AR63 Group Evaluation of Sacred Heart of Jesus GK Village

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Field Trip @ the CEO Office in Davao

The Davao’s CEO and OBO and What They are All About

On the afternoon on January 21, Monday, a fieldtrip was held by the AR 59 class visiting the still unfurnished Davao City Museum and most importantly, the City Engineer’s Office in which a small lecture was done by Engr Gloria A. Lumapas of the Office of the Building Official Division of the said office giving us clearer insights on the kind of work the city engineer’s office and the office of the building official do.
Unlike other cities in the country and as supposedly mandated by law, Davao City do not have a separate office for the office of the building official. Instead, it is still under the office of city engineer’s office wherein the city engineer also acts as the building official of the city. The separation of the offices is still on the process as what the city engineer explained.

C.E.O.’s Vision and Mission Statements
The city engineer’s office has vision is to provide excellent engineering services and quality infrastructure facilities that would improve the quality of life of the people of Davao City. Its mission to provide adequate, relevant and efficient infrastructure support facilities and utilities and urban basic services in order to attain the socio-economic upliftment to its citizenry within the framework of sustainable development.

The Organizational Composition and their corresponding functions
The CEO is headed by the city engineer followed by the assistant city engineer. Under them are the three major divisions or clusters namely the engineering services division, the maintenance division and the building office, and an administrative division of the office.
Under the engineering services division are the following:
1. Programming/Design Division – prepares programs of works and detailed estimates of infrastructure projects as well as conducts surveys and investigations.
2. Material Testing and Quality Control Division-ensures quality control of construction materials
3. Construction Division-implements the projects
4. Special Projects Division -in charge for urban and flood control projects

Under the maintenance division are the following:
1. Road Division (city roads)
2. Bridges Division (city bridges)
3. Canal/Drainage Division
4. Batching Plants Division I and II (for asphalts)
5. Water Resources Division (rural water systems such as
6. Motorpool Division (maintenance of all equipment of CEO and LGU)

Under the building office division are the following:
1. Building Permit Division-for the process, approval and issuance of building permits and certificates of Occupancy, assessments of building permits, application and plans, investigation and inspection of construction of private buildings
2. Electrical Division- for the assessment, process, approval and issuance of electrical permits
3. Mechanical Division- for review and approval of mechanical plans; assessment of mechanical installation ad fees; conducts safety inspection on business establishment; monitors illegally installed/ operating business establishments
4. Demolition Division-for the control of sidewalk vendors, signage/streamers installed, and squatters in the city.

The Processing of Building Permits
In processing of a building permit, the applicant first goes to the CEO to secure application form and then goes to the city planning office to have the issuance of Zoning Locational Clearance. After that, the applicant submits all documents and plans to the OBO and pay fees assessed by the OBO to the City Treasurer’s Office. The applicant must then have Fire Correction Sheet with the corresponding endorsement of the building official and then the building official will direct the applicant to the different divisions in the office.
The application of building permits can be easily approved which usually lasts for three to four days if there are no problems found in the documents and plans such as the applicant is able to comply with the requirements and meet with the set standards.

Problems and Situations Encountered by the Office
Like any other offices or agencies in the government, the CEO also faces different problems. Engr. Lumapas recalls some instances wherein some applicants cheat, change the data in their documents and plans which are far from the actual state of the building. That is why the office tries to do follow-ups and inspections frequently to make sure that the constructed buildings conform to the standards. The office also faces hardheaded owners who fail to follow the rules and regulations set in the national building code. But mostly, establishments reminded by the office them to comply with the requirements respond obligingly.
Demolition jobs of squatters and sidewalk vendors also give headache to the office. But the biggest problem that the city engineer’s office is facing is the lack of personnel. Many of them have quit their job to work abroad especially in Dubai leaving only few remaining personnel in the office making it hard to monitor or inspect buildings and infrastructures and implement their projects.

the fieldtrip in the CEO is quite an experience not because of the their building because it is just quite small, but the learning that we were able to have in the short lecture that was held that would surely be useful to us when we become professional architects in the future.

