QuestionsQuestions (Act No. 2985)
Act No. 2985 (February 23, 1921) is the “Engineering and Architecture Law,” enacted to regulate the practice of the professions of engineer and architect by requiring licenses.
As soon as the Act takes effect, all persons desiring to practice engineer or architect must obtain licenses under the conditions stated in the law.
The Secretary of Commerce and Communications appoints for each profession a Board of Examiners composed of three members.
Civil engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, mining engineer, chemical engineer, and architect.
They must be: (1) of good moral conduct; (2) at least 25 years old; (3) a graduate in the relevant engineering branch or architecture from a reputable and legally constituted college/school/university; (4) have practiced the profession for at least five years; (5) not be a faculty member teaching any branch of engineering or architecture that is their profession; and (6) not have any pecuniary interest in those institutions.
They must swear/affirm that they have practiced the profession since the stated year, will faithfully perform their duties, bear true faith and allegiance to the Government of the United States and the Philippine Islands, and take the oath without mental reservation; “So help me God” is included.
It shall be recorded and filed in the office of the Secretary of Commerce and Communications.
Members are appointed for a term of one year beginning with the appointment date or until successors are duly qualified; vacancies are filled only for the unexpired portion of the term.
The Boards organize immediately after appointment and are under the Secretary of Commerce and Communications; subject to the Secretary’s approval, they issue rules and regulations consistent with the Act.
Thirty pesos for each application for examination, and ten pesos for each certificate of registration.
In the city of Manila on the second Monday not a holiday of January and July each year, with at least thirty days’ notice published in two widely read newspapers (one English and one Spanish).
Each Board member receives ten pesos for each day of session.
All sums collected are paid into the Insular Treasury as part of general funds; Board expenses are paid out of funds appropriated for that purpose in the general appropriation acts.
A record of proceedings, an account book, and a register of persons granted licenses, listing name, age, marital condition, residence, post-office address, and the institution where they graduated and studied.
During the first days of January each year, they must present a detailed report of all their work during the preceding year.
Mathematics (including calculus), descriptive geometry and stereotomy; surveying; perspective and shades; rational and applied mechanics; construction materials; geology; resistance of materials; architecture, architectural design and construction; hygiene, sanitation; and designing/beautification of cities and towns.
Applicant must be: (1) at least 20 years of age; (2) of good moral character; (3) have a diploma/certificate showing study in architecture or the desired engineering branch in a duly constituted and Government-recognized institution; and/or (4) have practiced one of the professions for at least five years.
Yes, it is unlawful to advertise as engineer or architect without the proper license; violators face a fine up to 1,000 pesos or subsidiary imprisonment. Exception: those who were already engaged before the Act in making plans and directions of work without academic title may continue as “maestros de obras” but must not sign plans or advertise as engineers/architects. Another proviso clarifies that nothing prevents any person from making constructions of buildings of any kind.