Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4374)
Republic Act No. 4374 is commonly known as the Geodetic Engineering Law.
Any person who is technically and legally qualified to practice geodetic engineering under this Act is considered a geodetic engineer.
The Board of Examiners for Geodetic Engineers is composed of a Chairman and two Members, all appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
The Board administers the provisions of the Act, issues and revokes certificates of registration, studies and examines geodetic engineering courses, investigates violations, issues subpoenas, and recommends measures for the advancement of the profession.
A member must be a Filipino citizen and resident, at least 31 years old, a registered geodetic engineer with at least 10 years of active practice, not a current faculty member of any geodetic engineering school, and not pecuniarily interested in such schools.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, Filipino citizen or qualified foreigner, in good health and moral character, and hold a Bachelor of Science in Geodetic Engineering from a government-recognized school or equivalent.
The examination covers mathematics, theory and practical surveying problems, cadastral and mineral land surveys, cartography, laws on property and registration, geodesy, and other prescribed subjects.
A fine of not less than two hundred pesos nor more than five thousand pesos, or imprisonment for six months to six years, or both, may be imposed on violators.
No, only individuals may be registered to practice geodetic engineering. However, partnerships of geodetic engineers where a majority are registered may use the term ‘Geodetic Engineer’.
The Board may revoke or suspend the certificate of registration, and the engineer may be subject to penalties including fines and imprisonment.
Each registered geodetic engineer must obtain an authorized seal and stamp all plans, technical descriptions, and related documents. The engineer is responsible for the documents bearing their seal.
Appeals may be made to the Commissioner of Civil Service within thirty days of the Board's decision, and further appeal to the Office of the President of the Philippines, whose decision is final.
A foreigner may take the exam if his country grants Filipino citizens the same rights to practice geodetic engineering under conditions of strict equality and recognizes Philippine degrees.