FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House BiltNo. _ 909

Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Not 10 be confused with interior decoration, interior design, which evolved from interior
decoration, involves a multitude of technical, analytical, creative skills, and understandings of
architectural elements. It is the act of planning, designing, specifying, supervising and providing
gen administration and responsible direction to the functional, orderly and aesthetic
arrangement and enhancement of interior spaces.

The profession of interior design in our country has been put to a lot of pressure lately
because of the increased volume of infrastructure and real estate projects, the influx of foreign
professionals practicing in the country, and the illegal practice of unlicensed interior designers. Also,
professional standards in the country have been put into question lately because of loopholes and
malpractices of some professional board members, not necessarily in the board of interior design. As
such, there is a need to overhaul the old Interior Design Act to provide safety nets and measures to
ensure the development of the profession

As such, this bill provides clearer grounds on the removal or suspension of a member of the
Board of interior design, for example “manipulation or rigging of the licensure examination, disclosure
‘of secret and confidential information on the examination questions prior to the conduct thereof, or
tampering of grades.”

To facilitate transfer of technology, the bill allows a foreign citizen to take licensure exam
whose country/state has ceciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of interior design. Likewise,
foreign interior designers may practice interior design under a temporary of special permit especialy if
his/her expertise is unique and useful co the Philippines.

The bill however, is strict to those who shall practice illegally. Under the bill, foreign interior
design firm or individuals who shall be found to be illegally practicing their profession shall be
penalized with a fine of a minimum of 15% of gross fees under P5 million and a minimum of 10%
percent of gross fees above P5 million in addition to the payment of back payment to the Philippine
government, The bill also lists down grounds on the revocation of license and cancellation of
temporary permits. Violations include or abetting the illegal practice of non-registered person,
addiction to drug or alcohol, and éefusal to join or to remain a member in good standing of the
accredited professional organization.

A major advancement in the profession of interior design proposed under this bill is the
protection of the professional’s intellectual property right to the drawings, specifications, and other
contract documents, duly signed and sealed, as insteuments of service, The bill prohibits the use,
reproddtion, even alteration and modification contained in the contract of work without the written
consent of the interior designer. This ensures that interior designers can now be secured that the
drawings they leave to clients will remain solely theirs and its application duly for the client’s purpose.

Representative, 2" of Tarlac


CRs

29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
7
38
39
40
41
42
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
SI
52
33
54

55

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Kirst Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 909

Introduced by Representative Susan A, Yap

AN ACT
‘TO REGULATE AND MODERNIZE THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN
IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO, 8534, KNOWN AS "THE PHILIPPINE INTERIOR DESIGN ACT OF 1998,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

ARTICLE

TITLE, POLICY, OBJECTIVES, TERMS AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

SECTION 1. Tit, - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Interior, Design Act
of 2010"

SEC. 2. Statement of Poti. - The State recognizes the important role of the interior
design profession in nation-building. Towards this end, the State shall promote the sustained
development of professional intenior designers, whose technical competencies have been
determined by honest and credible licensure examinations and whose standards of
professional service and practice are internationally recognized and considered globally
competitive, brought about by regulatory measures and human resource programs and
activities that foster their professional growth and advancement.

SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act provides for and shall govern:
(a) The examination, registration and licensure of professic
(b) The supervision, control and regulation of the practi
(c) The development of the professional competenc
continuing professional educat
(d) The integration of t

al interior designers;
f interior design;
of interior designers through

n; and,

nterior design profession

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of th

Act, the following terms are hereby defined:

(a) Interior design refers to the science and art of planning, specifying, selecting and
organizing the surface finishes and materials including furniture, furnishings and fixtures and
other items of decor of an architectural interior for the purpose of space allocations to suit,
enhance and meet the intended function, movement and character for which the interior of
the building is designed.

