Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _________ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Christopher V.P. de Venecia, Hon. Ma. Lourdes T. Arroyo, Hon. 
John Marvin "Yul Servo" C. Nieto, Hon. Kristine Singson-Meehan, Hon. Loren Legarda, 
Hon. Joy Myra S. Tambunting, Hon. Angelo Marcos Barba, Hon. Jesus "Bong" C. 
Suntay, Hon. Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo, Hon. Strike B. Revilla, Hon. Evelina G. 
Escudero, Hon. Rose Marie "Baby" J. Arenas, Hon. Vilma Santos-Recto, Hon. Edward 
Vera Perez Maceda, Hon. Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Savellano, Hon. Marlyn "Len" B. 
Alonte, Hon. Dan S. Fernandez, Hon. Precious Hipolito Castelo, Hon. Rowena Niña O. 
Taduran, Hon. Alfred C. Delos Santos, Hon. Mark O. Go, Hon. Anthony Peter "Onyx" 
D. Crisologo, Hon. Ann K. Hofer, Hon. Manuel T. Sagarbarria, Hon. Joey Sarte
Salceda, Hon. Angelica Natasha Co, Hon. Lianda B. Bolilia, Hon. Luisa Lloren
Cuaresma, Hon. Florida "Rida" P. Robes, Hon. Sandra Y. Eriguel, M.D., Hon. Rosanna 
"Ria" V. Vergara 
______________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE CREATION OF AN OFFICE OF ARCHITECTURAL PLANNING 
AND DESIGN IN MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, AND PROVINCES, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 38, 185, 227, 302, 443 (A) AND (B), 454 (A) AND (B), 
AND 463 (A) AND (B), 477, AND 485 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED 
BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9640, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 1991, Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code, mandated the positions 
of provincial, city, and municipal engineers in all local government units. This was a 
welcome requirement that ensured all LGUs would have engineers to plan and design 
roads, bridges, waterworks, sewerage systems, flood control, and traffic control - all the 
horizontal infrastructure needed to deliver services for community and nation-building. 
Unfortunately, Sections 443, 454, and 463 of the Code provided for provincial, city, and 
municipal architects only as optional positions, leaving to chance the architecture and 
design of public schools, hospitals, markets, public housing, capital buildings, and 
public facilities—all the vertical infrastructure vital to community and nation-building. 
October 21, 2021
10:17 am
10397


The most progressive and desirable places to live in and visit are designed well, express 
their rich, local culture, inspire people to be productive, create memorable experiences, 
and enhance the lives of their inhabitants. We also know how the best of public 
architecture makes pride of country and pride of place burn in the citizen’s breast. These 
are the challenges that architects are educated and trained to solve. 
This bill makes the positions of provincial, city, and municipal architects 
mandatory. Our LGUs need engineers and architects working together to make our 
municipalities, cities, and provinces engaging and inviting to residents, visitors, and 
investors. 
Another set of provisions present in the Local Government Code that might need to be 
recalibrated involves the automatic appointment of city and municipal engineers as the 
LGU’s building officials, which is provided under Section 477. The Building Official 
reviews and approves the plans for all public and private buildings. To serve as check 
and balance, it is being hereby proposed that the Building Official be a separate 
position from the city and municipal engineers, or, for that matter, from the city and 
municipal architects. 
The realization of beautifully functioning environments results from the collaboration of 
engineering, architecture, and many other creative disciplines, such as landscape 
architecture, interior design, placemaking, graphic design, urban design, and 
environmental planning. 
The architect, by his or her education, skills, and training, has both the macro 
perspective and critical eye for detail to be the orchestrator, conductor, and performance 
artist. Because of this experience collaborating and marshalling the efforts of diverse 
disciplines into a cohesive whole, the architect is equipped to comprehend and 
appreciate a plan’s potential to impact public welfare and civil life. 
Therefore, to better serve public interest and ensure a vibrant built environment, both 
architect and engineer are hereby envisioned to sit as technical authorities at Bid and 
Award Committees and Technical Working Groups. While the engineer ensures 
strength and stability, the architect looks after function, beauty, and values such as 
inclusivity, sustainability, and spatial equity. 
All LGUs should benefit from the complementary expertise of engineers and architects. 
All LGUs should benefit from engineers focusing on horizontal infrastructure and 
architects on vertical infrastructure. All LGUs should benefit from proper checks and 
balances and creative minds accustomed to problem-solving to improve public facilities 
and, therefore, public service while saving taxpayers' money. 
By bringing the two disciplines to work together, it is our greatest hope that the quality 
of our built environment and, subsequently, the quality of life engendered by these 
environs shall be revitalized and enhanced in LGUs across the nation, not only in our 
country’s wealthiest business districts. 


