Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3957 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative ANTONINO B. ROMAN III 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) empowers provinces, 
cities, and municipalities, through their respective sanggunians, to enact ordinances 
necessary to carry out devolved powers and promote the general welfare. 
Under Sections 447(a)(1)(ii), 458(a)(1)(ii), and 468(a)(1)(ii), however, the authority 
of LGUs to impose penalties for violations of ordinances is limited to fines not exceeding 
Five Thousand Pesos (₱5,000) and imprisonment of not more than one (1) year. 
This ceiling, unchanged since 1991, has lost its deterrent value due to inflation and 
the rising costs of governance. Many violators treat the current maximum fine as negligible, 
undermining the ability of LGUs to enforce compliance with ordinances, especially in 
matters involving public order, environmental protection, and community safety. 
This bill therefore proposes to increase the maximum allowable penalty to Fifty 
Thousand Pesos (₱50,000) and/or imprisonment of up to two (2) years. 
Furthermore, to prevent obsolescence of these ceilings, the bill mandates the periodic 
review and adjustment of penalties every five (5) years by the Department of the Interior and 
Local Government (DILG), in consultation with local government units and the Union of 
Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP). 
This measure seeks to strengthen local governance by giving LGUs updated and 
flexible tools to promote accountability, discipline, and community welfare. Immediate 
passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ANTONINO B. ROMAN III 
August 26, 2025
8:00 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  3957 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative ANTONINO B. ROMAN III 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTIONS 447(a)(1)(iii), 458(a)(1)(iii), AND 468(a)(1)(iii) OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991,” BY INCREASING THE FINES AND 
PENALTIES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS MAY PRESCRIBE UNDER 
THEIR ORDINANCES, AND PROVIDING FOR THE PERIODIC REVIEW AND 
ADJUSTMENT THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Adjustment of Penalties Imposable under a Municipal Ordinance. -- 
Section 447(a)(1)(iii) of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
(iii) Approve ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Thirty Thousand Pesos
(₱30,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year, in the discretion of the
court, for the violation of a municipal ordinance; 
SECTION 2. Adjustment of Penalties Imposable under a City Ordinance. -- Section 
458(a)(1)(iii) of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
(iii) Approve ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Fifty Thousand Pesos
(₱50,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding two (2) years, or both, at the discretion
of the court, for the violation of a city ordinance;
SECTION 3. Adjustment of Penalties Imposable under a Provincial Ordinance. -- 
Section 468(a)(1)(iii) of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
(iii) Approve ordinances imposing a fine not exceeding Fifty Thousand Pesos
(₱50,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding two (2) years, or both, at the discretion
of the court, for the violation of a provincial ordinance;
SECTION 4. Periodic Review and Adjustment of Penalties. – To maintain the 
effectiveness of penalties as deterrents, the Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG) shall, every five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act, review the maximum 
amounts herein provided. After due consultation with local government units and the Union 
of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the DILG shall recommend to Congress the 


 
 
necessary adjustment of fines and penalties, taking into account inflation and prevailing 
economic conditions. 
 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected. 
 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, and regulations inconsistent 
with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 7. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,