Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.      5115
Introduced by Representative B0NIFACI0 LAQUI BOSITA
AN ACT
INTEGRATING ROAD  DISCIPLINE AND  SAFETY EDUCATION IN
THE        SENIOR       HIGH        SCHOOL        CURRICULUM        AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This  bill  seeks to  integrate  road  discipline  and  safety  education  in the
senior high school curriculum and appropriate funds therefor.
Section 13 of Article 11 and Paragraph 2, Section 3 of Article XIV of the
1987 Constitution provides that:
"The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building
and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual,
and  social  well-being.  It  shall  inculcate  in  the  youth  patriotism  and
nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs."
"They  shall  inculcate  patriotism  and  nationalism,  foster  love  of
humanity, respect for human richts, appreciation of the role of national
heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and
duties  of  citizenship,  strengthen  ethical  and  spiritual  values,  develop
moral  character and personal  discipline,  encourage  critical  and creative
thinking,  broaden  scientific  and technological  knowledge,  and promote
vocational efficiency."


The  United  Nations  Economic  and  Social  Commission  for  Asia  and
Pacific (UNESCAP) reported that despite mobility restrictions imposed by the
government to prevent the spread of COVID-19, vehicular accidents in Metro
Manila persisted. In 2020, 345 Filipinos died per day due to transport accidents.
Accordingly,  the  number  of  persons  involved  in  accidents   for  2016-2020
showed an average of 545  persons per day involved accidents with a fatality
rate of 1.9 percent. The breakdown of fatalities shows the unfortunate fact that
deaths didn't just include drivers and passengers but involved an average of 34
percent of pedestrians.
Based on the  data from the Philippine  Statistics Authority, there were
6,440 deaths caused by transportation accidents between January and September
2021.  This represented a 4.2 percent increase over the 6,1719 deaths recorded
during  the  sane  period  in  2020.  Most  of the  victims  are  parents  who  have
children   to   raise.   Sadly,   their   children   have   to   endure   the   unpleasant
consequences of these unfortunate road incidents.
On the other hand, according to the World Health Organization, there are
around 2,270 children die every day as a result of unintentional injuries. In the
Philippines, there  are around 35  road crash fatalities per day  or an estimated
12,690  fatalities in a year.  Children have higher vulnerabilities to road traffic
injuries due to their physical and development limitations. They are less able to
see  obstructions  and  have  difficulty  in  estimating  the  speed  of approaching
vehicles.
While the causes of accidents and casualties may vary due to several
factors,  they can be prevented through proper education and training of road
users on road safety and traffic laws, rules, and regulations.
This  bill  seeks to  instill the  values  of discipline,  courtesy,  respect,  and
prudent caution in  senior high  school  students  early  in their driving  lives;  to
promote   and   educate   teem   drivers   on   road   safety   standards   and   traffic
regulations; to provide insight on their driving responsibilities; to provide the
proper  skills  and  training  they  need  to  use   sound  judgment,  make  good
decisions,  and  safely  operate  any  vehicle;  and  to  provide  knowledge  on  the
operation and maintenance of any vehicle.
Further, after a qualified student completed the road discipline and safety
education curriculum, the Department of Education and the Land Transportation
Office  shall  issue  a  student  driver's  permit  to  the  qualified  student  free  of
charge.      The   student   may   also   choose   between   a   non-professional   or
professional driver's license after passing the required theoretical and practical
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examinations   and   determining   the   proper   condition   and   restriction   code
applicable to the student.
The importance of mobility cannot be overemphasized as it is an essential
part of our daily lives. Driving a motor vehicle, including the knowledge of road
safety,  therefore,  is  a  skill  that  should be  adequately  taught  during the  early
formative  years  to  instill  the  value  of  human  life  and  respect  for  traffic
regulations.