Proposed Santa Cruz Rural Trade Center

I dream about this...a big commercial development showcasing rural products right where its made...in the rural...right in my hometown, Sant Cruz in Davao del Sur.
This is my proposed project in my thesis, THE SANTA CRUZ RURAL TRADE CENTER PROJECT.

Comments on Urbanization Process and the Changing Agricultural Landscape Pattern in the Urban Fringe of Metro Manila, Philippines

Urbanization is important for it is a sign of economic development. But too much of it results to ecological devastation which would eventually slow down the economy of the affected region. Agricultural lands are mostly the ones being sacrificed to accommodate the growing demand for urban spaces. It was inevitable to happen in the Metropolitan Manila and is also feared to happen in other parts of the country. Several issues are brought up in the article as the main factors for the land conversion in the urban fringe areas: change of ownership with the land, abandonment of agricultural land, political influences, and fertility of the land as well as the presence of good agricultural infrastructure in the area, which I think is not only evident in Metro Manila but also in Davao Region and other areas of the country.

In my observation in my town in Santa Cruz, there are land owners of agricultural lands who sell their lands to commercial and real estate sectors thinking that selling their lands to these buyers would give them much profit than cultivating those lands. Other land owners intentionally stopped cultivating their lands hoping they would be converted into commercial lands and sell or lease it at a much profitable and “preferably high” price as what the co-author of this research had shared in our previous lectures in AR 60.

Politics in local or in national sense is much more pro-commercial and pro-industrial since commercialization and industrialization give more revenues. On the other hand, even if the farmers want to continue farming their lands but inadequate agricultural infrastructures such as “insufficient irrigation for the rice crops grown there” (as mentioned in the said research) would drive them to prefer conversion of their lands.

Land use conversion is unavoidable. But intense land conversions over agricultural lands are unhealthy in general sense and thus, have to be dealt with seriously before it will cause much devastating effects – image-wise and most importantly in ecological sense.

We cannot prevent the local regions, especially the provinces to aspire for urbanization, but at least, local governments should strongly consider “Desakota” for their development plans in their domain so that there would be a compromise, a win-win situation for the agricultural sectors and for the business and industrial sectors as well. And for the Philippines in general, much firmer policies on better urban and regional planning for the whole country should not only be supported but should be strictly monitored and implemented. As well, which is the most important of all, continuity of these better policies is much more of value because no matter how great these programs may be, if they would not be fully applied in the end, they are still useless causing only regrets and frustration.

Several Practical Approaches in Urban and Regional Planning

There are many urban planning theories formulated. But some of them sound very impressive which are too ideal that they could not work out. But there are a few of them which I find significant and most importantly, feasible in our local setting. They are the Comprehensive Planning, New Pedestrianism, and Planned Unit Development.

Comprehensive Planning by Patrick Geddes states that social and economic planning should be integrated in physical planning in a context of environmental concern for he believes that physical planning “could not improve urban living conditions” alone.

Michael E. Arth’s New Pedestrianism (NP) is an urban planning theory founded in 1999, which addresses to various social, health, energy, economic, aesthetic, and environmental problems. It specially focuses on reducing the role of the automobile. A Pedestrian Village is a neighborhood or new town utilizing New Pedestrianism. Pedestrian Villages can vary between from being nearly car-free to having vehicle access behind closely every house and business, keeping in mind that pedestrian lanes are always in front.

Planned Unit Development (PUD) is implied to land development or redevelopment schemes for a new or built-up project. This project requires a Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP). PUD has a unitary development plan or site plan that “permits flexibility in planning or urban design, building or structure siting, complementarity of building types and land uses”, “usable open spaces for general public use services and business activities,” and the “preservation of significant natural land features if feasible.”

New Pedestrianism and Planned Unit Development are applicable in a smaller scope such as in a neighborhood level while Comprehensive Planning is pertinent in a regional scale. While comprehensive planning is the principle, NP and PUD are the application or product of comprehensive planning.

While there are many idealistic planning theories, but only a few seems to be considered as necessity in our local urban and regional planning. I find the three urban planning theories mentioned very important and practical in Davao City and Mindanao. NP should be considered especially in Davao City to address the problem of high transportation cost and to the city being pedestrian-unfriendly – which is an undebatable fact. PUDs are very ideal for business districts. Comprehensive planning should be promoted in every region especially in Mindanao so that the towns and cities to be able to achieve development without compromising the welfare, the culture, and the rich environment of the area.

My idea for an ideal urban and regional planning approach is something that combines comprehensive planning, PUD and NP - basic and practical, may not be a utopia, yet very well-siuted in the Philippines particularly in Mindanao setting.

Reference:

http://www.wikipedia.com/new pedestrianism

ARCH 62 Module 1.0: Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning

Foz, Vicente B., The National Building Code of the Philippines and Its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, Philippine Law Gazette, 2005, Quezon City

The APEC Architect’s Registry

“The APEC Architect Registry is a response to the strategic priority of facilitating mobility of qualified persons through the mutual recognition of professional qualifications among countries…It breaks down a major barrier that prevents Filipinos from practicing architecture abroad.”
- Edric Marco C. Florentino, FUAP, former UAP national president.
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The APEC Architect Registry is simply defined that way. This is also known as the APEC Architect Register and as the APEC Architect Project formed by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), an international forum composed of twenty-one member economies with the objective to act collectively to promote economic and technical cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region. It was officially launched in September 19, 2005.

The APEC Architect project was endorsed by the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG) at its year 2000 meeting held in Brunei as a direct response to the Groups’ strategic priority of facilitating mobility of qualified persons by developing a means for the mutual recognition of skills and qualifications.

It is said in the APEC Manual of 2006 that the registration as an APEC Architect “provides evidence of the achievement of professional standards that satisfy the requirements for the recognition of architects by host APEC economies.”

The APEC Architect Register is managed by the APEC Central Council through the respective local Monitoring Committees in the APEC economies. As of 2005 the participating member economies of the APEC Architect Central Council are Australia, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Hongkong China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Republic of Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and the United States of America, and the Philippines.

What it Takes to be an APEC Architect

An APEC Architect defined as a “person who is registered, licensed or otherwise professionally recognized as an architect in a participating economy, and whose name is enrolled on the APEC Architect Register maintained by that economy.”
From the standards stated in the APEC Architect Manual, the skills and knowledge required for admission to the APEC Architect Register are defined as follows:

An APEC Architect must be competent to create architectural designs that:
satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements;
are informed by the history and theories of architecture and the related arts, technologies and human sciences;
demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between people and buildings, and between buildings and their environment, and the need to relate buildings and the spaces between them to human needs and scale;
respond to environment concerns and address sustainability issues;
show skill in land-use planning and the planning process;
take account of cultural and social factors and demonstrate an understanding of the responsibility of an architect to society.

An APEC Architect must be competent to translate a design concept into built form and be able to:
investigate and interpret design objectives and relevant issues and prepare the brief for a design project;
advise on project evaluation, feasibility studies and programs;
evaluate and determine structural, constructional and engineering elements of a building design and integrate the advice and design of specialist disciplines into a building project;
assess the physical influence on buildings and the technologies associated with providing internal conditions of comfort and protection against the climate, and coordinate and integrate services systems to control them;
meet building users’ requirements within the constraints imposed by cost factors and building regulations;
provide advice on issues of construction, procurement and contract administration;
generate the documentation and information needed to translate a design concept into a building;
manage the procurement of buildings, administer contractual arrangements and monitor their construction.

An APEC Architect must be competent in the practice of architecture and:
observe legal and regulatory obligations related to the planning and construction of buildings;
have adequate knowledge of the industries, organization and procedures involved in the management and realization of a design project as a building;
observe the standards of conduct expected of a professional by the community;
maintain competence in relevant aspects of the practice of architecture.

