Section 30Sec./Art. 30

Practice Through Temporary/Special Permit. (a) Foreigners intending to work in the Philippines to perform professional services as interior designers or consultants whether employed through official foreign-funded or foreign-assisted projects initiated by the government, or engaged by private Filipino or foreign contractors and/or firms shall first secure a temporary/special permit from the Commission through the Board specifically authorizing him/ her to practice on the special project or commission named therein: Provided, That:

(1) He/She is legally and professionally qualified and registered to practice interior design in his/her own country; and

(2) His/Her expertise is unique and useful to the Philippines, resulting in the transfer of information and technology, the establishment of international standards in design, and the sharing of other specialized skills.

(b) The foreign interior designer shall be required to work in every case with a duly licensed Filipino counterpart who has been in continuous practice of interior design for at least ten (10) years and whose competence and integrity have been established by the Board on the basis of uniform standards contained in their IRR.

(c) The foreign and Filipino interior designers working jointly on a special project shall divide the professional fees and other charges from said project equitably, according to their participation in or professional services rendered to the project. Similarly, all documentation expenses, taxes and other liabilities incurred on the shared project shall also be borne equitably by both foreign and Filipino interior designers.

(d) Foreigners working jointly with Filipino interior designers shall sign contracts, designs and other credits together with his/her Filipino counterpart. Both foreign and Filipino interior designers shall at all times be acknowledged in all marketing and promotional materials and reportorial compliance for the project, whether prepared and/or submitted locally or abroad. All residual earnings shall also be equitably shared between foreign and local interior designers.

(e) Foreign design firms or individuals practicing in the Philippines before the promulgation of this Act are required to comply with the requirements established by the Board in its IRR within the timetable it stipulates therein.

(f) Any violation of these requirements or other illegal practices undertaken by either foreign design firms or their Filipino counterparts shall be punishable by law and/or the IRR issued by the Board.