Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

326
HOUSE BILL NO."

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G, ESCUDERO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Some forty years ago, 1955, Congress enacted R.A. 1378, otherwise known as the Plumbing
Law, which regulates the trade of master plumbers. High School graduates with five years plumbing
experience used to dominate the trade. With the advent of high rise buildings their numbers are
dwindling but sustaining. Master Plumbers with engineering expertise are coming about. Since then
the law has become outmoded with provisions that do not harmonize with the times: To date the
practice of plumbing is still considered a trade, although the act of plumbing works has become more
complex with the emergence and expansion of all types of buildings design and construction, coupled
by the trend of urbanization, the proliferation of urban centers, and the subsequent complexity of
architectural and engineering works these all the more spell out the demand for plumbing engineer

The burgeoning plumbing industry dramatizes the need for the participation of Plumbing
Engineers with good academic background in engineering to cope up with the new technology
required. The time has come, afier two scores to upgrade the plumbing profession. R.A, 1378 must
give way to a new law for Plumbing Engineers. Plumbing Engineering must be accorded professional
acceptance and recognition

Section 1 (B), Item (15) of R.A. 6511, An Act Amending Republic Act 465, An Act to
Standardize the Examination and Registration Fees charged by the National Examining Boards, and
the other purposes, provide and lists down the Profession of Plumbing Engineers as a preparation for
the regulation of the profession. For this reason, registered engineers who are holders of Master
Plumbers Certificate have responded to the call of the times and bonded themselves together under one
roof, the Philippine Institute of Plumbing Engineers (PIPE). Their move was backed up by colleges
and universities who recognized the importance of plumbing engineering by offering it as a distinct
course. Congress has to come up with the law to elevate the plumbing trade to one of professional
engineering and in the interest of public welfare

Approval of this bill is urgently requested

_Meedit/

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18" CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 2326

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

AN ACT.
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES,

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION
THEREOF

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

ARTICLE |
TITLE, OBJECTIVE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Plumbing Engineering Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State recognizes the importance of plumbing engine:
in nation-building and development. Pursuant thereto, it shall encourage the establishment of a pool of
dynamic, responsive and innovative plumbing professionals who are committed to the pursuit of
excellence and the ethical practice of the plumbing profession, and the use of modern technologies to
achieve social uplifiment and the improvement of the quality of life. Thus, the State shall develop and

nurture competent and globally competitive plumbing professionals who shall conform to the hivhest
standards of excellence.

ie

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a) Master plumber refers to a person who is a holder of a valid Certificate of Registration or
professional license and professional identification card as master plumber.

{b) Practice of plumbing engineering refers to the professional and organized act of applying
scientific principle and technique for the design, installation, and operation of plumbing systems
involving hot and cold water supply, installation of fixtures, sanitary drainage, vent system. stormn
drainage, gas piping, swimming pools, water feature, fire protection system, irrigation system, private
Water system and private sewerage disposal system within or adjacent to any buildings and other
structures. It shall embrace services to the following activities.



(1) Consultations, designing, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, erection
installation, and supervision of plumbing works, including the inspection and acceptance of mat
used therein:

(2) Extension, addition, alteration, and modification of all piping for fixtures, equipment,
appliances, and appurtenances in connection with any of the above scope: and

s

(3) Engagement in the teaching or transfer of knowledge and technology of plumbing
engineering in any institution of learning, particularly on subjects included in the licensure
examinations; and

(c) Plumbing engineer refers to a person who is a holder of a valid Certificate of Registration or
professional license and professional identification card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board
of Plumbing Engineering and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and who is legally
qualified to practice plumbing engineering in the Philippines pursuant to this Act

ARTICLE I
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING

SEC, 4. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board of Plumbing
Engineering. — There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Plumbing Engineering
hereinafter called the Board, which shall be under the administrative control and supervision of the
PRC. The Board shall be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) members to be appointed by the
President of the Republic of the Philippines from among those recommended by the PRC from the
three (3) nominees of the duly accredited professional organization (APO) of plumbing engineers

5. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. — At the time of their respective
appointments, the members of the Board, including the Chairperson, must:

(a) Be a natural-born Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines for at least five (5)
consecutive years;

(b) Be at least thirty-five (35) years of age;
(©) Be of proven integrity and high moral values:

(d) Not have been convicted on final judgment by any court for any offense involving moral
turpitude;

(e) Be a Plumbing Engineer holding a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid professional
license as Plumbing Engineer having a degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering, and an active
Practitioner in Plumbing Engineering for not less than ten (10) years prior to appointment:

