De La Salle University – Dasmariñas 1

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

POSITION PAPER RE:

HOUSE BILL NO. 10234

A Report Study presented to the

Architecture Department

De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

Dasmariñas Cavite

In Partial Fulfilment of Requirements for

T-ARCH414 Professional Practice 2

Presented by:

GONZALES, ERIKA NICOLE D.

ARC45

October 11, 2021

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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page 1

Position paper Content 3

References 5
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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

Position Paper re: House Bill No. 10234

Architecture in the Philippines has never been a smooth-sailing road for professionals,
designers and/or architects. Recently, House Bill No. 10234 has passed its first reading in the
Congress even when the said bill has brought controversies to the professional world. Many
analysts argues that the bill has many questionable statements within, which therefor interferes
with the practice of Architecture and gives off a threat to the profession. In this position paper,
I will comprehensively break down the contents of House Bill No. 10234 and the position of
the lawmakers who signed the bill but only through Articles III and IV of the said house bill.
Adding to this is my stance as a student of Architecture, and I am one with all the professionals
and Architects who only wants the best for the said profession and for the country.

As provided in the explanatory note of House Bill No. 10234, the long been existing
Regulation Act No. 9266 has obstructed professional advancement both locally and
internationally for Filipino professionals. With this comes the emergence of House Bill No.
10234, which is said to address the withered competitive spirit of the Architecture profession
and the ills of the practice manifested in the past 15 years. In Article III of the bill, it states that
an application is qualified to take the Board Examination if the examinee is a holder of Bachelor
of Science, Master Studies or doctorate in Architecture as well as completed the required 3900
hours of Diversified Architecture experience. It also stated the general and detailed
requirements that the board must acquire in hosting the board examination for architects. All
of these clauses can be applied in the profession as this makes a credible identity in Architecture
and ensures the welfare and safety of the citizens who needs the commission of designers and
architects. These clauses will also ensure that the Philippines will only provide qualified and
competent designers which can compete with top class international architects.

However, within this same article – Article III of the bill, it states that all candidates for
Architecture license shall obtain a weighted general average of 75% and the candidates should
not have a grade lower than 65% for all subjects covered for the licensure examination. In RA
No. 9266, the grade needed for every subject must not be lower than 50% which therefore
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creates a big adjustment for the next candidates for licensure. As an architecture student, this
part of the article provides a lot of pressure for future board takers. In addition to this difficult-
to-obtain average for the licensure examination, applicants are no longer allowed to take the
board exam after failing it for three times. This clause is alarming for all future applicants in
the profession since aspirants may have different background or reason as to why they failed
to pass the licensure examination. It can also increase the number of illegal practices in the
country among designers who are discouraged to take or retake the examination, and who tried
and failed the examination three times. These clauses may provide rigor and credibility to the
licensed architects in the Philippines but it can also increase illegal practices which may debunk
the purpose and functions of all registered architects in the country.

In Section 35 Article IV of HB No. 10234, it states that there is an exemption from

registration of Architecture for construction documents of specific structures. This means that
there are structures which do not require the signature and seal of an architect especially in
public buildings which does not exceed 100 square meters of total gross floor area provided
that such a building complies with State-promulgated development controls. In the public
structures enumerated, these are mostly institutional structures which essentially requires the
presence of an architect. The said exemption poses a threat not only to the profession but also
to the built environment and users of the structures stated. Such exemption can lead to
violations in terms of building code and zoning ordinances as well as the proper circulation and
ventilation which is heavily studied by practicing Architects. In addition to this, the question
that arises from exemption of registration is who will be in charge of the construction? Will the
person in charge be held accountable if the construction and the overall attributes of the
structure poses a threat to the welfare and safety of the users? The person in charge of the
construction – if it’s not an architect should comply and strictly follow the building code and
zoning ordinances of the construction.

It’s unjustified that the lawmakers who launched House Bill No. 10234 did not include
in their discussion and consultation the members of IAPOA or even the broader public. This
therefore provides regulations that hinders architects to flexibly head a construction or any
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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

other activity within the profession. The terms or clauses stated in the bill poses a threat to the
profession of architecture, as it devalues the functions and purpose of an architect in a
construction development. I am together in opposition of the House Bill No. 10234 because as
a student, we’ve come a long way in studying the field of architecture, which includes countless
site planning, construction, long hours of apprenticeship, and taking the board licensure
examination.
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References:

• House Bill No. 10234 (September, 2021).

• Republic Act No. 9266 (March, 2004).