(b) Professional interior designer refers to a natural person who holds a valid certificate of
registration and a valid professional identification card issued by the Board and the
Commission pursuant to this Act

5. Scope of the Professional Practice of Interior Design. — The practice of interior
design as the act of planning, designing, specifying, supervising and providing general
administration and responsible direction to the functional, orderly and aesthetic arrangement



28
29
30
31
32
3
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

52
53
54
55
56
37

responsible direction to the functional, orderly and aesthetic arrangement and enhancement of
interior, spaces. It shall include, but not be limited to, the following activities:

(2) Consultation, advice, direction, evaluation, budgetary estimates and appraisals,

(b) Schematic interior design development, design development, execution of professional
contract documents and programming of construction phases;

(©) Preparation of interior design plans, design drawings, interior construction details and
technical specifications;

(@) Interior construction administration, supervision coordination of alteration, preservation
ion of interior spaces; and
©) Mi other works, projects and activities which require the professional competence of the
interior designer, including teaching of interior design subjects

br restora

The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise, exclude from, ot add to, the
above-enumerated acts or activities as the need arises to conform to the latest trend in the practice
of interior design.

ARTICLE IL
‘THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF INTERIOR DESIGN.

SEC. 6. Creation and Composition of the Board of Interior Design. - There is hereby created a
Professional Regulatory Board of Interior Design, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the
administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC),
hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be composed of a Chairperson and two 2) members
to be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of ewo (2) recommendees for each
position submitted by the Commission, and from a list of three (3) nominees for each position
recommended by the duly accredited professional organization of interior designers, The new Board
shall be created within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members. ~ "Ue Chairperson and members of the
Board shall, at the time of their appointment, possess the following qualifications

(a) Must be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippine

(b) Must be a holder of a bachelor's degree in Interior Design ot Bachelor of Fine Arts,
inajor in Interior Design, conferred by a school, academy, college or university in the Philippines ot
abroad that is recognized and/or accredited by the Philippine government;

(c) Must be a registered interior designer with a valid certificate of registration and
professional identification card and an active practitioner of interior design for not less than ten (10)
years prior to appointment;

{d) Must not be a member of the faculty of any school, where a regular course in Interior
Design is being taught, or have pecuniary interest in, or administrative supervision over any such
institution of learning;

(c) Must not be connected with a review center or with any group giving review classes or
lectures in preparation for the licensure ¢

mination;
(2) Must be a member in good standing of the duly accredited professional organization of
interior designers but not a trustee or officer thereof: and
(@) Has never been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or a civil and/or criminal
offense

SEC. 8. Term of Office. - ‘The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3)
years from the date of appointment or until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified.
They may be reappointed for another term of three (3) years immediately upon the expiration of
their term: Prosided, That no member shall hold office for more than six (6) years.

Of the members to be appointed for the first Board under this Act, one (1) member shall
hold office as Chairperson for three (3) years; one (1) member for two (2) years; and one (1)
member for one (1) vear. Each member of the Board shall take the proper oath priot to assumption
of duty


een aueene

10
a

M4
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23.
24
25
26
27
28
2
30
31
32
33
3

35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
SI
$2
33
34
35
56

SEC. 9. Compensation of the Board Members. - The Chairperson and members of the Board shall
receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances received by
existing regulatory boards under the Commission as provided for in the General Appropriations
Act

SEC. 10. Powers. Functions, Duties and Responsibilities of the Board ~The Board shall exercise the
following specific powers, functions, duties and responsibilities:

(@) Adopt, promulgate and administer the rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the
provisions of this Act;

(}) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of she professional interior
designers in the Philippines

(©) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

(@) Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate the certificate of registration or professional license
for the practice of the interior design professior

(€) Adopt an official seal of the Board; :

(0) Monitor she conditions affecting the practice of interior design and adopt such measures
as may be deemed proper for the enhancement of the profession and/or the maintenance of high
professional, ethical and technical standards;

(@) Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), that all
other educational instructions offering interior design comply with the policies, standards and
requirements of the course prescribed by the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and
facilities,

() Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethical and Professional Standards for she practice of
the Interior Design profession;

() Hear and ery administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its implementing rules
and regulations (IRR), the Code of Ethics for Professional Interior Designers and, for this purpose,
to issue subpoena and subpoena dices fem to secure the appearance of witnesses and the production
of documents in connection therewith;

@), Prescribe guidelines in the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program in
coordination with the accredited professional organization of interior designers;

(8) Prepare, adopt and issue the syllabi of the subject for examination by determining and
preparing the questions, which shall strictly be within the scope of the syllabi of the subject of
examination; and

(I) Discharge such other duties and functions as may be deemed necessary for the
enhancement of the intetior design profession and the upgrading, development and growth of
interior design education in the Philippines.

