NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 252B
'(Wficp of fh ■ £■ 
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24 JAN 25 All S3
RECEIVED 8'
Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III
AN ACT
REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF 
DRONES BY PRIVATE PERSONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Over the last two decades, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles or 
“drones” has proliferated in various sectors of society. Drones are used 
for amateur photography, to increase crop production, and to conduct 
surveillance for military and law enforcement agencies.
With this ubiquity comes the need for regulation. The same 
drones that are used for recreational and commercial purposes may be 
used to violate rights, exploited by terrorists, or pose a hazard to 
aircraft.
This measure was filed by the undersigned during the last two 
Congresses to ensure public safety by regulating the ownership and 
operation of drones in the Philippines.
Once again, in the interest of safeguarding the public, the passage 
of this measure is earnestly sought.
AQUILINOJi‘KOKO” PIMENTEL III


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate BUI No. 2526
V 
of t!) • f 1 'tr'
24 JAN 25 All 53
IV, ■
Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III
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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:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State 
to regulate the ownership and operation of drones by private persons in 
order to ensure responsible use thereof and public safety.
SEC. 2. Coverage. - This Act shall regulate only drones as 
defined herein, purchased, owned, and operated by private persons, 
whether used for hobbyist or commercial purposes. The use of drones 
by the Government shall not be subject to this Act.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following 
terms shall mean:
(1) ‘Drone” shall refer to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or 
remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), or any component of an 
unmanned aerial system (UAS) or remotely piloted aircraft 
system (RPAS), that has no pilot and is controlled by an 
operator on the ground. The Civil Aviation Authority of the


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Philippines (CAAP) is authorized by this Act to classify drones 
into types for the purpose of regulation.
(2) 
“Private persons ” shall refer to natural or juridical persons not 
employed by or part of the Government.
(3) 
“Commercial drone use” is 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.
(4) 
“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 themselves and their drones with the 
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)’s Public Safety 
and Security Command Center.
Only a registered commercial drone owner may apply for a permit 
to operate, which shall be issued periodically only upon proof that the 
owner:
(1) 
Qualifies for a radio operator’s certificate of proficiency;
(2) 
Has been awarded a passing rating in an aviation license theory 
examination;
(3) 
Has completed a training course in the operation of the type of 
drone that will be operated;
(4) 
Has at least five (5) hours of experience operating drones 
outside of controlled airspace;
(5) 
Has valid insurance over the drone; and


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(6) Has not incurred any violations 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 Zones. — 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 national circulation. 
The notice must clearly delineate 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 on drone usage, the violation of which shall 
be 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 a registration number and the name, 
contact number, and address of the owner;


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(2) 
Prohibiting the use of drones as a means to violate 
constitutional rights, including the right to privacy;
(3) 
A prohibition on flying drones above four hundred (400) feet 
above ground level;
(4) 
A prohibition on flying drones near other 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, public buildings and government structures, oil 
refineries and depots, or stadiums full of people, subject to 
exceptions to be crafted by the CAAP;
(7) 
The prohibition on flying drones near emergencies, such as 
fires;
(8) 
The prohibition on any person under the influence of drugs or 
alcohol against flying drones;
(9) 
For recreational drone use, requiring an operator to keep the 
drone within the operator’s line of sight; and
(10) Other regulations as the CAAP may see fit to introduce in the 
interest of public safety, such as further restrictions on types of 
drones as classified by the CAAP.
SEC. 7. Penalties. - Failure to register a drone and its owner shall 
result in the confiscation of the drone by the CAAP.
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


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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 may 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 C AAP shall 
issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act not later than sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 9. Retroactivity Clause. - 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 three (3) months 
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 
provisions of this Act shall not be affected by such declaration.
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. Ejfectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen 
(15) days after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers 
of general circulation.
Approved,