(f) Not be a member of the faculty of any school, academy, institute, college, or university
where a regular course in Plumbing Engineering is being taught, nor have pecuniary interest in or
administrative supervision over any such institution of learning: and

(g) Not be connected with a review center or with any group or any association where review
classes or lectures in preparation for the licensure examination are offered or conducted, for a period of
at least three (3) consecutive years prior to appointment


SEC. 6. Term of Office of the Members of the Board. — The Chairperson and members of the
Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) years from the date of appointment. Of the members of
the Board first appointed under this Act, one (1) member shall be appointed and hold office for three
(3) years, one (1) member for two (2) years, and one (1) member for one (1) year

The Chairperson or members of the Board may be reappointed for another term but shall in no
case serve continuously for more than six (6) years. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the
Board within the term of a member shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. Each
member of the Board shall take an oath of office prior to the official performance of duti

SEC. 7. Compensation and Allowances of the Members of the Board, — The Chairperson and
members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable with the compensation
and allowances being received by the Chairpersons and members of existing regulatory boards in the
PRC and as may be provided for in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Powers and Duties of the Board. — The Board shall exercise the followi

specific
powers, functions, duties and responsibilities:

(a) Supervise and regulate the examination, registration, licensure, and the practice of plumbing
engineering:

(b) Determine and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for registration:

(c) Prepare the examination questions in accordance with Section 14 hereof and supervise
check, and rate the licensure examination papers:

(d) Prescribe, amend, or revise the requirements and subjects in the licensure examination for
plumbing engineers and their relative weights, subject to the approval of the PRC:

(c) Administer oaths to successful examinees entering the practice of plumbing engineering in
the Philippines;

() Issue, suspend, or revoke the license for the practice of plumbing engineering or to reissue
the same;

(g) Issue special permits to foreign plumbing engineers for specific duration of time:

(h) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

(i) Look into the conditions affecting the practice of the plumbing engineering profession and
whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement of the
profession and the maintenance of high professional, technical, and ethical standards of the profession.

(i Prescribe and adopt a set of ethical and technical standards for the practice of plumbing
engineering in the Philippines and cause these to be published and disseminated:

(k) Investigate, hear and try administrative cases involving violations of this Act, it

Ss
implementing rules and regulations, the sets of ethical and technical standards and, for the

purpose.


issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearances of witnesses and
the production of documents in connection therewith;

(D) Submit an annual report on the action on all applications for licensure; the names of all
Persons licensed or certified; actions involving suspension, revocation, or denial of license:
Fecommendations for reciprocity; receipt and disbursement of any monies; and other matters that may
be required by law from the PRC after the close of each fiscal year;

(m) Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), that all educational institutions
offering plumbing engineering program comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the
course prescribed by the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities:

(n) Coordinate with the PRC, CHED, and TESDA in prescribing, amending and revising the
curriculum of the related course;

(0) Prescribe guidelines and criteria for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
program for plumbing engineers as a condition for the renewal of their professional licenses: and (p)

Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act.

SEC. 9. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and Support Services
The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of the PRC. All records of the Board,
including the application for examination, examination papers and results, minutes of deliberation.
administrative cases, and other investigations involving plumbing engineers shall be kept by the PRC

The PRC shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat with the
necessary support services to implement the provisions of this Act

SEC. 10. Removal of a Member of the Board. ~ The President may remove any member of the
Board, upon the recommendation of the PRC, on the following grounds

(a) Neglect of duty or incompetence;

(b) Violation or tolerance of the violation of this Act or the Code of Ethics or Technical
Standards for Plumbing Engineers; and

(c) Final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude

Members shall be given due notice and hearing where the right to be heard and to defend

themselves, assisted by a counsel, shall be respected in a proper administrative investigation the PRC
shall conduct

SEC. I]. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of each calendar year, submit an
annual report to the President of the Philippines through the PRC, giving detailed account of its
recommendation for the adoption of measures that will upgrade and improve the conditions affecting
the practice of plumbing engineering in the Philippines.

ARTICLE IL
EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION, AND LICENSE


SEC. 12. Licensure Examination Required. — All applicants for registration as plumbing
engineers shall be required to undergo and pass a written examination as hereinafter provided

SEC. 13. Qualifications of Applicants for Plumbing Engineering Examination. ~The applicant

for the plumbing engineering examination shall, on the day of the examination, possess the following
qualifications:

(a) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;

(b) Be a citizen of the Philippines or of a foreign country that upholds the reciprocal practice of
plumbing engineering therein by Philippine nationals;

(c) Be of good moral character: and

(d) Be a holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Plumbing Engineering.

