Philippine Plumbing : IN REVIEW

INTODUCTION The Plumbing System is one of the most important parts of a structure, intended for human habitation. It provides comfort convenience & hygiene to its occupants. This fact is universally accepted especially in the civilized world. The Philippine Government have long recognized, the importance of this trade and enacted a law., R.A. 1378, The Plumbing Law, in 1955 , but just like most of our laws, it lacks proper implementation, to make it effective. At present, plumbing practice in the Philippines, is in a sort of chaos. The law is not properly implemented and other group of professionals, are claiming that Plumbing Practice is under their law. For and in behalf of NAMPAP the National Master Plumbers association of the Philippines, the accredited professional organization of Master Plumbers, our sincerest gratitude to the Philippine Association of Building Officials, ( PABO ) This forum is definitely instrumental for our group, to set things right. The Master Plumbers are the rightful owners of the Plumbing profession other groups saying otherwise, are false and arrogant. The following sections of this presentation, will definitely arouse your knowledge and wisdom, as to who should practice Plumbing, legally and morally RIGHT.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LAW In June 18,1955, then President Ramon Magsaysay, approved the following laws on the same day:

R.A.1364 : Sanitary Engineering Law R.A. 1378 : Plumbing Law For further information on both laws copy of the official transcript are available upon request. Both laws were not created and approved by practically the same proponents just to make conflicts later on. To fully understand and appreciate both laws, let us closely examine, both R.A. 1364 and R.A. 1378.

BRIEF COMPARISON
R.A. 1378
PLUMBING LAW LAW

R.A. 1374
SANITARY ENGG

PURPOSE OF CREATION : To elevate the trade of master To help the medical doctors in plumber in the Phil. disease & food sanitation. preventing communicable

DATE APPROVED : June 18,1955

June 18,1955

QUALIFICATION (Exams ): 1. At least 21 yrs of age 1. At least 21 yrs of age 2. Citizen of the Phil. 2. Citizen of the Phil 3. W/ good moral character 3.W/ good moral character 4. At least high school graduate 4. Graduate of a 4-yr course

in Sanitary Engg or BSCE

5. At least 5-yrs experience in actual plumbing works under the supervision of a registered master plumber.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE : To regulate the trade of master To regulate the practice of Sanitary plumbers by creating a board of Engineering in the phil..Its enactment will examiners for master plumbers w/c create incentives in professional researchers will perform the same functions w/ in the field of the public health & preventive respect to the trade as the various medicine among engg practitioners. examining boards do for the practice of the different professions.

EXAMINATION SUBJECTS: 1.Plumbing arithmetic 1. Mathematics 2.Plumbing code 2. Hydraulics 3. Practical problem 3. Topographic & Hydrographic Surveying 4. Plumbing & construction 4. Water & Sewerage Analysis 5. Microbiology & Bacteriology

6. Design & construction of sewers 7. Sewage treatment plants & plumbing 8. Design & construction of wooden, masonry 9. Water tower & drainage canals

ESTABLISHED CODE : Revised National Plumbing Code,1999 ------------SIGNI FICANT SECTION : ---------------Section 33. Act Not Affecting Other Professions and/or

Trades.- Thi

s Act shall not be construed to affect or prevent the practice of any other legally recognized profession, and/or trade nor shall it be

construed to diminish the fields of practice already embraced bycivil

engineers duly registered under the Civil Engineering Law, Republic Act Numbered Five hundred and forty four, or of those by

licen sed master plumber s under existing law.

duly CROSS-EXAMINATION RESULT 1. Each law was created for its own specific purpose.

2. Each law is well defined, in terms of scope, practice, definitions, etc. 3. There are no overlaps or conflict between the two laws

BUT WHY
Is there a long standing conflict between Master Plumbers and Sanitary Engineers, on who has the right to PRACTICE PLUMBING??? ANATOMY OF THE PROBLEM Sometime in 1977 , the National Building Code ( PD 1096 ) was first implemented. This code contains a vicious IRR ( Implementing Rules and Regulations ) that caused this problem. The IRR limited the Master Plumbers practice to (20) Plumbing Units. It gave the arbitrary authority to Sanitary Engineers, to practice Plumbing. This is unjust and unlawful, for it violated the basic law. This wrong practice continued for a long time, until DPWH have finally awakened back to their senses. After years of conflict and legal battles between the RMPs & the SEs, DPWH decided to correct the mistake.

The Revised Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR) of the NATIONAL BUILDING CODE In 2005, DPWH revised IRR of the National Building Code. This effort corrected several mistakes in the previous code. One significant aspect,is to revert back to Master Plumbers, the practice of plumbing. Because they enjoyed the practice for some time, the Sanitary Engineers, are protesting over this. They file legal issues and complain just to acquire the plumbing profession. This move will not be successful, for this country advocates righteousness, equality & sanitary.

SPECIFIC ISSUES OF SEs and ITS CORRESPONDING RESOLUTION __________________________ ____________________________ __________________________ ____________________________ __________________________ ____________________________

NAMPAPs APPEAL This is a country of laws & order , we therefore appeal to the Filipino people to fully implement the laws. The Plumbing Code is a referral code of the National Building Code. The Building Officials are responsible in implementing the building code. In this regard, may we appeal to the Building Officials not to be confused & misguided on who should practice Plumbing in the Philippines. R.A. 1378 is the law that gave exclusive right to Master Plumbers, to practice plumbing. Only a law can revise/ reverse/modify or abolished this. Since there are no existing laws saying otherwise, the existing law should be fully observed. We, the members of NAMPAP may have been deprived to practice our profession, in specific places & for several decades, this profession is here to stay. We will fight hard for our right and our existence.

Finally, we thank PABO for allowing us to be with them and listening to us. God Bless You & More Power To You ! ! !