School of Engineering and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department

General Civil Engineering
Chapter 9:
P.D. 1594 and Its Implementing Rules
and Regulations as Amended
CE Laws, Ethics and Contracts
MODULE 2-MIDTERM

Objective After this chapter, the student should be able to:

 Interpret P.D. 1594 and Its Implementing Rules and
Regulations as Amended

Content This chapter focuses on

 Section 1. Policy Objectives
 Section 2. Detailed Engineering
 Section 3. Prequalification of Prospective Contractors
 Section 4. Bidding.
 Section 5. Award and Contract.
 Section 6. Assignment and Subcontract.
 Section 7. Responsibility of the Contractor
 Section 8. Adjustment Contract Price
 Section 9. Change Order and Extra Work Order
 Section 10. Inspection and Construction of Contract Work
 Section 11. Government's Right to Take Over Contract Work
 Section 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations.
 Section 13. Separability Clause
 Section 14. Repealing Clause
 Section 15. Effectivity

Engr. Carolina E. Dungca Page 1 of 6

Chapter 9- P.D. 1594 and Its Implementing Rules and
Regulations as Amended
Related These are supplemental content necessary for this chapter
 PICE (2003), Manual of Professional Practice for Civil
Readings Engineers, 2nd Edition. Manila: Philippine Institute of Civil
Engineers, Inc.
 HAU BOOKs 24x7
 https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/images/uploads/20160826-
IRR-RA-9184-procurement-reform.pdf
 https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1978/pd_1594_1978.html

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1594

PRESCRIBING POLICIES, GUIDELINES, RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT
INFRASTRUCTURE CONTRACTS

WHEREAS, the present policies, rules and regulations covering government contracts for
infrastructure and other construction projects are generally fragmented and have been found to
be inadequate to cope with the intricate and complex process involved;
WHEREAS, there is a need to adopt a comprehensive, uniform, and updated set of policies,
guidelines, rules and regulations covering government contracts for infrastructure and other
construction projects in order to achieve a more efficient and effective implementation of these
projects.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree the following:

Section 1. Policy Objectives.

It is the policy of the government to adopt a set rules and regulations covering government
contracts for infrastructure and other construction projects which shall:
a) bring about maximum efficiency in project implementation and minimize project costs and
contract variations through sound practices in contract management;
b) promote a healthy partnership between the government and the private sector in furthering
national development; and
c) enhance the growth of the local construction industry and optimize the use of indigenous
manpower, materials and other sources.

Section 2. Detailed Engineering.

No bidding and/or award of contract for a construction project shall be made unless the detailed
engineering investigations, surveys, and designs for the project have been sufficiently carried out

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Chapter 9- P.D. 1594 and Its Implementing Rules and
Regulations as Amended
in accordance with the standards and specifications to be established under the rules and
regulations to be promulgated pursuant to Section 12 of this Decree so as to minimize quantity and
cost overruns and underruns, change orders and extra work orders, and unless the detailed
engineering documents have been approved by the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and
Communications, the Minister of Public Highways, of the Minister of Energy, as the case may be.

Section 3. Prequalification of Prospective Contractors.

A prospective contractor may prequalified to offer his bid or tender for a construction project only
if he meets the following requirements.
a) Legal Requirements. The prospective contractor must have been licensed as a contractor for
the current year pursuant to Republic Act No. 4566, must have paid his privilege tax to
practice or engage in the contracting business for the current year, must comply with the
Administrative Order No. 66 of the Office of the President of the Philippines, and must
comply with other existing pertinent laws, rules and regulations.
b) Technical Requirements. The prospective contractor must meet the following technical
requirements to be established in accordance with the rules and regulations to be
promulgated pursuant to Section 12 of this Decree, to enable him to satisfactorily prosecute
the subject project:
1) Competence and experience of the contractor in managing projects similar to the
subject project.
2) Competence and experience of the contractor's key personnel to be assigned to the
subject project.
3) Availability and commitment of the contractor's equipment to be used for the subject
project.
c) Financial Requirements. The net worth and liquid assets of the prospective contractor must
meet the requirements, to be established in accordance with the rules and regulations to be
promulgated pursuant to Section 12 of this Decree, to enable him to satisfactorily execute
the subject project. The prospective contractor may be allowed to cover the deficiency in
the required net worth through a line of credit fully committed to the subject project by a
bank or financial institution acceptable to the Ministry concerned.
d) Filipino participation. The Government shall promote maximum participation of eligible
Filipino contractors in all construction projects.

