Question & AnswerQ&A (PRC BOARD OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE BOARD Resolution NO. 02, SERIES 2004)
A Landscape Architect is a natural person registered and certified/certificated, and authorized by the Board of Landscape Architecture and Professional Regulation Commission to practice Landscape Architecture in the Philippines pursuant to Republic Act No. 9053.
Engagement refers to professional work rendered by a Landscape Architect to a client for a fee, whether onerous or gratuitous.
PALA is an integrated national organization of Landscape Architects accredited and recognized by the Board and the PRC. It mediates conflict between members and advocates or presents positions or clarifications on professional matters.
A Landscape Architect must subordinate their personal interest, as well as the interest of their clients, to the larger public interest, performing their work in a way that enhances the environment, protects the public interest, and promotes judicious use of resources.
Landscape Architects shall protect agreements with clients/employers and shall not release any information without prior permission, unless required by law, to avoid unjust prejudice to the client or employer.
They must not engage in acts constituting conflict of interest, such as using privileged positions for financial gain or securing additional work without prior client/employer permission.
Landscape Architects shall bill and receive remuneration solely based on stated charges for services rendered and must not demand extra remuneration from commercial or speculative profits from materials or services provided by others.
The Board may, after due notice and hearing, revoke or suspend the certificate of registration for any violation of the Code of Ethics. Decisions may be appealed to the Professional Regulation Commission and thereafter to the Courts of Appeal.
Only if specifically required by the client, and they must not offer design services free of charge or disproportionate fees to obtain the construction portion of an engagement.
Filipino Landscape Architects shall not be accessories to the illegal practice of foreign Landscape Architects or entities by consenting to act for or on their behalf, and shall not abet illegal practice within the country.