",if 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OffiCE Of, I It 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
1 0 Jil 20 
1\11 :43 
SEN1\:fJ;l. 
S,No. 
~o72 
Introduced by Sepator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article II, Section 5 provides: 
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and 
property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by 
all the people of the blessings of democracy. 
A High-intensity discharge (HID) lamp is a kind of electrical lamp that makes light by 
means of an electric arc between tungsten electrodes placed inside a translucent or transparent 
fused quartz or fused alumina arc tube. When compared with conventional fluorescent and 
incandescent lamps, HID lamps are shown to have higher luminous efficacy since a bigger 
proportion of their radiation is in visible light as opposed to heat. The overall luminous efficacy 
of HID lamps is also higher, meaning that they produce a greater amount of light output per watt 
of electricity input. 
Since the 1990's, HID lamps have found their way in motor vehicle headlamps. This 
application has met with different responses from the motoring public, who appreciate the 
improved night time visibility from HID headlamps but object to the glare they can result to. 
Studies have demonstrated drivers react faster and more accurately to roadway obstacles with 
good HID headlamps rather than halogen ones. Scientific study of headlamp glare has shown 
that for any given intenSity level, the light from HID headlamps is 40% more glaring than the 
light from tungsten-halogen headlamps. Internationalized European vehicle regulations require 
such headlamps to be equipped with lens cleaners and an automatic self-levelling system to keep 
the beams aimed correctly regardless of~ehicle load and attitude. The arc light source in an HID 
headlamp is fundamentally different in shape, size, orientation and luminosity distribution when 
(I) 


compared to the filament light source found in tungsten-halogen headlamps. For that reason, 
HID-specific optics are used to collect apd distribute the light. HID burners caunot effectively or 
safely be installed in optics designed to take filament bulbs. This retrofitting results in 
improperly-focused beam patterns and excessive glare, and has been made illegal in almost all 
countries. These retrofitted headlamps have been known to cause accidents on the road and have 
generally inconvenienced those who drive at night. 
This bill aims to limit the use of HID headlamps to vehicles with headlamp housings 
originally designed for HID use, and not those designed for conventional halogen or tungsten 
types. 1 
I This biII was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session 
(2) 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1672 
10 
JUl 20 All :43 
f\ECEIVEI? I'!v : L~.!:.-__ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
.j 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
REGULATING THE USE OF HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMPS IN MOTOR 
3 
VEHICLES 
4 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
5 
Congress assembled: 
6 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "High Intensity Discharge 
7 
Headlamp Regulation Act." 
8 
SECTION 2. Definition of terms. - As used in this Act, the terrn-
9 
(A) "High Intensity Discharge Headlamp" refers to headlamps that produce light through 
lOan electric arc that comes from metallic salts that are vaporized within an arc 
11 
chamber; 
12 
(B) "Headlamp housing or optics designed for HID use" refers to a headlamp system that 
13 
consists of a set of type-approved HID headlamps, an automatic headlamp leveling 
14 
device, and a headlamp cleaning system; 
15 
(C) "Office" refers to the Land Transportation Office. 
16 
SECTION 3. Prohibition of the 'use of retrofitted HID headlamps. - It shall be unlawful 
17 
to use an HID headlamp in a vehicle with headlamp housings or optics not designed for HID use. 
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Only vehicles with housings or optics originally designed for HID use can use HID headlamps. 
19 
SECTION 4. Penalties. - The Office is empowered to establish and assess penalties or 
20 
fines against the registered owner of a vehicle for violations of this Act. In no circumstance will 
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any penalty or fine exceed PI0,000.00. 
(1) 


I 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
2 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
3 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
4 
SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
6 
Approved, 
(2)