REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9266 & ITS IRR Consulting architect
REPEALING CLAUSE
▪ RA 9266 repeals RA 545, otherwise known as
"An Act To Regulate The Practice Of
Architecture In The Philippines”
FULL TITLE OF RA 9266
▪ An act providing for a more responsive and
comprehensive regulation for the registration,
licensing and practice of architecture
SECTION 1. TITLE
▪ The Architecture Act of 2004
SECTION 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY
▪ 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. This shall
be done through inviolable, honest, effective and
credible licensure examinations and through
regulatory measures, programs and activities that
foster their professional growth and development.
Section 3. Definition of terms
Architecture
- The art, science or profession of planning,
designing and constructing buildings in their
totality taking into account their environment,
in accordance with the principles of utility,
strength and beauty
Architect
- A person professionally and academically
qualified, registered and licensed under this Act
with a Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card issued by the PRBOA and the
PRC 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
Architect-of-record
- The architect 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, specs,
and contract documents he/she has signed and
sealed
Architect-in-charge of construction
- An architect who is directly and professionally
responsible and liable for the construction
supervision of the project
- An architect who is professionally and
academically qualified and with exceptional
or recognized expertise or specialization in
any branch of architecture
- The Consulting Architect assumes no civil
liability under Art. 1723 of the Civil Code
unless he/she attempts/succeeds to interfere or
contravene the legal and professional
functions of the Architect- of-Record
General practice of architecture
- The act of planning and architectural
designing, structural conceptualization,
specifying, supervising and giving
administration/direction to the erection,
enlargement or alterations of buildings
- The scientific, aesthetic and orderly
coordination of all the processes which enter
into the production of a complete building
Scope of the practice of architecture
(a) planning, architectural designing and
structural conceptualization;
(b) consultation, consultancy, giving oral
or written advice and directions,
conferences, evaluations, investigations,
quality surveys, appraisals and
adjustments, architectural and operational
planning, site analysis and other pre-
design services;
(c) schematic design, design development,
contract documents and construction
phases including professional
consultancies;
(d) preparation of preliminary, technical,
economic and financial feasibility studies of
plans, models and project p romotional
services;
(e) preparation of architectural plans,
specifications, bill of materials, cost
estimates, general conditions and bidding
documents;
(f) construction and project management,
giving general management,
administration, supervision, coordination
and responsible direction or the planning,
architectural designing, construction,
reconstruction, erection, enlargement or
demolition, renovation, repair, orderly
removal, remodeling, alteration,
preservation or restoration of buildings
(g) the planning, architectural lay-outing
and utilization of spaces within and
surrounding such buildings or structures,
housing design and community
 architecture, architectural interiors and
space planning, architectural detailing,
architectural lighting, acoustics,
architectural lay-outing of mechanical,
electrical, electronic, sanitary, plumbing,
communications and other utility systems,
equipment and fixtures;
(h) building programming, building
administration, construction arbitration
and architectural conservation and
restoration;
(i) all works which relate to the scientific,
aesthetic and orderly coordination of all
works and branches of the work, systems
and processes
(j) all other works, projects and activities
which require the professional competence
of an architect, including teaching of
architectural subjects and architectural
computer-aided design;
Structural conceptualization
- The act of conceiving, choosing and
developing the type, disposition, arrangement
and proportioning of the structural elements of
an architectural work, giving due
consideration to safety, cost-effectiveness,
functionality and aesthetics
Architectural firm
- A sole proprietorship, a partnership or a
corporation registered with the proper
government agencies
Authorship
- the author or authors of a set of architectural
plans or specifications who are in charge of
their preparation whether made by them
personally or under their immediate
supervision
Board
- The Professional Regulatory Board of
Architecture (PRBOA)
Commission
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
Service agreement
- A duly notarized written contract stipulating
the scope of services and guaranteeing
compensation of such services to be rendered
by an architect
IAPOA
- Integrated and Accredited Professional
Organization. The existing official national
organization of all architects of the Philippines
in which all registered Filipino architects shall
be members without prejudice to membership
in other voluntary professional associations
CPD
- Stands for “Continuing Professional
Development,” a sustaining and progressive
learning process that maintains, enhances, or
increases the knowledge and continuing
ability of architects
DTI
- Department of Trade and Industry
SEC
- Securities and Exchange Commission
Association
- Any formal grouping of two or more
architects or architectural firms working in
joint venture on a project basis
Architectural company
- Synonymous to Architectural Partnership
Architecture corporation
- A group of professionals in architecture and
allied professions, incorporated with
Architects for the purpose of delivering
professional service in architecture and allied
professions
- In case an existing Architectural Corporation
does not comply with the 75% composition
requirement, it shall comply and register
again with the SEC and the BOA.
Architectural documents
- Architectural drawings, specifications, and
other outputs of an Architect that only an
Architect can sign and seal
- Consists, among others, of vicinity maps, site
development plans, architectural program,
perspective drawings, architectural floor
plans, elevations, sections, ceiling plans,
schedules, detailed drawings, technical
specifications and cost estimates, and other
instruments of service in any form.
Architectural interiors
- A detailed planning and design of the indoor
areas of any proposed building, including
retrofit or renovation work and which shall
cover all architectural and utility aspects,
including the architectural lay-outing of all
building engineering systems found therein
Architectural partnership
- A group of two or more Architects duly
registered with the SEC and then with the
Board of Architecture.
Architectural plans
- 2D representations reflecting a proposed
development showing elements such as
columns, walls, partitions, ceiling, stairs,
doors, windows, floors, roof, room
designations, door and window call-outs, etc.
- The term may also collectively refer to other
architectural designs such as sections,
elevations, roof plan, RCP, door and window
schedules, and the like.
Buildings
- A structure for the purpose and function of
habitation and other uses
Certificate of Registration
- A certificate bearing a registration number,
issued by the PRC through the PRBOA,
signifying that the individual has successfully
passed the licensure examination and is
registered to practice his/her profession as
Architect
Code of Ethical Conduct
- A document which contains the norms and
principles governing the practice of the
profession of architecture in the highest
standards of ethical conduct
Contract documents
- General conditions
- Special provisions or conditions
- Drawings
- Specifications
- Other bid documents
Copyright
- The intellectual property rights retained by an
Architect over any architectural
documents/work that he/she prepares unless
there is a written stipulation to the contrary
- Copyright in a work of architecture shall
include the right to control the erection of any
building which reproduces the whole or a
substantial part of the work either in its
original form or in any form recognizably
derived from the original
- However, the copyright in any such work shall
not include the right to control the
reconstruction or rehabilitation in the same
style as the original of a building to which the
copyright relates.
CPD providers
- Entities, agencies, organizations other than the
IAPOA that have been accredited by the
PRBOA to deliver seminars, lectures, and
other continuing professional education
modules for architects
Diversified architectural experience
- A post-baccalaureate, pre-licensure experience
of two years required of a graduate of
architecture prior to taking the licensure
examination.
Foreign architect
- An architect who is not a Filipino citizen nor
an Architect registered and licensed in the
Philippines, but who is duly registered and
licensed in his/her home country as an
Architect.
Filipino counterpart
- The local Philippine architect, partnership or
corporation that must work in association with
a foreign architect, partnership or corporation,
on a project on Philippine soil.
Ownership
- The proprietary rights to an architectural work
by a person who commissions the Architect.
Ownership of an architectural work shall only
be confined to the use of the architectural
documents for executing the work for one or
the original project.
- Ownership shall not apply to the use of the
architectural documents for repetitions or
subsequent projects.
Planning
- Physical Planning at site, community and
urban level by an Architect
Physical Planner
- Architect who specializes in the detailed
physical planning of land or property
Physical Planning
- detailed physical planning of land or property
Professional
- A person whose name, registration, and
professional license number is entered in the
PRC registry book and computerized database
as one legally authorized to practice his
profession.
Professional identification card
- A document bearing the registration number,
date of issuance with an expiry date, due for
periodic renewal, issued to a registered
 Architect upon payment of the annual IAPOA - Integrated Accredited Professional
registration fees for three (3) years Organization of Architects (the same as United
Architects of the Philippines, Inc.)
Site Planning
R.A NO. 8293 - Intellectual Property Code of the
- detailed site development planning of all areas
Philippines
surrounding a building/structure and/or a
group of buildings/structures but only within PRC – Professional Regulation Commission
the property limits of the land on which such
R.A. NO. 8981 – PRC Modernization Act of 2000
buildings/structures are to be erected
RLA – Registered and Licensed Architect
SPP
UAP – United Architects of the Philippines, Inc.
- “Standards of Professional Practice” refers
to documents which define all aspects of
professional service, prescribes minimum
basic fees and establishes the rights and
obligations of both the Architect and the
client.
Sole proprietorship
- An individual architect practicing and
delivering architectural services, duly
registered with the DTI, PRBOA and the PRC
Specialization
- An expertise and special knowledge in the
field of architecture acquired through formal
education and training or through continuing
professional development and experience, for
which the Architect may be engaged as
Consulting Architect.
Syllabi
- The outline of topics and concepts of major
subjects to serve as basis for test questions in
the licensure examinations
Technology transfer
- The transfer of systematic knowledge for the
manufacture of a product, the application of a
process, or the rendering of a service and the
transfer, assignment or licensing of all forms
of intellectual property rights
Urban Design
- physical and systemic design undertaken by
an Architect on a community and urban plane,
more comprehensive than, and an extension of
the architecture of buildings, spaces between
buildings, entourage, utilities and movement
systems.

ACRONYMS AND LAWS

RA 9266 - Architecture Act of 2004
BOA or PRBOA - Board of Architecture or
Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture
CPD – Continuing Professional Development

SECTION 4. Creation and Composition of the
Professional Regulatory Board
▪ RA 9266 provides for the creation of the
Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture
(PRBOA)
▪ The Board is a collegial body under the
supervision and administrative control of the
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
Collegial Body
- Isang government entity
- Its power is vested within its
membership
- It cooperates within the group
BOARD COMPOSITION
▪ The board shall be composed of:
• One chairman
• Two members
▪ They shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines from a list of three (3) recommendees
chosen from a list of five (5) nominees for each
position submitted to the PRC by the IAPOA.
- IAPOA CHOOSE 5 TO BE
SUBMITTED TO PRC
- 5 NOMINEES WOULD BOILED
DOWN TO 3
- IN THE 3 RECOMDEES FOR EACH
POSITION THE PRESIDENT
WOULD CHOOSE WHERE TO
APPOINT
CURRENT PRBOA
▪ Chairman: Robert S. Sac
▪ Member: Corazon V. Fabia- Tandoc
▪ Member: Robert M. Mirafuente
SECTION 5. Qualifications of Members of the
Professional Regulatory Board
▪ Each member of the Board shall possess the
following qualifications at the time of
appointment:
• A citizen and resident of the Philippines
• BS Architecture degree
• Certificate of Registration and
Professional Identification Card
• 10 years of active practice on date of
appointment
• Not a member of the faculty of any school,
college, university or review institution
where a regular course or review course in
architecture is taught, nor have pecuniary
interest in such institution
Pecuniary
- financial transactions
• If a former teacher, must have officially
resigned and has completely stopped
teaching, advising or reviewing activities
for at least five years prior to the
nomination
• Has never been convicted of any crime
involving moral turpitude
Moral Turpitude
- Conduct that is considered
contrary to community standards
of justice, honesty or good morals.
- Example is estafa
• Not an elective officer of the IAPOA and
other professional organization of
architects
SECTION 6. Term of Office
▪ The members of the Board shall hold office for a
term of three years after appointment or until
their successors shall have been appointed and
duly qualified.
▪ Any vacancy occurring within the term of a
member shall be filled for the unexpired portion
of the term only.
