HE
IWf
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
date:
TiMf-v.04:43 pm
SENATE
S.B. No. 2518
Moex
SILL^
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon
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"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The profession of architecture is about its profound impact on the built 
environment of civilizations all over the world. It is justified by its strong material presence 
that serves as proof of societal change.
The evolution of available technologies and its integration into the profession, 
challenges the practice and industry as it influences the development of the human race.
The intention is to make the practice of architecture purposeful, predictive, and 
effective in the society in which we live. Thus, architects' continuing education and 
professional standards must always be in check to ensure not only their professional 
growth but stimulate their competence to be at par 
the world's best.
Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9266 or "The Architecture Act of 2004" provides that 
the State recognizes the invaluable contribution of architects in nation building, to wit:
"The State recognizes the importance of architects in nation building and 
development. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, 
productive and well-rounded professional architects whose standards of 
practice and service shall be excellent, qualitative, world-class and globally 
competitive through inviolable, honest, effective and credible licensure 
examinations and through regulatory measures, programs and activities that 
foster their professional growth and development."
The architectural industry has invaluable contribution to nation-building. In order 
to establish a healthy and sustainable built environment, there is a need to strengthen 
the practice of the architecture profession by amending the Architecture Act of 2004 and 
harmonizing it with other laws.
In the proposed law, a clear definition of architectural terms was proposed to avoid 
vagueness and promote accuracy in the implementation of the provisions of the Republic 
Act No. 9266 or "The Architecture Act of 2004," and the proposed amendments. Further, 
additional requirements in the qualification of the members of the Professional Regulatory 
Board ("Board") was proposed to ensure that the leaders have the qualification in driving


the profession towards greater competence. The additional qualifications likewise aim to 
professionalize the Board by preventing instances of conflict of interest and "politicization" 
of the profession.
In addition, the proposed law intends to ensure the qualifications and competence 
of our new and future architects by setting standards that are relevant for the 
development of the practice and the industry.
sought.
It is for the reasons stated above that the passage of this measure is earnestly
RI
N
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
S.B.
SENATE 
No, 2518
RECEIVED i-’
E-FILED 
r>A TPr May 2, 2022 m
T IMF• 04:43 pm
CY
INDEX.
Introduced by Senator Richard 3. Gordon
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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. SEC. 3 of Republic Act No. 9266, otherwise known as the Architecture
2 
Act of 2004, is hereby amended to read as follows:
3 
"SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
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defined as follows:
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(1) "Architecture" is the art, science or profession of RENDERING OR OFFERING 
TO RENDER SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE planning, designing and 
constructing [buildings in their totality ] A STRUCTURE OR GROUP OF 
STRUCTURES WHICH HAVE AS THEIR PRINCIPAL PURPOSE HUMAN 
HABITATION OR USE AND THE UTILIZATION OF SPACE WITHIN AND 
SURROUNDING SUCH STRUCTURES taking into account their environment, 
in accordance with the principles of utility, strength and beauty;
(2) "Architect" means a person professionally and academically qualified, 
registered and licensed TO PRACTICE ARCHITECTURE under this Act with a 
Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card issued by the 
Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture and the Professional Regulation 
