QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1096)
To safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, consistent with sound environmental management; to provide minimum standards regulating the location, site, design quality of materials, construction, use/occupancy, and maintenance of buildings and structures.
It applies to design, location, siting, construction, alteration, repair, conversion, use, occupancy, maintenance, moving, demolition, and addition to public and private buildings/structures, except traditional indigenous family dwellings. Pre-Code buildings are not affected unless alterations/additions/conversions/repairs are made, in which case the Code applies only to the portions affected.
Buildings and accessory facilities must conform to safe construction principles and be suited to their intended purpose; industrial/manufacturing buildings must observe adequate environmental safeguards; and buildings/facilities must be maintained in safe, sanitary, and good working condition.
Sites must be sanitary, hygienic, and safe. For human habitation: at a safe distance from streams/bodies of water and/or polluted air sources; from a volcano/volcanic site; and from any other building considered a potential source of fire or explosion (as determined by competent authorities).
The Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (referred to as the “Secretary”).
To formulate policies, plans, standards, and guidelines; issue rules and regulations; evaluate/review/approve changes to referral codes or incorporate other referral codes; and prescribe/fix the fees that the Building Official shall collect.
Filipino citizen of good moral character; duly registered architect or civil engineer; member of a duly accredited professional organization for at least two years; and at least five years of diversified professional experience in building design and construction.
He may enter the building for inspection at reasonable times; order the work stopped and prescribe terms/conditions for resumption; and order discontinuance of occupancy/use of any building or portion occupied/used contrary to the Code.
Building Officials keep permanent records; may retain up to 20% for operating expenses; the remaining 80% is deposited with the provincial/city/municipal treasurer and accrues to the General Fund.
Yes, exempt from payment of building permit fees. “Additional indigenous family dwelling” is intended only for the owner’s family, constructed of native materials (bamboo, nipa, logs, or lumber), with total cost not exceeding Php 15,000.
No. Issuance is not construed as approval/authorization to disregard or violate Code provisions. If plans later found defective, the Building Official may require corrections or stop violated building operations.
If work is not commenced within one (1) year from permit date; or if work is suspended or abandoned after commencement for a period of 120 days.
Applicant/permittee may file an appeal within 15 days from receipt of notice. The Secretary must decide within 15 days from receipt of appeal. The Secretary’s decision is final, subject only to review by the Office of the President.
Owner must engage a duly licensed architect or civil engineer for full-time inspection/supervision. A logbook must be kept at the jobsite, and upon completion the licensed professional submits the signed/sealed logbook and a Certificate of Completion stating conformity with the Code and approved plans/specs.
No building shall be used/occupied until the Building Official issues a Certificate of Occupancy. It shall be issued within 30 days if the building complies after final inspection and submission of the Certificate of Completion.
Buildings are classified by construction materials and fire-resistive characteristics. Type IV: steel/iron/concrete/masonry; walls/ceiling/permanent partitions are incombustible fire-resistive except non-bearing partitions may use one-hour fire-resistive with fire-retardant treated wood in framing. Type V: fire-resistive with structural elements of steel/iron/concrete/masonry and incombustible fire-resistive walls/ceilings/permanent partitions.
No change placing a building in a different sub-type/type is allowed unless the building is made to comply with requirements for that new type; except if the Building Official approves showing the new construction is less hazardous based on life and fire risk than the existing construction.
The whole building is subject to the most restrictive requirement pertaining to any occupancy found in it, except certain cases for one-storey mixed occupancies where each portion must conform to its specific occupancy requirements, and certain minor accessory uses not exceeding 10% area.
Every building must be designed/constructed/equipped to provide adequate light and ventilation, subject to Civil Code rules. Buildings must face a street or public alley or approved private street. Alterations cannot reduce room size or window area below Code requirements, and enlargements cannot reduce required courts/yards below Code.