▪ Each member of the Board may be reappointed
for one full term only
one full term only
- Member can only serve 2 consecutive
terms and afterwards would be
appointed to new appointee
▪ Of the members of the Board first appointed
under RA 9266:
- One member shall be appointed and
hold office as chairman for three years,
- One member for two years
- One member for one year
Staggered Approach
 -Each member has a different term
length to ensure that the term of the
members wont end at once
- to be able to maintain the
experience members while
allowing the introduction to new
members overtime
SECTION 7. Powers and functions of the Board
▪ Prescribe and adopt the IRR for RA 9266
IRR
- Specific guidelines and detailed
regulation to provided specifics on
how the provision of RA 9266 are to
be implemented
▪ Supervise the registration, licensure and practice
of architects
- Set qualification and requirement for
registration and licensure exam
- Evaluate the qualification of applicants
▪ Administer oaths in connection with the
administration of RA 9266
▪ Issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate the Certificate
of Registration and the Professional ID
Suspension
- Temporary termination of professional
rights to practice
Revoke
- Permanent cancellation of professional
rights to practice
Reinstate
- Restoration of professional rights to
practice after a period of suspension or
revokation
▪ Adopt an official seal of the PRBOA
▪ Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of
architecture and adopt measures for the
enhancement and maintenance of the standards of
the profession
▪ Prescribe and adopt the Code of Ethical Conduct
and Standards of Professional Practice;
▪ Hear and decide administrative cases involving
violations of RA 9266, the Code of Ethical
Conduct, and Standards of Professional Practice
▪ Prescribe guidelines for the Continuing
Professional Development (CPD) program in
consultation with the IAPOA
Note: The attendance to said CPD shall
not be a mandatory requirement for the
renewal of a Professional ID
▪ Prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi of the
subjects for examinations in consultation with the
academe
▪ Determine and prepare questions as well as
administer, correct and release the results of the
licensure examinations
▪ Approve, issue, limit or cancel temporary or
special permit to practice architecture
▪ In coordination with the CHED, ensure that all
higher educational instruction comply with the
policies, standards and requirements of the course
prescribed by the CHED in the areas of
curriculum, faculty, library and facilities
▪ To adopt a program for the full computerization
of the licensure examination
▪ 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 8. Administrative Supervision of the
Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and
Support Services
▪ The Board shall be under the administrative
supervision of the PRC
▪ All records of the Board, including applications
for examination, examination questions, answer
sheets, and other records and documents
pertaining to licensure examination,
administrative and other investigative cases
conducted by the Board shall be under the custody
of the PRC
▪ The PRC shall designate the Secretary of the
Board and shall provide the secretariat and other
support services to implement the provisions of
RA 9266.
SECTION 9. Grounds for suspension of PRBOA
members
▪ The President of the Philippines, upon the
recommendation of the PRC and after giving the
concerned member an opportunity to defend
himself in a proper administrative investigation,
may suspend or remove any member on the
following grounds:
▪ Neglect of duty or incompetence
▪ Violation or tolerance of violations of RA
9266, or its IRR or the Code of Ethical
Conduct and Standards of Professional
Practice
▪ Final judgment of crimes involving moral
turpitude
 ▪ 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
SECTION 10. Compensation and Allowances of the
Board
▪ The chairman and members of the Board shall
receive compensation and allowances comparable
to that being received by the chairman and
members of existing regulatory Boards under the
Commission as provided for in the General
Appropriations Act.
SECTION 11. Annual Report
▪ The Board shall submit an annual report to the
Commission after the close of each year giving a
detailed account of its proceedings during the year
and making such recommendations as it may
deem proper.
 - Logbook of diversified architectural
experience
▪ Architect-Mentor Affidavit
▪ Photocopy of Architect-Mentor’s valid
Professional Identification Card, Professional Tax
Receipt (PTR) and IAPOA number
▪ NBI clearance
▪ Other documents that the Board may require
FRAUD IN APPLICATIONS
▪ The Board may refuse to renew, may
suspend/revoke any certificate of registration
obtained by false swearing or any
SECTION 12. Examination required misrepresentations made in applying for
registration or examination
▪ All applicants for registration for the practice of
architecture shall be required to undergo the SECTION 14. Subjects for examination
licensure examination
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE
Licensure Examination
THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE
- Probation RA 8981 PRC
ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
modernization act of 2000
THEORY/PRINCIPLES OF PLANNING
SECTION 13. Qualifications of Applicant for
Examination STRUCTURAL DESIGN
▪ A Filipino citizen or a citizen of a foreign country MATERIALS/CONSTRUCTION
qualified to take the examination as provided for
UTILITIES
in this IRR
URBAN DESIGN
- Under section 27 of rule 4 of the IRR
of RA 9266 ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS
▪ Of good moral character DESIGN / SITE PLANNING
▪ A holder of the degree of BS Architecture REVISIONS TO THE SYLLABUS
conferred by a school, college, academy or
▪ The PRBOA, subject to the approval of the PRC,
institute duly recognized by CHED
may revise or exclude any of the subjects and
▪ Two years of diversified architectural their syllabi, and add new ones as the need arises
experience duly certified by an RLA to conform to technological changes brought
about by continuing trends in the profession.
Note: An applicant holding a Master’s
Degree in Architecture shall be credited with one
(1) year
SECTION 15. Rating in the examination
▪ Never been convicted of any criminal offense
▪ To be qualified as having passed the licensure
involving moral turpitude
examination for architects, a candidate must
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS obtain:
▪ NSO Birth Certificate • A weighted general average of seventy
percent (70%)
▪ NSO Marriage Contract for married female
applicants • No grade lower than fifty percent (50%)
in any given subject
▪ College Diploma with indication of date of
graduation SECTION 16. REPORT OF RATINGS
▪ Transcript of Records with indication of date of ▪ The Board shall submit to the Commission the
graduation ratings obtained by each candidate within thirty
(30) calendar days after the examination, unless
▪ Accomplished Diversified Training Forms (DT
extended for just cause.
Form 001 and 002)
 ▪ Upon the release of the results of the examination,
the Board shall send by mail the rating received
by each examinee at his/her given address using
the mailing envelope submitted during the
examination.
▪ Note: The report of rating may be
distributed to the successful examinees
during their mass oath taking as new
registered and licensed architects.
SECTION 17. OATH
▪ All successful candidates in the examination shall
be required to take an oath of profession prior to
entering upon the practice of the profession.
SECTION 18. Issuance of certificates of registration
and ID
ISSUANCE
▪ A Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card shall be issued to examinees
who pass the licensure examination
CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION
▪ The Certificate of Registration shall bear the
signature of the chairperson of the Commission
and the chairman and members of the Board,
stamped with the official seal of the Board and the
Commission, indicating that the person named
therein is entitled to the practice of the profession
with all the privileges appurtenant thereto.
▪ The Certificate shall remain in full force and
effect until withdrawn, suspended or revoked.
PROFESSIONAL ID
▪ The Professional Identification Card shall
likewise be issued to every registrant who has
paid the prescribed fee of annual registration for
three (3) years
▪ The renewal of the said card shall be subject to
payment of the annual registration fees for another
and every after three (3) years
SECTION 19. ROSTER OF ARCHITECTS
▪ A roster showing the names and place of business
including other personal material and relevant
data of all registered professional architects shall
be prepared and updated by the Board and copies
thereof shall be made available to any party as
may be deemed necessary.
SECTION 20. SEAL, ISSUANCE AND USE OF
SEAL
▪ A duly licensed architect shall affix the seal
prescribed by the Board bearing the registrant’s
name, registration number and title “Architect” on
all architectural plans, drawings, specifications
and all other contract documents prepared by or
under his/her direct supervision
▪ Each registrant hereunder shall, upon registration,
obtain a seal of such design as the Board shall
authorize and direct
▪ It shall be unlawful for any one whose certificate
of registration has been revoked to stamp or seal
any documents
▪ No officer or employee of this Republic, chartered
cities, provinces and municipalities shall accept or
approve any architectural plans or specifications
which have not been prepared and submitted in
full accord with all the provisions of RA 9266
▪ It shall be unlawful for any architect to sign
his/her name, affix his/her seal or use any other
method of signature on architectural plans,
specifications or other documents made under
another architect’s supervision, unless the same
is made in such manner as to clearly indicate the
part or parts of such work actually performed by
the former
▪ Drawings and specifications duly signed, stamped
or sealed, as instruments of service, are the
intellectual properties and documents of the
architect, whether the object for which they are
made is executed or not. It shall be unlawful for
any person, without the consent of the architect, to
duplicate or to make copies of said documents for
use in the repetition of and for other projects or
buildings, whether executed partly or in whole
▪ All architectural plans, designs, specifications,
drawings and architectural documents relative to
the construction of a building shall bear the seal
and signature only of an architect registered and
licensed under RA 9266 together with his/her
professional identification card number and the
date of its expiration
▪ The Board shall prescribe the design, size, and
contents of the dry seal to be used in signing and
sealing of architectural plans
SECTION 21. INDICATION OF CERTIFICATE OF
REGISTRATION, PRC ID, PTR
▪ The architect shall be required to indicate the
number of his/her Certificate of Registration and
Professional Identification Card with its date of
issuance and the duration of validity, including the
professional tax receipt number on the documents
he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the
practice of his/her profession
SECTION 22. Refusal to Issue Certificate of
Registration and Professional Identification Card
NON-ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE
▪ The Board shall not register and issue a
Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card to any person who:
 • Has falsely sworn or misrepresented • has aided or abetted in the practice of
himself/herself in his/her application for architecture of any person not duly
examination authorized to practice architecture in the
Philippines; or
• Is convicted by a court of competent
jurisdiction of a criminal offense involving • Has openly solicited projects by
moral turpitude or guilty of immoral and undertaking architectural services without
dishonorable conduct a valid service agreement and has allowed
himself/herself to be exploited by
• Is of unsound mind
undertaking architectural services without
▪ In the event of refusal to issue certificate for any a valid service agreement, both acts being
reason, the Board shall give the applicant a prejudicial to other architects
written statement setting forth the reasons for such
• Has violated any provision of RA 9266, its
action, which statement shall be incorporated in
implementing rules and regulations, the
the record of the Board
Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of
▪ However, registration shall not be refused and a Professional Practice
name shall not be removed from the roster of
▪ Any person, firm or association, may prepare
architects on conviction for a political offense or
charges in accordance with the provisions of this
for an offense which should not, in the opinion of
section against any registrant
the Board disqualify a person from practicing
under RA 9266. ▪ Such charges shall be in writing and shall be
sworn to by the person making them and shall be
▪ The Board in the written statement shall state the
filed with the Secretary of the Board
period for the deferment of the registration if the
offense or act committed does not call for SECTION 24. Re-issuance or Replacement of
indefinite period and/or perpetual deprivation of Revoked or Lost Certificates of Registration,
the chance to register. Professional Identification Card or Special and
Temporary Permit
SECTION 23. Suspension and Revocation of
Certificates of Registration, Professional ▪ The Board may, after the expiration of two (2)
Identification Card or the Special/Temporary Permit years from the date of revocation, reinstate the
validity of a revoked Certificate of Registration
▪ The Board shall have the power, upon notice and
and in so doing may, in its discretion, exempt the
hearing, to suspend or revoke the validity of a
applicant from taking another examination
Certificate of Registration/Professional
Identification Card:
• for the use of or perpetuation of any fraud
or deceit in obtaining a Certificate of
Registration and Professional
Identification Card
• for gross negligence or incompetence
• for unprofessional or dishonorable conduct
▪ Such action of the Board shall be subject to appeal
to the PRC whose decision shall be final if he/she:
• Has signed and affixed or permitted to be
signed or affixed his name or seal on
architectural plans not prepared by him/her
or not executed under his/her immediate
supervision;
• Has paid money except the regular fees
provided for to secure a Certificate of
Registration; or
• Has falsely impersonated a practitioner, or
former practitioner or has practiced under
an assumed, fictitious or corporate name
other than that of the registered; or

SECTION 25. Registration of Architects Required
▪ Only persons with a Certificate of Registration
and be issued a Professional Identification Card
may:
• Practice architecture in this country
• Engage in preparing architectural plans,
specifications or preliminary data for the
erection or alteration of any building
located within the boundaries of this
country
• Use the title “Architect”, or display the
word “Architect” together with another
word
• Display or use any title, sign, card,
advertisement, or other device to indicate
such person practices or offers to practice
architecture, or is an architect
▪ A foreign architect or any person not authorized to
practice architecture in the Philippines who shall
perform any of the activities mentioned in
Sections 3 and 4 shall be deemed engaged in the
unauthorized practice of architecture and shall,
therefore, be criminally liable under RA 9266 and
its IRR
SECTION 26. Vested Rights. Architects Registered
When This Law is Passed
▪ All architects registered at the time this law takes
effect shall automatically be registered under the
RA 9266, subject, however, to the provisions
regarding future requirements.
