Republic Act 544: Civil Engineering Law

• Republic Act No. 544 regulates civil engineering practice in the Philippines.
• It was amended by R.A. 1582.

Title and Definitions

• This Act is known as the "Civil Engineering Law".
• The practice of civil engineering includes consultation, design, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, erection, installation, and supervision in construction.
• It covers streets, bridges, highways, railroads, airports, port works, canals, river and shore improvements, lighthouses, dry docks, buildings, and structures for irrigation, flood protection, drainage, water and sewerage works, demolition, and tunnels.
• "Civil engineer" refers to someone duly registered with the Board for Civil Engineers.

Board of Examiners

• A Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers is created within 30 days of the Act's approval, composed of a chairman and two members.
• The President of the Philippines appoints the members upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of PRC.
• Board members serve for three years or until their successors qualify.
• Initial appointees serve staggered terms: one, two, and three years.
• The President can remove a member for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, or unethical conduct, upon PRC recommendation.
• The President can suspend a member under investigation and appoint a temporary replacement.
• The Board administers oaths, issues, suspends, and revokes registration certificates.
• It issues certificates of recognition for advanced studies or specialized training.
• The Board investigates violations, issues subpoenas, inspects educational institutions and civil engineering works.
• It safeguards ethical and technological standards.
• The Director of Public Works and representatives in provinces and cities act as ex-officio agents of the Board to enforce the Act.
• The Board can issue necessary rules and regulations with PRC approval.
• It adopts a code of ethics and has an official seal.

Qualifications of Board Members

• Each member must be a Filipino citizen and resident.
• They must be at least thirty years old with good moral character.
• They need to be a civil engineering graduate from a recognized institution.
• Each member must be a registered and qualified civil engineer in the Philippines.
• They must have at least ten years of civil engineering practice with a certificate.
• Board members cannot be faculty of civil engineering programs or have financial interests in such institutions.
• Former faculty members must have ceased teaching for at least three consecutive years to become a member.

Fees and Compensation

• Examination application fee: P100, payable to the PRC.
• Certificate of registration fee: P50.
• Board members receive P15 for each applicant examined.
• Government civil engineers on the Board receive additional compensation on top of the government salary.
• Authorized expenses of the Board will be paid.

Annual Report

• The Board submits an annual report to the PRC detailing activities and proceedings during the fiscal year.

Examination and Registration

• All applicants for civil engineering registration must pass a technical examination.
• Examinations are conducted in Manila annually, unless they fall on official holidays.

Subjects of Examination

• The Board examines applicants on subjects like math, hydraulics, surveying, and design and construction.
• It includes algebra, trigonometry, calculus, geometry, mechanics, highway, railroad, topographic, and hydrographic surveying and advance surveying.
• Design and construction cover highways, railroads, masonry, wooden, and reinforced concrete buildings, bridges, towers, walls, foundations, piers, ports, wharves, aqueducts, sanitary engineering works, water supply systems, dikes, dams, and irrigation and drainage canals.

Executive Officer

• The Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission acts as the Board's executive officer and conducts examinations.
• They can designate a subordinate officer as the Secretary and custodian of records, including examination papers and minutes.

Examination Qualifications

• Applicants must be at least twenty-one years old.
• They must be a Filipino citizen.
• Applicants need to have good moral character.
• They need to be a graduate of a four-year civil engineering course from a recognized institution.

Oath, Seal, and Exemption

• Successful candidates must take a professional oath.
• Registered civil engineers must obtain an official seal with their certificate number.
• Plans and specifications must be stamped with the seal during the certificate's validity.
• Stamping documents with an expired or revoked certificate is unlawful.
• Registration is not required for US and Philippine Armed Forces officers and enlisted men, civilian employees of the US government stationed in the Philippines, or civil engineers/experts called in by the Philippine Government for consultation/specific design.
• Anyone residing in the Philippines can make plans and specifications for buildings not requiring a civil engineer, as specified in city or town ordinances.
• The Act does not prevent draftsmen, student clerks, and superintendents from working under a civil engineer's supervision.
• People lawfully engaged as "maestro de obras" can continue, except for making plans and supervision for concrete buildings, buildings over two stories, steel-framed buildings, and public assembly structures.
• Professional architects and engineers are not prevented from practicing their professions.

Refusal, Suspension, and Revocation

• The Board cannot issue certificates to individuals convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude or people of unsound mind.
• The Board can suspend or revoke certificates for reasons stated in the preceding section after due notice and hearings.

Re-issuance and Replacement

• After one year, the Board may re-issue a revoked certificate.
• The applicant may be exempt from taking the required examination.

Transitory Provisions

• Those desiring to practice civil engineering must obtain a certificate of registration.
• Licensed civil engineers under Act Numbered 2985 are automatically registered.
• Certificates held by these individuals remain valid.
• Civil engineering graduates who passed the civil service exam for senior civil engineer and practiced in the Government for five years are exempt from examination.

Enforcement and Penalties

• Law officers are responsible for enforcing the Act and prosecuting violators.
• Practicing or offering to practice civil engineering without registration is prohibited.
• Using someone else's certificate, giving false evidence, impersonating a registrant, or using a revoked or suspended certificate is disallowed.
• Erroneously using the title or description of a civil engineer is restricted.
• Violators face a fine (P500-P2000) and/or imprisonment (6 months - 1 year).

Preparation of Plans and Supervision

• Construction, reconstruction, or alteration of public gathering structures needs designs, plans, and specifications prepared, signed, and sealed by a registered civil engineer.
• Construction, reconstruction, and/or alteration thereof are executed must be under the direct supervision of a civil engineer.
• Plans and designs must be approved as mandated by law or local ordinance.

Practice and Reciprocity

• Civil engineering is a professional service, requiring individual qualifications.
• Firms, partnerships, or corporations cannot be registered or licensed.
• Registered civil engineers and architects can form firms, but members must be duly licensed and provide services appropriate to their professions.
• Individual members are responsible for their actions.
• Non-citizens can only take the exam if their country allows Filipino citizens to practice civil engineering without restrictions.
• Those admitted after December 8, 1941, must have practiced without interruption for at least two years prior to July 4, 1946, and their country must allow Filipinos to practice civil engineering on equal terms.

Roster and Repeal

• The PRC Commissioner prepares a roster of registered civil engineers.
• Copies are filed with the PRC, department heads, mayors, the Director of Public Works, government entities, and municipal authorities, and made available to the public.
• Conflicting laws, ordinances, or regulations, including parts of Act Numbered 2985, are repealed, except Act Numbered 3159.

Construction and Effectivity

• If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the other provisions remain valid.
• The Act takes effect upon its approval.
• Approved on June 17, 1950, and amended by R.A. No. 1582, approved on June 16, 1956.