Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative TEODORICO “NONONG” T. HARESCO, JR. 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PLANNING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OCCUPANCY, 
AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE  BUILDINGS, ENACTING A 
NEW BUILDING ACT, THEREBY REPEALING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 
1096, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Tropical  storms, floods, landslides, fires and earthquakes, and the adverse effects of 
climate change are hazardous realities that  our country and the Filipino people are now 
experiencing.  Along this, our building regulations need to be updated  to better safeguard fire, 
health, property, and public welfare. Resilient and functionally  sound buildings  from the 
simplest to the specialized buildings must be in place, including farm buildings to ensure food 
security and secure farm produce during such calamities or hazards. 
Presidential Decree No. 1096 or the National Building Code was enacted in 1977 that 
provides guidelines and regulations on building design, construction, use, occupancy and 
maintenance.  After  forty-six (46) years, this building code need to be updated, revised and 
conform with the present challenges. 
The building permit processes have to be streamlined, distinguishing simple buildings 
from special buildings with commensurate requirements, thus enhancing ease of doing business  
while promoting safety, security and public welfare. 
February 20, 2023
12:26 pm
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There are various agencies  implementing different laws and as regards building 
regulations that need to be coordinated well, harmonized or strengthened. 
This bill seeks to provide an up-to-date and effective regulation of planning, design, 
construction, occupancy, and maintenance of buildings and structures, and the establishment 
of a permitting process based on their classifications. Additionally, this bill proposes the 
inclusion of agricultural and biosystems occupancies in the groups of classification of 
buildings. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
TEODORICO T. HARESCO, JR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative TEODORICO “NONONG” T. HARESCO, JR. 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PLANNING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OCCUPANCY, 
AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE  BUILDINGS, ENACTING A 
NEW BUILDING ACT, THEREBY REPEALING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 
1096, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress  assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
1 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Building Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles and Policies. – The State shall safeguard life, health, 
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property, and public welfare, consistent with principles of sustainable development. Towards 
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this end, it shall be the policy of the State to provide for all buildings and structures, a 
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framework of minimum standards and requirements, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and 
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management, to regulate and control their location, siting, planning, design, construction, 
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occupancy, and maintenance. In pursuit of these policies, the State shall institutionalize a 
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system that will provide for periodic review and flexible mechanisms in the updating of 
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regulations and standards and will strengthen the participation of relevant stakeholders, taking 
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into account the importance of allowing for continuing innovation in building design and 
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construction. 
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SECTION 3. Objectives. – The objectives of this Act are as follows: 
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(a) 
To provide for the effective regulation of planning, design, construction, occupancy, and
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maintenance of buildings and structures, the establishment of a permitting process based 
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on their classifications, and the setting of reference standards to: 
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(1)
Safeguard life and protect people from injury;
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(2)
Ensure the health and well-being of the people who use them, without impinging
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on the safety of the general public or endangering the environment;
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(3)
Protect property from physical damage; and
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(4)  Reduce and manage hazards, exposures, and vulnerabilities, thereby minimizing 
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disaster risk;  
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(b)  To promote the accountability of relevant stakeholders in ensuring enforcement of and 
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compliance with this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards; and 
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(c) 
To establish sustainability standards for government-owned buildings, mitigating any 
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negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. 
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SECTION 4. Scope and Application. – This Act shall cover all public and private buildings 
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and structures, and their location, siting, planning, design, materials, construction, use, 
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occupancy, maintenance, addition, alteration, conversion, rehabilitation, relocation, repair, 
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retrofit and demolition. 
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SECTION 5. Interpretation. – Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to prevent local 
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government units, pursuant to local autonomy, from enacting local ordinances relating to 
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building or structure and their location, siting, and planning that will better safeguard life, 
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health, property, and public welfare, consistent with the objectives of this Act. Such local 
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ordinances by local government units of contiguous jurisdictions shall be harmonized for 
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purposes of buildings that may straddle territories of local government units. 
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Before such local ordinance shall take effect, concurrence by the National Building Official 
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shall be required through the review process specified in the promulgated rules and regulations. 
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Every such local ordinance shall be published in manners that are clear to all stakeholders, 
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through measures that include but are not limited to those provided in Section 70 of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
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(a) 
“Accredited Certifier” refers to a person possessing experience and other qualifications 
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of a Building Professional, and accredited by the Office of the National Building Official 
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to issue certificates to confirm that a building or structure that is more than 15 years of 
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age meets the requirements of Chapter VII of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
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reference standards as to structural stability and fire safety construction; 
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(b) “Accredited Inspector" refers to a person possessing experience and other qualifications of 
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a Building Professional, and accredited by the Office of the National Building Official 
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whose service is engaged by the Local Building Official to inspect buildings or structures 
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in accordance with this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards; 
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(c)  "Accredited Structural Peer Reviewer" refers to a person possessing experience and other 
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qualifications of a Building Professional, and accredited by the Office of the National 
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Building Official to provide independent verification that the structural design of a 
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proposed or new building or structure complies with this Act, rules and regulations, and 
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reference standards; 
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(d)  "Accredited Testing Laboratory" refers to an establishment or institution accredited by the 
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Office of the National Building Official to perform tests to determine if the building 
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materials and components used in the construction of a building or structure comply with 
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Chapter VI of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards; 
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(e) 
"Addition" refers to any construction which increases the height and/or floor area of an 
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existing building or structure; 
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(f) 
"Alteration" refers to any construction in an existing building or structure involving 
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changes in the materials used, partitioning, location or size of openings, structural parts, 
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existing utilities, and/or equipment but does not increase the building height nor floor 
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area; 
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(g) 
"Ancillary Structure" refers to a structure intended to provide support to main buildings 
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or structures which may include: bank and records vaults; swimming pools; firewalls 
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separate from the building or structure; towers; silos; smokestacks; chimneys; 
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commercial or industrial fixed ovens; industrial kilns or furnaces; water or waste 
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treatment tanks; septic vaults; concrete and steel tanks; booths, kiosks, and stages; tombs, 
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mausoleums, and niches; and similar structures; 
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(h)   "Build Back Better" refers to planning, based on the evolving or evolved disaster risks and 
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ahead of disasters, to finance, design, and build after a disaster or crisis with 
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consideration of the need to further strengthen disaster preparedness for response, take 
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action in anticipation of events, and ensure capacities are in place for effective response, 
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recovery, and reconstruction; 
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(i) 
"Building" refers to any temporary or permanent structure, anchored to the ground,  for 
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the support, shelter, or enclosure of persons, animals, plants,  machinery, or chattels; 
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(J) 
"Building Contractor" refers to a person duly registered and licensed by the Philippine 
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Contractors Accreditation Board whose proposal has been accepted and to whom was 
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awarded the contract to execute the construction; for this purpose, "contract" means an 
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agreement, regardless of titles such as prime contract,  subcontract, or deed of 
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assignment; 
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(k)   "Building Owner" refers to a person who orders construction work for a building or 
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structure by contract; or a person undertaking one's own construction without engaging 
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a Building Contractor therefor, as owner-builder; or a person holding the legal right of 
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possession or title to a building or structure; 
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(I) 
"Building Professional" refers to a person lawfully engaged in the design, construction, 
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or inspection of a building or structure, who is duly registered and licensed by the 
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Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), through a professional regulatory law for 
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each profession, to provide such services; 
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(m) "Building Site" refers to the lot, which is described by technical descriptions delineating 
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boundaries of the property to be developed, over which the Building Owner has a title or 
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legal right to build; for design purposes, the term shall also cover areas and spaces around 
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the lot, the conditions of which bear on the operability and safety of the building or 
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structure; 
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(n) 
"Construction” refers to any and all on-site work including but not limited to preparation, 
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excavation, foundation, and assembly or installation of components, utilities, machinery, 
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and equipment of building or structure; 
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(o) 
"Conversion" refers to a change in the use or occupancy of an existing building or 
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structure or any portion/s thereof to another occupancy group or subgroup that has 
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different requirements; 
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(p) 
"Demolition" refers to the systematic dismantling, destruction, or removal of a building 
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or structure, in whole or in part; 
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(q)    "Department" means the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); 
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(r) 
"Exposure" refers to people, property, systems, or other elements present in hazard zones 
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that are thereby subject to potential losses, or to the degree to which the elements at risk 
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are likely to experience hazard events of different magnitudes; 
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(s) 
"Fire Resistance Rating" refers to the time, in minutes or hours, that a building material, 
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assembly, or type of construction can withstand fire exposure as determined by generally 
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recognized and accepted testing methods; 
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(t) 
"Hazard" refers to a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity, or condition that 
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may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihood 
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and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage; 
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(U) "Hazard Zone" refers to an area identified in generally recognized and accepted hazard 
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maps as exposed to natural hazards, such as floods, wind storms, storm surges, landslides, 
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volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes; 
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(v) "Innovative Construction Technology" refers to a construction technology that is emerging 
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or being reintroduced locally or nationally in the field of construction, with 
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corresponding evidence of acceptable performance from laboratory tests, field tests, 
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and/or analytical studies to comply with Chapter V and Chapter VI of this Act, rules and 
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regulations, and reference standards; 
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(w) “Locational Clearance" refers to the document issued by the planning and development 
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officer of the local government unit certifying that the proposed construction has the 
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appropriate traffic impact assessment (TIA), is located in an appropriate zone, and does 
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not violate the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), any zoning ordinance or 
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regulation of the concerned local government unit, nor other applicable laws, ordinances 
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or regulations, which document is submitted to the Local Building Official in support of 
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an application for a permit; 
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(x) 
"Permit" refers to any of the permits that may be issued by the Local Building Official 
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as set forth in this Act; 
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(y) 
"Reference Standards" refers to technical standards that the National Building Official 
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promulgates through rules and regulations or existing technical  standards prescribed by 
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law in administering and enforcing this Act; for this purpose,  existing referral codes shall 
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hereinafter be renamed and referred to accordingly as "reference standards;" 
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(z) 
"Rehabilitation" refers to the act or process of making possible a compatible use for an 
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existing building or structure through repair and/or alteration while preserving those 
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portions or features which convey its acknowledged heritage significance; 
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(aa) “Relocation" refers to the transfer of an existing building or structure or portion/s thereof 
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from original location or position to another, either within the same site or to a different 
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one; 
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(bb) "Renovation" refers to any physical change made on an existing building or structure to 
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increase the value or improve the quality and/or aesthetics, without addition to building 
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height or floor area, nor alteration of structural parts; 
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(cc) "Repair" refers to remedial work done on any damaged or deteriorated portion/s of an 
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existing building or structure to restore its original condition; 
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(dd) "Retrofit" refers to the construction of any new element or system, or the alteration of any 
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element or system, required to bring an existing building or structure, or portion thereof, 
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into conformance with this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards; 
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(ee) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways; 
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(ff) "Special Site" refers to a site that requires special rules and regulations to mitigate 
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potential adverse impacts of the site conditions; 
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(gg) "structure” refers that which is built or constructed, an edifice, or building of any kind, or 
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any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some 
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definite manner, but shall not include streets, highways, bridges and viaducts, railroads, 
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canals, river and shore improvements, dry docks, dams, irrigation, flood protection, 
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tunnels, transmission towers and lines, and structures regulated by other national laws or 
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competent national agencies; 
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(hh) "Traditional Indigenous Family Dwelling" refers to a residential building or structure 
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intended for the use and occupancy by the family of the owner only and constructed with 
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native or local materials such as nipa, cogon, bamboo, log, lumber, or stone, the estimated 
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total cost of which does not exceed the limit prescribed by the National Building Official 
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through rules and regulations; 
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(ii) 
"Vulnerability" refers to the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system 
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or asset that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard; vulnerability may 
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arise from various physical, social, economic, and environmental factors such as poor 
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design and construction of buildings, inadequate protection of assets, lack of public 
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information and awareness, limited recognition of risks and preparedness measures, and 
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disregard for sound environmental management; and 
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(jj) 
"Zoning" refers to the division of a city or municipality into zones or sub-zones and 
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overlay zones according to present and potential uses of land to maximize, regulate, and 
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direct their use and development in accordance with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan 
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(CLUP). 
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Additional definitions shall be included with the implementing rules and regulations and with 
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the reference standards; provided, that these shall be non-redundant to, non-contradictory with, 
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and only supplementary to, the definitions as used in this Act. 
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CHAPTER II 
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CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDINGS 
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SECTION 7. Classification System. – A system of classification of buildings and structures 
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in the Philippines as to: (a) type of construction according to fire resistivity; (b) use or 
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occupancy; and (c) required permitting process, is hereby adopted. 
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SECTION 8. Buildings Classified by Type of Construction According to Fire Resistance 
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Rating. – The building or structure shall be classified according to fire resistivity and fire 
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ratings consistent with Republic Act No. 9514, or the Fire Code of the Philippines, and its 
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Implementing Rules and Regulations, in consideration of the combination of features of fire 
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safety constructions including but not limited to interior finishes, walls, barriers, doors, 
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windows, vents, means of egress, and treatment of building components with flame retardant 
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chemicals. 
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SECTION 9. Buildings Classified According to Use or Occupancy. – The building or 
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structure shall be identified based on the use or occupancy and shall be classified as follows: 
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Group A, Assembly occupancies shall include all buildings and structures, or portions thereof, 
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used for gathering together of 50 or more persons for any purpose, including but not limited to 
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deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation, and 
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instruction; 
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Group B, Business occupancies are those used for the transaction of business other than those 
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covered under Group M, Mercantile, including the keeping of accounts and records and similar 
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purposes for office, professional, or service-type transactions; 
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Group D, Disaster response occupancies are those permanent  centers  for refuge and 
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emergency evacuation and emergency operation; 
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Group E, Educational occupancies shall include buildings, or portions thereof, used for the 
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gathering of group of six (6) or more persons for purposes of instruction; 
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Group F, Factory and Industrial occupancies are those used for operations including, but not 
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limited to, product processing, fabricating, manufacturing, assembling and disassembling, 
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mixing, packaging, finishing or decorating, repairing, and material recovery; 
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Group G, Agricultural and biosystems occupancies are those used for the production, 
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harvesting, processing, storage, manufacture, preserving, transporting, and distribution of 
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agricultural and biological products or materials including, but not limited to, silos and its 
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components, agricultural and biosystems machinery and equipment sheds, farm houses, 
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green/screen houses, poultry houses, piggery houses, slaughterhouses, agricultural and 
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biological products storage/warehouses, buildings and structures for poultry, livestock, fishery 
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and forestry production and processing, kiln drying and lumber treatment structure, and 
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structures for farm equipment, farm supplies, and agricultural waste utilization and 
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management; 
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Group I, Institutional occupancies are those used to house one or more persons under varied 
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degrees of restraint or security where such occupants are mostly incapable of self-preservation 
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because of security measures not under the occupants' control (ID), or government buildings 
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and quarters rendering civic or public assistance and peace and order (IG), or those in which 
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care or supervision is provided to persons who are mostly incapable of self-preservation 
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without physical assistance because of age, or physical or mental disability (IH); 
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Group M, Mercantile occupancies are those used for the display and sale of merchandise, and 
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involves stocks of goods, wares, and merchandise incidental to such purposes and accessible 
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to the public; 
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Group R, Residential occupancies are those in which sleeping accommodations are provided 
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for normal residential or dwelling purposes and include all buildings designed to provide 
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sleeping accommodations, for example the sub-groups of socialized (RS) and economic (RE) 
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housing covered by Batas Pambansa Big. 220; 
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Group S, Storage occupancies include all buildings or structures utilized primarily for the 
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storage or sheltering of goods, merchandise, products and vehicles; 
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Group U, Utilities and Miscellaneous occupancies are those with an ancillary character such 
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as, but not limited to, those enumerated in Section 6 (g) Ancillary Structure, or those which 
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cannot be properly classified in any of the other occupancy groups in this Section, such as, but 
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not limited to billboards and commercial signboards; and 
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Group Z, High-Hazard occupancies mean those with storage and handling of flammable, highly 
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combustible, or other materials that would constitute a physical or health hazard, in quantities 
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in excess of those allowed by regulations. 
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The National Building Official may determine, through rules and regulations, subgroups within 
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Group A to Z. Any other use or occupancy not mentioned specifically under this Section, or 
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about which there is any question, shall, upon approval by the National Building Official, be 
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included in the group which it most nearly resembles based on the associated hazard or risk to 
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life, health, property, and public welfare. 
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In addition to permanent centers for refuge and evacuation as in Group D, any building, 
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structure, or portion thereof may be designated as a temporary evacuation center provided it 
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complies with the specific rules and regulations promulgated by the National Building Official. 
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When a building or structure is of mixed occupancy or used for more than one occupancy, the 
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whole building or structure shall be subject to the most restrictive requirement pertaining to 
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any of the occupancy groups found therein, except as otherwise provided in applicable rules 
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and regulations. 
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For each group or sub-group of use or occupancy, the National Building Official shall 
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promulgate specific rules and regulations and reference standards in accordance with this Act. 
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SECTION 10. Buildings Classified According to Required Permitting Process. – Buildings 
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and structures shall be classified based on the required permitting process as follows: 
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(a)  "Deemed-to-Satisfy Structures" or "Class P1 Structures" are buildings or structures 
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belonging to sub-group/s under Group R, Residential, either traditional indigenous 
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family dwellings regardless of number of floors, or individually constructed dwellings 
289 
for up to three (3) families, with maximum total gross floor area limit for each case as 
290 
prescribed by the National Building Official through rules and regulations; but shall 
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exclude such structures under any government-approved mass housing project developed 
292 
by the government, non-government organization, or private developer. These Deemed-
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to-Satisfy or Class P1 Structures shall comply with Simplified Reference Standards as 
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prescribed by the National Building Official under a simplified permitting process. 
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(b) 
Special Structures" or "Class P3 Structures" are buildings or structures that are 
297 
distinguished by special physical attributes in terms of size, span, or form, and/or by 
298 
nature of use or occupancy. These structures shall be any of the following: 
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(1) 
buildings and other structures exceeding 75 meters in height or a higher height 
301 
threshold as prescribed based on rules and regulations by the National Building 
302 
Official; 
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(2)  long span structures exceeding 30 meters in span or a longer span threshold as 
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prescribed based on rules and regulations by the National Building Official; 
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(3) 
buildings and other structures with two (2) or more floor levels, and in any single 
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floor level exceeding 25,000 square meters of gross floor area; 
307 
(4) 
buildings and other structures with gross floor area exceeding 40,000 square 
308 
meters; 
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(5) 
facilities belonging to Group D, Disaster response; 
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(6)  hospitals belonging to a sub-group under Group I, Institutional, that need to provide 
311 
higher than the minimum level of services in terms of functional capacity as 
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classified by competent national agency on healthcare facilities; 
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(7) 
facilities belonging to Group Z, High-Hazard; 
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(8) 
structures that have non-regular structural form as classified in structural reference 
315 
standards;  
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(9) 
buildings and other structures using very advanced structural calculation method 
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in design as classified in structural reference standards; and 
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10)    Facilities belonging to Group G. 
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Accordingly, the permitting process for these Special or Class P3 Structures shall require 
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a peer review of the structural stability. 
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For buildings and structures that have non-regular structural form (sub-class (8) in this 
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Section) or using very advanced structural calculation method in design (subclass (9) in 
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this Section), the peer review shall be conducted by an Accredited Structural Peer 
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Reviewer duly qualified for such specific sub-classes, respectively. 
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Provided, that prior certification for innovative construction technology according to 
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Section 30 of this Act shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement of structural peer review. 
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Provided further, that the Office of the National Building Official  shall establish and/or 
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accredit competent government agencies in charge of certification of innovative 
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construction technologies as provided for in Section 30. 
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The act of reviewing does not pass on the responsibility and the liability of the Building 
336 
Professional for design to the Accredited Structural Peer Reviewer on the structural 
337 
integrity of the building, without prejudice to administrative charges under applicable 
338 
professional regulations. Provided, that should the Building Owner opt, under applicable 
339 
laws and professional regulations, to lawfully disengage the previously engaged Building 
340 
Professional for design and to engage as new Building Professional for design an 
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Accredited Structural Peer Reviewer who has been previously engaged as peer reviewer 
342 
according to this Section, a new independent Accredited Peer Reviewer shall be required. 
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(c) 
"Regular Structures" or "Class P2 Structures" are buildings or structures that do not fall 
346 
under either one of the classifications of Deemed-to-Satisfy Structures and Special 
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Structures. Regular Structures shall require the regular permitting process. 
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(c)  "Regular Structures" or "Class P2 Structures" are buildings or structures that do not fall 
350 
under either one of the classifications of Deemed-to-Satisfy Structures and Special Structures. 
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Regular Structures shall require the regular permitting process. 
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SECTION 11. Buildings and Structures. – For purposes of this Act, structures shall include 
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buildings, ancillary structures, and other structures as defined in this Act. 
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SECTION 12. Requirements for Each Type of Construction According to Fire Resistivity. – 
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The National Building Official shall prescribe standards for each type of construction 
358 
according to fire resistivity as allowed under this Act correspondingly for each group or sub-
359 
group of use or occupancy, and promulgate rules and regulations and reference standards 
360 
therefor, in general terms of structural system, exterior walls and openings, interior walls and 
361 
enclosures, floors, exits and stairs construction, and roofs, among other elements. 
362 
 
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SECTION 13. Changes in Use or Occupancy and/or Type of Construction According to Fire 
364 
Resistivity. – No change shall be made in the use or occupancy and/or type of construction 
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according to fire resistivity of any building or structure which would place the building or 
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structure in a different occupancy group or different type of construction, unless such building 
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or structure is made to comply with the requirements for the new occupancy group or type of 
368 
construction; provided, that the change may be approved by the Local Building Official upon 
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determination that the new use or occupancy and/or type of construction poses less risk to life, 
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health, property, and public welfare, according to rules and regulations promulgated by the 
371 
National Building Official. 
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CHAPTER III 
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LOCATION, SITING, AND ZONING REQUIREMENTS 
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SECTION 14. General Requirements for Location, Siting, and Zoning. – The site upon 
378 
which will be constructed any building or structure shall be sanitary, hygienic, and accessible, 
379 
and shall not pose high hazard for the intended use or occupancy, as determined by competent 
380 
and appropriate authorities and certified through a locational clearance and other clearance/s 
381 
or certificate/s as prescribed by applicable laws and regulations. It shall not obstruct existing 
382 
easement or right-of-way of the national government and all local government units, as well as 
383 
departments, regulatory agencies, instrumentalities, government owned and controlled 
384 
corporations, and implementing units of the same, in accordance with existing laws and rules 
385 
and regulations. 
386 
 
