Senator Raffy Tulfo filed Senate Bill No. 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 No. 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or the current “National Building Code of the Philippines,” which has been in effect since 1977 and is now considered outdated in addressing modern construction and engineering standards.
“The National Building Code of the Philippines, which has been in effect since 1977, is now considered outdated in addressing modern construction and engineering standards.”
The legislator 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 May 24. Around 47 individuals, mostly construction workers, were inside the structure when it collapsed.
The lawmaker also recalled another construction-related accident which was tackled in his radio program last August 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.
“These tragedies emphasize the need to revise and revisit the gaps that the proposed law seeks to address.”
The senator 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 even 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.