SEC. 11. Grounds for Removal or Suspension of Board Chairperson] Member. ~The President of the
Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, after giving the Chairperson or the
member of the Board an opportunity to defend himself/herself in an administrative investigation
condueted by the Commission, may remove or suspend him/her on any of the following grounds:

(a) Gross neglect, incompetence or dishonesty in the discharge of his/her duty;

(©) Violation of any of the causes /grounds and the prohibited acts provided in this Act and
the offenses in the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and other laws;
and

(6) Manipulation or rigging of the licensure examination for interior designers results,
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 Section 7(8) of
Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the PRC Modernization Act of 2000, the rules on
administrative investigation and the applicable provisions of the new Rules of Court.


Soeiu sweene

il
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36

37

38
39
40
41
42
43
44
4s
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57

SEC. 12. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Soetariat and Support
Servis. - The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of the Commission, All records of
the Board, inchiding applications for examination, administrative and other investigative cases
conducted by the Board shall be under the custody of the Commission.

he 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. 13. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of each calendar year, submit an
annual report to the President of the Philippines, through the Commission, giving a detailed account
of its proceedings and accomplishments during the year and making recommendations for the
adoption of measures that will upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of intetior
design

ARTICLE IIL
STRATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE,

AMINATION, R.

SEC. 14. Passing of Licensure Fxamination Requirement. - Except as othetwise specifically
allowed under this Act, applicants for registration for the practice of interior design shall be required
« licensure examination as provided for in this Act in such places and dates as the
Commission may designate in accordance with the provisions of Section 7() of Republic Act No.
8981

to

SEC. 15. Qualifications of Applicants. - An applicant for the licensure examination for interior
designers shall satisfactorily prove that he/she possesses the following qualifications:

(a) Citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose country/state has reciprocity with
the Philippines in the practice of interior design;

(b) Of good moral character;

(© A holder of a bachelor's degree in interior design duly recognized or accredited by the
CHED and conferred by a school/college/university duly authorized by the government or its
equivalent degree obtained by either a Filipino or foreign citizen from an institution of learning in a
foreign country/state: Provided, That it is duly recognized and/or accredited by the CHED; and (4)
Not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of competent jurisdiction.

SEC. 16. Subjects for Licensure Examination. - The examination for interior design shall basically
cover the following subjects:

{@) Interior Desig
) Furniture Design and Construction;
(¢) Materials for Decoration and Color Theory;
(@) History of Arts and Interior Design;
(e) Construction: and
(f) Professional Practice and Ethics.

The said subjects and their syllabi may be amended by the Board so as to conform to
technological changes brought about by continuing trends in the profession, in coordination with
the accredited couneil of interior design educators.

17, Rating in the Licensure Examination. - To be qualified as having passed the Board
examination for interior designers, a candidate must obtain a weighted general average of seventy

percent (70°

SEC. 18. Report of Ratings. - The Board shall submit to the Commission the ratings obtained
by each candidate within twenty (20) days after the examination unless extended by the Commission
for just cause. Upon the release of the results of the examination, the Board shall send by mail the
rating received by each examinee at his given address using the mailing envelope submitted during
the examination,



23

30

32
33
34
35
6
37
38
39
40
at
42
43
44
45
46
47
a8
49
50
51
52
34
35

56

SEC. 19. Oath, - All successful candidates in the examination shall be required to take an
oath of profession before the Board or any government official authorized by the Commission to
administer oaths prior to entering the practice of the interior design profession,

SEC. 20. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card ~ A centificate of
registration shall be issued to applicants who pass the examination for interior designers subject to
payment of registration fees.

The certificate of registration as professional interior designer shall beat the signatures of the
Chairperson of the Commission and Board members, stamped with the official seal, indicating that
the person named therein is entitled to practice the profession with all the privileges appurtenant
thereto, This certificate shall remain in full force and effect until withdrawn, suspended ot tevoked,
in accordance with this Act

A cettificate of registration bearing the registration number, date of issuance and expiry date,
duly signed by the Chairperson of the Board, shall likewise be issued to every registrant who has
paid the required fees. This license will serve as evidence that the licensee can lawfully practice
his/her profession,

\ professional identification card, whether new or renewed, shall be released by the PRC
upon compliance with the requirements for the application or renewal of identification card and
upon presentation of the updated receipt of payment of annual membership dues of the accredited
professional organization and proof of completion of the CPE requirements. Once registered, the
interior designer may use "Dr." as his official appendage title.

SEC. 21. 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) Found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct by the B

(c) Summarily adjudged guiley for vi
Board; and

(@) Declared of unsound mind by a court of competent jutisdi

jolation of the General Instructions to Examines by the

on,

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. 22. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and Cancellation of
‘Tomporany/ Speciat Permit, - The Board shall have the powcr, upon notice and hearing, to revoke or
suspend the certificate of registration of a registered and licensed interior designer or to cancel a
temporary/spectal permit granted to foreign interior designer, for violation of any of the grounds of
causes in Section 21 of this Act, except (c) thereof and any of the following grounds

(a) Violation of a provision of this Act, its IRR, the Code of Ethics, the Code of Good
Governance, the Code of Technical Standards for the practice of interior design, 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 or temporary/special permit;

(c) Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance resulting to death, injury or damage;

(@) Refusal to join or to remain a member in good standing of the Accredited Professional
Organization (APO);

(e) Neglect or failure to pay the annual registration fees for five (5) consecutive years;

® Aiding or abetting the illegal practice of a non-registered and licensed person by allowing
him/her to use his/her certificate of registration and/or professional identification card or his/her
temporary /special peemit;

(@) Illegally practicing the profession during his/her suspension from the practice thereof,



h) Addicted to a drug or alcohol, impairing his/her ability w practice his/her profession or
declared with unsound mind by a coust of competent jurisdiction; and

@ Noncompliance with the CPE requirement, unless he/she is exempted therefrom, for the
renewal of his/her professional identification card

The Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grounds and revise or exclude ot
add new ‘ones as the need arises, subject to approval of the Commission. An
association may file charge/s in with the provision of this section against any registrant,
or the Board may investigate v 1 of any of the abovementioned ¢: ‘Affidavit-complaint
shall be filed together with the affidavits of wi 1d other doc evidence with the
Board through the Legal and Investigation Office. The moar mero move to conduct an investigation
shall be embodied in a formal charge to be signed by at least a majority of the members of the
Board. The cules on administeative investigation issued by the Commission shall govern the hearing
or invesugation subject to applicable provisions of this Act, Republic Act No. 8981 and the Rules of
the Court

y person, firm or
accordar

SHC. 23. Retssmanoe of Revoked Replacement of Last or Lamaged Certificate of
Regateation, Professional identification The Board may, upon pecition,
teinstate or reissue a revoked certificate of registration after two (2) years from the effectvity of the
period for revocation, which is the date of surrender of the said certificate and/or the professional
enuficauon card if still valid co the Board and/or the Commission, The Board may not require the
holder thereof to take another licensure examinavon. The petitioner shall prove to the Board that
he/she has valid reason/s 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. A duplicate copy of lost certificate of registration, professional identification
cud or temporary/special permit may be reissued in accordance with rules thereon and upon
payment of the prescribed fee therefor.

SEC. 24. Nonpayment of the Ann! Registration Pees.
intertor designer from the’ practice of his/her protessi:
fees for five (5) consecutive years from his/her last or previous year of payment. The resumption of
his/her practice shall take place only upon payment of che delinquent fees phis surcharges and
interest and in accordance with the rules of the Commission, The running of the five (5)-year period
may be interrupted upon writren notice about the discontinuance of his/her practice and surrende
of his/her certificate of registration to the Board and/or the Commission.