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SECTION 15. Protection of the Site Environment. – Any proposed construction, including 
388 
its location, siting, and use, shall take into account the environment and its conservation and 
389 
protection. It shall not gravely affect the heritage and environmental significance of the site; 
390 
and shall not harm nor aggravate the state of the neighborhood, environment, and natural 
391 
resources surrounding it. No construction, its location, siting, and use shall be allowed without 
392 
complying with the applicable heritage, environmental, and natural resources laws and 
393 
regulations, as determined by competent and appropriate authorities and certified through a 
394 
locational clearance and other clearance/s or certificate/s as prescribed by applicable laws and 
395 
regulations. 
396 
 
397 
SECTION 16. Protection of the Public. – Any proposed construction shall not cause harm to 
398 
the general public nor infringe on public spaces. 
399 
 
400 
SECTION 17. Requirements in Hazard Zones and Special Sites. – The Building Owner and 
401 
Building Professional shall ensure that the proposed construction, its location, siting, and use, 
402 
will not increase the vulnerabilities of the people who will occupy the building and their 
403 
neighborhood on account of the hazard zone or special site. Within hazard zones as established 
404 
in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and/or hazard maps published by the national 
405 
government, risk mitigation and adaptation requirements and/or measures shall be incorporated 
406 
in the rules and regulations and reference standards as promulgated by the National Building 
407 
Official. 
408 
 
409 
SECTION 18. Resilience. – Buildings and structures damaged structurally by a disaster or 
410 
crisis shall adhere to principles of building back better in post-disaster or post-crisis recovery 
411 
and reconstruction. The National Building Official shall cause to integrate disaster risk 
412 
reduction and management measures in the rules and regulations and reference standards for 
413 
planning, design, and reconstruction of buildings and structures. 
414 
The National Building Official shall promulgate specific rules and regulations and reference 
415 
standards for temporary post-disaster or post-crisis structures. 
416 
 
417 
 
418 
CHAPTER IV 
419 
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS 
420 


 
 
421 
SECTION 19. General Requirements for Design. – The design of all buildings and structures 
422 
shall comply with the requirements prescribed by this Act, rules and regulations, and reference 
423 
standards; provided, that there shall be different levels of standards and technical requirements 
424 
for socialized housing (Residential occupancy sub-group RS) and economic housing 
425 
(Residential occupancy sub-group RE) structures as provided by Baths Pambansa Blg. 220. 
426 
Provided further, that Group G, Agricultural and Biological occupancies shall consider 
427 
biosystems design requirements for the protection of humans, animals, crops, and the 
428 
environment and ensure optimum production, workers’ safety and biosecurity of plants and 
429 
animals.  
430 
 
431 
Buildings and structures on or in special sites shall consider special design requirements and 
432 
risk mitigation measures called for by the specific site conditions. 
433 
 
434 
SECTION 20. Stability. – All buildings and structures shall be designed to be structurally 
435 
stable against anticipated combinations of loads and effects so as to safeguard people and 
436 
property from physical harm or damage.  
437 
 
438 
Subject to the provisions of Articles 684 to 686 of Republic Act No. 386, or Civil Code of the 
439 
Philippines, on lateral and subjacent support, the design and quality of materials used 
440 
structurally in excavation, footings, and in foundations shall conform to prescribed reference 
441 
standards and accepted engineering practice. 
442 
 
443 
SECTION 21. Protection from Fire. – All buildings and structures shall be designed to 
444 
safeguard persons and properties from any harm or damage caused by fire in accordance with 
445 
Republic Act No. 9514, or the Fire Code of the Philippines, and its Implementing Rules and 
446 
Regulations. 
447 
 
448 
All fire safety constructions as defined by the Fire Code of the Philippines shall be designed in 
449 
accordance with specific rules and regulations and reference standards under this Act. 
450 
 
451 
SECTION 22. Protection from Moisture and Surface Water. – All buildings shall be designed 
452 
to provide adequate resistance to penetration by, and the accumulation of, excessive moisture 
453 
and surface water. 
454 
 
455 
SECTION 23. Protection from Other Hazards. – All buildings and structures shall be 
456 
designed to safeguard persons and properties from other site-specific hazards. 
457 
 
458 
SECTION 24. Safety of Users or Occupants. – All buildings and structures shall be designed 
459 
to safeguard its users or occupants from harm, injury, or loss. 
460 
 
461 
SECTION 25. Ingress, Circulation, and Egress. – Safe access into, circulation within, and 
462 
egress from the buildings, including emergency exits, shall be provided for persons and 
463 
vehicles. 
464 
 
465 
SECTION 26. Energy and Energy Efficiency. – The design of buildings and structures shall 
466 
include, wherein required, practices and technologies that maximize energy efficiency. The 
467 
National Building Official shall promulgate specific rules and regulations applicable to 
468 
buildings and structures exceeding a threshold total gross floor area, depending on the 
469 
classification of use or occupancy. 
470 


 
 
471 
SECTION 27. Services and Facilities.  – All building services and facilities, their equipment 
472 
and installations, shall be designed to be adequate, safe, and efficient, to promote the well being 
473 
of the users or occupants and the general public. Constructability and ease of maintenance of 
474 
the services and facilities shall be highly considered in the design. 
475 
 
476 
As required by the occupancy group, buildings and structures shall be designed to provide 
477 
services and facilities including but not limited to the following: light and ventilation; water 
478 
supply; drainage; wastewater disposal; solid waste management; pest and vermin control; 
479 
power and fuel supply; communication facilities; conveyance and parking facilities; and fire 
480 
lane and fire hydrants. 
481 
 
482 
Provided, that the carriageways, sidewalks, and all parts of road right-of-way for public roads 
483 
adjoining a building site shall not be used to meet the requirements of parking facilities for the 
484 
building as required by this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards. Provided 
485 
further, that queuing areas, driveways, ramps, entrances to, and exits from parking facilities for 
486 
a building shall not encroach on the road right-of-way nor obstruct the movement of pedestrians 
487 
and vehicles on the public roads adjoining the building. 
488 
 
489 
Provided, Finally, that telecommunication facilities such as, but not limited to, in-building 
490 
solutions and fiber-optic cabling for high-capacity and high-speed requirements shall be 
491 
mandatory in buildings owned by the national government and all local government units, as 
492 
well as departments, regulatory agencies, instrumentalities, and implementing units of the 
493 
same. 
494 
 
495 
SECTION 28. Environmental Sustainability and Responsibility. – All buildings services and 
496 
facilities, material, methods of construction, and their equipment shall be designed and used to 
497 
be environmentally responsive and compliant to applicable environmental regulations. Thus, 
498 
all buildings should be required with of waste management and utilization facility, and other 
499 
climate-change mitigating features. 
500 
 
501 
 
502 
CHAPTER V 
503 
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS 
504 
 
505 
SECTION 29. General Requirements for Construction. – The construction of all buildings 
506 
and structures shall comply with the requirements prescribed by this Act, rules and regulations, 
507 
and reference standards. 
508 
 
509 
Use of materials, pieces of equipment, plants, and tools, and selection of personnel shall 
510 
conform to reference standards on materials, methods, and practices, in order to ensure quality 
511 
of material and quality of workmanship. Builders shalt promote quality of construction as one 
512 
of the essential links to the reduction of the vulnerability of the building or structure to hazards. 
513 
 
514 
SECTION 30. Innovative Construction Technologies. – All innovative construction 
515 
technologies used in building construction shall comply with any special tests or requirements 
516 
as prescribed by the National Building Official pursuant to the policies and objectives of this 
517 
Act. These technologies shall be installed by qualified personnel and supervised by technically 
518 
competent professionals. 
519 
 
520 


 
The proponent of such innovative construction technology may apply for a certification by the 
521 
competent national agency according to the rules and regulations prescribed by the National 
522 
Building Official. Buildings and other structures using an innovative construction technology 
523 
with prior certification shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement of structural peer review. 
524 
 
525 
Provided, that innovative technologies appropriate for socialized and economic housing, which 
526 
are low-cost housing as covered by Baths Pambansa BIg. 220, shall be subject for accreditation 
527 
by the Accreditation of indigenous Technologies for Housing (AITECH) Committee or its 
528 
successor agency. 
529 
 
530 
Provided, Further, that the Office of the National Building Official shall establish and accredit 
531 
another competent national agency to be in charge of accreditation of innovative technologies, 
532 
including so-called smart and/or green technologies, that are for applications other than 
533 
socialized or economic housing. 
534 
 
535 
Provided, Finally, that nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to prevent the National Building 
536 
Official from causing the establishment and accreditation of a unified competent national 
537 
agency to be in charge of accreditation of innovative technologies for various construction 
538 
applications. 
539 
 
540 
SECTION 31. Safety and Protection During Construction. – All buildings shall be 
541 
constructed or demolished without causing any harm or injury to the construction workers and 
542 
the public. 
543 
 
544 
SECTION 32. Protection of Property During Construction. – All and any public or private 
545 
property above or below the ground shall be protected from any damage by any work being 
546 
done under the permit. The protection shall be maintained while such work is being done and 
547 
shall not obstruct the normal functioning of any such property. 
548 
 
549 
SECTION 33. Phased or Incremental Construction. – All uncompleted portions of buildings 
550 
subject to phased or incremental construction shall be protected and shall not pose harm to the 
551 
public. Any additional or incremental work shall not compromise the safety and well being of 
552 
the users or occupants. 
553 
 
554 
SECTION 34. Construction Waste Management. – All buildings shall be constructed with 
555 
proper management of construction waste. 
556 
 
557 
 
558 
CHAPTER VI 
559 
BUILDING MATERIALS 
560 
 
561 
SECTION 35. General Requirements for Materials. – All building materials and components 
562 
shall comply with the requirements prescribed by this Act, rules and regulations, and reference 
563 
standards. 
564 
 
565 
The use of building materials and components must be safe for the health of users or occupants 
566 
and must not cause any substantive negative impact to the environment such as, but not limited 
567 
to, air, water, and soil. 
568 
 
569 


 
Provided, that product standards promulgated by competent national agency shall be 
570 
harmonized with or incorporated together with the reference standards under this Act. 
571 
 
572 
SECTION 36. Selection of Materials. – Building materials and components shall be selected 
573 
following a set of criteria including but not limited to strength, fire resistivity, moisture 
574 
resistance, durability, and sustainability, according to rules and regulations and reference 
575 
standards promulgated by the National Building Official. 
576 
 
577 
 
578 
CHAPTER VII 
579 
OCCUPANCY, MAINTENANCE, AND ABATEMENT OF BUILDINGS 
580 
 
581 
SECTION 37. General Requirements for Occupancy, Maintenance, and Abatement. All 
582 
Building Owners shall use and maintain the building in accordance with the requirements 
583 
prescribed by this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards. The use and maintenance 
584 
of the building must be safe for the health of users, occupants, and the general public, and shall 
585 
not cause any substantive negative impact to the environment such as, but not limited to, air, 
586 
water, and soil. 
587 
 
588 
SECTION 38. Maintenance, Inspection, and Assessment of Buildings and Reporting to the 
589 
ONBO. – All buildings shall undergo regular maintenance and inspection in accordance with 
590 
each building's maintenance strategy. There shall be rules and regulations to guide the 
591 
preparation, approval, and implementation of appropriate maintenance strategies for buildings 
592 
and structures, promulgated by the National Building Official. The Building Owner shall 
593 
perform periodic maintenance and inspection; the Local Building Officials and/or Accredited 
594 
Inspectors shall conduct inspection as appropriate according to rules and regulations. The 
595 
Office of the National Building Official shall establish a system for monitoring, reporting, and 
596 
evaluating maintenance and inspection activities. 
597 
 
