Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____________ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ACQUISITION, 
DEPLOYMENT, AND INTEGRATION OF MILITARY-GRADE UNMANNED AERIAL 
SYSTEMS (UAS) TO STRENGTHEN THE PHILIPPINES' DEFENSE, 
SURVEILLANCE, AND DISASTER RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines faces growing challenges in defending its sovereignty, protecting its 
maritime and territorial domains, and responding effectively to natural and man-made disasters. 
The increasing frequency of incursions in the West Philippine Sea, the persistence of 
insurgencies, and the intensifying impacts of climate change highlight the urgent need for 
modernized defense and disaster response capabilities. 
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly known as military drones, are globally 
recognized as force multipliers in defense and humanitarian missions. These technologies 
provide cost-effective solutions for surveillance, intelligence gathering, precision operations, 
logistics support, and real-time disaster response. 
This proposed measure, to be known as the “National Defense Drone Act,” seeks to 
establish the Philippine Unmanned Aerial Systems Program (PUASP) under the Department of 
National Defense (DND), in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and 
the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The program will 
August 28, 2025
5:45 pm
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cover the acquisition, deployment, training, inter-agency usage, and local development of UAS 
technologies to strengthen both defense and disaster resilience. 
In addition to enhancing the AFP’s operational capacity, this measure will promote local 
innovation by supporting research and development partnerships with universities and 
encouraging private sector participation in drone manufacturing and maintenance. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____________ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ACQUISITION, 
DEPLOYMENT, AND INTEGRATION OF MILITARY-GRADE UNMANNED AERIAL 
SYSTEMS (UAS) TO STRENGTHEN THE PHILIPPINES' DEFENSE, 
SURVEILLANCE, AND DISASTER RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “National Defense Drone Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to modernize the Armed Forces of 
the Philippines (AFP) and enhance national defense and resilience by adopting advanced 
technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). These technologies shall also be utilized 
in disaster response, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and environmental protection 
missions. 
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SEC. 3. Objectives. — The program established under this Act shall aim to:​
(a) Provide a dedicated and sustainable budget for the procurement of military-grade drones;​
(b) Strengthen the surveillance, intelligence, and strike capabilities of the AFP, particularly in 
contested and remote areas;​
(c) Support border and maritime patrol operations, especially in the West Philippine Sea;​
(d) Enable real-time disaster assessment and search-and-rescue operations; and​
(e) Develop local drone manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise. 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are defined as 
follows:​
(a) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) refer to a system of components consisting of an 
autonomous control system and a remotely piloted air system of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 
(UAV);​
(b) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) refers to an aircraft, commonly known as a drone, operated 
remotely by a pilot from a distance to oversee landscapes, seascapes, or urban areas, with 
purposes ranging from surveillance, search and rescue, logistics, and environmental monitoring, 
to military operations. 
SEC. 5. Creation of the Philippine Unmanned Aerial Systems Program (PUASP). — The 
Department of National Defense (DND), in coordination with the AFP and the National Disaster 
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), shall establish the Philippine 
Unmanned Aerial Systems Program (PUASP) to oversee:​
(a) Acquisition of drones;​
(b) Deployment strategies across military branches;​
(c) Inter-agency usage protocols;​
(d) Training of drone operators and technicians; and​
(e) Data security and mission compliance. 
SEC. 6. Acquisition of Drones. — The program shall prioritize the acquisition of the following 
types of drones:​
(a) Surveillance and Reconnaissance Drones — for real-time monitoring of maritime, border, 
and insurgency-prone areas;​
(b) Combat Drones — equipped with precision-guided munitions for defense operations;​
(c) Logistics and Medevac Drones — for supply transport and emergency medical support in 
inaccessible areas; and​
(d) Disaster Response Drones — for rapid assessment, search-and-rescue, and delivery of aid 
during calamities. 
SEC. 7. Research, Development, and Local Industry Participation. — To encourage local 
innovation and reduce long-term costs, the government shall:​
(a) Support research and development (R&D) partnerships with Filipino universities and 


technology startups;​
(b) Encourage licensed local manufacturing and maintenance hubs; and​
(c) Provide tax incentives for private sector contributions to drone development under the 
Strategic Defense Technology Transfer Program. 
SEC. 8. Congressional Oversight and Reporting. — A Congressional Oversight Committee 
on Drone Defense and Technology (COCDDT) shall be created to:​
(a) Review the drone acquisition pipeline;​
(b) Ensure accountability and data privacy compliance; and​
(c) Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend updates to Congress. 
SEC. 9. Appropriations. — The amount of Ten Billion Pesos (₱10,000,000,000.00) is hereby 
appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act, to be sourced from the national budget 
and/or defense modernization fund. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DND, in coordination with relevant 
agencies, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days after 
the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
effect. 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, rules, and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List