Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture

The Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (PRBoA), fully reconstituted as of 30 March 2007 in full compliance with Republic Act No. 9266 (The Architecture Act of 2004), is one of 43 Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Republic of the Philippines. The PRBoA as an entity is under the administrative control and supervision of the PRC, a quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative entity that forms part of the executive branch of government. As such, it does not act independently on matters involving the regulation of the practice of the profession of architecture in the Philippines. The reconstituted PRBoA is a collegial body and is active in the areas of executive action relating to the implementation and enforcement of Republic Act No. 9266 (otherwise known as the Philippine "Architecture Act of 2004"), its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) and derivative regulations e.g. other executive issuances of the PRBoA through the PRC.

At present, the reconstituted PRBoA is composed of three privately practicing architects (working only on a part-time engagement as PRBoA members), as follows: 1) Chairman (Armando N. Alli, fuap, aaif), with a three (3)-year term of office ending 15 November 2009; 2) a Senior Member (Angeline T. Chua Chiaco, fuap), with a two (2)-year term of office ending 02 November 2008; and 3) a Junior Member (Marietta B. Segovia, uap, aaif), with a one (1)-year term of office ending 29 March 2008.

As of February 2008, the reconstituted PRBoA regulates the practice of about twenty two thousand five hundred (22,500) registered architects (RAs) nationwide. Of this number of RAs, it is conservatively estimated that about two-thirds (67%) have valid licenses to practice i.e. a Registered and Licensed Architect ("RLA") and that up to fifty percent (50.0%) are already working outside the country. The PRBoA also regulates the practice of foreign architects wishing to engage in the professional practice of architecture within the country for a limited period of time and of architectural firms (sole/single proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, associations and joint ventures). Only individual foreign architects (not foreign architectural firms) are allowed to practice architecture in the Philippines together with counterpart Filipino RLAs and only if they are issued a temporary/special permit in accordance with R.A. No. 9266. The PRBoA actively supports the APEC Architects Registry and the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for borderless architectural practice, as qualified under said protocols/agreements and as qualified by valid and subsisting laws on architectural practice in the Philippines.

The PRBoA also administers the Architect Licensure Examinations (ALE) given twice annually by the Philippine Government and of Special ALEs given in such countries as Saudi Arabia (KSA) for expatriate Filipinos (overseas foreign workers or "OFWs"). Over the past 5 years, the ALE mortality rate range from 49.0% to 68% per examination. Over the past fifty seven (57) years of the regulation of Philippine architectural practice, only an average of about four hundred (400) annually are granted certificates and licenses to practice.

Among the executive concerns being presently addressed by the reconstituted PRBoA are general information dissemination concerning the laws/ regulations on architectural practice, enforcement mechanisms against illegal practitioners (non-RAs and non-RLAs) and the completion of the amendments to the 1979 Standards of Professional Practice (otherwise known as the Architect's National Code). Among the quasi-judicial responsibilities being discharged by the PRBoA include the hearing of and the promulgation of decisions on administrative cases filed against RAs or RLAs and the review of cases against illegal practitioners for endorsement to prosecutors and higher Philippine courts.

The practice of architecture in the Philippines is only a privilege that is granted to individuals and firms, duly registered and licensed in accordance with Philippine law. It was never a right accorded to RAs nor to any other regulated professional. Such a privilege can be suspended or revoked for cause/s provided under law and only in accordance with due process.

The preparation, signing and sealing of architectural documents are only for RLAs and not for any other regulated professional or other unqualified entities under Philippine law. As such, the PRBoA has actively campaigned in 2007 for the full implementation and enforcement of the pertinent provisions under R.A. No. 9266, which all limit the preparation, signing and sealing of architectural documents only to RLAs and which mandate all officials of the Philippine national and local governments to implement and enforce said provisions. This means that even RAs who have not updated their licenses to practice are prohibited from practicing architecture until such time that they are able to renew such licenses.

Among the legislative initiatives of the reconstituted PRBoA are participation in collaborative efforts to repeal the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP or Presidential Decree No. 1096), the review of bills that tend to undermine professional architectural practice, bills on non-mobile billboards, consulting service regulation and various other related concerns.

External links

*http://www.architectureboard.ph