Question & AnswerQ&A (PRC BOARD OF SANITARY ENGINEERING MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2003-13)
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is vested with the power to regulate and license various professions under its jurisdiction including sanitary engineering, as per Section 7(a) of R.A. No. 8981, the PRC Modernization Act of 2000.
Republic Act No. 1364, also known as the Sanitary Engineering Act, mandates the Professional Regulatory Board for Sanitary Engineering to regulate the practice of the profession.
Registered Sanitary Engineers are authorized to design water collection and distribution systems, reservoirs, drainage, sewage disposal tanks, among other functions stipulated in R.A. No. 1364.
Only Registered Sanitary Engineers (RSE) and Registered Master Plumbers (RMP) are allowed to sign the Sanitary/Plumbing Plan, with sanitary plans specifically signed by Registered Sanitary Engineers.
Having other professionals or unregistered persons sign sanitary plans constitutes a violation of R.A. No. 1364, P.D. No. 1096 and their Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs), which is considered illegal practice of Sanitary Engineering and may result in criminal liability including imprisonment and/or fines.
The Board is mandated to investigate violations of sanitary engineering laws, issue summons and subpoenas, enforce provisions of applicable laws, and institute administrative and/or criminal actions against violators.
Only Building Officials who are Registered Sanitary Engineers with valid Certificates of Registration and unexpired Professional Identification Cards issued by the PRC shall approve sanitary plans.
No, Building Officials are prohibited from approving sanitary plans prepared by other persons not registered as Sanitary Engineers.
Violators may be charged administratively or criminally, or both, and may face penalties including imprisonment and/or fines imposed by the courts or the Professional Regulation Commission through the relevant enforcement processes.
The Department of Public Works and Highways, the League of Cities, the League of Municipalities, Local Government Units, the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, and other concerned parties are responsible for disseminating the Memorandum Circular to their personnel and members.