MEMBERS of various chapters of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) in Pampanga have appealed to the local and national government to implement Republic Act Number 9266, or the Architecture Act of 2004.
Architect Andy Gulapa, president of the UAP Angeles Chapter, said that their association, which consists of 40,000 members nationwide, has prepared a position paper for the government to address various concerning the profession.
In 2004, the Congress enacted R.A. No. 9266 or the Architecture Act, according to Gulapa.
“This law categorically provides, without any exemption, that only duly licensed architects can legally sign architectural plans and documents,” he said.
The law further provides that building officers cannot accept architectural plans and documents which are not signed by architects, Gulapa said.
Under the old Architectural Law (R.A. No. 545), civil engineers were expressly exempted from the general rule that only architects can sign architectural documents, he added.
Gulapa stressed that Section 20 (5) of Republic Act 9266 provides that “all architectural plans, design, specifications, drawings and architectural documents relative to the construction of a building shall bear the seal and signature only of an architect.”
“Only architects and no one else, not even civil engineers, can prepare or sign architectural documents,” Gulapa said.
He lamented that some civil engineers are still signing documents classified as architectural documents.
This, Gulapa claimed, is in violation of the Architecture Act of 2004.
The Philippine Councilors League (PCL), which consists of 16,000 members, recently expressed full support for the UAP.
The PCL vowed to initiate an advocacy for the passage of resolution or ordinance enforcing and implementing fully the provisions of RA 9266 and its implementing rules and regulations.