The United Architects of the Philippines is proud to announce that its very own former National President Architect Yolanda David-Reyes was recently appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines President Benigno Aquino III as new Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
The PRC has one of the most daunting mandates in national development in the Philippines, as it regulates and supervises the practice of the professionals who constitute the highly skilled manpower of the country. As the agency-in-charge of the professional sector, the PRC plays a strategic role in developing the corps of professionals for industry, commerce, governance, and the economy.
Architect and Environmental Planner Yolanda D. Reyes served as member of the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture from 2013 until her appointment as PRC Commissioner. She finished her Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture in 1975 and her Master of Science Degree in Architecture in 1986 at the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts and the UST Graduate School. She completed her academic requirements for PhD program at the University of the Philippines – School of Urban and Regional Planning. She also served as Dean of the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts for a period of nine years. Under her leadership, the College achieved the status of “Center of Excellence” in the year 1999 granted by the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines. Architect Reyes has given major contributions and services to her profession when she served as the first woman National President of the United Architects of the Philippines. She demonstrated her vision, leadership and unrelenting vigor and zeal, by instituting various reforms within the organization. She also projected the UAP and the Philippines in the international scene as the first lady-architect to be elected as Chairperson of the Architects Regional Council of Asia or ARCASIA comprising a membership of 18 Asian countries.
In recognizing her noteworthy achievements, she was conferred the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Presidential Medal and an Honorary Membership in Las Vegas, USA. Architect Reyes was awarded the most coveted distinction as Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in San Francisco, USA, the first woman architect from Southeast Asia to receive the award. Her numerous commendations include The Award for Architecture in Design Excellence for the Caleruega Retreat House located south of Manila, Philippines by the UAP in 1996, The Outstanding ThomasianAlumni Award (Architecture) given by the UST in 2002, Distinguished Architecture Award given by the City of Manila, A special Cultural Award by Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, First Diamond Award for Architecture by the UST Graduate School in 1998. In 2008, she was bestowed as the Most Outstanding Professional of the Year in Architecture by the Professional Regulation Commission.
Last year, Architect Reyes was the first female to receive the Likha Gold Medal Award, the highest distinction to be bestowed upon a fellow, who has adhered to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct, practiced in excellence and prestige the architectural profession, has rendered distinguished contribution and service to the UAP, and has performed exceptional achievements and active participation in the concern of the community, government and country.
Architect Reyes is also the current Vice President (Region IV) of the Union International des Architectes (UIA), an international non-government organization that represents over a million architects in 124 countries.
Architect Reyes also serve as Chairman of the Commission of Higher Education, Technical Panel in Architecture, Fine Arts and other Related Fields, Chairman of the Environment cluster of City of San Fernando, Pampanga Multi-Sectoral Government Council (MSGC), and designated by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines as Head of APEC Architects Registry of the Philippine Section and as Chairman of the ASEAN Monitoring Committee on Architectural Services of the Philippines or AMCASP.
Commissioner Reyes was sworn into Office by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz in a simple oath-taking rite held at the Midas Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on November 19, 2014. The event was attended by UAP national officers led by National President, Arch. Ma. Benita Ochoa-Regala, FUAP.
The PRC is currently headed by Dr. Florentino C. Dobleas Chairman, who also assumed the office last November 19, 2014.
