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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Momo thanks Marcos; cites SONA 'marching orders' for new building law

Momo thanks Marcos; cites SONA 'marching orders' for new building law

Published Jul 29, 2026 11:39 pm

At A Glance

  • Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo thanks President Marcos for prioritizing the New Philippine Building Act (HB No. 6615) in his SONA, calling it vital for resilience against calamities.
  • The measure, already approved by the House and pending in the Senate, mandates stricter standards, including a 15-year structural review and penalties for unauthorized deviations from approved plans.
  • Momo underscores that the updated code will help infrastructure withstand typhoons and earthquakes, ensuring safer and more resilient buildings.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left), Surigao del Sur 1st district Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. (Facebook, Contributed photo)
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left), Surigao del Sur 1st district Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. (Facebook, Contributed photo)


Surigao del Sur 1st district Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. was among the handful of House members whose "SONA wish" got fulfilled.
For this reason, Momo expressed his gratitude to President Marcos on Wednesday, July 29 for acknowledging the urgent need to amend the obsolete Philippine Building Code.
“We thank President Marcos for recognizing the importance of certifying the New Philippine Building Act (PBA) among his priority bills," the veteran congressman said, referring to the Chief Executive’s gesture in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday.
"It is a vital piece of legislation that would bring us closer to the vision of creating a stronger and resilient Philippines— a country that would be able to withstand even strong natural calamities,” said Momo, chairman of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways.
Monday's SONA was Marcos' fifth and penultimate one. He will step down from the Palace in 2028.
The President said that buildings should be able to withstand typhoons with the wind speed of 340 kilometers per hour and an 8.4-magnitude earthquake.
Last June, a 7.8-magnitude tremblor caused significant damage to Sarangani and nearby provinces in Mindanao.
“We have all heard the marching orders of the President in his SONA. Now, we wait for our counterpart in the Senate to act on the pending bill, toward amending the obsolete Philippine Building Act,” noted Momo, a Mindanaoan.
The Philippines sits in the Pacific Rim of Fire and every year the country experience several earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that cause massive destructions to infrastructure.
Momo has been vigorously pushing for the passage and implementation of the House Bill (HB) No. 6615 or the New PBA since 2023.
It has already been approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives last Dec. 16, 2025. It was transmitted to the Senate the next day.
HB No. 6615, once enacted into law, will create stability for newly proposed or existing infrastructure and help it withstand against natural calamities and multiple hazards.
One of the salient features of the New PBA is Section 62, wherein prohibited acts are clearly defined to include unauthorized deviations from approved plans, construction beyond permitted specifications, non-compliance with structural and safety standards and violations of permits and regulatory requirements.
The New PBA also carries a specific provision that would make the mandatory structural review of buildings every 15 years.
The measure would also ensure the standardization of building design, location, materials, and safety measures.

Related Tags

SONA Romeo Momo New Philippine Building Act PBBM Marcos
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