14/11/2020
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=805586706887561&id=407438630035706
BAGUIO COUNCILOR FILES MEASURE REGULATING PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE IN CITY
Architectural plans, designs, drawings, schedules, specifications, estimates, and other similar architectural documents should be prepared and duly signed only by a registered and licensed architect (RLA), Baguio City Councilor Mylen Victoria Yaranon said.
Yaranon filed an ordinance calling for stricter implementation of the Architecture Act of 2004 or the Republic Act No. 9266.
The ordinance shall cover all architectural documents relative to the construction of a building whether it is a government or private project.
Consistent with the mandate of RA 9266, the ordinance shall restrict any person who is not an RLA from preparing and signing any architectural document.
RA 9266 succinctly provides that the practice of architecture shall be the exclusive domain of a licensed architect.
Under the act, only RLAs are authorized to “prepare, sign, and seal architectural documents generally consisting of perspectives, site development plan/s, architectural floor/ reflected ceiling/ roof plans, designs, schedules, drawings, specifications, estimates and documents i.e. the drawing sheets labeled as “A” for architectural, and forming part of building plans, contract documents, building permit applications and the like.”
The proposed ordinance is also in line with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Revised National Building Code of 2005 which provides that “all architectural plans, documents and appurtenant papers, which shall serve ancillary requirements for the approval of a local building permit, shall be prepared and signed only by licensed architects.”
Likewise, the ordinance shall prohibit any person to duplicate or make copies of architectural documents to be used for other projects or buildings, whether executed partly or in whole, without the written consent of the architect/s or author/s of said documents.
Furthermore, under the ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any architect to sign, affix his/her seal, or use any other method of signature on any architectural plan/document made under another architect’s supervision, unless the same is made in a manner as to clearly indicate the part/s of such work actually performed by the former.
The City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and the City Engineering Office (CEO) shall cause the prosecution of any person caught violating any provision of the ordinance or RA 9266.
Any person found to have violated any provision of the said laws shall be meted a fine of not less than P3,000.00 but not more than P5,000.00.
Moreover, pursuant to Section 35 of RA 9266, the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and the City Engineering Office (CEO) shall see to it that there is ample representation by RLAS, (whether under career, permanent, temporary, or contract positions) in areas which deal primarily with buildings.
“In full accord with R.A. No. 9266, Section 35 (Positions in Government Requiring the Services of Registered and Licensed Architects) and in line with the international/ universal definition of Architects/ Architecture as the prime professional responsible for the planning and design of buildings/ habitable structures and their environs, all positions in the City Government of Baguio, primarily requiring the expertise of Architects, must be filled only by RLAs,” Yaranon stated.
Under the ordinance, a Bid and Award Committee (BAC) Observer shall be appointed for procurement procedures involving architectural infrastructure works and/or architectural consulting services. The nearest chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), the Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization of Architects (IAPOA), recognized under R.A. No. 9266, shall provide the said BAC Observer. This is in accordance with R.A. No. 9184, the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) of 2003.
A Registered and Licensed Architect (RLA) herself, Yaranon said there is a need to implement the provisions of RA 9266 particularly the sections that limit the preparation, signing and dry-sealing of all architectural plans, designs, drawings, specifications, estimates and architectural documents relative to the construction of a building/ habitable structure only to RLAs.
Yaranon relayed that members of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Baguio Chapter, Summer Capital Chapter, Cordillera Chapter, and the Philippine Institute of Architects –Baguio Chapter have submitted their petition requesting the Baguio City Council to cause the full implementation of RA 9266 in the city.
Furthermore, Yaranon noted that the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (through the Professional Regulation Commission), in compliance with Section 44 (Enforcement of the Act) of R.A. No. 9266, has called on the assistance of the City of Baguio to fully implement and enforce the provisions of R.A. No. 9266 through its 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within its territorial jurisdiction and to prosecute any person violating provisions of the same.
The proposed ordinance was approved by the city council on first reading and was referred to the appropriate committee for further study. -Jordan G. Habbiling
