QuestionsQuestions (VALENZUELA CITY ORDICE NO. 230 Series of 2015)
It prescribes guidelines, standards, and requirements governing the construction, use, occupancy, and operation of dormitories, boarding houses, and bed spaces in Valenzuela City, and sets penalties for violations.
It refers to any house/building/structure or portion thereof that is regularly accepted as boarders for compensation by the day, week, or month.
Class A: 21 boarders or more; Class B: 10 boarders or more but less than 20; Class C: less than 10.
They must first obtain a permit from the Mayor and a corresponding license approved by the proper city authorities.
The license sets the number of persons permitted to board/dwell; operating except in accordance with the terms and conditions of the license violates the ordinance and may lead to administrative penalties, closure/revocation, and/or criminal prosecution.
They must secure permits/licenses/clearances required by existing laws and regulations, submit a detailed signed and notarized statement on construction type, room sizes, sanitary facilities, lighting/ventilation condition, maximum accommodation, dining/kitchen sizes, and number of staff, and show compliance through duly authorized city authorities.
Class A dormitories must secure a Personal Accident Insurance covering compensation for injuries, disability, or death caused solely by violent, accidental external and visible events.
The owner must submit a sworn statement that there are separated activities and premises for male and female boarders.
By submitting a certified true copy of the registry of all boarders and a sworn statement that the owner will continue complying, subject to periodic inspection by authorized city authorities.
Class A: Php 750; Class B: Php 500; Class C: Php 350 (noting it is in addition to regulatory fees under Ordinance No. 39 s. 2011).
They must register before occupying, providing: name, address, age, school and/or place of work, parents/guardian details and contact number, and visitor log (log in-log out).
They must submit written permission from their parent or guardian to register with the particular dormitory/boarding house.
Facilities and premises for males and females must always be separated.
The National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096), the Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514), and other referral codes.
It requires fire escapes/exits with adequate width and lighting, at least two means of escape remote from each other, fire exit doors that are not locked and equipped with self-closing mechanisms and quick release latches, a fire detection and emergency alarm system independent of the general electric circuit, and maintained fire protection equipment like fire hose cabinets and fire extinguishers, plus emergency lighting and illuminated directional signs.
It requires adequate lighting (including at least 50 lux for study/reading areas) and proper electrical compliance and maintenance. It also sets bedroom height and area/air space standards, with bedroom height minimum of three (3) meters unless air-conditioned (then not less than 2.5 meters) and minimum dimensions/occupancy related standards.
Administrative penalties impose graduated monetary fines by class and may escalate to closure and revocation upon repeated offenses; administrative fines are without prejudice to criminal actions. Criminal penalties are imposed upon conviction, with fines and/or imprisonment specified per offense count.
It takes effect six (6) months after approval and due publication/notice. Existing dormitories/boarding houses/bed spaces are given a one (1) year grace period from the date of enactment to comply.