In the Philippine Section, candidates or applicants for registration are required to have achieved the following to acquire the right to use the title “APEC Architect” which also satisfies Central Council criteria for admission to the APEC Architect Register:

1. must have completed a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture obtained from a duly recognized and accredited educational institution. The educational degree must have a balance between theoretical and practical aspects of architectural training and lead to the acquisition of skills and knowledge necessary to underpin the required competence of an APEC Architect.
2. must have completed a prescribed period of practical diversified training for a minimum period equivalent to a total of 2 years.
3. must satisfy the home economy Monitoring Committee that they have completed a minimum period of professional practice of 7 years; after initial registration/licensure as an architect. This experience must be gained in all of the following categories of architectural practice:

Preliminary Studies
Design
Contract Documentation
Construction Supervision / Project Administration
At least 3 years of that period from the date of application must have been undertaken as an architect:
With sole professional responsibility for the design, documentation and contract administration of buildings of moderate complexity; OR
In collaboration with other architects, as an architect in charge of and professionally responsible for a significant aspect of the design, documentation and/or contract administration of complex buildings.

Professional practice that satisfies the above requirements undertaken in any economy may be accepted by the relevant Monitoring Committee.

4. All professionals with baccalaureate degrees must obtain 60 CPE (Continuing Professional Education) units for three (3) years, computed in accordance with the Matrix for CPE Programs, Activities or Sources of the same PRC Resolution.
5. must have a current and active membership in the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), the Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization of Architects (IAPOA).


An APEC Architect Registration applies only to individual persons, not to architectural practices or firms.

APEC Architects must comply with obligations imposed by their home economies for observing codes of professional conduct and for maintaining professional competence and currency of practice through continuing professional development to retain their registration.
Host economies have the prerogative to impose special requirements for the recognition of APEC Architects for practice in their economies, for as long as any such requirements imposed must be fully transparent like what the Philippine Section did.

APEC Registry: Opportunity or Threat?

The APEC Architect Registry facilitates the mobility of architects for the provision of architectural services throughout the APEC region by reducing current barriers to the export of professional services. Registration as an APEC Architect defines a level of competence that will satisfy designated registration criteria in other participating economies without further assessment through the identification of the common aspects of professional recognition in participating economies and as reinforced also by a period of professional experience.

Quality control is also maintained through a Monitoring Committee in each participating economy which is responsible for ensuring the continued maintenance of required standards by confirming that candidates for APEC Architect registration have complied with criteria adopted by the Central Council and assessing the professional practice experience they have obtained as registered/licensed architects.
The United Architects of the Philippines, as posted on the organization’s website, finds the APEC Architect Registry advantageous for the qualified Filipino architects to be internationally accredited for the practice of their profession in member countries.
Architect Isidoro Malaque III, a professor in the University of the Philippines in Mindanao also viewed the APEC Architect Registry as more of an opportunity than a threat especially to the local architects for it gives them the chance to participate in the global practice without necessarily mean to work as an overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) which is the common faith of the Filipino architects who work abroad even though they are licensed architects.
The higher fees to be paid to be an APEC architect is also viewed by Architect Malaque positively for this is also a means to “control the level of quality of professional practice” aside from the fact that it is expected and required.
Although the APEC Architect Project may post a threat to the local architects that they may loose their local markets due to the coming of foreign architects offering professional services in the local economy through the globalization of professional practice in architecture, Architect Malaque is confident that Filipinos can cope up with this kind of challenge. According to him, since there is a claim that “magaling ang pinoy,” this is the chance to show and to prove that claim and stop complaining about globalization and ride with it instead.
Architect Malaque adds that welcoming of our country to the professional practice internationally also challenges the local architects to work in the local setting but with a global standard.
As a student and a future architect I second those opinions. It is about time that the professional practice in our country should not be an inferior to the developed countries especially in the western countries. We should take a big leap by first amending our laws to strengthen the Philippines’ architectural practice which was already done but still not totally implemented, through constant upgrading on both the architectural curriculum and the professional practice and last but not the least, take the risk to participate in the global practice and show the world what the Filipino architects are capable of.

Source:
www.united-architects.org
APEC Manual, the APEC Architect Project Philippine Section
Interview with Arch. Isidoro Malaque II