not less than ten (10) years prior to appointment; 
16 
b) Be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines; 
17 
c) Be a member of the accredited organization of plumbing engineering; 
18 
d) Must not be a member of the faculty of any school, academy, institute, college or 
19 
university where a regular course in Plumbing Engineering is being taught, nor have 
20 
pecuniary interest in or administrative supervision over any such institution of learning. 
21 
e) Must not, for a period of three (3) consecutive years prior to hislher appointment, be 
22 
connected with a review center or with any group or any association where review 
23 
classes or lectures in preparation for the licensure examination are offered or conducted 
24 
at the time of appointment; and 
25 
f) Must not have been convicted of ant offense involving moral turpitude. 
26 
27 
SEC. 6. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of 
28 
three (3) years or until their successors have been appointed and qualified. Of the member of 
29 
the first Board appointed under this Act, one (1) member shall be appointed and hold office for 
30 
three (3) years, one (1) member for two (2) years, and one (1) member for one (1) year. 
31 
The chairperson or member of the Board may be re-appointed for another term but in no 
32 
case shall serve continuously for more than six (6) years. Each member of the Board shall 
33 
qualify by taking the proper oath of office prior to assumption in the performance of duties. 
34 
Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the board within the term of a member 
35 
shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. 
3 


1 
SEC. 7. Compensation and Allowances of the Board Members. - The chairperson and 
2 
members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to that being 
3 
received by the chairperson and members of existing regulatory boards under the Commission 
4 
as provided for in the General Appropriations Act. 
5 
6 
SEC. 8. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of Records, Secretariat and Support 
7 
Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of the Commission. All 
8 
Records of the Board, including the application for examination, examination papers and 
9 
Result, minutes of deliberation, administrative cases and other investigation involving the 
10 
plumbing Engineers/Master Plumbers shall be kept by the Commission. 
11 
The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the 
12 
Secretariat necessary support services to implement the provisions of this Act. 
13 
14 
SEC. 9. Powers, Function, Duties and Responsibilities of the Board. - The Board 
15 
shall exercise the following specific powers, function, duties and responsibilities: 
16 
a) To promulgate and adopt the rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the 
17 
provisions of this Act; 
18 
b) To supervise the examination, registration, licensure and practice of Plumbing 
19 
Engineering/Master Plumbing in the Philippines; 
20 
c) To 'administer oaths to successful examinees entering the practice of Plumbing 
21 
Engineering; 
22 
d) To issue the Certificate of Registration to successful examinees; 
23 
e) To issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate the Certificate of Registration for the practice of 
24 
the Plumbing Engineering profession; 
25 
t) To adopt an official seal of the Board; 
26 
g) To look into the conditions affecting the ·practice of the professions and whenever 
27 
necessary, adopt measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement and 
28 
maintenance of high professional and ethical standards of the professions; 
29 
h) To ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education Department 
30 
(CHED), that all educational institutions offering Plumbing Engineering education 
31 
comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the course prescribed by CHED 
32 
in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities; 
33 
i) To prescribe andlor adopt a Code of Ethics and a Code of Technical Standards for the 
34 
practice of Plumbing Engineering I Master Plumbing profession; 
35 
j) To hear and try administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its implementing 
36 
rules and regulations, the Code of EthicslTechnical Standards and for the purpose, to 
4 


1 
issue subpoena testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of 
2 
witnesses and the production of documents in connection therewith. 
3 
k) To prescribe guidelines for the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program in 
4 
coordination with the accredited integrated organization of Plumbing EngineerslMaster 
5 
Plumbers; 
6 
1) To prepare, adopt issue or amend the syllabi of the subjects for examination; 
7 
m) To approve, issue, limit or revoke temporary special permit to practice Plumbing 
8 
Engineering/Master Plumbers and; 
9 
n) Discharge such other duties and functions as may be deemed necessary for the 
10 
enhancement of the Plumbing Engineering/Master Plumbing Profession and the 
11 
upgrading, development and growth of .Plumbing Engineering/Master Plumbing 
12 
education in the Philippines. 
13 
14 
SEC. 10. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of each calendar year, submit 
15 
an annual report to the President of the Philippines through the Professional Regulation 
16 
Commission, giving detailed account of its recommendation for the adoption of measure that 
17 
will upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of Plumbing Engineering/Master 
18 
Plumbing in the Philippines. 
19 
20 
SEC. 11. Removal of Board Member. - Any vacancy occurring in the membership of 
21 
the Board within the term of a member shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term 
22 
only. The President may remove any member of the Board, upon the recommendation of the 
23 
Commission, on the following grounds: 
24 
a) Neglect of duty or incompetence; 
25 
b) Violation or tolerance of the violation of this Act or the Code of Ethics or the Code of 
26 
Technical Standards for Plumbing Engineers; and 
27 
c) Final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude. 
28 
He/She shall be given due notice and hearing where hislher right to be heard and to defend 
29 
himselflherself, assisted by counsel, shall be respected in a proper administrative investigation 
30 
the Commission shall conduct. 
31 
32 
ARTICLEID 
33 
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, AND LICENSE 
34 
SEC. 12. Licensure Examination Required. - All applicants for registration for the 
35 
practice of Plumbing Engineering shall be required to undergo and pass a written technical 
36 
examination as provided for in this Act. 
5 