The time is now to deliberate upon and approve these amendments, while movement, 
tourism, and investments are laid low because of the pandemic. While economies 
around the globe recover, let us get our public architecture, public spaces, and public 
parks into shape. Let us be ready when the rest of the world is ready. 
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. CHRISTOPHER V.P. DE VENECIA
HON. JOHN MARVIN "YUL SERVO" C. 
NIETO 
HON. KRISTINE SINGSON-MEEHAN 
HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING
HON. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA 
HON. JUAN MIGUEL MACAPAGAL 
ARROYO
HON. STRIKE B. REVILLA 
HON. ROSE MARIE "BABY" J. ARENAS


HON. DEOGRACIAS VICTOR "DV" B. 
SAVELLANO
HON. MARLYN "LEN" B. ALONTE 
HON. DAN S. FERNANDEZ
HON. PRECIOUS HIPOLITO CASTELO
HON. ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS 
HON. ANTHONY PETER "ONYX" D. 
CRISOLOGO 
HON. JOEY SARTE SALCEDA
HON. LUISA LLOREN CUARESMA 


HON. FLORIDA "RIDA" P. ROBES
HON. SANDRA Y. ERIGUEL, M.D.
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _________ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Christopher V.P. de Venecia, Hon. Ma. Lourdes T. Arroyo, Hon. 
John Marvin "Yul Servo" C. Nieto, Hon. Kristine Singson-Meehan, Hon. Loren Legarda, 
Hon. Joy Myra S. Tambunting, Hon. Angelo Marcos Barba, Hon. Jesus "Bong" C. 
Suntay, Hon. Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo, Hon. Strike B. Revilla, Hon. Evelina G. 
Escudero, Hon. Rose Marie "Baby" J. Arenas, Hon. Vilma Santos-Recto, Hon. Edward 
Vera Perez Maceda, Hon. Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Savellano, Hon. Marlyn "Len" B. 
Alonte, Hon. Dan S. Fernandez, Hon. Precious Hipolito Castelo, Hon. Rowena Niña O. 
Taduran, Hon. Alfred C. Delos Santos, Hon. Mark O. Go, Hon. Anthony Peter "Onyx" 
D. Crisologo, Hon. Ann K. Hofer, Hon. Manuel T. Sagarbarria, Hon. Joey Sarte
Salceda, Hon. Angelica Natasha Co, Hon. Lianda B. Bolilia, Hon. Luisa Lloren
Cuaresma, Hon. Florida "Rida" P. Robes, Hon. Sandra Y. Eriguel, M.D., Hon. Rosanna 
"Ria" V. Vergara 
______________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE CREATION OF AN OFFICE OF ARCHITECTURAL PLANNING 
AND DESIGN IN MUNICIPALITIES, CITIES, AND PROVINCES, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 38, 185, 227, 302, 443 (A) AND (B), 454 (A) AND (B), 
AND 463 (A) AND (B), 477, AND 485 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED 
BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9640, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Mandatory Office on 
Architectural Planning and Design.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of the 
complementary disciplines of architecture and engineering in nation-building. 
Architecture cannot stand without engineering, and engineering without architecture is 
a sterile structure without soul. The State further appreciates that architecture and 
engineering stand together as a representation of how we see ourselves as a people. 
Public architecture thus stands as a representation of how people see the government 
and how the government cares for its citizens. Moreover, the State accepts that 
architecture impacts society not only at an elevated level, but also shapes individuals 
and their daily lives, making towns and cities desirable places to live, study, work, play, 
visit, and invest in. THE STATE FURTHER RECOGNIZES THE SEPARATE BUT 
EQUALLY IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF PHYSICAL DESIGN AND 
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY BETWEEN ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS. EACH 
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PROFESSIONAL MUST work side by side with the other, each one focusing on their 
expertise and collaborating to create beautiful, engaging, sustainable, inclusive, and 
functional environments in every local government unit across the nation. 
SECTION 3. Section 38 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Section 38. Local Technical Committee. 
(a) There is hereby created a local technical committee in every province, city, and
municipality to provide technical assistance to the local prequalification, bids and
awards committees. It shall be composed of the provincial, city, or municipal
ARCHITECT AND engineer, the local planning and development coordinator, and
such other officials designated by the local prequalification, bids, and awards
committee.
xxx” 
SECTION 4. Section 185 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Section 185. Personal Property Exempt from Distraint or Levy. – The following 
property shall be exempt from distraint and the levy, attachment, or execution 
thereof for delinquency in the payment of any local tax, fee, or charge, including 
the related surcharge and interest: 
(a) Tools and implements necessarily used by the delinquent taxpayer in his trade
or employment; 
(b) One (1) horse, cow, carabao, or other beast of burden, such as the delinquent
taxpayer may select, and necessarily used by him in his ordinary occupation; 
(c) His necessary clothing, and that of all his family;
(d) Household furniture and utensils necessary for housekeeping and used for
that purpose by the delinquent taxpayer, such as he may select, of a value not 
exceeding Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00); 
(e) Provisions, including crops, actually provided for individual or family use
sufficient for four (4) months; 
(f) The professional libraries of doctors, ARCHITECTS, engineers, lawyers, and
judges; 
xxx” 
SECTION 5. Section 227 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 