Commission, and who is responsible for advocating the fair and sustainable 
development, welfare and cultural expression of society's habitat in terms of 
space, forms and historical context;
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(11) "Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization OF ARCHITECTS 
(lAPOA)" means the official national organization of all architects of the 
Philippines in which ail registered Filipino architects shall be members without 
prejudice to membership in other voluntary professional associations;
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XXX


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15) "ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN," ALSO REFERRED TO AS "DESIGN(S)" AS USED 
IN THIS ACT, MEANS THE ILLUSTRATED CONCEPT THAT FOCUSES ON THE 
FEATURES OR ELEMENTS OF BUILDING(S) OR STRUCTURE(S) AND THE 
UTILIZATION OF THE SITE AND SPACE WITHIN AND SURROUNDING SUCH 
BUILDING(S) OR STRUCTURE(S) AND UNIFIES THEM INTO A COHERENT 
AND FUNCTIONAL WHOLE, FOLLOWING A GENERALLY ACCEPTED 
APPROACH TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE(S), ABIDING BY SET NORMS AND 
CONSIDERING THE ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES OF UTILITY, STRENGTH, 
AND BEAUTY, EXCLUSIVELY PREPARED BY AN ARCHITECT;
16) "ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTS,"ALSO REFERRED TO AS "DOCUMENTS" AS 
USED IN THIS ACT, MEANS THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS, 
ARCHITECTURAL PLANS, DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS, TECHNICAL 
DOCUMENTS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS OF SERVICE PREPARED, SIGNED, 
AND SEALED, EXCLUSIVELY BY AN ARCHITECT;
17) "ARCHITECTURAL PERMTT"MEANS A DOCUMENT DULY ISSUED BY ANY 
REGULATING GOVERNMENT ENTITY BASED ON ARCHITECTURAL 
DOCUMENTS AUTHORIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING(S) OR 
STRUCTURE(S) AND THE UTILIZATION OF THE SITE AND SPACE WITHIN 
AND SURROUND SUCH BUILDING(S) OR STRUCTURE(S);
18) "ARCHITECTURAL PLANS,"ALSO REFERRED TO AS "PLANS" AS USED IN THIS 
ACT, MEANS THE LATERAL SECTION OR DIMENSIONAL REPRESENTATIONS 
OF A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OR REDEVELOPMENT OF BUILDING(S) OR 
STRUCTURE(S) AND THE UTILIZATION OF THE SITE AND SPACE WITHIN 
AND SURROUNDING SUCH BUILDING(S) OR STRUCTURE(S) SHOWING 
FEATURES OR ELEMENTS OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SUCH AS THE 
FLOOR PLANS, ELEVATIONS, CROSS AND LONGITUDINAL SECTIONS, 
PERSPECTIVE, REFLECTED CEILING PLAN, SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, 
ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS, AND OTHER ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS 
PREPARED, SIGNED, AND SEALED, EXCLUSIVELY BY AN ARCHITECT.
19) "MULTIPARTITE COUNCIIL"REFERS TO A BODY COMPOSED OF 
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF 
ARCHITECTURE, THE INTEGRATED AND ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL 
ORGANIZATION OF ARCHITECTS (lAPOA), THE ACADEME, PRIVATE 
PRACTITIONERS AND GOVERNMENT PRACTITIONERS."
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SECTION 2. SEC. 4 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 4. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board. - There
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is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture, hereinafter referred to
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as the Board, a collegial body under the supervision and administrative control of the
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Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be
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composed of a chairman and [two (2)] FOUR (4) members appointed by the President of
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the Philippines from a list of three (3) recommendees chosen from a list of five (5)
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nominees for each position submitted to the Commission by the integrated and the
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accredited professional organization of architects. The Board shall be organized not later
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than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act."
