Section 40October 2, 2006, Sec./Art. 40

The Provincial Architect. - (A) No person shall be appointed architect unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the province, of good moral character and a duly licensed architect. He must have practiced his profession for at least five years.

The appointment of a provincial architect shall be optional.

(B) The architect shall take charge of the office on architectural planning and design, and shall:

(1) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian and provide technical assistance and support to the governor in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative to architectural planning and design as provided for under Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991;

(2) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the governor, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with architectural planning and design programs and projects which the governor is empowered to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under the Local Government Code of 1991;

(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the architect shall:

(a) Prepare and recommend for consideration of the sanggunian the architectural plan and design for the province or a part thereof, including the renewal of slums and blighted areas, land reclamation activities, the greening of land, and appropriate planning of marine and foreshore areas;

(b) Review and recommend for appropriate action of the sanggunian and the governor the architectural plan and design submitted by governmental and nongovernmental entities or individuals, particularly those for undeveloped, underdeveloped and poorly-designed areas; and

(c) Coordinate with government. agencies and nongovernmental entities and individuals involved in the aesthetics and the maximum utilization of the land and water within the jurisdiction of the province, compatible with environmental integrity and ecological balance.

(4) Be in the frontline of the delivery of basic services involving architectural planning and design, particularly those related to the redesigning of spatial distribution of basic facilities and physical structures during and in the aftermath of manmade and natural calamities and disasters; and

(5) Recommend to the sanggunian and advise the governor on all other matters related to architectural planning and design as it relates to the total socioeconomic development of the province.

(C) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.