The Board shall suspend a registered
for nonpayment of the annual registeation

SEG. 25. (ested Rights, - All practicmg interior designers who
passage of this Act shall automatically be registered and issued cert

16 registered at the time of the
‘ates of registration,

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DI

GN

SEC. 26. Lanyid Pructtioners of Interior Design, - The following persons shall be authorized to
practice the interior design profession
) Natural persons who are: (1) Duly registered and licensed as interior designers and
holders af valid certificates of registration and vahd professional identification cards issued by the
Board and the Commission pursuant to this Act; and (2) Holders of valid temporary/special permits
issued by the Board and the Commission to foreign licensed interior designers pursuant to this Act.
(b) Juridical persons: (1) Single proprietorship whose owner is a registered interior designers
2) Parmership duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as professional
partnership pursuant to the Civil Code and composed of all partners who ate all duly registered
interior designers; and (3) Corporation whose key chief executive officers (CEOs) and majority of
the Board of Directors are all rej d licensed snterior designers may be duly registered with
the SEC as engaged in the practice of interior design. Juridical. petsons shall also be registered with
the Board and the Commission in accordance with the rules a

ered

nd regulations thereon.


ae
30
3
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39.
40

SEC. 27. Seal, Isance and Use of Seal. - duly registered interior designer shall affix the seal
duly approved and provided by the Board of Interior Design On all plans and specifications
prepared by, or under his/her direct supervision during the validity of his/her certificate of
registration, Officers or employees of the government, chartered cities, provinces, municipalities
now or hereafter charged with the enforcement of the laws, ordinances ot regulations relating to the
construction of alteration of the interiors of buildings shall accept only those interior plans or
specifications and contract documents which have been prepared, signed and sealed by a duly
licensed interior designer and submitted in full accord with the provisions of this Act. No approval
shall be given by any such person for any work, as defined under this Act, plans and specifications
‘of which have not been so prepared, signed and sealed by a duly licensed interior designer.

Violation of the foregoing shall be a ground for administrative and/or criminal action.

SEC. 28. Intellcinal Property Rights. - Drawings and specifications and other contract
documents duly signed, stamped or sealed, as instruments of service, and all the works included
therein, are the intellectual property of the interior designer. Any person is prohibited from engaging
in any activity prejudicial ro the intellectual property rights of the interior designer, including the
reproduction of the contract work or substantial portion thereof, and making any alteration,
distortion, mutilation, or other modification of, or any derogatory action in relation to, the contract,
work and the works therein, prejudicial to and without the written consent of the interior designer.

SEC. 29. Foreign Recipructy. - No foreign interior designer shall be issued a certificate of
tegistration to practice the interior design profession or be entitled to any of the rights and
privileges under this Act unless the country of which he/she is a subject or citizen specifically
permits Filipino interior designers to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the
subjects or citizens of such foreign state or county.

mit.

SEC. 30, Practice Throagh Tempora

/ Special ) Foreigners intending to work in the
Philippines to perform professional se

cs as interior designers or consultants whether employed
through official foreign-funded or foreign-assisted projects initiated by the government, or engaged
by private Filipino, foreign contractors ot firms shall first secure a temporary/special permit from
the PRC through the Board of Interior Design specifically authorizing him/her to practice on the
special project or commission named therein: Provided, futher, ‘That

(1) He/She is legally and professionally qualified and registered to practice interior design in
hislher own countrys

(2) His/Her expertise is unique and useful to the Philippines, resulting in the transfer of
information and technology. The establishment of international standards in design, and of sharing
of other specialized skills; and

(3) Duly licensed foreign nationals shall be required to work with a Filipino counterpart who
has been in continuous practice of interior design for at least ten (10) years. Professional fees and
services, and expenses of documentation pertaining to the project shall be shared by both foreign

ad Filipino interior designers, including liabilities and taxes due to the Philippine government, if
any, according to their participation in, or professional services rendered to the project

(b) A foreign interior designer shall be required to work in every case with a duly licensed
Filipino counterpart whose competence and integrity has been established by the Board of Interior
Design on the basis of uniform standards contained in theit IRR

(©) Foreign and Filipino firms working jointly on a special project shall divide the
professional fees and other ¢ collected from said project equitably. Similarly, all
documentation expenses, taxes and other liabilities incurred on the shared project shall also be borne
equally by both foreign and Filipino firms.

(@) Foreigners working jointly with Filipino firms shall sign contracts, designs and other
credits together with his/her Filipino counterpart. Both foreign and Filipino firms shall at all times
be acknowledged in international tri-media on proprietary and intellectual property tights. All
residual earnings shall also be equitably shared between foreign and local firms.

(©) Foreign design firms or individuals practicing in the Philippines before the promulgation
of this Act are required to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Interior Design
in its IRR within the timetable it supulates therein.



