Editorial Writing
Editorial Writing
What it is NOT!
The practice of architecture does NOT include civil engineering/structural design, electrical
design, mechanical design, sanitary/plumbing design, electronics and communication
design, geodetic engineering, agricultural engineering, and other specialty services.
It does NOT cover engineering design for electrical transmission towers, dams, oil
pipelines, rocket, launchers, highways, and railroads.
House Bill 5127 and Senate Bill 2623 provide that architectural design shall be
exclusively prepared by an architect and do not include engineering designs.
Therefore, these bills do not affect the practice of other professionals.
The spirit and letter of RA 9266 is clear in granting architects the exclusive right to
prepare and sign architectural documents. Sec. 43 cannot be used to allow other
professionals to practice architecture. It cannot be that the law gave exclusivity to
architects with one hand, and took it back with the other. The repeal of this provision will
finally remove any doubt as to the intent and language of the law.
In preparation for ASEAN integration and globalization, we must ensure that our laws on
professionals are aligned with international and regional standards, as well as attuned to
global best practices wherein ARCHITECTURE IS FOR ARCHITECTS and
ENGINEERING IS FOR ENGINEERS.