The History Of Civil

Engineering in the Philippines

ENGR. NENRALD B.
VICTORAMA
D a t e : SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 BSCE-1A
Name: SHERWIN R. BONGCAWIL Course: Teacher: , C E , S O - 2

THE MILESTONES SPANISH TIME SPANISH TIME

Civil Engineering, as practiced in
the Philippines during the Spanish
era, was not by virtue of an
academic title. The only
architects/engineers with
academic degrees were Spaniards.
Social prejudice constrained the
repressed indio builders to content
themselves to be called mere
Maestro de Obras.
1586 1596 - 1602
The baluarte is one of the oldest
The Santiago fortress was
stone fortifications in Intramuros.
built between 1596 and 1602
Designed and built by Jesuit priest
on the land promontory
Antonio Sedeno from 1586 to 1587.
between the sea and the Pasig
Was breached by British forces
River, and was the most
with cannon fire in 1762. Restored
important fortification built in
and strengthened after the British
Manila. The walls encircling
occupation but was damaged
the city started at this point.
during the 1863 earthquake.

SPANISH TIME SPANISH TIME SPANISH TIME

1571-1577
The Spaniards started building Fort
Santiago (Fuerte de Santiago) after
the establishment of Manila under
Spanish rule on June 24, 1571. In
1739 they constructed a stone
church that was financed by the
public charity and became one of
richest in Intramuros.
1591-1631
Construction work for the Santiago
castle/fortress was commenced in
1591 and was completed in 1634.
This was the work of Leonardo
Iturrino, and was the second most
important fortress to be built of
stone in Manila, the Nuestra Señora
de Guía fortress being the first of
these.
1599
St. Augustine Church is the
oldest stone church in the
Philippines. It was built in
1599; however, it was also
destroyed and rebuilt many
times. It is an immense
structure of thick walls of
Corinthian and Ionic designs.
 SPANISH TIME
1621
In 1621, Don Bernardino Castillo,
a generous patron and a well-
known devotee of St. Sebastian,
Patron of Archers, donated his
17TH CENTURY
lot, which is now the present site
Cavite Friar Land Irrigation System
of the San Sebastian Church. The
SPANISH TIME is one of the oldest irrigation
original church, which was made systems in the Philippines.
1645
of wood, was burned in 1651 Sometimes in the 17th century, the
during a Chinese uprising. The Manila was hit by an Spanish period encomiendas or
succeeding structures were earthquake and was Spanish Royal lands grants were
destroyed twice by fire and an reconstructed implemented in Cavite. The priests
were granted by the Spanish King,
earthquake in 1859, 1863, and portions of the agricultural land.
1880 respectively.

SPANISH TIME SPANISH TIME 1846

1632
Puente Grande was the first
bridge to be erected across
the grand Rio del Pasig. Built
in 1632, this wooden bridge
connects Intramuros and
Binondo. Replaced with a
neo-classical design by Juan
Arellano in the 1930s.
1686
The first artesian wells were
built in Betis, Pampanga by
Fr. Manuel Camanes. The
water system in Manila (now
MWSS) had its beginning from
the water works constructed
by Fr. Juan Peguero in 1686.
The first irrigation system
was constructed in Tanay,
Rizal by Fr. Jose Delgado.
The Pasig River Light House was
the first lighthouse (masonry-
built) erected in the Philippines.
It was first lighted on 1846 and
deactivated on 1992. It was then
located on the north jetty at the
mouth of Pasig River, (San
Nicolas, Manila) marking the
entrance to the river for vessels
around Manila Bay, looking to
dock on the ports along the
banks of the river in Manila.

