Senator Raffy Tulfo files bill updating PH Building Code after Pampanga building collapse

Senator Raffy Tulfo on Monday, May 25, filed Senate Bill No. 2158, or the proposed “New Philippine Building Act,” which seeks to update the country’s rules and policies governing building construction and safety standards.

Tulfo said the proposed measure aims to replace National Building Code of the Philippines, which has been in force since 1977 and is now seen as inadequate in addressing present-day construction practices and engineering requirements.

The senator pointed to recent construction-related accidents as proof of the need for stronger regulations, including the collapse of a nine-story building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City on May 24.

Around 47 people, mostly construction workers, were reportedly inside the structure when it gave way, with rescue operations still ongoing at the time of writing.

Tulfo also referenced a separate incident featured on his radio program on August 14, 2025, involving debris that fell from a condominium building along Tomas Morato in Quezon City and struck two students, leaving one dead.

Authorities later found that the accident stemmed from poor building maintenance and the lack of adequate safety barriers and protective equipment.

According to Tulfo, these incidents highlight the urgency of addressing weaknesses in the current building code through stricter regulations and stronger oversight mechanisms.

The proposed legislation seeks to impose more rigorous and independent structural design reviews, tighter safety requirements at construction sites, increased accountability for contractors, and stronger inspection and enforcement systems designed to prevent accidents before they happen.

The measure also outlines criminal liabilities for building owners, contractors, engineers, inspectors, testing laboratories, structural reviewers, and recognized certifiers found negligent or in violation of the law’s provisions.

The proposed penalties include prison terms of at least six years and fines amounting to up to one percent of a project’s estimated construction cost.

Tulfo urged fellow lawmakers to fast-track the measure’s approval, saying the bill would strengthen protections for construction workers while ensuring accountability among contractors and other parties responsible for maintaining proper safety and building standards.

-Paraluman News