Standards of Practice for Architects

Section 7(g), Article II of Republic Act No. 9266 directs the Board to prescribe and/or adopt the Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Professional Practice for registered and licensed Architects.
The Board already adopted and promulgated the Code of Ethical Conduct through Resolution No. 02, series of 2006.
The 1979 Standards of Professional Practice, known as “UAP Documents 201 through 208,” are treated as the earlier standards undergoing update, amendment, and repeal efforts.
The 1979 Standards of Professional Practice became part of the implementing rules and regulations of the repealed architecture law, Republic Act No. 545, as amended by Republic Act No. 1581.
The resolution expressly frames the updated standards as integral to the Board’s implementation of Republic Act No. 9266.

The resolution states an urgent and important need to finally prescribe and promulgate new/updated Standards of Professional Practice for Architects after long-standing prior standards.
The resolution reflects collaborative efforts between the Board and the Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization of Architects (IAPOA) to amend and update professional practice standards.
The resolution mandates the continued involvement of the IAPOA in producing related compliance instruments (guidelines and procedure manual) with the Board’s assistance.

The Board prescribes the new/updated Standards of Professional Practice for Architects as supplemental implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9266.
The standards are made an integral part of the resolution through Annex A.
The resolution treats the annexed standards as the operative “Standards of Professional Practice” for Architects under the Board’s authority.
The resolution requires that the related compliance documentation for fees and compliance procedures be produced under specified structures involving the IAPOA.

The resolution requires that the corresponding Architects’ Fees be stated in detail under a document called the Architects’ Guidelines for SPP Compliances (the Architects’ Guidelines).
The Architects’ Guidelines are to be crafted by the IAPOA with the Board’s assistance.
The Architects’ Guidelines are declared to be an official IAPOA issuance.
The resolution requires all IAPOA Members to observe the Architects’ Guidelines.

The resolution requires the IAPOA to craft a Manual of Procedure for SPP Compliances (the Manual of Procedure).
The Manual of Procedure must be prepared immediately upon completion and subsequent dissemination of the Architects’ Guidelines.
The Manual of Procedure is likewise declared an official IAPOA issuance.
The resolution requires all IAPOA Members to observe the Manual of Procedure.

The resolution takes effect after fifteen (15) days following the full and complete publication of the resolution in the Official Gazette or in any major daily newspaper of national circulation in the Philippines.
The effectivity rule is tied to completion of publication in either specified nationwide channels and counts from the completion of such publication.