Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
Philippines
Permit path requiredRecreation relatively open; commercial needs CAAP authorization
The Philippines can be drone-friendly in practice, but commercial work and sensitive islands/sites need a clear CAAP and local permission path.
Bring it
Resort/island launch permissions matter a lot for travel photographers.
Register it
Use CAAP RPAS guidance for commercial Certificate of Authorization and current circulars.
Fly it
CAAP states recreational/private use does not need a special permit, but pilots must follow no-fly zones, VLOS, no-night, crowd, and airport-distance rules.
Map check
Check airports, heliports, military sites, resorts, islands, and local ordinances.
Before you travel
- 01Review CAAP RPAS rules before travel.
- 02Confirm commercial authorization if the footage is for paid work.
- 03Get resort, municipality, or landowner permission.
Operating notes
- Max altitude
- 120 m / 400 ft AGL.
- Recreational
- CAAP states recreational/private use does not need a special permit, but pilots must follow no-fly zones, VLOS, no-night, crowd, and airport-distance rules.
- Commercial work
- Commercial RPAS work generally requires CAAP authorization/certification.
- Airspace
- Check airports, heliports, military sites, resorts, islands, and local ordinances.