New building law seeks better internet, safer eco-friendly facilities

A new measure filed by Galing sa Puso (GP) Partylist Representative Jan Rurik Padiernos seeks to overhaul the country's construction standards by requiring all new government buildings to be fiber-optic ready, guaranteeing better internet access for the public.

The proposed New Philippine Building Act (House Bill 5942) aims to replace the nation's decades-old building code, shifting its primary focus to align construction rules with the critical demands of the digital age.

The core of the proposal mandates that all new public structures must include built-in telecommunications infrastructure, specifically fiber-optic cabling, capable of supporting high-speed data connectivity.

Padiernos stressed that upgrading the physical environment is key to bridging the digital divide and ensuring continuous service.

“We are building the physical infrastructure for reliable information access,” Padiernos said in a statement.

“Requiring in-building telecommunications systems means that vital public structures such as schools, hospitals, and disaster-response centers will be fiber-optic ready from the start. This ensures that these institutions can maintain reliable, high-speed internet access, which is crucial for serving the public efficiently and effectively,” he added.

To complement the digital mandate, the measure also raises sustainability requirements for all new structures. This promotes energy and water efficiency, encourages the use of green technologies, and requires environmentally friendly building materials.

The bill also streamlines compliance by introducing a three-tier classification system for buildings—Simple, Regular, and Special—and allows the use of certified innovative construction technologies as alternatives to traditional peer review.

Padiernos stressed that the measure is about moving the nation forward.

“The enactment of this law will guarantee that all new public buildings nationwide are safe, technologically capable, and sustainable for generations to come,” said Padiernos.