Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 1378)
The short title of Republic Act No. 1378 is the "Plumbing Law."
The practice of plumbing includes consultations, designing, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, erection, installation, and supervision of plumbing work including inspection and acceptance of materials used therein, as well as extension and alteration of all piping related to storm and sanitary drainage, facilities of buildings, sanitary venting, hot or cold water systems, storm drains, sewerage systems and public disposal terminals.
A master plumber is a person duly registered with the Board of Examiners for Master Plumbers as provided in the Act.
The Board is composed of a Chairman and two members appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Civil Service Commissioner and consultation with a registered national association of master plumbers.
Members must be Filipino citizens and residents, at least 30 years old, of good moral character, and have been actively engaged in the trade of master plumber for at least five years.
Offenders are guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than five hundred pesos and not more than two thousand pesos, or imprisoned for six months to one year, or both, at the court's discretion.
Yes, officers or enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the U.S. and Philippines, civilian employees of the U.S. government stationed in the Philippines, and government-invited plumbing experts for specific consultations are exempted.
Subjects include Plumbing Arithmetic (10%), Plumbing Code (10%), Sanitation, Plumbing Design and Installation (40%), Practical Problems (20%), and Oral Practical Problems and Experience (20%).
They shall be automatically registered under this Act if they have at least five years continuous practice and certification by the Board, and their certificates shall have the same effect as those issued under this Act.
This Act applies only in chartered cities in the Philippines.