Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1891

INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The West Valley Fault (WVF) is an active fault in the Greater Metro Manila Area
(GMMA). It is about 100 kilometers long and transects portions of the GMMA and its
neighboring provinces. This fault can generate a 7.2-magnitude earthquake with intensity
VIII on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale and may result to ground rupture that
may be destructive to buildings and structures built directly above the active fault.

‘The WVF moves roughly every 400 years. The last big earthquake took place in the
year 1658 or 357 years ago. While the exact timing cannot be predicted, the PHIVOLCS,
already issued a warning that the WVF is ripe for movement.

According to PHIVOLCS, the strict compliance to the provisions set forth by the
Presidential Decree No. 1096, otherwise known as the National Building Code, is enough
to make structures resilient from ground shaking up to Intensity VIII.

This bill seeks to strengthen the Building Code and mandate a comprehensive
nationwide inspection of buildings. Italso aims to impose stiffer penalties against building
officials who violated pertinent provisions of the Code. This will surely avoid the false
issuance of building permits, clearances, certificates or certifications, and thereby
ensuring the safety of the Filipino citizens should the Big One happen.

In line of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is urged.

ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
1891

HOUSE BILLNO.

INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1096, THE NATIONAL BUILDING
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED, BY MANDATING A COMPREHENSIVE
NATIONWIDE INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS AND IMPOSING STIFF PENALTIES
AGAINST BUILDING OFFICIALS WHO VIOLATE THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF THE
SAID CODE

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

SECTION 1. Inspection and Clearance. - The Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC) and all leagues of Local Government Units, shall within three (3) years from
the effectivity of this Act, initiate and conduct a comprehensive inspection of all buildings
nationwide, and consequently cause the issuance by the Building Officials concerned the
corresponding Certificate of Inspection and Clearance stating, among others, that the
building so inspected conforms with the provisions of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1096,
as amended.

SEC. 2. Reportorial Requirement. - The result of the comprehensive inspection
under Section 1 hereof shall be contained in a report to be submitted to the Office of the
President and Congress within sixty (60) days from the date of completion of said
inspection with recommendations on how to improve and strengthen further PD No.
1096, as amended.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DPWH, the NDRRMC and the
DILG shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act

SEC, 4. Penalty. ~ Buildings Officials, as defined under PD 1096, as amended, who
shall falsely issue building permits, clearances, certificates or certifications relative to
their functions as such shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua, absolute perpetual
disqualification to hold office and permanent revocation of professional license.


False issuance shall mean any forms or misrepresentation, deceit, machination or
fraud in the inspection of buildings and issuance of permits, clearances, certificates or
certifications pursuant to PD 1096, as amended, of this Act.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations and/or administrative regulations which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed, however, as repealing or amending the
current standards set forth under PD No. 1096, as amended

SEC. 6, Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or at least three (3) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved