Republic of the Philippines Professional Regulation Commission Mail April 13, 2015 Hon. FELICIANO BELMONTE JR. Speaker House of Representatives Batasan Hills, Quezon City Dear Speaker Belmonte: ‘We write again anent our letter dated March 11, 2015, pertaining to the position made by both the UAPand the PICE regarding HB 5127. As a backgrounder, the Professional Regulation ‘Commission in the presence of the three (3) commissioners conducted its consultative meeting with the allied professionals who claimed to be affected by both bills last March 10, 2015. The proponents were all given their time to present their position and was later given a period of two ‘weeks to submit their recommended definitions of some of the terms used in both bills. After two weeks had passed, another letter petition was sent requesting another week of extension of submission date. It is quite apparent that the proponents will not be able to come up with acceptable solution to the petitions being made with regard to the definitions. It is therefore incumbent now upon the PRC to make a thorough study and recommendation in order to delineate the responsibilities of each of these professional groups. Following is our evaluation and recommendation. 1. Evaluation: 1.1 On Academic Training The academic requirements of the civil engineering degree vis a vis the architectural degree demonstrate that civil engineers are not academically competent to practice architecture, nor to prepare and certify architectural documents. A typical civil engineering course does not include a single unit of architectural design, planning or drafting. On the other hand, a typical architecture course has ten (10) semesters of mainstream architecture that include design, planning, graphics, visual techniques, etc. and units in building technology, and engineering sciences similar to civil engineering. A civil engineering curriculum does not have the same comprehensive design and planning subjects. It is worth noting that for a Civil Engineer to become an Architect, it will take the full five year course to attain the degree. Whereas an Architect will only take two years to complete acivil engineering degree. This shows the competencies of each profession practicing the other. 1.2 On the issue of Disenfranchisement of the CEs by the passage of the architecture bills The bill will not deprive Civil Engineers the right to practice their profession as it is a requirement for all buildings and structures that civil/ structural design, plans and analysis are to P, PAREDES ST,, CORNER N. REYES ST, SAMPALOC, MANILA, PHILIPPINES. 1008 P.0. BOX, 2038 MANILA’be prepared by civil/structural engineers. All architects require the services of the civil engineers in the practice of their profession, and should be vice versa. 1.3. On the Use of the generic term “Buil jing Plans” The term building plans being advocated for by the Civil Engineers in the definition of plans should no longer be used as a generic term to cover both types of plans; architectural and engineering plans. A distinction thereof has to be made based on professional mandate and competencies. The proposed bill is envisioned to raise the level of Philippine architecture in order to develop a built environment that is resilient, sustainable, well planned, conducive for the advancement of the Philippine culture, to help promote the country as a center for business, culture and tourist destination in Asia, In this regard, the Commission strongly supports the passage of HB 5127 so as to make the professionals involved in the building and construction industry aligned with international standards, to wit: Responsibility in the preparation , signing and eo sealing of building plans and documents Architectural Plans and Documents: Site development Plan, Perspective, Floor Plans, i i 8 id “Architect Front, Side and Rear Elevations,Cross an longitudinal sections, Reflected Ceiling Layout, Roof Plan, Schedule of Doors and Windows, Architectural interiors, Architectural Specifications | Civil/Structural Plans for Buildings : Foundation Plan and details, Floor Beam Layout Civi/Structural Engineer and. Details, Roof Framing Plan and Details, Structural Computation and Analysis, Structural Specifications Electrical Plans and Load Computation | Electrical Engineer Electrical Specifications Mechanical Engineer Mechanical Plans and Computations Electrical Specifications Sanitary Engineer /Plumbing | Sanitary/Plumbing Plans, Layout and det: Engineer Sanitary/Plumbing Specifications Electronics Engineer Electronics Systems Plans and SpecificationsWe believe that it is our mandate as the regulatory body of all professional groups to protect and safeguard the exercise of all professions in the interest of public safety and welfare. We trust that we have made our position clear on this matter. More power to you, thank you very much and best regards.