ABSTRACT
This descriptive-evaluative study determined and described the implementation of the National Building Code of the Philippines among fourth to sixth class municipalities in the Province of Palawan. Two sets of researcher-made questionnaire were used to gather data from seven local chief executives, seven building officials and 25 applicants for building permits. The survey was supplemented by random interviews made by the researcher. Findings of the study revealed an absence of full-time building official, lack of budgeting allocations, and difficult access to professionals who can act to clients’ requests for building permits. Despite these challenges, clients claimed to be “very much satisfied” and “very satisfied” with the services they received although they claimed that the Code is irrelevant to their needs. Problems and issues contested on lack of personnel and the complaints from clients on the application of Code requirements in their situation. Policy recommendation was drafted to address the findings of the study.
Keywords: Building Code of the Philippines, Fourth to Sixth Class Municipalities
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of Presidential Decree 1096, also known as the National Building Code of the Philippines (Code), which was issued on February 19, 1977, is to enforce uniform standards and requirements on building design, construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance in accordance with the state's policy to protect life, health, property, and the promotion of the general welfare (Section 5, Article II, 1987 Philippine Constitution).
Through the years, the Code has been enriched through the ratification of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and the issuance of Administrative Order No. 270, which prescribed the implementation of its IRR and identifying the offices and officials who are responsible for the implementation of the Code (Fulgar, 2021).
The researcher, who has been employed with a local government unit of a fourth-class municipality, has observed that the current Code presents some difficulties to ordinary citizens who apply for building permit and related documents in the municipality where she works as a building official. Likewise, during conferences among building officials like her, it has been a common observation among them that some provisions of the Code can hardly be complied by fourth- to sixth-class municipalities.
Further, as a result of technological advancements in building design and construction, rapid urbanization, the development of mega-cities characterized by high-rise buildings and structures, and the pertinent requirements of related laws and other government agencies, it has become imperative to review the various provisions of the existing Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Code in order to make them realistic and applicable to the present condition.
With the steep requirements of the Code for lower class municipalities, the implementation gives burdens to public leaders, building officials and residents due to limitation of resources, practicing professionals and other technical requirements by the Code.
It is in view of these reasons that the researcher’s intent was sparked to undertake the present study.
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