QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 4374)
Republic Act No. 4374 is the “Geodetic Engineering Law,” which regulates the practice of geodetic engineering in the Philippines.
The term “geodetic engineer” supersedes “surveyor,” as defined in the Act, for those qualified to practice under RA 4374.
The Board is created with a Chairman and two Members. They are appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service.
The present Board of Examiners for Surveyors continues to function in lieu of the new Board until members of the latter are appointed and qualified.
Each member must be: (1) a citizen and resident of the Philippines; (2) at least 31 years old and of good moral character; (3) a registered geodetic engineer; (4) actively in practice (or surveying) for at least 10 years; (5) not a faculty member of a geodetic engineering/surveying school unless they stopped teaching for at least 3 consecutive years before appointment; and (6) not pecuniarily interested in such schools.
Board members hold office for three years. The first appointees serve staggered terms (Chairman: 3 years, one member: 2 years, one member: 1 year). Vacancies are filled only for the unexpired portion of the term.
The Commissioner of Civil Service is the executive officer and conducts the examination according to rules and regulations promulgated by him and approved by the President.
The Board: administers the Act; administers oaths; issues/suspends/revokes certificates; studies training and standards; examines school facilities in cooperation with the Department of Education; investigates violations and issues subpoenas/subpoena duces tecum; recommends measures for advancement and enforcement; and recommends/adopts actions for enforcement.
No one may practice or offer to practice geodetic engineering in the Philippines (nor use the title “Geodetic Engineer” or imply qualification) without a valid certificate of registration issued by the Board.
Generally, anyone (except students/graduates performing under a supervised registered geodetic engineer-instructor for training) who performs listed geodetic work is practicing geodetic engineering. The exception allows training work under supervision.
Examples include: performing professional geodetic engineering services; surveying and preparing plans for land registration without supervision by a registered geodetic engineer; undertaking work using a transit/theodolite/tape for property registration; surveying/preparing topographic/hydrographic/economic maps for studies/planning; and serving as instructor/professor in a technical geodetic engineering subject (with military/nautical schools exempted).
Applicants must undergo a technical examination, which consists of written tests covering mathematics, surveying theory and practical problems (including isolated/cadastral/mineral land surveys), cartography, property and registration laws, geodesy, and other prescribed subjects.
A candidate must obtain an average rating of 70%, with no rating below 50% in any subject.
If the candidate fails the passing average but obtained at least 70% in each of at least half of the total subjects, they may take within two years another examination only on the subjects where they got below 70%. If they still fail those subjects, they must take all subjects in the next examination.
Unauthorized practice and specified prohibited acts are punished with a fine of not less than ₱200 nor more than ₱5,000, or imprisonment of not less than 6 months nor more than 6 years, or both, at the court’s discretion.