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SECTION 3. SEC. 5 (c) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:


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"SEC. 5. Qualifications of Members of the Professional Regulatory Board. - Each
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member shall have at the time of his/her appointment, possess the following
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qualifications:
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(a) be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;
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(b) be a holder of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture,
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PREFERRABLY WITH A POST-BACCALAUREATE DEGREE IN
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ARCHITECTURE, conferred by a school, college or university in the
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Philippines or abroad, WHOSE PROGRAM is accredited by the Commission
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on Higher Education (CHED);
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(c) be an architect with a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional
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Identification Card and active practitioner of architecture for at least [ten
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(10)] FIFTEEN (15) years on the date of his/her appointment;
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(d) not be a member of the faculty of any school, college, university or review
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institution where a regular course or review course in architecture is taught,
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nor have pecuniary interest in such institution. No former member of the
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faculty of any school, institute, university or review center where architecture
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is taught can become a member of the Board unless he/she had officially
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FILED A LEAVE OF ABSENCE OR resigned from such an institution and has
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completely stopped teaching, advising or reviewing activities [for at least five
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(5) years prior to the nomination; and] ON THE DATE OF HIS/HER
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APPOINTMENT;
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(e) has never been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude[.];
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(F) NOT BE AN ELECTIVE OFFICER OF THE INTEGRATED AND ACCREDITED
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PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION 
OF 
ARCHITECTS AND OTHER
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PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF ARCHITECTS ON THE DATE OF HIS/HER
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APPOINTMENT;
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(G) NOT BE AN ELECTIVE NOR APPOINTIVE LOCAL OFFICIAL UNLESS HE/SHE
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RELINQUISHES HIS INCUMBENT OFFICE ON THE DATE OF HIS/HER
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APPOINTMENT;
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(H) NOT BE A CANDIDATE WHO HAS LOST IN ANY ELECTION, WITHIN ONE (1)
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YEAR PRIOR TO THE DATE OF HIS/HER APPOINTMENT.
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SECTION 4. SEC. 6 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 6. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a term
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of three (3) years after appointment or until their successors shall have been appointed
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and duly qualified. Any vacancy occurring within the term of a member shall be filled for
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the unexpired portion of the term only.
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Each member of the Board may be reappointed for one full term of three (3) years.
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Of the members of the Board first appointed under this Act, one (1) member shall be
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appointed and hold office as chairman for three (3) years, [ONE (1)] TWO (2) MEMBERS
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for two (2) years, and [ONE (1)] TWO (2) MEMBERS for one (1) year.
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Each member of the Board shall qualify by taking the proper oath prior to the
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performance of their duties. Provided, That the incumbent members of the Board shall


1 
continue to serve for the remainder of their term as members of the herein created
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Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture until a new Board shall have been properly
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organized."
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SECTION 5. SEC. 7 (f) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 7. Power and Functions of the Board.
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(f)
Monitor LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL BENCHMARKS AND conditions 
affecting the practice of architecture and adopt such measures as may be 
deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high professional, 
ethical and technical standards of the profession;
XXX
(N) KEEP, MAINTAIN, PUBLISH, AND ANNUALLY UPDATE A ROSTER OF 
ARCHITECTS, A ROSTER OF PRACTICING ARCHITECTS, ROSTER OF 
FOREIGN ARCHITECTS WITH VALID TEMPORARY PERMITS, AND A ROSTER 
OF ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS;
(O) KEEP A RECORD OF BOARD PROCEEDINGS AND MAKE AN ANNUAL REPORT 
TO THE COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, 
PHILIPPINESENATE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIIVES, THE CHED, AND THE 
MULTIPARTITE COUNCIL; AND
[(n)] (P) Discharge such other duties and functions as may be deemed necessary 
for the enhancement of the architecture profession and the upgrading, 
development and growth of the architecture education.
SECTION 6. SEC. 9 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 9. Grounds for Suspension or Removal of Members of the Board. -
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(D)
(E)
(F)
SOLICITING AND/OR ACCEPTING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY GIFT, 
GRATUITY, FAVOR, ENTERTAINMENT, LOAN OR ANYTHING OF MONETARY 
VALUE FROM ANY SOURCE, IN THE COURSE OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES 
OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OPERATION BEING REGULATED BY, OR ANY 
TRANSACTION WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE FUNCTIONS OF THEIR 
OFFICE;
Final judgment [of crimes involving moral turpitude] FOR OFFENSES UNDER 
THE REVISED PENAL CODE, THE ANTI-GRAFT AND CORRUPT PRACTICES 
ACT, AND OTHER LAWS; [and]
Manipulation or rigging of the architecture licensure examination results, 
disclosure of secret and confidential information in the examination questions 
prior to the conduct of the said examination or tampering of grades[.]; AND
(G) ENGAGED IN UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE.