1852
Puente Colgante was the first
suspension bridge built in
Southeast Asia. It was started
in 1849 and completed in 1852.
The bridge was named Puente
de Claveria, likely in honor of
Governor-General of the
Philippines Narciso Clavería.
1868
It was in 1868 when the
Bureau of Public Works and
Highways (Obras Publicas)
and Bureau of
Communications and
Transportation
(Communicationes y
Meteologia) were organized
under a civil engineer known
as “Director General”.
1875
On June 25, 1875, King
ALFONSO XII of Spain
promulgates the Royal Decree
directing the Office of the
Inspector of Public Works of
the Philippines to submit a
general plan of railroad in
Luzon

1867 1878-1918 1876

The project for public supply of fresh
water to the city dates from the early
18th century. Before this, the city had to
be content with a fresh water supply
based on cisterns. In 1867, the town
council decides to take on the challenge
of a project to supply fresh water to the
whole of the city. In 1882 the first public
water fountain gushed forth its waters,
and shortly after this, the technology of
the times was successful in providing
Manila with a fresh water supply from
sources up-river.
Manila didn't get running
The General Plan for Railways was
water until 1878, when the
drawn up in 1876 for the island of
municipal waterworks was
Luzon, and included a network
established by Governor
totalling 1,730 kilometers. A 192 Km
Domingo Moriones. Don
stretch of track was constructed
Francisco Carriedo y Peredo
between Manila and Dagupan. This
was a Basque from Santander
operated a regular service as from
who conferred immense
1892. The most outstanding works
benefits on the Philippines.
carried out on the railway system
One of his "obras pias" (pious
were the bridge over the great
works) was a legacy he left in
Pampanga River and the building of
his will for building a Manila
Tutubán Station, in the Tondo
water system.
district.

1852
Puente Colgante was the first
suspension bridge built in
Southeast Asia. It was started
in 1849 and completed in 1852.
The bridge was named Puente
de Claveria, likely in honor of
Governor-General of the
Philippines Narciso Clavería.
1846
The Pasig River Light House was
1868 the first lighthouse (masonry-
built) erected in the Philippines.
It was in 1868 when the
It was first lighted on 1846 and
Bureau of Public Works and
deactivated on 1992. It was then
Highways (Obras Publicas)
located on the north jetty at the
and Bureau of
mouth of Pasig River, (San
Communications and
Nicolas, Manila) marking the
Transportation
entrance to the river for vessels
(Communicationes y
around Manila Bay, looking to
Meteologia) were organized
dock on the ports along the
under a civil engineer known
banks of the river in Manila.
as “Director General”.

1867 1878-1918
The project for public supply of fresh 1878
Manila didn't get running
water to the city dates from the early The concession for
water until 1878, when the
18th century. Before this, the city had to constructing five tramways in
municipal waterworks was
be content with a fresh water supply Manila and its suburbs was
established by Governor
based on cisterns. In 1867, the town approved. The plan included a
Domingo Moriones. Don
council decides to take on the challenge main station at San Gabriel
Francisco Carriedo y Peredo
of a project to supply fresh water to the and the crossing of the river
was a Basque from Santander
whole of the city. In 1882 the first public via the "Puente de España"
who conferred immense
water fountain gushed forth its waters,
benefits on the Philippines.
and shortly after this, the technology of
One of his "obras pias" (pious
the times was successful in providing
works) was a legacy he left in
Manila with a fresh water supply from
his will for building a Manila
sources up-river.
water system.

1880
The Ayala Bridge or better
known as the Ayala bridge
was completed in 1880.
Originally it is composed of
two separate spans connected
by the Isla de Convalecencia.
Its first Filipino graduates
were Julio Hernandez (1891),
Isidro Medina (1894) and Juan
Carreon (1896).
18TH AND 19TH
CENTURY
Road work in the Philippine
Islands during the eighteenth
and nineteenth centuries, under
the Spanish regime, consisted in
opening of routes of
communication throughout the
Islands. The right of way, as
established by law, has made
possible the construction
1887 methods of to-day. Use of
On July 31, 1887, construction broken stone or gravel on road
of the Manila-Dagupan work seems not to have been
railroad was started practiced by the Spaniard.