Section 4. Bidding.
Construction projects shall generally be undertaken by contract after competitive public bidding.
Projects may be undertaken by administration or force account or by negotiated contract only in
exceptional cases where time is of the essence, or where there is lack of qualified bidders or
contractors, or where there is a conclusive evidence that greater economy and efficiency would be
achieved through this arrangement, and in accordance with provision of laws and acts on the

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Chapter 9- P.D. 1594 and Its Implementing Rules and
Regulations as Amended
matter, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and
Communications, the Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of Energy, as the case may be, if
the project cost is less than P1 Million, and of the President of the Philippines, upon the
recommendation of the Minister, if the project cost is P1 Million or more.

A bidder's bond, in an amount to be established in accordance with the rules and regulations to be
promulgated pursuant to Section 12 of this Decree, shall accompany the bid to guarantee that the
successful bidder shall, within a prescribed period from receipt of the notice of award, enter into
account and furnish the required performance bond for the faithful and complete prosecution of
the work specified in the contract documents.

Section 5. Award and Contract.

The contract may be awarded to the lowest prequalified bidder whose bid as evaluated complies
with all the terms and conditions in the call for bid and is the most advantageous to the
Government.
To guarantee the faithful performance of the contractor, he shall, prior to the award, post a
performance bond, in an amount to be established in accordance with the rules and regulations to
be promulgated under Section 12 of this Decree.
All awards and contracts duly executed in accordance with the provisions of this Decree shall be
subject to the approval of the Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Communications, the
Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of Energy, as the case may be.

Section 6. Assignment and Subcontract.

The contractor shall not assign, transfer, pledge, subcontract or make any other disposition of the
contract or any part of interest therein except with the approval of the Minister of Public Works,
Transportation and Communications, the Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of Energy, as
the case may be. Approval of the subcontract shall not relieve the main contractor from any liability
or obligation under his contract with the Government nor shall it create any contractual relation
between the subcontractor and the Government.

Section 7. Responsibility of the Contractor.

The contractor shall assume full responsibility for the contract work until its final acceptance by the
Government and shall be held responsible for any damage or destruction of works except those
occasioned by force majeure.

Except likewise for force majeure, the contractor shall be fully responsible for the safety, protection,
security, and convenience of his personnel, third parties, and the public at large, as well as the
works, equipment, installation and the like to be affected by his construction work.

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Chapter 9- P.D. 1594 and Its Implementing Rules and
Regulations as Amended
Section 8. Adjustment Contract Price.
Adjustment of contract price for construction projects may be authorized by the Minister of Public
Works, Transportation and Communications, the Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of
Energy, as the case may be, upon recommendation of the National Economic and Development
Authority, if during the effectivity of the contract, the cost of labor, equipment, materials and
supplies required for the construction should increase or decrease due to direct acts of the
Government. The adjustments of the contract price shall be made using appropriate formulas
established in accordance with the rules and regulations to be promulgated under Section 12 of
this Decree.

Section 9. Change Order and Extra Work Order.

A change order or extra work order may be issued only for works necessary for the completion of
the project and, therefore, shall be within the general scope of the contract as bidded and awarded.
All change orders and extra work orders shall be subject to the approval of the Minister of Public
Works, Transportation and Communications, the Minister of Public Highways, or the Minister of
Energy, as the case may be.

Section 10. Inspection and Construction of Contract Work.

Inspection of the contract work shall be made by the Government while such contract work is in
progress to ascertain that the completed works comply in all respects with the standards and
requirements set forth in the contract documents. Notwithstanding such inspection, the contractor
shall be held responsible for the acceptability of the finished works. The contractor shall promptly
replace all materials and correct all works determined by the Government as failing to meet contract
requirements.

Section 11. Government's Right to Take Over Contract Work.

The Government may take over the contract work should the contractor abandon the contract
work, or unduly delay the prosecution of the contract work, or become insolvent, or assign his
assets for the benefit of his creditors, or be adjudged bankrupt, or assign the contract work without
written approval by the Government, or violate any condition or term of the contract. In any of
these cases, the Government may terminate the employment of the contractor and take over the
contract work after giving due notice to the contractor and his sureties.

Section 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations.

The Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Communications, as the lead official, the Minister
of Public Highways, the Minister of Energy, and the Director-General of the National Economic and
Development Authority, shall jointly promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Decree. Once approved by the President of the Philippines, these implementing
rules and regulations shall be applicable to all contracts for infrastructure and other construction

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Chapter 9- P.D. 1594 and Its Implementing Rules and
Regulations as Amended
projects of all government agencies including government-owned or controlled corporations and
other instrumentalities.

Section 13. Separability Clause.

If any provision of this Decree is held unconstitutional, the other provisions shall remain valid.

Section 14. Repealing Clause.

All Acts, Charters, Decrees, Letters of Instructions, Executive Orders, Proclamations, rules and
regulations or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 15. Effectivity.

This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-eight.

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 School of Engineering and Architecture
Civil Engineering Department
General Civil Engineering

Chapter 7: R.A. 544: An Act to

Regulate the Practice of Civil
Engineering in the Philippines
CE Laws, Ethics and Contracts
MODULE 2: MIDTERM

Objective After this chapter, the student should be able to:

 Interpret R.A. 544 “An Act to regulate the Practice of Civil
Engineering in the Philippines

Content This chapter focuses on

 Article 1: Title of the Act and Definition of Terms
 Article 2: Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers
 Article 3: Examination and Registration
 Article 4: Enforcement of Act and penal provisions
 Article 5: Miscellaneous provisions

Related These are supplemental content necessary for this chapter

 PICE (2003), Manual of Professional Practice for Civil
Readings Engineers, 2nd Edition. Manila: Philippine Institute of Civil
Engineers, Inc.
 HAU BOOKs 24x7
 https://laws.chanrobles.com/republicacts/6_republicacts.php?id=548

Engr. Carolina E. Dungca Page 1 of 10

Chapter 7- R.A. 544

Republic Act No. 544 (as amended by R.A. 1582) is an an act to regulate the practice of Civil
Engineering in the Philippines. which was approved on the 17th of July, 1950. It was amended by
RA 1582, which was also approved on the 16th of June 1956.

ARTICLE I
Title of the Act and Definition of Terms

Section 1. Title of Act. – This Act shall be known as the "Civil Engineering Law."

Sec. 2. Definition of terms. –

(a) The practice of civil engineering within the meaning and intent of this Act shall embrace services
in the form of consultation, design, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, erection,
installation and supervision of the construction of streets, bridges, highways, railroads, airports and
hangars, portworks, canals, river and shore improvements, lighthouses, and dry docks; buildings,
fixed structures for irrigation, flood protection, drainage, water supply and sewerage works;
demolition of permanent structures; and tunnels. The enumeration of any work in this section shall
not be construed as excluding any other work requiring civil engineering knowledge and
application.

(b) The term "civil engineer" as used in this Act shall mean a person duly registered with the Board
of Examiners for Civil Engineers’ in the manner as hereinafter provided.

ARTICLEII
Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers

Sec. 3. Composition of Board. –

Within thirty days after the approval of this Act there shall be created a Board of Examiners for
Civil Engineers, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be composed of a chairman and two
members who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications. The
members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three years after appointment or until their
successors shall have been appointed and shall have duly qualified. The first members of the
Board appointed under this Act shall hold office for the following terms: One member for one
year; one member for two years; and one member for three years. Each member of the Board
shall qualify the proper oath of office before entering upon the performance of his duties. Any
members of the Board may be removed by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications
for neglect of duty, incompetency, malpractice, unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or
dishonorable conduct, after having been given opportunity to defend himself in a proper

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Chapter 7- R.A. 544

administrative investigation: Provided, That during the process of investigation the Secretary of
Public Works and Communications shall have the power to suspend such member under
investigation and shall appoint a temporary member in his place. Vacancies in the Board shall be
filled for the unexpired term only.

