Coverage
- Examines, registers, licenses environmental planners.
- Supervises and regulates environmental planning practice.
- Develops and updates curriculum.
- Promotes continuing professional education.
Definitions
- Environmental planning: multidisciplinary art and science managing land and water use for sustainable communities.
- Environmental planner: registered, licensed practitioner with Board and PRC credentials.
- Accredited Professional Organization (APO): sole integrated, accredited body of environmental planners.
Scope of Practice
- Services include technical consultation, planning, capacity building, monitoring national to local development plans, zoning, site development.
- Conducts studies such as feasibility and environmental assessments.
- Involved in curriculum development, teaching, expert testimony, compliance with environmental laws.
- Board may revise scope per evolving trends.
Professional Regulatory Board of Environmental Planning
- Composed of Chairperson and two Members appointed by the President from APO nominees.
- Term: 3 years, renewable but limited to two terms.
- Qualifications include citizenship, moral character, master's degree, 7 years practice, and no conflicts of interest with academic institutions.
- Powers include rule-making, examination administration, registration oversight, investigations, and promulgation of ethical and technical standards.
Compensation and Administration
- Board members receive compensation similar to other professional boards.
- Board supervised by PRC which provides secretariat and records custody.
- Suspension/removal grounds include negligence, dishonesty, exam manipulation, unlawful disclosure.
Examination and Registration
- License required to practice; examination given annually.
- Passing grade is 70% average and at least 50% per subject.
- Subjects cover environmental planning theory, methods, legal aspects.
- Eligibility requires specified academic degrees and supervised on-the-job training.
- Certificates and IDs issued upon passing, renewal requires continuing education.
Grounds and Procedures for Registration Denial, Suspension, or Revocation
- Denied or revoked for moral turpitude, misconduct, fraud, incompetence, failure to pay fees, and non-compliance.
- Charges may be filed by any person and investigated administratively.
- Revoked certificates may be reinstated after 2 years upon Board approval.
Practice Regulations
- Environmental planners registered under previous law deemed automatically registered.
- Firms may practice if majority of partners or directors are licensed.
- Registered planners must have official seal for plans; sealing unauthorized plans is unlawful.
- Continuing Professional Education mandated.
- Foreign practitioners allowed under reciprocity and must secure temporary permits and meet conditions.
Unlawful Acts
- Practicing without license.
- Signing or sealing documents without actual preparation.
- Tampering with plans or using another's credentials.
Accredited Professional Organization (APO)
- Single national organization for environmental planners accredited by Board and PRC.
- Membership automatic upon registration.
Enforcement and Penalties
- Government officials must assist enforcement and prosecution.
- CSC to create positions requiring licensed planners; appointment without license null after 5 years.
- Environmental planners may be civilly liable for gross negligence causing project damage.
- Penalties include imprisonment (6 months to 5 years), fines (Php100,000 to Php500,000), or both for unlawful practices.
Transitory Provisions
- Non-licensed officials may serve in certain planning positions temporarily for 3 years.
- Interim Board functions until new Board organized.
Final Provisions
- Appropriations included in General Appropriations Act.
- Does not affect other professions.
- Board to issue implementing rules within 120 days.
- PD No. 1308 repealed; inconsistent laws amended.
- Act effective 15 days after publication in official sources.