Drone Regulation Act

Senate Office of the Sucharp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 NOV 24 A10 :26 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1553 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF DRONES BY PRIVATE PERSONS EXPLANATORY NOTE Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have become increasingly accessible to private individuals and entities nationwide. Its use has expanded beyond recreational activities to commercial applications such as photography, agriculture, surveying, logistics, and disaster response. While it offers a wide range of opportunities for innovation and efficiency, the growing presence of drones in public and private spaces poses serious challenges to public safety, privacy, and aviation security. This bill seeks to provide a clear legal framework to regulate the ownership and operation of drones by private persons, whether for hobbyist or commercial purposes. Among the key provisions are: 1. Mandatory registration of drones and drone owners with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP); 2. Permit requirements for commercial drone operators, including minimum qualifications, training, and insurance coverage;

3. The authority of CAAP to establish No-Drone Zones; 4. General safety regulations and operational restrictions, including altitude limits, hours of operations, and prohibition on flying drones near other aircraft, near airport, over groups of people, public events, public buildings and government structures, oil refineries and depots, or stadiums; 5. Clear penalties for violations, including fines and confiscation of drones for unregistered ownership, illegal operations, or breach of safety rules; and 6. A retroactivity clause that provides current drone owners a grace period to comply with the law upon the issuance of implementing rules and regulations. The proposed measure focuses on balancing the benefits of private drone use with the necessary safeguards to protect the public from risks arising from unregulated and unsafe drone activity. In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is earnestly sought. ERWIN T. TULFO

Sante TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the sectriary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session NOV 24 A10:26 RECEIVED BY SENATE Senate Bill No. 1553 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT REGULATING THE OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF DRONES BY PRIVATE PERSONS 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

"Drone Regulation Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to

regulate the ownership and operation of drones by private persons in order to ensure responsible use thereof and public safety.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall regulate only drones as

defined herein, purchased, owned, and operated by private persons, whether used for hobbyist or commercial purposes. The use of drones by the Government shall not be subject to this Act.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following

terms shall mean: a) Drone refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), or any component of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) or remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS), that has no pilot and is

controlled by an operator on the ground. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is authorized by this Act to classify drones into types for the purpose of regulation; b) Private Persons refer to natural or juridical persons not employed by or part of the Government; c) Commercial Drone Use refers to any use of a drone in connection with a business or profession for the sake of profit, whether the profit is the primary purpose of the drone use or merely an incidental result; and d) Hobbyist Drone Use refers to the use of drones for recreational purposes where no profit is made from the use of drones.

SEC. 5. Registration and Permit to Operate. - All drone owners

whether the drones are for hobbyist or commercial use, are hereby required to periodically register themselves and their drones with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)'s Public Safety and Security Command Center. Only a registered commercial drone owner may apply for a permit to operate, which shall be issued periodically only upon proof that the owner: a) Qualifies for a radio operator's certificate of proficiency; b) Has been awarded a passing rating in an aviation license theory examination; c) Has completed a training course in the operation of the type of drone that will be operated; d) Has at least five (5) hours of experience operating drones outside of controlled airspace;

e) Has valid insurance over the drone; and f) Has not incurred any violations for drone ownership or use in the five (5) years immediately preceding an application for permit. The operator's permit to operate shall cover all registered drones of the same type. The CAAP is hereby authorized to collect reasonable fees for the registration of drones and processing of permits to operate the drones.

SEC. 6. Establishment of No-Drone Zones. - The CAAP is

hereby authorized to prohibit the use of drones, whether hobbyist or commercial or both, in any part of the Philippines, whether permanently or for a designated period of time, subject to notice that must be published in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. The notice must clearly delineate the no-drone zone and must be published at least three (3) weeks prior to the effectivity of the prohibition. Notice can only be foregone in emergency situations, as determined by the CAAP. This power is without prejudice to the power of other government agencies to regulate airspace, particularly in emergency situations that may require the establishment of no-fly zones.

SEC. 7. General Safety Regulations and Restrictions on Drone

Usage. - The CAAP shall periodically update and publish safety regulations and restrictions on drone usage, the violation of which shall be basis for revocation of the permit to operate and confiscation of the drone, without prejudice to the penalties provided in this Act and any civil or criminal suits that may be filed as a result of the violation. These safety regulations and restrictions shall include: a) Requiring all drones, whether for hobbyist or commercial use, to be clearly marked with a registration

number and the name, contact number, and address of the owner; b) Prohibiting the use of drones as a means to violate constitutional rights, including the right to privacy; c) A prohibition on flying drones above four hundred (400) feet above ground level; d) A prohibition on flying drones near other aircraft, particularly near airports; e) Allowing drone operation only during daylight hours and in good weather, subject to exceptions to be crafted by the CAAP; f) The prohibition on flying drones over groups of people, public events, public buildings and government structures, oil refineries and depots, or stadiums full of people, subject to exceptions to be crafted by the CAAP; g) The prohibition on flying drones near emergencies, such as fires; h) The prohibition on any person under the influence of drugs or alcohol against flying drones; i) For recreational drone use, requiring an operator to keep the drone within the operator's line of sight; and j) Other regulations as the CAAP may see fit to introduce in the interest of public safety, such as further restrictions on types of drones as classified by the CAAP.

SEC. 8. Penalties. - Failure to register a drone and its owner shall

result in the confiscation of the drone by the CAAP.

Operating a drone for commercial purposes without a permit shall result in the confiscation of the drone and a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00). Any violation of the general safety regulations and restrictions on drone usage shall result in a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), without prejudice to any separate civil or criminal charges that may be brought against the drone owner and/or operator for any injury or damage resulting from the violation.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - The CAAP shall

issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act not later than sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. Retroactivity Clause. - This Act shall have retroactive

effect. All drone owners who have not yet registered their drones or obtained permits to operate their drones are given three (3) months from the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act to register and obtain permits without fear of sanction.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act

or part hereof be declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,

issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,