( Any violation of these requirements or other illegal practices undertaken by either foreign
design firms or their Filipino counterparts shall be punishable by law or under the IRR of the Board
of Interior Design,

SEC, 31. Indication of Numbers: Certificate of Registration, Professional Tax Receipt and APO
Membership. -. The interior designer shall be required to indicate his/her certificate of registration
number and date of issuance, the expiry of his/her current professional identification card, the
professional tax receipt number and date, and his/her APO membership number and date with
official receipt number and date of membership payment (annual/lifetime) on the documents
he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the practice of his/her interior design profession.

‘SRC. Roster of Interior Designers. - The Board shall prepare and maintain a roster of the
names, residence and/or office address of all registered interior designers which shall be updated
annually in cooperation with the APO, indicating therein the status of the certificate of registration,
professional identification card and APO membership, whether valid, delinquent, suspended or
revoked ot inactive due to death or other reasons. The said roster shall be conspicuously posted
within the premises of the Commissiot l the information therefrom made available to the public
upon inquiry or request.

SEC. 33. Integration of the Interior Designers. - The interior designers shall be integrated into one
(I) national organization of interior designers that is duly registered with the SEC, The Board of
Interior Design, subject to approval by the Commission, shall accredit the said organization as the
one and only integrated and accredited professional organization of interior designers. All interior
designers whose names appear in the Registry Book of Interior Designers shall ipso facto or
automatically become members thereof and shall receive therefrom all the benefits and privileges
upon payment of APO membership fees and dues.

A membership in an affiliate organization of interior designers shall not be barred.

ARTICLE V
FINAL PROVISION:

SEC. 34. Penal Clause. - The following acts shall be punished by a fine of not less than Three
hundred thousand pesos (Php300,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (Php1,000,000.00)
and revocation of certificate of registration or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not
more than three (3) years, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

(a) Local Practitioner. - (1) Practicing interior design, rendering work and consultations or
rendering equivalent services as interior designer as defined in this Act or using the tide "Interior
Designer Interior Design Stylist" or "Interior Design" in any
signage, calling card, advertisement or any other mode of publicity without a valid certificate of
registration and/or a valid professional identification card or a valid temporary/special permit; (2)
Atrempting to use the seal, certificate of registration and/or professional identification card of a
registered interior designer or temporary /special permit issued to foreign professional; (3) Abetting
the illegal practice of interior design by an unregistered or unauthorized person; (4) Impersonating a
registered interior designer or a holder of a temporary/special permit; and (5) Violating any
provision of this Act or the IRR thereof,

(b) Foreign Practitioner/Firm. - Foreign interior design firm or individuals who shall be
found to be illegally practicing their profession shall be penalized with a fine of a minimum of
fifteen percent (15%) of gross fees under Five million pesos (Php5,000,000.00) and a minimum of
ten percent (10%) of gross fees above Five million pesos (Php5,000,000.00) in addition to payment
of back taxes to the Philippine government, imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not
more than three (3) years, or both fine and imprisonment or permanent ban from further practice in
the Philippines at the discretion of the coutt.



SEC. 35. Enforcement, The Commission shall implement the concerned provisions of this Act,
enforce its IRR as adopted by the Board, conduct investigations on complaints including violadons
of the Code of

Conduct of the profession and prosecute when so warranted.

2. 36. Appropriations, - ‘Vhe Chairperson of the PRC shall immediately include in the
Commission's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 37. Transitory Provisions, - The incumbent Board shall, in an interim capacity, continue to
function by carrying out the provisions of this Act without the need to issue new appointments for
the Chairperson and members thereof until the first Board created under this Act shall have been
constituted or organized pursuant thereto.

SEC, 38. Implementing Rides and Regulations, ~ “Che Board, with the approval of the
Commission, shall adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations to implement the provisions of
this Act, which shall be effective after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Oficial Gagette
or in 2 major daily newspaper of general circulation. -

SEC. 39. Separabitity Clause. - 1f any clause, provision, paragraph or part hereof shall be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impair any other
part hereof, but such judgment shall be merely confined to the clause, provision, paragraph or part
directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment has been rendered.

SEC. 40. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 8534 is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees,
executive orders and administrative issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the

provisions of this Act are hereby modified, superseded or repealed accordingly

SEc41. Fffetvity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,