1 
SECTION 7. SEC. 11 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
2 
"SEC. 11. Annual Report. - The Board shall submit an annual report to the
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Commission after the close of each year giving a detailed account of its
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proceedings during the year and making such recommendations as it may
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deem proper.
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EVERY OTHER YEAR, THE ANNUAL REPORT SHALL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A
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COMPETITIVENESS REPORT ASSESSING FILIPINO PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTS,
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ARCHITECTURE SCHOOLS, THE BOARD, AND THE lAPOA VIS A VIS THEIR
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COUNTERPARTS IN COUNTRIES WITH WHOM THE PHILIPPINES HAS, IS NEGOTIATING,
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OR DESIRES TO NEGOTIATE MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENTS.
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COPIES OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND COMPETITIVENESS REPORT SHALL BE
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SUBMITTED TO THE FOLLOWING:
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(a) 
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES;
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(b) 
PHILIPPINE SENATE;
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(c) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES;
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(d) 
THE CHED; AND
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THE MULTIPARTITE COUNCIL."
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SECTION 8. SEC. 13 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 13. Qualifications of Applicant for Examination. -
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(c) He/she is a holder of a degree of Bachelor of Science in Architecture conferred
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by a school, college, academy or institute IN THE PHILIPPINES OR ABROAD, WHOSE
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PROGRAM IS duly accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and in
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addition has a specific record of at least two (2) years or equivalent of diversified
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architectural experience duly certified by a registered/licensed architect: Provided,
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however. That an applicant holding a Master's Degree in Architecture from a school,
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college, university or institute IN THE PHILIPPINES OR ABROAD DULY ACCREDITED BY
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THE CHED, shall be credited one (1) year in his/her practical experience; PROVIDED,
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THAT, FOR AN APPLICANT THAT HOLDS A DEGREE FROM A SCHOOL, COLLEGE,
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UNIVERSITY OR INSTITUTE, WHOSE PROGAM IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCREDITED, THE
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APPLICANT SHALL SUBMIT SAID PROGRAM FOR ACCREDITATION BY THE CHED;
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PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT AN APPLICANT WHO HAS OBTAINED DIVERSIFIED
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EXPERIENCE FROM AN ARCHITECT REGISTERED/LICENSED ABROAD SHALL PROVE
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THAT THE COUNTRY WHERE HE OBTAINED SUCH EXPERIENCE HAS RECIPROCITY
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AGREEMENTS WITH THE PHILIPPINES, AND SHALL SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION FOR
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EQUIVALENCY ASSESSMENT BY THE PRC; and
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(d) He/she has not been convicted of any criminal offensive involving moral
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turpitude."
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SECTION 9. SEC. 14 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 14. Subjects for Examination. -
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The Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, AND UPON CONSULTATION
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WITH THE MULTIPARTITE COUNCIL, may revise or exclude any of the subjects and their
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syllabi, and add ne\w ones as the need arises to conform to technological changes brought
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about by continuing trends in the profession."
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SECTION 10. A new section shall be inserted to read as follows:
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"SECTION 16-A. RE-EXAMINATION. - AN APPLICANT WHO FAILS TO PASS THE
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EXAMINATION FOR THE THIRD TIME SHALL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE ANOTHER
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EXAMINATION ONLY AFTER THE LAPSE OF ONE YEAR."
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SECTION 11. SEC. 19 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 19. Roster of Architects. - A roster showing the names and place of business
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of all registered professional architects, PRACTICING ARCHITECTS, FOREIGN
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ARCHITECTS WITH VALID TEMPORARY PERMIT, AND ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS, shall be
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prepared and updated by the Board and copies thereof shall be made available to any
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party as may be deemed necessary."