“Section 227. Organization, Powers, Duties, and Functions of the Local Board of 
Assessment Appeals.  
 
(a)   The Board of Assessment Appeals of the province or city shall be composed 
of the Registrar and the provincial or city ARCHITECT AND engineer as 
members, who shall serve as such in an ex officio capacity without additional 
compensation. 
 
(a) The Board of Assessment Appeals of the province or city shall be composed 
of the Registrar of Deeds, as Chairman, the provincial or city prosecutor, [and] 
the provincial or city ARCHITECT, AND THE PROVINCIAL OR CITY engineer 
as members, who shall serve as such in an ex officio capacity without 
additional compensation. 
 
(d) In provinces and cities without a provincial or city ARCHITECT OR 
engineer, the district engineer shall serve as member of the Board. In the 
absence of the Registrar of Deeds, or the provincial or city prosecutor, or the 
provincial or city ARCHITECT OR engineer, or the district engineer, the 
persons performing their duties, whether in an acting capacity or as a duly 
designated officer-in-charge, shall automatically become the chairman or 
member, respectively, of the said Board, as the case may be. 
 
xxx” 
  
SECTION 6. Section 302 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
“Section 302. Financing, Construction, Maintenance, Operation, and Management 
of Infrastructure Projects by the Private Sector.  
 
(a) Local government units may enter into contracts with any duly prequalified 
individual 
contractor, 
for 
the 
financing, 
construction, 
operation, 
and 
maintenance of any financially viable infrastructure facilities, under the build-
operate-transfer agreement, subject to the applicable provisions of Republic Act 
Numbered Sixty-nine hundred fifty-seven (R.A. No. 6957) authorizing the 
financing, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects by 
the private sector and the rules and regulations issued thereunder and such 
terms and conditions provided in this Section. 
 
(b) Local government units shall include in their respective local development 
plans and public investment programs priority projects that may be financed, 
constructed, operated and maintained by the private sector under this section. It 
shall be the duty of the local government unit concerned to disclose to the public 
all projects eligible for financing under this section, including official notification 
of duly registered contractors and publication in newspapers of general or local 
circulation and in conspicuous and accessible public places. Local projects under 
the build-operate-and-transfer agreement shall be confirmed by the local 
development councils. 
 


(c) Projects implemented under this Section shall be subject to the following terms 
and conditions: 
 
(1) The PROVINCIAL, CITY OR MUNICIPAL ARCHITECT AND THE 
provincial, city, or municipal engineer, as the case may be, upon formal 
request in writing by the local chief executive, shall prepare the 
ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTS, plans, and specifications for the 
proposed projects, which shall be submitted to the sanggunian for 
approval. 
 
