Bill seeking eco-friendly facilities, better internet filed in House

A bill seeking to overhaul the country’s construction standards, guaranteeing better internet access for the public by requiring all new government buildings to be fiber-optic ready has been filed in the House of Representatives.

House Bill 5942 or proposed New Philippine Building Act filed by Galing sa Puso (GP) Party-list Rep. Jan Rurik Padiernos seeks to replace the decades-old building code, primarily shifting its 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 infrastructure capable of supporting high-speed data connectivity.

The bill specifically mandates the installation of in-building telecommunications systems, including fiber-optic cabling, in all new public structures.

Padiernos said 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.”

Sustainability and modernization

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, ensuring that construction is both modern and responsible.

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 said 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.” —AOL, GMA Integrated News