WHEREAS, modern construction techniques fully recognize the imperative need to enforce quality control of materials incorporated in the project to ensure the stability and durability of the completed project;

WHEREAS, in line with this modern trend of construction, the regional offices, which serve as the implementing arm of the Secretary in the regions, have been staffed with Soils and Materials Division to effect quality control materials in all projects in the regions;

WHEREAS, to enable the Secretary to closely supervise, coordinate and strictly implement quality control of materials in the different regions and offices, it is imperative that the Soils and Materials Division be transferred from the Bureau of Construction and Maintenance to the Office of the Secretary, to be known as the Soils and Materials Quality Control Service;

WHEREAS, this service shall be responsible for providing technical guidance, undertaking thorough inspection and coordinating the work of the Soils and Materials Division in the different regions to ensure strict and adequate quality control of materials incorporated in all projects; and

WHEREAS, the service shall also be responsible for conducting investigations to determine the causes of failures in our highways and bridges and of undertaking continuing researches on the suitability of local materials for construction in order to reduce the project cost;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree:

SECTION 1. The provisions of Presidential Decree No. 458, as amended, is hereby further amended by transferring the Soils and Materials Division from the Bureau of Construction and Maintenance to the Office of the Secretary, Department of Public Highways, to be known as the Soils and Materials Quality Control Service.

SECTION 2. The Service shall be headed by a Director, and an Assistant Director who shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary.

SECTION 3. The Service shall have three (3) divisions, namely: the Management and Planning Division, the Operations Divisions, and the Technical and Research Division. Each Division shall be headed by a Chief and an Assistant Chief, to be appointed by the Secretary in accordance with Civil Service law, rules and regulations.

SECTION 4. Any provision of law, decree, order, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Decree is hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 26th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Six.

 

			(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President of the Philippines
	By the President:
	(Sgd.) JACOBO C. CLAVE
		Presidential Executive Assistant