Book III - Title Five - Article 15

Sec. 485. Qualifications, Powers and Duties. -

1. No person shall be appointed architect unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concerned, of good moral character, a duly licensed architect. He must have practiced his profession for at least five (5) years in the case of the provincial or city architect, and three (3) years in the case of the municipal architect.



The appointment of the architect is optional for provincial, city and municipal governments.

2. The architect shall take charge of the office on architectural planning and design and shall:
1. Formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian and provide technical assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative to architectural planning and design as provided for under Section 17 of this Code;


2. Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the governor or mayor, as the case may be, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with architectural planning and design programs and projects which the governor or mayor is empowered to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under this Code;


3. In addition to foregoing duties and functions, the architect shall:


1. Prepare and recommend for consideration of the sanggunian the architectural plan and design for the local government unit or a part thereof, including the renewal of slums and blighted areas, land reclamation activities, the greening of land, and appropriate planning of marine and foreshore areas;


2. Review and recommend for appropriate action of the sanggunian, governor or mayor, as the case may be, the architectural plans and design submitted by governmental and non-governmental entities or individuals, particularly those for undeveloped, underdeveloped, and poorly-designed areas; and


3. Coordinate with government and non-government entities and individuals involved in the aesthetics and the maximum utilization of the land and water within the jurisdiction of the local government unit, compatible with environmental integrity and ecological balance.
4. Be in the frontline of the delivery of services involving architectural planning and design, particularly those related to the redesigning of spatial distribution of basic facilities and physical structures during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural calamities and disasters;


5. Recommend to the sanggunian and advise the governor or mayor, as the case may be, on all other matters relative to the architectural planning and design as it relates to the total socioeconomic development of the local government unit; and
3. Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.