Global Competitiveness

The Current Trend of the Global Economics

Author:
Adrian Emmanuel D. Vale
Rizal Technological University-Bonifacio Campus
2016-102259@rtu.edu.ph

Abstract: Architects’ functions have evolved throughout the 21 st century, but architects can follow different paths, but more
expertise as new applied sciences and building processes are exhibited, leading to industrial fragmentation. A home and a
competent individual are essential. In particular, many professionals currently work in the construction industry, but look at
how the architects’ profession has evolved over the years. Using the projected input of the information, tables, and charts, the
researcher used tables and charts to explore current trends in the Global Competitive aspect of the Filipino Architects in
relation to the qualification set by the ASEAN and APEC Committee to assess the building industry, different paths and
expertise, employment rates, and how architecture has become a global system as it evolves in higher directions. The researcher
analyzed it. The status of architects is projected to increase by 4% over the next decade. This is a slower pace than the
associated profession of design professionals such as interior designers and landscape architects. As the construction process
and technology evolved, it became clear that the role and responsibility of the architect evolved with the fragmentation of the
industry, but the main role of the architect remains the same. The results of the study suggest that the key functions of being
globally competitive architects are in line with the requirements imposed by the APEC and ASEAN to practice architecture in
different allied countries.

Keywords: Architects, Architecture, Global Competitiveness, Global Economy, APEC Architect, ASEAN Architect, Education,
Infrastructure, Development, Sustainable, Liberal Economy, Professionals, Professional Regulation Commission, Professional
Regulatory Board of Architecture, Market, Global

INTRODUCTION
The Philippines has had one of the fastest economic development in the region in recent years. The World
Bank has identified the economy as one of the top growth performers in East Asia, driven by strong
exports, robust domestic consumption, and infrastructure expenditures. Moreover, the government's
commitment to further increase public infrastructure investment is expected to sustain the country's
growth momentum, reinforcing the business and consumer confidence 1.

One of the reasons that the Filipino Architects are globally competitive is because of English-speaking
High-skilled Manpower. The Filipino workforce has a unique edge over any other Asian country in terms
of labor quality. With a literacy rate of 94.6%, the Philippines has a ready and steady supply of highly-
skilled and trainable labor to accommodate any underlying business need - including professional,
technical, managerial, and skilled workers. The main competitive advantage of the Philippine workforce is
the widespread proficiency in English. English is taught in all schools, making the Philippines the third-
largest English-speaking country in the world. Another notable reason is the Strategic Business Location
advantages that the Filipino architects and professionals amass. Located in the heart of Asia, the
Philippines is an investment center and has emerged as an advantageous hub for expansion programs in
the Asia-Pacific region. Located within an average of 4 hours flight from the regional capital, it is a major
access point to more than 500 million people in the ASEAN market.

The Philippine government also enacted and implemented important legislative amendments to help
continue the growth of the Philippine economy. For example, a drastic tax reform program guarantees a
stable income flow for the government’s aggressive infrastructure program that greatly benefits a lot of
architectural firms and construction companies, but a reduction in personal income tax should boost
personal consumption and economic activity. The business Improvement Act, on the other hand, wants to
further address bureaucratic formalism by improving the efficiency and transparency of government
processes at all levels.

The qualifications and requirements set by the ASEAN and APEC Committee are the gateways to the
assessment of professionals in their competitive nature.
Table 1.1 – ASEAN Architect Requirements (PRBoA)
ASEAN ARCHITECT
REQUIREMENTS Completed an accredited architectural degree recognized by the
professional architectural accreditation body whether in the Country of
Origin or Host Country or assessed and recognized as having the
equivalent of such a degree. The education for architects should be no less
than five (5) years duration delivered on a full-time basis in an accredited
program in an accredited/ validated university in the Country of Origin
while allowing flexibility for equivalency.
Country: Philippines
a current and valid professional registration or licensing certificate to
practice architecture in the Country of Origin issued either by the
Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) of the ASEAN Member
Countries and in accordance with its policy on
registration/licensing/certification of the practice of architecture or the
Monitoring Committee pursuant to Article 4.2.2 and item 1.2 of Appendix
B of this Arrangement.
acquired practical and diversified experience of not less than ten (10)
years of continuous practice of architecture after graduation, of which at
least five (5) years shall be after licensure/ registration and at least two (2)
years of which shall be in responsible charge of significant architectural
works as stipulated in Appendix D - format 3;
complied with the Continuing Professional Development (CPO) policy of
the country of Origin at a satisfactory level;
obtained certification from the Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA)
of the Country of Origin with no record of serious violation of technical,
professional, or ethical standards, local and international, for the practice
of architecture;
complied with any other requirements agreed upon by the ASEAN
Architect Council (AAC) is eligible to apply to the ASEAN Architect
Council (AAC) to be registered as an ASEAN Architect (AA) under the
ASEAN Architect Register (AAR).