I 
SEC. 13. 
Qualification for Admission to the Licensure Examination. - Every 
2 
applicant for Plumbing Engineering examination shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board 
3 
that he/she is: 
4 
a) A citizen of the Philippines or a foreigner whose country state has reciprocity with the 
5 
Philippines in the practice of the profession; 
6 
b) Of good moral character; 
7 
c) A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Plumbing Engineering in a school, academy, 
8 
institute or college duly recognized by the Commission on Higher Education 
9 
Department (CRED): Provided that; 
10 
d) Within seven (7) years upon the effectivity of this Act, a graduate of any Bachelor of 
11 
Science degree in Engineering or Architecture may qualify for the examination. 
12 
13 
SEC. 14. Scope of Examinations. - The examination for Plumbing Engineering shall 
14 
basically cover the following subjects: 
15 
a) 
Mathematics 
20% 
16 
b) 
Hydraulic Plumbing Principles and Practice 
30% 
17 
18 
19 
c) . 
Plumbing Laws and Code of Ethics 
d) 
Sanitation / Plumbing Design 
20% 
30% 
100% 
20 
The said subjects and their syllabi maybe amended by the Board so as to conform to 
21 
technological changes brought about by continuing trends in the profession. 
22 
23 
SEC. 15. Applicants. - All applicants for registration as master plumber shall be 
24 
required to pass an examination as hereinafter provided. 
25 
Persons applying for admission to the examination as herein provided, shall, prior to the 
26 
date of the examination, establish to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners, that he: 
27 
a) Is at least twenty-one years of age; 
28 
b) Is a citizen of the Philippines; 
29 
c) Is of good moral character; 
30 
d) Is at least a graduate of high school recognized by the government and completing an 
31 
approved course of not less than three years in Plumbing Technology or equivalent; or 
32 
e) Is a high school graduate and has at least five years of experience in actual plumbing 
33 
work under the supervision of a registered master plumber / Plumbing Engineer. 
34 
35 
SEC. 16. Subjects for the Applicants. - Applicants for registration as master plumbers 
36 
shall be examined in the following subjects: 
37 
a) Plumbing arithmetic, twenty percent; 
6 


1 
b) PIUl1,1bing Code, ten percent; 
2 
c) Sanitation, plumbing design and installation, forty percent; 
3 
d) Practical problems, thirty percent. 
4 
5 
SEC. 17. Rating. - To pass the licensure examination, a candidate for Plumbing 
6 
Engineers must obtain a passing rate of seventy percent (70%) in each subject given during the 
7 
examination: Provided, however, That a candidate who obtains a passing rate in the majority of 
8 
the subjects but obtains a rating in the other subject/s below passing rate seventy percent (70%) 
9 
but not lower than fifty percent (50%) shall be allowed to take one removal examination on the 
10 
subject/s where he/she failed to obtain the passing rate: Provided, .finally, That should the 
11 
examinee fail to obtain a passing rate in the removal examination, he/she shall be considered as 
12 
having failed the entire licensure examination. 
13 
A candidate who failed to pass for the third time shall be allowed to take the 
14 
examination only one (1) year after taking refresher course. 
15 
16 
SEC. 18. Report of Ratings. -
The board shall submit to the Commission the rating 
17 
obtained by each candidate within twenty (20) calendar days after the examination, unless 
18 
extended for just cause. Upon the release of the results of the examination, the board shall 
19 
send by mail the rating received by each examinee at hislher given address using the mailing 
20 
envelope submitted during the examination. 
21 
22 
SEC. 19. Professional Oath. - All successful examinees and all those who have 
23 
qualified for registration without examination shall be required to take an oath of profession 
24 
before any member of the Board or any person authorized by the Commission to administer 
25 
oaths before he/she can be registered and issued a Certificate of RegistrationIProfessional 
26 
Identification Card, and as a prerequisite to practice as a Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber. 
27 
28 
SEC.20. Issuance of Certificate of RegistrationlProfessional Identification Card.- A 
29 
Certificate of Registration shall be issued to applicants who pass the examination for Plumbing 
30 
EngineerlMaster Plumber and to those who registered without examination subject to payment 
31 
of registration fees. 
32 
The Certificate of Registration of a Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber shall bear the 
33 
signatures of the Chairperson of the Commission .and the Chairperson and Members of the 
34 
Board and stamped with the official seal of the Commission and of the Board indicating that 
35 
the person named therein is a registered Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber. 
36 
A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number, date of issuance, 
37 
expiry date and duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise be issued to 
7 


