ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed an ordinance regulating the use of drones or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).
Authored by Councilor Lady Julie Grace Baronda, chairman of the Committee on Information Technology, the new measure aims to ensure that drones are operated safely, taking into consideration the overarching principles of public safety and security alongside the protection of areas of national, historical and natural importance.
The ordinance cited that drones could be used to transport illegal drugs, deadly weapons and other contraband, as well as in the surveillance of jail facilities and premises, which could compromise the safely and security of jails and the communities around them.
Under the ordinance, there will be a periodic registration of all drones and RPAS operated by persons for commercial, non-commercial, recreational, hobbyists, and/or sports purposes within the territorial airspace of the city through the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), with the assistance and coordination of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Airworthiness Department.
All controllers and persons operating RPAs shall register with the PSTMO the name, contact details and address of the controller, and the RPA model.
The PSTMO shall cause the designation of a registration number and date of validity of registration for the said RPA controller and the visible and clear placement of this registration number on the drone.
The drone registration is valid for three years and must be renewed 30 days before expiration.
The use of unregistered drones is prohibited under the ordinance.
Moreover, whether registered or unregistered, the use of drone is prohibited within 100-meter radius of prohibited or restricted airspace, no-fly zones, vital government installations or other areas prohibited by law or regulation, unless specifically permitted by proper government authority.
A person intending to operate a drone within or near a vital government installation must secure approval of concerned offices in coordination with the PSTMO for the request of permit for exemption.
Among the identified vital government installations were offices and agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, airport, and military bases of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, among others.
Violators of the ordinance may face penalties which include P1,000 for the first offense;P1,500 for the second offense; confiscation of drone and P2,500 fine for the third offense or imprisonment for a period of more than three months but not exceeding six months or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.
The ordinance exempts or does not cover law enforcement agencies, emergency management offices, and those duly authorized by the city government in the performance of their lawful duties and which coordinate with the vital government installations./PN
