Amending Sections Four And Fifteen Of Republic Act Numbered Four Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Four, Otherwise Known As The "Geodetic Engineering Law"

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 202

Amending Sections 4 and 15 of Republic Act No. 4374 ("Geodetic Engineering Law")

- Background and Rationale:
• The Philippines is engaged in an expanded land reform program, requiring massive cadastral and public land subdivision surveys.
• There is a need for technical personnel trained in geodetic and photogrammetric surveying and mapping to support this program and economic development planning. (Whereas clauses)

- Amendments to Section 4:
• The Board of Geodetic Engineering is mandated to give two kinds of examinations: (Section 1)
    1. Junior Geodetic Engineer; and
    2. Geodetic Engineer.

- Amendments to Section 15:
• To qualify for the Junior Geodetic Engineer Examination, a candidate must: (Section 2)
    1. Satisfy the existing requirements (a) to (c) of Section 15;
    2. Have completed an Associate in Surveying or third year in Geodetic Engineering course or fourth year Civil Engineering course; and
    3. For Civil Engineering undergraduates, have completed courses on Laws on Natural Resources, Land Registration and Property, Land Reform Laws, Land Property Surveys, Photogrammetry and Cartography.
• The Junior Geodetic Engineer Certificate authorizes the holder to execute land property surveys for judicial and administrative land registration proceedings.
• This provision does not affect existing Geodetic Engineers certified by the Board.

- Effectivity:
• The Decree takes effect immediately. (Section 3)