REPUBLIC ACTS:

RA 9514
Repealing PD 1185 / Revised fire Code of the Philippines 2008
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9514
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES,
REPEALING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1185 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

This Act shall be known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008”.

It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety, promote economic development
through the prevention and suppression of all kinds, of destructive fires, and promote the
professionalization of the fire service as a profession. Towards this end, the State shall
enforce all laws, rules, and regulations to ensure adherence to standard fire prevention
and safety measures and promote accountability in the fire protection and prevention
service.

Applicability of the Code. - The provisions of the Fire Code shall apply to all
persons and all private and public buildings, facilities or structures erected or constructed
before and after its effectivity.

RA 9266
Architecture Act of 2004

Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9266

This Rules and Regulations shall be known as “THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266”, otherwise known
as “THE ARCHITECTURE ACT OF 2004”. For brevity, it may be cited as “IRR of the
Architecture Act of 2004”.

Statement of Policy.
The State recognizes the importance of architects in nation building and
development. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive and
well-rounded professional architects whose standards of practice and service shall be
excellent, qualitative, world-class and globally competitive through inviolable, honest,
effective and credible licensure examinations and through regulatory measures,
programs and activities that foster their professional growth and development.

This “IRR of the Architecture Act of 2004” shall be interpreted, construed, and
carried out in the light of the Statement of Policy found in Section 2 of Republic Act No.
9266, as stated above.

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RA 9053
Philippine Landscape Architecture Act of 2000

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9053]

AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE IN THE
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines

in Congress assembled.

This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Landscape Architecture Act of 2000.”

“Scope of the practice of Landscape Architecture” refers to the act of planning,

designing, specifying, supervising and giving general administration and responsible
direction to the functional, orderly and aesthetic arrangement, changing and development
of natural scenery and land areas to produce the most desirable effect for human use and
enjoyment of various outdoor spaces which consist of landscape components and the
softscape of plants such as gardens, sports fields, playgrounds, recreational grounds,
camping sites, resorts, national and public parks, historical parks, squares, memorial
parks, subdivisions, parks and parkways, zoological and botanical gardens, greenbelts,
cemeteries, plazas, patios, yards, outdoor shopping and pedestrian malls, promenades,
sidewalks, roads and walkway systems, traffic islands, easements and circles, roof and
open interior gardens and courts, and other open spaces; the protection, conservation
and rehabilitation of the natural environment and scenery to enhance the ecological
system and quality of life.

RA 8293
Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8293

AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CODE AND
ESTABLISHING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE, PROVIDING FOR ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

This Act shall be known as the “Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.”

Declaration of State Policy. - The State recognizes that an effective intellectual and
industrial property system is vital to the development of domestic and creative activity,
facilitates transfer of technology, attracts foreign investments, and ensures market access
for our products. It shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors,
artists and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly
when beneficial to the people, for such periods as provided in this Act.

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The use of intellectual property bears a social function. To this end, the State shall
promote the diffusion of knowledge and information for the promotion of national
development and progress and the common good.

It is also the policy of the State to streamline administrative procedures of

registering patents, trademarks, and copyright, to liberalize the registration on the transfer
of technology, and to enhance the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the
Philippines. (n)

International Conventions and Reciprocity. - Any person who is a national or who

is domiciled or has a real and effective industrial establishment in a country which is a
party to any convention, treaty or agreement relating to intellectual property rights or the
repression of unfair competition, to which the Philippines is also a party, or extends
reciprocal rights to nationals of the Philippines by law, shall be entitled to benefits to the
extent necessary to give effect to any provision of such convention, treaty or reciprocal
law, in addition to the rights to which any owner of an intellectual property right is
otherwise entitled by this Act. (n)

RA 1378
Revised Plumbing Law

An Act to Regulate the Trade of Master Plumber

Plumbing Law

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine

Congress Assembled:
This Act shall be known as the "Plumbing Law."

