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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES — [> pate August 15, 2024 7)
Quezon City, Metro Manila 77pm

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
3”! Regular Session

House Bill No, 10768

Introduced by Representatives JOCELYN P. TULFO, ERWIN T. TULFO,
RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO, and EDVIC G. YAP,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to regulate the ownership and operation of unmanned aerial
vehicle specifically drones.

Currently, drones have become increasingly popular and have emerged as
transformative tools with the potential to revolutionize industries, enhance public
safety, and enrich our daily lives.

The increasing accessibility and affordability of drones present both
unprecedented opportunities and considerable challenges for the government. While
these devices hold immense promise for advancing sectors such as agriculture,
emergency response, and environmental monitoring, they also pose risks when
utilized for unlawful activities. The potential for drones to infringe on privacy,
facilitate criminal operations, or disrupt public safety necessitates a robust regulatory
framework

Our goal in enacting this measure is to establish a comprehensive framework
regulation that safeguard the public, protect individual rights, and promote the
responsible use of drones. This involves setting forth stringent guidelines that define
acceptable use, enhance accountability, and implement effective monitoring systems.
By doing so, we can harness the benefits of drone technology while mitigating the
risks associated with its misuse and potential harm to our national security.

Some of the unique features of this proposed measure is the requirement for
aperiodic registration of drones, a permit to operate drones and establishment of ano-
drone zone for privately operated drones. With these guidelines, we hope to promote
amore responsible use of drones and prevent any unlawful use of drones for criminal
activities. .

‘Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


Le de HONAJERWIN T)TULFO

HON. RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO. HON. EIPVIC G. YAP


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
3! Regular Session

House Bill No. 10768

Introduced by Representatives JOCELYN P. TULFO, ERWIN T. TULFO,
RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO, and EDVIC G. YAP

AN ACT
REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF DRONES BY
PRIVATE PERSONS

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

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Drone Regulation
Act’.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to regulate the
ownership and operation of drones by private persons in order to ensure public safety.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean:

(a) Drone - shall refer to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or any component of
an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that has no pilot and is controlled by an
operator on the ground. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
(CAAP) is authorized by this Act to classify drones into types for the purposé
of regulation.

(b) Private Persons - shall refer to natural or juridical persons not employed by or
part of the Government.

(©) Commercial Drone Use - is any use of a drone in connection with a business or
profession for the sake of profit, whether the profit is the primary purpose of
the drone use or merely an incidental result.

(a) Hobbyist Drone Use - the use of drones for recreational purposes where no
profit is made from the use of drones.


Sec. 4. Registration and Permit to Operate. - All drone owners, whether the
drones are for hobbyist or commercial use, are hereby required to periodically register
their drones with the CAAPs Public Safety and Security Command Center.

Only a registered commercial drone owner may apply for a permit to operate, which
shall be issued periodically upon proof that the owner:

a. Qualifies for a radio operator's certificate of proficiency;

b. Has been awarded a passing rating in an aviation license theory examination;

c. Has completed a training course in the operation of the type of drone that will
be operated;

d. Has at least five (5) hours of experience operating drones outside of controlled
airspace;

e. Has valid insurance over the drone;

£. Has not incurred any violation for drone ownership or use in the five (5) years
immediately preceding an application for permit.

The operator's permit to operate shall cover all registered drones of the same type.
The Authority is hereby authorized to collect reasonable fees for the registration of
drones and processing of permits to operate the drones.

Sec. 5. Establishment of No-Drone Zone. The CAAP is hereby authorized to
prohibit the use of drones, whether hobbyist or commercial or both, in any part of the
Philippines, whether permanently or for a designated period of time, subject to notice
that must be published in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

The notice must clearly state the no-drone zone and must be published at least
three (3) weeks prior to the effectivity of the prohibition. Notice can only be foregone
in emergency situations, as determined by the CAAP.

This power is without prejudice to the power of other government agencies to
regulate airspace, particularly in emergency situations that may require the
establishment of no-fly zones.

Sec. 6. General Safety Regulations and Restrictions on Drone Usage. - The
CAAP shall periodically update and publish safety regulation and restrictions of
drone usage, the violation of which shall be the basis for revocation of the permit to
operate and confiscation of the drone, without prejudice to the penalties provided in
this Act and any civil or criminal suits that may be filed as a result of the violation.
‘These safety regulations and restrictions shall include:

1. Requiring all drones, whether for hobbyist or commercial use, to be clearly
marked with the name, contact number, and address of the owner;

2. Prohibiting the use of drones as means to violate constitutional rights,

including the right to privacy;

A prohibition on flying drones above four hundred (400) feet;

4. A prohibition on flying drones near aircraft, particularly near airports;


4

5. Allowing drone operation only during daylight hours and in good weather,
subject to exceptions to be crafted by CAP;

6. The prohibition on flying drones over groups of people, public events, or
stadiums full of people, subject to exceptions to be crafted by CAP;

7. The prohibition on flying drones near emergencies, such as fires;

8. The prohibition on flying drones under the influence of drugs or alcohol;

9. For recreational drone use, requiring an operator to keep the drone within the
operator's line of sight; and

10. Other regulations as the CAAP may see fit to introduce in the interest of public
safety, such as further restriction on types of drones as classified by the CAP.

Sec. 7. Penalties. - Failure to register a drone shall result in the confiscation of
the drone. Operating a drone for commercial purposes without a permit shall result
in the confiscation of the drone and a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos
(Php30,000,00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php100,000.00).

Any violation of the general safety regulations and restrictions on drone usage
shall result in a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php100,000.00)
but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00), without prejudice
to any separate civil or criminal charges that me be brought against the drone owner
and /or operator for any injury or damage resulting from the violation.

Sec. 8. Liability of the Registered Owner. - The registered owner of the
UAVImplementing Rules and Regulations. - The CAAP shall issue the necessary rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act not later than ninety (90)
days from the date of effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 9. Retroactivity. - This Act shall have retroactive effect. All drone owners
who have not yet registered their drones or obtained permits to operate their drone
are given ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations of this Act to register and obtain permits without sanction.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provision of this Act shall not be
affected by such declarations.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause, - All law, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,
other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause, This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,