(2) Upon approval by the sanggunian of the ARCHITECTURAL 
DOCUMENTS, project plans and specifications, THE PROVINCIAL, CITY 
OR MUNICIPAL ARCHITECT OR the provincial, city, or municipal engineer 
shall, as the case may be, cause to be published once every week, for two 
(2) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) local newspaper which is 
circulated in the region, province, city or municipality in which the project 
is to be implemented, a notice inviting all duly qualified contractors to 
participate in public bidding for the projects so approved. The conduct of 
public bidding and award of contracts for local government projects under 
this Section shall be in accordance with this Code and other applicable 
laws, rules, and regulations. 
 
xxx” 
  
SECTION 7. Section 443 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
  
"Section 443. Officials of the Municipal Government. 
  
(a) There shall be in each municipality a municipal mayor, a municipal vice-
mayor, sangguniang bayan members, a secretary to the sangguniang bayan, a 
municipal treasurer, a municipal assessor, a municipal accountant, a 
municipal budget officer, a municipal planning and development coordinator, 
A MUNICIPAL ARCHITECT, A MUNICIPAL BUILDING OFFICIAL, a municipal 
engineer[/building official], a municipal health officer and a municipal civil 
registrar. 
  
(b) In addition, thereto, the mayor may appoint a municipal administrator, a 
municipal legal officer, a municipal agriculturist, a municipal environment and 
natural resources officer, a municipal social welfare and development officer, 
[a municipal architect,] and a municipal information officer. 
  
xxx” 
  
SECTION 8. Section 454 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
  
"Section 454. Officials of the City Government.  
  


(a) There shall be in each city a mayor, a vice-mayor, sangguniang panlungsod 
members, a secretary to the sangguniang panlungsod, a city treasurer, a city 
assessor, a city accountant, a city budget officer, a city planning and 
development coordinator, A CITY ARCHITECT, A CITY BUILDING OFFICIAL, a 
city engineer, a city health officer, a city civil registrar, a city administrator, a 
city legal officer, a city veterinarian, a city social welfare and development 
officer, and a city general services officer. 
  
(b) In addition thereto, the city mayor may appoint [a city architect,] a city 
information officer, a city agriculturist, a city population officer, a city 
environment and natural resources officer, and a city cooperatives officer. 
  
xxx" 
  
SECTION 9. Section 463 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
  
"Section 463. Officials of the Provincial Government. 
  
(a) There shall be in each province a governor, a vice-governor, members of the 
sangguniang panlalawigan, a secretary to the sangguniang panlalawigan, a 
provincial treasurer, a provincial assessor, a provincial accountant, A 
PROVINCIAL ARCHITECT, A PROVINCIAL BUILDING OFFICIAL, a provincial 
engineer, a provincial budget officer, a provincial planning and development 
coordinator, a provincial legal officer, a provincial administrator, a provincial 
health officer, a provincial social welfare and development officer, a provincial 
general services officer, a provincial agriculturist, and a provincial veterinarian. 
  
(b) In addition, thereto, the governor may appoint a provincial population 
officer, a provincial natural resources and environment officer, a provincial 
cooperative officer, [a provincial architect,] and a provincial information officer. 
  
xxx" 
  
SECTION 10. Section 477 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
“Section 477. Qualifications, Powers, and Duties. 
 
(a) No person shall be appointed engineer unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, 
a resident of the local government unit concerned, of good moral character, and 
a licensed civil engineer. He must have acquired experience in the practice of his 
profession for at least five (5) years in the case of the provincial or city engineer, 
and three (3) years in the case of the municipal engineer. 
 
The appointment of an engineer shall be mandatory for the provincial, city, and 
municipal governments. [The city and municipal engineer shall also act as the 
local building official.] 
 
xxx" 


  
SECTION 11. Section 485 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
“Section 485. Qualifications, Powers, and Duties. 
 
(a)   No person shall be appointed architect unless he is a citizen of the 
Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concerned, of good moral 
character, a duly licensed architect. He must have practiced his profession for 
at least FIFTEEN (15) years in the case of the provincial or city architect and 
TEN (10) years in the case of the municipal architect. 
  
The appointment of the architect SHALL BE MANDATORY for provincial, city, 
and municipal governments. 
  