▪ Certificates of Registration and Professional
Identification Cards held by such persons in good
standing shall have the same force and effect as
though issued after the passage of RA 9266.
SECTION 27. RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS
▪ A person who is not a citizen of the Philippines
shall not be allowed to take the licensure
examination unless he/she can prove that his/her
country either admits citizens of the Philippines to
the practice of the same profession without
restriction or allows them to practice it after
passing an examination on terms of strict and
absolute equality with citizens
▪ That person’s country must also unconditionally
recognize the degrees/diplomas issued by the
schools duly recognized by the Government of the
Philippines.
▪ A foreign citizen, whether he studied in the
Philippines or not, who desires to take the
licensure examination for Architects through
reciprocity shall initiate the establishment of
reciprocity between his country/state and the
Philippines
▪ The foreign applicant must submit a letter or any
document signed and under official seal by the
appropriate official of his country requesting the
Chairman of the Board Architecture to allow the
foreign applicant to take the licensure
examination
▪ If the letter/document and the copy of the law
submitted by the applicant is satisfactory to the
Board, the foreign applicant shall be allowed to
take the licensure examination for Architects by
requiring him to file an application to take the
licensure examination and by submitting the
following documents:
▪ Any official document issued by the
Bureau of Immigration and Deportation
allowing the applicant to enter and reside
the Philippines;
▪ Passport
▪ Original or authenticated copy of
transcript of records issued by the
institution of higher learning where he
studied, duly authorized by his country
▪ Other documents which may be required
to be submitted by the Board.
SECTION 28. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
▪ To promote public interest and to safeguard life,
health and property, all practicing architects shall
maintain a program of continuing professional
development.
▪ The IAPOA shall have the responsibility of
developing a continuing professional development
program for architects. Other entities or
organizations may become CPD providers upon
accreditation by the Board.
SECTION 29.Prohibition in the practice of
architecture and penal clause
▪ The following shall be guilty of misdemeanor
(type of criminal offense):
• Any person who shall practice or offer to
practice architecture in the Philippines
without being registered/licensed and who
are not holders of temporary or special
permits in accordance with the provisions
of RA 9266
• Any person presenting or
attempting to use the Certificate of
Registration/Professional Identification
Card or seal of another or temporary or
special permit,
• Any person who shall give any false or
forged evidence of any kind to the Board
or to any member thereof in obtaining a
Certificate of Registration/Professional
Identification Card or temporary or special
permit
• Any person who shall falsely impersonate
any registrant of like or different name,
• Any person who shall attempt to use a
revoked or suspended Certificate of
Registration/Professional Identification
Card or cancelled special/temporary
permit,
• Any person who shall use in connection
with his/her name or otherwise assume,
use or advertise any title or description
tending to convey the impression that
he/she is an architect when he/she is not an
architect
• Any person whether Filipino or foreigner,
who knowingly allows the use, adoption,
implementation of plans, designs or
specifications made by any person, firm,
partnership or company not duly licensed
to engage in the practice of architecture,
• Any person who shall violate any of the
provisions of RA 9266, its implementing
rules and regulations, the Code of Ethical
Conduct and Standards of Professional
Practice, or any policy of the Board and
the Commission
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
▪ Government employees and employees of
private firms or persons/entities who are
not registered and licensed architects shall
not perform architectural works in the
performance of their official function
without the direct supervision of a licensed
architect.
▪ Such activity shall constitute unauthorized
practice of architecture which shall be
penalized in accordance with Section 29 of
RA 9266.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
▪ Any public official who shall order or
cause a non- architect to perform activities
which constitute practice of architecture
shall be administratively liable and shall
be guilty of misdemeanor and shall upon
conviction be sentenced in accordance
with Section 30 of RA 9266.
SECTION 30.PROHIBITION IN THE PRACTICE
OF ARCHITECTURE
▪ Any person or entity, whether public or private,
Filipino or foreigner, who/which shall entice,
compel, coerce, require or otherwise force an
architect registered and licensed under RA 9266 to
undertake/perform any service under the general
practice of architecture as defined under RA 9266,
without first executing a written contract/service
agreement shall be guilty of misdemeanor and
shall, upon conviction be sentenced to a fine of
not less than Two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00) or to suffer imprisonment for a
period not exceeding six (6) years, or both, at the
discretion of the Court.
SECTION 31. LIABILITY OF REPRESENTATIVES
OF NON-REGISTERED PERSONS
▪ It shall be unlawful for any person or firm or
corporation to seek to avoid the provisions of RA
9266 by having a representative or employee seek
architectural work in their behalf, unless and until,
such persons are duly qualified and duly
registered/licensed.
▪ Otherwise, both those represented and the
representative, the employer and the employee
shall be deemed guilty of violation of RA 9266.
▪ Solicitation of architectural work shall be
construed as offering to practice architecture and
it shall be unlawful for any non-registered and
unlicensed persons to do so.
SEC. 32. Signing and Sealing of Architectural Plans,
Specifications, Architectural Permit and Other
Contract Documents
▪ It shall be unlawful for any architect to sign
his/her name, affix his/her seal on architectural
plans made under another architect’s supervision,
unless made in such manner as to clearly indicate
which parts of such work was actually performed
by the former
▪ The authorized signature, official seal, PTR, PRC
registration number and the IAPOA membership
number and Official Receipt (O.R.) number of the
 Architect-of-Record stamped on architectural
plans signify his/her assumption of the mandated
15-year civil liability under Article 1723 of the
Civil Code.
▪ However, the Architect-of-Record should be
limited to architectural documents of a project and
its liability does not extend to the professional
responsibility nor civil liability of the other
signing (sealing) professionals
SECTION 33. Ownership of Plans, Specifications and
Other Contract Documents
▪ Drawings and specifications and other contract
documents duly signed, stamped or sealed, as
instruments of service, are the intellectual
property and documents of the architect, whether
the object for which they are made is executed or
not. It shall be unlawful for any person to
duplicate or to make copies of said documents for
use in the repetition of and for other projects or
buildings, whether executed partly or in whole,
without the written consent of architect or author
of said documents
▪ All architects shall incorporate this provision in
all contract documents and other instruments of
service
SECTION 34. Non-Registered Person shall not Claim
Equivalent Service
▪ Persons not registered as an architect shall not
claim nor represent either services or work as
equivalent to those of a duly qualified registered
architect, or that they are qualified for any branch
or function of architectural practice, even though
no form of the title “Architect” is used
SECTION 35. Positions in Government Requiring the
Services of Registered and Licensed Architects
▪ Within three (3) years from the effectivity of R.A.
No. 9266, all existing and proposed positions in
the local and national government, whether career,
permanent, temporary or contractual and
primarily requiring the services of an architect
shall be filled only by registered and licensed
architects.
▪ All national and local agencies including
Government Owned and Controlled Corporations
(GOCC’s) are prohibited to collapse existing
plantilla positions for architects for the purpose of
recreating the same to non-architect positions.
▪ All existing plantilla positions in the national and
local government whose job description includes
the practice of architecture as defined under R.A.
9266, shall be automatically reclassified as
Architect positions and shall be accorded the
salary pertaining to the latter in accordance with
salary standardization law.
▪ The government architect-of-record shall collect
from the concerned national or local agency
including Government Owned and Controlled
Corporations (GOCC’s) an incentive pay to cover
civil liabilities in the equivalent amount of 1.5 %
of the project cost of every project provided it
shall not exceed 50% of his annual salary which
shall be paid upon full completion of the project.
The amount intended for the architect who
prepared and signed the drawings and
specifications shall be included in the Program of
Work.
SECTION 36. COLLECTION OF PROFESSIONAL
FEES
▪ It shall be unlawful for any unregistered person to
collect a fee for architectural services except as an
employee collecting a fee as representative of a
Registered Architect.
SECTION 37. Limitation to the Registration of a
Firm, Company, Partnership, Corporation or
Association
▪ The practice of architecture is a professional
service, admission to which shall be determined
upon the basis of individual personal
qualifications.
▪ However, a firm, company, partnership,
corporation or association may be registered or
licensed as such for the practice of architecture
under the following conditions:
▪ Only Filipino citizens properly registered
and licensed as architects under RA 9266
may, among themselves, or together with
allied technical professionals, form and
obtain registration as a firm, company,
partnership, association or corporation for
the practice of architecture;
▪ Registered and licensed architects shall
compose at least seventy-five percent
(75%) of the owners, shareholders,
members, incorporators, directors,
executive officers, as the case may be
▪ Individual members of such firm,
partnership, association or corporation
shall be responsible for their individual
and collective acts as an entity and as
provided by law;
▪ Such firm, partnership, association, or
corporation shall be registered with the
SEC and the PRBOA.
SECTION 38. Coverage of Temporary/Special
Permits
▪ Foreign nationals who have gained entry in the
Philippines to perform professional services as
architects or consultants shall secure a
 special/temporary permit from the Board subject
to approval of the Commission, to practice his/her
profession in connection with the project to which
he/she was commissioned
▪ A foreign national or foreign firm whose name
appears on architectural plans for securing
building permits, licenses and government
authority clearances for actual building project
construction in the Philippines shall be deemed
practicing architecture in the Philippines, whether
the contract for professional services is
consummated in the Philippines or in a foreign
country.
CONDITIONS FOR TEMPORARY/SPECIAL
PERMITS
▪ He/she must be a citizen or subject of a country
which specifically permits Filipino professionals
to practice his/her profession within their
territorial limits, on the same basis as the subjects
or citizens of such foreign state or country;
▪ He/she must be legally qualified to practice
architecture in his/her own country, and that
his/her expertise is necessary and advantageous to
our country particularly in the aspects of
technology transfer and specialization;
▪ Foreign nationals shall be required to work with a
Filipino counterpart and shall also be responsible
for public utilities and taxes due to the Philippine
government, relative to their participation in, or
professional services rendered to the project
▪ Agencies, organizations or individuals whether
public or private, who secure the services of a
foreign professional authorized by law to practice
in the Philippines, shall be responsible for
securing a special permit from the PRC and the
DOLE
SECTION 39.LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR
TEMPORARY OR SPECIAL PERMITS
▪ Foreign nationals must locally secure their
professional liability insurance or malpractice
insurance or their acceptable equivalent in bond
form commensurate with the nature and
magnitude of their project involvement and their
compensation

SECTION 40. INTEGRATION OF THE
ARCHITECTURE PROFESSION
▪ The Architecture profession shall be integrated
into one national organization which shall be
accredited by the Board, subject to the approval
by the Commission, as the integrated and
accredited professional organization of architects
▪ Such an organization shall be registered with the
SEC as a non-profit, non-stock corporation to be
governed by by-laws providing for a democratic
election of its officials.
▪ An architect duly registered with the Board shall
automatically become a member of the integrated
and accredited professional organization of
architects and shall receive the benefits and
privileges provided for in R.A. 9266 upon
payment of the required fees and dues.
▪ Membership in the integrated and accredited
professional organization of architects shall not be
a bar to membership in other associations of
architects.
UAP AS IAPOA
▪ Pursuant to Board Resolution No. 3, Series of
2004, the United Architects of the Philippines,
Inc. is the existing integrated and accredited
professional organization of registered architects
▪ An architect duly registered with the PRC shall
automatically become a member of the UAP
▪ The UAP shall keep an updated official registry of
its members
▪ Members of the UAP practicing the architectural
profession shall be required to provide their
official IAPOA membership number and receipt
number together with their PRC registration
number and PTR Number on official documents
prepared by them for purposes of obtaining
governmental regulatory permits and licenses.
FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES OF
THE UAP
▪ Nominations to the vacancy of positions to the
BOA;
▪ Responsibility of preparing a program of CPD;
▪ Endorsement of the practice of foreign nationals
to be issued temporary/special permit;
▪ Recommendation of compliance with liability
insurance under a temporary/special permit;
▪ Monitoring of compliance to RA 9266, and filing
of complaints with the PRBOA and/or PRC for
violations of the RA 9266, this IRR, Code of
Ethics, Standards of Professional Practice and
other policies of the Board and of the Commission
▪ Some other functions, duties and responsibility as
may be prescribed by the BOA from time to time.
SECTION 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations
▪ Within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of R.A.
No. 9266, the Board, subject to the approval of
the Commission and in coordination with
integrated and accredited professional
organization, shall adopt and promulgate such
rules and regulations, Code of Ethical Conduct
and Standards of Professional Practice, to carry
out the provisions of R.A. No. 9266 and which
shall be effective fifteen (15) days following their
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)
major daily newspapers of general circulation.
SECTION 42. Appropriations
▪ The Chairperson of the Professional Regulation
Commission shall immediately include in the
Commission’s programs the implementation of
R.A. No. 9266, the funding of which shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.
▪ The amount necessary to carry out the initial
implementation of R.A. No. 9266 shall be charged
against the current year’s appropriations of the
Professional Regulation Commission. Thereafter,
such sums as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of R.A. No. 9266 shall be
 included in the succeeding General
Appropriations Act (GAA).
SECTION 43. ACT NOT AFFECTING OTHER
PROFESSIONALS
▪ RA 9266 shall not be construed to affect or
prevent the practice of any other legally
recognized profession
SECTION 44. Enforcement of the Act
▪ It shall be the primary duty of the PRC and the
PRBOA to effectively enforce the provisions of
RA 9266 and this “IRR of the Architecture Act of
2004”.
▪ All duly constituted law enforcement agencies
and officers of national, provincial, city or
municipal government shall, upon the call or
request of the PRC or the PRBOA, render
assistance in enforcing the provisions of RA 9266,
and to prosecute any person violating the
provisions of the same.
▪ Any person may bring before the PRC,
PRBOA,or the aforementioned officers of the law,
cases of illegal practice or violations of RA 9266
committed by any person or party.
SECTION 45. Separability Clause
▪ If, for any reason, any section or provision of this
IRR is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the
remainder of this IRR shall not be affected by
such declaration.
SECTION 46. Repealing Clause
▪ Any provisions of the rules and policies issued
and promulgated pursuant to R.A. No. 545, P.D.
No. 223,R.A. No. 8981, and other laws which are
inconsistent with this IRR are hereby superseded,
repealed or amended accordingly.
SECTION 47. Effectivity
▪ The herein “IRR of the Architecture Act of 2004”
shall be, upon approval by the Commission, be
effective after fifteen (15) days following its full
and complete publication in the Official Gazette
or in two (2) major newspapers of general
circulation.

CHAPTER 2. HUMAN RELATIONS
TITLE II OWNERSHIP
CHAPTER 1. OWNERSHIP in GENERAL
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 386
An Act to Ordain and Institute The Civil Code of the
Philippines
- Signed last June 18, 1949
- Effective last august 30, 1950
- Composed of 2270 articles
- Serve as primary source of private law
of our country
- Regulate family and property relation,
provide provision for legal principles
SECTION 2. Right of Accession with Respect to
and rules that governs various aspects
Immovable Property
of personal and proprietary rights
Proprietary Rights
- Legal rights and interest that an
individual has in property or assets or
intellectual creations
CHAPTER 1. EFFECTS AND APPLICATION OF
LAWS
Article 3. Ignorance of the law excuses no one from
compliance therewith.
- “Ignorantia legis non excusat”
- means ignorance of the law
excuses not
Article 17. The forms and solemnities of contracts,
wills, and other public instruments shall be governed
by the laws of the country in which they are executed.
Forms – structure and content of documents
Solemnities – formal procedure involve in
their executions
Article 19. Every person must, in the exercise of his
rights and in the performance of his duties, act with
justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty
and good faith.
Article 22. Every person who through an act of
performance by another, or any other means, acquires
or comes into possession of something at the expense
of the latter without just or legal ground, shall
return the same to him.
Article 427. Ownership may be exercised over things
or rights.
Article 428. The owner has the right to enjoy and
dispose of a thing, without other limitations than
those established by law.
The owner has also a right of action against the
holder and possessor of the thing in order to recover
it.
Article 435. No person shall be deprived of his
property except by competent authority and for
public use and always upon payment of just
compensation.
Deprived Property
- removing someone’s ownership or
possession of the property
Article 437. The owner of a parcel of land is the
owner of its surface and of everything under it, and
he can construct thereon any works or make any
plantations and excavations which he may deem
proper, without detriment to servitudes and subject to
special laws and ordinances. He cannot complain of
the reasonable requirements of aerial navigation.
Immovable Property
- Refers to the land and anything
attached to it permanently, either
by nature like trees or like human
intervention like buildings or
structure
Movable Property
- Items that can be easily move or
transferred from one place to
another
- Not permanently attached to the
land like vehicles or furniture
 Article 445. Whatever is built, planted or sown on
the land of another, and the improvements or
repairs made thereon, belong to the owner of the
land, subject to the provisions of the following
articles.
Article 449. He who builds, plants or sows in bad
faith on the land of another, loses what is built,
planted, or sown without right to indemnity.
SECTION 3. Right of Accession with Respect to Movable
Property
Article 466. Whenever two movable things belonging
to different owners are, without bad faith, united in
such a way that they form a single object, the owner
of the principal thing acquires the accessory,
indemnifying the former owner thereof for its value.
TITLE III- CO-OWNERSHIP
Article 484. There is co-ownership whenever the
ownership of an undivided thing or right belongs to
different persons.
Article 490. Whenever the different stories of a
house belong to different owners, if the titles of
ownership do not specify the terms under which they
should contribute to the necessary expenses and there
exists no agreement on the subject, the following rules
shall be observed:
(1) The main and party walls, the roof and the
other things used in common, shall be
preserved at the expense of all the owners
in proportion to the value of the story
belonging to each;
(2) Each owner shall bear the cost of
maintaining the floor of his story; the floor
of the entrance, front door, common yard
and sanitary works common to all, shall be
maintained at the expense of all the
owner's pro rata (in proportion);
(3) The stairs from the entrance to the first
story shall be maintained at the expense of
all the owners pro rata, with the exception
of the owner of the ground floor; the stairs
from the first to the second story shall be
preserved at the expense of all, except the
owner of the ground floor and the owner
of the first story; and so, on successively.
TITLE II. INTELLECTUAL CREATION
Article 721. By intellectual creation, the following
persons acquire ownership:
(1) The author with regard to his literary,
dramatic, historical, legal, philosophical,
scientific or other work;
Art. 722. The author and the composer, mentioned in
Nos. 1 and 2 of the preceding article, shall have the
ownership of their creations even before the
publication of the same. Once their works are
published, their rights are governed by the Copyright
laws.
BOOK IV. OBLIGATIONS AND CONTRACTS
Article 1156. An obligation is a juridical necessity to
give, to do or not to do.
Noncompliance= Legal Sanctions
Article 1157. Obligations arise from:
(1) Law;
(2) Contracts;
(3) Quasi-contracts;
(4) Acts or omissions punished by
law; and
(5) Quasi-delicts.
Article 1159. Obligations arising from contracts have
the force of law between the contracting parties and
should be complied with in good faith.
CHAPTER 2. NATURE AND EFFECT OF
OBLIGATIONS
Article 1170. Those who in the performance of their
obligations are guilty of fraud, negligence, or delay,
and those who in any manner contravene the tenor
thereof, are liable for damages.
TITLE II. CONTRACTS
Article 1305. A contract is a meeting of minds
between two persons whereby one binds himself,
with respect to the other, to give something or to
render some service.
Article 1306. The contracting parties may establish
such stipulations, clauses, terms and conditions as
they may deem convenient, provided they are not
contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order, or
public policy.
Article 1318. There is no contract unless the following
requisites concur:
1. Consent of the contracting parties;
2. Object certain which is the subject matter
of the contract;
3. Cause of the obligation which is
established.
Art. 1347. All things which are not outside the
commerce of men, including future things, may be the
object of a contract. All rights which are not
intransmissible may also be the object of contracts.
All services which are not contrary to law, morals,
good customs, public order or public policy may
likewise be the object of a contract.
Art. 1348. Impossible things or services cannot be the
object of contracts.
SECTION 3. CAUSE OF CONTRACTS
Art. 1350. In onerous contracts the cause is
understood to be, for each contracting party, the
prestation or promise of a thing or service by the
other; in remuneratory ones, the service or benefit
which is remunerated; and in contracts of pure
beneficence, the mere liberality of the benefactor.
CHAPTER 4. REFORMATION OF INSTRUMENTS
Article 1359. When, there having been a meeting of
the minds of the parties to a contract, their true
 intention is not expressed in the instrument purporting
to embody the agreement, by reason of mistake, fraud,
inequitable conduct or accident, one of the parties may
ask for the reformation of the instrument to the end
that such true intention may be expressed. If mistake,
fraud, inequitable conduct, or accident has
prevented a meeting of the minds of the parties, the
proper remedy is not reformation of the instrument but
annulment of the contract.
CHAPTER 5. INTERPRETATION OF CONTRACTS
Article 1370. If the terms of a contract are clear and
leave no doubt upon the intention of the contracting
parties, the literal meaning of its stipulations shall
control.
Article 1377. The interpretation of obscure words or
stipulations in a contract shall not favor the party
who caused the obscurity.
CHAPTER 6. RESCISSIBLE CONTRACTS
Art. 1385. Rescission creates the obligation to
return the things which were the object of the
contract, together with their fruits, and the price with
its interest; consequently, it can be carried out only
when he who demands rescission can return whatever
he may be obliged to restore.
Neither shall rescission take place when the things
which are the object of the contract are legally in the
possession of third persons who did not act in bad
faith. In this case, indemnity for damages may be
demanded from the person causing the loss.
CHAPTER 7. VOIDABLE CONTRACTS
Art. 1390. The following contracts are voidable or
annullable, even though there may have been no
damage to the contracting parties:
1. Those where one of the parties is
incapable of giving consent to a contract;
2. Those where the consent is vitiated by
mistake, violence, intimidation, undue
influence, or fraud.
CHAPTER 8. UNENFORCEABLE CONTRACTS
Art. 1403. The following contracts are unenforceable,
unless they are ratified:
1. Those entered into in the name of another
person by one who has been given no
authority or legal representation, or who
has acted beyond his powers;
CHAPTER 9. VOID AND INEXISTENT CONTRACTS
Art. 1409. The following contracts are inexistent and
void from the beginning:
1. Those whose cause, object or purpose is
contrary to law, morals, good customs,
public order or public policy;
2. Those which are absolutely simulated or
fictitious;
3. Those whose cause or object did not exist
at the time of the transaction;
4. Those whose object is outside the
commerce of men;
5. Those which contemplate an impossible
service;
6. Those where the intention of the parties
relative to the principal object of the
contract cannot be ascertained;
7. Those expressly prohibited or declared
void by law.
TITLE XIV
CHAPTER 1. COMPROMISES
Art. 2028. A compromise is a contract whereby the
parties, by making reciprocal concessions, avoid a
litigation or put an end to one already commenced.
CHAPTER 3. OTHER KINDS OF DAMAGES
SECTION 3. LIQUEDATED DAMAGES

SECTION 3. CONTRACT FOR A PIECE OF WORK Art. 2226. Liquidated damages are those agreed
upon by the parties to a contract, to be paid in case of
Art. 1723. The engineer or architect who drew up breach thereof.
the plans and specifications for a building is liable
for damages if within fifteen years from the
completion of the structure, the same should collapse
by reason of a defect in those plans and specifications,
or due to the defects in the ground. The contractor is
likewise responsible for the damages if the edifice
falls, within the same period, on account of defects in
the construction or the use of materials of inferior
quality furnished by him, or due to any violation of
the terms of the contract.
If the engineer or architect supervises the
construction, he shall be solidarily liable with the
contractor. Acceptance of the building, after
completion, does not imply waiver of any of the
cause of action by reason of any defect mentioned in
the preceding paragraph. The action must be brought
within ten years following the collapse of the
building.