Sec. 4. Powers and duties of the Board. –

The Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers is vested with authority, conformable with the
provisions of this Act, to administer oaths, issue, suspend and revoke certificates of registration
for the practice of civil engineering, issue certificates of recognition to civil engineers already
registered under this Act for advanced studies, research, and/or highly specialized training in any
branch of civil engineering, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and
Communications, to investigate such violations of this Act and the regulations, thereunder as may
come to the knowledge of the Board and, for this purpose, issue subpoena and subpoena duces
tecum to secure appearance of witnesses in connection with the charges presented to the Board,
to inspect at least once a year educational institutions offering courses in civil engineering, civil
engineering works, projects or corporations, established in the Philippines and, for safe-guarding
of life, health and property, to discharge such other powers and duties as may affect ethical and
technological standards of the civil engineering profession in the Philippines. For the purpose of
this Act, the Director of Public Works and/or his authorized representative in the provinces and
chartered cities shall be ex-officio agents of the Board and as such it shall be their duty to help in
the enforcement of the provisions of this Act.

The Board may, with the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications, issue
such rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
The Board shall also adopt a code of ethics in the practice of civil engineering and have an official
seal to authenticate its official documents.

Sec. 5. Qualifications of Board members. – Each member of the Board shall, at the time of his
appointment:

(a) Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;

(b) Be at least thirty years of age and of good moral character;

(c) Be a graduate of civil engineering from a recognized and legally constituted school, institute,
college or university;

(d) Be a registered civil engineer duly qualified to practice civil engineering in the Philippines;

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Chapter 7- R.A. 544

(e) Have practiced civil engineering, with a certificate as such, for a period of not less than ten
years prior to his appointment;

(f) Not be a member of the faculty of any school, institute, college, or university where the civil
engineering course is taught, nor have a pecuniary interest in such institutions;

(g) No former members of the faculty of any school, institute or university where civil engineering
is taught can become a member of the Board unless he had stopped teaching for at least
consecutive years.

Sec. 6. Fees and compensation of Board. – The Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers shall charge
for each application for examination the sum of forty pesos payable to the collecting and
disbursing officer of the Bureau of Civil Service upon filing of said application for examination,
and for each certificate of registration, twenty pesos. Each member of the Board shall receive a
compensation of five pesos for each applicant examined. A civil engineer in the service of the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines appointed as member of the Board shall receive
the compensation as herein provided, in addition to his salary in the Government. All authorized
expenses of the Board, including the compensation provided for herein, shall be paid by the
collecting and disbursing officer of the Bureau of Civil Service out of such appropriation as may
be made for the purpose.

Sec. 7. Annual report. – The Board shall, at the end of each fiscal year, submit to the Secretary of
Public Works and Communications a detailed report of its activities and proceedings during the
period covered by the fiscal year ended.

ARTICLE III
Examination and Registration

Sec. 8. Examination requirement. – All applicants for registration for the practice of civil
engineering shall be required to pass a technical examination as hereinafter provided.

Sec. 9. Holding of examination. – Examination of candidates desiring to practice city engineering

in the Philippines shall be given in the City of Manila beginning the second Monday of February
and August of each year, provided that such days do not fall on official holidays, otherwise the
examinations shall be held on the days next following.

Section 10. Subjects of examination. – Applicants for certificates of registration as civil engineer
shall be examined, in the discretion of the Board, on the following subjects: mathematics,
including algebra, plane and spherical trigonometry, analytics, descriptive and solid geometry,

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Chapter 7- R.A. 544

differential and integral calculus, and rational and applied mechanics; hydraulics, surveying,
including highway and railroad surveying; plane, topographic and hydrographic surveying, and
advance surveying; design and construction of highways and railroads, masonry structures,
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.

Section 11. Executive officer of the Board. – The Commissioner of Civil Service shall be the
executive officer of the Board and shall conduct the examinations given by said Board. He shall
designate any subordinate officer of the Bureau of Civil Service to act as the Secretary and
custodian of all records including examination papers and minutes of the deliberation of the
Board.

Section 12. Qualifications for examination. – Any person applying for admission to the civil
engineering examination as herein provided shall, prior to the date of the examination, establish
to the satisfaction of the Board that he has the following qualifications:

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

(b) Be a citizen of the Philippines;

(c) Be of good reputation and moral character; and

(d) Be a graduate of a four-year course in civil engineering from a school, institute, college or
university recognized by the Government or the State wherein it is established.

