NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

BY: ENGR JOHN RAY MONTECALVO

 SECTION 1.01.03 – SCOPE OF THE NATIONAL BUILDING CODE
 (a) The provisions of this Code shall apply to the design,
location, setting, construction, alteration, repair, conversion, use,
occupancy, maintenance, moving, and demolition of, and
addition, public and private buildings and structures.

 (b) Additions, alterations, repairs, and changes of use or

occupancy in all buildings and structures shall comply with
requirements for new buildings and structures except as
otherwise herein provided. Only such portion or portions of the
existing building or structure which have to be altered to effect
the addition, alteration, or repair shall be made to conform to the
requirements for new buildings or structures. Alterations should
preserve the aesthetic value of the building to be altered.
 (c) Where, in any specific case, different section of this
Code specify different materials, methods of construction,
or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.
This section talks about what the purpose of the National
Building Code is for. It's essentially to help anyone in terms
of the construction, repair, alteration, occupancy,
maintenance and even the demolition of any building in the
Philippines, whether it's private or a government building.
 Any alterations or modifications done on a building should
follow the requirements mandated under the National
Building Code for new buildings. Even the materials used
for the construction should be in line with the code.
SECTION 1.02.03 Building Permits
(a) Any person, firm, or corporation, including any department, office,
bureau, agency of instrumentality of the government intending to
construct, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any building or
structure, or cause the same to be done, shall obtain a building permit
from the Building Official for whichever of such work is proposed to be
undertaken for the building or structure, before any such work is started.
(b) Appropriate rules and regulations shall be set by the Secretary
concerning:
(1) Forms for application for building permits;
 (2) Procedures to be observed in securing such permits;
 (3) Procedures to be observed in the issuance, suspension, and
revocation of such building permits; and
(4) Type, nature, and scope of plans and specifications, and other
requisite documents, which shall be prepared and designed by a
licensed architect or engineer.
SECTION 1.02.04 Fees
(a) Regulations on building permit, inspection and
other fees, and for compliance with the same
shall be covered by city and municipal
ordinances: Provided, that traditional indigenous
family dwellings under Sections 1.01.04 (d) shall
be exempt from payment of building permit fees.
SECTION 1.02.04 Inspection and Certificates of
Occupancy
 (a) Inspection – The duly licensed Architect or Engineer engaged by the
owner to undertake inspection and detailed supervision of the
construction shall periodically certify that the construction conforms to
the plans and specifications submitted in the application for a building
permit. Upon submission of such periodic certifications during the
progress of constructions, the Building official shall periodically issue the
required authority to continue with the subsequent phases of
construction. without prejudice to his right to conduct on his own
initiative any inspection of the said construction. Upon completion of the
construction, the said duly licensed architect or engineer shall submit to
the Building Official the final certification that the building conforms to
the provisions of the Code and with the detailed plans and specifications
submitted.
(b) Certificates of Occupancy.
 The proper Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued
to the applicant within seven (7) days from completion
of the requirements for inspection and occupancy and
payment of any and all fees therefor, unless the
building Official or his Deputy issuing the Certificate
shall show cause in writing why the Certificate should
not be issued and shall indicate thereon the particular
provisions of the Code violated or the particular
requirements not complied with.
Within fifteen (15) days from receipt by the applicant of the
advice from Building Official or his Deputy authorized to
issue the certificate why the certificate should not be
issued, or why the certificate is suspended or revoked, the
applicant may appeal the non-issuance, suspension, or
revocation thereof, to the Mayor of the chartered city or
municipality, or the Governor of the province where the
building for which the certificate is being applied for is
located. Said appeal shall be decided within fifteen (15)
days from receipts thereof, otherwise, the applicant may
bring the matter to the proper Court of Justice for final
disposition. The building may be occupied only upon
issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.