BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez ordered the Office of the Building Official (OBO) in this city to strictly implement section 302, paragraphs (3) and (4) of the National Building Code (NBC) of the Philippines and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) in relation to the Supreme Court (SC) resolution last year.
Secretary-to-the Mayor Atty. Marty Go said Mayor Benitez issued Memorandum No. 033 dated February 13, 2025 citing National Building Code Development Office’s (NBCDO) issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 01, series of 2025 in relation to the SC resolution dated October 30, 2024.
The said memo directed Engr. Amy Tentia, officer-in-charge of OBO, that architectural plans and documents be prepared, signed and sealed by a licensed and registered architect only, as stated in the SC resolution.
Prior to the release of the SC decision, Go explained that a licensed engineer was allowed to sign in the architectural plans based also from the NBC.
He said that architectural plans signed by engineers and submitted to OBO prior to the date of the city mayor’s memo shall be accepted at the said office.
An architectural plan is a requirement submitted to OBO in compliance with the NBC, which verifies safety and structural integrity, and secures the necessary building permit for legal construction.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned SC resolution was based in the motion for reconsideration filed by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), Inc. and Leo Cleto Gamolo in G.R. No. 200015 and 205846 entitled, “Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) versus PICE and Leo Cleto Gamolo,” and “United Architects of the Philippines versus PICE and Leo Cleto Gomolo,” upholding the validity and constitutionality of section 302 paragraphs (3) and (4) of the revised IRR of Presidential Decree No. 1096, otherwise known as the NBC./PN