598 
The Office of the National Building Official shall assist Building Owners of structures falling 
599 
within the classification Deemed-to-Satisfy or Class P1 Structures and Regular or Class P2 
600 
Structures in conducting a simplified inspection of their buildings. 
601 
 
602 
For buildings and structures with occupancies falling under Group A, Group D, Group E, 
603 
Group G or Group Z, there shall be periodic inspections by Local Building Officials and/or 
604 
Accredited Inspectors subject to specific rules and regulations promulgated by the National 
605 
Building Official. 
606 
 
607 
The Office of the National Building Official shall coordinate with relevant government 
608 
agencies that regulate business operations in buildings and structures. Structural stability 
609 
clearance from the Office of the Local Building Official shall be a prerequisite for the issuance 
610 
or renewal of business permits or permits to operate, for new occupancy or occupancy after 15 
611 
years from the date of completion of the building or structure. 
612 
 
613 
Mandatory inspection and assessment by an Accredited Certifier as to structural stability and 
614 
fire safety construction shall be commissioned by the Building Owner at the 15th year from 
615 
date of completion of the building and every 15 years thereafter in the case of Special or Class 
616 
P3 Structures. In cases of addition, alteration, conversion, rehabilitation, relocation, repair, 
617 
and/or retrofit requiring more recent structural stability assessment and corresponding 
618 
certification and clearance, the date of reckoning of 15 years for purposes of this Section shall 
619 


 
be counted from the completion date of the latest building permit that involved the most recent 
620 
structural stability clearance under this Act. The National Building Official shall promulgate 
621 
rules and regulations and reference standards for mandatory inspection and assessment of 
622 
buildings as to structural stability and fire safety construction, specific to the various building 
623 
classifications; provided, that Accredited Certifiers need not be engaged for Deemed-to-Satisfy 
624 
or Class P1 Structures and Regular or Class P2 Structures. 
625 
 
626 
The National Building Official shall promulgate specific rules and regulations for mandatory 
627 
inspection and assessment of all buildings as to structural stability and fire safety construction 
628 
after regional catastrophic events such as, but not limited to, widely destructive earthquakes 
629 
and typhoons. The determination of an event that is catastrophic as to warrant mandatory 
630 
assessment of all buildings in a geographic area shall be made by the National Building Official 
631 
in consultation and coordination with other government agencies. 
632 
 
633 
The Office of the National Building Official through the Offices of Local Building Official 
634 
shall maintain a computerized national database of permits and other periodic data about all 
635 
buildings and structures, including but not limited to reports on maintenance, inspection, and/or 
636 
assessment. 
637 
 
638 
SECTION 39. Special Provision for Buildings Completed. – More than 15 Years Prior to the 
639 
effectivity  of this Act. To ensure the safety of the people and to reduce risks, Special or Class 
640 
P3 Structures and buildings and structures with occupancies falling under Group A and Group 
641 
E, that were completed in 2004 or earlier, are mandated to have an assessment of the design 
642 
based on the requirements in Chapter IV of this Act as specified in rules and regulations, as to 
643 
structural stability and fire safety construction, and the Building Owners to submit the 
644 
certifications or findings of appropriate Building Professionals, serving as Accredited 
645 
Certifiers, to the concerned Local Building Officials regarding the state of such buildings and 
646 
structures and their safety and/or need for retrofit. 
647 
 
648 
Within three (3) months from the effectivity of this Act, the Department through the Office of 
649 
the National Building Official, in consultation with relevant agencies and stakeholders, shall 
650 
implement a phased approach to prioritize compliance of Building Owners in hazard zones, 
651 
such as but not limited to those near earthquake fault lines or in coastal zones affected by sea 
652 
level rise, or in hazard zones or areas otherwise identified in hazard maps, or those used for 
653 
assemblies in large numbers and/or by vulnerable users or occupants. 
654 
 
655 
The National Building Official, in coordination with other concerned agencies, shall develop 
656 
and administer incentive schemes, such as those allowed by the disaster risk reduction and 
657 
management funds, to support immediate voluntary retrofit by the Building Owners requiring 
658 
modifications for the safety of the users or occupants and/or the general public. 
659 
 
660 
SECTION 40. Abatement of Dangerous and Ruinous Buildings. – When any building or 
661 
structure is found or declared to be dangerous or ruinous, the Local Building Official shall 
662 
order its repair, vacation, or demolition depending upon the degree of danger to life, health, 
663 
property, and public welfare. This is without prejudice to further action that may be taken under 
664 
the provisions of Articles 482 and 694 to 707 of the Civil Code of the Philippines and other 
665 
existing laws. 
666 
 
667 
For purposes of this Section, dangerous or ruinous buildings are buildings or structures 
668 
determined by the Local Building Official to be structurally unstable; or not provided with safe 
669 


 
egress; or which constitute a fire hazard; or are otherwise dangerous to human life; or which in 
670 
relation to existing use, constitute a hazard to health, safety, or public welfare because of 
671 
inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment; or which otherwise 
672 
contribute to the pollution of the site or the community to an intolerable degree. 
673 
 
674 
Abatement and/or rehabilitation of buildings and structures covered under Republic Act No. 
675 
10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, shall be coordinated with the National 
676 
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) prior to any action of abatement. 
677 
 
678 
 
679 
CHAPTER VIII 
680 
ADMINISTRATION 
681 
 
682 
SECTION 41. National Building Official (NBO); Powers, Obligations, and Functions. – The 
683 
Secretary of the Department shall have the duty to ensure that all laws relating to building 
684 
design and construction are faithfully executed and is primarily charged with the administration 
685 
and enforcement of the provisions of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards. 
686 
The Secretary shall ensure harmonization of rules and regulations and reference standards 
687 
between government-funded and non-government funded buildings and structures, consistent 
688 
with the objectives of this Act. 
689 
 
690 
As the National Building Official, the Secretary shall have the following general powers, 
691 
obligations, and functions: 
692 
(a)  Issue and promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act, upon 
693 
recommendation of the Building Regulations and Standards Council, and ensure 
694 
compliance with policies, plans, standards, and guidelines formulated. The Building 
695 
Regulations and Standards Council shall be formed in accordance with the provisions of 
696 
this Act; 
697 
(b)  Approve and/or take final action on changes and/or amendments to reference standards 
698 
based on recommendations of the Building Regulations and Standards Council. For this 
699 
purpose, existing referral codes shall hereinafter be renamed and referred to accordingly 
700 
as "reference standards"; 
701 
(c) 
Appoint Local Building Officials, in manner as provided for by this Act, and exercise 
702 
supervision and control over them as the National Building Official; 
703 
(d) 
Designate Local Building Officials, in manner as provided for by this Act, and exercise 
704 
supervision and control over them as the National Building Official; 
705 
(e) 
Create the Office of the Local Building Official in case of clustered municipalities, as set 
706 
forth in this Act, and exercise administrative as well as technical supervision and control; 
707 
(f) 
Appoint the Regional Building Appeals Boards, as provided for by this Act, and exercise 
708 
administrative supervision over them; 
709 
(g)  Prescribe and fix the schedule of fees, appeal bonds, and other charges that the National 
710 
Building Official and Local Building Officials shall collect in the exercise of their 
711 
regulatory functions; 
712 
(h)  Inspect at reasonable times any building or structure, covered by this Act, rules and 
713 
regulations, and reference standards; provided, that in case of a single family dwelling, 
714 
an inspection must be upon the consent of the occupant or upon lawful order from the 
715 
proper court; 
716 
(1) 
Issue appropriate orders, including cease and desist order and demolition order, against 
717 
any person or entity to prevent injury to the public and compel compliance with the 
718 
provisions of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards; 
719 


 
(j) 
Impose fines, penalties, and other administrative sanctions for failure or refusal to comply 
720 
with, or violation of any provision of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference 
721 
standards, or any order, instruction, or ruling; 
722 
(k) 
Enlist the aid and support of, and/or deputize any and all enforcement agencies of the 
723 
government in the implementation of his powers and functions under this Act, rules and 
724 
regulations, and reference standards; and 
725 
(I) 
Exercise such other powers and perform such functions as may be needed to carry out 
726 
the objectives of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards. 
727 
 
728 
SECTION 42. Building Regulations and Standards Council (BRSC). – A Building 
729 
Regulations and Standards Council is hereby created to assist the National Building Official in 
730 
reviewing and recommending rules and regulations and reference standards to accomplish the 
731 
objectives of this Act. 
732 
(a)  Members. The Building Regulations and Standards Council shall be composed of the 
733 
following: 
734 
(1)  Undersecretary for Technical Services of the Department as Chair; 
735 
(2)  Full-time Commissioner of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) 
736 
as Vice-chair; 
737 
(3)  Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in charge of 
738 
supervision of regulatory boards of building professionals; 
739 
(4) 
Chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP); 
740 
(5) 
Director of the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering of the Department 
741 
of Agriculture; 
742 
(6)  Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in charge of 
743 
supervision of product standards and/or contractor accreditations; 
744 
(7)  Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for disaster 
745 
risk reduction and climate change; 
746 
(8) 
President of a national association of local building officials; 
747 
(9) 
President of a national association of building developers, national association of 
748 
building owners, national association of building managers, or national association 
749 
of building administrators 
750 
(10) Representative of the PRC accredited professional organizations of  professionals 
751 
involved in building design and construction; 
752 
(11)  President of a national association of building contractors; 
753 
(12) High-ranking regular faculty member from a recognized higher education institution 
754 
involved in the training of building professionals; and 
755 
(13) Two (2) representatives-at-large coming from any concerned sectors whose 
756 
participation is deemed by the National Building Official as timely and 
757 
complementary to those of other members enumerated. 
758 
 
759 
Each from a list of nominees submitted by their respective sectors, all representatives from the 
760 
private, academic, or non-government sectors, enumerated above from (8) to (12), shall be 
761 
appointed by the National Building Official for a term of three (3) years; provided, that each 
762 
said member, during his/her term in the Council, shall remain a certified member-in-good-
763 
standing of the association, organization, or institution that has been originally represented. In 
764 
case of substitution or replacement of a member representing a specific sector, the new member 
765 
shall serve for the remainder of the three-year term. 
766 
 
767 
For these sectors, enumerated above from (7) to (11), a different association, organization, or 
768 
institution other than the one currently represented shall be given preference by the National 
769 


 
Building Official in the next full three-year term appointment, in order to practice a rotation of 
770 
representation from among the various associations, organizations, or institutions in each 
771 
sector. 
772 
 
773 
Representatives-at-large, enumerated above as (12), shall serve ex-officio if officials and 
774 
representatives of government agencies, or shall serve for a term of three (3) years, without 
775 
immediate reappointment within one (1) year, if coming from the private, academic, or non-
776 
government sectors. 
777 
 
778 
In the absence or temporary incapacity of the Undersecretary for Technical Services of the 
779 
Department, the Commissioner of the HLURB shall act as the Chair of the Council. 
780 
 
781 
In the absence or temporary incapacity of the Undersecretary for Technical Services of the 
782 
Department and the Commissioner of the HLURB, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) 
783 
Undersecretary for Technical Services of the Department shall act as the Chair of the Council. 
784 
A simple majority of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum. The presence of 
785 
either the Chair or Vice-Chair of the BRSC is indispensable in counting the quorum. 
786 
 