SEC. 14. Scope of Examination. ~ The applicant for registration as plumbing engineer shall be
examined in the following subjects:

(a) General Engineering and Mathematics 20%
(b) Plumbing Code 20%
(c) Plumbing Design 40%
(d) Practical Problems and Installation 20%

100%

The subjects and their syllabi may be amended by the Board to conform to technological
changes brought about by the continuing trends in the profession

C. 15. Suspension or Revocation. — The Board may suspend or revoke a Certificate of
Registration obtained through misrepresentation in the application for examination

SEC. 16. Examination Fees. ~ Every applicant admitted to take the plumbing engineering
examinations shall pay such fees as may be prescribed by the PRC

SEC. 17. Schedule of Examination, ~ Examinations for candidates for plumbing engineering
shall be given by the Board twice a year in Metro Manila, and in such other places as may be deemed
appropriate by the Board. The dates of the examinations shall be fixed by the Board

SEC. 18. Admission to Examination. - The Board, with the approval of the PRC. shall
promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement or carry out the provisions of
this Act, especially those relating to the scope of examinations for plumbing engineering, proper
conduct of the examinations, custody and correction of examination papers, and registration of
plumbing engineers. The Board shall have control and jurisdiction over examination papers, from the
preparation, printing and distribution to examinees, during the review of test scores up to the time the
list of successful examinees is released for publication in newspapers of general circulation in the
country.

SEC. 19. Rating in the Board Examination. ~ To pass the board examination for Plumbing
Engineers, an examinee must obtain a weighted general average of seventy percent (70%). with no
grade lower than fifty percent (50%)

SEC. 20. Reexamination. — An applicant who fails to pass the examination for the third time
shall be allowed to take another examination only after the lapse of one (1) year.


SEC. 21. Report of Ratings. ~ The Board shall submit to the PRC the ratings obtained by each
examinee not later than the twentieth (20" ) day after the examination, unless extended for a just cause
Upon the release of the results of the examination, the Board shall send by mail the rating received by
each examinee at the latter’s given address, using the self-addressed mailing envelope submitted
during the examination

SEC. 22. Oath, ~ All successfull plumbing engineering examinees and all those who have
qualified for registration without examination shall be required to take the Oath of Profession before
the Board or any person authorized by the PRC to administer oaths before the examinee can be
registered and issued a Certificate of Registration and professional identification card. The oath taking
shall be a prerequisite to the practice of the profession as a Plumbing Engineer

SEC. 23. Issuance of Certificates of Registration and Professional License. ~ The effectivity of
the registration of plumbing engineers commences on the date the registrant's name is entered in the
roll of registrants or licenses for the profession. Every registrant who has satisfactorily met all the
Tequirements specified in this Act, upon payment of the registration fee, shall be issued a Certificate of
Registration as a Plumbing Engineer

The Certificate of Registration shall show the full name of the registrant and a serial number,
signed by the Chairperson and members of the Board, and stamped with the official seal, evidencing
that the person named therein is entitled to practice the profession with all the rights and privileges
appurtenant thereto. The Certificate of Registration shall remain in full force and effect until
withdrawn, suspended, or revoked.

A professional license signed by the Chairperson and bearing the registration number, the date
of issuance and the month of expiry or renewability shall likewise be issued to every registrant who
has paid the registration fees for three (3) consecutive years and has complied with the requirements of.
the CPD, unless exempted therefrom. This license shall serve as evidence that the licensee can lawfully
practice the profession until the expiration of its validity

SEC. 24. Seal of Plumbing Engineer. — All licensed plumbing engineers may obtain a personal
seal of a design prescribed by the Board bearing the registrant's name, the certificate number and the
legend “Plumbing Engineer”. Plans, specifications, reports, and other professional documents prepared
by or executed under the immediate supervision of and issued by a licensee shall be stamped on every
sheet with the seal when filed with government authorities or when submitted or used professionally

It shall be unlawful for anyone to use the seal on any document when the registrant’s name has
been delisted from the roster of plumbing engineers, or after the validity of the professional license has
expired. The seal or stamp can be used again only after the registrant is reinstated to the practice of the
profession and reissued a new professional license

