APRIL 1, 2015

NR # 3788B

Solons seek amendment of Civil Engineering Act to strengthen profession

Lawmakers are seeking the amendment of the 54-year old Civil Engineering Act
to make attune it to national development needs, strengthen the profession, and enable
civil engineers to cope with the formidable challenges brought about by globalization and
cross-border practices.
Rep. Raneo E. Abu (2nd District, Batangas), principal author of House Bill 5548
seeking to amend the Civil Engineering Act or Republic Act 544, said there are now
130,000 civil engineers in the country and they stand to benefit from the proposal.
In the past, the civil engineer was confined to the application of technical
knowledge and skills in the implementation of projects. But today, the civil engineer faces
a broader range of issues. The civil engineer has to face the challenge of integrating the
socio-economic and environmental issues with the technical aspects of construction
projects. The civil engineer is also challenged to design and build developments in a
manner that is environmentally sound, socially acceptable and globally competitive, said
Abu, a vice chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Abu said HB 5548 aims to achieve the following: make the Civil Engineering Act
attune to national development needs; continually upgrade the level of competence of civil
engineers through peer recognition of specialization in civil engineering, continuing
professional development, and strengthening of the Accredited Professional Organization
of Civil Engineers (APOCE).
The measure also aims to enable civil engineers face the formidable challenges
brought about by globalization and cross-border practices, define more clearly the practice
in the country of civil engineering by foreigners and establish a practicable delineation of
professional accountability in the civil engineering practice.
To fulfill all of these objectives, House Bill 5548 seeks the amendment of Section 4
of RA 544 so that the Civil Engineering Code and the Manual of Practice of Civil
Engineers as prepared by the Accredited Professional Organization of Civil Engineers
(APOCE) and approved by the Board of Civil Engineers shall form part of the laws
implementing rules and regulations.
The bill also seeks the amendment of Section 4(A) of RA 544 so that to encourage
the continuing professional development and education of registered civil engineers, the
APOCE by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) shall be vested with authority
conformable with the provisions of the Act, to issue a certificate of specialization to a
registered civil engineer who has demonstrated his advanced knowledge, experience,
education, research and training in a recognized branch of civil engineering.

At the initial effectivity of the Act, the specializations of project management and
construction engineering, environmental and energy engineering, geotechnical
engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and water engineering
shall be so recognized.
Furthermore, the other specializations additionally recognized by the APOCE
specialists in each recognized branch may form a Specialty Organization of Civil
Engineers (SOCE). This SOCE is affiliated to and recognized by the APOCE.
There is only one SOCE for each recognized branch of civil engineering, without
prejudice to membership in other voluntary professional organization. The holder of such
certificate of specialization may use the specialist title, in addition to and not replacing his
civil engineer title, in the signing of relevant plans and documents. The APOCE shall have
the authority to suspend or revoke a certificate of specialization previously issued on
grounds of violation of any provisions of the Act.
The bill, now pending at the Committee on Civil Service and Professional
Regulation chaired by Rep. Andres D. Salvacion, Jr. (3 rd District, Leyte), also seeks the
amendment of Section 13 of RA 544 so that all registered civil engineers shall also take
their oath as members of the APOCE and shall comply with all their membership
requirements. All registered civil engineers must remain members in good standing of the
APOCE to be able to continue practicing the profession.
Lastly, the bill seeks to amend Section 19 of RA 544 so that certificates of
specialization issued to registered civil engineers by the Board of Civil Engineers or
APOCE held by such persons in good standing shall have the same force and effect as
though the same have been issued under the provisions of the Act.
House Bill 5548 is co-authored by Deputy Speaker Sergio A. F. Apostol, and Reps.
Gwendolyn F. Garcia, Estrellita B. Suansing, Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo, Anthony M.
Bravo, Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla, Elenita Milagros Ermita-Buhain, Evelina G. Escudero,
Florencio T. Flores, Jr., Rico B. Geron, Fernando V. Gonzalez, Joseller M. Guiao, Ibarra
M. Gutierrez, Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona, Karlo Alexei B. Nograles, Gavini C. Pancho,
Elmer E. Panotes, Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr., Regina Reyes-Ongsiako, Angelia DL Tan,
Jose I. Tejada and Noel L. Villanueva. (30) rbb