Chapter IV
Government Supervision of Construction. The ObrasPublicas.
In the early years of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, construction of
public works was under the supervision of government engineers (military engineers).
They were in charge of the erection of defenses -- forts, redoubts, battlements and other
fortifications as well as government buildings. The first military engineer on record to
serve the government came in 1705.
Some early churches were built under the direction of architects, though these
architects were perhaps only master builders, and many of them priests. These
priest-architects built not only churches but also hospitals and school buildings, and
were also consulted occasionally on government constructions. But there were very few
of these architects. From the late sixteenth century to the end of the eighteenth century,
there had been about nineteen architects only. Government supervision of non
government structures was nil.
It was in 1805 that a corps of engineers was created which issued a set of
Ordenanzas. This body was in charge of all constructions, including the erection of
churches, government buildings and other edifices. With the progress of the colony in
the 19th Century ---- brought about by such events as the opening of the port of Manila
to foreign shipping, lifting of the restrictions on commerce, and the opening of the Suez
Canal which shortened the route between Europe and the Philippines -- more
constructions were done in the colony. Consequently, the government became more
watchful.
In 1837, a decree ordered that all constructions which needed blueprints should not be
started unless the plans were submitted and approved by the proper agency of the
government. However the ordenanza prescribed no punishment to violators. There
were not enough architects and engineers in the government to enforce the decree. To
enforce the decreu effectively, the Asesor General in 1852 proclaimed that violators of
the decree should be fined inproportion to the importance and size of the work
undertaken. For instance, it is recorded that in 1865 the priest and parishioners of San
Miguel de Iloilo decided to build a new church. Having obtained the necessary funds
they proceeded with the work. Upon Inspection by the government architect, it was
found that the springers of the arches were not in conformity with the blueprint. It was
also discovered that the parish priest started the construction without the necessary
permit from the government. Upon recommendation of the architect to the Superior
Gobierno, the construction was stopped.
Government Supervision of Construction. The ObrasPublicas.
In the early years of the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, construction of
public works was under the supervision of government engineers (military engineers).
They were in charge of the erection of defenses -- forts, redoubts, battlements and other
fortifications as well as government buildings. The first military engineer on record to
serve the government came in 1705.
Some early churches were built under the direction of architects, though these
architects were perhaps only master builders, and many of them priests. These
priest-architects built not only churches but also hospitals and school buildings, and
were also consulted occasionally on government constructions. But there were very few
of these architects. From the late sixteenth century to the end of the eighteenth century,
there had been about nineteen architects only. Government supervision of non
government structures was nil.
It was in 1805 that a corps of engineers was created which issued a set of
Ordenanzas. This body was in charge of all constructions, including the erection of
churches, government buildings and other edifices. With the progress of the colony in
the 19th Century ---- brought about by such events as the opening of the port of Manila
to foreign shipping, lifting of the restrictions on commerce, and the opening of the Suez
Canal which shortened the route between Europe and the Philippines -- more
constructions were done in the colony. Consequently, the government became more
watchful.
In 1837, a decree ordered that all constructions which needed blueprints should not be
started unless the plans were submitted and approved by the proper agency of the
government. However the ordenanza prescribed no punishment to violators. There
were not enough architects and engineers in the government to enforce the decree. To
enforce the decreu effectively, the Asesor General in 1852 proclaimed that violators of
the decree should be fined inproportion to the importance and size of the work
undertaken. For instance, it is recorded that in 1865 the priest and parishioners of San
Miguel de Iloilo decided to build a new church. Having obtained the necessary funds
they proceeded with the work. Upon Inspection by the government architect, it was
found that the springers of the arches were not in conformity with the blueprint. It was
also discovered that the parish priest started the construction without the necessary
permit from the government. Upon recommendation of the architect to the Superior
Gobierno, the construction was stopped.