787 
(b) 
Duties and Responsibilities. The Building Regulations and Standards Council shall have 
788 
the following duties and responsibilities: 
789 
(1) 
Review existing rules and regulations and existing referral codes, renamed as 
790 
reference standards under this Act, and/or formulate new ones in line with the 
791 
provisions of this Act and rules and regulations; 
792 
(2)  Formulate and recommend policies and strategies, for design and construction, 
793 
with reference to global standards, and taking into account local conditions; 
794 
(3) 
Formulate a system of accreditation of qualified Building Professionals as 
795 
Accredited Certifiers, Accredited Structural Peer Reviewers, and/or Accredited 
796 
Inspectors, and qualified establishments or institutions as Accredited Testing 
797 
Laboratories; 
798 
(4) 
Collect relevant information, conduct research, and support studies on all matters 
799 
relating to design and construction, such as, but not limited to, the performance and 
800 
results achieved of the standards in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and 
801 
management in building planning, design, construction, occupancy, and 
802 
maintenance; 
803 
(5)  Submit recommendations, including rules and regulations and reference standards, 
804 
to the National Building Official for approval; 
805 
(6) 
Submit an annual report to the National Building Official; and 
806 
(7) 
Perform such other functions that the National Building Official may authorize or 
807 
assign as may be necessary in carrying out the objectives of this Act. 
808 
 
809 
(c)  Technical Working Groups (TWGs). To support the BRSC in the performance of its 
810 
duties and responsibilities, the National Building Official shall constitute Technical 
811 
Working Groups (TWGs) composed of relevant stakeholders. 
812 
 
813 
(d)  Secretariat. The BRSC shall have its Secretariat personnel separate from the Office of 
814 
the National Building Official to assist in the operation of the Council and TWGs. 
815 
 
816 
(e) 
Procedures. The National Building Official, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, 
817 
shall prescribe, based on rules and regulations, the procedures of the Building 
818 
Regulations and Standards Council, ensuring the periodic review of reference standards 
819 


 
every five (5) years and the participation of the relevant stakeholders including, but not 
820 
limited to, building officials, building developers, building owners, building managers or 
821 
administrators, building professionals and professional organizations, building 
822 
contractors, and higher education institutions, in setting performance standards for design 
823 
and construction. 
824 
 
825 
(f) 
The BRSC budget shall be included in the annual budget of the Department. 
826 
 
827 
SECTION 43. Office of the National Building Official (ONBO). – The Office of the National 
828 
Building Official, within the Department, is hereby created to provide sufficient technical, 
829 
legal, administrative, and support personnel to the National Building Official in the exercise of 
830 
his powers and the performance of his duties. This Office, headed by a Director, who shall be 
831 
a registered and licensed professional, be member of good standing of the duly accredited 
832 
national organization of the profession, and have at least five (5) years of diversified and 
833 
professional experience in building design, construction, and regulation, shall be placed under 
834 
the supervision of the Undersecretary for Technical Services. It shall comprise highly qualified 
835 
personnel eligible to act as building professionals, scientists, or technicians who possess 
836 
diversified and professional experience in the field of building design and construction, and 
837 
lawyers. 
838 
 
839 
The Office of the National Building Official shall provide assistance to the National Building 
840 
Official in the institutional strengthening of Offices of Local Building Official, capacity 
841 
building of Local Building Officials, data management, monitoring and evaluation, and 
842 
establishing and maintaining linkages with concerned institutions. A mandatory continuing 
843 
education and training program shall be pursued for the Local Building Officials and their staff, 
844 
as well as the staff of the Office of the National Building Official. 
845 
 
846 
The Office of the National Building Official shall coordinate the Regional Building Appeals 
847 
Boards. 
848 
 
849 
The Office of the National Building Official shall formulate plans, programs, and projects on 
850 
building planning, design, construction, occupancy, and maintenance pursuant to this Act in 
851 
consideration of global best practices and the exposure of the country to multiple hazards. It 
852 
shall plan and implement a computerized national database of buildings and structures, for 
853 
purposes of Section 38 and other provisions of this Act and rules and regulations. It shall also 
854 
be in-charge of the implementation of a system of accreditation of qualified Building 
855 
Professionals as Accredited Certifiers, Accredited Structural Peer Reviewers, and/or 
856 
Accredited Inspectors, and qualified establishments or institutions as Accredited Testing 
857 
Laboratories. 
858 
 
859 
SECTION 44. Regional Building Appeals Boards (RBABs). – A Regional Building Appeals 
860 
Board with appropriate personnel is hereby created in Regional Offices of the Department and 
861 
placed under the administrative supervision of the National Building Official; provided, that 
862 
an RBAB may be created by the National Building Official to serve a group of adjacent regions. 
863 
The RBAB shall be chaired by a member of the Philippine Bar, and assisted by two technical 
864 
personnel of the Department sitting as the other members of the Board and by support staff, all 
865 
of whom are appointed by the National Building Official. It shall have exclusive appellate 
866 
jurisdiction to review decisions of the Local Building Officials, or resolve appeals and/or 
867 
complaints after the same shall have been acted upon, or not given due course, by the respective 
868 
Local Building Officials within their region. In case of appeal for reconsideration by an 
869 


 
aggrieved party on the same matter, the decision of the RBAB shall be subject to review by the 
870 
National Building Official pursuant to Section 60 of this Act. 
871 
 
872 
SECTION 45. Offices of the Local Building Official (OLBOs) and Local Building Officials 
873 
(LBOs). – Cities and first class municipalities shall create and operate a separate Office of the 
874 
Local Building Official headed by a Local Building Official who shall be appointed by and 
875 
accountable to the National Building Official. The Local Building Official shall be appointed 
876 
by the National Building Official from a list of at least three (3) qualified recommendees of the 
877 
mayor, subject to civil service law and rules and regulations. The Local Building Official shall 
878 
be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference 
879 
standards within the territorial jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the National 
880 
Building Official shall have complete supervision and control over the Local Building Official. 
881 
Depending upon their needs and in order to improve their frontline services, second to sixth-
882 
class municipalities may create and operate a separate Office of the Local Building Official 
883 
upon request to and approval by the National Building Official. These municipalities, if 
884 
adjacent and accessible to each other, may also opt to request the National Building Official to 
885 
create and operate an Office of the Local Building Official to serve the clustered municipalities, 
886 
which office shall be under the National Building Official. This cluster Office shall be located 
887 
at a municipality within the cluster as determined by the National Building Official. Each duster 
888 
of municipalities may recommend to the National Building Official the appointment of one 
889 
Local Building Official for such cluster from a list of at least three (3) qualified recommendees 
890 
of the mayors of the cluster, subject to civil service law and rules and regulations. 
891 
 
892 
Absent a request to and/or approval by the National Building Official for either a separate or a 
893 
cluster Office of the Local Building Official, the municipal engineers of the second to sixth-
894 
class municipalities shall be designated by the National Building Official to act, in concurrent 
895 
capacity, as the Local Building Officials in their respective territorial jurisdictions. For 
896 
purposes of this Chapter and this Section, the Office of the Municipal Engineer in such second 
897 
to sixth-class municipalities shall be referred to also as Office of the Local Building Official. 
898 
The concerned local government unit shall provide the funding for and operate the separate 
899 
Office of the Local Building Official; the Office of the National Building Official shall fund 
900 
and operate cluster Offices of the Local Building Official. The sharing and use of fees and fines 
901 
among the offices shall be in conformity with Section 47 of this Act. 
902 
 
903 
SECTION 46. Special Jurisdictions. – There shall be Local Building Officials for special 
904 
jurisdictions such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Economic Zone 
905 
Authority (PEZA), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and other government agencies, as 
906 
explicitly provided for by the applicable laws, who shall regulate design and construction of 
907 
buildings or structures under their jurisdiction and/or their registered locators and enterprises. 
908 
These Local Building Officials in special jurisdictions shall likewise be designated by and 
909 
accountable to the National Building Official. 
910 
 
911 
Said Local Building Officials shall be designated by the National Building Official from a list 
912 
of at least three (3) qualified recommendees of the head of their agency, subject to civil service 
913 
law and rules and regulations. 
914 
 
915 
In the case of the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries 
916 
Engineering (BAFE) shall regulate the design and construction of agricultural and biosystems 
917 
buildings. The Director of BAFE shall be the National Local Building Official  for agricultural 
918 


 
and biosystems buildings. The Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate the necessary 
919 
guidelines to implement this provision. 
920 
 
921 
SECTION 47. Sharing and Use of Fees and Fines. – Out of the total collection derived from 
922 
fees, permit fees, fines, and other charges, the Office of the Local Building Official shall retain 
923 
15% thereof and deposit in a special account created by the Local Treasurer, to answer for its 
924 
maintenance and other operating expenses. The Office of the Local Building Official shall 
925 
cause to remit five percent (5%) to the National Building Official. The remaining 80% shall 
926 
accrue to the general fund of the local government unit or agency with special jurisdiction, 
927 
which created and operated the Office. 
928 
 
929 
However, in the case of the cluster Office of the Local Building Official, it shall retain 15% 
930 
thereof and deposit in a special account created by the Local Treasurer, to answer for its 
931 
maintenance and other operating expenses, cause to remit 65% to the National Building 
932 
Official, and cause to divide the remaining 20% between or among the clustered municipalities 
933 
in proportion to the total fees and fines originating from each municipality, and to accrue to 
934 
their respective general funds. 
935 
 
936 
The share of income to be remitted to the National Building Official shall be used to cover 
937 
honoraria for the BRSC Secretariat, BRSC TWGs, RBABs, and other operating expenses of 
938 
the BRSC, ONBO, RBABs, and cluster OLBOs. 
939 
 
940 
Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the National Building Official is hereby 
941 
authorized to prescribe the procedures for the use of the 15% retained for the Office of the 
942 
Local Building Official. Such income may be used to cover necessary operating expenses 
943 
including the purchase of equipment, supplies, and materials; expenses for travel; continuing 
944 
education and training programs; engaging Accredited Inspectors and Accredited Structural 
945 
Peer Reviewers; obligation expenses including attorney's fees and other legal expenses, 
946 
including sheriff's fees as well as hazard pay for employees and/or authorized representatives 
947 
of the Office of the Local Building Official when the cause is in line with the performance of 
948 
duties; and payment of other prior years' obligations not adequately funded, subject to existing 
949 
budgetary and auditing rules and regulations. 
950 
 
951 
SECTION 48. Qualifications of Local Building Officials. – No person shall be appointed 
952 
as a Local Building Official unless the person possesses the following qualifications: 
953 
 
954 
(a) 
A Filipino citizen and of good moral character; 
955 
(b) 
A duly registered and licensed architect,  civil engineer  and other engineering 
956 
professionals  whose scope of practice involve building design and construction; 
957 
(c) 
A member of good standing of the duly accredited professional organization for not 
958 
less than five (5) years; and 
959 
(d) 
Has at least five (5) years of diversified and professional experience in building 
960 
design and construction. 
961 
 
962 
Municipal engineers appointed by their mayors and who shall concurrently be designated 
963 
by the National Building Official as Local Building Officials, shall comply with the 
964 
qualifications prescribed for their positions as municipal engineers in the Local 
965 
Government Code. 
966 
 
967 


 
The Local Building Official for a special jurisdiction shall comply with the qualifications 
968 
prescribed for the position by the law applicable to said special jurisdiction. 
969 
 
970 
SECTION 49. Powers, Obligations, and Functions of Local Building Officials. – In 
971 
addition to the other powers, obligations, and functions mentioned in this Act, the Local 
972 
Building Official shall have the following general powers, obligations, and functions: 
973 
 
974 
(a) 
Approve applications for, and issue, reject, suspend, or revoke permits within their 
975 
territorial or special jurisdictions; for this purpose, the Local Building Official shall 
976 
base the decision upon the completeness and integrity of the application documents 
977 
supported by the appropriate certifications of Building Professionals and 
978 
clearances from relevant government agencies, in accordance with this Act, rules 
979 
and regulations, and reference standards; 
980 
(b) 
Hear and decide cases filed by parties on complaints related to the permitting 
981 
process; 
982 
(c) 
Enter any building, structure, or its premises at reasonable times to inspect and 
983 
determine compliance with the requirements of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
984 
reference standards, as well as the terms and conditions of the permit/s issued; 
985 
provided, that in case of a single family dwelling, an inspection by the Local Building 
986 
Official and/or Accredited Inspector must be upon the consent of the occupant or 
987 
upon lawful order from the proper court; 
988 
(d) 
Engage qualified and nationally-accredited Building Professionals as inspectors 
989 
and/or structural peer reviewers; 
990 
(e)  Order the work stopped and prescribe the terms and/or conditions for the work to 
991 
be allowed to resume, or issue any appropriate order, including cease and desist 
992 
order and demolition order, when any construction is found to be contrary to the 
993 
provisions of this Act, rules and regulations, reference standards, and the terms and 
994 
conditions of the permit/s issued; 
995 
(f) 
Order the discontinuance of the use or occupancy of any building or structure, or a 
996 
portion thereof, found to be used or occupied contrary to the provisions of this Act, 
997 
rules and regulations, and reference standards, and/or the terms and conditions of 
998 
the permit/s issued; 
999 
(g)  Keep a permanent record and accurate account of all fees, fines, and other charges 
1000 
fixed and authorized by the National Building Official to be collected and received 
1001 
under this Act; 
1002 
(h)  Validate and submit data on a computerized national database of buildings and 
1003 
structures, for purposes of Section 38 and other provisions of this Act and rules and 
1004 
regulations; 
1005 
(i) 
Submit an annual situational report to the National Building Official; and 
1006 
Q) 
Exercise such powers and perform such other functions needed to assist the 
1007 
National Building Official in carrying out the objectives of this Act, rules and 
1008 
regulations, and reference standards. 
1009 
 
1010 
SECTION 50. Responsibilities of Building Owners. – To promote accountability, 
1011 
Building Owners and Building Owner-Builders shall be responsible for their compliance 
1012 
with the provisions of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards. These 
1013 
responsibilities shall include but not be limited to: 
1014 


 
(a)  Providing and/or submitting true and correct information and documents in 
1015 
support of their application for permits and their prerequisite certifications and 
1016 
clearances; 
1017 
(b) 
Adhering to the plans and specifications; 
1018 
(c) 
Complying with the terms and conditions of the permit issued, and other 
1019 
prerequisite certifications and clearances; 
1020 
(d) 
Maintaining the building consistent with its maintenance strategy and conducting 
1021 
periodic inspection in accordance with this Act, rules and regulations, and reference 
1022 
standards; 
1023 
(e) 
Engaging the services of Building Professionals and/or Building Contractors for any 
1024 
proposed construction, as may be required by this Act, rules and regulations, except 
1025 
for Deemed-to-Satisfy or Class P1 Structures; and 
1026 
(f) 
Engaging the services of Building Professionals or Accredited Certifiers for the 
1027 
assessment of structural stability and fire safety construction of the building, as may 
1028 
be required by this Act, rules and regulations, except for Deemed-to-Satisfy or Class 
1029 
P1 Structures and Regular or Class P2 Structures. 
1030 
 
1031 
Offer to transfer ownership, or actual transfer of ownership, involving owners of 
1032 
subdivision projects shall be made pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 957, or the 
1033 
Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree. 
1034 
 
1035 
Offer to transfer ownership, or actual partial or full transfer of ownership, involving 
1036 
owners of condominium projects shall be made pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 957, 
1037 
or the Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree, and to Republic Act No. 
1038 
4726, or the Condominium Act, as amended. 
1039 
 
1040 
SECTION 51. Responsibilities of Building Professionals. – To promote accountability, 
1041 
the various Building Professionals, all of whom are registered and licensed by their 
1042 
respective professional boards under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), 
1043 
shall be responsible for the accuracy of their work and their corresponding certifications. 
1044 
 
1045 
(a) 
Design professionals shall be responsible for the correctness and consistency of 
1046 
their design and the preparation of duly signed and sealed drawings, technical 
1047 
specifications, calculations, designs, and analyses. They are not precluded from 
1048 
conducting inspection of the construction work or building or structure to check 
1049 
and determine adherence to the plans and specifications of the work as submitted 
1050 
with the permit application; provided, that in case of a single family dwelling, an 
1051 
inspection must be upon the consent of the occupant or upon lawful order from the 
1052 
proper court. 
1053 
(b) 
Professionals in charge of construction shall be responsible for the correctness of 
1054 
construction, including correctness of materials used, procedures followed, and 
1055 
temporary works carried out in compliance with construction methodologies and 
1056 
standards; for compliance with safety requirements; and for proper construction 
1057 
supervision at the site works. They shall undertake the full time inspection and 
1058 
supervision of the work, and keep at the work site at all times a logbook wherein 
1059 
the actual progress of work including tests conducted, weather conditions, and 
1060 
other pertinent data are recorded. They shall be responsible for the consistency and 
1061 
integrity of the documents such as logbook and as-built plans. They shall also be 
1062 


 
responsible for the submission of the said documents, all duly signed and sealed, 
1063 
upon completion or stoppage of construction, to the Local Building Official. 
1064 
 
1065 
SECTION 52. Responsibilities,, of Building Contractors. – To promote accountability, 
1066 
Building Contractors shall adhere to the duly signed and sealed drawings, technical 
1067 
specifications, and construction procedure, as prepared and certified by the Building 
1068 
Professionals and relied upon by the Local Building Officials in the issuance of the permit. 
1069 
They shall also adhere to the additional details, issued during construction, conforming 
1070 
to the submitted documents. Building Contractors shall ensure the safety and health of 
1071 
construction workers, in addition to protection afforded to them by labor laws. As 
1072 
principals, they shall be responsible for the acts and omissions of their representatives, 
1073 
agents, subcontractors, and/or employees in relation to construction. They shall engage 
1074 
Building Professionals in-charge of construction. 
1075 
 
1076 
 
1077 
CHAPTER IX 
1078 
PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS 
1079 
 
1080 
SECTION 53. Types of Permit. – The Building Owner of any proposed construction or 
1081 
existing building or structure must secure the appropriate permit from the Local 
1082 
Building Official, prior to the start of such work or occupancy: 
1083 
 
1084 
(a) 
Building Permit - a permit for the construction of building or structure or any 
1085 
addition, alteration, conversion, rehabilitation, relocation, repair, or retrofit of such; 
1086 
(b) 
Ancillary Permit - a permit for the construction of ancillary structures as defined in 
1087 
this Act; 
1088 
(c) 
Excavation Permit - a permit for construction involving the removal of soil or rock 
1089 
from a site to form an open face, hole, or cavity using tools, machinery, or explosives; 
1090 
(d) 
Demolition Permit a permit for demolition of a building, structure, or portion 
1091 
thereof including that which will be removed in the course of an on-going 
1092 
construction; and 
1093 
(e)     Occupancy Permit - previously termed Certificate of Occupancy; a permit for the full 
1094 
use or occupancy of a building or structure, or a partial permit for use or occupancy 
1095 
of portion or portions thereof prior to the completion of the entire building or 
1096 
structure, or a temporary permit for temporary use or occupancy thereof prior to 
1097 
the completion of the entire work covered by the permit; provided, that such 
1098 
portion or portions shall be used or occupied safely and that the Local Building 
1099 
Official shall set a time period during which the partial permit or temporary permit 
1100 
shaft be valid in accordance with rules and regulations. 
1101 
 
1102 
The National Building Official may prescribe in the rules and regulations such other 
1103 
permits as it may deem necessary in accordance with objectives of this Act.  
1104 
 
1105 
No permit shall be required for minor constructions, repairs, or demolitions, as 
1106 
prescribed in the rules and regulations, insofar as these shall not violate any objective or 
1107 
provision of this Act. 
1108 
 
1109 
SECTION 54. Detailed Classification of Buildings for Permitting Purposes. – The 
1110 
National Building Official shall prescribe the requirements for and procedure in securing 
1111 


 
the different types of permit, as may be appropriate, based on the classification of 
1112 
buildings found in Section 10 of this Act. The procedures to be laid out by the National 
1113 
Building Official shall include: (a) a simplified permitting process for Deemed-to-Satisfy 
1114 
or Class P1 Structures; (b) a mandatory structural peer review of the stability for Special 
1115 
or Class P3 Structures; and (c) a regular permitting process for Regular or Class P2 
1116 
Structures. 
1117 
 
1118 
The organizational structure of each Office of the Local Building Official laid out by the 
1119 
National Building Official, based on rules and regulations, shall take these three (3) 
1120 
permitting processes in consideration. 
1121 
 
1122 
To aid the simplified permitting process, the National Building Official shall cause, 
1123 
through Simplified Reference Standards, the detailed documentation and region-wide or 
1124 
nation-wide information and education campaign on the proper siting, design, and 
1125 
construction of Deemed-to-Satisfy or Class P1 Structures including Traditional 
1126 
Indigenous Family Dwellings. 
1127 
 
1128 
SECTION 55. Application for Permit. – Any person desiring to apply for the appropriate 
1129 
permit shall file a duly accomplished permit application form with the Local Building 
1130 
Official of the local government unit, cluster thereof, or special jurisdiction where the 
1131 
building or structure, proposed or existing, is located. 
1132 
 
1133 
In case of expired or revoked permit, the Building Owner may apply for a renewal of 
1134 
permit in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations. 
1135 
 
1136 
The National Building Official may require the payment of corresponding fees according 
1137 
to a schedule provided in the rules and regulations and shall prescribe such other 
1138 
standard requirements to be submitted with the duly accomplished permit application; 
1139 
provided, that no application fees shall be required for Deemed to-Satisfy or Class P1 
1140 
Structures. 
1141 
 
1142 
Together with duly accomplished permit application form/s, the applicant shall submit: 
1143 
(a) documents relating to ownership of building site that support the authority to order 
1144 
construction work for a building or structure and to hold legal right of possession or title 
1145 
to a building or structure; (b) relevant clearances from other agencies; (C) documents 
1146 
relating to building use or occupancy, location, plans, specifications, and maintenance 
1147 
strategy; and (d) estimated construction cost. According to the permit being applied for 
1148 
and the classification of building or structure involved, whether Deemed-to-Satisfy, 
1149 
Regular, or Special Structure, the National Building Official, through rules and 
1150 
regulations, shall require specific parts of building plans, specifications and related 
1151 
documents to be submitted as evidence of compliance with this Act, rules and regulations, 
1152 
and reference standards. 
1153 
 
1154 
The National Building Official, through rules and regulations, shall require specific parts 
1155 
of building plans and specifications to be prepared, signed and sealed by appropriate 
1156 
Building Professionals; provided, that various building professionals may be 
1157 
appropriately authorized according to their respective professional regulation laws to 
1158 
prepare, sign, and seal certain parts, sheets, or pages of building plans, specifications, and 
1159 
related documents. 
1160 