The practice of plumbing within the meaning and intent of this Act shall embrace
services in the form of consultations, designing, preparation of plans, specifications,
estimates, 22of materials used therein extension and alteration of all pipings to fixtures,
appliances, and appurtenances in connection with any of the following: storm and sanitary
drainage, facilities of buildings, the sanitary venting of fixtures, hot or cold water supply
systems within or adjacent to any building, storm drains, sewerage system of any
premises and/or connection with any public disposal or any acceptable terminal. The
enumeration in this paragraph shall not be construed as excluding any other work
requiring plumbing knowledge and application.

The term "master plumber" as used in this Act shall mean a person duly registered
with the Board of Examiners for Master Plumbers in the manner as hereinafter provided.

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RA 4726
Condominium Act

REPUBLIC ACT No. 4726 June 18, 1966

AN ACT TO DEFINE CONDOMINIUM, ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR ITS
CREATION, AND GOVERN ITS INCIDENTS.

The short title of this Act shall be "The Condominium Act".

A condominium is an interest in real property consisting of separate interest in a

unit in a residential, industrial or commercial building and an undivided interest in
common, directly or indirectly, in the land on which it is located and in other common
areas of the building. A condominium may include, in addition, a separate interest in other
portions of such real property. Title to the common areas, including the land, or the
appurtenant interests in such areas, may be held by a corporation specially formed for
the purpose (hereinafter known as the "condominium corporation") in which the holders
of separate interest shall automatically be members or shareholders, to the exclusion of
others, in proportion to the appurtenant interest of their respective units in the common
areas.

The real right in condominium may be ownership or any other interest in real
property recognized by law, on property in the Civil Code and other pertinent laws.

RA 7277
Magna Carta of Disabled Persons

Republic Act No. 7277

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REHABILITATION, SELF-DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-
RELIANCE OF DISABLED PERSON AND THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE
MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines

in Congress assembled:

This Act shall be known and cited as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.

Declaration of Policy: The grant of the rights and privileges for disabled persons shall be
guided by the following principles:

a) Disabled persons are part of the Philippine society; thus, the Senate shall give full
support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their
integration into the mainstream of society.

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Toward this end, the State shall adopt policies ensuring the rehabilitation, self-
development and self-reliance of disabled persons.

It shall develop their skills and potentials to enable them to compete favorably for
available opportunities.

b) Disabled persons have the same rights as other people to take their proper place
in society. They should be able to live freely and as independently as possible.
This must be the concern of everyone the family, community and all
government and non-government organizations. Disabled person’s rights must
never be perceived as welfare services by the Government.

c) The rehabilitation of the disabled persons shall be the concern of the Government
to foster their capability to attain a more meaningful, productive and satisfying life.
To reach out to a greater number of disabled persons, the rehabilitation services
and benefits shall be expanded beyond the traditional urban-based centers to
community-based programs, that will ensure full participation of different sectors
as supported by national and local government agencies.

d) The State also recognizes the role of the private sector in promoting the welfare of
disabled persons and shall encourage partnership in programs that address their
needs and concerns.

e) To facilitate integration of disabled persons into the mainstream of society, the

State shall advocate for and encourage respect for disabled persons. The State
shall exert all efforts to remove all social, cultural, economic, environmental, and
attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to disabled persons.

Coverage: This Act shall cover all disabled persons and, to the extend herein provided,
departments, offices and agencies of the National Government or non-government
organization involved in the attainment of the objectives of this Act.

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PRESIDENTIAL DECREES:
PD 233
Philippine Regulatory Commission

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 223

CREATING THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION AND PRESCRIBING

ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

Professional Regulation Commission. There is hereby created a three-man

Commission to be known as the Professional Regulation Commission which shall be
attached to the Office of the President for general direction and coordination.

