Mindanao lawmaker appeals to Senate: Pass PH Building Act

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate should act quickly on the proposed new building law as the measure could have mitigated the effects of the recent earthquake in Mindanao, which left significant damage to buildings like schools, churches, and other establishments, Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. said.

Momo — for the nth time — reiterated on Wednesday the need for the new Philippine Building Act as it would have placed new standards in terms of building construction, making structures more resilient to natural calamities.

Several buildings in Central Mindanao and Davao Region either collapsed or were deemed unfit after a Magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck waters off Sarangani province last Monday.  In General Santos City, the elementary school building of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University collapsed, while a fast food outlet and a supermarket in the same area was also toppled.

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“Time is of the essence. With the devastation left by the Sarangani earthquake, I have high hopes that our Senate counterpart will act with dispatch in passing this law to ensure such tragedy would not happen again,” Momo said, noting that House Bill (HB) No. 6615 has been approved by the House of Representatives, and was transmitted to the Senate last December 2025.

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“The sense of urgency to pass the new Philippine Building Act is never more felt than now, so that never again will Filipinos have to dig through the rubble to find the cost of inaction” he added.

LOOK: Damaged structures across Mindanao after magnitude 7.8 quake

According to Momo, the Philippine Building Act is important because it ensures that structures are equipped to withstand possible damage, especially since earthquakes cannot be predicted.

“Oftentimes, we never know when the next earthquake will strike.  It would be to the Filipino people’s advantage if we are prepared to withstand its impact,” Momo said.

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“I am from Mindanao and my province was even among the areas affected by the earthquake. It pains me to see some of my fellow Mindanaoans, especially children, terrified by the tremors and by the destruction. The government must do all it can to make its people feel safe,” he added.

Last December 11, 2025, the House approved on third and final reading HB No. 6615 with 280 lawmakers voting in favor of the measure and none of those present opposing or abstaining.

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READ: Key infra bills’ passage to bolster critical sectors, says Momo

The proposed Philippine Building Act, as contained in HB No. 6615, seeks to replace the country’s the 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP), updating the standards regarding the “planning, design, construction, occupancy, maintenance, and demolition of buildings” and even streamline the process of securing building permits.

If enacted, the new Philippine Building Act would classify buildings through several criteria — according to use or occupancy, which has 12 categories, each serving a specific purpose and each with a different set of standards.

There are also several classifications regarding the permitting process.

In addition, the consolidated version of the bill would create a new system of classification of buildings and new requirements for zoning, fire prevention, environment protection, and design.

For example, Section 20 of HB No. 6615 states that “all buildings and structures shall be designed to be structurally adequate in strength and stability against anticipated combinations of loads and effects so as to safeguard people and property from physical harm or damage.”

Section 31 and 32 of the bill, meanwhile, mandates that all buildings and structures should be constructed without causing harm or injury to construction workers, the public, and other public and private properties adjacent, above or below the ground, of the site.

READ: Proposed New PH Building Act approved on 3rd reading

According to Momo, several provisions in the current 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) are already outdated.  For example, the lawmaker said that absent in the old building code are the provisions in HB No. 6615’s Section 62, which prohibits “unauthorized deviations from approved plans, construction beyond permitted specifications” and “non-compliance with structural and safety standards and violations of permits and regulatory requirements.”

Also, the bill has a provision that requires the structural review of buildings every 15 years.

“In construction, safety is the key and it should never be compromised,” he said.

“(Section 62) sends a strong message that no one is above building laws, no shortcut is worth a human life and negligence will have consequences,” Momo added.

Momo has been advocating for the passage and enactment of the Philippine Building Act.  Just this May, Momo said that the collapse of a nine-story building under construction in Angeles, Pampanga underscores the urgency of passing the bill, as the proposed measure could have prevented unnecessary deaths and property loss.

Regarding the Mindanao earthquake, reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that the death toll due to the earthquake rose to 45, with 487 reported injured, while 17 others still missing.

Of these, 33 deaths were recorded in the Soccsksargen region (Region 12) and 12 in the Davao Region (Region 11).

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At least 22,900 individuals have been evacuated since the quake. /jpv