QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9053)
RA 9053 is titled the “Philippine Landscape Architecture Act of 2000,” enacted to regulate the practice of landscape architecture in the Philippines, provide for professional licensure, establish the Board of Landscape Architecture, appropriate funds, and set rules on illegal practice and professional standards.
It includes planning, designing, specifying, supervising, and administering responsible direction to achieve orderly and aesthetic arrangement and development of land/natural scenery for human use and enjoyment; it also covers protection, conservation, and rehabilitation of the natural environment and scenery, including site/outdoor space planning, design documents, feasibility studies (including EIA preparation), construction and project management, and related landscape conservation and restoration.
A natural person who has a valid certificate of registration/professional license and a valid professional identification card issued by the Board of Landscape Architecture under the PRC.
A Board is created under PRC, composed of a Chairperson and two (2) members appointed by the President from nominees submitted by the integrated and duly accredited national association of landscape architects, following a list with five (5) nominees per position.
Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen and resident; at least 35 years old; holder of a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (or equivalent) recognized/accredited by CHED; a registered Landscape Architect with valid license and active practice for at least 10 years prior to appointment (except first Chair and members per the Act).
They must not have been faculty of a school teaching regular Landscape Architecture for the prior three consecutive years; must not have pecuniary interest or administrative supervision over such institutions; must not be connected to review centers or groups conducting licensure review lectures/classes for the prior three consecutive years; and must never have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
The term is three (3) years; each may be re-appointed for one full term. For the initial appointments, one member serves as Chairperson for three years, another member for two years, and another member for one year.
To promulgate rules; supervise registration/licensure/practice; administer oaths; issue/suspend/revoke/reinstate certificates; adopt an official seal; prescribe and adopt Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards; hear and try administrative cases (with subpoena powers); set CPE guidelines; prepare syllabi and conduct/prepare exam questions and release results (except landscape design/planning subjects as stated); approve/limit/revoke temporary licenses; and ensure educational compliance with CHED standards.
Applicants must establish: Philippine citizenship (or reciprocity for foreigners); educational qualifications (BLA/recognized degree via CHED or IFLA/ASLA, or alternative education/experience routes described in the Act); and must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Landscape Architectural Design and Planning; Ecology and Nature Conservation; Landscaping Technology and Materials; Planting Design and Interior Plantscaping; Professional Practice and Ethics; and History of Landscape Architecture and Theory of Design.
To pass: weighted general average of at least 70% with no grade below 60% in any subject. If general average is 70%+ but any subject is below 60%, the examinee retakes that subject within two years. If still fails after two attempts, must retake the entire Board exam. In removal/retaking, if recomputation drops the overall average below 70%, must retake the entire examination; retaken subjects must have at least 70%.
A licensed Landscape Architect must affix the Board-approved seal on plans, drawings, specifications, and contract documents prepared by or under his/her direct supervision. Government enforcement officers must not accept/endorse landscape plans not prepared, signed, and sealed in full accord with the Act (for projects with construction/alteration cost more than ₱350,000). No person may stamp/seal with another’s seal and no Landscape Architect may sign/seal work not performed under his/her supervision unless the division of work/functions is clearly indicated; the signatory is fully responsible.
It prohibits acceptance/endorsement of plans/specifications not prepared and submitted in full accord with RA 9053 for landscape construction/alteration with cost more than ₱350,000; payment approval likewise cannot be done for work whose plans/specifications were not signed and sealed by a duly licensed Landscape Architect.
Upon conviction: fine of not less than ₱50,000 nor more than ₱200,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than 6 months nor more than 3 years, at the court’s discretion; if the violator is an alien, immediate deportation follows after payment of fine or service of sentence without further proceedings.
Persons may register without exam if: (1) they completed at least 60 academic units of Landscape Architecture and practiced for 10 years prior to effectivity; or (2) architects/environmental planners (licensed or not) practiced Landscape Architecture for 10 years prior and can show proof. Applications must be filed with the Board within two (2) years from effectivity, subject to Commission approval.
Professional practice may be done through entities registered with SEC, using terms indicating professional practice. At least 80% of the members must be duly registered/licensed Landscape Architects. Only duly registered/licensed design professionals (and the Landscape Architects members) may render landscape architecture services proper for the profession.