(b)   The architect shall take charge of the office of architectural planning and 
design and shall: 
 
[(1) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian and 
provide technical assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the 
case may be, in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic 
services and provision of adequate facilities relative to architectural 
planning and design as provided for under Section 17 of this Code; 
 
(2) Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the governor 
or mayor, as the case may be, implement the same, particularly those 
which have to do with architectural planning and design programs and 
projects which the governor or mayor is empowered to implement and 
which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under this Code;] 
  
(1) PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC ADVICE TO THE 
SANGGUNNIAN, GOVERNOR, OR MAYOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, 
ON POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES, BEST PRACTICES, PLANS AND 
PROGRAMS ON PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE, ALL MANNER OF 
VERTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING STRUCTURES OF AN 
ENGINEERING NATURE, URBAN DESIGN, PUBLIC SPACES, 
PLANNING, AND URBAN DESIGN AS IT RELATES TO THE SOCIO-
ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT; 
WORK ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT UNIT AND PRIVATE SECTOR 
TO OFFER A CRITICAL APPRECIATION OF DESIGN AND 
ADVOCATE HIGH-QUALITY BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC SPACES 
THAT ARE BUILT TO LAST, FUNCTIONAL, BEAUTIFUL, ENGAGING, 
COMFORTABLE, 
AND 
ECONOMICALLY, 
SOCIALLY, 
AND 
ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE; 
  
(2) HELP IDENTIFY HOW THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE 
INDUSTRY CAN COLLABORATE AND PARTNER TO IMPROVE THE 
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION QUALITY OF DEVELOPMENT 
ACROSS THE PROVINCE,  CITY, OR MUNICIPALITY; 
  


(3) PREPARE STRATEGIES, DESIGNS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR 
SMALL AND MODERATE-SIZED PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC 
FACILITIES OR RENOVATION PROJECTS AS PROVIDED FOR 
UNDER SECTION 17 OF THIS CODE, AND BROADER PLANNING 
INITIATIVES, 
WHICH 
THE 
GOVERNOR 
OR 
MAYOR 
IS 
EMPOWERED TO IMPLEMENT AND WHICH THE SANGGUNIAN IS 
EMPOWERED TO PROVIDE FOR UNDER THIS CODE; 
  
(4) 
 ADVISE THE SANGGUNIAN, GOVERNOR, OR MAYOR IN 
SELECTING PRIVATE ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS AND OVERSEE 
THE WORK OF SAID FIRMS CONTRACTED BY THE SANGGUNIAN 
TO PREPARE DESIGNS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR LARGER 
PUBLIC BUILDING PROJECTS;  
 
(5) REVIEW AND ENDORSE DESIGNS PREPARED BY PRIVATE-
SECTOR ARCHITECTS FOR VITAL PUBLIC BUILDINGS SUCH AS 
HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS, AND THE LIKE THAT ARE FUNDED, IN 
WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE LGU; 
  
(6)    PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
UNIT BUILDING CODES AND REGULATIONS, MINDFUL OF 
GLOBAL BEST PRACTICES; 
  
(7)    ASSIST THE BUILDING OFFICIAL IN PLANNING AND OVERSEEING 
INSPECTION 
PROGRAMS 
FOR 
PUBLIC 
BUILDINGS 
AND 
PROJECTS TO ENSURE THAT SUCH BUILDINGS SAFEGUARD 
LIFE, HEALTH, AND PUBLIC WELFARE; ARE INCLUSIVE AND 
ACCESSIBLE, PROMOTE CIVIL SERVICE AND PRODUCTIVITY; 
AND AFTER EACH INSPECTION, MAKE THE NECESSARY 
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND THE 
SANGGUNIAN; 
  
[(3)] (8)    In addition to preceding duties and functions, the architect 
shall: 
 
(i) Prepare and recommend for THE consideration of the sanggunian, 
GOVERNOR OR MAYOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, architectural 
planS and designS for the local government unit or a part thereof, 
including [the renewal of slums and blighted areas], land 
reclamation activities, the greening of land, and appropriate 
planning 
of 
marine 
and 
foreshore 
areas, 
ALWAYS 
CONSCIENTIOUSLY STRIVING TO MAINTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL 
AND ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY; AND 
 