Powers of the Commission. The powers of the Commission are as follows:

a) To administer, implement and enforce the regulatory policies of the National
Government with respect to the regulation and licensing of the various professions
and occupations under its.
b) To perform all acts, enter contracts, make such rules and regulations and issue
such orders and other administrative issuances as may be necessary in the
execution and implementation of its functions and the improvement of its
services.
c) To review, coordinate, integrate and approve the policies, resolutions, rules and
regulations, orders or decisions promulgated by the various Boards with respect
to the profession or occupation under their jurisdictions including the results of
their licensures.
d) To administer and conduct the licensure examinations of the various Boards
according to the rules and regulations promulgated by it; determine and fix the
places and dates of examinations; appoint supervisors and room examiners from
among the employees of the Government or private individuals who have been
trained by the Commission for that purpose; use the buildings and facilities of
public and private schools for examination purposes; and approve the release of
examination results.
e) To keep and maintain a register of authorized practitioners of the profession or
occupation; issue certificates of registration or licenses signed by all the members
of the Board concerned and the Commissioner with the official seal of the Board
affixed.
f) To have custody of all the records of the various Boards.
g) To determine, fix and collect the amount to be charged for examination,
registration, registration without examination, licenses, annual registration fees,
certifications, surcharges, and other fees not specified under the provisions of
Republic Act No. 6511 or amend the rates provided thereunder subject to approval
by the Office of the President.

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h) To appoint, subject to the provisions of existing laws, such as officials and
employees of the Commission as are necessary in the effective performance of
its functions and responsibilities, prescribed their duties and fix their
compensation; and to organize or reorganize the structure of the Commission,
create, or abolish positions, change the designations of existing positions to meet
changing conditions or as the need therefor arises.
i) To submit and recommend to the President of the Philippines nominees for
appointment as members of the various Boards from among those nominated by
the bona fide professional organizations accredited by the Commission to fill
existing or probable vacancies.
j) The Commission may, upon the recommendation of the Board concerned, approve
the registration of and authorize the issuance of a certificate of registration with
or without examination to a foreigner who is registered under the laws of his
country: Provided, That the requirement for the registration or licensing in said
foreign state or country are substantially the same as those required and
contemplated by the laws of the Philippines and that the laws of such foreign state
or country allow the citizens of the Philippines to practice the profession on the
same basis and grant the same privileges as the subject or citizens of such foreign
state or country: Provided, finally, That the applicant shall submit competent and
conclusive documentary evidence, confirmed by the Department of Foreign
Affairs, showing that this country’s existing laws permit citizens of the Philippines
to practice the profession under the rules and regulations governing citizens
thereof. The Commission is also hereby authorized to prescribe additional
requirements or grant certain privileges to foreigners seeking registration in the
Philippines if the same privileges are granted to or some additional requirements
are required of citizens of the Philippines in acquiring the same certificates in his
country.
k) The Commission shall have general supervision over foreign nationals who are
authorized by existing laws or granted special permits to, practice their profession
temporarily in the Philippines to see that the terms and conditions for their
employment are strictly observed and adhered to.
l) to prescribe or revise, in conjunction with the Board concerned and the Secretary
of Education and Culture or his authorized representative, collegiate courses the
completion of or graduation from which shall be a prerequisite for admission into
the practice of the profession concerned.
m) To exercise general supervision over the members of the various Boards.
n) To promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectively
implement policies with respect to the regulation and practice of the professions.
o) To perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to carry out
effectively the various provisions of professional regulatory laws, decrees or
orders.

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PD 856
The Code of Sanitation

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 856

CODE ON SANITATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

The title of this Code is “Code on Sanitation of the Philippines”.

