Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1542

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. GABRIEL LUIS R. QUISUMBING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and shall
promote their physical, moral, spiritual and intellectual well-being.

Dormitories and boarding houses have been providing temporary shelter to
millions of students who have to live away from their families to pursue their studies.
However, there are reports showing that some dormitories and boarding houses are
operating despite failure to comply with health, safety and structural standards.

It has been observed that most of these dormitories and boarding houses,
especially those in the University belt area in Manila, are in dilapidated, unsanitary and
unsafe conditions. Owners and operators of these dormitories and boarding houses fail
to provide their boarders and occupants with basic facilities such as adequate fire
protection, lighting and electricity, proper ventilation and spacing, and study area.

On May 26, 2013, Manila Bulletin reported that the Cebu City Fire Department
started inspecting boarding houses and dormitories to ensure that these properties are
in compliance with the Fire Safety Code of the Philippines. The inspection is part of the
city’s preparation for the opening of classes. Thousands of college students from Visayan
and Mindanao provinces are expected to flock to the city to study in universities and
colleges here, Boarding houses and dormitories abound in the city but fire officials said
a number of these facilities are fire hazards and do not have permits to operate,
prompting city agencies to conduct the inspection.

‘And on June 6, 2013, Sunstar Cebu reported that the region's student population
is expected to increase between two and four percent from last year's figures, said Dr.
Marcial Degamo, DepEd 7 Quality Assurance and Accountability Division chief

There is an urgent need to address this concern as millions of students are back
in schools, It is therefore imperative that measures be adopted to provide safe, clean and
convenient accommodation to our students to promote their educational, social and
cultural development,

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. l\

GABRIEL LUIS

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. QUISUMBING


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
42

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. GABRIEL LUIS R. QUISUMBING

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED NATIONAL
POLICY AND PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF DORMITORIES AND BOARDING-HOUSES, PROVIDING
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to promote and improve the condition of those living in dormitories and
boarding houses. Towards this end, the State shall adopt a national standard for
the operation and maintenance of dormitories and boarding houses to make
these facilities conducive to living and learning.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following shall mean:

a. Dormitory or boarding house - any house or building or portion thereof in
which six (6) or more persons may be regularly accepted as boarders on a
daily, weekly or monthly basis;

b. Dormitory or boarding house helpers - shall refer to cooks, food handlers,
helpers who handle the food services for the boarders and any other
persons who shall assist the owners of boarding houses or dormitories in
housing maintenance and similar household chores.

SECTION 3. License from Local Governments. - It shall be unlawful for any
person to own, keep, maintain or operate any dormitory or boarding house
without first obtaining a license from the city/municipal government. The
license which shall be posted in a conspicuous place shall specify the number of
persons allowed to dwell or board in every dormitory or boarding house

SECTION 4. Classes of Dormitories and Boarding Houses. - For purposes of
this Act, dormitories and boarding house shall have the following classifications:

a) Class A - dormitories and boarding houses providing accommodations
for fifty (50) boarders or more;


b) Class B - dormitories and boarding houses providing accommodations
for thirty (30) but less than fifty (50) boarders;

c) Class C - dormitories and boarding houses providing accommodations
for twenty (20) but not less than thirty (30) boarders; and

d) Class D - dormitories and boarding houses providing accommodations
for more than five (5) but less than twenty (20) boarders.

SECTION 5. Minimum Dormitory or Boarding House Rentals. - The Local
Government Units (LGUs), through their respective Sanggunians shall fix the
minimum monthly boarding rentals taking into consideration the following
factors:

a) situs of the dormitory and boarding house, whether urban or rural areas;

b) classification of the dormitory or boarding house;

c) facilities and premises, offered;

d) number of boarders allowed in each room;

e) construction of the building; and

f) such other factors which may be deemed necessary under the

circumstances.

