QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9200)
Republic Act No. 9200, entitled “An Act Amending Republic Act Numbered Eighty Five Hundred and Sixty (R.A. No. 8560) Otherwise Known as the Philippine Geodetic Engineering Act of 1998, and for Other Purposes.”
It expands the definition by expressly enumerating activities such as professional geodetic engineering services using various precision instruments; horizontal and vertical control surveys and boundary surveys; land surveys for titling; subdivision/consolidation-related survey plans; engineering surveys (topographic, hydrographic, tidal, profile, cross-section, construction and boundary); gravimetric and photogrammetric surveys; GIS-related survey/mapping; as-staked/as-built surveys; mineral/mining surveys; installation of machineries requiring precision instruments; knowledge transfer; and consultancy services.
A natural person issued a Certificate of Registration by the Board of Geodetic Engineering and who has taken the Oath of Profession of Geodetic Engineers.
The Board’s duties include issuing subpoenas in administrative cases; prescribing CPE guidelines in coordination with accredited integrated associations; preparing/adopting/amending examination syllabi; approving/issuing/limiting/revoking temporary licenses; and continuing core functions like supervision of examinations, registration, licensure, practice, and issuance/suspension/revocation of certificates and IDs.
No person shall practice Geodetic Engineering in the Philippines unless they have secured the proper license in the manner provided by law; the license entitles the holder to all privileges appurtenant to the profession.
It requires the geodetic engineer to indicate their Certificate of Registration number and the professional tax receipt number on documents they sign, use, or issue in connection with the profession—an essential compliance and identification requirement.
Upon due notice and hearing, the Board may suspend/revoke or cancel a temporary/special permit for causes including fraud/deceit in obtaining registration, incompetence, negligence, abatement of illegal practice, and violations of the Act, its implementing rules/board policies including the Code of Ethics. The decision is appealable to the Commission within 15 days from written notice.
All practicing geodetic engineers registered at the time the Act takes effect automatically become registered. Additionally, all incumbent Junior Geodetic Engineers may be issued a certificate and professional ID without examination as Geodetic Engineers if they have been in active practice for at least three (3) years and hold specified degrees/credentials (e.g., B.S. Geodetic Engineering, B.S. Civil Engineering, Associates in Geodetic Engineering, or Associates in Surveying).
They must file their application for upgrading within three (3) years from the effectivity of the Act. They must also update their knowledge through continuing professional education or appropriate distance learning within three (3) years upon approval of their application.
It states that the practice is a professional service based on personal qualifications; the geodetic engineer is responsible for the correctness of their professional work and shall be answerable therefor.
Only duly Registered Geodetic Engineers may organize or form firms, partnerships, or associations for practice of Geodetic Engineering, pursuant to SEC rules.
The existing Board continues to function until the new Board is constituted. Examination for Junior Geodetic Engineers ceases upon the Act’s effectivity. Duly registered Junior Geodetic Engineers may continue practicing as such until their upgrading application is acted upon, but the privilege cannot extend beyond three (3) years from the Act’s effectivity.
The Board and the Professional Regulation Commission, coordinated with the accredited integrated national professional organization of Geodetic Engineering, must issue implementing rules within ninety (90) days after the Act’s effectivity.
Fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of national circulation in the Philippines.