This table shows the requirements imposed by the Professional Regulatory Board of Architects (PRBoA) to
become a registered ASEAN Architect (AA). One of the objectives of the ASEAN Agreement on Mutual
Recognition Arrangement (MRA) is to share information to promote the adoption of best practices in
architectural education standards, professional practices, and qualifications.
Table 1.2 - ASEAN Architect Requirements (BOA-Singapore)
ASEAN ARCHITECT
REQUIREMENTS completed an accredited architectural degree recognized by the
professional architectural accreditation body whether in the country of
origin or host country or assessed and recognized as having the equivalent
of such a degree. The education for architects should be no less than five
years duration delivered on a full-time basis in an accredited program in
an accredited/validated university in the Country of Origin while allowing
flexibility for equivalency;
Country: Singapore a current and valid professional registration or licensing certificate to
practice architecture in the Country of Origin issued either by the
Professional Regulatory Authority of the ASEAN Member Countries and
in accordance with its policy on registration/licensing/certification of the
practice of architecture or the Monitoring Committee;
acquired practical and diversified experience of not less than ten years of
continuous practice of architecture after graduation, of which at least five
years shall be after licensure/registration and at least two years of which
shall be in responsible charge of significant architectural works;
complied with the Continuing Professional Development policy of the
country of origin at a satisfactory level;
obtained certification from the Professional Regulatory Authority of the
country of origin with no record of serious violation of technical,
professional, or ethical standards, local and international, for the practice
of architecture; and
complied with any other requirements agreed upon by the ASEAN
Architect Council.

The Board of Architects is the statutory authority established to administer the Architects Act in
Singapore. The Architects Act 1991 set out provisions to provide for the registration of architects, the
regulation of architectural qualifications, the practice of architecture by registered individuals, and the
supply of architectural services by corporations. The requirements set up by the BOA-Singapore are in
line with the ASEAN Architect Council’s Requirements.

The researcher listed down the requirements for the Philippines and Singapore Professional Regulatory
Boards for the comparison of the quality of architects and other professionals in the context of being
globally competitive.

According to Lamudi Philippines (2017), an online property portal, Major Filipino construction companies
are becoming more competitive locally and globally that have been highlighted in the BCI Media Groups’
Top 10 Architectural Firms. Lamudi (2017) also stated that building companies face some of the bigger
challenges of local real estate in terms of competition, but some have succeeded in differentiating
themselves and leading the design industry both locally and internationally.
 According to United Architects of the Philippines (2017), 68 Philippine architects of ASEAN are globally
competitive and practice "endless practice". The ASEAN Agreement on Mutual Recognition
Arrangements (MRA) on Construction Services means that ASEAN architects can practice with their
indigenous populations in different ASEAN countries.

In addition, there is much debate about the issue of global practice. Not all Filipino architects want to
compete with foreign architects not only in their own country but also abroad. However, some critics say
this could be a great opportunity for our inspirational peers and registered architects to gain more
knowledge and strive to improve the game. I am. That also means that there is. Many great Filipino
architects have commented on this global practice. Some of them were Coscollea from West Virginia.
Coscolluela Architects. He said we have equal rights when foreign architects work here. Otherwise, you
can be overwhelmed by your advanced knowledge of architecture and technology. But Jun Palafox said he
needed to display the matrix. When it comes to practicing in our country, we Filipinos and local architects
are very familiar with design considerations. If you share the matrix with foreign architects at the time of
design, you will not be overwhelmed by foreign architects. There was also a discussion with the architect.
And finally, they see this global ASEAN competition as a challenge for local architects to compete.

Another issue in our global practice is Republic Act 10912, CPD Act, which deals with CPD or
Continuous Career Development. An Act to mandate and strengthen the Continuity of Professional
Development Program for all regulated professions, establish a Continuity of Career Development
Council and allocate funds for this and related purposes. other officials. It refers to the process of tracking
and documenting the skills, knowledge, and experience that you have formally and informally acquired
during your employment, in addition to any initial training. any. They must achieve a certain score in
order to renew their license. Some architects find it good because they will be required to learn advanced
technology or other architectural knowledge which also serves to prepare for ARM or global practice. But
not all architects see this as a challenge. There are architects who are against the DPC law because they
say it is unnecessary at their age and also that not all architects are in the same field in fact. Some of them
don't need global competition to survive in their careers.

So overall practice in the field of architecture is an unavoidable discussion. There are many architects who
are not recognized or are unfamiliar with the ASEAN arrangement. This leads to less ability to compete
on a global scale. In addition, other ASEAN architects are preparing for global competition at home and
abroad.

1.2.1 Globally Competitive Filipino Architects

Frima Global Home Corporation President Robert Mirafuente, an ASEAN accredited architect, urged his
Filipino colleagues to stay up with the continuing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
integration. According to Mirafuente at the 13th Green Forum organized by the Green Architecture
Advocacy Philippines (Green AP) on Friday, July 15 there is a need to be professionally prepared to be
globally competitive by educating ourselves. Attending forums like this is a positive action to transform
better. Most architects in the Philippines have only completed their undergraduate degrees while their
counterparts in other ASEAN countries have masteral and doctorate degrees.

According to Mirafuente, the current level of Filipino architects is "cause to underline" the need of the
continuing professional development (CPD) program. CPD has promoted by the Architecture Act 2004, or
RA 9266, for the purpose of improving quality of architects, improve their skills and ensure that they
follow the new technique and practice. On the other hand, the professional development of architects in
part, only "voluntary" as prescribed by law. Senate passed a DPC . project offered in August 2015 making
ongoing training mandatory. According to Mirafuente, the Philippines' experience as a developing country
vulnerable to disasters also allows local architects to become experts in global sustainability. pattern.
 Architects in the Philippines may specialize in design or disaster resistant work as experts or consultants
on green architecture in increasingly countries affected by climate change.

1.2.2 Changing Practice of Architecture

Architect Benjamin Panganiban Jr. (2020), stated that the practice of architecture is changing, and
rightfully so due to the advent of the global economy. It's not like it used to be. Those living in the
Jurassic should now embrace the changing trends in practice. Architects have to adapt and face the reality
that they are visionaries and creative thinkers. Collaboration is now an important factor for coexistence
with other allied professionals as architects are at the forefront of globalization.

Table 1.3 Architects’ Projection of Employment

Occupational Title Employment, 2020 Projected Employment, 2030 Change 2020-30
Percent Numeric

Architects 126,700 130,700 3% 3,900

1.2.3 Global Practice

United Architects of the Philippines is transforming from a group of countries into a global entity that
connects cultures and geographies. Global UAP will act as a bridge to provide knowledge and
understanding of global architectural practice while setting the level of professionalism of standards
through governance requirements, corporate, and social responsibility as well as continuing education. As
more and more Global Members join, it will raise Members' standards of practice and business, creating a
more open and transparent process for professional practice.

Sustainable design must be an ethical mandate for Architecture profession. This means that all work done
by all architects and planners should support sustainability, and that architects and planners should be vocal
advocates for sustainable practices and standards.
1.3 Timeline of Architectural positions from 2002 – 2017
 Illustration 1.3.1 (Chart of the timeline of positions needed and actual number of staff
positions from 2002-2017(e)

The illustration 1.3.1 shows the understaffed during boom and overstaffed during bust, labor needs are more
in balance at present. The illustration shows the annual estimated architectural positions needed vs. actual
number of positions, in thousands.
Our economy will need additional architectural staff to both accommodate a growing construction sector
and replace current architects who are leaving the workplace, most notably due to retirement. Comparing
these needs to the number of architects entering the workforce – principally graduates of professional
architectural programs who are seeking careers in private practice -- will determine whether we’re likely to
have a deficit or surplus of architects.
Centuries before, Architecture was not yet available in the Philippines. The only way for an individual to
“learn” Architecture is to study abroad. Thus, that is what the so called,”Maestro de Obras” did. After
acquiring their Architect titles, they practiced the profession here in the Philippines.
The Year 1921, is the year where a mandated law was established where in Engineers and Architects have
separate examinations. It was also agreed by the Maestro de obras. The following event after the was
approved, the first licensed architect in the Philippines, Tomas Mapua and the other 100 Filipino Architects
gathered and formed League of Philippine Architects (LPA) in the 1930s to the 50s. As the number of
architects grew in number, so as another institution has been established. The United Architects of the
Philippines (UAP) in 1975. The UAP improved version of the previous organizations. It made architect
profession more known in the country.1
Today, architects are considered as “master builders”. Due to the architects’ years of studying, planning and
in conceptualizing, architects can have different profession or jobs aligned with it. Architecture doesn’t just
stick with designing buildings or residential houses. There are many jobs an architect can do and can still
apply what they learned. According to Archdaily website, there are 21 careers that an individual with an
architecture’s degree can pursue or they can specialize in. They can be in a profession as a Landscape
Architect, Urban Planner, Restoration Architect, or even a Research Architect. Better yet, in the 21 st century
gave birth to Green Architecture or Sustainable architecture. 2 Green Architects specialized in developing
and planning structures that can mitigate or eliminating environmental damage that a construction can emit. 3

