EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 1098
j f  u ji- j t > ' r M i ' p
’19 
O C T-2 P3 56
R E C .I' 
j l ; '
Introduced by Senator Aqiiilino “Koko” Pimentel III
AN ACT
REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF 
DRONES BY PRIVATE PERSONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Over the last two decades, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles or 
“drones” has proliferated in various sectors of society. Drones are used 
for amateur photography, to increase crop production, and to conduct 
surveillance for military and law enforcement agencies.
With this ubiquity comes the need for regulation. The same drones 
that are used for recreational and commercial purposes may be used to 
violate rights, exploited by terrorists, or pose a hazard to aircraft. In fact, 
just recently, drone attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck 
two key oil installations inside Saudi Arabia, damaging facilities that 
process the vast majority of the country’s crude output and raising the 
risk of a disruption in world oil supplies.1
This measure was filed by the undersigned during the 17th 
Congress to ensure public safety by regulating the ownership and 
operation of drones in the Philippines.
Once again, in the interest of safeguarding the public, the passage 
of this measure is earnestly sought.
AQUILINO “KOKO” PIMENTEL HI
1 h ttp s ://w w w .n y tim e s .c o m /2 0 1 9 /0 9 /1 4 /w o rld /m id d le e a s t/s a u d i-a ra b ia -re fin e rie s -d ro n e -a tta c k .h tm l. Accessed 
last 18 S e p te m b e r 2019.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. No. 1098
, 
' W ' - -
•19 
OCT-2 P3 56
R E U i’
Introduced by Senator Aqiiilino “Koko” Pimentel III 1
AN ACT
REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF 
DRONES BY PRIVATE PERSONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. 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 responsible use thereof and public safety.
SEC. 2. Coverage. -  This Act shall regulate only drones as defined 
herein, purchased, owned, and operated by private persons, whether used 
for hobby or commercial purposes. The use of drones by the 
Government shall not be subject to this Act.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -  As used in this Act, the following 
ternis shall mean:
(1) 
uDrone” 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 purpose of 
regulation.


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(2) 
"Private persons” shall refer to natural or juridical persons not 
employed by or part of the Government.
(3) 
"Commercial drone use” is any use of a drone in connection 
with a business or profession.
(4) 
"Hobbyist drone use” is the use of drones for recreational 
purposes where no pecuniary benefit 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 themselves and their drones with the 
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)’s Public Safety and 
Security Command Center.
Only a registered commercial drone owner may apply for a permit 
to operate, which shall be issued periodically only upon proof that the 
owner:
(1) 
Qualifies for a radio operator’s certificate of proficiency;
(2) 
Has been awarded a passing rating in an aviation license theory 
examination;
(3) 
Has completed a training course in the operation of the type of 
drone that will be operated;
(4) 
Has at least five (5) hours of experience operating drones 
outside of controlled airspace;
(5) 
Has valid insurance over the drone; and
(6) 
Has not incurred any violations for drone ownership or use in 
the five (5) years immediately preceding an application for 
permit.


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The operator’s permit to operate shall cover all registered drones of 
the same type.
The CAAP 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 Zones. -  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 national circulation. The notice must clearly 
delineate 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 detennined 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 
regulations and restrictions on drone usage, the violation of which shall 
be 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 a registration number and the name, 
contact number, and address of the owner;
(2) 
Prohibiting the use of drones as a means to violate constitutional 
rights, including the right to privacy;
(3) 
A prohibition on flying drones above four hundred (400) feet;


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(4) 
A prohibition on flying drones near an aircraft, particularly near 
airports;
(5) 
Allowing drone operation only during daylight hours and in 
good weather, subject to exceptions to be determined by the 
CAAP;
(6) 
The prohibition on flying drones over groups of people, public 
events, public buildings and government structures, oil 
refineries and depots, or stadiums full of people, subject to 
exceptions to be determined by the CAAP;
(7) 
The prohibition on flying drones near emergencies, such as 
fires, collapsed buildings, vehicular accidents and the like;
(8) 
The prohibition on flying drones under the influence of drugs or 
alcohol;
(9) 
For hobbyist 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.
SEC. 7. Penalties. -  Failure to register a drone and its owner shall 
result in the confiscation of the drone by the CAAP.
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 (PhP50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (PhP 100,000.00).
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 (PhP 100,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(PhP500,000.00), without prejudice to any separate civil or criminal


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charges that may be brought against the drone owner and/or operator for 
any injury or damage resulting from the violation.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The CAAP shall 
issue 
the 
necessary 
rules 
and 
regulations 
for the 
effective 
implementation of this Act not later than sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 9. Retroactivity Clause. -  This Act shall have retroactive 
effect. All drone owners who have not yet registered their drones or 
obtained permits to operate their drones are given three (3) months from 
the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act to 
register and obtain permits without fear of sanction.
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this 
Act is declared void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or 
provisions of this Act shall not be affected by such declaration.
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, 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,