1883 1892
On November 1, 1883, the study of the
On November 24, 1892, the
first railroad project between Manila and
entire line from Manila to
Dagupan done by Antonio dela Camara
Dagupan, with a total length
was appoved
of 195.4 kms, was completed
and put into commercial
operations
FIRST PHILIPPINE
REPUBLIC
(AGUINALDO)
1898
On June 12, 1898, Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo declared the
Philippine Independence in
Kawit, Cavite. The Organic
Decree of the Philippine
Revolutionary Government
created four (4) government
departments. One of them
was the Department of War
and Public Works.
 EARLY 1900’S
Transportation in the Philippines was
depended largely on trails,
1899
waterways, railroad, earth roads and
In 1899, US Major-General Elwell
partially-gravelled roads. Highway in
S. Otis, the Military Governor of
the Philippines at that time is nothing
the Philippines, announced US
1899 more than a dream to most Filipinos.
President William McKinley's
The Malolos Constitution was The US government initiated the
instructions for the islands'
ratified during a general development of roadways in the
Benevolent Assimilation.
assembly of Congress, and Philippines connecting towns, cities
Instructions stated that the
the first Council of and provinces. The popular Macadam
management of public property
Government of the First road type was introduced. It gained
and revenue, and use of all public
Philippine Republic was acceptance because of abundant
means of transportation, were to
created. supply of stones and gravel.
be conducted by the military.

DURING AMERICAN REGIME 1900 1901

Foundation of the Liceo de
The coming of the Americans brought By virtue of Act No. 83 passed
Manila, a private institution
about drastic changes in our engineering by the Philippine Commission
offering academic course for
culture. The new colonizers pursued on February 6, 1901, public
maestro de obras and headed
“benevolent” policies that focused on works and projects were
by Leon Ma. Guerrero. The
English education, public health, free placed under the “Provincial
first private school to offer an
enterprise, and representative Supervisions”.
academic title for Maestro de
governance thus bringing with them
Obras. (the forerunner of
were military engineers, Thomasite
formal education in
teachers, doctors and evangelist
architecture/engineering)

1902
The first professional
association of architecture
and surveyors was born on
September 14, 1902 with the
creation of the Academia de
Arquitectura y Agrimensura
de Filipinas (AAAF).
1904
The above-mentioned
Academia merged with the
Liceo and established the
Escuela de Ingeniera y
Arquitectura, which offered a
five-year course in
architecture and civil
engineering.
1906
On July 7, 1906, Philippine
Commission Act No. 1510 was
enacted giving the concession
of the railway to Speyer and
Co. with Mr. Horace Higgins as
General Manager

1903
1905 1907
AAFF changed the name of association to
The Escuela ceased to operate after its The Faculty of Engineering of the
Academia de Arquitectura, Ingeniera y
first year of inception. The Bureau of University of Santo Tomas (UST)
Agrimensura de Filipinas (AIAAF) –
Public Works was created and placed is the oldest engineering school
including civil engineers and surveyors
under Department of Commerce and in the Philippines. It was
Police. Provincial boards were created established on May 18, 1907, as
But everything was confused and
in 1907 with authority to collect School of Civil Engineering with
disorganized under our tolerant new
double cedula taxes to finance the one program offering leading to
masters. Even in government, it took
construction of provincial roads and the degree of Master of Science
several years before the Philippine
bridges. in Civil Engineering (MSCE). From
commission could buckle down to work
and create the first Philippine assembly. faculty records, it appears that it
was only in 1912 when the
earliest batch of students was
conferred their MSCE degrees.

1909
The above-named Escuela was
reorganized and reopened its
doors to students but this time
offered a three-year course for
architecture, civil engineering
and electrical engineering.
1911
In 1911, the AIAAF was dissolved
when the civil engineers (and
other engineering profession)
withdrew to form their own
professional organization (The
Philippine Society of Engineers),
but not before it has struggled for
the passage of an Engineers and
Architects Law.
1913
During World War I, all appropriations
for irrigation was withdrawn and it
was downgraded to a section in the
Design Division of the BPW. Through
legislative Act No. 2562, financial
assistance was given to existing
private irrigation systems covering a
minimum of 25.

