Creation and Composition of the Board
- Establishes a Board of Examiners for Geologists within 30 days of Act approval.
- The Board consists of three members appointed by the President.
- Appointment recommendations come from the Geological Society of the Philippines.
- One member is designated as chairman.
Powers and Responsibilities of the Board
- Authority to administer oaths.
- Power to issue, suspend, and revoke certificates of registration.
- Empowered to investigate violations of the Act.
- May subpoena witnesses and compel attendance.
- Sets and maintains ethical and technical standards.
- Recommends enforcement measures to the President.
Qualifications of Board Members
- Must be Philippine citizens.
- Hold a relevant degree (B.Sc. Geology, Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, M.Sc., or Ph.D. in Geology).
- Have minimum experience post-graduation (10 years for Bachelors, 5 years for Ph.D.).
- Must be registered geologists (except first Board members).
- Prohibited from faculty membership or pecuniary interest in geological education institutions at least two years before appointment.
Term of Office and Succession
- Board members serve three-year terms.
- First Board members have staggered terms (1, 2, and 3 years).
- Chairmanship held by member in last tenure year.
- Vacancies due to death or removal are filled by presidential appointment for the remainder of the term.
- Members must take an oath before service.
Executive Officer and Secretariat
- Civil Service Commissioner serves as Board executive officer and oversees examinations.
- Secretary appointed under Act No. 4007 serves as Secretary of the Board.
- Civil Service Commission safely custody Board records and examination papers.
Removal and Compensation of Board Members
- Members may be removed for neglect, incompetence, or unethical conduct after due process.
- Compensation: Twenty pesos per applicant examined or registered without examination.
- Government-employed Board members receive this compensation in addition to their salary.
- Civil Service Commission manages fee collection and disbursements.
Regulatory Authority and Reporting
- Board may adopt necessary rules and regulations with approval from Civil Service Commissioner and the President.
- Penal provisions to be included in such regulations.
- Annual report submission to the President through Executive Secretary, detailing activities and recommendations.
Practice of Geology – Registration Requirement
- No person shall practice or offer geology services without a certificate from the Board unless exempt.
- Foreigners must comply with reciprocity conditions allowing Filipino geologists to practice in their country.
Definition of Practice
- Geological service or work offered or rendered for compensation.
- Includes consultation, geological investigation, mapping, paleontology, petrology, mineralogy, and related branches.
Exemptions from Registration
- Foreign or local geologists called for specific consultation or investigations.
- Practice limited to consultancy/investigation period, with Board approval and reciprocity requirements.
Examination Requirements
- Applicants must pass written technical exams unless otherwise exempted.
Qualifications to Take Examination
- At least 21 years old with good moral character.
- Graduate of government-recognized programs in geology or related fields.
- Foreign applicants must meet criteria and reciprocity.
- Existing practitioners before Act approval have up to five years to qualify.
Registration Without Examination
- Qualification for registration without exam includes having specified degrees plus minimum experience.
- Prior passing of Civil Service exam for geologists qualifies.
- Practice reports are evaluated for proficiency.
- Registration must be within two years of the Act.
- Certificates may also be granted to practitioners in specialized branches.
- Holders of doctoral degrees in Geology may register without examination.
Examination Scope and Schedule
- Annual exams occur on second Monday of September.
- Exam covers General Geology, Petrology & Mineralogy, Structural Geology, and Economic Geology.
Examination Results and Certificate Issuance
- Board reports candidate ratings within 90 days after exams.
- Certificates issued to successful examinees and qualified registrants without exam.
- Certificates bear registrant’s name, serial number, signatures of Board members and Civil Service Commissioner, and Board seal.
- Certificates confer rights and privileges while valid.
Fees
- Examination and registration fee set at fifty pesos.
Discipline: Reprimand, Suspension, Revocation
- Board may reprimand, suspend, or revoke certificates for specified causes including fraud, negligence, unethical conduct.
- Due process with notice and hearing required.
- Appeals allowed to the President within 30 days; President’s decision is final.
- Grounds for revocation include signing work not performed, misrepresentation of supervisory roles, conflicts of interest.
- Complaints may be filed by any person or initiated by the Board.
Reissue and Replacement of Certificates
- Reapplication possible after one year following revocation; Board discretion on exemption from retesting.
- Replacement certificates issued with a ten peso charge.
Prohibitions and Penal Sanctions
- Practicing without registration, use of another's certificate, forgery, impersonation, using revoked/suspended certificates, or false advertising is penalized.
- Penalties include fines (500-1,000 pesos) or imprisonment (6 months to 1 year) or both.
Practice by Firms and Corporations
- Allowed only if geological services are rendered by registered geologists employed by such firm or entity.
- Managers or persons in charge held personally liable for violations.
Certificate Posting
- Registered geologists required to display their certificate conspicuously at their place of business.
- Must present certificate upon request to Board members or government law enforcement.
Roster of Registered Geologists
- Annual publication of roster listing all registered geologists and their business addresses.
- Disseminated widely to government agencies and made available to public.
Appropriations and Financial Management
- Appropriates two thousand pesos for implementation.
- All fees collected to be credited to the National Treasury.
- Fee collections during the first year may offset implementation costs.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any section does not affect other provisions.
Professional Practice Exception
- Persons licensed under existing laws covering related professions exempt if their practice overlaps with geology.
Repealing Clause and Effectivity
- Repeals conflicting laws and regulations.
- Act takes effect upon approval on June 19, 1965.