AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Philippine Landscape Architecture Act of 2000

Definition of Terms (Section 2)
- Defines the "scope of the practice of Landscape Architecture" and "Landscape Architect".

Board of Landscape Architecture (Sections 3-11)
- Creates a Board of Landscape Architecture under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
- Outlines the qualifications, term of office, compensation, and removal process for Board members.
- Specifies the powers and duties of the Board, including promulgating rules and regulations, supervising registration and licensure, administering examinations, issuing certificates of registration/professional licenses, adopting a Code of Ethics and Technical Standards, and conducting administrative investigations.
- The Board is under the administrative supervision of the PRC, which shall provide secretariat and support services.
- The Board shall adopt implementing rules and regulations within 90 days and submit an annual report.

Examination, Registration, and License (Sections 12-23)
- Requires applicants to pass a written technical examination, with specified qualifications (Section 13).
- Outlines the scope of the examination, covering subjects like Landscape Architectural Design and Planning, Ecology and Nature Conservation, Landscaping Technology and Materials, Planting Design and Interior Plantscaping, Professional Practice and Ethics, and History of Landscape Architecture and Theory of Design (Section 14).
- Specifies the rating system for passing the examination, with a weighted general average of 70% and no grade lower than 60% in any subject (Section 15).
- Requires successful candidates to take an oath of profession before practicing (Section 17).
- Provides for the issuance of a certificate of registration/professional license and a professional identification card (Section 18).
- Regulates the use of a seal by licensed Landscape Architects on plans, drawings, and specifications (Section 19).
- Requires indication of registration and professional tax receipt numbers on documents (Section 20).
- Allows for refusal, suspension, or revocation of certificates/licenses for specified reasons, with the right to appeal (Sections 21-23).

Practice of Landscape Architecture (Sections 24-31)
- Provides for automatic registration of existing Landscape Architects and registration without examination for certain qualified individuals (Sections 24-25).
- Allows partnerships, associations, or corporations of Landscape Architects and related professionals, with at least 80% being Landscape Architects (Section 26).
- Outlines professional responsibility and liability for partnerships, associations, or corporations (Section 27).
- Requires integration of the Landscape Architecture profession into one national accredited organization (Section 28).
- Allows foreign Landscape Architects to practice in the Philippines under certain conditions of reciprocity and with a temporary/special permit (Sections 29-30).
- Appropriates funds necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act (Section 31).

Final Provisions (Sections 32-36)
- Designates the PRC as the enforcement agency for the Act and its implementing rules and regulations (Section 32).
- Defines and penalizes illegal practice of Landscape Architecture, with fines of P50,000 to P200,000 and/or imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years (Section 33).
- Includes a separability clause (Section 34) and a repealing clause for inconsistent laws (Section 35).
- Specifies the effectivity date of the Act (Section 36).