SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF TI-IE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
"i 
DE,\; 27, P II :11 
SENATH 
''# I!"'":I 0 
S. No. 
~ ~h:.~ . 
, , 
Intwouced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
CRIMINALIZING THE FAILURE OF OWNERS AND LESSORS OF RESIDENTIAL 
AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS TO COMPLY WITH NATIONAL AND LOCAL 
FIRE SAFETY LAWS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article, Section 5 states: 
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, 
and property. and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the 
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of oemocracy. 
The Ozone Disco tIre of 1996, the Manor Hotel fire of 200 1, 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 0 f this Act. it is hoped that by imposing a more severe penalty on 
violators ofthe fire Code, the number of Ere tragedies in our country will at least be 
reduced.' 
* This bill was originally filed dming tht Thirteenth Congress. Pirs'!. RegllJ(1f Session. 
)tJ 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHIUPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SEN~l~. 
S. No. 
030 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
AN ACT 
? 
CRTMINALlZTNG THE FAILURE OF OWNERS AND LESSORS OF RESIDENTIAL 
3 
AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS TO COMPLY WITH NATIONAL AND LOCAL 
t\ 
fIRE SA FETY LAWS 
5 
SECTION I. Purpose. - The purpose of this Act is 10 hold owners and lessors of 
6 
residential and commercial building primarily and criminally liable for fire resulting from 
7 
their non-compliance with naliona 1 and loca I fire-safety laws. 
8 
SECTION 2. Definition oj Tf'rms . .. As used in this Act, the term: 
9 
(A) "National tlre-saiety laws" shall include the Fire Code of the Philippines 
10 
(Presidential Decree No. 1185) and the National Building Code of the 
11 
Philippines (Republic Act No. 6541). 
12 
(B) "Local fire-safety laws" shall include municipal ordinances providing for 
13 
building fire protection. 
14 
(C) "Residential building" means any building intended as dwelling place, abode 
15 
or habitation. 
16 
(D) "Commercial building" means any building intended for business or 
17 
commerce and includes but is not limited to offices, restaurants, movie 
18 
houses, malls, supermarkets. bars, discos and the like. 


(E) "Owner" refers to the proprietor of the building as shown by transfer 
2 
certi ficate of title and/or tax declaration certi licate. 
(F) "Lessor" refers to the individual, entity or corporation that lets a building to 
~ 
another person, E'ntity or C'orporation for a fee or consideration as indicated in 
5 
the contrar\ of lease. 
6 
(0) "Occupant of a residential building" refers to the lessee, member(s) of his 
7 
family, domestic helper(s) and guest(s). 
8 
(H) "Occupant of a commercial building" refers to individuals doing business in 
9 
said building or those availing of the services provided in said commercial 
10 
building. 
11 
SECTION 3. Penalties . ... 
12 
(A)The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building found violating 
n 
any national and/or local fire-safety laws shall be deemed prima facie liable for the death, 
14 
injury and/or loss of property resulting from the fire. 
15 
(B) The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building liable under the 
16 
preceding paragraph shall be subject to a penalty of reclusion perpelua to death. 
17 
(C) The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building shall indemnify 
l R 
the family of the deceased occupant of the huildinll the sum of One Million Pesos 
19 
(PLOOO,OOO.OO). 
20 
(D) The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building shall indemnify 
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the occupant of the building suffering serious physical injuries as defined under the 
22 
Revised Penal Code the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (fl.SOO,OOO.OO) and such 
23 
amount equivalent to the expected salary ofthe occupant of the building for one (I) year. 
2 


(E) The owner and/or lessor of residential or commercial building shall indemnify 
,1 
the occupant of the building suffering Jess serious and slight physical injuries as defined 
3 
under the Revised Penal Code the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (~300,OOO.OO) 
4 
and Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (¥!200.000.00). respectively and such sum equivalent 
5 
to the expected salary ofthc occupant oflhe building for six (6) months. 
6 
(P) 
The lessor and/or owner of the residential or commercial building shall 
7 
indemnify the occupant of the building for the loss of his property in such sum equivalent 
8 
to treble the value of the property burned. lost. destroyed or damaged. 
9 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
10 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
11 
remain valid and SUbsisting. 
I::' 
SECTION S. Repealing Clause. 
Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
13 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
14 
or inconsistent with, the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
15 
accordingly. 
16 
SECTION 6. EfFectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (J 5) days after 
17 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
3 


Imamt 
4