CV No, 93917 19 STON Koo ote ee kK In any case, comparing Section 302(4) of the disputed Revised NBC [RR (aforequoted) and Section 3.2.1 of MO No.57 (aforequoted), “architectural documents” appear to be the following: 1) Location Plan; 2) Site Development Plan; 3) Floor’ Plans; 4) Mevations; 5) Sections; 6) Foundation plan; 7) Floor- framing plan; 8) Roof-framing plan; 9) Details of footing/column; 10) Details of Structural members. From the foregoing, the Court disecens that what are considered “architectural documents" by the implementing rules and regulations of the National Building Code are essentially various documents pertaining to the design of a building or structure. Now, the threshold question to be’ answered is can civil engineers prepare plans and specifications pertaining to the design of a building or structure and sign and seal the same? The Court answers in the affirmative. itis true that the same documents enumerated under Section 302(4) of the Revised NBC IRR are not mentioned either in the Civil Fngincering Law or RA 544, However, RA 544 explicitlycA RCV No. 93917 DECISION soccer 20 provides that the practice of civil engineering includes the designing of buildings. Section 2 and 23 of RA 544 provides as follows: "Scetion 2. Definition of terms. —- (a) The practice of civil engineering within the meaning and intent of this Act shali cmbrace services in the form of consultation, design, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, erection, installation and supervision of the construction of streets, bridges, highways, railroads,airports and hangars, portworks, canals, river and shore improvements, lighthouses, and dry docks; buildings, fixed structures for itigation, flood protection, drainage, water supply and sewerage works; demolition of permanent structures; and tunnels. The enumeration of any work in this section shall not be construed as excluding any other work requiring civil engincering knowledge and application. XXX XXX XXX, See! tion 23. Preparation of plans and supervision of constuction by registered civil engineer. — [t shall be unlaw/ul for any person to order or otherwise cause the construction, reconstruction, or alteration of any building or steneiuce intended for public gathering or assembly such as theaters, cinematographs, stadia, churches or structures of like nature, and any other engineering structures mentioned in section two of this Act unless the designs, plans, and specifications of same have been prepared under the zesponsible charge of, and signed and sealed by a registered civil engineer, and unless the construction, reconstruction and/ or alivration thereof are executed under the responsible charge and direct supervision of a civil engineer. Plans and designs ofCA-GR. CV No, 93917 2 DECISION structures must be approved as provided by law or ordinance of acity or province or municipality where the said structure is to be constructed." (emphasis and underscoring supplied) Clear from the aforequoted sections of the Civil Engineering Law is the express authority granted to civil engineers to render rv) s of designing as well as the preparation of plans and specifications for various buildings. Private respondents United Architects of the Philippines (VAP) argue in their appeal brief that the term "building" as it is being used in sections 2 and 23 of RA 544 should be interpreted to mean that il is in some way connected with waterworks and that it precludes buildings for residential purposes and those not intended for public gathering. Thus, appelice UAP insists that the express grant to civil engineers to prepare and sign documents is limited to the aforementioned structures following the principle of noscitur a sociis or associated words, ‘The Court does not agree. it is a cardinal rule in statutory construction that in interpreting, the meaning und scope of a term used in the law, a