AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED EIGHTY FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTY (R.A. NO. 8560) OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE GEODETIC ENGINEERING ACT OF 1998

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9200 Amending the Philippine Geodetic Engineering Act of 1998

Definition of Terms (Section 2):
- Defines the "Practice of Geodetic Engineering" as gathering physical data on the earth's surface, processing and presenting them on maps, charts, etc. It includes activities like land surveys, subdivision surveys, engineering surveys, gravimetric and photogrammetric surveys, construction surveys, mineral and mining surveys, installation of precision machinery, and providing consultancy services in geodetic engineering.
- Defines a "Geodetic Engineer" as a natural person registered with the Board of Geodetic Engineering and has taken the Oath of Profession.

Powers and Duties of the Board of Geodetic Engineering (Section 8):
- Promulgate rules and regulations for implementing the Act.
- Supervise examinations, registration, licensure, and practice of geodetic engineering.
- Issue, suspend, or revoke Certificates of Registration and professional identification cards. (Section 8(e))
- Hear and try administrative cases involving violations of the Act, rules and regulations, and Code of Ethics. It can issue subpoenas for this purpose. (Section 8(j))
- Prescribe guidelines for the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program. (Section 8(j))
- Approve, issue, limit, or revoke temporary licenses to practice geodetic engineering.

Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card (Section 19):
- Issued to applicants who pass the examination and pay registration fees.
- Bears signatures of the Board Chairman and PRC Chairman, and the official Board seal.
- Professional identification card with registration number, issuance date, and expiry date is also issued upon payment of fees.
- No person can practice geodetic engineering without a license.

Indication of Registration Number and Professional Tax Receipt (Section 21):
- Geodetic Engineers must indicate their certificate of registration number and professional tax receipt number on documents they sign, use, or issue in their professional practice.

Grounds for Suspension, Revocation, and Cancellation (Section 22):
- The Board can suspend or revoke a Certificate of Registration and professional identification card, or cancel a temporary/special permit, after due notice and hearing, for causes like fraud in obtaining registration, incompetence, negligence, illegal practice, violation of the Act, rules and regulations, or Code of Ethics.

Vested Rights, Automatic Registration, and Registration Without Examination (Section 23):
- Practicing Geodetic Engineers registered at the time of the Act's effectivity shall be automatically registered. (Section 23(a))
- Incumbent Junior Geodetic Engineers shall be issued a certificate of registration and professional identification card as Geodetic Engineers without examination, provided they have been in active practice for at least 3 years, hold relevant degrees, and file their application within 3 years of the Act's effectivity. They must also update their knowledge through CPE or distance learning within 3 years upon approval of their application. (Section 23(b))

Right to Practice Geodetic Engineering Profession (Section 24):
- Only duly registered Geodetic Engineers may organize, establish, or form firms, partnerships, or associations for the practice of geodetic engineering, pursuant to SEC rules.

Transitory Provisions (Section 30):
- The existing Board of Geodetic Engineering shall continue to function until the new Board is constituted under this Act. (Section 30(a))
- Examinations for Junior Geodetic Engineers shall cease upon the Act's effectivity. (Section 30(b))
- Registered Junior Geodetic Engineers may continue to practice as such until their application for upgrading as Geodetic Engineers is acted upon, but not beyond 3 years from the Act's effectivity. (Section 30(c))