BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An ordinance prohibiting drone operation within 100 meters from jail facilities and providing penalties for violation of the same, was passed on first reading by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Al Victor Espino said that Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) or drones, by their nature, can be used as a tool for gathering information via recording or photographs and there is a growing use of drones today and its areas of applications have expanded overtime.
Drones could be used for transporting illegal drugs, deadly weapon, and other contraband, as well in the surveillance of jail facilities and premises, which could very well compromise the safety and security of the jail facilities, it said.
Under Philippine Civil Aviation Rules 11 and Civil Aviation Authority if the Philippines (CAAP) 21- 14, no person may operate small UAV or RPA in a populous area. Pursuant to this rule, jails are considered populous and congested area, the ordinance said.
The Bureau of jail Management and Penology (BJMP), pursuant to regulations issued by the CAAP, prescribes a standard operating procedure on the detection, prevention and handling of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), aimed at maintaining the safety and security of jail facilities of this city, it said.
The enactment of this ordinance will promote peace and order, enhance the physical security of the jail facilities and guarantee the safety and security of this city and its constituents, it added.
The Ordinance to be known as “An ordinance prohibiting drone operations within 100 meters from jail facilities, providing penalties for violation of the same, will apply to all persons, who will willfully operate drone within 100 meters radius of jail facilities in Bacolod City.
However, it will not cover law enforcement agencies, emergency management offices and duly authorized by the local government unit (LGU) with coordination to the Jail Management.
Violation of this Ordinance will be meted the penalty of a fine of Php1,000 for first offense; a fine of P1,500 for second offense; and for the third offense a fine of P2,500 or imprisonment for a period of more than three months but no exceeding six months or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion if the court.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Public Order and Security Team (POST), as well as the responsible officer in the barangay which has territorial jurisdiction over the jail facilities, together with the BJMP personnel, will ensure the strict and faithful enforcement or implementation of this Ordinance.
The Jail Management will cause the posting of the sign “Drone No Flyzone within 100 meters from Jail Facility” conspicuously outside of the jail facility.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Public Order and Security Team (POST), the concerned barangay, which has territorial jurisdiction over the jail facilities of the City, as well as the BJMP will formulate the necessary implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Ordinance within 30 days from its approval and the same will immediately be transmitted to the Mayor for approval.
Any person or group of persons who want/s to use or operate drone within or near the jail facility should first secure permit from the LGU and comply with the necessary requirements imposed.*
