An Act to Regulate the Practice of

Architecture in the Philippines

Republic Act 545

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 Organization
– composition - 3 persons (chair and 2 members)
– powers
• administer the provisions of the act
• issue, revoke or suspend certificates of registrations
• administer oaths
• investigate violations
• recommend measures that would promote good ethics and
standards of practice - protection of public welfare, life, health
and property
– qualifications
• citizen of the Philippines
• architect (of course) for 10 years
• not a teacher for at least 3 years (now 5 years)

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– term of office - 3 years
– vacancy and removal of board members
• neglect of duty, incompetence, unprofessional or dishonorable
conduct

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 Registration and Examination
– Certificate of Registration (same as license)
• upon passing the technical examination
• take oath
– why registration is required
• safeguard life, health and property
– Architect: technically and legally qualified to practice
architecture

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– Practice of architecture
• planning, architectural and structural designing
• specifying
• supervising
• giving general administration and direction to construction of
buildings
– government expert advisers (given 6 months to
practice)
– refusal to issue/ renew certificate: convicted criminal,
immoral or dishonorable conduct,

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– Suspension and Revocation of License
• signed on docs. that one has not prepared or supervised
• paid illegal amount in the application
• impersonation
• aided an illegal practice
*****

Approved: June 17, 1950

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 PD 223 ● Creation of PRC
– regulation of various professions (used to belong to the
Civil Service Commission)
– power and functions of various boards
• look into the conditions affecting the practice
• investigate violations
• to promulgate decisions
• manage issuance of certificates
• prepare licensure examinations, score and rate examination
papers
– June 22, 1973

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– BOA resolution 10 s. 1984
• one can only sign plans and specifications that one has
prepared
– BOA resolution 24 s. 1984
• revision on the the “general conditions”
– most expensive way should be adopted by the contractor when
conflict arises between drawings and specifications
– architect will issue certificate of payment for an amount which
he is able to justify to the owner (in case of disagreement
between architect and owner)
– contractor’s favor to have costs for shut-down, delay and start-up
when it is compelled to suspend work

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– BOA Resolution 9 s. 1982
• expanding the practice of architecture
– physical and land-use planning, site planning, site selection, …
space programming, architectural detailing, architectural
interiors, programming, construction management, work
supervision, estimating, teaching major architectural subjects,
preparing feasibility studies, building maintenance and
administration
– Civil Code : Art. 1723 : architects and engineers
liability for damages
• liable within 15 years after completion for collapse by reason
of defects in plans and specifications
• contractor is equally liable on account of defects in
construction

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– Agencies involved in housing
• Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
(HUDCC) - formulates policies and objectives as well as over-
all strategies for housinc
• Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) - formerly
Human Settlements Regulatory Commission; to foster growth
and renewal of urban and rural communities, optimum land-
use, adequate shelter and environmental protection
• Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig Fund) provident
savings fund for housing
• National Home Mortgage and Finance Corporation (NHMFC) -
generate continuous source of funds for housing through
secondary mortgage market system
• National Housing Authority (NHA) - undertake housing
development and resettlement
• National Housing Corporation (NHC) - develop, standardize,
and mass produce housing materials

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History of Architectural Organizations
• 1902 - Academia de Arquitectura y Agrimensura de Filipinas;
1st President Guillermo Gardiner
• National Assembly 1921 - 1st Engineers and Architects Law
Act No. 2985 (master buildings were registered as architects)
• 1933 - Philippine Architects Society (adopted a code of ethics
and standardized fees)
• 1945 Sept. 2 - PAS became PIAP the became Philippine
Institute of Architects (PIA)
• 1950 - League of Philippine Architects, AR 545 was enacted
• 1958 - Association of Philippine Government Architects
• 1973 - creation of PRC; APGA, LPA and PIA negotiated
• 1974 - approval of the constitution and by-laws by the 3
organizations
• 1975 - United Architects of the Philippines
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 Code of Ethics
– Divisions (architects responsibilities in relation to)
• people
– responsibilities toward the public
– constructive civic service
– preservation of heritage
– uphold interest of its professional organization
– abide by the code of ethical conduct
– refrain from paid advertisements of self-laudatory, misleading
publicity
– refrain from taking part in paid advertisement