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SECTION 12. SEC. 20 (2) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 20. Seal, Issuance and Use of Seal. -
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(2) No officer or employee of this Republic, chartered cities, provinces and
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municipalities, now or hereafter charged with the enforcement of laws,
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ordinances, or regulations, relating to the construction or alteration of buildings,
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shall accept or approve any architectural plans or specifications which have not
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been prepared EXCLUSIVELY BY AN ARCHITECT and submitted in full accord
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with all the provisions of this Act. Nor shall any payments be approved by such
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officer for any work, the plans and specifications which have not been so
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prepared EXCLUSIVELY and signed by an Architect.
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UPON APPROVAL OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTS, THE
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CORRESPONDING ARCHITECTURAL PERMIT SHALL BE ISSUED; PROVIDED,
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HOWEVER, THAT NO BUILDING PERMIT OR OTHER DOCUMENT OF SIMILAR
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IMPORT SHALL BE ISSUED WITHOUT THE CORRESPONDING ARCHITECTURAL
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DESIGNS, PLANS, AND DOCUMENTS PREPARED EXCLUSIVELY AND SIGNED BY
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AN ARCHITECT."
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SECTION 13. SEC. 25 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 25. Registration of Architects Required. -No person shall practice
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architecture in this country, or engage in preparing architectural plans, specification or
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preliminary data for the erection or alteration of any building located within the
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boundaries of this country or use the title "Architect", [or display or use any title, sign,
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card, advertisement, or other device] "ARCH." "ARCHT.", "AR.", INCLUDING
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"ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN", "ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS", "ARCHITECTURAL
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SERVICES", OR ANY OF THEIR DERIVATES OR TRANSLATIONS INTO OTHER
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LANGUAGES OR DIALECTS, IN CONNECTION WITH HIS OR HER NAME, STYLE,
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BUSINESS DESIGNATION, BUSINESS NAME, LOGO, OR ON PLANS, DRAWINGS, OR
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SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUILDINGS OR PARTS OF BUILDINGS to indicate THAT such
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person practices or offers to practice architecture, or is an architect, unless such person


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shall have received from the Board a Certificate of Registration and be issued a
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Professional Identification Card in the manner hereinafter provided and shall thereafter
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comply with the provisions of this Act.
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A foreign architect or any person not authorized to practice architecture in the
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Philippines, who shall stay in the country and perform any of the activities mentioned in
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Sections 3 and 4 of this Act, or any other activity analogous thereto, in connection with
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the construction of any building/structure/edifice or land development project, shall be
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deemed engaged in the unauthorized practice of architecture."
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SECTION 14. SEC. 29 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
10 
"SEC. 29. Prohibition in the Practice of Architecture and Penal Clause. - Any person
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who shall practice or offer to practice architecture in the Philippines without being
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registered/licensed and who are not holders of temporary or special permits in accordance
13 
with the provisions of this Act; or any person presenting or attempting to use as his/her
14 
own the Certificate of Registration/Professional Identification Card or seal of another or
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temporary or special permit; or any person who shall give any false or forged evidence
16 
of any kind to the Board or to any member thereof in obtaining a Certificate of
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Registration/Professional Identification Card or temporary or special permit; or any
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person who shall falsely impersonate any registrant of like or different name, or any
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person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of
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Registration/Professional Identification Card or cancelled special/temporary permit; or
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any person who shall use in connection with his/her name or otherwise assume, use or
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advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he/she is an
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architect when he/she is not an architect; or any person whether Filipino or foreigner,
24 
who knowingly allows the use, adoption, implementation of plans, designs or specification
25 
made by any person, firm, partnership or company not duly licensed to engage in the
26 
practice of architecture; OR ANY PERSON, WHO IS A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE
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CONNECTED WITH PERMITTING AUTHORITIES, WHO PREPARES, SIGNS AND SEALS
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ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF APPLYING FOR GOVERNMENT-
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ISSUED PERMITS, CLEARANCES AND LICENSES, SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
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ARCHITECTURAL PERMITS, BUILDING PERMITS, OCCUPANCY PERMITS AND
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ZONING/LOCATIONAL CLEARANCES, BUSINESS PERMITS; or any person who shall
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violate any of the provisions of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations, the Code
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of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Professional Practice, or any policy of the Board and
34 
the Commission, shall be guilty of misdemeanor and charged in court by the Commission
35 
and shall, upon conviction be sentenced to a fine of not less than One hundred thousand
36 
pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Five Million pesos (P5,000,000,00) or to suffer
37 
imprisonment for a period not less than six (6) months or not exceeding six (6) years, or
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both, at the discretion of the Court."
