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Architecture Overload_ HB 5127 and SB 2623 Gathers Support From Architects
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3/6/2016 Architecture Overload: HB 5127 and SB 2623 gathers support from architects
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ARCHITECTURE OVERLOADA Dose of Architecture
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015
HB 5127 and SB 2623 gathers support from architectsIn 2004, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 9266 or theArchitecture Act of 2004. This law categorically provides,without any exception, that only duly licensed architects cansign architectural plans and documents. To give teeth to thismandate, the law further provides that building officers cannotaccept architectural plans and documents which are not signedby architects. Congress thus removed the overlaps betweenthe practice of architecture and the other professions, includingcivil engineering.
“Now that the devastation brought about by the SecondWorld War (which allowed civil engineers to participate inthe preparation of plans and specifications of buildings,which is the primary function of an architect) has beenproperly addressed, it is but necessary to give unto thearchitects the performance of a function for which theywere specifically trained.”
HB 5127 and SB 2623 seeks to strengthen the Architectureprofession, amending for the purpose certain provisions of RA9266, otherwise known as the Architecture Act of 2004.
“Architects have been practicing their art and science sinceantiquity. The profession as we know it today has undergoneextensive growth and change. The profile of architects’ workhas become more demanding, clients’ requirements andtechnological advances have become more complex, and socialand ecological imperatives have grown more pressing. Thesechanges have spawned changes in services and collaborationamong the many parties involved in the design and constructionprocess.
As professionals, architects have a primary duty of care to thecommunities they serve. This duty prevails over their personalinterest and the interests of their clients.
Members of the architectural profession are dedicated tostandards of professionalism, integrity, and competence, andthereby bring to society unique skills and aptitudes essential tothe sustainable development of the built environment and thewelfare of their societies and cultures. Principles ofprofessionalism are established in legislation, as well as incodes of ethics and regulations defining professional conduct.
Given the public interest in a quality, sustainable builtenvironment and the dangers and consequences associatedwith the development of that environment, it is important thatarchitectural services are provided by properly qualifiedprofessionals for the adequate protection of the public.”The recent natural calamities that the country experienced haveamplified the need for resilient, sustainable and wellplannedcommunities. These kinds of communities will greatly mitigatethe effects of natural calamities in the lives of the Filipinos.Undoubtedly, architects will play a crucial role in thedevelopment new and existing communities to be resilient,sustainable and well planned.
The passage of Republic Act No. 9266 (“R.A. 9266”), otherwiseknown as the Architecture Act of 2004 is a significant step inprotecting and assuring the public that only Architects can offerand provide architectural services. It is envisioned to raise thelevel of Philippine architecture in order to develop a builtenvironment that is resilient, sustainable and well planned,conducive for the advancement of the Philippine culture to helppromote the country as a center for business, culture and touristdestination in Asia.
After a decade since its passage, however, the need tostrengthen R.A. 9266 and harmonize other laws affecting thepractice of architecture has become evident. R.A. 9266 has notbeen fully implemented by government agencies due to the factthat other laws have varying incompatible provisions.Consequently, the real intent of R.A. 9266 in protecting andassuring the public that only Architects can offer and providearchitectural services has not been realized.
In addition, the impending ASEAN integration has alsomanifested the need to prepare the Filipino architect’squalifications to practice architecture in other jurisdictions.
To protect public interest and to comply with the provisions ofthe ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement signed by theGovernment, this Bill seeks to strengthen the architectureprofession in the country through the amendment and repeal of
3/6/2016 Architecture Overload: HB 5127 and SB 2623 gathers support from architects
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specific provisions and the introduction of architectural termsthat will delineate the practice of architecture from otherprofessions.
“It is high time that the Filipino public be assured that onlyindividuals who have been properly educated, qualifiedand trained will undertake the planning and design ofbuildings and be held responsible for such acts.”
The academic requirements of a civil engineering degree visàvis an architectural degree demonstrate that civil engineers arenot academically competent to practice architecture, nor toprepare and certify architectural documents. A typical civilengineering course does not include a single unit ofarchitectural design, planning or drafting. On the other hand, atypical architecture course has ten semesters of mainstreamarchitecture (design, planning, graphics, visual techniques,etc.), and units in building technology and engineering sciencessimilar to civil engineering. A civil engineering curriculum doesnot have the same comprehensive design and planningsubjects.
Moreover, the bill will not deprive CEs to practice as it is arequirement for all buildings that the structural plans andanalysis are to be prepared by civil/structural engineers.
The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), the Integratedand Accredited Professional Organization of Architects hasurged lawmakers to pass the measure seeking to strengthenthe architectural profession in the country and at the same time,comply with the provisions of the ASEAN Mutual RecognitionAgreement.
House Bill 5127, authored by Reps. Susan A. Yap (2nd District,Tarlac) and Gary C. Alejano (Party List, MAGDALO) and SenateBill 2623, authored by Sen. Antonio "Sonny" Fuentes TrillanesIV seeks to amend Republic Act 9266, otherwise known as theArchitecture Act of 2004, in a bid to further delineate thepractice of architecture from other professions.
RA 9266 explicitly provides that only Registered LicensedArchitects shall practice architecture and as such shallexclusively prepare, sign and seal architectural plans anddocuments. Moreover, the Registered and Licensed Architect isthe prime professional for the planning and design of buildingsas internationally practiced. The said law was envisioned toraise the level of Philippine architecture in order to develop abuilt environment that is resilient, sustainable and well planned,conducive for the advancement of the Philippine culture to helppromote the country as a center for business, culture and touristdestination in Asia.
According to UAP National President, Arch. Ma. BenitaOchoaRegala, “UAP maintains that architectural plans anddocuments of buildings and structures are the domain ofthe architect based on law, academic training, professionalcompetencies and government licenses issued to enable one topractice. We counter argue the statement of our alliedprofessional that one cannot be disenfranchised if one is notvested with the right and interest to practice architecture suchas the civil engineers. We respect the professional competencyof the Civil Engineers with regard to the civil/structural design ofbuildings and structures, and as such we encourage them to dothe same for our profession. Irrespective of the number of civilengineers in the country, we humbly submit that thearchitectural practice should be limited to architects”.
With the passage of these bills, according to UAP NationalPresident Regala, it will be an opportune time to establishprofessional accountabilities based on each of the disciplines
3/6/2016 Architecture Overload: HB 5127 and SB 2623 gathers support from architects
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involved in the construction and building industry, in the interestof public safety and welfare. This is also in line with theupcoming Asean integration by the end of this year, wherein ourforeign counterparts may now practice in our country. It isincumbent now upon government to clarify any ambiguity in anyof our professional laws.
House Bill 5127 – Amending the Architecture Act (Republic Act9266)Statement of the United Architects of the Philippines
As the official professional organization for Architects, theUnited Architects of the Philippines (UAP) has consistentlyupheld the profession of Architects to the highest professional
3/6/2016 Architecture Overload: HB 5127 and SB 2623 gathers support from architects
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standards and similarly been at the forefront of protecting therights of Filipino Architects.
By providing substantial legal definitions and an amendment onthe practice of sealing architectural plans, HB 5127 is abeneficial and prudent measure. It is not only a step in the rightdirection, but a proactive preparation for the ASEANintegration.
The proposed amendments uplifts the profession of Architects,as the legal delineation strengthens the need to abide by legalrequirements in the service of the highest values and practicesimposed by the professional and ethical codes.
As a proactive step in the incoming ASEAN integration, this billhelps to ensure that foreign competition is limited only to thiswho meet the exacting standards of being a professionalarchitect.
All of this ultimately bolsters commitment to the highest ideals ofarchitecture for public interest and safety.
We request the support of Congress in the timely passage ofHB 5127 not only for the greater good of the profession, butmore so the public which will definitely be the ultimatebeneficiary of all this effort.
Posted by RSG at 1:14 AMLabels: Professional Practice
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