EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
s. No. 
R42
'19 JUL22 P1 *48
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
R E C E l - : ^  
- 
.
AN ACT
REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF DRONES BY PRIVATE 
PERSONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Over the recent years, there has been an increase use of unmanned aerial 
vehicles or drones given its modern technology. Drones have become central to the 
functions of various businesses and even hobbyists in private households. However, it 
has been difficult to regulate these unmanned aerial vehicles, because of the 
challenges it presents especially in the Philippines. Safety, security, privacy and public 
nuisance are just a few.
Nowadays, thousands of drones are already in operation deployed by the 
media, private citizens, sports enthusiasts, farmers, professional videographers and 
even government agencies. However true that it can be put to good use through 
recreational and commercial purposes, it may also violate rights of the people, become 
a hazard to aircraft, utilized by terrorists and illegally invade privacy. Drones may fly 
in restricted areas and over people without consent.
Although the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) already provides 
a video in its website regarding the rules and regulations on drones, this is simply not 
enough due to the rapid growth use in our society. The drones must be operated


safely to avoid harming the public, national security and must also protect areas of 
importance in the country.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is highly requested.
RAMOrTBONG REVILLA, JR.
y


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
I ■; I 
'-U .- m
of tijr & rr.fta ri>
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
RECti-i.vb 
.
AN ACT
REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF DRONES BY PRIVATE 
PERSONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to regulate the
2 
ownership and operation of drones by private persons in order to ensure public
3 
safety.
4 
Sec. 2. Coverage. -  This Act shall regulate only drones as defined herein,
5 
purchased, owned and operated by private persons, whether used for hobbyist or
6 
commercial purposes. The use of drones by the Government shall not be subject to
7 
this Act.
8 
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Act, the following terms shall
9 
mean:
10 
1. Drone -  shall refer to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or any component of
11 
an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that has no pilot and is controlled by an
12 
operator on the ground. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
13 
is authorized by this Act to classify drones into types for the purpose of
14 
regulation.
15 
2. Private Persons -  shall refer to natural or juridical persons not employed by or
16 
part of the Government.


1 
3. Commercial Drone Use -  is any use of a drone in connection with a business
2 
or profession for the sake of profit, whether the profit is the primary purpose
3 
of the drone use or merely an incidental result.
4 
4. Hobbyist Drone Use -  the use of drones for recreational purposes where no
5 
profit is made from the use of drones.
6 
Sec. 4. Registration and Permit to Operate. -  All drone owners, whether the
7 
drones are for hobbyist or commercial use, are hereby required to periodically
8 
register their drones with the CAAPs Public Safety and Security Command Center.
9 
Only a registered commercial drone owner may apply for a permit to operate,
10 
which shall be issued periodically upon proof that the owner:
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a. Qualifies for a radio operator's certificate of proficiency;
12 
b. Has been awarded a passing rating in an aviation license theory examination;
13 
c. Has completed a training course in the operation of the type of drone that will
14 
be operated;
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d. Has at least five (5) hours of experience operating drones outside of
16 
controlled airspace;
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e. Has valid insurance over the drone; and,
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f. Has not incurred any violations for drone ownership or use in the five (5)
19 
years immediately preceding an application for permit.
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The operator's permit to operate shall cover all registered drones of the same
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type.
22 
The Authority is hereby authorized to collect reasonable fees for the
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registration of drones and processing of permits to operate the drones.
24 
Sec. 5. Establishment o f No-Drone Zones. -  The CAAP is hereby authorized to
25 
prohibit the use of drones, whether hobbyist or commercial or both, in any part of
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the Philippines, whether permanently or for a designated period of time, subject to
27 
notice that must be published in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
28 
The notice must clearly state the no-drone zone and must be published at
29 
least three (3) weeks prior to the effectivity of the prohibition. Notice can only be
30 
foregone in emergency situations, as determined by the CAAP.
31


1 
This power is without prejudice to the power of other government agencies to
2 
regulate airspace, particularly in emergency situations that may require the
3 
establishment of no-fly zones.
4 
Sec. 6. Genera! Safety Regulations and Restrictions on Drone Usage. -  The
5 
CAAP shall periodically update and publish safety regulations and restrictions of
6 
drone usage, the violation of which shall be the basis for revocation of the permit to
7 
operate and confiscation of the drone, without prejudice to the penalties provided in
8 
this Act and any civil or criminal suits that may be filed as a result of the violation.
9 
These safety regulations and restrictions shall include:
10 
1. Requiring all drones, whether for hobbyist or commercial use, to be clearly
11 
marked with the name, contact number, and address of the owner;
12 
2. Prohibiting the use of drones as a means to violate constitutional rights,
13 
including the right to privacy;
14 
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,
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subject 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
19 
stadiums full of people, subject to exceptions to be crafted by the CAAP;
20 
7. The prohibition on flying drones near emergencies, such as fires;
21 
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
23 
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
25 
public safety, such as further restriction on types of drones as classified by
26 
the CAAP.
27 
Sec. 7. Penalties. - Failure to register a drone shall result in the confiscation of
28 
the drone.
29 
Operating a drone for commercial purposes without a permit shall result in
30 
the confiscation of the drone and a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos
31 
(PhPSO,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP100,000.00).
32


1 
Any violation of the general safety regulations and restrictions on drone usage
2 
shall result in a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP100,000.00)
3 
but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhPSOO,000.00), without
4 
prejudice to any separate civil or criminal charges that may be brought against the
5 
drone owner and/or operator for any injury or damage resulting from the violation.
6 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The CAAP shall issue the
7 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act not later
8 
than ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
9 
Sec. 9. Retroactivity Clause. -  This Act shall have retroactive effect. All drone
10 
owners who have not yet registered their drones or obtained permits to operate
11 
their drones are given ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Implementing
12 
Rules and Regulations of this Act to register and obtain permits without fear of
13 
sanction.
14 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is
15 
declared void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions of this Act
16 
shall not be affected by such declaration.
17 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,
18 
other issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
19 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
20 
Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
21 
its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
22
23 
Approved,