In the absence of any agreement for the payment or additional expenses for
electric, telephone and water utility bills, the minimum boarding house rental
prescribed under this Section shall be the basic rentals which shall be paid to the
owner inclusive of electric, telephone and water bills,

SECTION 6. Rental Discounts to Student Boarders. - All boarding houses and
dormitories shall give a discount of ten percent (10%) for all students, Students
shall be required to present school registration cards or similar documents to
serve as proof thereof,

SECTION 7. Building Type for Dormitories and Boarding Houses. - Any
three- storey building erected as a dormitory or boarding house for the
accommodation of one hundred (100) persons or any building or section of
building exceeding three storey to be used for said purpose, must be of
reinforced concrete structural framing covered with concrete. Provided,
however, that existing three-storey buildings presently maintained as boarding
houses or dormitories shall be exempted from the requirements of this section:
Provided, further, that if more than fifty percent (50%,) of such buildings are
repaired or altered, the requirements herein provided shall be complied with.
Buildings accommodating less than one hundred (100) persons shall not exceed
thee storey in height or 12 meters if the structure thereof is non-fireproof but in
no case lower in quality than that of a frame structure.

SECTION 8. Dormitory and Boarding House Helpers. - The owners and
operators of dormitories or boarding houses shall employ at least one helper for
every fifty (50) boarders or occupants for the proper maintenance of the said
dormitories or boarding houses.


SECTION 9. Lighting and Electrical Facilities, - All rooms, passageways and
other parts of the premises especially those intended for reading and studying
purposes shall be properly and adequately lighted by natural or artificial means
or both in consonance with the standards of illumination practices.

SECTION 10. Ventilation and Spacing, - All buildings erected or repaired for
use as boarding houses or dormitories shall have rooms with adequate
ventilation and enough space for comfort. All bedrooms shall have a window.
Beds shall be arranged in such manner as would provide adequate space to give
the boarders enough room for mobility.

SECTION 11. Sanitary Facilities. - All dormitories and boarding houses shall
provide a lavatory for every ten boarders and such other necessary sanitary
facilities as may be determined by the Local Government Unit where such
dwelling houses are located.

SECTION 12. Fire Protection Facilities. - Dormitories and Boarding houses shall
provide fire escapes and other firefighting facilities including but not limited to
fire extinguishers and hose cabinet.

SECTION 13, Study Room. - Dormitories or boarding houses having 20 or more
boarders shall provide a study room for general use by the persons dwelling on
the same,

SECTION 14. First Aid. - Every Owner shall maintain in his boarding house or
dormitory such basic first-aid medicine and equipment as may be necessary for
emergency purposes.

SI ON 15. Garbage Receptacles. - All boarding houses or dormitories shall
provide garbage receptacles to be disposed daily.

SECTION 16. Treatment of Boarders. - All boarders shall be treated in a just
and humane manner. In no case shall physical violence and other ignominious
act be inflicted upon boarders.

SECTION 17. Termination Notice. - If a period is fixed for the lease of a room in
the boarding house or similar dwelling units, neither the boarding house owner
nor the boarder may terminate the contract before the expiration of the term,
except for a just cause. If the boarder is unjustly ejected from the boarding house,
he or she shall be paid damages equivalent to one-half month rental. If the
boarder leaves without justifiable reasons and without proper notice, he/she
shall forfeit any deposit made on rentals not exceeding fifteen days. If the
duration of the stay in the boarding house is not determined by contract or by
agreement of the parties, the boarding house owner or the boarder may give
notice to terminate the same at least five (5) days before the intended date
thereof.

SECTION 18. Duty of Boarding House or Dormitory Owners, - All owners of
boarding houses and dormitories shall carry out the provisions of this Act in
good faith. Unless there is any compelling reason, in no case shall a dormitory or


boarding house owner deny the application ofa student.

SECTION 19. License Fees. - All local government units, through their respective
Sanggunian, shall fix the annual license fees to be imposed on boarding houses
and dormitories considering the classification mentioned above, the rentals paid
by boarders and other necessary considerations

SECTION 20. Local Ordinance as Necessary Rules and Regulations. - Local
Government units through their .respective Sanggunian shall pass an ordinance
providing for the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of
this Act.

SECTION 21, Penalty. - In case of violation of any of the provisions of this Act,
the license and permit to operate the dormitory or boarding house and all sums
paid therefore shall, after due notice and hearing, be revoked and forfeited, and
any person responsible for such violation shall be punished with imprisonment
for a period not exceeding six months or a fine not less than five thousand pesos
(P5,000) nor more than ten thousand pesos (P1 0,000) or both, at the discretion
of the Court,

SECTION 22. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shalll continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 23. Repealing Clause, - All laws, orders, rules or regulations which are
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or
repealed accordingly.

SECTION 24. Effectivity, -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved,