Regulation of Master Plumbers Trade

What counts as “plumbing” and “master plumber”

Section 2(a) defines the practice of plumbing to include services covering consultations, designing, preparation of plans, specification, estimates, erection, installation, and supervision of plumbing work.
Section 2(a) includes plumbing work such as inspection and acceptances of materials used in plumbing.
Section 2(a) includes extension and alteration of pipings to fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances connected with: storm and sanitary drainage, facilities of buildings, sanitary venting of fixtures, hot or cold water supply systems within or adjacent to any building, storm drains, sewerage system of any premises, and connection with any public disposal or any acceptable terminal.
Section 2(a) states the enumeration is not exclusive and does not exclude other work requiring plumbing knowledge and application.
Section 2(b) defines a “master plumber” as a person duly registered with the Board of Examiners for Master Plumbers.

Board of Examiners for Master Plumbers

Section 3 requires the creation of the Board of Examiners for Master Plumbers within thirty days after approval of the Act.
Section 3 provides that the Board shall be composed of a Chairman and two members, appointed by the President, upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service, in consultation with a duly registered national association of master plumbers.
Section 3 sets each member’s term at three years; the first appointees’ terms are: one member for one year; one member for two years; and one member for three years.
Section 3 requires each Board member to qualify by taking an oath of office before performing duties.
Section 3 allows removal by the President for neglect of duty, incompetency, malpractice, and unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or dishonorable conduct, after opportunity to defend in an administrative investigation.
Section 3 provides that vacancies are filled for the unexpired term.

Board powers, investigations, and reporting

Section 4 empowers the Board to administer the Act, and to issue, suspend, or revoke certificates of registration of master plumbers.
Section 4 authorizes the Board to administer oaths connected with certificates of registration.
Section 4 authorizes the Board, through its Chairman and its seal, to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to compel attendance and production of evidence in cases involving violations of the Act.
Section 4 provides that refusal to obey subpoena/subpoena duces tecum or refusal to testify/produce documents allows the Board to file a petition to the Court of First Instance; the court may issue its own subpoena requiring appearance and testimony/production.
Section 4 states that failure or refusal to obey the court’s subpoena/subpoena duces tecum or order may be proceeded against like other refusals to obey court subpoenas/orders.
Section 4 requires the Board to examine trade conditions in the Philippines and, when necessary, recommend to the President rules for good ethics, standards, and protection of public welfare, life, health, and property.
Section 10 requires the Board to submit an annual report to the President after each fiscal year, detailing proceeds and making recommendations.

Eligibility, examinations, and registration

Section 6 requires each Board member to be: a citizen and resident of the Philippines, at least thirty years old with good moral character, and actively engaged in the trade for at least five years.
Section 7 requires the Board to charge PHP 35 for each applicant for examination.
Section 7 requires the Board to charge PHP 10 for each certificate of registration.
Section 9 designates the Commissioner of Civil Service as the executive officer of the Board, who conducts examinations and designates a subordinate officer to act as secretary; the Bureau of Civil Service keeps all records and minutes, including examination papers.
Section 12 requires examination applicants to satisfy the Board, before the examination date, that they are: at least 21 years old; citizens of the Philippines; of good moral character; high school graduates; and have at least five years experience in actual plumbing work under a registered master plumber.
Section 13 sets examination subjects and weightings: Plumbing arithmetic (10%), Plumbing Code (10%), Sanitation, plumbing design and installation (40%), Practical problems (20%), and Oral practical problems and experience (20%).
Section 14 requires the Board, within 120 days after completion of the examination, to report each candidate’s rating to the Commissioner of Civil Service, who submits the ratings to the President.
Section 15 provides that the Office of the President, upon recommendation of the Board, issues a certificate of registration to applicants who meet all requirements and pay the registration fee under the Act.
Section 15 requires certificates to show the registrant’s full name, have a serial number, be signed by all Board members, the President, and the Commissioner of Civil Service, and bear the official seal of the Board.
Section 15 provides that issuance of a certificate by the Board is evidence that the named person is entitled to the rights and privileges of a registered master plumber while the certificate remains unrevoked.
Section 16 requires successful candidates to take an oath before the Board or any authorized government official before engaging in the trade.
Section 17 exempts from examination and registration: Armed Forces officers/enlisted men of the United States and the Philippines, and civilian employees of the United States stationed for the United States and/or the Philippines; and plumbing experts called by the Philippine Government for consultation on specific construction, with services limited to such work.

Grounds for refusal, discipline, and reinstatement

Section 18 requires the Board not to issue a certificate to any person convicted of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude, to any person found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or to any person of unsound mind.
Section 18 requires that if the Board refuses to issue a certificate, it must give the applicant a written statement of its reasons, incorporated into Board records.
Section 19 allows the Board, with President’s approval, to suspend or revoke a certificate after due notice and hearing for any causes under Section 18.
Section 19 allows reinstatement upon application and satisfactory showing, for a master plumber whose certificate has been suspended or revoked, subject to President’s approval.

Fees, compensation, records, and roster distribution

Section 8 requires Board members to receive PHP 10 as compensation for each applicant examined.
Section 8 provides that all authorized Board expenses are paid by the Bureau of Civil Service.
Section 8 requires fees to be received by the disbursing officer of the Bureau of Civil Service, who pays authorized expenses, including the Board members’ compensation.
Section 11 requires the Commissioner of Civil Service to prepare a roster of master plumbers’ names and addresses during July of every year.
Section 11 requires roster copies to be mailed to each person registered and placed on file with the Office of the President of the Philippines.
Section 11 requires copies to be furnished to Department Heads, mayors of all chartered cities, Director of Health, Director of Public Works District Engineers, City Engineers, and other bureaus, government agencies, and provincial and municipal authorities as deemed necessary, and to the public upon request.