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SECTION 15. SEC. 30 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 30. [Prohibition in the Practice] COERCION, AIDING AND ABETTING
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ILLEGAL PRACTICE of Architecture.- Any person or entity, whether public or private,
42 
Filipino or foreigner, who/which shall entice, compel, coerce, require or otherwise force
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an architect registered and licensed under R.A. No. 9266 to undertake/perform any
44 
service under the general practice of architecture as defined under R.A. No. 9266, without
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first executing a written contract/service agreement; OR ANY PERSON WHO FACILITATES
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THE ISSUANCE OF A GOVERNMENT PERMIT FOR ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTS
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PREPARED, SIGNED AND SEALED BY REGISTERED/LICENSED ARCHITECTS EMPLOYED
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IN GOVERNMENT PERMITTING AUTHORITIES; OR ANY PERSON OR ENTITY,
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WHO/WHICH SHALL AID AND ABET PERSONS OR ENTITIES IN COMMITTING THE


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PROHIBITED ACTS RELATIVE TO THE PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE AS DESCRIBED IN
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SECTION 29 OF THIS ACT shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction be
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sentenced to a fine of not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or to
4 
suffer imprisonment for a period not exceeding six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of
5 
the Court."
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SECTION 16. SEC. 35 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"SEC. 35. Positions in Government Requiring the Services of Registered and
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Licensed Architects. -Within (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, all existing and
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proposed positions in the local and national government, whether career, permanent,
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temporary or contractual and primarily requiring the services of an architect shall be filled
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only by registered and licensed architects.
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ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS CONCERNED SHALL CREATE THE MANDATORY
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PROSITIONS OF PROVINCIAL ARCHITECT, CITY ARCHITECT, CITY ARCHITECT, AND
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MUNICIPAL ARCHITECT, TO BE HELD EXCLUSIVELY BY REGISTERED AND LICENSED
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ARCHITECTS, TO OVERSEE AND REVIEW THE PLANNING, DESIGN, AND
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IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES, SUCH AS, BUT NOT
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LIMITED, TO OFFICES, COURTS, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, CLINICS, FIREHOUSES, POLICE
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STATIONS, MARKETS, PUBLIC HOUSING.
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ALL OFFICES, AGENCIES, AND INSTRUMENTALITIES IN THE GOVERNMENT, 
SHALL HIRE ARCHITECTS IN THE DESIGN OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND 
FACILITIES."
SECTION 17. SEC. 37 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
24 
"SEC. 37. Limitation to the Registration of a Firm, Company, Partnership,
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Corporation or Association. -
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(b) Registered and licensed architects shall compose at least [ seventy-five 
percent (75%)]A MAJORITY of the owners, shareholders, members 
incorporators, directors, executive officers, as the case may be;
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A FILIPINO REGISTERED AND LICENSED ARCHITECT MAY PRACTICE AS A ONE
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PERSON CORPORATION SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN THE REVISED
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CORPORATION CODE."
34
SECTION 18. SEC. 40 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
35 
"SEC. 40. Integration of the Architecture Profession.- The Architecture profession
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shall be integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be accredited by the
37 
Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, as the Integrated and Accredited
38 
Professional Organization of Architects (lAPOA): Provided, however, that such an
39 
organization shall be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as a non-
40 
profit, non-stock corporation, WITH ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION SPECIFYING AS ONE
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OF ITS PURPOSES: TO INTEGRATE ALL ARCHITECTS INTO ONE (1) NATIONAL
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ORGANIZATION, AND governed by By-laws providing for a democratic election of its
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officials[.]; PROVIDED FURTHER THAT SUCH AN ORGANIZATION SHALL HAVE A
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ROBUST NETWORK OF LOCAL AND FOREIGN- BASED CHAPTERS LOCATED IN KEY
2 
CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES; PROVIDED FURTHER THAT an architect duly registered
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with the Board shall automatically become a member of the lAPOA and shall receive the
4 
benefits and privileges provided for in this Act upon payment of the required fees and
5 
dues. Membership in the lAPOA shall not be a bar to membership in other associations
6 
of architects; PROVIDED FINALLY THAT, UPON FILING FOR APPLICATION FOR
7 
ACCREDITATION OR RENEWAL OF ACCREDITATION, SUCH ORGANIZATION SHALL
8 
HAVE A MEMBERSHIP COMPRISING OF AT LEAST FIFTY PERCENT PLUS ONE (50% + 1)
9 
OF REGISTERED/LICENSED ARCHITECTS POSSESSING CURRENT AND VALID
10 
PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS (PICs.)
11 
THE lAPOA SHALL, IN ADDITION TO THE PURPOSES STATED IN ITS BY-LAWS,
12 
HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
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(1) 
REPRESENT THE PROFESSION FOR WHICH SUCH ORGANIZATION HAS 
BEEN ESTABLISHED AND ACCREDITED;
(2) 
SUBMIT NOMINEES FOR VACANT POSITIONS IN THE BOARD;
(3) 
REPRESENT THE PROFESSION IN THE MONITORING COMMITTEESFOR 
MUTUAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENTS (MRA) IN THE ASEAN AND APEC;
(4) 
DEFINE THE STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF ITS MEMBERS;
(5) 
ENSURE THAT ITS MEMBERS ADHERE TO THE CODE OF ETHICS, 
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, AND HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL AND 
TECHNICAL STANDARDS;
(6) 
LOOK INTO THE CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE PRACTICE OF THE 
ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION, LOCALLY AND ABROAD, AND TO PROPOSE 
POLICIES OR MEASURES TO THE BOARD AND/OR THE COMMISSION FOR 
ITS IMPROVEMENT;
(7) 
ENSURE THE WELFARE, AND BEST INTEREST, AS WELL AS HARMONIOUS 
RELATIONSHIP AMONG ITS MEMBERS; AND
(8) 
REPORT VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT TO THE BOARD AND/OR THE 
COMMISSION, THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE LEGAL SERVICE, FOR 
POSSIBLE PROSECUTION OR FILING OF COMPLAINT."
(9) 
SUBMIT TO THE BOARD, AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR,:
a. YEARLY AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION, 
DULY SIGNED BY A CPA AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE ACCOUNTANCY 
WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE SUBMISSION MADE TO THE 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC);
b. AUTHENTICATED COPY OF THE LATEST GENERAL INFORMATION 
SHEET WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE CONDUCT OF NATIONAL 
ELECTION; AND
c. REPORT ON SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS AS A CORPORATE BODY IN 
ATTAINING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANIZATION, IN THE 
ENHANCEMENT OF THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS AND THE 
STATURE/PRESTIGE OF THE PROFESSION, AS WELL AS TANGIBLE 
PROGRAMS (WHICH MAY INCLUDE INSURING ITS MEMBERS; 
PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIP; AND CONDUCTING FREE CPD PROGRAMS 
FOR THE MEMBERS; LIFE, HEALTH, AND DEATH BENEFITS; AND 
OTHER BENEFITS) TO BE SIGNED BY THE BOARD, WITHIN THIRTY 
(30) DAYS AFTER THE FISCAL YEAR; AND
(10) 
OTHER FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS MAY BE 
PRESCRIBED BY THE BOARD."
50
SECTION 19. New sections shall be inserted to read as follows:
11


1 
"SEC. 41. MULTIPARTITE COUNCIL FOR ARCHITECTURE. - A MULTI-PARTITE
2 
COUNCIL FOR ARCHITECTURE IS HEREBY CREATED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE
3 
COMMISSION.
