NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1777
23 JAN 25 P6 32
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF DRONES
BY PRIVATE PERSONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Drones or Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are now revolutionizing the 
country as they are increasingly being used in different industries. These robots are 
unmanned aerial vehicles which are especially advantageous in reaching isolated areas. 
Although drones were initially created and developed for military purposes, they are now 
associated with the operations of businesses, governmental agencies, and even 
individuals for leisure. Modern drones are remarkably easy to fly and with the advances 
brought about by technology, drones have their own sensors and GPS receivers which 
are beneficial for data analytics.
However, drones can also be dangerous. Since it is now widely used for 
recreational purposes, it raises regulatory concerns in numerous countries, including the 
Philippines. These robotic devices can be viewed as space hazards and if wrongly 
operated, it can pose serious danger. In fact, there have been many instances in which 
drones and planes have come close to colliding. Hence, immediate regularization of the 
same is needed.
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This bill aims to regularize the ownership and operations of drones by private 
persons and to steer clear of the hazards brought about by misuse of drones or remotely- 
piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).
With enough safeguards to protect the rights of our cittzeoSy-ibe passage of this 
bill is earnestly sought.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
of tl)?
23 JAN 25 P 6 32
SENATE
RECEIVED BY.
S.B. No.
Introduced by; Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF DRONES
BY PRIVATE PERSONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Drone Regularization Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -It is the policy of the State to regulate the ownership
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and operation of drones by private persons in order to ensure public safety.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
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(a) Drone - shall refer to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or any component
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of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that has no pilot and 
is controlled by an
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operator on the ground. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
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is authorized by this Act to classify drones into types for the purpose of
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regulation.
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(b) Private Persons - shall refer to natural or juridical persons not employed by
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or part of the Government.


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(c) Commercial Drone Use - is any use of a drone in connection with a business
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or profession for the sake of profit, whether the profit is the primary purpose
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of the drone use or merely an incidental result.
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(d) Hobbyist Drone Use - the use of drones for recreational purposes where no
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profit is made from the use of drones.
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Sec. 4. Registration and Permit to Operate. - All drone owners, whether the drones
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are for hobbyist or commercial use, are hereby required to periodically register their
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drones with the CAAPs Pubiic Safety and Security Command Center.
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Oniy a registered commercial drone owner may apply for a permit to operate, which shail
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be issued periodically upon proof that the owner;
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a. Qualifies for a radio operator's certificate of proficiency;
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b. Has been awarded a passing rating in an aviation license theory examination;
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c. Has compieted a training course in the operation of the type of drone that will be
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operated;
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d. Has at least five (5) horse of experience operating drones outside of controiled
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airspace;
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e. Has valid insurance over the drone; and,
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f. Has not incurred any violation for drone ownership or use in the five (5) years
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immediately preceding an appiication for permit.
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The operator's permit to operate shaii cover all registered drones of the same type.
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The Authority is hereby authorized to collect reasonable fees for the registration of drones
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and processing of permits to operate the drones.
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Sec. 5. Establishment of No-Drone Zone. - The CAAP is hereby authorized to
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prohibit the use of drones, whether hobbyist or commerciai or both, in any part of the
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Phiiippines, whether permanentiy or for a designated period of time, subject to notice
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that must be published in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
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The notice must cleariy state the no-drone zone and must be published at least
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three (3) weeks prior to the effectivity of the prohibition. Notice can oniy be foregone in
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emergency situations, as determined by the CAAP.


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This power is without prejudice to the power of other government agencies to
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regulate airspace, particularly in emergency situations that may require the establishment
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of no-fly zones.
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Sec. 6. General Safety Regulations and Restrictions on Drone Usage. - The CAAP
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shall periodically update and publish safety regulations and restrictions of drone usage,
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the violation of which shall be the basis for revocation of the permit to operate and
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confiscation of the drone, without prejudice to the penalties provided in this Act and any
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civil or criminal suits that may be filed as a result of the violation. These safety regulations
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and restrictions shall include:
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1. Requiring all drones, whether for hobbyist or commercial use, to be clearly marked
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with the name, contact number, and address of the owner;
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2. Prohibiting the use of drones as means to violate constitutional rights, including
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the right to privacy;
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3. A prohibition on flying drones above four hundred (400) feet;
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4. A prohibition on flying drones near aircraft, particularly near airports;
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5. Allowing drone operation only during daylight hours and in good weather, subject
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to exceptions to be crafted by the CAAP;
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6. The prohibition on flying drones over groups of people, public events, or stadiums
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full of people, subject to exceptions to be crafted by CAAP;
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7. The prohibition on flying drones near emergencies, such as fires;
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8. The prohibition on flying drones under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
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9. For recreational drone use, requiring an operator to keep the drone within the
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operator's line of sight; and
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10. Other regulations as the CAAP may see fit to introduce in the interest of public
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safety, such as further restriction on types of drones as classified by the CAAP.
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Sec 7. Penalties. - Faiiure to register a drone shall result in the confiscation of the
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drone. Operating a drone for commerciai purposes without a permit shall result in the
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confiscation of the drone and a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00)
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but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP100,000.00).


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Any violation of the general safety regulations and restrictions on drone usage
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shall result in a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Phpl00,000.00) but
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not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhPSOO,000.00), without prejudice to any
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separate civil or criminal charges that me be brought against the drone owner and/or
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operator for any injury or damage resulting from the violation.
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Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The CAAP shall issue the necessary
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rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act not later than ninety
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(90) days from the date of effectivity of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Retroactivity Act. - This Act shall have retroactive effect. All drone owners
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who have not yet registered their drones or obtained permits to operate their drones are
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given ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of
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this Act to register and obtain permits without fear of sanction.
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Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provision of this Act shall not be
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affected by such declarations.
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Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other
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issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
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or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,