Republic of the Philippin
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3023

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the primary objective of the State to guarantee and promote the public safety
especially in the transportation of passengers. When we talk of the transporting of
people, particularly school children, then it becomes the more urgent that their safety
and well-being is secured.

To be able to achieve this objective, it is essential that the State prescribe
minimum design standards of school buses for the safety of student passengers. Given
that our children spend a huge portion of their time in school, we must be vigilant in
ensuring that their mode of transport is efficient and safe

The bill, therefore, seeks to prescribe regulations to mitigate the effects of
vehicular accidents by prescribing safety standards for school buses.

In view of the foregoing, the bill's immediate passage into law is eamestly
requested.

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORIAMACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga
1


Republic of the Philippi
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3029

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be called the "School Bus Safety Act of
2013."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby the policy of the State to
promote safety in order to protect passengers of school buses from injury in case of
accidents.

SECTION 3. Definitions of Terms. — For purposes of this Act the term

(A) "Bus" means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed for
carrying more than ten (10) persons;

(B) "School Bus" means a bus that is used for purposes that include carrying
students to and from public or private school or school-related events on a
regular basis, but does not include a transit bus or a school-chartered bus;

(C) "School-Chartered Bus" means a bus that is operated under a short term
contract with the school authorities who have acquired exclusive use of the bus


at a fixed charge in order to provide transportation for a group of pupils to a
special school related event:

(D) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Transportation and Communication;

(E) "Seat Belts" refer to the combined lap belt and shoulder strap that fasten a
rider to a moving vehicle and prevent him from being thrown out or against the
interior of the vehicle during sudden stops;

SECTION 4. Proficiency Standards for School Bus Drivers. -

(A) Requirement. - Not later than one (1) year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall prescribe proficiency standards for school bus drivers
who are required to possess a professional license to operate a school bus.

(B) Demonstration of Proficiency. - Upon the prescription of standards under
paragraph (A), each school bus driver referred to in paragraph (A) shall
demonstrate at such interval as the Secretary shall prescribe to the employer of
the driver, the school, the licensing agency, or other person or agency
responsible for regulating school bus drivers the proficiency of such drivers in
operating a school bus in accordance with the proficiency standards prescribed
under paragraph (A) or the proficiency standards established by the State
concerned, as the case may be.

SECTION 5. Seat Belts in School Buses. -

(A) Requirement for Installation. - Not later than one (1) year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations requiring driver
seat belts and passenger seat belts (including lap safety belts or other child
safety devices meeting applicable government safety standards) for each sealing
position in any newly manufactured school bus. Owners of school buses which
are not currently equipped with seat belts shall be given a period of six (6)
months from the publication of the regulations by the Secretary to install the
necessary seat belts in their school buses.

(B) Promotion of Seat Belt Usage. -
(1) In General. - The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate safety
organizations and parent-teacher organizations, shall conduct a program
to promote and encourage the use of seat belts in school buses.

(2) Elements of Program. - \n conducting the program required under this
subsection, the Secretary shall -

(a) Encourage the local governments to monitor the mandatory
usage of seat belts in school buses;


(b) Develop and disseminate educational materials on the
importance of using seat belts to passengers and drivers of school
buses; and

(c) Recognize in an appropriate manner school that achieve a high
level of seat belt usage by passengers and drivers of school bus.

SECTION 6. Determination of Practicability and Feasibility of Certain Safety and
Access Requirements for School Buses. -

(A) Commencement of Rulemaking Process. - Immediately upon the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall begin a rulemaking process to determine the
feasibility and practicability of a requirement for a decrease in the flammability of
the material used in the construction of the interiors of school buses.

(B) Final Rule. - Not later than one (1) year after such date, the Secretary shall
promulgate a final rule providing for any requirement or standard that the
Secretary determines to be feasible and practicable.

SECTION 7. Registration. — No school bus shall be allowed to acquire, maintain
and renew registration unless it is equipped ‘with the necessary seat belts.

SECTION 8. Implementing Authority. - The Secretary shall be primarily
responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. The Secretary may
provide for a reasonable period for public notice and comment consistent with ensuring
expeditious but full implementation of the prescribed safety requirement of this Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If any provisions or part hereof, is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 10. 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 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,