Blog 10: Local Government Code of the Philippines
Architectural Comprehensive Course II Blog
Note: These blog series are made back in 2019 and migrated from my old website which focused around exploring Building Laws in the Philippines in the context of our individual thesis topics.
Known as the “Local Government Code of 1991” which aims to decentralize the governments authority by separating it in two parts, the Central Government or the National Government, then the Local Government Units which is divided into 3 essential parts, (1) Provinces and Independent cities, (2) Component cities and Municipalities, and (3) Barangays. This allows the Local Government to exercise their authority in specific areas which they will be given more powers, responsibilities, and resources to help their areas achieve their fullest development and become self-reliant thus, becoming major players of attaining national goals.
In the context of Architecture, this Code empowers a locale to set its own priority in developing its infrastructure, amenities, public space, and the visual components of their location. An example for this is the Local Government of Vigan which highlights its historic Calle Crisologo and the structures within it.
Also the Intramuros which encourages structures built inside to be according to the locations motif. Other provisions of the Code are the requirements for these local government structures such as planning, land allocations for public use, and zoning.
On a different note, and in context with my undergraduate proposal for my thesis which is located in Aceite/ Anonas street, Sta. Mesa Manila; which indicates in the Manila Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance that the area is under Industrial Zone but according to the Land Use map, most of the land are used for residential purposes. According to City Ordinance No. 8119 or the Manila CLUP and Zoning Regulation, Section 17, use regulations in University Cluster Zone, which states that INS-U shall be used primarily for educational/ academic, religious, cultural, residential developments with supporting commercial and services uses.
Even linear parks are also mandated by the Ordinance which states that in Article 9, Section 55, implies the maintenance of linear park along Pasig River and other waterways within the boundaries of the City of Manila. In consonance with the provisions of the National Building Code states that a minimum of 3 meters is required for all sides with waterways. There are a lot of considerations in Manila alone, good thing that the Local Government Code asserts this assessments in order draw an adequate agenda for the locale.