Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Ozone Disco fire of 1996, the Manor Hotel fire of 2001, and the Great Eastern 
Hotel fire of 2007 are just some of the worst fire tragedies in the country. These would 
not have resulted had the owners of such buildings complied with our national and 
municipal fire-safety regulations.  
Our country does not have a law that imposes a stringent penalty on the violators of 
the Fire Code of the Philippines. This Act seeks to discourage residential and 
commercial building owners from operating without strict compliance of our fire-safety 
laws. With the passage of this Act, it is hoped that by imposing a more severe penalty 
on violators of the Fire Code, the number of fire tragedies in our country will at least 
be reduced. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
August 3, 2023
12:01 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
CRIMINALIZING THE FAILURE OF OWNERS AND LESSORS OF RESIDENTIAL 
AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS TO COMPLY WITH NATIONAL AND LOCAL 
FIRE SAFETY LAWS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Purpose. – The purpose of this Act is to hold owners and lessors of 
residential and commercial building primarily and criminally liable for fire resulting from 
their non-compliance with national and local fire-safety laws. 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the term: 
“National fire-safety laws” shall include the Fire Code of the Philippines (Presidential 
Decree No. 1185) and the National Building Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 
6541).  
“Local fire-safety laws” shall include municipal ordinances providing for building fire 
protection.  
“Residential building” means any building intended as dwelling place, abode or 
habitation.  
“Commercial building” means any building intended for business or commerce and 
includes but is not limited to offices, restaurants, movie houses, malls, supermarkets, 
bars, discos and the like.  
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“Owner” refers to the proprietor of the building as shown by transfer certificate of title 
and/or tax declaration certificate.  
“Lessor” refers to the individual, entity or corporation that lets a building to another 
person, entity or corporation for a fee or consideration as indicated in the contract of 
lease.   
“Occupant of a residential building” refers to the lessee, member(s) of his family, 
domestic helper(s) and guest(s).  
“Occupant of a commercial building” refers to individuals doing business in said 
building or those availing of the services provided in said commercial building. 
 
Sec. 3. Penalties. – 
(A) 
The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building found violating 
any national and/or local fire-safety laws shall be deemed prima facie liable for 
the death, injury and/or loss of property resulting from the fire. 
(B)  
The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building liable under the 
preceding paragraph shall be subject to a penalty of reclusion perpetua to 
death. 
(C)  
The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building shall indemnify 
the family of the deceased occupant of the building the sum of One Million 
Pesos (P1,000,000.00). 
(D)  
The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building shall indemnify 
the occupant of the building suffering serious physical injuries as defined under 
the Revised Penal Code the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P500,000.00) and such amount equivalent to the expected salary of the 
occupant of the building for one (1) year. 
(E)  
The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building shall indemnify 
the occupant of the building suffering less serious and slight physical injuries 
as defined under the Revised Penal Code the sum of Three Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P300,000.00) and Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00), 
respectively and such sum equivalent to the expected salary of the occupant of 
the building for six (6) months. 


 
(F)  
The lessor and/or owner of the residential or commercial building shall 
indemnify the occupant of the building for the loss of his property in such sum 
equivalent to treble the value of the property burned, lost, destroyed or 
damaged. 
 
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting.  
 
Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or 
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly.  
 
Sec. 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,