UAP Legazpi chapter HQ construction at full blast
February 12, 2020 | By: Arch. Benjamin K. Panganiban, Jr., (as first published in The Manila Times last February 11, 2020)
THE United Architects of the Philippines Legazpi Chapter (UAPLC), the premier UAP chapter in the Bicol region is now in full blast with the construction of its chapter headquarters in Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City. This is a first for the chapter and a milestone for chapter president Arr-Jay Joquico and his board of directors.
UAPLC headquarters will be strategically located near SM Legazpi with very easy access for all its members. The UAPLC members are using container vans combined with their artistic creativity to come up with a stunning masterpiece in a 110-square meter lot provided by the local government for this chapter that has partnered with the local government unit (LGU) representing the civil sector in many of the city government’s plans and programs.
The use of the government property was made possible by the good relations and participation of the UAP Legazpi Chapter officers and members, coupled by their elders and support members the likes of City Architect and fellow Rey Acosta, other fellows like Ernesto Tianco, Delfin Mirabete, Rino Domingo Fernandez, Ranulfo Imperial, Leo Del Rosario, the late Reynaldo Nacional and the chapter’s Board of Officers composed of Arr-Jay Joquico, president; Adrian Grageda, vice president for Programs; Sherwin Marc Andes, vice president for Operations; Mae Gigantone, secretary; Jelly Joy Budao, treasurer; Jhojav Lorica, auditor; directors Ric Ramil Longos, Arnel Freo, Rita Oringo, Coleen Grona, Hazel Maneses, Andrea Rivera, Alvin Arias and Ronaldo Bien; and immediate past president: Maria Indra Dado.
Because the chapter members were involved with the planning and development of Legazpi City, the councilors led by Vince Baltazar endorsed the accreditation of UAPLC, with Councilor Melissa Abadeza who endorsed the usufruct agreement on the chapter’s use of the government property.Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal granted and signed the agreement, which was witnessed by the Chairman of the Board of Architecture Robert Sac of the Professional Regulation Commission.
Today, the dream of this UAP chapter is becoming a reality under the Joquico’s presidency. The first of three containers have already been in place and it looks like UAPLC can be proud of their headquarters in the near future, being the first professional organization in Legazpi City to set up office to continue a long-lasting relationship with their local government.
It is in light of these good relations with the Legazpi City government that three of the major thrusts of this present UAP National Administration had been attained namely, 1) partner with the local government so that the work and value of the architects will be recognized and distinguished from that of other allied technical professions, 2) exercise corporate social responsibilities, especially with the LGUs so that they will know what the architects do and the value they bring to the table; and 3) promote the profession, thereby protecting the architects and uplifting the organization.
Not only is this civic-oriented chapter aware of its social responsibilities and overseeing the development of Legazpi City, they had recently presented a tourism master plan to the stakeholders of the Municipality of Manito in Albay thru the initiative and encouragement of UAP National Executive Vice President Renato Heray and ABS-CBN Kalikasan.
On behalf of the UAP National Board of Directors for the fiscal years 2018-2020, we would like to congratulate the officers and members of UAP Legazpi Chapter for setting the example, showing the way and inspiring other UAP chapters to level up. Mabuhay po kayo!
Architects gather to aid Taal eruption evacuees
The UAP calls on its members to help gather donations for evacuees from the recent Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas.
With its 177-strong chapters worldwide, UAP believes that its more than 48,000 members across the globe are ready to donate in cash or in kind for the victims of the eruption which has displaced over 400,000 residents.
As of the third week of January, UAP districts and chapters have announced the call for donations to their members, encouraging donation of relief goods, as well as cash contributions. They have also given their initial donations to affected towns days after the eruption.
Meanwhile, the UAP national headquarters office is set to deliver the gathered donations in early February to various towns in Batangas.
UAP has also pledged its commitment in helping in the rehabilitation and rebuilding of damaged establishments and homes through its corporate social responsibility program.
The writer is the current national president of the United Architects of the Philippines and the first national president from Mindanao. He has been in the private practice for more than 34 years and is a fellow of the UAP. He is also the first Asean architect and APEC architect from Davao City. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Mindanao, a doctor fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects Singapore and a recipient of the European Business Assembly.
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