He was a consulting architect to the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands from 1905 to 1914, and designed various structures, most notably the Gabaldon school buildings.

During the early years of the American colonial era, Governor-General of the Philippines Howard Taft favored a comprehensive building construction and city planning in the country.

[1] William Cameron Forbes, having recently appointed as commissioner to the Philippines, sought out Daniel Burnham to create plans for the cities of Baguio and Manila.

[3][4] Parsons was recommended by Burnham for the position, who at that time was practicing architecture in New York City, having recently graduated from École des Beaux-Arts, Paris.

In this plan the Cebu Provincial Capitol was conceptualized to be positioned at the northern end of Jones Avenue (now Osmeña Boulevard).