Functions of the Department of Health. – The Department shall have the following powers
and functions:
a) Undertake the promotion and preservation of the health of the people and raise
the health standards of individuals and communities throughout the Philippines.
b) Extend maximum health services to the people in rural areas and provide medical
care to those who cannot afford it by reason of poverty.
c) Develop, administer, and coordinate various health activities and services which
shall include public health, preventive, curative and rehabilitative programs,
medical care, health, and medical education services.
d) Upgrade the standards of medical practice, the quality of health services and
programs to assure the people of better health services.
e) Assist local health agencies in developing public health programs including
medical care and promote medical and public health research.
f) Issue permits to establish and operate government and private hospitals, clinics,
dispensaries, schools of nursing, midwifery, and other para-medical courses,
puericulture centers, clinical laboratories, and blood banks.
g) Prescribe standard rates of fees for health, medical, laboratory, and other public
health services; and
h) Performs such other functions as may be provided by law.

PD 957
Regulation of Sale of Subdivisions and Condominiums

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 957 July 12, 1976

REGULATING THE SALE OF SUBDIVISION LOTS AND CONDOMINIUMS,
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF

This Decree shall be known as THE SUBDIVISION AND CONDOMINIUM BUYERS'

PROTECTIVE DECREE.

National Housing Authority the National Housing Authority shall have exclusive
jurisdiction to regulate the real estate trade and business in accordance with the
provisions of this Decree.

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Registration of Projects The registered owner of a parcel of land who wishes to
convert the same into a subdivision project shall submit his subdivision plan to the
Authority which shall act upon and approve the same, upon a finding that the plan
complies with the Subdivision Standards' and Regulations enforceable at the time the
plan is submitted. The same procedure shall be followed in the case of a plan for a
condominium project except that, in addition, said Authority shall act upon and approve
the plan with respect to the building or buildings included in the condominium project in
accordance with the National Building Code (R.A. No. 6541).

The subdivision plan, as so approved, shall then be submitted to the Director of

Lands for approval in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 44 of the Land
Registration Act (Act No. 496, as amended by R.A. No. 440): Provided, that it case of
complex subdivision plans, court approval shall no longer be required. The condominium
plan as likewise so approved, shall be submitted to the Register of Deeds of the province
or city in which the property lies and the same shall be acted upon subject to the
conditions and in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 4 of the
Condominium Act (R.A. No. 4726).

PD 1067
Water Code

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1067

A DECREE INSTITUTING A WATER CODE, THEREBY REVISING AND
CONSOLIDATING THE LAWS GOVERNING THE OWNERSHIP, APPROPRIATION,
UTILIZATION, EXPLOITATION, DEVELOPMENT, CONSERVATION AND
PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES

This Code shall be known as The Water Code of the Philippines.

The objectives of this Code are:

a) To establish the basic principles and framework relating to the appropriation,
control, and conservation of water resources to achieve the optimum development
and rational utilization of these resources.
b) To define the extent of the rights and obligations of water users and owners
including the protection and regulation of such rights.
c) To adopt a basic law governing the ownership, appropriation, utilization,
exploitation, development, conservation and protection of water resources and
rights to land related thereto; and
d) To identify the administrative agencies which will enforce this Code.

The underlying principles of this code are:

a) All waters belong to the State.
b) All waters that belong to the State cannot be the subject to acquisitive prescription.
c) The State may allow the use or development of waters by administrative
concession.

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d) The utilization, exploitation, development, conservation and protection of water
resources shall be subject to the control and regulation of the government through
the National Water Resources Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council.
e) Preference in the use and development of waters shall consider current usages
and be responsive to the changing needs of the country.

Waters, as used in this Code, refers to water under the grounds, water above the ground,
water in the atmosphere and the waters of the sea within the territorial jurisdiction of the
Philippines.

PD 1096
The National Building Code

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE (P.D.) NO. 1096

ADOPTING A NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (NBCP) THEREBY
REVISING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SIXTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (R.A.
NO. 6541)

This Decree shall be known as the “National Building Code of the Philippines” and
shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Code”.

Declaration of Policy: It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to safeguard life,
health, property, and public welfare, consistent with the principles of sound environmental
management and control; and to this end, make it the purpose of this Code to provide for
all buildings and structures, a framework of minimum standards and requirements to
regulate and control their location, site, design quality of materials, construction, use,
occupancy, and maintenance.

