Monday, June 11, 2007 Gatekeeper of the profession By Arch’t. Karl A.E.F. Cabilao, UAP
ADMIRED by many for his strong and no non-sense advocacy for the architecture profession, Arch’t. Armando Dominador “Boy” N. Alli, FUAP did not wait for his seat to warm up after being appointed as the new chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission Board of Architecture (PRBoa) a few months ago. Of course, the searing zeal he displayed is no bolt from the blue since he was one of those who took part in collaborative efforts leading to the crafting, passage and approval of the Architecture Act of 2004 or R.A. 9266.
This product of the University of the Philippines College of Architecture and School of Urban and Regional Planning immediately went on a tour of duty to reach out to fellow architects nationwide, listen to their concerns and hopefully help provide solutions. In fact, Arch’t. Boy (who’s also an accredited construction arbitrator and mediator) visited Cebu recently to touch base with his Visayan colleagues.
Is the architect and his work more recognized today than before the signing into law R.A. 9266?
Hard to say but what is clear is that more people, especially those in government, are becoming aware of the differences between the capabilities and level of services offered by architects and those by engineers. More importantly, people are beginning to realize that there is a law on architecture and that there are many architects who will stand up and fight for their practice.
How does it feel to be one of the leaders in the promotion and protection of the architecture profession?
It feels good to know that we can now give that much needed push to implement and enforce RA 9266 through the board’s multiple initiatives in the executive branch of government. Executive action is swifter and more decisive than court cases. We look forward to our efforts yielding much fruit before 2007 is over.
What is the PRCBoa’s greatest challenge at present? Why?
The board’s greatest challenge is to fully convince the executive branch of government that the law is on the side of the architects on the matter of signing, preparing and sealing architectural drawings and documents. This is considered the greatest challenge because it is a matter that has remained unresolved for the past 57 years.
With previous clamor for board exams to be held elsewhere, is there any chance for the Architecture Board Exam to be held outside Manila , particularly here in Cebu?
Not at this time. It’s very hard to secure the exam for Architectural Design and Site Planning as so many precautions and procedures need to be complied with. It may also be very difficult to computerize this exam subject as examinees have to be tested for their stock architectural planning/design knowledge (and not their knowledge of computer aided design).
What’s the most important tip would you give to would-be licensure examinees in architecture as well as to other professions?
The need to focus on exam preparation and on understanding the exam questions well. One also needs to be resourceful during the examination by drawing largely from past work, past academic experiences and readings/appreciation of others’ works.
What do you love most about what you’re doing now?
Advocating architectural practice in its elemental form and disseminating the good that can come out of working with a licensed architect for professional work is probably what I consider the most important part of our work at PRBoa. We noticed however that even architects themselves still have much to learn in advocacy work for the practice. Ours is a noble and millennia-old profession that has withstood the test of time.
With the work load that you have at PRBoa and in the office, what do you do for fun and relaxation?
Basically, spending time with the family at home or on travel, catching up on readings and the like.
Describe the world without the architects?
A world without architects is a world in chaos and an environmental nightmare. Imagine a country that is one huge concrete and tin jungle and waste depository, without regard for the correct utilization of spaces or for building laws. Architects were taught to design with their environment and that our services should go more than just money that is due to us.
