Limiac, Jetrho P.

AR- 304
PROPAC1
Analysis on the significant role of an architect and his responsibilities based on
the different Architect's Laws.

RA 9266 is a very helpful act for architects here in the Philippines for protecting the practice of an
architect. It indicates on what are the legal duties of an architect

According to RA9266 article 1 section 3

""Architect" means a person professionally and academically qualified, registered and
licensed under this Act with a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification
Card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture and the Professional
Regulation Commission" -this states that you can only perform practice of architecture if you are
registered and licensed. The law doesn't recognize anyone who practice architecture without being
registered and licensed because it is ILLEGAL.

it is also stated that ""General Practice of Architecture" means the act of planning and architectural
designing,
structural conceptualization, specifying, supervising and giving general administration
and responsible direction to the erection, enlargement or alterations of buildings and
building environments and architectural design in 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 country or another territory, and
regardless of whether such persons are performing one or all these duties, or whether
such duties are performed in person or as the directing head of an office or organization
performing them;" - this is to ensure that planning and architectural designing is a practice for architect
only. Because nowadays some other profession here in the Philippines are grabbing some architectural
project even, they are not an architect. but in my opinion this law needs to be stricter because there is
still someone who do some illegal practices that are not being jailed or suspended.

I also want to point out (book IV of ra 386 c.3: work and labor; section 3contract for a piece of work;
article 1723 [on liability]) it stated that "•
The engineer or architect who drew up the plans and specifications
for a building is liable for damages if within 15 years from the completion of the structure, the same
should collapse by reason of a defect in those plans and specifications, or due to the defects in the
ground. The contractor is likewise responsible for the damages if the edifice falls, within the same
period, on account of defects in the construction or the use of materials of inferior quality furnished by
him, or due to any violation of the terms of the contract . If the
engineer or architect supervises the construction, he shall be solidarily liable with the contractor."
I like this law because this is a win-win situation for architect and the whole team and the client
relationship. It is because once the building has existing danger because major repair is needed or it
collapse within 15 years, the owner has its stand to look for the architect or the firm because they are
still liable for it. On the other side it protects the architect to those clients who still looking for their
architect even though the building reaches its maximum lifespan.

References:
Republic Act No. 386: Civil Code of the Philippines (Article 1723).
Retrieved from
https://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/99558549!.pdf
Republic Act No. 9266: The Architecture Act of 2004.
Retrieved from
https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Architecture%20-%20Board%20Law_0.PDF