1 
every registrant, upon 
payment of the professional fees. No person shall practice 
2 
Plumbing EngineeringlMaster Plumbing in the manner contrary to herein provided. A 
3 
Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber holding a Professional Identification Card is entitled to 
4 
practice the profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto until the expiration of the 
5 
validity thereof. 
6 
7 
SEC. 21. Registration without Examination for Plumbing Engineer. - Within 
8 
five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall issue certificates of registration 
9 
and professional identification cards without examination to applicants for registration as 
10 
plumbing engineer plumbers who shall present evidence or other proof satisfactory to the 
11 
Board that: 
12 
a) he/sl;te is a registered and licensed Master Plumber ~t the same time he is a registered 
13 
and licensed engineer or architect; 
14 
b) he/she is a registered Master Plumber with five (5) years experience in Plumbing work 
15 
and a holder of a Baccalaureate degree of any engineering or architecture course; and 
16 
c) he/she is a holder of any Baccalaureate degree and has been in active practice in 
17 
plumbing for at least ten (10) years. PrOVided, that the qualifications mentioned above 
18 
shall be obtained prior to the effectivity of this Act. 
19 
20 
SEC. 22. Seal and Use of Seal. - (a) Each registrant shall, upon registration, obtain the 
21 
seal of such design as the Board of Plumbing Engineering may adopt. Plans and specification 
22 
prepared by, or under the direct supervision of a registered Plumbing EngineerlMaster 
23 
Plumber shall be stamped with said seal during the validity of the professional identification 
24 
card. No person shall stamped or seal any documents with the seal of a registrant after hislher 
25 
professional license has expired, lost its validity, unless he/she has been reinstated at the 
26 
practice andlor unless his license has been renewed. 
27 
(b) 
Officer or employee of the government, chartered cities, provinces and 
28 
municipalities charged with the enforcement of laws, ordinances or regulations relating to all 
29 
Plumbing EngineeringlMaster Plumbing practices shall not accept or endorse any plumbing 
30 
plans or documents which have not been prepared and submitted in full accord with the 
31 
provisions of this Act, nor shall any payment to approved by any such officer for any work, 
32 
the plans and documents of which have not been prepared, signed by a duly licensed Plumbing 
33 
EngineerlMaster Plumber. 
34 
(c) 
Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber shall not sign his/her name, affix hislher 
35 
seal or use any other method of signature on plans, specifications or other documents made 
36 
by under another Plumbing Engineer'slMaster Plumber's supervision unless the professional 
37 
service of the fonner have been officially tenninated andlor the same is made in such manner 
8 