Scope and Application.

a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to the design, location, sitting, construction,
alteration, repair, conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance, moving, demolition of,
and addition to public and private buildings and structures, except traditional
indigenous family dwellings as defined herein.

b) Building and/or structures constructed before the approval of this Code shall not be
affected thereby except when alterations, additions, conversions or repairs are to
be made therein in which case, this Code shall apply only to portions to be altered,
added, converted or repaired

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PD 1151
Philippine Environmental Policy
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1151
PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Policy.
It is hereby declared a continuing policy of the State (a) to create, develop, maintain and
improve conditions under which man and nature can thrive in productive and enjoyable
harmony with each other, (b) to fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of
present and future generations of Filipinos, and (c) to insure the attainment of an
environmental quality that is conducive to a life of dignity and well-being.

Goal.
In pursuing this policy, it shall be the responsibility of the Government, in cooperation with
concerned private organizations and entities, to use all practicable means, consistent with
other essential considerations of national policy, in promoting the general welfare to the
end that the Nation may (a) recognize, discharge and fulfill the responsibilities of each
generation as trustee and guardian of the environment for succeeding generations, (b)
assure the people of a safe, decent, healthful, productive and aesthetic environment, (c)
encourage the widest exploitation of the environment without degrading it, or endangering
human life, health and safety or creating conditions adverse to agriculture, commerce and
industry, (d) preserve important historic and cultural aspects of the Philippine heritage,
(e) attain a rational and orderly balance between population and resource use, and (f)
improve the utilization of renewable and non-renewable resources.

PD 1185
Fire Code of the Philippines
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1185
FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

This Decree and the Rules and Regulations for its implementation shall be known
as the “Fire Code of the Philippines” and shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Fire
Code”.

Declaration Of Policies. The following are declared policies of the State:

(a) The government, with the cooperation of the private sector, shall develop and
promulgate sets of standards and regulations taking into consideration the latest
development in fire technology suitable to Philippine conditions.
(b) Fire prevention and fire safety shall be given equal, if not greater emphasis as the
suppression or extinguishment of fires. Fire prevention education shall be
undertaken continuously involving all sectors of the community.

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(c) The Fire Service of the Integrated National Police shall endeavor to respond to all
fires before they reach critical and conflagration stages. Towards this end, the
organization, administration and operation of the Fire Service shall be improved
and developed, its personnel and equipment augmented and effective fire alarm
systems set up; and
(d) The Fire Service shall be professionalized. For this purpose, educational
institutions shall endeavor to include in their curricula, courses on fire technology
and fire protection engineering.

PD 1216
Defining Open Spaces in Residential Subdivisions
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1216
DEFINING “OPEN SPACE” IN RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS AND AMENDING
SECTION 31 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 957 REQUIRING SUBDIVISION
OWNERS TO PROVIDE ROADS, ALLEYS, SIDEWALKS AND RESERVE OPEN
SPACE FOR PARKS OR RECREATIONAL USE

For purposes of this Decree, the term “open space” shall mean an area reserved
exclusively for parks, playgrounds, recreational uses, schools, roads, places of worship,
hospitals, health centers, barangay centers and other similar facilities and amenities.

Section 31 of Presidential Decree No. 957 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 31. Roads, Alleys, Sidewalks and Open spaces. The owner as developer of
a subdivision shall provide adequate roads, alleys, and sidewalks. For subdivision
projects one (1) hectare or more, the owner or developer shall reserve thirty percent
(30%) of the gross area for open space. such open space shall have the following
standards allocated exclusively for parks, playgrounds, and recreational use:

(a) 9% of gross area for high density or social housing (66 to 100 family lot per gross
hectare).

(b) 7% of gross area for medium-density or economic housing (21 to 65 family lot per
gross hectare).

