ORDERING THE FUNCTIONS of the ARCHITECT

in full Compliance with R.A. No. 9266 (The Architecture Act of 2004), its IRR and Derivative Regulations

10 June 2013
City of Manila

by Ar Armando N. ALL, apec ar Resource Person

Why Is There Need for Ordering the Functions of Architects 1) to possibly guide registered and licensed Architects (RLAs) in PRIORITIZING their actions; 2) to LEGITIMIZE and JUSTIFY RLA actions; and 3) to gain broad-based public/ private sector support for RLA actions through a genuine understanding of the RLAs roles as a professional technical entity and as a productive member of society.

Perceived LOWER Order Functions of Architects

1) to fulfill the mandated role in society [as a member of the family (provider if need be), the basic unit of society, and to ensure the existence and proper functioning of that societal unit]; 2) to manage well the pertinent PROFESSIONAL/ PERSONAL interests in ALL public/ private dealings and to always strive to BE FAIR in all public/ private dealings; and 3) to continue to LEARN/ UNDERSTAND the prevailing INTERPRETATIONS of the Bibles of architectural practice i.e. the Architecture Act of 2004 (RA 9266); the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP/ PD 1096), the Fire Code of the Philippines (FCP/ RA 9514); the Disability Law (BP 344); Subdivision & Condominium law (PD 957), Socialized Housing (BP 220), etc.;

Perceived NORMAL Order Functions of Architects

1) to protect CLIENT interests above the RLAs own professional/ personal interests; 2) to render quality professional service to clientele i.e. genuine value for money; 3) to support the Government as prescribed by law (including the payment of the right taxes as much as possible); 4) to actively APPLY in professional practice and to PROMOTE the prevailing INTERPRETATIONS of the Bibles of architectural practice i.e. the RA 9266, NBCP/ PD 1096, FCP/ RA 9514 and BP 344, PD 957, BP 220, the Sanitation Code and Water Code, etc.; and 5) to strive to continually IMPROVE technical knowledge pertaining to professional practice and even of the relevant skillsets (only as needed);

Perceived HIGHER Order Functions of Architects

1) to uphold PUBLIC interests above those of the Client and above the RLAs own professional/ personal interests; 2) to assist the Government in the stewardship of the BUILT/ natural environments in both conventional/ official and non-conventional/ unofficial capacities (including active advocacies against the misuse and abuse of the environment by agents of the Government); 3) to help in upholding the RULE OF LAW (by carefully watching the actions of the Government that may be construable as being violative of law and the Philippine Constitution); 4) to constantly promote the profession by way of quality practice and to speak up and stand for the profession (advocate) as often as needed; 5) to continually TRAIN aspirants to the architectural profession; 6) to continually strive for the BETTERMENT OF THE HUMAN CONDITION by any means possible e.g. physical planning, design, legislation, implementation/ enforcement of law, etc.; and 7) to help in EQUITABLY RESOLVING DISPUTES, particularly between owners and builder.

Thank You
and a Pleasant Day to All