1910 1912 1914

The first instructor was Jose P. The Irrigation Act of 1912
regulated the appropriation of Communal irrigation systems
Katigbak of the City Engineer's
public waters, investigation, (CIS) were simple structures.
Office of Manila, as instructor in
construction, operation and The earliest on record is as far
graphics (drawing) on a part-time
maintenance of irrigation back as 1914, mostly located
basis. Initially, a four-year course
systems. It prescribed rules on in the Ilocos area of northern
leading to the degree of Bachelor
water rights and provided for Philippines. Water from these
of Science with an additional
the securing of payments for systems was obtained from
degree of Civil Engineer.
irrigation services, from the river diversions by bamboo
beneficiaries. The act was and rock structures-the
passed in 1912 under the "brush dam".
American regime.

1916
On February 4, 1916, By authority
of Philippine Legislature Act No.
2574, former Governor General
Harrison negotiates the
acquisition of the MRRCo by the
Metropolitan Water District was
Philippine Government.
18 JANUARY 1917 –
03 OCTOBER 1922
When the first cabinet comprised
of Filipinos was organized, Gov.
Gen. Francis. B. Harrison
appointed Cebu governor Dionisio
Jakosalem as Secretary of
Commerce and Communication.
The construction of roads and
public buildings marked his
administration as governor of
Cebu. He is credited with having
linked the southern and northern
parts of the province with roads.
1928
A group of civil engineers from the
government sector formed the
Philippine Society of Civil Engineers
(PSCE) which was the first civil
1919 – 1954
engineering organization in the
Philippines with Engr. Marcial Kasilag
founded as its first president.
1921 1930'S
The Engineers and Architects Law
Puente Colgante Bridge was
(Act No. 2985) passed on February
replaced by a modern steel
23, 1921. The law created separate
arch bridge during early
Board of Examiners for civil
1930’s. It was renamed
engineering and architecture.
Quezon Bridge after Manuel L.
They were schooled abroad as
Quezon, the president of the
civil engineers and architects. Due
Philippines at that time.
to the Engineers and Architects
Law of 1921, Filipinos were
allowed to practice as Architects
and Engineers because of their
experience as Maestro de Obras in
the Spanish Period.
 1931

More development for the

Department took place in 1931
when the Philippine Legislature
passed on May 1 of that year Act
1940
No. 4007, renaming the
Department of Commerce and Highway 54 was the former name of
1937
Communications as Department the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue. It
The Philippine Association of Civil
of Public Works and formed a major part of the
Engineers (PACE) was formed
Communications. This Act, circumferential roads in Metro
from a group of civil engineers in
however, did not state the proper Manila. From the south, it passes
the private sector with Engr.
composition and functions of the through five cities Pasay, Makati,
Enrique Sto. Tomas Cortes as its
DPWC. Mandaluyong, Quezon City, and
first president.
Caloocan.

COMMONWEALTH 1938 DURING JAPANESE

GOVERNMENT (1935)
In 1938, statutes for practice of
On August 2, 1935, Act Number
architecture from engineering
4211 was enacted – permitting
separated by law – National
under-aged persons to take the
Assembly Bill No. 1850
board exam on condition that they
On January 31, 1938, the first Bicol
will not practice their profession
train was put into operation
until they attained the required
On May 8, 1938, the unified
age of 21.
system of railroad from San
Fernando, La Union in the North
to Legazpi in the South was
formally inaugurated.
OCCUPATION (WORLD
WAR II) 1941
In 1941, outbreak of World
War II, the Department of
Public Works and
Communications (DPWC) and
other government offices
were practically abolished due
to dislocation of manpower,
lack of funds, materials and
equipment, installation of
enemy administration and the
setting up of resistance
movement.
 CONTINUATION OF
COMMONWEALTH
24 DECEMBER 1941 TO 01 GOVERNMENT (AFTER
AUGUST 1944 THE WAR)
During the Japanese occupation, After the Second World War, the new
the exiled Commonwealth independent Philippine government
government of President Manuel continued the rehabilitation and
1945
Quezon issued Executive Order construction of roads, bridges, buildings
The reorganization of the government
396, which reorganized and and other infrastructures, through the
after it was re-established on
grouped the cabinet. The reparations and war damages paid by
Philippine soil was undertaken with
Department of Public Works and the Japanese government. Other
Executive Order No. 27 on February
Communication became the financial grants and aids received from
27. The Department of National
Department of National Defense, the US government were used in the
Defense and Communications was
Public Works, Communications construction and rehabilitation of roads,
again named Department of Public
and Labor, with Basilio Valdes as bridges, buildings and other
Works and Communications.
Secretary. infrastructures.

