Drone Laws in the Philippines

Philippines Drone Regulations

According to the Philippines’ national aviation authority, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), flying a drone is legal in Philippines, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations listed below before doing so.

If you’d like to contact the CAAP directly before you travel with any questions you might have, here is their contact information: info@ato.gov.ph / + 63 2 879 9229

Why fly a drone in the Philippines? To get great aerial shots like these!

General Rules for Flying a Drone in the Philippines

Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in the Philippines.

• To fly a drone for commercial purposes, or to fly a drone that weighs 7 kilograms (15 pounds) or more, you must obtain a certificate from the CAAP. See the section below for more information.
• Only fly during the day and in good weather.
• Do not let the drone outside of your visual line of sight.
• Do not fly over populated areas, such as schools or marketplaces.
• Do not fly higher than 400 feet above ground level.
• Do not closer than 30 meters (98 feet) from persons not involved with the drone’s operation.
• Do not fly closer than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from airports.
• Do not fly near emergencies, such as fires.

For more information on Philippines’s drone laws, see this document on the CAAP website.

Know something we don’t about drone laws in Philippines? Send us an email at support@horizonap.com. We are not international aviation attorneys and do our best to keep this page up-to-date for drone pilots, but the reality is that given the pace of the small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) industry and how governments are responding, drone regulations in Philippines can change throughout the year, and those changes can be hard to track. If we missed something, please reach out to let us know.

Certification Requirements for Flying a Drone in the Philippines

Large drones weighing 7 kilograms (15 pounds) or more and drones for commercial use require a UAV certificate from the CAAP. The authorization has three parts:

• UAV Controller / Pilot Certificate
• UAV Registration
• UAV Operator Certificate

To be eligible for the UAV Controller / Pilot Certificate, you must complete a training course, pass an exam, and pass a flight demonstration. This certificate will be valid for five years. The UAV Operator Certificate requires a letter of intent and detailed operations specifications and will be valid for three years.

After registration, required registration marks must be placed on the UAV in a clearly visible manner. Learn more about the certification process on the CAAP website.

Want to get a feel for the kind of footage you could get flying a drone in Philippines? Here you go: