FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHXLII'PIPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1308, the law regulating the practice of 
Environmental Planning in the Philippines, was enacted thirty (30) years ago in 1978. 
Many parts of this law have become obsolete because of recent developments. For 
example, the existing law does not address the practice of foreign Environmental 
Planners (EnPs) who now freely enter the country and offer/undertake various 
planning services. 
With the emphasis of the national government and local governnient units 
(LGUs) need for various types of planning for the super-regions, regions, provinces, 
districts, cities, municipalities and of smaller political subdivisions, it is imperative that 
these planners or EnPs are duly qualified and proven competent to perform such 
sensitive tasks and to assume the attendant professional responsibilities and civil 
liabilities for their prepared, signed and sealed plans. 
'The proposed bill provides a more responsive and comprehensive regulation for 
the registration, licensing and practice of the profession of Environmental Planning in 
light of locai and international developments in the field, which encompasses a plethora 
of 
planning concerns, i.e climate change, natural and built environments, 
transportation, socio-economics, public administration, gender/marginalized sectors 
and related concerns, subdivision planning, environmental investigation, disaster 
prevention/initigation/response and the like. The bill proposes a clearer definition of 
the practice of Environmental Planning and the expansion of the types of academic 
degrees required to qualify for the licensure examination, likewise providing for 
continuing professional education (CPE) to make Philippine EnPs globally recognized 
and competitive. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


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FOURTHENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
8 JUL 28 FlPI :43 
Introduced bv Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT REGULATING, THE PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, 
REPEALING FOR 'THE PURPOSE, PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBERED ONE 
THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHT, ENTITLED "LAW REGULATING 
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES", AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Article I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
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4 I 2008." 
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Environmental Planning Act of 
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of 
environmental planners in nation building and development. Hence, it shall develop 
and nurture competent, virtuous, productive and well-rounded professional 
environmental planners whose standards of practice and service shall be excellent, 
qualitative, world-class and globally competitive through inviolable, honest, effective 
and credible licensure examinations and through regulatory measures, programs and 
activities that foster their professional growth and development. 
Sec. 3. Objectives. This Act shall govern: 
(a) the examination, registration, and licensure of environmental planners; 
(b) the supervision, control and regulation of the practice of environmental planning; 
(c) the development and upgrading of the curriculum of environmental planning 
profession; 
(d) the development of the professional competence of environmental planners through 
continuing professional education; and 
(e) the integration of the environmental planning profession. 
Sec. 4. 
Definition of Terms. - 


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(a) Environmental Planning, otherwise known as "urban and regional planning, city 
planning, town and country planning, and/or human settlements planning," refers 
to the art and science of analyzing, specifying, harmonizing, managing and 
regulating the use and relationships of land and its environs for the development of 
sustainable communities and ecosystems. 
(b) Environmental Planner refers to a person who is registered and licensed to practice 
environmental planning and who holds a valid certificate of registration and a 
valid professional identification card from the Board of Environmental Planning 
and Professional Regulation Commission ; 
(c) Environmental Planner-Of-Record - refers to a registered environmental planner 
who either: 
1. acts as lead professional in, or coordinates and supervises, the preparation of 
any of the environmental plans and studies set forth in Section 5 of this Act; or 
2. reviews, co-signs and/or officially transmits or endorses to the client any of the 
plans submitted by other members of a planning team for a program or 
project; and who shall be held directly liable for such plans prepared under 
his/ her supervision or co-signed or reviewed by him/ her; 
(d) Accredited Professional Organization (APO) - refers to the duly accredited 
professional organization of environmental planners. 
Sec. 5. Scope of Practice. - The practice of Environmental Planning, within the 
meaning and intent of this Act, shall embrace, infer alia, the following: 
(a) Providing professional services in the form of technical consultation, plan 
Preparation, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation of 
implementation involving the following: 
(1) preparation of national, regional or local development and/or physical 
framework and land use plans; 
(2) preparation of comprehensive land use plans, zoning, and 
related 
ordinances, codes, and other legal issuances for the management and 
development, preservation, conservation, rehabilitation, regulation, and 
control of the environment, including water resources; 
(3) development, conservation, redevelopment, and revitalization of a 
barangay, municipality, city, 
province, 
region or any portion or 
combination thereof; and 
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(4) development of a site for a particular need, such as economic or 
ecological zones; tourism development zones; and housing and other 
estate development projects, including creating a spatial arrangement of 
buildings, utilities, transport, and communications; 
(b) In relation to any of the activities enumerated in (a) above, preparing the 
following studies: 
(1) Pre-feasibility, feasibility, and other related concerns; 
(2) Environmental assessments; and 
(3) Institutional, administrative or legal systems; 
(c) 
curriculum and in the licensure examinations for environmental planning; 
(d) 
hearings, competitions, exhibitions, and other public fora; and 
(e) 
regulatory permits. 
Teaching, lecturing or reviewing any professional subject included in the 
Serving as expert witness, resource person, lecturer, juror or arbitrator in 
Ensuring compliance with environmental laws including acquisition of 
Article I1 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING 
Sec. 6. Professional Regulatory Board of Environmental Planning. - 'There is 
hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board 
of 
Environmental Planning, 
hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be composed of a chairperson and two 
(2) members under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional 
Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission. They shall be 
appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) recommendees for 
each position ranked by the Commission from a list of five (5) nominees for each 
position submitted by the accredited professional organization of environmental 
planners. 
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The new Board under this Act shall be constituted within six (6) months from the 
effectivity thereof. 
Sec. 7. Term of Office. - The chairman 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 qiialified and appointed. They may be reappointed in their positions 
for another term of three (3) years immediately after the expiry of their term: Provided, 
That the holding of such position shall not be more than two (2) terms nor more than six 
(6) years, whichever is longer: Provided,furtker, That the first Board under this Act shall 
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hold these terms of office: the Chairperson for three (3) years, the first member for two 
(2) years, and the second member for one (1) year: Provided, furthermore, That any 
appointee to a vacancy with an expired period shall only serve such period. The 
chairperson and the members shall duly take their oath of office. 
Sec. 8. Qualifications of Board Members. -- Each merrtber of the Board, at the 
time of his/her appointment, must be: 
a) a citizen and resident of the Philippines; 
b) of good moral character and of sound mind; 
c) a holder of 
a Master’s Degree in Environmental Planning or its equivalent, 
preferably with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning; 
d) a registered Environmental Planner with a valid certificate of registration and a 
professional identification card and with at least seven (7) years of practice in 
environmental planning prior to his/her appointment; 
e) not a member of the faculty of any school, college, or university where a regular or 
review course in environmental planning is offered nor a member of a staff of 
reviewers in a review school or center and not have any direct or indirect pecuniary 
interest in such an institution; 
f) a member in good sianding of the AIQ; 
g) not an officer or tmstee of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO); and 
h) not convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of an offense involving moral 
turpitude. 
Sec. 9. Powers, Functions, Duties and Responsibilities of the Board. - The 
Board shall have the following specific powers, functions:, duties and responsibilities: 
prescribe and adopt the rules and regulations necessary to carry out’ the 
provisions of this Act; 
supervise the registration, licensure, and practice of environmental planning in 
the Philippines; 
administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act; 
issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate Certificates of Registration for the practice of 
environmental planning; 
adopt an official seal of the Board; 
determine and prepare the contents of licensure examination; score and rate the 
examination papers, and submit the results thereof to the Commission; 
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ad@t and 'prondgate a Code of Ethics and a Code of Technical Standards 
issued by the duly Accredited Professional Organization ; 
ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or 
other authorized government offices, that all higher educational instruction and 
offering of environmental planning comply with the policies, standards, and 
requirements of the course prescribed by the CHED or other authorized 
government offices in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities; 
monitor the conbitions affecting the practice of environmental 
planning 
profession and adopt measures necessary for the enhancement of the profession; 
investigate violations of this Act and its rules and regulations, Code of Ethics, 
Code of Technical Standards, Policy and Measure as may come to its knowledge 
and, for this purpose, issue subpoena and subpoenu duces tecum to secure the 
appearance of witnesses and exhibition of the documents and other evidences 
necessary in connection with the performance of its functions; 
delegate the conduct of hearing or investigation of administrative cases filed 
before the Board; 
promulgate decisions on such administrative cases; 
discharge such other powers and duties as may affect professional, ethical and 
technological standards of the environment 
planning profession in the 
Philippines; 
perform such other functions and responsibilities in accordance with the 
provisions of Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the "Professional 
Regulation Coinmission Modernization Act of 2000". 
The policies, resolutions, and rules and regulations, issued and promulgated by 
the Board shall be subject to review, and approval by the Commission; however, the 
Board's decisions, resolutions or orders which are not interlocutory, rendered in an 
administrative case, shall be subject to review only if on appeal. 
Sec. 10. Compensation of the Board. - The Chairperson and Members of the 
Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and 
allowances received by the chairpersons and members of existing professional 
regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for by the General 
Appropriations Act. 
See. 11. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, 
- The Board shall be under the administrative 
Secretariat and Support Services. 


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supervision~,of the, commission. All records of the Board, including applications for 
examinations, and administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board 
shall be under the custody of the Commission. The Commission shall designate the 
secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and other support services to 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
Sec. 12. Grounds for Suspension or Removal of Board Members/Chairperson. 
The President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, after 
due process and administrative investigation conducted by the Commission, may 
remove or suspend the Chairperson or Member of the Board on any of the following 
grounds: 
a) Gross neglect, incompetence or dishonesty in the discharge of his/her duty; 
b) Violation of any of the causes/grounds and the prohibited acts provided in this Act 
and the offenses in the revised Penal Code, Republic Act No. 3019 otherwise known 
as the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, and other laws; 
c) Manipulation or rigging of the results of the licensure examination for the practice of 
environmental planning, disclosure of secret and confidential information on the 
examination questions prior to the conduct thereof, or tampering of grades. 
The Commission, in the conduct of the investigation, shall be guided by Sec. 7 (s) 
of R.A. No. 8981, the rules on administrative investigation, and the applicable 
provisions of the New Rules of.Court. 
Sec. 13. 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. 
Article I11 
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
Sec. 14. Registration Required. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, no person 
shall practice or offer to practice environmental planning in the Philippines without 
having obtained from the Board and the Commission a Certificate of Registration and a 
Professional Identification Card or a Temporary/Special Permit. 
Sec. 15. Examination Required. - Unless provided otherwise under this Act, all 
applicants for registration for the practice of environmental planning shall be required 
to pass the professional licensure examination as herein provided, subject to the 
payment of fees prescribed by the Commission. Examinations for the practice of 
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environmental playming in the Philippines shall be given by the Board at least once 
every year in such places and dates as the Commission may designate in accordance 
with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8981. 
Sec. 16. Rating in the Licensure Examination. - To pass the licensure 
examination each person must obtain a weighted average of no less than seventy per 
centum (70%) and a rating of no less than fifty per centum (50%) in any examination 
subject. 
Sec. 3 7. 
Subjects of Examination. - The licensure examination for 
environmental planner shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: 
a) History, concepts, theories, and principles of environmental planning 
b) Environmental planning process, methods/ techniques, and strategies 
c) Environmental plan implementation, legal aspects, and 
These subject areas shall include topics and subtopics in accordance with the 
syllabi or tables of specifications of subjects for licensure examinations by the Board in 
consultation with the academe and the Accredited Professional Organization. The 
subject areas and syllabi may be revised as the need arises to conform to changes and 
new developments brought about by trends in the profession. 
administration 
Sec. 18. Qualifications for Examination. - Any person applying to take the 
licensure examination as herein provided shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board 
that he/she has the following qualifications: 
(a) A citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose country or state has 
reciprocity agreement in the practice of the profession. 
(b) A holder of any of the following degrees from duly recognized schools, college 
or universities accredited by the Commission on Higher Education: 
(1) A Master’s degree in Environmental Planning, urban/city and regional 
planning, or town and country planning or its equivalent; 
(2) 
A Post-Graduate Diploma in environmental planning, city and regional 
planning or its equivalent, and with at least one (1) year on-the-job training 
as required herein; 
A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning, City Planning or Urban 
and Regional Planning, or Town and Country Planning, or its equivalent, 
and with two (2) years of on-the-job training as required herein; 
A Master’s or Doctorate degree in either architecture, engineering, ecology, 
economics, geography, public administration, business administration, 
(3) 
(4) 


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sociology, social sciefice, law, environmental science, environmental 
management, development management, natural resources planning and 
development and related disciplines acceptable to the Board, and with three 
(3) years of on-the-job training as required herein: Provided, That a person 
falling under this paragraph, may be allowed to take the licensure 
examination only within the next fen (10) years after the effectivity of this 
Act; 
(5) 
A Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, economics, public 
administration, law, social work and community development or sociology 
and other related disciplines acceptable to the Board 
and with five (5) 
years of on-the- job training as required herein: Provided, That a person 
falling under this paragraph, may be allowed to take the licensure 
examination only within the next ten (10) years after the effectivity of this 
Act 
Incumbent holders of planning positions in the national, regional; or local 
government' offices or agencies including government owned and 
controlled corporations who have been engaged in development planning 
functions acceptable to the Board: Provided, That they are holders of 
professional civil service eligibility and they must have undergone at least 
eighty (80) hours of 
in-service training or distance learning in 
developmental planning from a government agency, school or institution 
accredited by proper authorities: Prouided, further, That a person falling 
under this paragraph may be allowed to take the licensure examination 
only within the next five (5) years after the effectivity of this,Act. 
(6) 
(c) Of good moral character; and 
(d) Not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of competent 
jurisdiction. 
The on-the-job training required in this section must be undertaken under the 
supervision of a registered Environmental Planner or the applicant's immediate 
supervisor, in an agency or organization, acceptable to the Board, which is engaged or 
involved in environmental planning fmctions or programs. 
Sec. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registrafioii and Professional Identification 
Card. - A certificate of registration shall be issued to those who are registered with or 
with0u.t licensure examination subject to payment of fees prescribed by the 
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Commission. It shall bear the signatures of the Chairperson of the Commission and of 
the Chairperson and Members of the Board, stamped with the official seal of the 
Commission and of the Board, certifying that the person named therein is entitled to the 
practice of the profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. Until withdrawn, 
revoked, or suspended in accordance with this Act, it shall remain in full force and 
effect. 
A professional identification card bearing the registration number and date, its 
validity and expiry duly signed by the Chairperson of thc Commission shall likewise be 
issued to every rcgistrant who has paid the prescribed fees. 
Sec. 20. Refusal to Register. - 'The Board shall not register any successful 
applicant for registration with or without licensure examination who has been: 
(a) 
Convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of 
competent jurisdiction, 
(b) 
(6) 
Found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct by the Board, 
Summarily adjudged guilty for violation of the General Instructions to 
Examinees by the Board. 
Declared of unsound mind by the court of competent jurisdiction. 
(d) 
In refusing such registration, the Board shall give the applicant a written 
statement setting forth the reasons therefor and shall file a copy thereof in its records. 
Sec. 21. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and 
Cancellation of 'I'emporary/Special Permit. - The Board shall have the power, upon 
notice and hearing, to revoke or suspend the certificate of registration of a registered 
and licensed Environmental Planner or to cancel a temporary/special permit granted to 
a foreign Environmental Planner, for violation of any grounds or cases in Sec. 20 of this 
Act, except paragraph (c) thereof, and on any of the following grounds: 
(a) Violation of a provision of this Act, its Implementing Rules and Regulation, 
Code of Ethics, Code of Technical Standards for the practice of Environmental 
Planner, policy, and measure of the Board and/or the Commission; 
(b) Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining his/her certificate of registration, 
professional identification card, temporary/ special permit; 
(c) Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance resulting to death, injury or 
damage; 
(d) Refusal to join or to remain a member in good standing of the APO; 
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(e) Neglect or failure to pay the annual registration fees for five (5) consecutive 
years; 
(f) Non-renewal of the professional identification card after lapse of five (5) 
consecutive years; 
(g) Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered and licensed 
environmental planner by allowing him/her to use his/her certificate of 
registration 
and/or 
professional 
identification 
card 
or 
his/her 
special/ temporary permit; 
(h) Illegally practicing the profession during his/her suspension from the 
practice thereof; and 
(i) Addiction to a drug or alcohol abuse impairing hisjher ability to practice 
his/her profession or declared with unsound mind by a court of a competent 
jurisdiction; 
The Board sliall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise or 
exclude or add new ones as the need arises subject to approval by the Commission. 
Any person, firm or association may file charges against any registrant in 
accordance with the provisions of this Section, or the Board may investigate violations 
of any of the above-mentioned causes. An affidavit-complaint shall be filed together 
with the affidavits of witnesses and other documentary evidence with the Board 
through the Legal and Investigation Office. An investigation conducted motu propno 
shall be embodied in a formal charge to be signed by at least a majority of the members 
of the Board. The rules on administrative investigation issued by the Commission shall 
govern the hearing or investigation subject to applicable provisions of this Act, R.A. No. 
8981, and the Rules of Court. 
Sec. 22. Re-issuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration, Replacement of 
Lost or Damaged Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card or 
Temporary/Special Permit. - The Board may, upon petition, reinstate or re-issue a 
revoked certificate of registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the period 
for revocation, which is the date of surrender of the said certificate and/or the 
professional identification card if still valid to the Board and/or the Commission. The 
Board may not require the holder thereof to take another licensure examination. The 
petitioner shall prove to the Board that he/she has valid reasons to practice his/her 
profession. For the grant of his/her petition, the Board shall issue a Board Resolution 
subject to approval by the Commission. 
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A duylicatg copy of a lost certificate of registration, professional identification 
card or temporary/special permit may be reissued in accordance with rules thereon and 
upon payment of the prescribed fee therefor. 
ARTICLE IV 
PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING 
Sec. 23. Vested Rights: Licensed Environmental Planners Registered when 
this Law is Passed . - All Environmental Planners who are already duly registered with 
the Board under Presidential Decree No. 1308 and are holders of valid professional 
identification cards issued by the Commission, and who are in good standing with the 
accredited professional organization of environmental planners as of the time of the 
effectivity of this Act shall be deemed automatically registered under this Act. 
Certificates of Registration and valid Professional Identification Cards held by 
such persons in good standing shall have the same force and effect as though issued 
after the passage of this Act. 
Sec. 24. Consulting Firms, Partnerships, Corporations, Associations and 
Foundations Engaged in Environmental Planning Practice. - A consulting firm, 
partnership, corporation, association or foundation may engage in. the practice of 
environmental planning in the Philippines: Provided, That they comply with the 
following requirements: 
(a) 
The consulting firm, partnership, corporation or association applies for and is 
issued a Certificate of Registration by the Board and the Commission to engage in 
the practice of environmental planning in the Philippines: Provided, That majority 
of the partners of the partnership are registered and licensed environmental 
planners Provided, firtker, That the majority of the members of the Board of 
Directors or members thereof shall be registered Environmental Planners; and 
The practice of the consulting firm, partnership, corporation or association in 
environmental planning shall be carried out by duly registered Environmental 
Planners. 
(b) 
Sec. 25. Use of Seal. - All registered Environmental Planners shall obtain a seal 
of such design as the Board shall authorize and direct: Provided, That the serial number 
of the certificate issued by the Board shall be included in the design of the seal. Plans, 
designs and programs prepared by or under direct supervision of a registered 
Environmental Planner shall be stamped with the said seal during the life of the 
registrant’s certificate, and it shall be unlawful for any one to stamp or seal any 


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ddcument'vvith th& said seal after .the certificate of the registrant named thereon shall 
have expired or shall have been revoked, unless said certificate shall have been renewed 
or re-issued. 
Sec. 26. Continuing Professional Education. - The Board, in consultation with 
the academe and the accredited professional organization, shall prescribe guidelines in 
the implementation of its Continuing Professional Education (CPE) programs, subject to 
the approval of the Commission. 
Sec. 27. Foreign Reciprocity. - A foreign citizen may be allowed to take the 
licensure examination and may be given a certificate of registration and professional 
identification card if he/& can prove that by specific provisions of law the country or 
state of which he/she is a citizen allows a Filipino environmental planner to practice 
his/lier profession in such country. 
Sec. 28. Special / Temporary Permits for Foreign Environmental Planners. - 
The practice of foreign Environmental Planners in the Philippines shall be governed by 
the provisions of R.A. 8981, otherwise known as the PRC Modernization Act of 2000: 
Prouided, That any foreign national who has gained entry in the Philippines to perform 
professional services as an environmental planner or render such services or prepare or 
produce such documents as are within the scope of practice of environmental planners 
as set forth in this Act, such as but not limited to being a Consdtant in foreign-funded 
or assisted projects of the government or employed or engaged by Filipino or foreign 
contractors or private firins, whether or not the nomenclature of his/her profession is 
specifically called in his/ her country of nationality as environmental planning' but 
who does not meet or wish to comply with the requirements for admission to take the 
licemure examinations shall, before assuming the duties, functions and responsibilities 
as environmental planner or consultant, secure a special/temporary permit from the 
Board subject to the approval of the Commission and the Department of La.bor and 
Employment (DOLE), to practice his/her profession in connection with the project to 
which he/she was commissioned: Provided, That the following conditions are satisfied: 
(a) 
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That he/she is a citizen or subject of a country which specifically permits Filipino 
professionals to practice their profession within the territorial limits on the same 
basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign country or state; 
(b) 
That he/she is legally qualified to practice environmental planning or urban and 
regional planning, town a.nd country planning or human settlements planning 
in his/her own country, and that his/ her exyertise is necessary 'and 
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advantageous to the Philippines, particularly in the aspects of technology 
transfer and specializatioii; 
.. 
(c) 
That he/she shall be required to work with a Filipino counterpart and 
professional fees and services and expenses of documentation pertaining to the 
project shall be proportionately shared by both foreign and Filipino 
Environmental Planners, including liabilities and taxes due to the Philippine 
government, if any, relative to his/her participation therein, or professional 
services rendered to the project in accordance with established rules and 
regulations; and 
That he/she shall obtain an employment permit from DOLE: Provided, That the 
employment permit may be issued to a non- resident alien or to the applicant - 
employer after a determination of the non-availability of a person in the 
Philippines who is competent, able and willing at the time of application to 
perform the services for which the alien is desired: Provided, jiuther, That the 
applicant’s country of nationality observes reciprocal conditions for Filipino 
nationals. 
Sec. 29. Indication of Numbers: Certificate of Registration and Professional 
Tax Receipt. - The enviromnental planner shall be required to indicate his/her 
Certificate of Registration (CR) APO Certificate of Membership and Professional Tax 
Receipt ( I T )  Numbers, its date and place of issuance and its expiry. 
(d) 
Sec. 30. Unlawful Practices Under this Act. - 
It shall be unlawful for any 
person or group of persons to: 
offer or render planning services as defined in Section 4 or within the scope of 
Section 5 of this Act unless he/she is a Registered Environmental Planner; 
cause, induce, encourage or coerce the preparation of or implement any plan that 
is not signed by a registered environmental planner, when such plan is so 
required by this Act to be signed by a registered environmental planner; 
amend, revise, duplicate or make copies of plans, designs, programs and other 
documents prepared, signed and sealed by an environmental planner without 
his/her consent; 
sign his/her name, affix his/her seal or use any other method signature on plans, 
specifications or other documents prepared by another environmental planner; 
or 
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(e) 
sign 'for any branch of the work or any function in environmental planning 
practice not actually performed by him/her except for the environmental 
planner-in-charge who shall be fully responsible for all plans, specifications and 
other documents issued under his/her seal or authorized signature. 
Sec. 31. Integration. of the Profession. I All environmental planners shall be 
integrated into one (1) national organization that is duly registered with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, 
shall accredit the said organization as the one and only integrated and accredited 
national organization of environmental planners. All environmental planners whose 
names appear in the Registry Book of Environmental Planners shall ipso facto or 
automatically become members thereof and shall receive thereto all the benefits and 
privileges upon payments of APO membership fees and dues. Membership in an 
affiliate organization of environmental planners shall not be barred. 
Article V 
ENFORCEMENT OF THE ACT AND PENAL PROVISIONS 
Sec. 32. Enforcement by Government Officials and Officers of the Law. - It 
shall be the duty of all government officials and duly constituted law officers of the 
national, provincial, city or municipal government, to assist the Board and the 
Commission in enforcing the provisions of this Act and to cause the prosecution of any 
person violating the same. 
See. 33. - Positions in Government with Environmental Planning Functions. 
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall create positions and set qualification 
standards for environmental planners at various levels in government service including 
government owned and controlled corporations and other entities. After the lapse of 
five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act only registered environmental planners 
shall be appointed to the position of heads and assistant heads of groups, departments, 
divisions in government offices, agencies bureaus or instrumentalities thereof, 
including government-owned and controlled corporations, provinces, cities and 
municipalities, and such other positions which require the knowledge, skills and 
competence of registered environmental planners., Appointments made thereafter in 
violation hereof shall be considered null and void. 
Sec. 34. - Civil Liability of Environmental Planners. The Environmental 
Planner-of-Record in charge of the preparation of an environmental plan as well as 
other members of the environmental planning team involved in the preparation thereof 
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may bc held civilly liable in cases of serious or wholesalc damage, failure or destruction 
of any project subject of or covered by an environmental plan, that resulted in 
significant adverse impact on affected stakeholders or the concerned ecosystem, within 
a period of ten (10) years from the time of preparation of such plan, in cases where it is 
determined by a court 
that such damage, failure or 
destruction was foreseeable and may be directly attributed to gross negligence on the 
part of such environmental planner-of-record and/or environmental planning team 
member or members, or to highly deficient or inappropriate environmental planning 
methods, strategies, tools or techniques at variance with generally accepted 
environmental planning principles , methods and standards. 
of competent jurisdiction 
The government or any affected stakeholder may institute legal action to enforce 
such liability within five (5) years from the time the damage or destruction occurs. 
Sec. 35. Penal Provisions. - Any person who commits any of the unlawful 
practices under Section 30 hereof and/or any of the following acts shall, upon 
conviction, be sentenced by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months, nor more than 
five (5) years or a fine or not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php100, 000.00) 
nor more than five hundred thousand pesos (Php500, 000.00) or both, at the discretion 
of the Court: 
(a) 
Engaging in the practice of environmental planning in the Philippines 
without having been regislered or without having conformed to the 
provisions of this Act; 
Presenting or attempting to use as his/her own the Certificate of Registration 
and/or professional identification card of another registered environmental 
planner; or a holder of a temporary/special permit; 
(b) 
(4 
Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board, or 
impersonating any registered environmental planner or a holder of a 
temporary/special permit; 
Using a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration; or an expired or un- 
renewed professional identification card or temporary/ special; permit; 
Using in connection with his/her name or otherwise assuming, using or 
advertising any title or description tending to convey the impression that 
he/she is an environmental planner without holding a valid Certificate or 
Regjstration 
and 
professional 
identification 
card 
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Temporary/Special Permit; 
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Irhpleml?nting or causing 'the implementation of any plan not prepared and 
signed by a registered environmental planner in those cases where this Act 
requires 
such a registered 
environmental planner; and 
Violating any of the provisions of this Act and the Rules of Regulations 
thereof. 
that these be prepared and . signed by a 
(g) 
In case the offender is a corporation, partnership, association, foundation or 
juridical person, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the environmental 
planner-in-charge jointly aiid solidarily with the'responsible professionals as well as the 
controlling officer or officers thereof responsible for permitting or causing the violation. 
Article VI 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
Sec. 36. Transitory Provisions. - Within a period of five (5) years from the 
effectivity of this Act, local government units may continue to issue appointments to 
persons who are not registered environmental planners belonging to positions of local 
planning and development coordinators, or chiefs of local planning and development 
offices, only on a temporary status or acting capacity. 
The incumbent Chairman and Members of the Board shall, in an interim 
capacity, continue to carry out their functions under the provisions of this Act without 
need for new appointments as chairman and members thereof until the first Board, 
created under this Act, shall have been constituted or organized pursuant thereto. 
Article VI1 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
Sec. 37. 
Appropriations - The Chairperson of thc Professional Regulation 
Commission shall immediately include in the Commission's programs the 
irnplemcntation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriation Act and thereafter. 
Sec. 38. - Act Not Affecting Other Professions. -This Act shall not affect or 
prevent the practice ol any other legally recognized profession. 
Sec. 39. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, subject to approval 
of the Commission, shall prescribe, promulgate, and issue the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act, after consultation with the APO, other agencies and concerned 
private organizations, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
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Sec. 40. - 
!+parability Clause. - If any part or section of this Act shall be 
declared unconstitutional, such declaration shall not invalidate the other provisions 
hereof. 
Sec. 41. - Repealing Clause. Presidential Decree No. 1308 is hereby repealed. All 
other laws, orders, rules ind regulations or resolutions or parts thereof inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
Sec. 42. - Effectivity. - 'This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official 
Guzette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,