ARTICLE I TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY AND DEFINITION OF TERMS Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the. "Real Estate Service Act of the Philippines". Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of real estate service practitioners in the social political, economic development and progress of the country by promoting the real estate market, stimulating economic activity and enhancing government income from real property-based transactions. Hence, it shall develop and nurture through proper and effective regulation and supervision a corps of technically competent, responsible and respected professional real estate service practitioners whose standards of practice and service shall be globally competitive and will promote the growth of the real estate industry. Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: (a) "Appraiser" also known as valuer, refers to a person who conducts valuation/appraisal; specifically, one who possesses the necessary qualifications, license, ability and experience to execute or direct the valuation/appraisal of real property. (b) "Assessor" refers to an official in the local government unit, who performs appraisal and assessment of real properties, including plants, equipment, and machineries, essentially for taxation purposes. This definition also includes assistant assessors.