AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING

Case Overview and Summary

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING ACT OF 2013

I. General Provisions
- Declares the importance of environmental planning in nation-building and development. (Section 2)
- Covers examination, registration, licensure of environmental planners, supervision and regulation of the practice, curriculum development, and professional development. (Section 3)
- Defines key terms: environmental planning, environmental planner, accredited professional organization (APO). (Section 4)
- Outlines the scope of practice for environmental planners, including plan preparation, studies, teaching, expert witness roles, and compliance with environmental laws. (Section 5)

II. Professional Regulatory Board of Environmental Planning
- Establishes the Professional Regulatory Board of Environmental Planning under the Professional Regulation Commission, with a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the President. (Sections 6-8)
- Outlines the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Board, including adopting rules and regulations, supervising registration and practice, administering licensure exams, adopting codes of ethics and standards, and investigating violations. (Section 9)
- Provides for compensation, administrative supervision, records custody, and grounds for disciplinary action against Board members. (Sections 10-12)

III. Examination and Registration
- Requires registration and a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card to practice environmental planning. (Section 14)
- Mandates a licensure examination at least once a year, with a passing score of 70% overall and 50% per subject. (Sections 15-16)
- Lists the examination subjects: history and principles, planning process and methods, and plan implementation and legal aspects. (Section 17)
- Outlines the qualifications for taking the examination, including degree requirements, on-the-job training, good moral character, and no conviction of moral turpitude. (Section 18)
- Provides for issuance of Certificates of Registration and Professional Identification Cards, refusal to register, revocation or suspension, and reissuance or replacement. (Sections 19-23)

IV. Practice of Environmental Planning
- Recognizes the rights of currently registered and licensed environmental planners. (Section 24)
- Allows consulting firms, partnerships, corporations, associations, and foundations to engage in environmental planning practice under certain conditions. (Section 25)
- Requires the use of a seal authorized by the Board on plans and documents. (Section 26)
- Mandates continuing professional education programs prescribed by the Board. (Section 27)
- Allows foreign citizens to take the licensure examination and be registered under reciprocity conditions. (Section 28)
- Provides for issuance of Temporary/Special Permits for foreign environmental planners under certain conditions. (Section 29)
- Requires environmental planners to indicate their registration, identification, membership, and tax receipt numbers on plans and documents. (Section 30)
- Defines unlawful practices, such as practicing without registration, amending plans without consent, and signing documents not prepared by the planner. (Section 31)
- Requires the organization of one national accredited professional organization (APO) for registered and licensed environmental planners. (Section 32)

V. Enforcement and Penal Provisions
- Requires government officials and law officers to assist in enforcing the Act and prosecuting violators. (Section 33)
- Mandates the Civil Service Commission to create positions and set qualification standards for environmental planners in government service, and requires registered and licensed planners for certain positions after five years. (Section 34)
- Establishes civil liability for environmental planners in cases of serious damage or failure caused by gross negligence or deficient planning within ten years of implementation. (Section 35)
- Imposes penalties of imprisonment from six months to five years, or a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱500,000, or both, for unlawful practices such as practicing without registration, using another's credentials, giving false evidence, and violating provisions of the Act. (Section 36)

VI. Transitory and Final Provisions
- Allows local government units to appoint non-registered planners temporarily for three years. (Section 37)
- Provides for appropriations, implementation rules and regulations, separability clause, and repealing of inconsistent laws. (Sections 38-42)
- Sets the effectivity date 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or newspapers. (Section 43)