A lot of fake architects are now in the market from low market projects to high-end residential projects and these crooks abuse the public for its ignorance of the law. They engage in doing projects for basically monetary reasons without considering the health, life and safety of the public and its clients. It also ruins the reputation of architects, destroys our built-environment and tarnishes the practice of architecture in our country.
DEFINITION
Under REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266 - Article 1 Section 3 Paragraph 2
"Architect" means a person professionally and academically qualified, registered and licensed 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;
a. "Architect-of-record" means the architect registered and licensed under this Act, who is directly and professionally responsible for the total design of the project for the client and who shall assume the civil liability for the plans, specifications and contract documents he/she has signed and sealed;
b. "Architecture-in-charge of construction" means an architect registered and licensed under this Act, who is directly and professionally responsible and liable for the construction supervision of the project;
c. "Consulting Architect" means the architect registered and licensed or permitted to practice under this Act, who is professionally and academically qualified and with exceptional or recognized expertise or specialization in any branch of architecture;
SOLUTION
First things first, when you plan to hire an architect, make sure he is a registered and license architect. He should be registered in the roster of Philippine Architects under Professional Regulatory Commission and have an updated license card that signifies his compliance under the Law to practice architecture in the Philippines. An architect gives you assurance not only for the work he’ll render but also insure you of his liability on the project and that’s a very important warranty of his service.
May this sound advice help you when you eventually look for an Architect.
At your service,
Arch. Eric
Concipio Tektura
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References:
- Republic Act no. 386, the 1949 "Civil Code of the Philippines" - Article 1723
- Revised IRR of Presidential Decree no. 1096, the 2004 "National Building Code of the Philippines"
- Republic Act no. 9266 "The Architecture Act of 2004"