1942 1944 08 MARCH 1945-1946

Caliraya Dam is an embankment dam
located in the town of Lumban province of
Laguna, in the Sierra Madre Mountain
Range of the Philippines. The reservoir
created by the dam, Lake Caliraya,
initially supplied one of the oldest
hydroelectric plants in the Philippines,
and later became a popular recreational
area for numerous water sports and
fishing. The dam construction was started
in 1939 and a small hydroelectric plant
was operated in 1942.
President Sergio Osmeña issued Justice Sotero Cabahug
Executive Order 15-W on August 8, replaced Secretary Valdes as
1944 reorganizing and Secretary of Public Works and
consolidating the Executive Communications.
Departments of the
Commonwealth government with
Secretary Basilio Valdes as
Secretary of National Defense and
Communications.
 THIRD REPUBLIC
1946
Resuming its operation in 1946,
the Department of Public Works
and Communications (DPWC)
started with limited human
resources, funds, materials and
equipment. An office of the U.S.
Bureau of Public Roads was set
up to cooperate with the
Philippine Bureau of Public Works
in implementing the highway
program as authorized by the
Philippine Rehabilitation Act of
1946.
1947
The authority of the
Department of Public Works
and Communications was
further expanded when, in
1947, the Motor Vehicles Office
was placed under its direct 1949
Laws separating statutes between
supervision.
architects and engineers passed

1946 – 1948 1948 1950’S

Ricardo Nepumoceno served as Secretary
of Public Works and Communications
under the administration of President
Manuel Roxas. He continued to do so
under the administration of President
Elpidio Quirino
The country’s premiere airport, The momentum to rebuild
Manila International Airport from the ashes of WWII and
Authority was originally a US Air replace destroyed public
Force base until 1948, when it was edifices and utilities made the
turned over to the Philippine 1950s an eventful decade for
government’s National Airport the construction industry.
Corporation. The fledgling civil
aviation airport’s facilities were
nothing more than the current
domestic runway and a small
building as its only passenger
terminal.

1950 – 1956
Ambuklao dam was the highest
and biggest in the Far East.
Construction began on July 1950
and opened on December 23,
1956. Gross storage capacity of
the dam's reservoir is 327,170,000
cubic meters. The drainage area
is 686 square kilometers and is 11
km long.
1951
President Elpidio Quirino under Executive WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY”
Order No. 392 in 1951, the DPWC was
again reconstituted to Department of
Public Works, Transportation and
Communications (DPWTC) to include the
Bureaus of Public Works, Posts,
Telecommunications, Motor Vehicles
Office, Irrigation Council, Flood Control
Commission, Radio Control Board,
National Transportation Board and
Government Quarters Committee.
1955
REPUBLIC ACT No. 1383 was approved on June
18, 1955
“AN ACT CREATING A PUBLIC CORPORATION
TO BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL
The first road classification system in the
country was established through Republic Act
No. 917, known as the Philippine Highway Act,
enacted in 1953 and Executive Order 113,
series of 1955 which classified roads into
national roads (national primary and national
secondary), “national aid” roads (roads of
sufficient importance for eventual
reclassification at a later stage) and
provincial/city/municipal/barangay roads.

