THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REpuBm 1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
5 
RAY 19 A9:38 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Every year, 1.2 million people die from road and traffic injuries. Studies undertaken by 
the World Health Organization show that this figure will increase, making road accidents the 
third leading cause of premature death by 2020. The death rate is highest in developing 
countries such as the Philippines, where poverty has caused people to take road safety for 
granted. 
The use of non-motorized means of commuting such as bicycling and walking is 
environment-friendly and more affordable. It instills health consciousness among people, 
increases physical fitness, provides affordable mobility, alleviates traffic congestion, and does 
not pollute the air or emit climate-disrupting carbon dioxide. In China, there are more bicycle 
than automobile owners; and bicycle ownership in the country is still on the rise. 
The bill seeks to integrate non-motorized means of commuting iuto the country’s 
transportation planning. 
It also seeks to direct the Department of Transportation and 
Communications to develop a comprehensive plan and program to ensure the safety of 
pedestrian, bicycle, and other non-motorized transportation, especially for schoolchildren. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPTNES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
5 MAY 19 A938 
c- 
RECEIVED BY: 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY, IN THE VICINITY OF SCHOOLS 
TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Safe Routes to Schools Act 
of 2005.” 
SECTION 2. Declarution of PoJicy. - It is declared policy of the State to ensure that the 
needs and safety of all road users, in particular the need for pedestrian and bicycle safety, are 
fully integrated into the planning, design, operation and maintenance of the country’s 
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* transportation system. 
Moreover, the State recognizes the need for cheap alternative means of commuting and 
encourages the use of non-motorized, environment-friendly transportation. 
Towards this end, the Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary to, to the 
maximum extent practicable, encourage Filipinos, particularly schoolchildren, to make trips by 
foot or bicycle while simultaneously reducing crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists. 
SECTION 3 .  Definitions of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Department” - means the Department of Transportation and Communications. 
(B) “In the Vicinity of Schools” - means, with respect to primary and secondary schools 
as defined below, the area within bicycling and walking distance of the primary and secondary 
schools (approximately 3 kilometers), 


(C) “Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety” - means any plan or method of action that promotes 
the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians. 
(D) “Primary Schools” - means schools providing pre-school education through the sixth 
or seventh grade. 
(E) “Secondary Schools” - means schools providing education from the first through 
fourth year high school. 
(F) “Secretary” - means the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and 
Communications 
SECTION 4. Safe Routes to Schools Program. - 
The Department shall establish and carry out safe routes to schools program for the 
benefit of students in primary and secondary schools. 
(A) The purposes of the program are - 
(1) To enable and encourage children, including students with disabilities, to walk and 
bicycle to primary and secondary schools; 
(2) To make walking and bicycling to primary and secondary schools a safer and more 
appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an 
early age; and 
(3) To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities 
that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of 
primary and secondary schools. 
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(B) Safe Routes to School Coordinator - Each Local Government Unit receiving an 
apportionment under Section 5 for a fiscal year shall use a sufficient amount of the 
apportionment to fund a full-time position of coordinator of the “Safe Routes to Schools 
Program” of the city or municipality. 
(C) Long-Range Transportation Plans - 
(1) In General -The LGU Coordinator shall develop and adopt a long-range 
transportation plan that - 
(a) Includes the most recent data available on the percentage of trips made 
by foot and by bicycle in their locality; 


. 
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(b) Includes a target level for pedestrian and bicycle trips that is 
commensurate with the goal of doubling the percentage of trips made by foot and 
bicycle; and 
(c) Identify the contribution made by projects under the transportation 
improvement program of the LGU toward meeting the goal of doubling the 
percentage of trips made by foot and bicycle. 
(D) Eligible Projects and Activities - 
(1) Infrastructure-Related Projects - 
(a) In General - Amounts apportioned to a Local Government Unit under 
Section 5 may be used for the planning, design, and construction of 
infrastructure-related projects that will substantially improve the ability of 
students to walk and bicycle to primary and secondary schools in the 
vicinity of primary and secondary schools, including - 
(i) sidewalk improvements; 
(ii) trafic calming and speed reduction improvements, 
(iii) pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements; 
(iv) on-street bicycle facilities; 
(v) off-street pedestrian and bicycle facilities; 
(vi) secure bicycle parking facilities; and 
(vii) traffic diversion improvements. 
(E3) Location of Projects - An infrastructure-related project under 
subparagraph (a) may be carried out on any public road or any bicycle or 
pedestrian pathway or trail in the vicinity of a primary or secondary 
school. 
(2) Non-Infrastructure-Related Activities - 
(a) In General - In addition to projects described in paragraph (l), 
amounts apportioned to a locality under Section 5 may be used for 
noninfrastructure-related activities to encourage walking and bicycling to 
primary and secondary schools, including - 
(i) public awareness campaigns and outreach to press and 
community leaders; 


(ii) traffic education and enforcement in the vicinity of primary and 
secondary schools; 
(iii) student sessions on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health, and 
environment; and 
(iv) finding for training, volunteers, and managers of safe routes to 
schools programs. 
(b) Allocation -Not less than 10 percent and not more than 30 percent of 
the amount apportioned to a Local Government Unit for a fiscal year shall 
be used for noninfrastructure-related activities under this paragraph. 
SECTION 5 .  Appropriations. - 
(A) To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sums as may be necessary are hereby 
authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
(B) Apportionment of Funds - 
(1) In General - Subject to the preceding paragraph, amounts made available to 
carry out this program for a fiscal year shall be apportioned among the Local Government Units 
in the ratio that - 
(i) the total student enrollment in primary and secondary schools in each 
city/municipality ; bears to 
(ii) the total student enrollment in primary and secondary schools in the 
country. 
(2) Determination of Student Enrollments - Determinations under this subsection 
concerning student enrollments shall be made by the Secretary. 
SECTION 6. Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program. - 
(A) Establishment - The Secretary shall establish and carry out a non-motorized 
transportation pilot program to construct, in four communities selected by the Secretary, a 
network of non-motorized transportation infrastructure facilities (including sidewalks, bicycle 
lanes, and pedestrian and bicycle trails) that connect directly with transit stations, schools, 
residences, businesses, recreation areas, and other community activity centers 
- .  


(B) Purpose - The purpose of the program shall be to demonstrate the extent to which 
bicycling and walking can ease the burden on transportation systems, and represent a major 
portion of the transportation needs that are met, within selected communities. 
(C) Grants - 
(1) In General - In carrying out the program, the Secretary may make grants to 
local government units, and non-governmental organizations that the Secretary 
determines are suitably equipped and organized to carry out the objectives and 
requirements of this subsection. 
(2) Suballocation - A Local Government Unit that receives a grant under this 
section may suballocate grant funds to a nonprofit organization to carry out the 
program under this section. 
(3) Availability - Funds made available to carry out this section shall not be 
transferable and shall remain available until expended. 
(D) Statistical Information - In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall - 
(1) Develop statistical information on changes in motor vehicle, non-motorized 
transportation, and public transportation usage in communities participating in the 
program; and 
(2) Assess how the changes - 
(i) Decrease congestion and energy usage; 
(ii) Increase the frequency of biking and walking; and 
(iii) Promote better health and a cleaner environment. 
(E) Reports - The Secretary shall submit to Congress an interim report not later than 30 
September 2007, and a final report not later than 30 September 2010, on the results of the 
program. 
Oj) Appropriations - To carry out the non-motorized pilot program under this section, 
such sums as may be necessary are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National 
Treasury. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting, 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 9. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulations. 
Approved,