TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

938 Aurora Blvd., Cubao, Quezon City

CE 593
CE LAWS, ETHICS, AND CONTRACTS
CES41S1

REPORT NO. 1: “REPUBLIC ACT NO. 544”

AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES

PANGANIBAN, ELIJAH V.

GRADE
 DATE OF SUBMISSION:
13 FEBRUARY 2024

TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

938 Aurora Blvd., Cubao, Quezon City

ATTENTION:
MR. HERNANDO GOZON
FACULTY, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CE 593 – CE LAWS, ETHICS, AND CONTRACTS

REPORT NO. 1: “REPUBLIC ACT NO. 544”
AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES

GENTLEMAN I AM SUBMITTING TO YOU

MY REPORT NO. 1

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: PANGANIBAN, ELIJAH V.

 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 544
(As amended by Republic Act 1582)
“Only Registered Civil Engineers can practice the profession of Civil Engineering.”
BACKGROUND:
According to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) official website, the
Republic Act No. 544, entitled Civil Engineering Law is an act that governs the practice
of Civil Engineering in the Philippines to ensure the integrity and uprightness of the Civil
Engineers. The Civil Engineering Law was approved on the 17th of July 1950. It was
amended by RA 1582, which was also approved on the 16th of June 1956.
The Act has been re-introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson as Senate Bill No.
2770. The Senator brought to life the Act as he explained that civil engineers are currently
confronted with broader issues, and they have to integrate the socio-economic and
environmental issues with the technical aspects of the construction projects. In other
words, this act ensures that only registered Civil Engineers can practice the profession of
Civil Engineering to certify the competency and standard of all structural projects in the
Philippines.
OBJECTIVES OF THE LAW:
- Adjust the law in line with national development requirements.
- Strengthen careers in the face of formidable challenges posed by globalization
and transboundary practices.
- Continue to develop a civil engineer's skill level through:
- Peer recognition of expertise in civil engineering
- Continuing professional development
- Strengthen the recognized professional organization of civil engineers
- Clearly define the practice of foreign citizens working as civil engineers in the
country.
- Promote the growth of the consulting industry by recognizing the international
philosophy of multidisciplinary service.
- Bypassing regulations that make multidisciplinary consulting difficult,
complicated, and impractical
- Develop a clear, accurate and practical delineation of professional and
contractual responsibilities in practice to better serve the law and protect the
public interest.
 ARTICLE I
Title of the Act & Definitions of Terms:
SECTION 1: Title of Act
” This Act shall be known as the “Civil Engineering Law.”
SECTION 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, port works, 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 for Civil Engineers in the manner as hereinafter provided.

For the Article I: The "Civil Engineering Law" establishes regulations governing the
practice of civil engineering, which includes consultation, design, construction
supervision, and demolition of various structures such as roads, bridges, buildings, and
water systems. It also defines a civil engineer as someone who is officially registered
with the Board of Civil Engineers, which ensures proficiency and adherence to
professional norms in the field.

ARTICLE II
Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers
SECTION 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 President of the Philippines,
upon recommendation of the Commissioner of PRC. 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 qualified.
SECTION 4: “Powers and Duties of the Board.”
The Board 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 PRC, to
investigate such violations of this Act and the regulations, there under 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 safeguarding 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.
SECTION 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.
(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
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 has stopped teaching
for at least three consecutive years.
SECTION 6: “Fees and Compensation of Board”
The Board for Civil Engineers shall charge for each application for examination the sum
of P100 (one hundred) payable to the collecting and disbursing officer of the PRC upon
filing of said application, and for each certificate of registration, fifty pesos. Each member
of the Board shall receive a compensation of fifteen pesos for each applicant examined.
A civil engineer in the service of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines
appointed as a 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 PRC out of such appropriation as may be made for the purpose .
SECTION 7: “Annual Report”
The Board shall, at the end of each fiscal year, submit to the PRC a detailed report of its
activities and proceedings during the period covered by the fiscal year ended.

Article II of the "Civil Engineering Law" established the Board of Examiners for Civil
Engineers, which is appointed by the President on the suggestion of the Commissioner
of PRC. The Board's tasks include issuing and regulating civil engineering certificates,
detecting infractions, and ensuring professional standards. Board members must fulfill
certain criteria and are entitled to charge fees for services, with expenses funded by the
PRC, to ensure the competency and integrity of civil engineers in the Philippines.

ARTICLE III
Examination and Registration

SECTION 8: “Examination Requirement.”

All applicants for registration for the practice of civil engineering shall berequired to pass
a technical examination as hereinafter provided.
SECTION 9: “Holding of Examination.”
Examination of candidates desiring to practice civil engineering in the Philippines shall
be given in the City of Manila 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 certificate 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, 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 Professional Regulation Commission shall be the executive officer
of the Board and shall conduct the examinations given by the said Board. He shall
designate any subordinate officer of the Professional Regulation Commission 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 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 anyone to stamp or seal any documents with said seal after the certificate
of registrant named thereon has expired or has been revoked, unless said certificate
shall have been renewed or re-issued.
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
employeesof 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 designand 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 on 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 costingnot 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 the purpose, without the use of a civil
engineer, as long as he does no violate local ordinances of the place where the building
is to be constructed.
3. Nor shall anything in this Act prevent draftsmen, student clerk-or-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 de 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 stories.
c. Building with frames of structural steel.
d. Building of structures intended for public gathering or assemblies such as theaters,
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 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 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. “

