Philippine Plumbing Engineering Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 14 M0:59 SENATE RI Cai S. No. Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1378, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PLUMBING LAW" EXPLANATORY NOTE Whilst hidden beneath the concrete slabs of modern edifices, plumbing systems are critical in maintaining public health, sanitation, and safety of our modern-day society. As such, it is necessary that plumbing design and installation be undertaken by people with adequate academic and technical background in accordance with generally-accepted engineering standards and practices. Almost seven (7) decades ago in 1955, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 1378, otherwise known as the Plumbing Law, which regulates the trade of master plumbers, in time when high school graduates with five (5) years plumbing experience dominate the trade. Unfortunately, the law regulating the profession has remained the same despite the significant developments in the plumbing system particularly in terms of materials used and technologies applied. One striking proof of this obsolesce rests on how the prevailing law still considers plumbing a "trade" in this day and age of high-rise buildings and rapid urbanization. This bill seeks to modernize the regulation of plumbing engineering to tap the burgeoning plumbing industry and the increasing demand for skilled plumbing engineers. It seeks to repeal the outdated Plumbing Law, recognize plumbing Engineering as a distinct and specialized field of engineering, and adopt globally- accepted industry standards and practices. Ultimately, this proposed measure seeks to train competent and globally-competitive plumbing engineers that can contribute to the advancement of their chosen field and development of the Filipino nation. Approval of this bill is urgently requested. FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session - 14 0:59 SENATE RECL S. No. - Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1378, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PLUMBING LAW" Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: ARTICLE I PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Plumbing

Engineering Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State hereby recognizes the importance of

plumbing engineering in maintaining public health, sanitation, and safety. Towards 7 this end, and in recognition of the need to train and develop competent and globally- 8 competitive professionals, the State shall implement regulatory measures, programs 9 and activities which shall promote the sustained development of a reservoir of 10 plumbing professionals whose competence has been determined by honest and credible board examinations, maintain internationally-recognized standards of professional service and practice, and foster professional growth and career advancement in the field of plumbing engineering.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms

15 are hereby defined as follows:

(a) Master Plumber refers to a person who holding a valid certificate of registration or professional license and professional identification card as master plumber; (b) Practice of Plumbing Engineering refers to the professional and organized 5 act of applying scientific principle and technique for the design, estimate, installation 6 and operation of plumbing systems involving hot and cold-water supply installation to fixtures, sanitary drainage, vent system, storm drainage, gas piping, swimming pools, water feature, fire protection system, irrigation system, water refilling stations, private water system, private sewage disposal system within or adjacent to any buildings and other structures. It shall also include, but not be limited to, the following services and activities: (1) Consultation, design and preparation of plans, specifications and estimates; and erection, installation and supervision of plumbing works including the inspection and acceptance of materials used therein; (2) Extension, alteration and modifications of all piping for fixtures, equipment, appliance, and appurtenance in connection with any of the above scope, (3) Engagement in the transfer of the knowledge and technology of plumbing engineering in any institution of learning; and (4) Appointment in any regular, job order, or contract-of-service position in any government agency or instrumentality that requires professional knowledge in plumbing engineering: Provided, That the enumeration of services and activities in this subsection shall not 24 be construed to exclude any other work requiring plumbing knowledge and application; and (c) Plumbing Engineer refers to a person holding a valid certificate of 27 registration or professional license and professional identification card issued by the Board of Plumbing Engineering and the Professional Regulation Commission and who 29 is legally qualified to practice plumbing engineering in the Philippines pursuant to this Act.

ARTICLE II BOARD OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING

Sec. 4. Regulatory Board of Plumbing Engineering. - The Board of Examiners

4 for Master Plumbers created pursuant to Republic Act No. 1378, is hereby 5 reconstituted as the Board of Plumbing Engineering, hereinafter referred to as the 6 Board, to be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) Members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) recommendees for each position, 8 chosen, ranked in the order of preference, and submitted by the Professional 9 Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, from the list of 10 five (5) nominees for each position submitted by the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization of Plumbing Engineers.

Sec. 5. Qualifications of Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The

Chairperson and Members of the Board shall, at the time of their respective appointments, possess the following qualifications: (a) Natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines; (b) Must be at least forty (40) years of age; (c) Must hold a degree of Bachelor of Science in Plumbing Engineering or its 18 equivalent, conferred by a school, academy, college or university in the Philippines or 19 abroad that is duly recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); (d) A Professional Plumbing Engineer with a valid certificate of registration and professional license and an active practitioner as such, for not less than ten (10) years prior to his appointment; (e) Must not, for a period of three (3) consecutive years prior to appointment, be a member of the faculty of any school, academy, institute, college or university where a regular course in Plumbing Engineering is being taught, nor have pecuniary interest in or administrative supervision over any such institution of learning; (f) Must not, for a period of three (3) consecutive years prior to appointment, be connected with a review center or with any group or association where review classes or lectures in preparation for the board examination are offered or conducted 30 at the time of appointment; and

(g) Must be of proven integrity and high moral values and must not have been 2 convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude.

Sec. 6. Term of Office. - The Chairperson and Members of the Board shall hold

4 office for a term of three (3) years from the date of their respective appointments: 5 Provided, That the Chairperson and Members of the Board may be re-appointed for 6 another term but in no case shall they serve continuously for more than six (6) years. Each member of the Board shall take his oath of office prior to the official 8 performance of his duties. In case of any vacancy in the membership of the Board by reason of death, disability, resignation, or removal from office, the President shall appoint a successor to serve the unexpired portion of the term of the respective member, without prejudice to reappointment for a maximum of two (2) terms.

Sec. 7. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall exercise the following

14 specific powers, functions, duties and responsibilities: (a) To promulgate and adopt, subject to review and approval of the 16 Commission, such rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of 17 this Act; (b) To supervise the examination, registration, licensure and practice of Plumbing Engineering in the Philippines, including, but not limited to, the following activities: (1) Determination and evaluation of the qualifications of registration applicants; (2) Preparation of the examination questions; and (3) Preparation, adoption, issuance or revision of the subjects, their syllabi, passing average, and the system and procedure in the board examinations for the practice of plumbing engineering and the corresponding weights, subject to the approval of the Commission; (c) To administer oaths in connection with the successful examinees entering the practice of Plumbing Engineering;

(d) To issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate certificates of registration after compliance with the requirements or observance of due process, as the case may be; (e) To issue, cancel, suspend or reinstate professional license or cancel special 4 permit to practice plumbing engineering, for causes provided by law and upon 5 compliance with due process requirements; (f) To adopt an official seal of the Board; (g) To look into the conditions affecting the practice of the professions and 8 adopt, whenever necessary, such measures as may be deemed proper for the 9 enhancement and maintenance of high professional and ethical standards of the professions; (h) To ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the compliance of all higher education institutions offering Plumbing Engineering programs or related courses with the relevant policies, standards and guidelines (PSGs); (i) To coordinate with the Commission, CHED and TESDA in the formulation or revision of relevant programs; (i) To prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and a Code of Technical 18 Standards for the practice of the Plumbing Engineering professions; (k) To investigate, hear and try administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations, the Code of Ethics and Technical Standards and for the purpose, to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of witnesses and the production of documents in connection 23 therewith; (1) To prescribe guidelines for the Continuing Professional Development program for plumbing engineers as a condition for the renewal of their professional licenses; (m) To approve, issue, limit or revoke temporary special permit to practice Plumbing Engineering; (n) To submit annual report to the President of the Philippines through the 30 Commission in accordance with Section (11) of this Act; and

(o) To discharge such other duties and functions as may be deemed necessary for the enhancement of the Plumbing Engineering professions and the upgrading, 3 development and growth of Plumbing Engineering education in the Philippines.

Sec. 8. Compensation of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The

5 Chairperson and Members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances 6 comparable to the compensation and allowances received by the chairpersons and members of existing regulatory boards of the Commission and as may be provided for 8 in the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 9. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of Records, Secretariat and Support

10 Services. - The Board shall be under the general supervision of the Commission. All records of the Board, including application for examination, examination papers and results, minutes of deliberation, administrative cases, and other investigative cases involving the profession shall be kept by the Commission. The Commission shall designate the secretary of the Board and shall provide the Secretariat and other support services to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 10. Removal of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The

President may, upon the recommendation of the Commission and after the observance of due process, remove the Chairperson or any Member of the Board on the following grounds: (a) Neglect of duty or incompetence; (b) Violation or tolerance of the violation of this Act or the Code of Ethics or 22 Technical Standards for Plumbing Engineers; or (c) Final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude.

Sec. 11. Annual Report. - The Board shall submit an annual report to the

President of the Philippines through the Commission, containing a detailed account of its recommendation for the adoption of measures that will upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of Plumbing Engineering in the Philippines.

ARTICLE III EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSE

Sec. 12. Examinations Required. - All applicants for registration for the practice

of Plumbing Engineering shall be required to undergo and pass a written technical 5 examination provided for in this Act. Examinations shall be conducted by the Board twice a year in Metro Manila and in such other places as it may deem appropriate. In accordance with the duties and responsibilities provided under Section 8 of this Act, the Board shall perform the following: (a) Prescribe the methods of procedure and scope of the examinations; (b) Fix the dates and locations for plumbing engineering examination and cause the publication of the same; (c) Prescribe such reasonable fees to be imposed on applicants for plumbing engineering examinations; and (d) Perform other duties and responsibility as may be necessary to effectively implement the provisions of this section.

Sec. 13. Qualifications of Applicant for Plumbing Engineering Examination. -

17 Every applicant for Plumbing Engineer examination shall establish the following: (a) That he or she is a citizen of the Philippines or a foreign state which has reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of plumbing engineering; (b) That he or she is of good moral character and has not been convicted of 21 any offense involving moral turpitude; and (c) That he/she is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Plumbing Engineering offered by an educational institution duly recognized by the CHED: Provided, That within five (5) years following the effectivity of this Act, graduates of Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, and Geodetic Engineering may be qualified to take the plumbing engineer examinations.

Sec. 14. Fraudulent Application. - The Board may suspend or revoke a

29 Certificate of Registration obtained through fraudulent acts or misrepresentation made 30 during the application for examination.

Sec. 15. Scope of Examinations. - The examination for Plumbing Engineering

shall cover the following subject matter: (a) General Engineering and Mathematics; (b) Plumbing Code; (c) Plumbing Design; and (d) Practical Problems and Installation: Provided, That duly-licensed engineers may be exempted from taking General Engineering and Mathematics, at the option of the applicant: Provided, further, that 9 the manner of removing of any failed grade in the examination shall be determined 10 by the Board: Provided, finally, That the subjects and their syllabi may be amended by the Board to conform to the changes in internationally-accepted standards and practices in the plumbing engineering profession.

Sec. 16. Rating in the Board Examination. - To pass the board examination for

14 Plumbing Engineers, a candidate must obtain a general weighted average of seventy percent (70%) with no grade lower than fifty percent (50%) in any given subject.

Sec. 17. Report of Ratings. - The Board shall submit to the Commission the

rating obtained by each candidate within twenty (20) calendar days after the examination, unless extended for just cause. Upon the release of the results of the examination, the Board shall send by mail the rating received by each examinee at the later's given address using the self-addressed mailing envelope submitted during the examination.

Sec. 18. Re-examination. - An applicant who fails to pass the examination for

the third time shall be allowed to take another examination only after the lapse of one year.

Sec. 19. Oath. - All successful candidates in the examinations and all those

who have qualified for registration without an examination as provided under Section 32(c) of this Act shall be required to take an oath of profession before the Board or any person authorized by the Commission to administer oaths, prior to entering into the practice of the Plumbing Engineering profession.

Sec. 20. Certificate of Registration and Professional License. - A certificate of

registration as plumbing engineer shall be issued to every registrant who has 3 satisfactorily met all the requirements specified in this Act, subject to payment of registration fees. The Certificate of Registration of a Professional Plumbing Engineer shall bear the full name of the registrant and a serial number signed Chairman of the Board and its member attested by the Secretary of the Commission and stamped with the official seal of the Board indicating that the person named therein is a registered Plumbing Engineer and is entitled to practice the profession with all the rights and privileges 10 appurtenant thereto. The certificate of registration shall remain in full force and effect until withdrawn, suspended, or revoked. A professional license bearing the registration number, date of issuance, expiry date and duly signed by the Chairman of the Board, shall likewise be issued to every registrant, upon payment of the professional fees. A license is entitled to practice the profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto until the expiration of the validity 16 of his license.

Sec. 21. Seal and Use of Seal of Plumbing Engineer. - All licensed plumbing

18 engineers shall, upon registration, obtain a seal of such design as may be prescribed 19 by the Board. Plans, specifications, reports, and other professional documents prepared by, executed under the immediate supervision of, and issued by a licensee, shall be stamped on every sheet with the seal when filed with government authorities or when submitted or used professionally. Plans and documents duly signed, stamped or sealed as instruments of service are the property and documents of the Plumbing Engineer.