4 
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE MULTI-PARTITE COUNCIL SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
A. 
PROVIDE A PLATFORM TO DISCUSS POLICY CONCERNS IN THE 
EDUCATION, INTERNSHIP, PROFESSIONAL REGULATION AND CONTINUING 
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT; AND
B. 
PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION AMONG THE DIFFERENT 
STAKEHOLDERS IN THE REGULATION AND PRACTICE OF THE BUILT 
ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS.
THE MULTI- PARTITE COUNCIL SHALL BE COMPOSED OF THE:
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
A. 
CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD;
B. 
PRESIDENT OF THE lAPOA;
C. 
PRESIDENT OF THE ACADEMIC ORGANIZATION (DEANS AND HEADS OF 
SCHOOLS) DULY ACCREDITED BY THE PRC UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF 
THE CHED;
D. 
ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM PRIVATE PRACTICE; AND
E. 
ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM GOVERNMENT PRACTICE.
"SEC. 42. POWERS, DUTIES, AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MULTI-PARTITE COUNCIL. - 
THE MULTI-PARTITE COUNCIL SHALL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS;
A. 
MONITOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL BENCHMARKS IN PROFESSIONAL 
EDUCATION, INTERNSHIP, REGULATION AND PRACTICE;
B. 
STUDY AND EVALUATE EDUCATIONAL INNOVATIONS THAT SHALL LEAD 
TO CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT;
C. 
REGULARLY REVIEW OF THE SUBJECTS FOR EXAMINATION;
D. 
DEVELOP AND REGULARLY REVIEW THE TABLE OF SPECIFICATIONS FOR 
THE LICENSURE EXAMINATION;
E. 
DEVELOP AND REGULARLY REVIEW INTERNSHIP/GUIDELINES IN THE 
AREAS SUCH AS DIVERSIFICATION OF EXPERIENCE, DUTIES AND 
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MENTORS AND COLLABORATIVE WORK;
F. 
DEVELOP AND REGULARLY REVIEW CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES;
G. 
DEVELOP AND REGULARLY REVIEW OF STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL 
PRACTICE IN AREAS SUCH AS SCOPE OF SERVICES, SCHEDULE OF FEES, AND 
INTER-PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION; AND
H. 
DEVELOP AND REGULARLY REVIEW PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION, 
INTERNSHIP, REGULATION AND PRACTICE STANDARDS IN REFERENCE TO THE 
PHILIPPINE QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK ACT."
SECTION 20. The following sections of the same Act shall be renumbered as
follows:
42
43
44
SECTION 43 [41]. xxx 
SECTION 44 [42]. xxx 
SECTION 45 [43]. xxx
12


1 
SECTION 46 [44]. xxx
2 
SECTION 47 [45]. xxx
3 
SECTION 48 [46]. xxx
4 
SECTION 49 [47]. xxx
5 
SECTION 21. SEC. 44 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
6 
"SEC. 46. Enforcement of the Act.-xxx
7 
FOR CASES OF ILLEGAL PRACTICE LODGED BEFORE IT, the Board shall assist the
8 
Commission IN THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ANDin filing the appropriate charges
9 
through the concerned prosecution office in accordance with law and the Rules of Court."
10 
SECTION 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Board and the
11 
lAPOA are tasked to prepare the implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) required for
12 
the implementation of this Act. The IRR shall be promulgated within ninety (90) days
13 
upon approval of this act.
14 
SECTION 23. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any section or provisions
15 
of this Act is declared unconstitutional, or invalid, the other sections and provisions, which
16 
are not affected by it, shall continue to be in full force and effect.
17 
SECTION 24. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders,
18 
agreements, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
19 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
20 
SECTION 25. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after is
21 
complete publication in either the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
22 
circulation.
23 
Approved.
13