Question & AnswerQ&A (PRC BOARD OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Resolution NO. 03, S. 2005)
The resolution requires registered and licensed landscape architects to submit valid certificates of Philippine Association of Landscape Architects, Inc. (PALA) membership and official receipts for annual or lifetime membership dues as a prerequisite for issuance or renewal of their Certificates of Registration and Professional Identification Cards.
The integration of the landscape architecture profession is mandated under Republic Act No. 9053, also known as the Philippine Landscape Architecture Act of 2000.
Section 28 states that the landscape architecture profession shall be integrated into one national organization accredited by the Board and approved by the Commission. A registered landscape architect shall automatically become a member of this integrated national organization upon payment of required fees and dues.
The Philippine Association of Landscape Architects, Inc. (PALA) is accredited as the integrated and accredited national professional organization of landscape architects.
Membership in PALA does not bar membership in other associations of landscape architects. Landscape architects can be members of multiple associations.
The registered landscape architect must submit a valid certificate of PALA membership bearing the PALA membership number and the official receipt evidencing payment of membership dues (either lifetime or annual).
The President of PALA is responsible for furnishing the PRC Registration Division with the updated official registry of bona fide PALA members.
The Commission is required to provide PALA with a quarterly copy of the latest list of registered and licensed landscape architects.
The resolution took effect fifteen (15) days after its full and complete publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
The legal basis is Section 28 of RA No. 9053 and the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), including Board Resolution No. 2, Series of 2003, which state that registered and licensed landscape architects automatically become members of the integrated national organization, which is PALA.