(ii) Review and recommend for appropriate action of the sanggunian, 
governor, or mayor, as the case may be, the architectural plans and 
designS submitted by governmental and non-governmental entities 
or individuals, particularly those for THE RENEWAL OF SLUMS 
AND 
BLIGHTED 
AREAS, 
AND 
THE 
DEVELOPMENT 
OF 
undeveloped, underdeveloped, and poorly-designed areas TO 


CREATE PUBLIC SPACES THAT ARE ENGAGING, DIVERSE, AND 
INCLUSIVE, THAT PROMOTE CONFIDENCE AND WELLBEING IN 
THE COMMUNITY, AND ARE CULTURALLY RICH AND VISUALLY 
BEAUTIFUL; 
 
[(iii) Coordinate with government and non-government entities and 
individuals involved in the aesthetics and the maximum utilization 
of the land and water within the jurisdiction of the local government 
unit, compatible with environmental integrity and ecology balance;] 
 
[(4)] (9) Be [in] AT the frontline of the delivery of services involving 
architectural planning and design, particularly those related to the 
DESIGN 
AND 
CONSTRUCTION 
OF 
[redesigning 
of 
spatial 
distribution of basic] facilities and physical structures BEFORE, 
during, and in the aftermath of man-made and natural calamities 
and disasters; AND 
 
[(5) Recommend to the sanggunian and advise the governor or mayor, 
as the case may be, on all matters relative to the architectural planning 
and design as it relates to the total socio-economic development of the 
local government units; and] 
 
(9) [(c)] Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and 
functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance. 
  
SECTION 12. Section 491 shall be introduced into Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise 
known as the Local Government Code of 1991, to read as follows: 
  
ARTICLE XXI 
THE BUILDING OFFICIAL 
  
“SECTION 491. QUALIFICATIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF THE APPOINTED 
BUILDING OFFICIAL. – (A) NO PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED BUILDING OFFICIAL 
UNLESS HE IS A CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES, A RESIDENT OF THE LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNIT CONCERNED, OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, AND A DULY 
LICENSED ARCHITECT OR ENGINEER. HE MUST HAVE PRACTICED HIS 
PROFESSION FOR AT LEAST TEN (10) YEARS IN THE CASE OF THE CITY 
BUILDING OFFICIAL AND SEVEN (7) YEARS IN THE CASE OF THE MUNICIPAL 
BUILDING OFFICIAL. THE POSITION OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL MUST BE 
DISTINCT AND SEPARATE FROM THE CITY AND MUNICIPAL ARCHITECTS AND 
ENGINEERS TO SERVE AS CHECK AND BALANCE IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC 
WELFARE. THE SEPARATE APPOINTMENT OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL SHALL 
BE MANDATORY FOR THE CITY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS. 
  
(B) THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE LOCAL BUILDING OFFICIAL POSITION 
ARE: 
  
1. TEN (10) YEARS OF FULL-TIME PROGRESSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE 
DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND INSPECTION OF PUBLIC, INDUSTRIAL, 


COMMERCIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, INCLUDING THREE YEARS 
OF EXPERIENCE AS A CERTIFIED BUILDING INSPECTOR. 
  
2. MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN 
ARCHITECTURE OR ENGINEERING; 
  
3. MUST BE ABLE TO DRIVE TO AND INSPECT CONSTRUCTION SITES AND 
WORK IN PROGRESS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS; AND 
  
4. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS CODE CERTIFICATION, ICC BUILDING CODE 
CERTIFICATIONS, AND ICC COMBINATION PLANS CERTIFICATION, ICC FIRE 
PLANS REVIEW; EXPERIENCE IN THE APPLICATION AND INTERPRETATION 
OF NATIONAL, CITY, AND MUNICIPAL CODES, RULES, AND ORDINANCES; 
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION EXPERIENCE AT A DEPARTMENT 
LEVEL; AND SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE. 
  
