Senate bill seeks to update construction standards

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MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo filed the other day Senate Bill 2158, also known as the “New Philippine Building Act,” which seeks to establish updated general regulations and policies governing the construction of buildings in the Philippines.

Tulfo highlighted that the measure aims to replace Presidential Decree 1096, or the current National Building Code of the Philippines, which has been in effect since 1977 and is now considered outdated in addressing modern construction and engineering standards.

Tulfo cited recent construction-related incidents as urgent reasons for the proposed legislation, including the collapse of a nine-story building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga on Sunday. Around 47 people, mostly construction workers, were inside the structure when it collapsed, and search and rescue operations are ongoing.

He also recalled another construction-related accident which was tackled in his radio program last Aug. 14, 2025, in which debris from a condominium building along Tomas Morato, Quezon City fell on two students, resulting in one fatality. Investigations revealed that the incident was caused by the building’s poor maintenance and failure to install proper safety barriers and protective equipment.

Tulfo stressed that these tragedies emphasize the need to revise and revisit the gaps that the proposed law seeks to address, including stricter and more independent structural design reviews, more stringent safety regulations in construction sites, higher accountability for contractors and stronger inspection and enforcement mechanisms before accidents occur.

The bill also introduces clear criminal liabilities for building owners, professionals, contractors, recognized certifiers, structural peer reviewers, testing laboratories and inspectors found negligent or in violation of its provisions. Penalties include imprisonment of at least six years and fines not exceeding one percent of the estimated construction cost of the project.

Tulfo urged his fellow lawmakers to prioritize and expedite the passage of the measure, emphasizing that it would provide concrete protection for construction workers and ensure accountability among contractors and other stakeholders who fail to comply with proper building standards and safety regulations.