The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conferred with the country’s building officials to refresh and update them on the intricacies of the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP).

In a statement released on Monday, Nov. 14, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan reminded the country’s building officials of their “vital contribution in national development as building officials and professionals.’’

“In your capable hands rest the betterment of the community you serve, in no small part due to the role played by your respective offices in ensuring that buildings and structures conform to the national and local standards set forth in the laws, rules and regulations observed in your respective jurisdictions,” Bonoan said through DPWH-NBCDO Executive Director Johnson V. Domingo during the seminar.

Domingo opened the seminar-workshop, which was the first ever face-to-face event conducted by the DPWH and building officials in years since the onset of the coronavirus health crisis.

Participants from various government agencies and private institutions had the chance to review their technical know-how on NBCP including its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR) and other referral codes.

Topics discussed at the five-day seminar-workshop included the overview of the Philippine Green Building Code; Land Use, Zoning and Cultural Heritage; in Batas Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility Law’s Regulations for Permitting; Earthquake and Earthquake Preparedness; as well as regulations on civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and sanitation and plumbing.

The NBCP, which is also known as Presidential Decree No. 1096, is a measure issued by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos on Feb. 19, 1977 to ensure that all buildings and structures of both the public and private sector have a framework of minimum standards and requirements to regulate and control their location, site, design quality of materials, construction, use, occupancy and maintenance. (Chito A. Chavez)