(C) THE LOCAL BUILDING OFFICIAL SHALL TAKE CHARGE OF THE GUIDANCE, 
DIRECTION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL 
(OBO). HE OR SHE MONITORS AND ENFORCES COMPLIANCE WITH ALL 
APPLICABLE DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS, CODES, RULES, AND ORDINANCES 
RELATED TO BUILDING CODES, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE PROVISIONS OF 
LOCAL CODES AND ORDINANCES ARE MORE STRINGENT THAN NATIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS. THE POSITION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DUTIES: 
  
1. UNDERSTAND, INTERPRET, EXPLAIN, AND ENFORCE THE BUILDING 
CODES, POLICIES, AND BEST PRACTICES ADOPTED BY THE CITY OR 
MUNICIPALITY AS WELL AS OTHER CODES RELATED TO PROPERTY 
DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING CONSTRUCTION; 
 
2. RECEIVE APPLICATIONS, APPROVE PLANS, ISSUE PERMITS FOR ALL 
WORK REGULATED BY THE CODES, AND ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF 
OCCUPANCY OR COMPLETION REQUIRED BY THE CODES REVIEW, AND 
ISSUE CONSTRUCTION TRADES PERMITS, SUCH AS FIRE SPRINKLER, LIFE 
SAFETY PERMITS, AND OTHER SIMILAR PERMITS AS ASSIGNED; 
 
3. PERFORM INSPECTIONS AND CONSTRUCTION PLAN REVIEWS; 
 
4. ISSUE ALL NOTICES AND ORDERS AND DO EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO 
REMOVE ILLEGAL, UNSAFE, AND UNSANITARY CONDITIONS, INCLUDING 
INADEQUATE EXIT FACILITIES, IN BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES EITHER 
EXISTING OR HEREAFTER CONSTRUCTED. 
 
5. PERIODICALLY REVIEW ALL CODE PROVISIONS AND STANDARDS; 
DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT OPERATING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AS 
THEY RELATE TO BUILDING SAFETY; 
 
6. MONITOR 
OBO 
OPERATIONS 
AND 
SERVICES 
AND 
IMPLEMENT 
PROCEDURAL CHANGES AS NEEDED TO IMPROVE WORKFLOW AND 
PRODUCTIVITY; 


 
7. ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARDS; ENSURE 
THAT CUSTOMERS RECEIVE TIMELY ASSISTANCE AND ACCURATE 
INFORMATION; 
 
8. RECEIVE COMPLAINTS AND RESOLVE COMPLEX ISSUES AND SITUATIONS 
WITH CUSTOMERS; 
 
9. INVESTIGATE CITIZEN INQUIRIES CONCERNING BUILDING AND SAFETY 
VIOLATIONS; PROVIDE TIMELY RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS AND TAKE 
NECESSARY STEPS TO RESOLVE ISSUES AND CODE-RELATED VIOLATIONS; 
 
10. EXPLAIN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND RESPOND TO CONCERNS 
FROM OTHER EMPLOYEES, DEPARTMENTS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, CITY OR 
MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT, HOMEOWNERS, EXTERNAL THIRD PARTIES, 
OTHER 
JURISDICTIONS, 
AND 
THE 
GENERAL 
PUBLIC; 
PROVIDE 
INFORMATION, PROFESSIONAL ADVICE, AND ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS, 
DEPARTMENTS, GROUPS, OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON BUILDING AND 
DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION ISSUES; 
 
11. 
SECURE 
COOPERATION 
REGARDING 
COMPLAINTS 
AND 
CODE 
VIOLATION ISSUES THROUGH DIALOGUE AND NEGOTIATION; ADVISE THE 
PUBLIC AND OTHER CITY OR MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS ON CODE-RELATED 
BUILDING AND SITE ACCESSIBILITY RULES AND REGULATIONS; 
 
12. ESTABLISH STANDARD OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT 
ALL WORK ACTIVITIES ARE APPROPRIATELY DOCUMENTED; ESTABLISH 
AND MAINTAIN SYSTEMS TO ENSURE THAT ALL  REPORTS, PERMITS, PLANS, 
AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE ARCHIVED AND MAINTAINED IN AN 
ORGANIZED FASHION; 
 
13. ATTEND, COUNCIL, SANGUNIAN, OR OTHER PUBLIC MEETINGS AS 
REQUIRED; 
 
14. AT LEAST ANNUALLY, SUBMIT TO THE CITY OR MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY 
A WRITTEN REPORT OF ALL PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES ISSUED AND THE 
OBO'S ACTIVITY IN GENERAL, AND SHALL, AS OFTEN AS SPECIFICALLY SO 
REQUESTED BY MUNICIPAL OR CITY AUTHORITIES, PROMPTLY REPORT 
THERETO IN WRITING CONCERNING ANY MATTER OF CONCERN RELATIVE 
TO HIS DUTIES. 
 
15. CONFER WITH THE CITY ARCHITECT AND CITY ENGINEER ON CODE 
INTERPRETATION, PLAN REVIEW, PERMIT ISSUANCE, FIELD INSPECTIONS, 
FEE COLLECTIONS, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS; 
 
16. PERFORM RANDOM FIELD VISITS WITH CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS 
AND DEVELOPERS TO DISCUSS ISSUES RELATED TO BUILDING CODES AND 
BUILDING SAFETY REGULATIONS; PARTICIPATE IN MEETINGS WITH 
BUILDERS TO DISCUSS AND GAIN FEEDBACK REGARDING PLAN REVIEW, 
PERMIT PROCESSING, FIELD INSPECTIONS, AND THE LIKE; 


 
17. REVIEW AND UPDATE PERMIT AND PLAN REVIEW FEES; 
 
18. PREPARE AND ADMINISTER THE OBO'S ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET; 
 
19. SELECT, TRAIN AND EVALUATE STAFF; PLAN, DELEGATE, COORDINATE, 
REVIEW, AND SUPERVISE THE WORK OF ASSIGNED STAFF. 
 
20. PERFORM RELATED TASKS AS REQUIRED AND EXERCISE SUCH OTHER 
POWERS AND PERFORM DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS AS PRESCRIBED BY LAW 
OR ORDINANCE. 
 
SECTION 13. The following Sections of R.A. No. 7610 shall be renumbered as follows: 
 
SECTION 492 [491]. xxx 
 
SECTION 493 [492]. xxx 
 
SECTION 494 [493]. xxx 
 
SECTION 495 [494]. xxx 
 
SECTION 496 [495]. xxx 
 
SECTION 497 [496]. xxx 
 
SECTION 498 [497]. xxx 
 
SECTION 499 [498]. xxx 
 
SECTION 500 [499]. xxx 
 
SECTION 501 [500]. xxx 
 
SECTION 502 [501]. xxx 
 
SECTION 503 [502]. xxx 
 
SECTION 504 [503]. xxx 
 
SECTION 505 [504]. xxx 
 
SECTION 506 [505]. xxx 
 
SECTION 507 [506]. xxx 
 
SECTION 508 [507]. xxx 
 
SECTION 509 [508]. xxx 
 


SECTION 510 [509]. xxx 
 
SECTION 511 [510]. xxx 
 
SECTION 512 [511]. xxx 
 
SECTION 513 [512]. xxx 
 
SECTION 514 [513]. xxx 
 
SECTION 515 [514]. xxx 
 
SECTION 516 [515]. xxx 
 
SECTION 517 [516]. xxx 
 
SECTION 518 [517]. xxx 
 
SECTION 519 [518]. xxx 
 
SECTION 520 [519]. xxx 
 
SECTION 521 [520]. xxx 
 
SECTION 522 [521]. xxx 
 
SECTION 523 [522]. xxx 
 
SECTION 524 [523]. xxx 
 
SECTION 525 [524]. xxx 
 
SECTION 526 [525]. xxx 
 
SECTION 527 [526]. xxx 
 
SECTION 528 [527]. xxx 
 
SECTION 529 [528]. xxx 
 
SECTION 530 [529]. xxx 
 
SECTION 531 [530]. xxx 
 
SECTION 532 [531]. xxx 
 
SECTION 533 [532]. xxx 
 
SECTION 534 [533]. xxx 
 


SECTION 535 [534]. xxx 
 
SECTION 536 [535]. xxx 
 
SECTION 537 [536]. xxx 
 
SECTION 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Civil 
Service Commission, the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture, and other 
stakeholders shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for their effective 
implementation. 
  
SECTION 15. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect. 
  
SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules, 
and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, 
or modified accordingly. 
  
SECTION 17. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette and a newspaper of general circulation. 
  
Approved,