I 
as to clearly indicate the part of such work actually performed by him/her; and only the 
2 
Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber in charge, shall sign for any branch of work or any 
3 
function 
of 
Plumbing Engineering/Master Plumbing practice actually performed by 
4 
him/her. The Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber in-charge shall be fully responsible for 
5 
all plans, specifications and other documents issued under his/her seal or authorized 
6 
signature. 
7 
(d) 
Plans and documents duly signed, stamped or sealed as instruments of 
8 
service are the property and documents of the Plumbing Engineer/Master Plumber. 
9 
The Board shall formulate, adopt and promulgate all necessary rules and regulations 
10 
for the effective implementation of the provisions relating to the design of the seal, the 
11 
signing and sealing of drawings, specifications, reports and other documents by Plumbing 
12 
EngineerslMaster Plumbers. 
13 
14 
SEC. 23. Indication of Professional Identification Number and Professional Tax 
15 
Receipt. - The Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber shall be required to indicate his/her 
16 
Professional identification card number, the duration of validity, including the professional tax 
17 
receipt number on the documents he/she signs, uses in connection with the practice ofhislber 
18 
profession. 
19 
20 
SEC. 24. Grounds for Suspension and Revocation of Certificate of Registration, 
21 
Professional Identification Card and Cancellation of Temporary/Special Permit. - The Board 
22 
shall have the power, upon due notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend the Certificate 
23 
of Registrlttion and accordingly the Professional 
Identification Card of a Plumbing 
24 
EngineerlMaster Plumber, or to cancel a temporary / special permit for any cause specified in 
25 
the proceeding section, including but not limited to: 
26 
a) The use or perpetration of any fraud and deceit in obtaining a certificate of 
27 
registration. 
28 
b) For incompetence, negligence, or for abatement of the illegal practice of 
29 
Plumbing Engineering/Master Plumbing; and 
30 
c) Violation of the provision of this Act, its implementing rules and regulation andlor 
31 
violation of the policies of the Board including the Code of Ethics for Plumbing 
32 
EngineerslMaster Plumbers. Provided, however, that such action of the Board shall 
33 
be subject to appeal to the Commission, within fifteen (15) days from written notice. 
34 
35 
SEC. 25. Roster of Plumbing 
Engineers/Master Plumbers. -
The Board shall 
36 
prepare, and maintain a roster of the names, residence andlor office addresses of all 
37 
registered Plumbing EngineerslMaster Plumbers, which shall be updated annually in 
9 


.. _
1 
cooperation with the accredited organizations, indicating therein the status of the certificate of 
2 
registration, professional identification card and membership identification card in the 
3 
accredited organization of the professional, whether valid, inactive due to death or other 
4 
reasons, suspended or revoked. The said roster shall be conspicuously posted within the 
5 
premises of the Commission and the information there from made available to the public 
6 
upon inquiry or request. 
7 
8 
SEC. 26. Exemptions from Examination and Registration. - No examination and 
9 
registration shall be required for foreign Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber who are 
10 
temporarily employed by the Philippine Government or by private firms in the Philippines 
11 
in the following cases: 
12 
a) Where no qualified equivalent Filipino Professional is available for the specific 
13 
item of work to be rendered, as attested to by the accredited professional organization; 
14 
b) Where the conditions of the scope and the funding of the work or project are such that 
15 
it stipulates the temporary employment of a·foreign professionals; 
16 
c) As defined in the General Agreement on Trade and Services and other similar 
17 
international 
treaties, 
agreements 
and/or 
covenants 
to 
which 
the 
18 
Philippine Government is a signatory and has ratified: PrOVided, 
however, 
19 
That: 
20 
1) The said foreign professional is legally qualified to practice his/her profession 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
in hislher own 
country 
III 
which 
the requirements for licensing and 
registration are not lower than those specified in this Act;. 
2) The work to be performed by said foreign professional shall be limited 
only to the particular 
work 
or project for which he/she was specifically 
contracted; 
3) Prior to commencing the work, the foreign professional shall secure a Special 
Permit from the Board, which shall be subject to the approval of the 
Commission: Provided, That no working visa and/or permit shall be issued 
by 
concerned 
government agencies unless such Special Permit has been 
granted first; 
4) The said foreign professional shall not engage in private on hislher own 
account; 
5) For every foreign professional contracted for the work or project, at least two 
(2) corresponding Filipino professionals who are registered under this Act be 
employed as counterparts by the Philippine Government or the private 
firm utilizing the services of such foreign professional for at least the same 
duration oftime as the foreigner's tenure of work; and 
10 


1 
6) The Special Permit herein granted shall be valid only for a period of not more 
2 
than six (6) months and renewable every six (6) months thereafter 
subject 
3 
to the discretion of the Board and the approval of the Commission: Provided, 
4 
That said permit shall case to be valid if the foreigner terminates his/her 
5 
employment in the work or Project for which said permit was originally granted 
6 
and thereafter engages in an occupation that required another Special Permit 
7 
or registration under this Act. 
8 
9 
ARTICLE IV 
10 
PRACTICE OF THE PROFESSION 
11 
SEC. 27. Vested Rights: Automatic Registration of Practice Registered Plumbing 
12 
Engineers. - All practicing Master Plumbers who are registered at the time this Act takes effect 
13 
shall automatically be registered as Plumbing Engineer provided they met the qualifications. 
14 
15 
SEC. 28. Right to Practice Plumbing Engineering. - The practice of Plumbing 
16 
Engineering is a professional service, admission to which shall be determined upon the 
17 
basis of an 
individual's personal qualifications, for which the Plumbing Engineer is 
18 
responsible for the correctness of his/her professional work for which he/she is responsible 
19 
therefore. 
20 
Only duly registered may organize, establish or form firms, partnerships or 
21 
association for the practice of Plumbing EngineerslMaster Plumbers pursuant to the rules of the 
22 
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 
23 
24 
SEC. 29. Accredited Integrated National Organization. - Upon registration with 
25 
Board, every Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber shall automatically become a member of the 
26 
accredited 
national 
organization 
and 
shall' receive 
the 
benefits and privileges 
27 
appurtenant thereto. Those who have been registered with the Board but not members of the 
28 
accredited organization at the time of effectivity of this Act shall be allowed to register as 
29 
members of the said organization within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act. 
30 
Membership in the accredited organization shall not be barred for membership in other 
31 
associations of the Plumbing EngineeringIMaster Plumbing professions. 
32 
33 
SEC. 30. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreigner shall be admitted for registration as 
34 
Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber with or without examination under this Act unless 
35 
he/she proves in the manner as provided by the Board that, by specific provisions of law, 
36 
the country, state or province of which he/she is a citizen, subject or national admits 
37 
Filipino citizens to practice as Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber without need of 
11 