(c) 3.5 % of gross area low-density or open market housing (20 family lots and below
per gross hectare).

These areas reserved for parks, playgrounds and recreational use shall be non-
alienable public lands, and non-buildable. The plans of the subdivision project shall
include tree planting on such parts of the subdivision as may be designated by the
Authority.

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Upon their completion as certified to by the Authority, the roads, alleys, sidewalks
and playgrounds shall be donated by the owner or developer to the city or municipality
and it shall be mandatory for the local governments to accept provided, however, that the
parks and playgrounds may be donated to the Homeowners Association of the project
with the consent of the city or municipality concerned. No portion of the parks and
playgrounds donated thereafter shall be converted to any other purpose or purposes.

PD 1267
Creating NHMFC
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1267
CREATING A NATIONAL HOME MORTGAGE FINANCE CORPORATION DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Corporate Body. There is hereby created a body corporate to be known as the National
Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, hereafter referred to as the “Corporation”.

Place of Business. The Corporation shall have its principal place of business in
Metropolitan Manila, but may have such branches and agencies in other places as may
be necessary for the proper conduct of its business.

Capitalization. The Corporation shall have an authorized capital stock of Five Hundred
Million Pesos (P500,000,000.00) divided into 500,000 shares with a par value of One
Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) per share, to be subscribed and paid for by the Government
of the Republic of the Philippines.

Purpose of the Corporation. The primary purpose of the Corporation shall be to develop
and provide for a secondary market for home mortgages granted by public and/or private
home financing institutions.

Powers and Functions. The Corporation shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) To purchase, acquire, sell, discount, refinance, or otherwise deal in home

mortgages or participations therein under such terms and conditions as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, to borrow funds from domestic or
foreign private or public financial institutions as may from time to time be required
for its operations, and to issue bonds, promissory notes, debentures, and other
debt instrument in local or foreign currency.

(c) To own, lease, purchase or otherwise acquire, sell or otherwise dispose of,
property, real or personal, as may be necessary and appropriate for the conduct
of its business.

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(d) To invest the funds or monies of the Corporation not invested in mortgage loans in
securities issued by the National Government, Central Bank of the Philippines and
other government entities, including government-owned and controlled
corporations the servicing and repayment of which are fully guaranteed by the
Republic of the Philippines.

(e) To enter and perform such contracts with any person or entity, public or private, as
may be necessary, proper or conducive to the attainment or furtherance of the
objectives and purposes of the Corporation.

(f) To adopt, alter and use a corporate seal; to sue and be sued; and generally, to
exercise all the powers of a corporation under the Corporation Law which are not
inconsistent herewith; and

(g) To promulgate such rules and regulations and to do and perform any and all things
as may be necessary and proper to carry out its responsibilities, powers and
functions under this Decree.

PD 1308
Regulation of Practice of Environmental Planning
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1308
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF THE PROFESSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PLANNING IN THE PHILIPPINES.

This Decree shall be known as the “Law Regulating the Environmental Planning
Profession in the Philippines.”

Definition of Terms.
(a) Environmental planning refers to activities concerned with the management and
development of land, as well as the preservation, conservation, and rehabilitation
of the human environment.
(b) The Term “environmental planner”, as used in this Decree, refers to a person
engaged in the practice of environmental planning and duly registered with the
Board of Environmental Planning in the Manner herein provided.

Scope of Practice.
the practice of environmental planning, within the meaning and intent of this Decree shall
embrace, inter alia, professional services in the form of technical consultation, plan
preparation, and/or implementation involving the following:
(a) Development of a community, town, city, or region.
(b) Development of a site for a particular need such as housing, centers for activities
concerned with research, education, culture, recreation, or government, industrial
estates, agriculture, and water resources, including creating a spatial arrangement
of buildings, utilities and communication routes.

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(c) Land use and zoning plans for the management and development preservation,
conservation, rehabilitation, and control of the environment; and
(d) Pre-investment, pre-feasibility, and feasibility studies.

