Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4209)
The official title of the Act is the "Geology Profession Law of the Philippines."
The Board of Examiners for Geologists is composed of three members appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation by the Geological Society of the Philippines.
A member must be a Filipino citizen; hold relevant degrees in geology or related fields with specified years of experience; be a registered geologist (except initial members); and must not have been a faculty member or have pecuniary interest in a geology-related educational institution for at least two years before appointment.
The Board can administer oaths, issue, suspend or revoke certificates of registration, investigate violations, subpoena witnesses, and enforce ethical and technical standards of the geology profession.
Qualified foreign geologists called for consultation or specific investigations with prior Board approval, for a limited period, provided there is reciprocity from their country, are exempt. Also, certain persons under specified conditions may practice without registration.
The applicant must be at least 21 years old, of good moral character, a graduate with a relevant degree from a government-recognized school, and if foreign, must come from a country giving reciprocity to Filipino geologists.
Yes, persons meeting specific criteria such as having a recognized degree with at least ten years of experience, passing relevant civil service exams, or holding advanced degrees like a PhD can be registered without examination.
Offenders may be fined from 500 to 1,000 pesos, or imprisoned for six months to one year, or both, at the court's discretion.
Grounds include fraud in obtaining the certificate, gross negligence, incompetence, unethical, dishonorable, or immoral conduct, including signing reports not prepared or supervised by the registrant.
They must employ geologists holding valid certificates of registration, and the person managing the business is personally liable for violations of the Act.