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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5607

INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The West Valley Fault (WVF) is an active fault in the Greater Metro Manila Area
(GMMA). It is about 100 kilometers long and transects portions of the GMMA and its
neighboring provinces. This fault can generate a 7.2-magnitude earthquake with
intensity VIII on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale and may result to ground
rupture that may be destructive to buildings and structures built directly above the
active fault.

‘The WVF moves roughly every 400 years. The last big earthquake took place in
the year 1658 or 357 years ago. While the exact timing cannot be predicted, the
PHIVOLCS, already issued a warning that the WVF is ripe for movement.

According to PHIVOLCS, the strict compliance to the provisions set forth by the
Presidential Decree No. 1096, otherwise known as the National Building Code, is enough
to make structures resilient from ground shaking up to Intensity VIII.

This bill seeks to strengthen the Building Code and mandate a comprehensive
nationwide inspection of buildings. It also aims to impose stiffer penalties against
building officials who violated pertinent provisions of the Code. This will surely avoid
the false issuance of building permits, clearances, certificates or certifications, and
thereby ensuring the safety of the Filipino citizens should the Big One happen.

In line of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is urged.

LFRED VARGAS



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5607,

INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1096, THE NATIONAL BUILDING
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED, BY MANDATING A COMPREHENSIVE
NATIONWIDE INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS AND IMPOSING STIFF PENALTIES
AGAINST BUILDING OFFICIALS WHO VIOLATE THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF
THE SAID CODE

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Inspection and Clearance. - The Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC) and all leagues of Local Government Units, shall within three (3) years from
the effectivity of this Act, initiate and conduct a comprehensive inspection of all
buildings nationwide, and consequently cause the issuance by the Building Officials
concerned the corresponding Certificate of Inspection and Clearance stating, among
others, that the building so inspected conforms with the provisions of Presidential
Decree (PD) No. 1096, as amended.

SEC. 2. Reportorial Requirement. - The result of the comprehensive inspection
under Section 1 hereof shall be contained in a report to be submitted to the Office of the
President and Congress within sixty (60) days from the date of completion of said
inspection with recommendations on how to improve and strengthen further PD No.
1096, as amended.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DPWH, the NDRRMC and
the DILG shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. Penalty. - Buildings Officials, as defined under PD 1096, as amended,
who shall falsely issue building permits, clearances, certificates or certifications relative
to their functions as such shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua, absolute
perpetual disqualification to hold office and permanent revocation of professional
license.


False issuance shall mean any forms or misrepresentation, deceit, machination or
fraud in the inspection of buildings and issuance of permits, clearances, certificates or
certifications pursuant to PD 1096, as amended, of this Act.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations and/or administrative regulations which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed
accordingly.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed, however, as repealing or amending the
current standards set forth under PD No. 1096, as amended.

SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its

publication in the Official Gazette or at least three (3) newspapers of national
circulation.

Approved,