Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2478

INTRODUCED BY: HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

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 in making a decision

Mevibis

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO
Representative, 1* District
City of Marikina



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2478

INTRODUCED BY: HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE FOR DISCLOSURE OF FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS AND MEASURES
WITH RESPECT TO CAMPUS BUILDINGS

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 2010"

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 the 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 2011-2012, 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 iidentifies 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
preceeding calendar years for which data are available, of fires and false fire
alarms in student housing facilities.

(c) For each such occurfence, 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
apppliances, 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 insttution 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 (1) (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 dissemination
information conceming 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 non-forming 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 rpovision or part hereof is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, proclamations and/or admnistrative regulations which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed
accordingly

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved.