Prior to commencing any project, it is essential to be able to gain the fundamentals, if not the complete knowledge of the essential laws relevant to the professional practice of Architecture in the Philippines. According to Professional Regulation Commission website, https://prc.gov.ph/architecture, the practice of architecture is hereby defined to be: “The act of planning, architectural and structural designing, specifying, supervising, and giving general administration and responsible direction to the erection, enlargement or alterations of buildings and architectural design of engineering structures or any part thereof, the scientific, aesthetic and orderly coordination of all the processes which enter into the production of a complete building or structure performed through the medium of unbiased preliminary studies of plans, consultations, specifications, conferences, evaluations, investigations, contract documents and oral advice and directions regardless of whether the persons engaged in such practice are residents of the Philippines or have their principal office or place of business in this or another country, and regardless of whether such persons are performing one or all of these duties, or whether such duties are performed in person or as the directing head of an office or organization performing them.”
The Architecture Act of 2004, also known as Republic Act No. 9266 (listed below), is the primary legislation that governs the practice of architecture in the Philippines. This law sets out the qualifications, registration requirements, and code of conduct for architects practicing in the country. Aside from this law, there are quite a number of others that are essential to the practice such as those concerning the environment, accessibility, fire, human settlement, etc.
My main objective in writing this article is to help students. professionals and even workers in the construction industry to be able to refer to a single landing page where they could access all the necessary links directly to the specific laws needed for any specific activity they are involved in. It would be an advantage to have the technical knowhow of these laws so that every construction team member will be aware of the architectural aspect of the industry for proper coordination and smooth workflow.
The following are selected references and document links for the above purpose:
LAWS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATION FOR THE REGISTRATION, LICENSING AND PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 545, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
https://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/ARCHITECTURE%20LAW.PDF
NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
MALACAÑANG Manila PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1096 ADOPTING A NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES THEREBY REVISING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SIXTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY ONE
https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/DPWH/references/laws_codes_orders/national_law
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (PD 1096) OFFICIAL TEXT 2005 REVISED EDITION
https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/DPWH/references/laws_codes_orders/PD1096
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AFFECTING ARCHITECTURE
THE PHILIPPINE GREEN BUILDING CODE
June 2015 A Referral Code of the NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/references/laws_codes_orders/pgbc
Philippine Green Building Code Full Text and User Guide; GB Code Checklist-Architectural; GB Code Checklist Electrical and ECE; GB Code Checklist-Mechanical; GB Code Checklist-Plumbing and Sanitary
https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/DPWH/references/guidelines_manuals/green_building
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1308 March 2, 1978
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF THE PROFESSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING IN THE PHILIPPINES
https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1978/pd_1308_1978.html
ACCESSIBILITY LAW
Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (Accessibility Law) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations
https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/DPWH/references/laws_codes_orders/bpb344
Enforcement of the Accessibility of the Law (BP 344) along National Roads
https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/DPWH/references/laws_codes_orders/enforcement_bp344
FIRE SAFETY CODE
FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RA9514 IRR as of June 26, 2009
https://bfp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Fire-Code-of-the-Philippines-2008-IRR.pdf
HOUSING LAWS
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 957 July 12, 1976
REGULATING THE SALE OF SUBDIVISION LOTS AND CONDOMINIUMS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF
https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1976/pd_957_1976.html
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1216
DEFINING "OPEN SPACE" IN RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS AND AMENDING SECTION 31 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 957 REQUIRING SUBDIVISION OWNERS TO PROVIDE ROADS, ALLEYS, SIDEWALKS AND RESERVE OPEN SPACE FOR PARKS OR RECREATIONAL USE
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2019/irr_11201_2019.html
THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11201, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENT AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ACT”
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2019/irr_11201_2019.html
LAWS OF OTHER PROFESSIONS RELATED TO ARCHITECTURE
Republic Act No. 8534, February 23, 1998
AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1998/ra_8534_1998.html
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9053, March 30, 2001
AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHTECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2001/ra_9053_2001.html
Republic Act No. 1378 An Act To Regulate the Trade Of Master Plumber
https://legisph.com/statute/republic-act-no-1378
REPUBLIC ACT 9003 January 26, 2001
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, CREATING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS AND INCENTIVES, DECLARING CERTAIN ACTS PROHIBITED AND PROVIDING PENALTIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2001/ra_9003_2001.html
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