1 Arch. Renato A. Heray, 100 Years of architecture professions in The Philippines, The Manila Times, 12 Jan
2021.
2 Ariana Zilliacus, 21 Careers You Can Pursue With A Degree in Architecture, 07 Nov 2016. ArchDaily, 07
Nov 2016.
3 United Architects of the Philippines, Green Architecture, united-architects.org, 2021.
Illustration 1.3.2 - The projected percentage rate of architecture positions by percent from 2016-2026

Architecture positions are projected to increase by 4% this coming 10 years, a slower pace than in related
occupations in design professional such as interior designers, and landscape architects. Many
constructionrelated positions are expected to grow at a faster pace, likely due to the present extreme worker
shortages in many construction specialties. Projected change in employment, by percent, 2016-2026.

Illustration 1.3.3 - The percentage rate of the architecture student plans after graduation

Most architecture students plan to continue in the profession and work in private practice. In this table it
shows the plans of the architecture students after graduation, in percent. Additionally, not all graduates are
looking to pursue careers in private practice. According to a 2016 survey of post-graduate plans for
architecture students, more than half were planning for a career in private practice and another 12 percent
were planning on pursuing a different career in academia, while almost a third were planning on further
education or were undecided about their career path.

UTILISING SCAVENGER TRIBAL LOGIC WARLORD MEGAFIRM

LOGIC LOGIC LOGIC

Practice Type Sole practitioners Community Star Architects Megafirms

Architects

Conflict modes Territories Territories Territories Territories and

dominated through dominated through dominated via markets constantly
knowledge local captured, expanded
of knowledge. media channels. and rebuilt.
personal networks. Avoids conflict in Creates conflict in Resolves and
Passive-aggressive order to survive order to build avoids conflict in
conflict mode media presence order to grow

Economic system Macro-economic Local capitalism Regional Global

volatility and
global
 Sources of identity Personal networks Community The architectural Revenue and profit
canon

Basis of strategy Identity Link to Acquisition of Predatory but also

community patronage and adaptive actions
networks
clients

Basis of mission Survival Network Knowledge Predatory but also

amidst expansion and adaptive actions
volatility design agency
Sources of Personal networks Reach and range Media hits, Megaprojects
legitimacy and of networks prestigious
authority projects and
academic positions

Basis of attention Risk Process Reputation in the Entrepreneurial

architectural canon futures

Governance Individual Studio and atelier Master servant Integrated Systems

mechanisms labor practices

Illustration 1.3.4 - Institutional logics describing Architecture as a Global systems

Architecture is a global system. The table describes the ecologies of practice, and how those ecologies
interact. The global system is the context in which all architects operate regardless of the size of their
practice. While there have been numerous studies on globalization in the 21 st century, the changes that the
globalization has brought on architecture, an increasingly global industry have mostly gone undocumented
(Harvey, 2007, 2010; McNeill, 2009; Sklair, 2002).

CONCLUSION

The architect's role has changed over time and is now distinct from any previous period in history. Even in
the last 20 years, the architect's function and responsibilities have evolved. His principal function, on the
other hand, has remained constant throughout history and remains so today.

"The art and science of designing and constructing" has always been the definition of architecture. The
results of the study show that the primary function of an architect today is still considered to be "creator of a
building's design." While the changes in recent history have not been paradoxical to the profession, they
have been significant enough to cause confusion as to the architect's exact responsibilities and expectations.
"The area of architecture has gotten exceedingly large and complex," according to the study, and its
direction has become unclear. Uncertainty about the architect's job creates erroneous expectations about the
architect's performance, resulting in role conflicts, poor results, and disgruntled customers.
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