 
SECTION 56. Processing of the Permit Application. – Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9485, 
1161 
or the Anti-Red Tape Act as amended by Republic Act No. 11032, or Ease of Doing 
1162 
Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, within a reasonable time from 
1163 
the filing of the duly-accomplished permit application, payment of fees as applicable, and 
1164 
compliance with other standard requirements to be determined by the National Building 
1165 
Official, the Local Building Official shall give due course to the application and issue the 
1166 
permit applied for upon satisfaction of the completeness and integrity of the application 
1167 
documents supported by the appropriate certifications of Building Professionals and 
1168 
clearances from relevant government agencies, in accordance with this Act, rules and 
1169 
regulations, and reference standards. 
1170 
 
1171 
SECTION 57. Validity of Permit. – A Building Owner with issued permits has the 
1172 
continuing obligation to comply with the provisions of this Act, rules or regulations, and 
1173 
reference standards throughout the lifespan of the building or structure. When submitted 
1174 
plans and specifications of an issued permit are subsequently found to be erroneous, the 
1175 
Local Building Official is authorized to oblige the applicant to effect the necessary 
1176 
corrections in said plans and specifications and the corresponding construction or to 
1177 
prevent or stop any or all building operations that are in violation of this Act, rules and 
1178 
regulations, and reference standards. 
1179 
 
1180 
A permit issued under the provisions of this Act shall expire and become null and void if 
1181 
the building or work authorized therein is not commenced within a period of one (1) year 
1182 
after the issuance of the permit. A partial or temporary Occupancy Permit shall be valid 
1183 
for the time period set by the Local Building Official in accordance with the prescribed 
1184 
rules and regulations. For phased or incremental construction referred to in Section 32 
1185 
of this Act, the Building Owner may apply for an extension of the validity of the permit, or 
1186 
renewal of the permit as appropriate, in accordance with the prescribed rules and 
1187 
regulations. 
1188 
 
1189 
SECTION 58. Grounds for Non-issuance, Suspension, or Revocation of Permit. – The 
1190 
Local Building Official may order or cause the non-issuance, suspension, or revocation of 
1191 
permits on any or all of the following reasons or grounds: 
1192 
(a) 
Non-compliance with the provisions of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference 
1193 
standards; 
1194 
(b) 
Substantial errors found in the plans and specifications; 
1195 
(c) 
Use of sub-standard building material or sub-standard workmanship and refusal to 
1196 
rectify upon notice; 
1197 
(d)  Without any work being done in the site for more than one hundred twenty (120) 
1198 
days for excavations left open or building construction abandoned; and 
1199 
(e) 
Fraudulent misrepresentation of data or information supplied in the application 
1200 
permit. 
1201 
 
1202 
Notice of non-issuance, suspension, or revocation of permit shall always be made in 
1203 
writing, stating the reasons or grounds therefor. Said action by the Local Building Official 
1204 
shall be proportionate to the reasons or grounds committed by the applicant, in 
1205 
accordance with this Act and rules and regulations. 
1206 
 
1207 
SECTION 59. Complaint. – Based on the grounds enumerated in Section 58 of this Act, 
1208 
any person aggrieved by the proposed, ongoing, or existing construction, use, or 
1209 


 
occupancy may file before the Local Building Official of the local government unit, cluster 
1210 
thereof, or special jurisdiction where the concerned construction is located for the non-
1211 
issuance, suspension, or revocation of the corresponding permit applied for by, or 
1212 
granted to, the Building Owner. The aggrieved party shall be notified of the action taken 
1213 
by the Local Building Official in case the permit is granted or furnished With a copy of the 
1214 
decision, order, or notice of non-issuance, suspension, or revocation of a permit of the 
1215 
Local Building Official. 
1216 
 
1217 
SECTION 60. Appeal to the Regional Building Appeals Board. – Within fifteen (15) days 
1218 
from the date of receipt of notice of the non-issuance, suspension, or revocation of the 
1219 
permit or of the action taken by the Local Building Official, the aggrieved party may file 
1220 
an appeal with the Regional Building Appeals Board based on the following grounds: 
1221 
(a) 
Arbitrariness of the Local Building Official in the performance of regulatory 
1222 
functions; or 
1223 
(b) 
Lack of factual or legal basis. 
1224 
 
1225 
The Regional Building Appeals Board shall render a decision within fifteen (15) days from 
1226 
date of receipt of appeal. The Regional Building Appeals Board's decision shall be in 
1227 
writing, stating specifically the reason/s or ground/s therefor. In case it finds the appeal 
1228 
to be meritorious, the Regional Building Appeals Board shall direct the Local Building 
1229 
Official to issue the appropriate permit or order. 
1230 
 
1231 
The decision of the Regional Building Appeals Board shall become final and executory 
1232 
fifteen (15) days after receipt of a copy thereof by the party adversely affected unless, 
1233 
within that period, an appeal to the National Building Official has been perfected. 
1234 
 
1235 
SECTION 61. Appeal to the National Building Official. – Within fifteen (15) days from 
1236 
the date of receipt of notice of the decision of the RBAB, the aggrieved party may file an 
1237 
appeal to the National Building Official; an appeal shall be deemed perfected upon filing 
1238 
of the notice of appeal and posting of the corresponding appeal bond. 
1239 
 
1240 
The Office of the National Building Official shall render a decision within thirty (30) days 
1241 
from perfection of the appeal. The Office of the National Building Officials decision shall 
1242 
be in writing, stating specifically the reason/s or ground/s therefor. In case the ONBO 
1243 
finds the appeal to be meritorious, the Office of the National Building Official shall direct 
1244 
the Local Building Official to issue the appropriate permit or order. 
1245 
 
1246 
SECTION 62. Inspection and Supervision of Work and Building or Structure. – Subject 
1247 
to the primary responsibility of Building Owners, Building Professionals, and Building 
1248 
Contractors to inspect and/or supervise construction and as set forth in this Act, the Local 
1249 
Building Official may, upon motion of any aggrieved party or motu proprio, visit and 
1250 
inspect at reasonable times the ongoing constructions or existing buildings and 
1251 
structures to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the permits and the 
1252 
provisions of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards. The National 
1253 
Building Official shall promulgate specific rules and regulations for inspection of Group 
1254 
R, Residential buildings and structures, to be carried out by the Local Building Official 
1255 
and/or Accredited Inspector. 
1256 


 
The Local Building Official shall conduct periodic inspections of existing buildings and 
1257 
structures in accordance with Chapter VII of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference 
1258 
standards. 
1259 
 
1260 
 
1261 
CHAPTER X 
1262 
INCENTIVES AND PENALTIES 
1263 
 
1264 
SECTION 63. Incentives. – The National Building Official, in coordination with relevant 
1265 
agencies, shall develop and administer incentive schemes, which can be administrative, 
1266 
financial, or otherwise, to promote voluntary compliance of existing buildings and 
1267 
structures with the provisions of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards, 
1268 
as well as to encourage all owners of buildings and structures, either existing or 
1269 
proposed, to promote the use of environmentally sound or sustainable materials, 
1270 
methods, practices, and technologies. 
1271 
 
1272 
The National Building Official, in coordination with other relevant agencies, may also 
1273 
develop and promulgate incentive schemes for owners of both public and private 
1274 
buildings to secure insurance coverage for the residual risk after complying with 
1275 
mandatory requirements of applicable laws. 
1276 
 
1277 
The National Building Official may recommend funding support for local government 
1278 
units and communities that have endorsed disaster risk reduction and management 
1279 
activities for buildings and structures, especially those falling within the classification of 
1280 
Deemed-to-Satisfy or Class P1 Structures, in their jurisdictions. 
1281 
 
1282 
SECTION 64. Prohibited Acts and Omissions. – The following are prohibited acts and 
1283 
omissions: 
1284 
(a)  by the Building Owner and/or representative: 
1285 
(1)  misrepresentation or submission of false statements or documents; 
1286 
(2) 
use of unauthorized documents and/or certifications of Building 
1287 
Professional/s; 
1288 
(3) 
undertaking any construction without the required permit/s; 
1289 
(4)  noncompliance with or violation of the terms and conditions of the permit, 
1290 
including prerequisite clearances by other government agencies; 
1291 
(5)  not maintaining the building in accordance with the submitted maintenance 
1292 
strategy; 
1293 
(6) 
engaging non-licensed building professionals in the design, review, 
1294 
construction, or certification bf building; 
1295 
(7) 
engaging non-licensed building contractors in the construction of building; 
1296 
and 
1297 
(8) 
analogous acts, omissions, and violations of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
1298 
reference standards. 
1299 
 
1300 
(b) 
by the Building Professional: 
1301 
(1) 
misrepresentation or false statements; 
1302 
(2) 
certifying documents that s/he did not prepare, or certifying acts that s/he did 
1303 
not perform; 
1304 


 
(3) 
submission of incorrect or inconsistent drawings, technical specifications, 
1305 
calculations, designs, and analyses; 
1306 
(4)  non-compliance with construction methodologies and standards in case of a 
1307 
professional in charge of construction; 
1308 
(5) 
violation of safety standards prescribed by law or regulations in case of a 
1309 
professional in charge of construction; 
1310 
(6)  non-submission of duly signed and sealed documents, or submission of 
1311 
inconsistent or deceitful documents, such as logbook and as-built plans in case 
1312 
of a professional in charge of construction; and 
1313 
(7) 
analogous acts, omissions, and violations of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
1314 
reference standards. 
1315 
 
1316 
(c) 
by the Building Contractor: 
1317 
(1) 
deviation from the plans and specifications certified by Building Professionals 
1318 
and submitted to the Local Building Official, in a way that increases the risk to 
1319 
life, health, property, or public welfare; 
1320 
(2) 
violation of safety standards prescribed by law or regulations; 
1321 
(3) 
not engaging a Building Professional in charge of construction; and 
1322 
(4) 
analogous acts, omissions, and violations of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
1323 
reference standards. 
1324 
 
1325 
(d) 
by the Accredited Certifier: 
1326 
(1) 
misrepresentation or false statements in order to be accredited by the Office 
1327 
of the National Building Official; 
1328 
(2)  certifying buildings and structures that do not meet the requirements of this 
1329 
Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards, and other applicable laws; 
1330 
(3) 
refusing or failing to certify buildings and structures that meet the 
1331 
requirements of this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards; and 
1332 
(4) 
analogous acts, omissions, and violations of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
1333 
reference standards. 
1334 
 
1335 
(e)  
by the Accredited Structural Peer Reviewer: 
1336 
(1)  misrepresentation or false statements in order to be accredited by the Office 
1337 
of the National Building Official; 
1338 
(2) 
providing false information to the Building Owner and/or Building 
1339 
Professional regarding the review; 
1340 
(3) 
false certification on the compliance of structural design with this Act, rules 
1341 
and regulations, and reference standards; and 
1342 
(4) 
analogous acts, omissions, and violations of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
1343 
reference standards. 
1344 
 
1345 
(f) 
by the Accredited Testing Laboratory: 
1346 
(1)  misrepresentation or false statements in order to be accredited by the Office 
1347 
of the National Building Official; 
1348 
(2) 
misrepresentation or false statements in the tests and/or test results of 
1349 
building materials; 
1350 
(3)  tampering with the equipment and instruments; 
1351 
(4)  conducting test methods non-conforming to reference standards; and  
1352 


 
(5) 
analogous acts, omissions, and violations of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
1353 
reference standards. 
1354 
 
