Architecture History in the Philippines

Here's an updated chronology of important events over the past 58 years relative to the Regulated Profession of Architecture in the Philippines (June 1950 thru September 2008)

1. June 1950
Passage of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 544, the Civil Engineering (CE) law; the law does not mention that civil engineers (CEs) can prepare, sign and seal architectural plans and documents

2. June 1950
Passage of R.A. No. 545, the organic Architecture law; this special law specifically
mentions that only registered and licensed architects can prepare, sign and seal
architectural plans and documents

3. June 1956
Passage of R.A. No. 1581, the amended Architecture law; the amended portion specifically delineate the responsibility and liability of the architect in contrast to the CE; there is therefore no overlap in professional function

4. June 1956
Passage of R.A. No. 1582, the amended CE law; the amended portion (Sec. 24) specifically delineate the responsibility and liability of the CE in contrast to the architect; there is therefore no overlap in professional function

5. 1975
The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)was formed out of the union of the Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA), the League of Philippine Architects (LPA) and the Association of Philippine Government Architects (APGA)

6. Feb 1977
Promulgation of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1096, otherwise known as the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) by Philippine Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos

7. 1979
Publication and dissemination of copies of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of P.D. No. 1096 by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and of part of the IRR of R.A. No. 1581 (the Amended architecture law of 1956) i.e. the Architects’ National Code (otherwise known as the UAP Documents 200 through 208) were promulgated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in Sep 1979 as part of the IRR of R.A. No. 1581/545 (the amended/ organic laws on architecture)

8. mid-1980s
Architects who are Members of the National Legislature i.e. Batasan Pambansa, led by Arch. Pentong Gaite and the leading lights of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), lobby for the passage of a new Architecture law

9. early 1990s
Initial amendments to IRR of P.D. No. 1096; R.A. No. 7160 (The Local Government Code of 1991) becomes law; surprisingly, its Article Seven Sec. 477 allows the Municipal/ City Engineers (MCEs) of local government units (LGUs) who are in charge of horizontal works, to act simultaneously as the building official (BO) in charge of vertical works; this turn of events has forged an apparently unholy alliance
CONTINUATION