The Board shall have the power, after due notice and hearings 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 of 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 practicing or employed in the Government as such during five years are
exempted from taking examination.
Article III of the "Civil Engineering Law" intricately lays out the procedures and
regulations governing the examination and registration process for civil engineers in the
Philippines. It stipulates that all aspiring civil engineers must successfully pass a
comprehensive technical examination covering a wide array of subjects, ranging from
mathematics to the design and construction of various civil engineering structures. The
oversight of this examination process falls under the purview of the Commissioner of the
Professional Regulation Commission, who ensures that applicants meet stringent
qualifications, including citizenship, moral character, and holding a recognized civil
engineering degree. Upon passing the examination, candidates are obligated to take a
solemn professional oath, symbolizing their commitment to uphold the ethical standards
of the profession. Furthermore, registered civil engineers are required to obtain an official
seal sanctioned by the Board, which serves as a mark of authenticity for their professional
documents. While certain individuals, such as military personnel and government
consultants, are exempt from registration, the law ensures that existing licensed civil
engineers are seamlessly integrated into the new regulatory framework. Additionally, the
Board is vested with the authority to scrutinize and act upon cases involving criminal
convictions, misconduct, or mental incapacity, thereby safeguarding the integrity and
accountability of registered civil engineers across the nation. Through these meticulous
provisions, the legislation aims to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and
competence within the civil engineering profession in the Philippines.
 Article IV
ENFORCEMENT OF ACT AND PENAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 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 subdivisions thereof, to enforce the provisions
of this Act and to prosecute any person violating the same.
SECTION 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 for Civil Engineers. *
SECTION 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 provision 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
not more than one year, or both, in the discretion of the court.

For the Article IV of the "Civil Engineering Law" delineates the enforcement
mechanisms and penal provisions aimed at regulating the practice of civil engineering in
the Philippines. It mandates that all law enforcement officers at various levels of
government are tasked with enforcing the provisions of the Act and prosecuting any
violators. Furthermore, it asserts that no individual may engage in or offer civil engineering
services without proper registration from the Board for Civil Engineers, unless exempted.
Violations of this requirement or any other provision of the Act, such as presenting false
credentials or impersonating a registered civil engineer, constitute a misdemeanor
punishable by fines ranging from five hundred to two thousand pesos, imprisonment for
six months to one year, or both, at the discretion of the court. These stringent penalties
underscore the seriousness with which the legislation treats unauthorized or fraudulent
practice within the civil engineering profession, aiming to uphold standards of
competence, integrity, and public safety.
 Article V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 23:” Preparation of plans and supervisions 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.
SECTION 24:
The practice of civil engineering is a professional service, admission to which must
be determined upon individual, personal qualifications. Hence, no firm, partnership,
corporation or association may be registered or licensed as such for the practice of civil
engineering: Provided, however, That persons properly registered and licensed as civil
engineers may, among themselves or with a person or persons properly registered and
licensed as architects, form, and obtain registration of, a firm, partnership or association
using the term “Engineers” or “Engineers and Architects,” but, nobody shall be a member
or partner of such firm, partnership or association unless he is duly licensed civil engineer
or architect, and the members who are civil engineers shall only render work and services
proper for a civil engineer, as defined in this Act, and the members who are architects
shall also only render work and services proper for an architect, as defined in the law
regulating the practice of architecture; individual members of such firms, partnership or
association shall be responsible for their own respective acts.
SECTION 25: “Reciprocity requirements.”
No person who is not a citizen of the Philippines at the time he applies to take the
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.

SECTION 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 PRC periodically but at least once a year.
Copies of this roster shall be placed on file with the PRC 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.
SECTION 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 Thirtyone hundred and fifty-nine amending Act Numbered
Twenty-nine hundred and eighty-five, pertaining to the practice of “maestro de obras.”
SECTION 28: “Construction of Act.”
If any part or section of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional, such
declarations shall not invalidate the other provisions hereof.
SECTION 29: “Effectivity.”
This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Approved, June 17, 1950 (As
amended by R.A. No. 1582, approved on June 16, 1956).
For the Article V of the "Civil Engineering Law" sets out various regulations governing
the practice of civil engineering in the Philippines. It mandates that certain public
structures must be overseen by registered civil engineers to ensure compliance with
approved designs. Additionally, it clarifies that civil engineering is a professional service,
prohibiting firms or associations from registration or licensing. However, registered civil
engineers can partner with architects under certain conditions. The law also outlines
reciprocity requirements for non-citizens wishing to practice civil engineering in the
country. Furthermore, it establishes the creation of a roster of registered civil engineers
for public access and government use. Finally, the law addresses the repeal of conflicting
legislation and specifies the Act's effectivity and handling of potential unconstitutional
declarations, aiming to uphold professional standards and accountability within the civil
engineering sector in the Philippines.
Summary:
The Bill sought to achieve the following:
a. To align the law with the requirements for national development.
b. To strengthen the profession in facing the formidable challenges resulting from
globalization and cross-border practice.
c. To continuously develop the level of competence of the civil engineers through:
d. Peer recognition of specialization in civil engineering
e. Continuing professional development.
f. Strengthening the accredited professional organization of civil engineers.
g. To clearly define the foreign nationalities practice of civil engineering in the country.
h. To promote the growth of the consulting sector by recognizing international philosophy
of multi-disciplinary services.
i. To disregard provisions making multi-disciplinary consultancy services difficult,
complicated ad impractical.
j. To establish a clear, precise and practical delineation of professional and contractual
accountability in the practice in order to serve the law better and protect the public interest.

References:
Republic Act No. 544 - Civil Engineering Law. (n.d.). Professional Regulation
Commission. https://prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Civil%20Engineering% 20-
%20Board%20Law_0.PDF
Lazo, S. K. (n.d.). 7.0. RA 544: CIVIL ENGINEERING LAW.
http://sknlazoce.blogspot.com/2019/09/70-ra-544-civilengineeringlaw.html#:~:text=7.0.-
,RA%20544%3A%20CIVIL%20ENGINE
ERING%20LAW,the%2016th%20of%20June%201956.