Mati City OKs ordinance regulating drones for safety, security
DAVAO CITY – Drone owners in the popular surfing spot Mati City, Davao Oriental need to secure registration from the city government after an ordinance was passed regulating its use or operation to remove the possible threats to the “safety and security” of the city.
The ordinance was passed after the city government started seeing an increase in the number of drones used for commercial, recreational, and even personal purposes just as Mati saw a “promising and thriving development” in recent years.
City Ordinance 489, known as “Drone Regulation of the City of Mati,” covers all unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), and remotely within the territorial jurisdiction of Mati.
The local measure intends to ensure that drones are “operated safely, without harming public and national security, and in a way would protect areas of national, historical or of natural importance.” The city’s Public Safety Services Office (PSSO) has been tasked to manage the periodic registration of drones and RPAs operated by private persons and hobbyists for non-commercial, recreational, and or sports purposes.
All drones and RPAs already registered with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Davao City shall present their registration with PSSO.
The ordinance prohibits any person from operating a drone, whether registered or unregistered, in prohibited or restricted airspace, no-fly zones, or other areas prohibited by law or regulation, unless specifically permitted by the local government.
It disallows operation of drones at 400 feet and above and over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people, including spectators, bystanders or any person not associated with the operation.
It likewise prohibits any person to operate remotely piloted aircrafts in a controlled or prohibited airspace unless authorized by the local authority. Operators of RPAs are required to stay away from populated areas such as residential areas unless prior approval is granted by the local authority.
But the local government may allow recreational use of drones, provided that the drone is less than seven kilograms, at a maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground, at least 98 feet from people or large crowds and respect individual’s privacy, and at least 10 kilometers radius of airports.