= ar 5p PEPRESENTADVES

CERNVED
eG 6 AUG 2016

| DATE:
TINE, KG) if
Republic of the Philippines bos

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS | RATION UNIT
First Regular Session { BILLS ‘DEX SERVICE
House Bill No,“ 2959

Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE COMPULSORY DISCLOSURE OF FIRE SAFETY
STANDARDS AND MEASURES IN CAMPUS BUILDINGS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Bearing in mind the paramount importance of ensuring our students’ safety,
this Bill seeks to compel all learning institutions, whether public or private, to disclose
their current fire safety practices and programs so that areas of improvement can be
properly identified and appropriate measures be adopted.

Considering the congestion of students in certain educational facilities, the hazard
posed by fire cannot be discounted. It is therefore imperative for educational
institutions to take concrete steps which can guarantee their capability of dealing
with such potential hazard. By mandating the compulsory disclosure of fire safety
practices, it is hoped that all concerned parties will be able to intelligibly recommend
programs and preventive action with the view of keeping our educational institutions safe
and equipped to handle fire incidents.

In view of the foregoing, | urge the immediate passage of this Bill.

REP. GVORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Sécond District, Pampanga



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2959

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE COMPULSORY DISCLOSURE OF FIRE
SAFETY STANDARDS AND MEASURES IN CAMPUS BUILDINGS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1, Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Campus Fire
Safety Right-to-Know Act of 2016."

Sec. 2. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
be understood to mean as follows:

1. "Chairman" refers to the Chairman of the Commission on Higher
Education;
4 "CHED" refers to Commission on Higher Education.

Sec. 3, Disclosure of Fire Safety Standards and Measures in Campus
Buildings.- All public and private educational institution shall beginning in the
Academic Year 2013 - 2014 and each year thereafter, prepare, publish, and
distribute, through appropriate publications or mailings. to all current students
and employees, and to any applicant for enrolment or employment upon request, an
annual Fire Safety Report containing at least the following information with respect
to their campus fire safety practices and standards

A. A detailed summary of all educational facilities, including
student housing facilities of the institution, if any, with a statement of
whether or not the said facilities are equipped with a fire sprinkler system
or any other fire safety system, or both

B. If available, statistics concerning the occurrence on campus,
during the two (2) preceding calendar years of fires and false fire alarms in
the subject facilities

C. For each such occurrence, a statement of the human injuries or!
deaths and the structural damage caused by the occurrence.

D. Information regarding fire alarms, smoke alarms, the presence of
adequate fire escape planning or protocols, rules on portable electrical
appliances, smoking and open flames (such as candles), regular mandatory
supervised fire drills, and planned and future improvement in fire safety.

E. Preventive steps and/or programs and other fire safety
measures undertaken by the educational institution concerned to curb and
mitigate fire hazards.


Sec, 4, Autonomy of Educations/Institutions. - Nothing in the previous
section shall be construed to authorize the Secretary of the Department of
Education and/or the Chairman, when applicable, to require particular policies,
procedures, or practices by educational institutions with respect to fire safety.

Sec. 5. Periodic Reports. - Each institution covered by this Act shall make
periodic reports to the campus community on fires and false fire alarms which are
reported to local fire departments in a manner that will aid the prevention of
similar occurrences.

Sec. 6, Reports to the Secretary of Education and/or Chairman - On an
annual basis, each institution covered by this Act shall submit to the Secretary of
Education or any of his duly authorized representative, in the cases of primary and
secondary educational institutions and the Chairman or any of his duly
authorized representative, in the cases of tertiary educational institutions, a copy of
the information required to be disclosed under Section 3 hereof. Thereafter, the
Secretary of Education and the Chairman, in proper cases, shall:

A. Review such statistics;
B. Make copies of statistics available to the public; and

C. In coordination with representatives of the _ institutions
concerned, identify exemplary fire safety _ policies,
procedures, and practices and disseminate information
concerning those policies, procedures, and practices that
have proven effective in the reduction of campus fires.

Sec. 7. Report to Congress by the Secretary of Education and/or
Chairman of CHED - Within one (1) year after the effectivity of this Act, the
Secretary of Education and/or Chairman of the CHED, in proper cases, shall
prepare and submit to the Congress a report containing the following

A. An analysis of the current status of fire safety systems in all
educational facilities covered by this Act;

B. An analysis of the appropriate fire safety standards to apply to
these facilities, which the Secretary of Education and/ or the
Chairman, in proper cases, shall prepare after consultation with such
fire safety experts, representatives of educational institutions, and
other government agencies as the Secretary of Education and/or
Chairman, considers appropriate;

C. An estimate of the cost of bringing all nonconforming dormitories
and other campus buildings up to current building codes; and

D. Recommendations concerning the best means of meeting fire®
safety standards in all facilities, including recommendations for
methods to fund such cost.

Sec. 8. Lead Agency. - The Department of Education shall be the lead
government agency tasked to implement this Act,

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Education shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations to


enforce the provisions of this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days from the
enactment of this law.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise
affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

Sec.12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,