Sec. 22. Exemption from Registration Requirements. - Registration shall not be

required from any of the following persons: a) Foreign plumbing engineers employed as technical consultants by the Philippine government or by private firms, subject to the following conditions:

(1) That no qualified Filipino is available for the work or undertaking that the foreign professional is being hired or commissioned for, as certified by the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization of Plumbing Engineers; (2) That the foreign professional concerned is legally qualified to practice their profession in his or her country in which the requirements and qualifications for obtaining a license or certificate of registration are not lower than those specified in this Act; (3) That the scope of work to be performed by foreign professional concerned shall be limited only to the particular work for which he or she was contracted; (4) That prior commencing to work, the foreign professional concerned shall secure a special permit to practice plumbing engineering in the Philippines; (5) That foreign professional shall not engage in private practice on their own account: (6) That for every foreign professional contracted pursuant to this section, a duly registered Filipino plumbing engineer shall be employed by the government agency or private firm concerned: Provided, That the Filipino plumbing engineer concerned shall remain employed for at least the duration of the contract of the foreign professional; and (7) That the exemption herein granted shall be valid for six (6) months, renewable for another six (6) months subject to the approval of the Board: Provided, That in the event that the original employment or service contract involving a foreign professional has been completed or terminated, the foreign professional concerned and his or her new contracting government agency or private firm shall likewise satisfy the conditions and requirements as stipulated under this Act; (b) Foreign plumbing engineers who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of specification, contracted on a direct hire or exchange basis as professors or lecturers for plumbing engineering subjects by higher education institutions duly-recognized by CHED, subject to verification of credentials by the Board; or

(c) Engineering students, apprentices and other persons employed or acting as subordinates of, or undergoing training under persons holding a valid certificate of 3 registration and license under this Act.

Sec. 23. Indication of License and Professional Tax Receipt. - All plumbing

engineers shall be required to indicate their respective professional license number, the duration of validity, including the professional tax receipt number and the official receipt number of the payment of his/her annual dues with the duly accredited 8 organization on the documents he signs, uses in connection with the practice of his 9 profession. ARTICLE IV PRACTICE OF PLUMBING ENGINEERING

Sec. 24. Practice of Plumbing Engineering. - Except as may be provided in this

Act, no person shall use the title "Registered Plumbing Engineer", or display or use any title, sign card, advertisement, device or implement to indicate such person practices or offers to practice plumbing engineering, unless the person shall have received from the Board a certificate of registration and issued a professional identification card by the PRC and the Board: Provided, That Section 3 (b) of this Act shall not be construed to exclude other services and activities that may require plumbing engineering knowledge and application. The practice of Plumbing Engineering is a professional service, admission to which shall be determined upon the basis of an individual's personal qualifications, for which the Plumbing Engineer is responsible for the correctness of the plumbing work. No firm, partnership, corporation or association may be licensed and registered the practice of plumbing engineering: Provided, however, That duly licensed and registered plumbing engineers may, among themselves or with a person or persons properly registered and licensed as Plumbing Engineer, form partnerships, firms and associations and use the title "Plumbing Engineers" or "Engineers": Provided, That no person shall be made partner, owner, or member of such firm, partnership or association unless he or she is a duly registered and licensed Plumbing Engineer.

Sec. 25. Roster of Plumbing Engineers. - The Commission shall maintain a

roster of duly licensed and registered plumbing engineers, stating their names, 3 registration numbers, and places of business or employment. The Commission shall 4 regularly update such roster and make the same available to the public.

Sec. 26. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign plumbing engineer shall be

authorized to take the board examination, given a certificate of registration, issued a temporary license to practice plumbing engineering, engage in covered activities and services, or be entitled to any of the rights and privileges under this act of unless the 9 country of which he is a subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino Plumbing 10 Engineers to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens or such foreign state or country.

Sec. 27. License Number and Privilege Tax Receipt. - The plumbing engineer

shall be required to indicate the certificate of registration, professional identification card number, date of issuance and the duration of validity, including the privilege tax receipt number on the documents the plumbing engineer signs, uses or issues in connection with the practice of the plumbing engineering.

Sec. 28. Integration and Accreditation of the Plumbing Professional

18 Organizations. - The Plumbing professional organizations shall be integrated into one national organization, which shall be created and accredited by the Board of Plumbing Engineering and the Professional Regulation Commission. The Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) shall promulgate such rules and 22 regulations including Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Plumbing 23 Engineers for the effective implementations of the provision of this Act.

Sec. 29. Grounds for Suspension and Revocation of License, Cancellation of

25 Temporary / Special Permit. - The Board shall have the power, upon due notice and 26 hearing, to revoke or suspend the license of a Plumbing Engineer, or to cancel a 27 temporary / special permit for any cause specified in the proceeding section, including but not limited to: (a) The use or perpetration of any fraud deceit in obtaining a certificate of 30 registration;

(b) For incompetence, negligence, or for abatement of the illegal practice of Plumbing Engineering; (c) Violation of the provisions of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations and/or violation of the policies of the Board on the Code of Ethics for 5 Plumbing Engineers: 6 Provided, however, That such action of the Board shall be subject to appeal to the 7 Commission, within fifteen (15) days from written notice. ARTICLE V PENAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 30. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts shall be prohibited: (a) No person

shall perform any of the following acts: (1) Submit fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board or to any member thereof to obtain a certificate of registration of professional license; (2) Use the title of "Registered Plumbing Engineer", or make use of any means to display, advertise or otherwise convey the impression that such person is a plumbing engineer without holding a valid certificate or license to practice plumbing engineering; (3) Practice or offer to practice plumbing engineering in the Philippines without a valid certificate of registration and professional license, or temporary/special permit from the Board of Plumbing Engineering; (4) Stamp or seal any document with the seal of a plumbing engineer after his or her professional license has expired or lost its validity, unless he has been reinstated at the practice and/or unless his license has been renewed; (5) Sign his or her name, affix his or her seal or use any other method of signature on plans, specifications or other documents made by or under supervision of another plumbing engineer, unless the same is made in such manner as to clearly indicate the part of such work that the plumbing engineer concerned has actually performed; or (6) Sign for any branch of work or any function of Plumbing Engineering practice that he or she has not actually performed, unless he or she is the

Plumbing Engineer in-charge for all plans, specifications and other documents issued under his seal or authorized signature. (b) No officer or employee of any government agency or instrumentality, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, state universities and 5 colleges, and local government units, shall perform the following acts: (1) Accept or endorse any plumbing proposal, design, specifications, working drawing, program, or report which have not been prepared and submitted in full accord with the provisions of this Act; or (2) Approve or cause any payment for any work, the plans and documents of which have not been prepared, signed and sealed by a duly licensed Plumbing Engineer with the seal and registration number affixed thereto.

Sec. 31. Penalty. - In addition to the administrative sanctions that may be

imposed under this Act, any person or firm, partnership or association violating any provisions of this Act, and its rules and regulations shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) nor more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months, nor more than three (3) years, or both, at the discretion of the Court. ARTICLE VI FINAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 32. Transitory Provisions. - (a) The existing Board of Master Plumbing

shall continue to function in the interim until time as the new Board shall be duly reconstituted pursuant to this Act. The Commission shall grant automatic registration as plumbing engineers to the first Chairperson and Members of the Board upon its reconstitution; (b) Examination for Master Plumber shall cease to be conducted upon effectivity of this Act; (C) Certificate of Registration shall be issued by the Board for all registered master plumbers holding valid certificates of registration and professional licenses

1 issued pursuant to Republic Act No. 1378, who shall file application for registration as 2 plumbing engineers within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act. The Board 3 shall issue new certificates of registration, professional license, and serial numbers to 4 such applicants, and shall cause the inclusion of their names in the roster of registered 5 plumbing engineers in accordance with Section 25 of this Act; (d) Within five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, graduates of Bachelor 7 of Science in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, and Geodetic Engineering may take the board examination for plumbing engineer. Upon the formulation and implementation of the PSGs for the plumbing engineering program by the CHED, the Board shall include the completion of such program as a requirement for taking the board examination for plumbing engineer.

Sec. 33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after

14 the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall adopt and promulgate such rules and 15 regulations, including the Code of Ethics for Plumbing Engineers, to carry out the 16 provisions of this Act, subject to the approval of the Commission.

Sec. 34. Funding. - The amount necessary for the immediate implementation

of this Act shall be sourced from existing appropriations of the Board of Examiners for Master Plumbers; thereafter, such amount necessary to effectively implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. In addition, the Board is hereby authorized to utilize fifty percent (50%) of the fees 22 derived from its examination, registration and licensing activities to defray its administrative and other operational expenses, including the enhancement of the Plumbing Engineering profession.

Sec. 35. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared

26 unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 36. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 1378 is hereby repealed. All other

2 laws, decrees, National Codes, executive orders, letter of instructions and other 3 administrative issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions 4 of this Act are hereby modified, suspended or repealed accordingly.

Sec. 37. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its

6 publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspaper of general circulation. Approved,