PD 1594
Government Infrastructure Contracts
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1594
PRESCRIBING POLICIES, GUIDELINES, RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR
GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE CONTRACTS

Policy Objectives.
It is the policy of the government to adopt a set rules and regulations covering government
contracts for infrastructure and other construction projects which shall:
(a) bring about maximum efficiency in project implementation and minimize project
costs and contract variations through sound practices in contract management;
(c) promote a healthy partnership between the government and the private sector in
furthering national development; and
(d) enhance the growth of the local construction industry and optimize the use of
indigenous manpower, materials and other sources.

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BATAS PAMBANSA
BP 220
Economic and Socialized Housing
BATAS PAMBANSA Blg. 220

An Act Authorizing the Ministry of Human Settlements to Establish and Promulgate

Different Levels of Standards and Technical Requirements for Economic and Socialized
Housing Projects in Urban and Rural Areas from Those Provided Under Presidential
Decrees Numbered Nine Hundred Fifty-Seven, Twelve Hundred Sixteen, Ten Hundred
Ninety-Six and Eleven Hundred Eighty-Five

It is hereby declared a policy of the Government to promote and encourage the

development of economic and socialized housing projects, primarily by the private sector,
to make available adequate economic and socialized housing units for average and low-
income earners in urban and rural areas.

As used in this Act, economic and socialized housing refers to housing units which
are within the affordability level of the average and low-income earners which is thirty
percent (30%) of the gross family income as determined by the National Economic and
Development Authority from time to time. It shall also refer to the government-initiated
sites and services development and construction of economic and socialized housing
projects in depressed areas.

To carry out the foregoing policy, the Ministry of Human Settlements is authorized
to establish and promulgate different levels of standards and technical requirements for
the development of economic and socialized housing projects and economic and
socialized housing units in urban and rural areas from those provided in Presidential
Decree Numbered Nine hundred fifty-seven, otherwise known as the "Subdivision and
Condominium Buyers’ Protective Decree," Presidential Decree Numbered Twelve
hundred and sixteen, "Defining Open Space in Residential Subdivision"; Presidential
Decree Numbered Ten Hundred and ninety-six, otherwise known as the "National
Building Code of the Philippines"; and Presidential Decree Numbered Eleven hundred
and eighty-five, otherwise known as the "Fire Code of the Philippines" and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, in consultation with the Ministry of Public Works and
Highways, the Integrated National Police, and other appropriate government units and
instrumentalities and private associations.

BP 344
Accessibility Law
BATAS PAMBANSA Blg. 344

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An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain
Buildings, Institutions, Establishments, and Public Utilities to Install Facilities and Other
Devices

In order to promote the realization of the rights of disabled persons to participate

fully in the social life and the development of the societies in which they live and the
enjoyment of the opportunities available to other citizens, no license or permit for the
construction, repair or renovation of public and private buildings for public use,
educational institutions, airports, sports and recreation centers and complexes, shopping
centers or establishments, public parking places, workplaces, public utilities, shall be
granted or issued unless the owner or operator thereof shall install and incorporate in
such building, establishment, institution or public utility, such architectural facilities or
structural features as shall reasonably enhance the mobility of disabled persons such as
sidewalks, ramps, railings and the like. If feasible, all such existing buildings, institutions,
establishments, or public utilities may be renovated or altered to enable the disabled
persons to have access to them: Provided, however, That buildings, institutions,
establishments, or public utilities to be constructed or established or which licenses or
permits had already been issued may comply with the requirements of this law: Provided,
further, That in case of government buildings, streets and highways, the Ministry of Public
Works and Highways shall see to it that the same shall be provided with architectural
facilities or structural features for disabled persons.

In the case of the parking place of any of the above institutions, buildings, or
establishments, or public utilities, the owner or operator shall reserve sufficient and
suitable space for the use of disabled persons.

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