MANILA, Philippines – ASEAN-accredited architect and Frima Global Home Corporation President Robert Mirafuente called for the raising of standards in the field of architecture in the Philippines by actively participating in the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration efforts.
Speaking at the 13th Green Forum organized by the Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines (Green AP) on Friday, July 15, Mirafuente said that most architects in the Philippines have only completed their undergraduate degrees while their counterparts in ASEAN countries have masteral and doctorate degrees.
“Unfortunately for Filipino architects, we are only at level 6. But many of our counterparts in the ASEAN region are at level 7 and level 8," said Mirafuente, pertaining to the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF), a national policy describing the levels of educational qualifications.
According to the PQF, architects with undergraduate degrees fall on the sixth level while those who have obtained masteral and doctorate degrees are on the seventh and eighth levels, respectively.
To remedy the gap, Mirafuente recommended the implementation of the Architecture Act of 2004 or RA 9266, specifically Article IV, Section 28 which encourages “Continuing Professional Development."
Continuing professional development, according to RA 9266, refers to a “sustaining and progressive learning process that maintains, enhances, or increases the knowledge and continuing ability of architects.” However, this development is only “voluntary” for architects.
“We are just waiting for the signature of President Duterte...Once passed into law, 30 units of CDP becomes a requirement for the renewal of license for architects," Mirafuente said.
ASEAN accreditation
Mirafuente also pointed out that only 52 out of the 39,000 registered architects in the Philippines, not including the 2016 board passers, are ASEAN-accredited.
"ASEAN architects" are architects of ASEAN-member nations “permitted to work as a Registered Foreign Architect (RFA)” in any other ASEAN-member nation, provided that domestic laws and regulations of the host country applies, based on the 2007 ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Architectural Services.
The agreement aims to facilitate mobility of architects in the region, to exchange information in order to promote adaption of best practices on standards of architectural education and to craft collaborations based on fair distribution of resources.
Thus, Mirafuente urged all Filipino architects to apply for the accreditation since they are hoping to have “borderless practice” of architects within ASEAN nations by 2020. – Rappler.com
Tessa Barre studies journalism at the University of the Philippines - Diliman. Rambo Talabong studies Communications at the Ateneo de Manila University. Tessa and Rambo are Rappler interns.