Government rulemaking standards for plumbing

Section 5 authorizes the President to issue rules and regulations to carry into effect the objectives of the Act, upon recommendation of the Board and in consultation with a duly registered national association of master plumbers.
Section 5 provides that the rules and regulations must follow basic principles, except when they may be oppressive or excessively burdensome to those without sufficient means and to buildings, structures, or constructions valued at five thousand pesos or less.
Section 5 requires every premise intended for human habitation, occupancy, or use to have a supply of pure and wholesome water not connected with unsafe supplies and not subject to hazards of backflow or back-siphonage.
Section 5 requires plumbing fixtures, devices, and appurtenances to be supplied with water in sufficient volume and pressures adequate for satisfactory function without undue noise under normal conditions.
Section 5 requires plumbing to be designed and adjusted to use the minimum quantity of water consistent with proper performance and cleaning.
Section 5 requires heating and water-storing devices to be designed and installed to prevent dangers from explosion through overheating.
Section 5 requires each building with plumbing fixtures installed for human habitation, occupancy, or use on premises abutting a street, alley, or easement in which there is a public sewer to have a connection with the sewer.
Section 5 requires each family dwelling unit on premises abutting on sewer or with a private sewage-disposal system to have at least one water closet and one kitchen-type sink, and recommends installation of a lavatory and bath-tub or shower.
Section 5 requires other structures for human occupancy abutting on a sewer or with a private sewage-disposal system to have adequate sanitary facilities, but in no case less than one water closet and one other fixture for cleansing purposes.
Section 5 requires plumbing fixtures to be made of smooth non-absorbent material and free from concealed fouling surfaces.
Section 5 requires drainage systems to be designed, constructed, and maintained to guard against fouling, deposit of solids, and clogging, with adequate cleanouts so pipes may be readily cleaned.
Section 5 requires durable piping materials free from defective workmanship and designed to give satisfactory service for their reasonable expected life.
Section 5 requires each fixture directly connected to the drainage system to be equipped with a water-seal trap.
Section 5 requires drainage systems to provide adequate air circulation in pipes with no danger of siphonage, aspiration, or forcing of trap seals under ordinary use conditions.
Section 5 requires each terminal to extend to the outer air and be installed to minimize possibilities of clogging and the return of foul air to the building.
Section 5 requires plumbing systems to be subject to tests that effectively disclose all leaks and defects.
Section 5 prohibits allowing any substance that will clog pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy pipes or joints, or unduly interfere with sewage-disposal process to enter building drainage systems.
Section 5 requires proper protection to prevent contamination of food, water, sterile goods, and similar materials by backflow of sewage; when necessary, fixtures/devices/appliances must be connected indirectly with the building drainage system.
Section 5 prohibits locating no water closet or urinal in a room or compartment that is not properly lighted and ventilated.
Section 5 requires suitable provision for disposing building sewage by accepted sewage treatment and disposal method where there is no sewer within a reasonable distance.
Section 5 requires suitable provision to prevent overflow in the building where plumbing drainage systems may be subject to backflow of sewage.
Section 5 requires plumbing systems to be maintained in a sanitary and serviceable condition.
Section 5 requires installation with regard to spacing so fixtures are reasonably accessible for intended use.
Section 5 requires plumbing installation with due regard to preservation of structural member strength and prevention of damage to walls and other surfaces through fixture usage.
Section 5 prohibits discharging sewage or other waste deleterious to surface or subsurface waters into the ground or any waterway unless first rendered innocuous through acceptable treatment.

Mandatory registration and enforcement penalties

Section 20 makes it unlawful to engage in plumbing in the Philippines without registration in accordance with the Act.
Section 20 makes it unlawful to present or attempt to use as one’s own the certificate of registration of a registered master plumber.
Section 20 makes it unlawful to give false or forged evidence to the Board.
Section 20 makes it unlawful to impersonate any registered master plumber.
Section 20 makes it unlawful to attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration.
Section 20 makes it unlawful to assume, use, or advertise any title or description conveying the impression that a person is a registered master plumber without holding a valid certificate of registration.
Section 20 provides that any person who violates any of the Act’s provisions is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 20 provides the penalty upon conviction as a fine of not less than PHP 500 nor more than PHP 2,000, or imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Nationality rule for exam eligibility

Section 21 provides that no person not a citizen of the Philippines at the time of application is allowed to take the examination unless proof is shown as provided by law.
Section 21 requires proof that the person’s country of citizenship admits Filipinos to engage in the same trade without restriction or allows practice after examination on strict and absolute equality with citizens/subjects/nationals of that country, including unconditional recognition of degrees issued by institutions of learning recognized for the purpose by the Government of the Philippines.

Transitional registration for existing plumbers

Section 22 requires that as soon as the Act takes effect, any person desiring to practice the trade of master plumber must obtain a certificate of registration under the Act.
Section 22 provides automatic registration for: master plumbers duly registered and examined under city ordinances in force one year prior to effectivity of the Act.
Section 22 provides automatic registration for: persons with at least five years of continuous practice as plumbers who are certified within one year after effectivity of the Act as capable to practice by the Board of Examiners.
Section 22 provides that certificates held by such persons in good standing have the same force and effect as if issued under the Act.

Effective date and limited coverage

Section 24 provides that the Act takes effect upon its approval, approved June 18, 1955.
Section 23 provides that the Act applies only in chartered cities.