SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.NO. 
2902 
Introduced by Sen, Antonio "Son."y"F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
'15 
AUG 18 AlO :05 
TO EXPEDITE AND STREAMLINE THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SECURING 
BUILDING PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6541, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 654]1 otherwise knm'll as the National Building Code of the Philippines provides for 
all buildings and structures a framework of minimum standards and requirements by guiding, regulating, 
and controlling their location, siting, design, quality of llIIIterials, construction, use, occupancy, and 
maintenance, including their environment, utilities, fixtures, equipment, and mechanical electrical, and 
other systems and installations. 111is is in fulfillment of the State's duty and responsibility to identify and 
oversee the methods andior requirements for the safe construction of all buildings and structures in the 
country. 
A building permit is one basic requirement before one can start with the construction of a building or 
structure whether fur residential, commercial or industrial use. 
On the other hand, a certificate of 
occupancy is a certification issued after construction and inspection of the building andi or structure, to 
attest to the fact that the same is built iu accordance with approved standards and the same is ready and 
safe for occupancy already. It is well-known fact that perennial problems in the tedious and burdensome 
process of securing building permits as wen as certificates of occupancy have inevitably brought about 
undue delays and has fostered and allowed corruption to persist 
In order to rectify this unfortunate situation, this measure seeks to amend the existing national building 
code to make the process of securing building permits and certificates of occupancy more efficient and 
more predictable by putting in place stricter provisions on the time frame for processing and approval 
thereof and amending the appeals process as well as the imposition of penalties on erring officials. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
f 
I ' 
A T NIO" ONNY" F TRItlLANES IV 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Sessiou 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
2902 
Introduced by Sen. Antonio "SOIlIty" F. TriIlanes IV 
AN ACT 
"15 
AUG 18 AlO:OS 
TO EXPEDITE AND STREAMLINE THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SECURING 
BUILDING PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6541, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Amending Section 1.02.03 (d) ofRA No. 6541. -
SEC. 1.02.03 (d) of 
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Republic Act No. 6541, otherwise known as the National Building Code of the Philippines, is 
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hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"(d) The applicant for a building permit for private buildings or structures after having 
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complied with all the requirements prescribed therefor in accordance with the provisions 
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of this Code, shall be issued a building permit within fifteen (15) days from the date of 
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payment of the permit fee for Groups A and J Occupancies and within thirty (30) days 
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from the date of payment of the permit fee for other Group Occupancies[,]. IF THE 
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SAME IS NOT ACTED UPON BY THE APPROVING OFFICER WITHIN THE 
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PRESCRIBED PERIOD, IT IS SHALL BE PRESUMED THAT THE BUILDING 
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PERMIT IS APPROVED, unless the Building Official or his Deputy authorized to 
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issue the permit shall inform the applicant in writing why the permit should not be issued, 
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and shall indicate thereon the particular provisions of the Code violated by the applicant 
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or the particular requirements not complied with. Within fifteen (IS) days from the date 
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of receipt by the applicant of advice from the Building Official or his Deputy authorized 
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to issue the permit why the building permit should not be issued, or why the building 
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permit is suspended or revoked, the applicant may appeal the non-issuance, suspension, 
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or revocation thereot; to the [Mayor of the chartered city or municipality, or the Governor 
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of the province) LEGAL DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC 
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WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH) [where the building or structure for which the 
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WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH) [where the building or structure for which the 
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permit is being applied for is located). Said appeal shall be decided within fifteen (I 5) 
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days fi'om receipt thereot: otherwise, the applicant may bring the matter to the proper 
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Court ofJustice for final disposition." 
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SECTION 2. Amending Section 1.0205 (b) Iff RA No. 6541. -
SEC. 1.02.05 (b) of 
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Republic Act No. 6541, otherwise known as the National Building Code of the Philippines, is 
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hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"(b) Certificates of Occupancy. The proper Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued to the 
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applicant within seven (7) days from completion of the requirements for inspection and 
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occupancy and payment of any and all fees therefor[,]. IF THE SAME IS NOT ACTED 
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UPON BY THE APPROVING OFFICER WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD, 
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IT SHALL BE PRESUMED THAT THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS 
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APPROVED, unless the [h]Building Official or his Deputy issuing the Certificate shall 
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show cause in writing why the Certificate should not be issued and shall indicate thereon 
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the particular provisions of the Code violated or the particular requirements not complied 
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with. Within fifteen (15) days from receipt by the applicant of the advice from Building 
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Official or his Deputy authorized to issue the certificate why the certificate should not be 
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issued, or why the certificate is suspended or revoked, the applicant may appeal the non-
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issuance, suspension, or revocation thereof, to the [Mayor of the chartered city or 
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municipality, or the Governor of the province] LEGAL DIVISION OF THE 
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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH) [where the 
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building for which the certificate is being applied for is located]. Said appeal shall be 
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decided within fifteen (1S) days from receipts thereof, otherwise, the applicant may bring 
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the matter to the proper Court of Justice for final disposition. The building may be occupied 
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only upon issuance ofthe Certificate of Occupancy," 
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SECTION 3. Pellalties - The Building Official and/or his Deputy who commit acts in 
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violation of Republic Act No. 6541, otherwise the National Building Code of the Philippines, as 
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amended, as well as in cases of frivolous, fulse and/or malicious findings leading to delay and/or 
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disapproval of applications for building permit and/or certificate of occupancy shall face 
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prosecution under the Revised Penal Code and/or any local ordinance, as well as civil action 
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under our civil laws and administrative disciplinary action under the Revised Administrative 
35 
Code and/or the Civil Service Law and Rules. 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
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invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force 
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and effect. 
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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause - All laws, executive orders and other administrative 
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issuances and parts thereo( which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 6. Effectivity Clallse - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
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its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in 
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the Philippines. 
Approved, 
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