1950
On June 17, 1950, the Architects
(Philippine Institute of Architects)
prepared and lobbied the passing of the
first Architect’s law (RA 545) while the Civil
Engineers (Philippine Association of Civil
Engineers), the Civil Engineering law (RA
544, through the efforts of PACE President
Alberto Guevarra) was also passed the
same year. They jointly celebrated the
passing of their respective laws at the
Manila Hotel Winter Garden.
1954
1955 – 1970
Bureau of Public Highways (BPH) was
National Waterworks and
created and placed under The
Sewerage System Authority
Department of Public Works,
(NAWASA) was created
Transportation and Communications
through RA 1383
(DPWTC)
R.A. No. 1192, AN ACT TO CREATE THE
BUREAU OF PUBLIC HIGHWAYS,
ABOLISHING THE DIVISION OF
HIGHWAYS OF THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC
WORKS Approved, August 25, 1954.
R.A. No. 1080 was enacted on June 15,
1954 – making bar and board exam
(passers) are equivalent to First-Grade
Civil Service eligibility.

1956
On June 16, 1956, the Civil
Engineering law was further
amended by Republic Act No.
1582. On the same year, the
Architecture law was further
amended by Republic Act No.
1581.
1957
Agusan Dam started construction on May
1956 and it opened on December 29, 1957.
1961
The first thirteen years of the airport were
marked by the building of infrastructure
dedicated to international flights. The
international runway and associated taxiway
were built in 1953, and 1961 saw the
1960 – 1980’S
completion of a control tower and a terminal
The automobile age. It was during
building for the exclusive use of international
the decade that road construction
passengers at the southwest intersection of
becomes a matter of priority of the
the runways. This system came to be officially
government under the slogan: “This
known as the Manila International Airport
nation is on Wheels.”
(MIA).
1960 1961-1967
In 1960, the International Bureau of
Angat Dam located at
Weights and Measures prepared a
Norzagaray, Bulacan started
system of units designated the
its construction on November
“Systeme Internationale d’ Unites”
1961 and opened on October
with the abbreviation SI, for worldwide
16, 1967 with height of 131
adoption. It has been adopted and
meters, length of 568 meters
used by most of the over 160 countries
and base width of 550 meters.
in the world, with the exception of
The source of dam is the
Borneo, the Sultanate of Brunei,
Angat River, with a capacity of
Liberia and notably the United States.
850 million cubic meters
 1963
The National Irrigation
Administration is a government-
owned and controlled
corporation tasked with the
development and operation of
Irrigation Systems all over the 1965 DURING MARTIAL LAW
country. It was created under RA (MARCOS ERA)1965-1973
3601 which was signed on June R.A No. 4566 was enacted on June 19,
1965 – regulating constructions or President Ferdinand Marcos appointed
22, 1963 by then President
“The Contractor’s License Law” Manuel Syquio as Acting Secretary of Public
Diosdado P. Macapagal.
Works and Communications.

1964 1967 1970’S

On June 20, 1964, Republic Act No. 4156 is
The reservoir supplies about 90
enacted. It changes the corporate name of
percent of raw water requirements for
Manila Railroad Company (MRRCo) to
Metro Manila through the facilities of
Philippine National Railways (PNR)
the Metropolitan Waterworks and
Sewerage System and it irrigates about
28,000 hectares of farmland in the
provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga.
Construction began on November 1961
and it opened on October 16, 1967.
In the early 1970's, there were
already 591 national and
municipal ports plus 200
private ports scattered all
over the country
necessitating the need for
long-range planning and
rationalization of port
development.
 1971 - 1997
On 19 June 1971, Republic Act 1972 1974
6234 was enacted. It dissolved the Some concerns were raised such as
On February 1974, the first election
National Waterworks and formal accounting and turnover of of officers of PICE was held and
Sewerage System (NAWASA) and assets and liabilities, accreditation of
Engr. Cesar Caliwara became its
created in its place the bonafide members and election rules first president. In order to truly
Metropolitan Waterworks and for the first officers which were unite the civil engineers of the
Sewerage System (MWSS). sooner resolved. Philippines, provincial chapters
were organized.

