HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
RECEIVED
DATE: U 2018

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

RECISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX

HOUSE BILL NO. 1483

Introduced by: Representative Harlin Neil J Abayon Iil

This bill seeks to regulate the operation and maintenance of dormitories and
boarding houses with the end in view of improving the situation of those who have been
living in these places. Under the proposed measure, the owners and operators of dormitories
and boarding houses’ shall be required to provide their boarders and ‘occupants basic ,
facilities such as lighting and electrical, ventilation and spacing, sanitary, fire protection,”
study room, and first aid. The bill also seek to address the concern of students by giving them
rental discounts and by requiring owners of dormitories and boarding house to give them
human treatment. This measure was previously filed by Senator Manny Villar in the 15%

Congress. Passage of this bill is earnestly sought now in the 17 Congress.

HARLIN NEIL J. ABAYON III
Representative
Party-List AANGAT TAYO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1483

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

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 the 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, foods handlers,
helpers who handle the food services for the services 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 House. ~ 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

©) 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 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 houses, whether urban or rural areas;

b) Classification of the dormitory or boarding house;

©) Facilities and premises offered;

d) Number of boarders allowed in each rooms;

e) Construction of the building; and

{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 accomimodation of one
hundred (100) person 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. Building accommodating
less than one hundred (100) persons shall not exceed three 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 house shall employ at least one helper for every fifty
(50) boarders or occupants for 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 purpose 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
extinguisher 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. st 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

SECTION 15. Garbage Receptacles. All boarding house 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 physically 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
equipment 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 of a 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 (P10,000)
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
full force and effect

shall continue to be in ful

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

accordir

SECTION 24. EFFECTIVITY. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afte
publication in ate least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,