Senator Chiz Escudero wants the country’s civil engineers and architects to play “tag-team” to help solve problems brought about by urbanization such as flooding.
“I am with you in finding the right solution on the division of work and the partnership of distinct sets of expertise between these two professions in the construction industry. We need to organize the job and functions of architects and civil engineers,” Escudero told members of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) in Sorsogon City earlier this week.
The senator noted that architects and civil engineers are critical to solving problems brought by urbanization such as flooding.
“As an example, the government cannot address flooding in Metro Manila on its own. Raising the road by a foot does not help. Your technical expertise on this is much needed,” Escudero said.
Escudero chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
Malacanang had earlier approved P407 billion worth of infrastructure projects including an initial outlay of P15 billion for flood control projects.
The Senate plans to set a meeting between the UAP and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) to work out a compromise between the two organizations on the boundaries of both practices.
Pending before the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization are two bills amending the Civil Engineering Law or Republic Act 544. One of the bills, Senate Bill 2109, was introduced by Escudero.
“Working with the help of each profession while eliminating conflict is possible and it should be done,” the Bicolano senator said.