1971 1973 1975

On August 20, 1971, Republic Act No. 6366
On June 1973, President Ferdinand E.
was passed amending the PNR Charter
Marcos issued Presidential Decree 223,
creating the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) regulating all
professions and accrediting only one
organization to represent each
profession.
The first International
convention was held in the
Philippines on May 20 to 24,
1975 with the theme “Civil
Engineering in Disaster
Prevention Control."
(Philippine Institute of Civil
Engineers)
 1976

In 1976, Department of Public

Works, Transportation and
Communications (DPWTC)
became Ministry of Public Works,
Transportation and
Communications (MPWTC) &
Department of Public Highways
(DPH) as Ministry of Public
Highways (MPH).
1978
On June 11, 1978, Presidential Decree
Number 1594 or “The Prescribing
Policies, Guidelines, Rules and
Regulations for Government
Infrastructure Contracts” was
promulgated.
1979
On July 23, 1979, by Executive
Order No. 546, PNR becomes one of
the attached agencies of the
Ministry of Transportation and
Communications, now DOTC

1977 1978 – 1982 1980

In May 1969, the Congress of the
Implementation of this multipurpose
Philippines authorized the development In 1980 President Marcos
project was based on the preliminary
of the Pampanga Basin with Republic Act founded the Rural
study conducted in 1973 by the
No. 5499. In October of that year, detailed Waterworks Development
National Irrigation Administration
studies of the Pantabangan site were Corporation (RWDC),
(NIA) with the assistance of the United
carried out and lasted two years. responsible for water supply
States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
and the United States Agency for in areas where neither MWSS
International Development (USAID). nor LWUA carries out the
service or assists the LGUs,
respectively.

1981
In as early as 1981, the Philippine
Board of Examiners for the
Various Licensure Examinations
for the Practice of Engineering
and Architecture began to use
the new system of units, SI.
1982
Magat Dam is a large rock-fill dam
on the island of Luzon in the
Philippines. The dam is located on
Magat River, a major tributary of
Cagayan River. Construction of the
dam started in 1975 and completed
in 1982.
AFTER EDSA
REVOLUTION 1987
On August 17, 1987, Republic Act
No. 6639 was enacted and the MIA
was renamed the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport. The MIA
Authority however, retained its
corporate name since the law did
not amend the original or revised
charters of the MIAA.

1980’S 1984 1989

The increase of handheld calculators
Ipo River in Bulacan. It was completed
revolutionized engineering, with faster
in January 1984 with a maximum
and more efficient calculations leaving
storage capacity of 7.5 million cubic
the old slide rule behind.
metres, an increase of about 2,500
million litres per day (MLD) from the
old Ipo Dam, which used to be located
200 metres upstream of the new dam.
On August 23, 1989, the
Tutuban Station and part of
the railroad yard was leased
out for shopping mall
development. PNR
Management Center
transfers to its Training
Center site in Caloocan City
and PNR Operations Center
transfers to its railway
station in Paco, Manila.
 1991
And for the first time, a "Civil
Engineering Week" for the period
November 3 to 9, 1991 was
declared by Malacañang thru
Proclamation No.799 issued on
September 20, 1991 by President
Corazon C. Aquino.
1995
On February 28, 1995, the Syllabi for
the Subjects in the Civil Engineering
licensure examinations were
promulgated.
2000
RA 8981 or Professional
Regulations Commission (PRC)
Modernization Act of 2000 was
enacted and signed into law on
December 5, 2000 by President
Joseph Ejercito Estrada

1993 1997 UP TO PRESENT 2001

The Board of Civil Engineering (at PRC)
held its first fully computerized (board)
examinations on May 29, 1993 and
released the results on November 9, 1993.
In 1997, the Legislature passed into
Philippine Institute of Civil
law Republic Act 8041, also known
Engineers, Inc. (PICE) has
as “The Water Crisis Act.” The Act,
been awarded by the
which paved the way for the
Professional Regulation
privatization of MWSS.
Commission (PRC) as the
Most Outstanding Accredited
Professional Organization.

