Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. _ 7098

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF DRONES BY PRIVATE
PERSONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill aims to regulate the ownership and operations of unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV), colloquially known as a drone, or as a remotely piloted aircraft system
(RPAS) - an aircraft without a human pilot aboard.

5,.Drones, which are now popular in the country and are increasingly being used in
differént industries were initially created and developed for military purposes. Currently,
they are being used by businesses, government agencies, and individuals for leisure.

The use of drones, however, raises regulatory concerns in numerous countries,
including the Philippines. These robotic devices can be viewed as space hazards and if
wrongly operated, ean pose serious danger to the public.

Another concern on the use of drones is that they could be used to violate the
privacy of a person or household because they are so mobile and easily controlled
Anyone can learn how to fly a drone even without formal training. Drones can soar over
a property and sit without being noticed outside of a window of a residence.

These concerns have led other countries to introduce legislations mandating the
regulation of drones. In this light, this bill aims to regulate the ownership and operations
of drones by private persons with the end view of protecting the privacy rights of citizens
and promoting public safety.

Hence, the expeditious approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

--7e~

Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan
4th District, Quezon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7098

Introduced by: Hon. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF DRONES BY PRIVATE
PERSONS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Drone Regularization
Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to regulate the
‘ownership and operation of drones by private persons in order to promote privacy rights
and ensure public safety.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a) Drone shall refer to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or any component of
an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that has no pilot and is controlled by an operator on
the ground;

(b) Private persons shall refer to natural or juridical persons not employed by or
part of the government;

(c) Commercial drone use shall mean as any use of a drone in connection with a
business or profession for the sake of profit, whether the profit is the primary purpose of
the drone use or merely an incidental result; and

(d) Hobbyist drone use is the use of drones for recreational purposes where no
profit is made from the use of drones.

SEC. 4. Registration and Permit to Operate. - All drone owners, whether the
drones are for hobbyist or commercial use, are hereby required to periodically register
their drones with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’s (CAAP) Public Safety
and Security Command Center.

Only a registered commercial drone owner may apply for a permit to operate,
which shall be issued periodically upon proof that the owner:

a. Qualifies for a radio operator's certificate of proficiency;
b. Has been awarded a passing rating in an aviation license theory examination;

c. Has completed a training course in the operation of the type of drone that will
be operated;


airspace;
e. Has valid insurance over the drone; and

f. Has not incurred any violation for drone ownership or use in the five (5) years
immediately preceding an application for permit.

The operator's permit to operate shall cover all registered drones of the same
type.

The CAAP is hereby authorized to collect reasonable fees for the registration of
drones and processing of permits to operate the drones.

SEC. 5. Establishment of No-Drone Zone. - The CAAP is hereby authorized to
prohibit the use of drones, whether hobbyist or commercial or both, in any part of the
Philippines, whether permanently or for a designated period of time, subject to notice
that must be published in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

The notice must clearly state the no-drone zone and must be published at least
three (3) weeks prior to the effectivity of the prohibition. Notice can only be foregone in
emergency situations, as determined by the CAAP.

This power is without prejudice to the power of other government agencies to
regulate airspace, particularly in emergency situations that may require the
establishment of no-fly zones.

SEC. 6. General Safety Regulations and Restrictions on Drone Usage. - The
CAAP shall periodically update and publish safety regulations and restrictions of drone
usage, the violation of which shall be the basis for revocation of the permit to operate
and confiscation of the drone, without prejudice to the penalties provided in this Act and
any civil or criminal suits that may be filed as a result of the violation.

These safety regulations and restrictions shall include:

1. Requiring all drones, whether for hobbyist or commercial use, to be clearly
marked with the name, contact number, and address of the owner;

2. Prohibiting the use of drones as means to violate constitutional rights,
including the right to privacy;

3. A prohibition on flying drones above four hundred (400) feet;
4. A prohibition on flying drones near aircraft, particularly near airports;

5. Allowing drone operation only during daylight hours and in good weather,
subject to exceptions to be crafted by the CAAP;

6. The prohibition on flying drones over groups of people, public events, or
‘stadiums full of people, subject to exceptions to be crafted by CAAP;

7. The prohibition on flying drones near emergencies, such as fires;
8. The prohibition on flying drones under the influence of drugs or alcohol;

9. For recreational drone use, requiring an operator to keep the drone within the


10. Other regulations as the CAAP may see fit to introduce in the interest of
public safety, such as further restriction on types of drones as classified by the CAAP.

SEC. 7. Penalties. - Failure to register a drone shall result in the confiscation of
the drone. Operating a drone for commercial purposes without a permit shall result in
the confiscation of the drone and a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos
(Php50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 100,000.00)

Any violation of the general safety regulations and restrictions on drone usage
shall result in a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00)
but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00), without prejudice to
any separate civil or criminal charges that me be brought against the drone owner
and/or operator for any injury or damage resulting from the violation.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The CAAP shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act not later
than ninety (90) days from the date of effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 9. Retroactivity Act. - This Act shall have retroactive effect. All drone
owners who have not yet registered their drones or obtained permits to operate their
drones are given ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations of this Act to register and obtain permits without fear of sanction

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provision of this Act shall not be
affected by such declarations.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,
other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation
Approved,