Davao architects urged to secure Asean accreditation

ARCHITECTS in Davao Region are told to get an Asean architect accreditation in order to become competitive in the coming Asean Economic Community in 2014.

Arch. Benjamin K. Panganiban Jr. said by becoming accredited Asean architects by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), architects in Davao will have more access to growth and opportunities in the region.

Panganiban, who is the only Asean accredited architect from Davao City, said accredited Asean architects will be able to partner with other Asean architects, and this will serve as a venue for an exchange on new architectural ideas, trends, and technologies.

He said the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) and the PRC are working hand-in-hand to encourage local architects in getting an Asean architect accreditation.

Panganiban said the application for the accreditation has a minimal fee of P5,000. After that, they will go through a series of interviews with the PRC.

Applying architects are also required to have five years of experience, continuing professional studies, and a field of specialization. Renewal is every three years.

He said architects coming from the Philippines have the edge over other Asean architects due to the Filipinos natural ingenuity and creativity.

In 2013, only 52 architects in the country applied for the accreditation and on July this year 40 were given Asean architect status.

There are only three Asean accredited architects from Mindanao, Panganiban and two others from General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro City, the rest are Luzon-based architects.

Panganiban said there were only a few architects coming from Mindanao because the application had to be done in Manila.

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Davao architects urged to secure Asean accreditation