SEC. 25. Refussal to Issue Certificates. ~ The Board shall not issue a Certificate of Registration
to any person convicted by the court of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or to any
person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or to any person of unsound mind, In the event of
refusal to issue certificates for any reason, the Board shall give the applicant a written statement setting
forth the reasons for such action, which statement shall be incorporated in the records of the Board


SEC. 26. Grounds for Revocation. - The Board shall have the power, upon proper notice and
hearing, to revoke or suspend any Certificate of Registration of any registrant who:

(a) Has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

(b) Has been found guilty of dishonorable conduct;

(©) Has been found of being unsound mind:

(d) Has been found guilty of gross negligence or incompetence, or unprofessional or
dishonorable conduct; and

(e) Has been found guilty of any violation of this Act, the rules and regulations and other
policies of the Board, and the Code of Professional Ethics.

The decision of the Board may be appealed to the Chairperson of the PRC, whose decision
shall be final.

Any person, firm, association, or corporation may file charges against a certified licensed
plumbing engineer in accordance with the provisions of this section in writing, sworn to, and filed with
the Secretary of the Board. The Board may investigate or take cognizance of acts and practices
constituting cause for the suspension or revocation of the Certificate of Registration by proper
resolution or order.

SEC. 27. Reissue of Revoked Certificates and Replacement of Lost Certificates, — A person
may apply to the Board for reinstatement of a license or certificate at any time after one (1) year from
the date of revocation of the license or certificate. The application shall be in writing and shall conform
with the requirements provided by the Board. No license or certificate shall be reissued unless the
Board is satisfied that good cause exists to warrant such reinstatement. A new Certificate of

Registration to replace any certificate that has been lost, destroyed, or mutilated may be issued subject
to the rules of the Board.

SEC. 28. Exemption from Examination and Registration of Foreigners. ~ (a) Examination and
registration shall not be required of foreign plumbing engineers employed as technical consultants by
the Philippine government or by private firms subject to the certification of pertinent profes
society that no qualified Filipino professional is available, subject to the following conditions

sional

(1) That the foreign professionals are legally qualified to practice their profession in their own
country in which the requirements and qualifications for obtaining a license or Certificate of
Registration are not lower than those specified in this Act;

(2) That the scope of work to be performed by foreign professionals shall be limited only to the
particular work for which they were contracted:

(3) That prior commencing to work, the foreign professionals shall secur
the PRC;

a special permit from

(4) That foreign professionals shall not engage in private practice on their own account:

(5) That for every foreign professional contracted pursuant to this section, one (1) Filipino
understudy who is registered under the provisions of this Act shall be employed by the private firm
utilizing the services of such foreign professional for at least the duration of the latter’s tenure with
said firm; and



(6) That the exemption herein granted shall be good only for six (6) months, renewable for
another six (6) months at the discretion of the Board. In case a foreign professional ceases to be
employed in accordance with this section and engages in an occupation requiring registration as
plumbing engineer, the foreigner must be registered under the provisions of this Act.

(b) No registration with the Board shall be required of engineering students, apprentices and
other persons employed or acting as subordinates of, or undergoing training under a person holding a
valid Certificate of Registration and a valid professional license under this Act

ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING

SEC. 29. Practice of Plumbing Engineering, - Except as may be provided in this Act, no person
shall use the title “Registered Plumbing Engineer”, or display or use any title, sign, card,
advertisement, or other device to indicate such person practices or offers to practice plumbing
engineering unless the person shall have received from the Board a Certificate of Registration and
issued a professional identification card by the PRC and the Board.

The activities enumerated in Section 3 describing the coverage of the practice of plumbing
engineering shall not be construed as excluding any other work requiting plumbing engineering
knowledge and application

No firm, partnership, corporation or association may be licensed and registered as such for the
Practice of plumbing engineering, but duly licensed and registered plumbing engineers may form
partnerships among themselves or with other licensed and registered engineers and architects and use
the title “Plumbing Engineers”, “Engineers”, or “Engineers and Architects” in their partnership names

SEC. 30. Prohibited Acts. ~ The following acts shall be prohibited:

(a) Practice or offer to practice plumbing engineering in the Philippines without having
previously obtained a Certificate of Registration and a professional license from the Professional
Regulatory Board of Plumbing Engineering:

(b) Use or attempt to use the Certificate of Registration, professional license or seal of another

(c) Submission of fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board or to any member thereof to
obtain a Certificate of Registration and professional license:

(d) Fraudulent impersonation of any registrant of like or different name:

(©) Attempt to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration or an expired professional
license;

(f) Use, in connection with the Person’s name, or otherwise assume or advertise any title or
description tending to convey the impression that such person is a plumbing engineer or master
plumber without holding a valid certificate or a valid license: and


(g) Sign a document involving plumbing design, plan, technical specification, valuation, and
the like on behalf of a plumbing engineer

SEC. 31. Roster of Plumbing Engineers, ~ The PRC shall keep a roster of all duly licensed and
registered plumbing engineers, stating their names, registration numbers, and places of business. The
PRC shall regularly update such roster and make it available to the public

SEC. 32. Submission of Designs, Specifications and Reports, — Any proposal, design,
specification, working drawing, program, or report to be submitted to any government agency, national
oF local, including government owned ot -controlled corporations, shall not be processed or approved
if such proposal, design, specification, drawing, and similar documents have not been signed by a
registered plumbing engineer, with the seal and registration number affixed thereto

SEC. 33. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign engineer shall be admitted to take the board
examination, be given a Certificate of Registration, or be entitled to any of the rights and privileges
under this Act unless the country of which the person is a subject or citizen specifically permits

Filipino engineers to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects of citizens of
that country.

SEC. 34. License Number and Privilege Tax Receipt. — The plumbing engineer shall be
Tequired to indicate the Certificate of Registration, the professional identification card number, the date
of issuance, and the duration of validity, including the privilege tax receipt (PTR) on the documents the
Plumbing engineer signs, uses, or issues in connection with the practice of the profession

SEC. 35. Integration of the Plumbing Professional Organizations. — The plumbing professional
organizations shall be integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be recognized by the
Board as the one and only integrated and accredited association of plumbing engineers. A plumbing
engineer, upon registration with the Board as such, shall ipso facto become a member of the integrated
national organization. Those who have been registered with the Board but are not members of the said
organization at the time of the effectivity of this Act shall be allowed to register as members of the said
integrated organization within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act. Membership in the

integrated organization shall not be a bar to membership in other associations of the engineering
profession.

SEC. 36. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). - The CPD guidelines shall be
prescribed and promulgated by the Board subject to the approval of the PRC, after consultation with
the integrated and accredited plumbing engineering associations, other associations of the plumbing
engineering profession, and other concerned sectors. The Board shall incorporate in the said guidelines
the creation of a CPD council that shall be composed of officers coming from the Board, the PRC. the
APO, and other concerned sectors. It shall be vested with the functions, duties and responsibilities to
implement the guidelines and shall have the juridical 16 personality that is distinct and separate from
and independent of the Board, the PRC and the APO.

ARTICLE V
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 37. Penalties. — In addition to the administrative sanctions, a person found to have
violated any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of not less than



fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) nor more than two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or
imprisonment of not more than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of the court

If the offender is a corporation, partnership, or juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed on
the officers responsible for permitting or causing a violation of the provision of this Act

SEC. 38. Enforcement, ~ The Board shall be assisted by the PRC in carrying out the provisions
of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations and other policies. The lawyers of the PRC shall
act as prosecutors against illegal practitioners and other violators of this Act and its rules. The duly
constituted authorities of the government shall likewise assist the Board and the PRC in enforcing the
provisions of this Act and its rules.

SEC. 39. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Subject to the approval of the PRC, the Board
shall, not later than the ninetieth (90th) day after the effectivity of this Act, adopt and promulgate such
rules and regulations including the Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Plumbing:
Engineers for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act

SEC. 40. Funding Provisions. - The Chairperson of the PRC shall include in the PRC's
Program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 41. Transitory Provisions. ~ (a) All registered master plumbers holding valid certificates
of registration and professional license issued under Republic Act No. 1378 shall register within three
(3) years from the effectivity of this Act, and be issued new certificates of registration and new
professional license as plumbing engineers under this Act to replace their original ones. Their sei

al
numbers shall be provided by the PRC.

(a) A licensed Sanitary Engineer with a valid Certificate of Registration may register as a

Plumbing Engineer within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act and upon approval of the
Board.

(b) A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, and Geodetic

Engineering may take the board examination not later than the seventh year from the promulgation of
this Act.

As soon as a course leading to a Bachelor's degree in Plumbing Engineering is implemented by
the CHED, the Board shall make the said course a requirement for taking the licensure examination

ARTICLE VI
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 42. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions not affected shall remain in full force
and effect

SEC. 43. Repealing Clause. ~ Republic Act No. 1378 is hereby repealed. All laws, decrees,
orders, rules and regulations, ordinances, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly


SEC. 44. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,