2003
The San Roque Dam, operated
under San Roque Multipurpose
Project (SRMP) is a 200 meters
tall, 1.2 kilometer long
embankment dam on the Agno
River. It spans the municipalities
of San Manuel and San Nicolas,
Pangasinan and is nearly 200 km
north of Metro Manila.
2005
In 2005, a petition for declaratory
relief filed on May 3 2005 by the
PICE and Engr. Leo Cleto Gamolo to
declare null and void Sections 302.3
and 302.4 of the Revised
2007
Implementing Rules and
Regulations (“Revised IRR”) of November 2007 CE Board Exam
Presidential Decree No. 1096 (the was invalidated (retake last
“National Building Code”). January 2008 for Hydraulics and
Geotechnical Engineering)

2004 2006 2008

Republic Act No. 9275 was approved on
March 22, 2004 “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A
COMPREHENSIVE WATER QUALITY
MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES".
Since November 2006 CE Board
After several court hearings
Exam, the Professional Regulation
at the Manila Regional Trial
Commission releases only Top 10
Court, the PICE's motion was
Board Exam Performers and
denied on January 29, 2008
stopped releasing the 11th to 20th
and the RTC ruled in favor of
places
the architects.
 2010 UP TO PRESENT
House Bill No. 2797

House Bill No. 2797 as filed by

2010 UP TO PRESENT
UPDATES ON PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS ON CE 544
Representatives Rufus B. Rodriguez 2010 UP TO PRESENT
and Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No. 4456
Status of the Bill: Pending with the
Committee on CIVIL SERVICE AND House Bill No. 4456 as filed by
PROFESSIONAL REGULATION since Representative Aurelio “Dong” D.
2010-09-01 Gonzales Jr.

2010 UP TO PRESENT 2010 UP TO PRESENT 2010 UP TO PRESENT

HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No. 2200
House Bill No. 2200 as filed by
Representative Salvador H. Escudero III
Status of the Bill: Pending with the
Committee on CIVIL SERVICE AND
PROFESSIONAL REGULATION since 2010-
08-11
House Bill No. 4071
House Bill No. 4071 as filed by
Representative Angelo Palmones
Status of the Bill: Pending with the
Committee on CIVIL SERVICE AND
PROFESSIONAL REGULATION since
2011-02-02
House Bill No. 5940
Status of the Bill:
Submitted by the Committee
on Civil Service and
Professional Regulation on
March 1, 2012
Recommending its approval
in substitution of HB No.
2200, 2797, 4071 and 4456
(It was approved in
substitution of HB Nos.2200,
2797, 4071 and 4456)
 SENATE
Senate Bill No. 2109: “AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 544, AS AMENDED, OR
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING LAW”
(Introduced by Senator F.
Escudero);
15th Congress
Filed on July 27, 2010 by Escudero,
Francis "Chiz" G.
Status: Pending in the Committee
(9/15/2010)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 2770: “AN ACT AN ACT
PROFESSIONALIZING THE PRACTICE OF
CIVIL ENGINEERING IN THE PHIILIPPINES,
REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NUMBER FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY-
FOUR (RA NO. 544), AS AMENDED, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES” <CIVIL
ENGINEERING LAW OF 2011> (Introduced
by Senator P. Lacson)
Filed on March 31, 2011 by Lacson, Panfilo
M.
Status: Pending in the Committee
(5/9/2011)
2012
Last March 2012, the Board of Civil
Engineering wrote to Philippine
Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE)
that the board exam questions will
be increased from 30/35 (per
subject) to 100 problems per subject
effective for May 2012 CE Board
Exams. Meaning, there are 100
problems per subject or a 300-item
board exam questions.
2013
Last August 23, 2013, Republic Act
10609 or the Protection of Students'
Right to Enroll in Review Centers
Act of 2013 was signed into law.
More info at GMA News Online