The City of Mati Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed City Ordinance No. 489 Series of 2021 otherwise known as the Drone Regulation of the City of Mati.
The ordinance was passed on July 13, approved by Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat and is set to be enforced upon approval of its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
The said ordinance regulates the use or operation of drones whether for commercial or recreational purposes within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Mati.
“There is a need to ensure that these are operated safely, without harming public and national security, and in a way would protect areas of national, historical or of natural importance thereby obliterating possible threats to the safety and security of the city,” the Drone Ordinance stated.
Henceforth, drones and all other Unmanned Aerial Vehicles must now be registered with the Mati City Public Safety Office in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in accordance with Republic Act 9497 or the Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008.
Originally, drones weighing seven kilograms (15 pounds) or more must secure a certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) before they can operate. But Mati’s Drone Ordinance specifically mandates that “all drones must be registered, regardless of weight, purpose and specifications.”
“This is to make sure that the air space of Mati is being used for good purpose and not for criminal or terrorist intent,” the ordinance stated.
Before registering drones, owners must undergo orientation to educate them on the restricted zones or “no-fly zones”, the aerodrome that is more or less eight to ten kilometers away from the airport, and other regulations to be implemented.
Among the ordinance’s highlights are the following:
1. Requiring all drones, whether for hobbyist or commercial use, to be clearly marked with the name, contact number, and address of the owner.
2. No person shall be allowed to operate a drone at 400ft 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.
3. No person shall be allowed to operate drone within 10 kilometers radius of any Aerodrome Reference Point (ARP).
Corresponding penalties apply for non-registration, or transfer, falsification, alteration of issued registration:
For 1st offense a fine of P1,000; and for 2nd offense and succeeding offense a fine of P3,000 and confiscation of the drone.
For operation in no-fly zones, or prohibited or restricted airspaces, violators will be penalized with P5,000 and immediate confiscation of drone. (CIO MATI)