1 
registration and issuance of professional license after an examination on terms of strict and 
2 
absolute equality with the citizens, subjects or nationals of said country, including an 
3 
unconditional recognition of professional licenses issued by the Board and/or the 
4 
Commission and prerequisite degrees/diplomas issueq by institutions of learning duly 
5 
recognized by the government of the Philippines. 
6 
7 
SEC. 31. Assistance of Law E1iforcement and Other Government Agencies. - Any 
8 
law enforcement agency shall, upon call or request of the Board and/or Commission, render 
9 
such assistance in enforcing 
this 
Act 
including 
the 
Code 
of 
Ethics, Code of 
10 
Technical Standards of Practice and the Implementing rules and regulations and measures 
11 
promulgated thereunder, by prosecuting violators thereof in accordance with law and the 
12 
Rules of Court. 
13 
14 
ARTICLE V 
15 
PENAL PROVISIONS 
16 
SEC. 32. Penalties. - In addition to the administrative sanctions, any of the 
17 
provisions of this Act, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of not less than fifty 
18 
thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) nor more than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or 
19 
imprisonment of not less than six (6) years, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the 
20 
discretion ofthe court. 
21 
22 
SEC. 33. Prohibitions and Limitations on the Practice of Plumbing Engineering / 
23 
Master Plumbing Profession. - Unless otherwise prescribed by any supervening law, the 
24 
practice of Plumbing EngineeringlMaster Plumbing shall be a professional service, 
25 
admission to which must be determined on the basis of the individual's personal 
26 
qualifications. Hence, no firm, company, partnership, association or corporation may be 
27 
registered or licensed as such for the practice of plumbing engineering/master plumbing. 
28 
However, persons properly registered and licensed as Plumbing EngineerlMaster Plumber 
29 
may, among themselves or with any other allied professionals, form a partnership or 
30 
association or corporation and collectively render 
services as such: Provided, That 
31 
individual members of such partnership or associations or corporations shall be responsible 
32 
for their <;>Wll respective acts. 
33 
34 
SEC. 34. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Subject to the approval of the 
35 
Commission, the Board shall adopt and promulgate such rules, regulations, resolutions, the 
36 
Code of Ethics and the Code of Technical Standards for Plumbing Engineers to carry out the 
12 


, . 
1 
provisions of this Act, which shall be effective after thirty (30) days following their full 
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of general circulation. 
3 
4 
SEC. 35. Funding. - The 
Chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission 
5 
shall include in the Commission's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of 
6 
which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriation Act. 
7 
8 
SEC. 36. Separability Clause. - If any clause, provision, paragraph or part hereof shall 
9 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect invalidate or impair 
10 
any other part thereof, but such judgment shall merely be confined to the clause, 
11 
provision, paragraph or part directly involved in the controversy upon which such judgment has 
12 
been rendered. 
13 
14 
SEC. 37. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 1378 is hereby repealed. All other 
15 
laws, decrees, National Codes, executives orders, ,letter of instructions and other 
16 
administrative issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
17 
are hereby modified, suspended or repealed accordingly. 
18 
19 
SEC. 38. Transitory Provision. - The 
Existing Board of Master Plumbing shall 
20 
continue to function in the interim until such time as the new Board shall be duly constituted 
21 
pursuant to this Act. 
22 
23 
SEC. 39. Effectivity. - This act shall effect fifteen (15) days following its 
24 
publication in full in the Official Gazette or major daily newspaper of general circulation in the 
25 
Philippines, whichever is earlier. 
Approved, 
13