Section 13. Oath of civil engineers. – All successful candidates in the examination shall be required
to take a professional oath before the Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers or other
Government Officials authorized to administer oaths, prior to entering upon the practice of the
civil engineering profession.

Section 14. Seal and use of seal. – All registered civil engineers shall obtain a seal of such design
as the Board shall authorize and direct: Provided, however, That the serial number of the
certificate issued by the Board shall be included in the design of the seal. Plans and specifications
prepared by, or under the direct supervision of a registered civil engineer shall be stamped with
said seal during the life of the registrant's certificate, and it shall be unlawful for any one to stamp
or seal any documents with said seal after the certificate of the registrant named thereon has
expired or has been revoked, unless said certificate shall have been renewed or re-issued.

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Chapter 7- R.A. 544

Section 15. Exemption from registration. – (1) Registration shall not be required of the following
persons:

(a) Officers or enlisted men of the United States and Philippine Armed Forces, and civilian
employees of the Government of the United States stationed in the Philippines while rendering
civil engineering services for the United States and/or Philippines.
(b) Civil engineers or experts called in by the Philippine Government for consultation, or specific
design and construction of fixed structures as defined under this Act, provided that their practice
shall be limited to such work.

(2) Any person residing in the Philippines may make plans or specifications for any of the
following:

(a) Any building in chartered cities or in towns with building ordinances, not exceeding the space
requirement specified therein, requiring the services of a civil engineer.

(b) Any wooden building enlargement or alteration which is to be used for farm purposes only
and costing not more than ten thousand pesos.

(c) Provided, however, That there shall be nothing in this Act that will prevent any person from
constructing his own (wooden or light material) residential house, utilizing the services of a
person or persons required for that purpose, without the use of a civil engineer, as long as he
does not violate local ordinances of the place where the building is to be constructed.

(3) Nor shall anything in this Act prevent draftsmen, student clerk-of-work, superintendents, and
other employees of those lawfully engaged in the practice of civil engineering under the
provisions of this Act, from acting under the instruction, control or supervision of their employer.

(4) Nor shall anything in this Act prevent any person who prior to the approval of this Act have
been lawfully engaged in the practice of "maestro be obras" to continue as such, provided they
shall not undertake the making of plans supervision for the following classes of work:

(a) Building of concrete whether reinforced or not.

(b) Building of more than two storeys.

(c) Building with frames of structural steel.

(d) Building of structures intended for public gathering or assemblies such as theaters,

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Chapter 7- R.A. 544

cinematographs, stadia, churches, or structures of like nature.

(5) Nor shall anything in this Act prevent professional architects and engineers to practice their
professions.

Section 16. Refusal to issue certificate. – The Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers shall not issue
a certificate to any person convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction 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 a refusal to issue a certificate to any person, the Board
shall give to the applicant a written statement setting forth its reason for such action, which
statement shall be incorporated in the records of the Board.

Section 17. Suspension and revocation of certificates. – Subject to the approval of the Secretary of
Public Works and Communications, the Board shall have the power, after due notice and hearing,
to suspend or revoke the certificate of registration for any cause mentioned in the preceding
section.

Section 18. Re-issue and replacement of certificates. – The Board may, after the expiration of one
year from the date a certificate of registration is revoked and for reasons it may deem sufficient,
entertain an application for a new certificate of registration from the registrant concerned. Such
application shall be accomplished in the same form prescribed for examination, but the Board
may, in its discretion, exempt the applicant from taking the requisite examination.

Section 19. Transitory provisions. – As soon as this Act takes effect, any person desiring to practice
the profession of civil engineering shall be required to obtain a certificate of registration in the
manner and under the conditions hereinafter provided.

All civil engineers duly licensed under the provisions of Act Numbered Twenty-nine hundred and
eighty-five, as amended, at the time this Act takes effect, shall be automatically registered under
the provisions hereof. Certificates of registration 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 this Act.

All graduates in civil engineering from a school, institute, college, or university recognized by the
Government who have passed the civil service examination for senior civil engineer and have
been practising or employed in the Government as such during five years are exempted from
taking examination.

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Chapter 7- R.A. 544

ARTICLE IV
Enforcement of Act and penal provisions

Sec. 20. Enforcement of the Act by officers of the law. – It shall be the duty of all duly constituted
law officers of the national, provincial, city and municipal governments, or any political subdivision
thereof, to enforce the provisions of this Act and to prosecute any person violating the same.

