Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL No,_4346
Introduced by: Representative AUGUSTO Boboy SYUCO, Ph.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public office is public service. Many have used the phrase but few have really followed
the phrase to its simplest form. As representative of the people, it is our duty to enact laws
siniple as it may seem but would greatly affect the everyday lives of our constituents.

For the past few years many deaths have been.caused by fire. Many of those instances
were investigated and have been reported to be caused by faulty. electrical wirings. It is
therefore imperative that safety standards even simple precautions should be taken to
essentially free every Filipinos from hazard.

Unknown to many, the light switch with its constant flipping from on to off may cause
fire. There are also countless cases where people get bumed or shocked while flipping the
switch. Bathrooms are unique in the home when it comes to electrical service. By nature,
bathrooms and comfort rooms are damp environments and water and electricity make poor
Gedfellows.To prevent these hazardous instances, simple precaution of relocating switches
particularly in bathrooms or comfort rooms are essential.

This proposed bill aims to improve existing regulations and to keep up with new
technology and .to provide added protection to our constituents.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is urgently recommended.

ao

AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph.D.


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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session
nouse Bit No_4346

Introduced by: Representative AUGUSTO Boboy SYJUCO Ph.D.

AN ACT MANDATING THE INSTALLATION
BATHROOMS AND COMFORT ROOMS OUTSIDE OF THE SAID ROOMS AND
SHALL BE CONVENIETLY LOCATED IN AN AREA ACCESSIBLE TO THE USER

OF LIGHT SWITCHES IN

AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREOF.

Scetion 1: Declaration of Policy- \t is hereby declared the principle of the State that the
practical safeguarding of persons and buildings and their contents from hazards arising from

the use of electricity is a necessity in a developing country.

Section 2: Mandate- Switches of lights used to illuminate bathrooms or comfort rooms are
required to be installed outside the bathroom or comfort room and must be located along an

accessible path of travel going to the said room. Provided, that:

a) —_In cases of buildings or structures with comfort rooms that are open to
the public, the light switch shall be installed outside the said room but will be
placed in a strategic area, the access of which will only be available to
employees responsible for the maintenance of the said comfort room.

b) In cases of hotels, motels, apartelles and similar types of business the
switches of light for the bathrooms in each of their rooms shall be
conveniently located just outside the door of the said room. However the
regulation stated in Section 2 paragraph (a) shall apply to their comfort
rooms available to the public.

) For old and existing buildings and structures including those used for
dwelling, alterations on their comfort room or bathroom light switches shall
be made within-six months of the effectivity of this act.

Section 3: Penalty- Any person found guilty in violation of this Act shall be penalized and

fined under the following circumstances:

a) If the violation is with regards to structures or buildings mainly used
for dwelling, fine of five thousand pesos (Php 5,000) on the first offense
and a fine of ten thousand pesos (Php10,0000 for the second offense and
for the third offense, imprisonment of not less than ten (10) days but not
inore than one (1) month imprisonment on the third offense plus a fine of
twenty thousand pesos (Php20,000).

b) If the violation is made by a corporation managing a building or
structure, the penalty mentioned in the preceeding paragraph shall be
imposed to the officer who is responsible for the approval and supervision
of the maintenance of the electrical system of the said structure or
building.

Section 3.Repeal- All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and other issuances or parts thereof

contrary to or inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


Section 4 effectivity This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least three (3) newspapers of national circulation.

Adopted,