THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 2628 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to provide for disclosure of fire safety standards and measures with respect 
to campus buildings of higher learning by calling upon colleges and universities to report 
information on the level of fire safety on their campuses to the Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED) and to the public 
This legislation will help parents to identify schools that set a strong emphasis on fire 
safety. When selecting a school, students and parents must also consider the school's track 
record when it comes to fire safety. The Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act will provide 
them with the vital information they need to make an informed decision. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. :z 6 2 8 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR DISCLOSURE OF FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS AND MEASURES 
WI’1‘1.1 RESPECT TO CAMPUS BUIIDTNGS. 
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 “Campus Fire Safety Right-to- 
Know Act of 2007”. 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - The following terms as used in this Act shall be 
defined as follows: 
(1) “Chairman” refers to the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education; 
(2) “CHED’ refers to Commission on Higher Education. 
SECTION 3. Disclosure of Fire Safety of Campus Buildings. - 
(1) Fire Safety Reports Required - Each eligible institution participating in any program 
under this title shall, beginning in academic year 2008-2009, and each year thereafter, prepare, 
publish, and distribute, through appropriate publications or mailings, to all current students and 
employees, and to any applicant for enrollment or employment upon request, an annual fire 
safety report containing at least the following information with respect to the campus fire safety 
practices and standards of that institution: 
(a) A statement that identifies each student housing facility of the institution, and 
whether or not that facility is equipped with a fire sprinkler system or other fire safety 
systems, or both. 


(b) Statistics concerning the occurrence on campus, during the 2 preceding 
calendar years for which data are available, of fires and false fire alarms in student 
housing facilities. 
(c) For each such occurrence, a statement of the human injuries or deaths and the 
structural damage caused by the occurrence. 
(d) Information regarding fire alarms, smoke alarms, the presence of adequate fire 
escape planning or protocols, rules on portable electrical appliances, smoking and open 
flames (such as candles), regular mandatory supervised fire drills, and planned and future 
improvement in fire safety. 
(2) Rule of Construction - Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the 
Chairman to require particular policies, procedures, or practices by institutions of higher 
education with respect to fire safety . 
(3) Reports - Each institution participating in any program under this title shall make 
periodic reports to the campus community on fires and false fire alarms that are reported to local 
fire departments in a manner that will aid the prevention of similar occurrences. 
(4) Reports to the Chairman - On an annual basis, each institution participating in any 
program under this title shall submit to the Secretary a copy of the statistics required to be made 
available under paragraph (l)(B). The Chairman shall: 
(a) review such statistics; 
(b) make copies of the statistics submitted to the Chairman available to the public; and 
(c) in coordination with representatives of institutions of higher education, identify 
exemplary fire safety policies, procedures, and practices and disseminate information concerning 
those policies, procedures, and practices that have proven effective in the reduction of campus 
fires. 
SECTION 4. Report to Congress by the Chairman of CHED. - Within one (1) year after 
the effectivity of this Act, the Chairman shall prepare and submit to the Congress a report 
containing-- 


(1) an analysis of the current status of fire safety systems in college and university 
facilities, including sprinkler systems; 
(2) an analysis of the appropriate fire safety standards to apply to these facilities, which 
the Chairman shall prepare after consultation with such fire safety experts, representatives of 
institutions of higher education, and other government agencies as the Chairman, considers 
appropriate; 
(3) an estimate of the cost of bringing all nonconforming dormitories and other campus 
buildings up to current new building codes; and 
(4) recommendations from the Chairman concerning the best means of meeting fire 
safety standards in all college facilities, including recommendations for methods to fund such 
cost. 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
FLDP/1/6/07