Sec. 21. Registration required. – Unless exempt from registration, no person shall practice or offer
to practice civil engineering in the Philippines without having obtained the proper certificate of
registration from the Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers.

Sec. 22. Penal provisions. – Any person who shall practice or offer to practice civil engineering in
the Philippines without being registered in accordance with the provisions of this Act or any
person presenting or attempting to use as his own the certificate of registration of a registered
civil engineer, or any person who shall give any false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board,
or any person who shall impersonate any registrant civil engineer of different name, or any
person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration, or any person
who shall use in connection with his name or otherwise assume, use or advertise any title or
description tending to convey the impression that he is a civil engineer, without holding a valid
certificate of registration, or any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Act, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to a fine of not less than five
hundred pesos nor more than two thousand pesos, or to suffer imprisonment for a period of not
less than six months nor more than one year, or both, in the discretion of the court.

ARTICLE V
Miscellaneous provisions

Sec. 23. Preparation of plans and supervision of construction by registered civil engineer. – It shall
be unlawful for any person to order or otherwise cause the construction, reconstruction, or
alteration of any building or structure intended for public gathering or assembly such as theaters,
cinematographs, stadia, churches or structures of like nature, and any other engineering
structures mentioned in section two of this Act unless the designs, plans, and specifications of
same have been prepared under the responsible charge of, and signed and sealed by a registered
civil engineer, and unless the construction, reconstruction and/or alteration thereof are executed
under the responsible charge and direct supervision of a civil engineer. Plans and designs of
structures must be approved as provided by law or ordinance of a city or province or municipality
where the said structure is to be constructed.

Sec. 24. Firms and corporations engaged in civil engineering practice. – A firm, partnership,

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Chapter 7- R.A. 544

corporation, or association may engage in the practice of civil engineering in the Philippines
provided that such practice is carried out under the supervision of a civil engineer or civil
engineers holding valid certificates issued by the Board.

No firm, partnership, corporation or association, using the name of a person or persons as in the
name of the firm, shall advertise as civil engineers unless said person or persons are registered
civil engineers.

Sec. 25. Reciprocity requirements. – No person who is not a citizen of the Philippines at the time
he applies to take examination shall be allowed to take it unless he can prove in the manner
provided by the Rules of Court that, by specific provision of law, the country of which he is a
citizen, subject, or national either admits citizens of the Philippines to the practice of the same
profession without restriction or allows them to practice it after an examination on terms of strict
and absolute equality with citizens, subjects, or nationals of the country concerned, including the
unconditional recognition of degrees issued by institutions of learning duly recognized for the
purpose by the Government of the Philippines: Provided, That if he is not a citizen of the
Philippines, and was admitted to the practice of a profession in the Philippines after December 8,
1941, his active practice in that profession, either in the Philippines or in the state or country where
he was practicing his profession, shall not have been interrupted for a period of two years or
more prior to July 4, 1946, and that the country or state from which he comes allows the citizens
of the Philippines by specific provision of law, to practice the same profession without restriction
or on terms of strict and absolute equality with citizens, subjects or nationals of the country or
state concerned.

Sec. 26. Roster of civil engineers. – A roster showing the names and places of business of all
registered civil engineers shall be prepared by the Commissioner of Civil Service periodically but
at least once a year. Copies of this roster shall be placed on file with the Secretary of Public Works
and Communications and furnished to all department heads, mayors of all chartered cities, to the
Director of Public Works, to such other Bureaus, government entities or agencies and municipal
and provincial authorities as may be deemed necessary and to the public upon request.

Sec. 27. Repeal. – All laws, parts of laws, orders, ordinances, or regulations in conflict with the
provisions hereof; including parts of Act Numbered Twenty-nine hundred and eighty-five, as
amended, as pertains to the practice of civil engineering, are hereby repealed, except the
provisions of Act Numbered Thirty-one hundred and fifty-nine amending Act Numbered Twenty-
nine hundred and eighty-five, pertaining to the practice of "maestro de obras."

Sec. 28. Construction of Act. – If any part or section of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional,
such declaration shall not invalidate the other provisions hereof.

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Sec. 29. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 17, 1950

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