1355 
(g) 
by the Accredited Inspector: 
1356 
(1) 
misrepresentation or false statements in order to be accredited by the Office 
1357 
of the National Building Official; 
1358 
(2) 
providing false information to the Local Building Official regarding the 
1359 
inspection; 
1360 
(3) 
false certification on the inspection, in consideration of any offer, promise, gift, 
1361 
or present received; and 
1362 
(4) 
analogous acts, omissions, and violations of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
1363 
reference standards. 
1364 
 
1365 
(h) 
by the Local Building Official: 
1366 
(1) 
arbitrariness in the performance of powers, obligations, and functions; 
1367 
(2) 
unjustifiable delay or gross negligence in the performance of powers, 
1368 
obligations, and functions; 
1369 
(3) 
willful engagement of non-accredited inspector; 
1370 
(4) 
willful non-compliance with the orders of the National Building Official, Office 
1371 
of the National Building Official, and/or Regional Building Appeals Board; and 
1372 
(5) 
analogous acts, omissions, and violations of this Act, rules and regulations, and 
1373 
reference standards. 
1374 
 
1375 
SECTION 65. Fines and Penalties. – Any prohibited act or omission falling under 
1376 
paragraphs (a) - (h) in Section 64 of this Act shall be subject to the administrative fines 
1377 
and penalties to be imposed by the National Building Official, acting through the Local 
1378 
Building Official. Such fines shall not be lower than 0.01% nor higher than 1.0% of the 
1379 
construction cost, per violation, in accordance with the gravity of the offense and the 
1380 
category of violator as provided in Section 64; provided, that the Local Building Official 
1381 
may not issue, may suspend, or may revoke any permit issued to the violator, as may be 
1382 
appropriate, and/or may order the suspension or cessation of any construction until such 
1383 
time that compliance with this Act, rules and regulations, and reference standards are 
1384 
undertaken; provided further, that in case the Building Owner is also the builder or 
1385 
Building Owner-Builder, the liability is only considered as one and that of the Building 
1386 
Owner; provided furthermore, that in case of Building Professionals and/or Building 
1387 
Contractors found to commit any of the prohibited acts and omissions, the Local Building 
1388 
Official shall also endorse such violation to the Professional Regulation Commission 
1389 
(PRC) and the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (ClAP), respectively, for 
1390 
the corresponding administrative sanctions; and provided finally, that should there be 
1391 
more than one violator for a single prohibited act or omission, their liability shall be 
1392 
solidary. 
1393 
 
1394 
These administrative sanctions imposed by the National Building Official, through the 
1395 
Local Building Official, are without prejudice to the right of any affected person to file the 
1396 
appropriate administrative, civil, or criminal action in the proper forum. 
1397 
 
1398 
For offenses falling under paragraph (h) in Section 64 of this Act, the National Building 
1399 
Official, upon recommendation of the Regional Building Appeals Board and after notice 
1400 
and hearing, may suspend or revoke the appointment or designation of the Local Building 
1401 


 
Official as such, without prejudice to the administrative, civil, or criminal liability of said 
1402 
official in accordance with existing laws. 
1403 
 
1404 
SECTION 66. Criminal Liabilities of Building Owners, Building Professionals, Building 
1405 
Contractors, Accredited Certifiers, Accredited Structural Peer Reviewers, Accredited 
1406 
Testing Laboratories, and Accredited Inspectors. – In case of gross violation of this Act 
1407 
and/or rules and regulations, the National Building Official and/or Local Building Official 
1408 
may recommend to the appropriate government agencies the filing of criminal charges 
1409 
against the violators. Gross violations shall mean any of the following: 
1410 
(a) 
unauthorized change in type of construction from more fire-resistive to less fire-
1411 
resistive; 
1412 
(b)  non-compliance with order to abate or demolish; 
1413 
(c) 
non-compliance with cease and desist order for construction; 
1414 
(d)  not having any work being done in the site for more than one hundred twenty (120) 
1415 
days and without justifiable cause, for excavations left open or building 
1416 
construction abandoned; and 
1417 
(e) 
blatant disregard of the orders of the Local Building Official in relation to the 
1418 
protection of life, health, property, and public welfare, such as the non-payment of 
1419 
fines and breaking of seals or operating despite the existence of an order for 
1420 
suspension or revocation. 
1421 
 
1422 
In which case, the offender shall be punished, per violation, by a fine not lower than 
1423 
0.01% nor higher than 1.0% of the construction cost, or by imprisonment of not less than 
1424 
six (6) months nor more than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of the court, without 
1425 
prejudice to the civil liability of the offender in accordance with existing laws. Where the 
1426 
violation is attended by injury, loss of life and/or loss of property, the offender shall be 
1427 
proceeded against under the applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code and other 
1428 
special laws. If the offender is a juridical entity, the officers, directors, agents, or 
1429 
employees who willfully and knowingly vote for, assent to, or be primarily responsible 
1430 
for the commission of the foregoing violation/s shall be held liable. 
1431 
 
1432 
SECTION 67. Criminal Liability of Local Building Officials and Staff. – Any Local 
1433 
Building Official and/or staff who shall conspire to commit any of the enumerated gross 
1434 
violations with any offender as provided in Section 66 of this Act shall be punished, per 
1435 
violation, by a fine not lower than 0.01% nor higher than 1.0% of the construction cost 
1436 
involved, or by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than six (6) years, 
1437 
or both, at the discretion of the court, without prejudice to the civil liability of the offender 
1438 
in accordance with existing laws. 
1439 
 
1440 
 
1441 
CHAPTER XI 
1442 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
1443 
 
1444 
SECTION 68. Appropriations. – The amount needed for the initial implementation of this 
1445 
Act shall be taken from the current fiscal budget of the Department; provided, however, 
1446 
that such amount as may be necessary to carry out Section 39 of this Act is hereby 
1447 
appropriated out of the unappropriated funds of the National Treasury in the amount of 
1448 
Three Hundred Sixty Five Million Pesos (Php 365,000,000). Thereafter, Congress shall 
1449 


 
provide for the appropriations of the Department the annual amount needed for the 
1450 
implementation of this Act to be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
1451 
 
1452 
SECTION 69. Transitory Provision. – There shall be a systematic transition of 
1453 
implementation of building regulations and standards from Presidential Decree No. 1096 
1454 
to this Act. To initiate and facilitate the transition, the Secretary, as the National Building 
1455 
Official, is mandated to immediately establish the Office of the National Building Official 
1456 
within three (3) months of the effectivity of this Act. 
1457 
 
1458 
City and Municipal Engineers already acting as Local Building Officials in their respective 
1459 
jurisdictions, and Local Building Officials already appointed or designated by the 
1460 
Secretary and performing as such, shall continue to act in such capacity, until new 
1461 
appointments and designations shall be made for Local Building Officials. 
1462 
 
1463 
Engagement of Accredited Certifiers, Accredited Inspectors, Accredited Structural Peer 
1464 
Reviewers, and Accredited Testing Laboratories as provided for in this Act, shall take 
1465 
effect following the implementation by the ONBO of the system of accreditation, as 
1466 
formulated by the BRSC and promulgated by the NBO. The initial list of accredited 
1467 
persons shall be published by the ONBO within one (1) year from the promulgation of the 
1468 
system of accreditation. 
1469 
 
1470 
Consistent with Section 41 and Section 42 of this Act, existing referral codes, renamed as 
1471 
reference standards by this Act, shall remain valid until after the National Building Official 
1472 
promulgates new, revised, or amended reference standards after the review and 
1473 
recommendation of the BRSC. 
1474 
 
1475 
Provided, that absent reference standards that are locally or nationally adopted by the 
1476 
competent government agency for a particular subject, the latest standards by the 
1477 
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) may be used as default standards. 
1478 
 
1479 
SECTION 70. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The National Building Official, 
1480 
upon the recommendation of the Building Regulations and Standards Council and in 
1481 
consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and 
1482 
Regulations of this Act, including a system of accreditation of qualified Building 
1483 
Professionals as Accredited Certifiers, Accredited Structural Peer Reviewers, and/or 
1484 
Accredited Inspectors, and qualified establishments or institutions as Accredited Testing 
1485 
Laboratories, within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. For this purpose, the 
1486 
Secretary, as the National Building Official, is mandated to immediately constitute the 
1487 
Building Regulations and Standards Council within three (3) months of the effectivity of 
1488 
this Act. 
1489 
 
1490 
The National Building Official shall ensure that all buildings owned by the national 
1491 
government and all local government units, as well as departments, regulatory agencies, 
1492 
instrumentalities, government owned and controlled corporations, and implementing 
1493 
units of the same, shall implement an integrated, or whole-building, approach to the 
1494 
siting, planning, design, materials, construction, use, occupancy, maintenance, addition, 
1495 
alteration, conversion, rehabilitation, relocation, repair, retrofit, and demolition, so they 
1496 
are sustainable, energy efficient, secure and safe, cost-effective, accessible, functional, 
1497 
productive, and aesthetic. 
1498 


 
 
1499 
The National Building Official shall ensure that this Act is implemented in manners that 
1500 
are clear to all stakeholders, through measures that include but are not limited to the 
1501 
following. 
1502 
 
1503 
Every rule or regulation for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this 
1504 
Act, including any standard that may be referenced by such, shall clearly indicate the 
1505 
section or sub-section of this Act to which it corresponds. 
1506 
 
1507 
Subject to Section 5 of this Act, every approved local ordinance with the effect of 
1508 
modifying a national rule, regulation, or standard, towards better safeguarding of life, 
1509 
health, property, and public welfare, shall dearly indicate the national rule, regulation, or 
1510 
standard which it improves. 
1511 
 
1512 
All forms, tables, charts, illustrations, drawings, and other annexes included with rules, 
1513 
regulations, standards, and ordinances shall be systematically, uniquely, and clearly 
1514 
labeled, and duly referenced within the text of the associated rule, regulation, standard, 
1515 
or ordinance. 
1516 
 
1517 
SECTION 71. Non-Retroactivity Clause. –  This Act shall have no retroactive effect 
1518 
insofar as all buildings and structures constructed under Presidential Decree No. 1096, 
1519 
or the National Building Code of the Philippines, as amended, or existing city or municipal 
1520 
building ordinances, if legally done in accordance therewith, shall be respected subject to 
1521 
such limitations in this Act and except as otherwise stated in Section 39 of this Act. 
1522 
However, additions, alterations, conversions, rehabilitations, relocations, repairs, 
1523 
retrofits, and demolitions to be made in such buildings and structures shall be subject to 
1524 
the provisions of this Act. 
1525 
 
1526 
SECTION 72. Mandatory Review. – This Act shall undergo a mandatory review of its 
1527 
provisions every five (5) years to make the law more responsive to the needs of the times. 
1528 
The review shall be made by Congress, which shall conduct public hearings and evaluate 
1529 
the accomplishments and impact of this Act as well as the performance and 
1530 
organizational structure of its implementing offices, which shall be the basis of any 
1531 
amendment or modification of this Act. 
1532 
 
1533 
SECTION 73. Separability Clause. – If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
1534 
or invalid, the other portions which are not affected thereby shall continue in full force 
1535 
and effect. 
1536 
 
1537 
SECTION 74. Repealing Clause. – Presidential Decree No. 1096, or the National Building 
1538 
Code of the Philippines, as amended, is hereby repealed. Sec. 477 of Republic Act No. 
1539 
7160, also known as the Local Government Code, is modified accordingly. Other existing 
1540 
laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations or parts thereof that are 
1541 
inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed. 
1542 
 
1543 
SECTION 75. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
1544 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
1545 
 
1546 
Approved, 
1547