Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5597

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto, Hon. Edward Vera
Perez Maceda, Hon. Dale “Along” R. Malapitan, Hon. Eric M. Martinez, and
Hon. Rolando M. Valeriano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the
past and present congress.

Republic Act No. 9266, or better known as the Architecture Act of 2004, is a
significant legislation that aims to protect the profession of Architecture in the
country. The law mandates that architectural services should only be provided by
qualified professionals. However, despite the enactment of this law, there is still
room for further improvement in order to protect and empower our architects.

The proposed measure seeks to strengthen the architecture profession by
amending the provisions of the Architecture Act of 2004 or Republic Act 9266. The
inclusion of new specific terms with corresponding definitions will greatly help the
practice of architecture in distinguishing them from other professions. This
amendment will also mandate the requirement of the signature of an Architect on
architectural designs, plans and documents before any building permit may be
issued.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.


2

basal ~yyfServo” C. Nieto

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Edward Vera Perez Maceda

M. Martinez


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. paces

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto, Hon. Edward Vera
Perez Maceda, Hon. Dale “Along” R. Malapitan, Hon. Eric M. Martinez, and
Hon. Rolando M. Valeriano

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED NINE THOUSAND
TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX (R.A. No. 9266), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“ARCHITECTURE ACT OF 2004”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. SEC. 3(1) of Republic Act No. 9266 is hereby amended to include the
following terms after paragraph (14) to be denominated as paragraphs (15), (16), (17),
and (18):

"SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
defined as follows:

1) Xxx

14) Xxx

15) ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - ALSO REFERRED TO AS “DESIGN” IN THIS ACT,
MEANS THE ILLUSTRATED CONCEPT THAT FOCUSES ON THE FEATURES OR
ELEMENTS OF BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES AND THE UTILIZATION OF THE SITE
AND SPACE WITHIN AND SURROUNDING SUCH BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES AND
UNIFIES THEM INTO A COHERENT AND FUNCTIONAL WHOLE, FOLLOWING A
GENERALLY ACCEPTED APPROACH TO THE OBJECTIVES. ABIDING BY SET NORMS
AND CONSIDERING THE ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES OF UTILITY, STRENGTH AND
BEAUTY, EXCLUSIVELY PREPARED BY ARCHITECT;

16) ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENT - ALSO REFERRED TO AS “DOCUMENT” AS USED
IN THIS ACT, MEANS THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, ARCHITECTURAL PLAN,
DRAWING, SPECIFICATION, TECHNICAL DOCUMENT AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS OF
SERVICE PREPARED, SIGNED AND SEALED 2 EXCLUSIVELY BY AN ARCHITECT;

17) ARCHITECTURAL PERMIT - MEANS A MANDATED DOCUMENT ISSUED BY ANY
REGULATING GOVERNMENT ENTITY BASED ON ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTS
AUTHORIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES AND THE


UTILIZATION OF THE STATE AND SPACE 8 WITHIN AND SURROUNDING SUCH
BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES;

18) ARCHITETCURAL PLAN - ALSO REFERRED TO AS "PLAN” AS USED IN THIS ACT
MEANS THE LATERAL SECTION OR DIMENSIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF A
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OR REDEVELOPMENT OF BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES
AND THE UTILIZATION OF THE SITE AND SPACE WITHIN AND SURROUNDING
SUCH BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES SHOWING FEATURES OR ELEMENTS OF THE
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SUCH AS THE FLOOR PLANS, ELEVATIONS, CROSS AND
LONGITUDINAL SECTIONS, PERSPFCTIVE, REFLECTED CEILING PLAN, SITE
DEVELOPMENT PLAN, ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS, AND OTHER ARCHITECTURAL
DETAILS PREPARED, SIGNED AND SEALED EXCLUSIVELY BY AN ARCHITECT;”

SEC. 2. Sec. 20 (2) of Republic Act No. 9266 is hereby amended by adding a new
provision which read as follows:

“Sec. 20. Seal, Issuance and Use of Seal. -XXX

(2-A) No officer or employee of this Republic, chartered cities, provinces and
municipalities, now or hereafter charged with the enforcement of laws, ordinances
or regulations relating to the construction or alteration of buildings, shall accept or
approve any architectural plans or specifications which have not been prepared
EXCLUSIVELY BY AN ARCHITECT and submitted in full accord with all the provisions
of this Act. Nor shall any payments be approved by such officer for any work, the
plans and specifications for which have not been so prepared EXCLUSIVELY and
signed by an Architect.

UPON APPROVAL OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTS, THE CORRESPONDING
ARCHITECTURAL PERMIT SHALL BE ISSUED; PROVIDED, HOWEVER THAT NO
BUILDING PERMIT OR SIMILAR IMPRT SHALL BE ISSUED WITHOUT THE
CORRESPONDING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, PLAN, AND DOCUMENT PREPARED
EXCLUSIVELY AND SIGNED BY AN ARCHITECT.”

SEC. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, presidential proclamations, executive orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or declared
unconstitutional, the other provisions which are not affected thereby shall remain valid
and subsisting.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,
whichever comes first.

Approved,