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 Code of Ethics
• client
– introduce oneself by sample (no free design)
– ascertain nature and scope of project, define charges
– honest advocate (even that would mean loss of project)
– explain character of estimate
– consider needs and stipulation of the client
– charge the client
– not undertake fixed contract sum
– not accept payment from other source
– refrain from business that would discredit oneself

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 Code of Ethics
• duty also to God and Country
• uphold the ideals of the profession
• seek success through merit of quality
• ask remuneration and expect none other
• client above oneself
• impartial advocate
• avoid business that would prejudice once trustworthiness
• have inspiring behavior
• confine criticisms constructively
• share

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 Code of Ethics
• contractor
– make contractor understand the contract (avoid mistakes)
– architect’s error should not be absorbed by the contractor
– promptly act on non-conformance of the contractor
– not accept free engineering services or other “freebies” that
would make him obligated
– promptly act on request for payments
• manufacturers, dealers and agents
– no “freebies”
– avoid commissions, discounts, gifts that places one under
reciprocal frame

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 Code of Ethics
• colleagues and subordinates
– no free architect’s services except small civic and charitable
projects
– not knowingly compete with other architects on basis of fee
– not seek commission on a project when another architect is
currently negotiating
– not be part of a competition where there is conflict of interest
– not invade or conquer another architect’s project
– notify original designers when undertaking renovation works
– not maliciously talk about another architect
– protect ones name from being used maliciously
– sign only on plans one has prepared
– treat well employees and subordinates
– share technical information and experience
– serve ones professional association

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 Architectural Services
– Pre-Design
• feasibility studies (viability), financing, programming
(problem seeking), site selection or analysis, site studies, space
studies, promotional services (marketing)
– Design
• schematic design, design development, contract document,
construction
– Specialized Allied
• interior design, landscape, physical planning (site planning),
comprehensive planning (starts with data base gathering end
culminates with master development plan)

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 Architectural Services
– Construction Services
• full-time supervision (quality control, evaluation of
contractor’s work, record keeping)
• construction management (coordination and supervision, cost
and time control, quality control and record keeping)
– Post Construction Services
• building and equipment maintenance (trouble free use)
• building and grounds administration (billing, security,
operations)
• post construction evaluation (have the goals been achieved)
– Comprehensive Architectural Services
• all in one

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 Architectural Services
– Design-Build
• by administration
– implements construction
– hires workers, negotiate with contractors, authorize payment of
accounts
• guaranteed maximum cost
– involves the use of a revolving fund
– savings and excesses are shared with conditions
– 50/50 split on savings
– 50/50 split on excess up to 110% of the guaranteed cost
– architect pays for the excess beyond 110% of the guaranteed
cost.

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 Compensation Methods
• Stipulated sum (fixed fee, lump sum))
• cost plus fee = actual expense plus reasonable fee for profit
• multiple of direct personnel expense = salaries are determined
then multiplied by a factor, this is increased by a multiplier for
overhead and profit
• percentage of construction cost
• unit cost method = based on definable unit (housing unit,
square meter, room)
• per diem plus reimbursable expense

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National Building Code

Presidential Decree 1096

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 History of Building Codes
– Babylonian Law of Hammurabi
• death to the builder whose …
– Twelve Tales of Roman Law
• setback for repair and fire prevention
– Henry Fitz-Elwyne Assize of Buildings (England)
• England’s first building code (1189)
• great fire in 1666
– prompted by fire and spread of diseases
• avoiding overcrowding, poor ventilation, poor sanitation

Philippines:
– PD 1096 revised RA 6541
– adjuncts to the building code: FCP, Sanitation code, NSCP, etc

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 General Provisions
• safeguard life, health, property and public welfare
– building
• regulation and control of location (zoning)
• site development
• design
• quality of materials
• construction (methodology)
• use and occupancy
• maintenance
– scope
• all buildings as regard to their, design, location, siting,
construction, alteration, repair, conversion, use, occupancy,
maintenance, moving, demolition or addition

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Administration and Enforcement
• Under Department of Public Works and Highways
• Building Official is the executive of the code
• district engineers, city engineers or municipal engineers act as
BO
• dangerous and ruinous buildings or structures
– structurally unsafe
– lack of safe egress
– fire hazard
– inadequate maintenance
– dilapidated
– abandoned

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 Building Permits
• Required from all
• Requirements
– fill-up a form
– lot ownership / possessory right (TCT, sale, lease, contract)
– drawings, specifications and estimates
– lot plan
• BO issue permit within 15 days from the date of payment
• permit becomes null and void if:
– construction does not commence within one year
– suspended/ abandoned for 120 days
• Grounds for non-issuance
– errors found in the construction documents
– errors in information supplied
– non-compliance with this code

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 more on Permits
• non-issuance, suspension or revocation
– should always be in writing
– appeal can be done within 15 days
• Inspection and Supervision of Work
– architect or engineer undertake full-time inspection/ supervision
– may not be the designing professional
– logbook to record progress is required
– file a certificate of completion (submit logbook)
• Certificate of Occupancy
– no building can be occupied without such certificate
– no change in occupancy allowed
– issued within 30 days after final inspection

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 Building Permit Fees
• type of occupancy
• cost
• floor area
• height

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 Types of Construction
• Type I - wood construction
• Type II - wood with protective fire-resistance and one-hour
fire resistive throughout
• Type III - masonry and wood construction, and one-hour fire
resistive throughout
• Type IV - steel, iron, concrete, masonry
• Type V - fire resistive

• fire resistance rating - time in hours a material or assembly can

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 Classification of Buildings by Use
• Category I - residential
• Category II - commercial and industrial
• Category III - educational, social and institutional
• Category IV - agricultural
• Category V - ancillary
– mixed occupancy - classified to belong to the most
restrictive requirement

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 Light and Ventilation
• all buildings shall face a street or public alley
• size of room relative to window size (10% of floor area and
not less than 1 sm; 5% for toilets but not less than 0.24 sm)
• ceiling heights (min):
– 2.7m, 2.4m and 2.1m (artificially ventilated)
– 2.7m if naturally ventilated
– 1.8m for mezzanine
• min. sizes and dimension of rooms
– human habitation = 6sm (least side 2m)
– kitchen = 3sm (least side 1.5m)
– bath/ toilet = 1.2sm (least side 0.9m)

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 Stairs, Exits and Occupant Loads
– dwellings = 28sm/occupant • steps: riser <= 200mm;
– classroom = 1.8sm run => 250mm (max
– laboratory 4.6sm variation 5mm)
• provide at least 1 exit
• exit width = occupant load
divide 165 (equally
divided among separate
exits)
• distance to exits <= 45m
measured along line of
travel (without sprinkler);
60m with sprinklers

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 Definitions
• erection - installation in place
• addition - increasing height or area
• alteration - changes in materials, partitioning, size of openings,
structural parts, utilities without increasing area
• renovation - physical change to increase value, utility,
aesthetics
• conversion - change in use
• repair - remedial work on damaged portion, restore
• moving - transfer of building or part
• demolition - systematic dismantling
• ancillary - secondary building
• minor construction - permit not required (shed, outhouse,
detached from building)

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• bay or panel - of the intervals or spaces into which the building
front is divided by columns, buttresses or division walls
• buildable area - the remaining space in a lot after deducting the
required minimum open space
• dispersal area - area which is equal to the total capacity of the
building it serves (0.28sm per person)
• socalo - area between bottom of window sill and the ground
• soffit - underside of a beam, lintel
• atrium – an opening through two or more floors that is closed
on the top
• automatic closing – refers to fire assembly, sucha as door, that
normally remains in the open position but that closes when
subjected to increase in temperature of 165 deg F. or on
actuation of a smoke detector.

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• Egress system – three parts: exit access (leads to the exit), the
exit (between exit access to the discharge, must be fully
enclosed and protected, 1 – 2 hour rating) and the exit
discharge (outside the building). These must lead to public
way.
• noncombustible – no part of may ignite or burn when
subjected to fire
• panic hardware – door latching assembly using an unlatching
device that has an activating portion t hat extends across at
least ½ of the the width of the door
• self-closing -

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