The  integration  of road  discipline  and  safety  education  into  the  basic
education  curriculum  will  prepare   senior  high  school   students  to  become
disciplined and responsible citizens of the country; ensure that our children are
protected at all times, so they can survive, thrive and reach their full potential;
and help  fill  in the  gaps  in government plans to  lower the number of people
killed in car accidents and make traffic better all over the country, especially in
Metro Manila.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
B0NIFACI0 LAQUI B0SITA
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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
HoUSEBILL-iv6.~       5115
Introduced by Representative BONIFACI0 LAQUI BOSITA
1                                                                      AN ACT
2     INTEGRATING ROAD DISCIPLINE AND  SAFETY EDUCATION IN
3     THE        SENIOR        HIGH        SCHOOL        CURRICULUM        AND
4     APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
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6     Pe ir enacted by th? Senate and the House of Represehiatives of the philippines
7      in congress assembled:
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9                 SECTION   1.  S„or/  rz.£Je.  -This  Act  shall  be  known  as  the   "RoczcZ
io     Discipline and scif ety Education Act."
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12                 SEC. 2. DecJ¢ro/I.o# a/Po/I.ey. -It is the declared policy of the state to
13      establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of
14      education relevant to the needs of the people and society. To that end, the state
15     must educate youth about the importance of road discipline and safety in order
16     to prevent or reduce the country's rising number of road traffic accidents, which
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frequently result in injuries, deaths, and property damage, including goods.
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19                 The  road  discipline  and  safety  education  aim  to  achieve  the  following
2o      objectives:
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22                 a. Inculcate among the youth, particularly the senior high school students,
23      the values of road discipline, courtesy, respect, and sensible caution;
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25                 b.  Promote  safe  and  responsible  driving,  road  safety  standards,  and
26      obedience to traffic laws, rules, and regulations;
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28                 c. Educate the youth about road dangers and hazards, how to avoid them,
29     and the negative consequences of car accidents; and
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d.  Equip  the  youth  with  the  necessary  knowledge  and  skills  and  train
them to be responsible road users as drivers, commuters, or pedestrians.
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4          .    SPC. 3.. Road.Discipline  and soyedy Education. -Fhoaid disctxphi"e ernd
5      safety education are hereby integrated into the curriculum of senior high school.
6     The  road  discipline  and  safety  education  curriculum  will  be  made  by  the
7     Department of Education in cooperation with the Department of Transportation
8     and in consultation with road safety groups like the Road Safety Advocates of
9     the philippines. The following will be taken into account:
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a.   Basic knowledge of traffic laws, rules, and regulations, including rules
and regulations affecting pedestrians and commuters;
b.  Rights  and  responsibilities  of every  road  user,  such  as  pedestrians,
commuters, and drivers, and the role of traffic enforcement authorities;
c.  Importance   of  observing  the   trafflc   laws,   rules   and  regulations,
including   the   proper   use   of   road   safety   equipment,   and   the
consequences of its violation;
d.  Theoretical and practical introduction to basic driving skills, including
basic and correct habits and traits that a driver must have;
e.  Activities  and  exercises  that  may  develop  the  ability  to  respond,
including the  development of sound judgment,  decision-making and
reaction time, to any traffic situation; and
f.   There is awareness of the different causes of road accidents and the ill
effects of road accidents on the victims and society.
31                  SEC.  4.  Te¢chz.#g A4:e£#od  -The  road  discipline  and  safety  education
32      curriculum's teaching method shall include interactive instruction as well as the
33     use of video, film, computer technology, written material, demonstrations, and
34      role-playing.
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36                 Practical  activities  and  exercises  must  be  conducted  to  maximize  the
37     leaming  experience  of the  students,  particularly  on  the  use  of road  safety
38      equipment and motor vehicles.
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4o                 The   Secretary   of  Education   may   seek   assistance   from   appropriate
41      government  agencies  to  develop  the  necessary  educational  and  instructional
42      materials.
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1                 SEC.  5. J#sfr#c/or.  -The  instructor for the road discipline and safety
2      education curriculum must possess the following qualifications:
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a.  A  baccalaureate  graduate  of  any  course  or  a  holder  of  National
Technical-Vocational Education Training Trainer' s Certificate issued
by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority;
b.  A   holder   of  professional   driver's   license   issued   by   the   Land
Transportation Office (LTO);
c.  A traffic abiding citizen with no traffic apprehension for the past one
(1) year prior to application and no record of suspension or revocation
of the professional driver' s license;
d.  With at least sixty (60) hours of training accredited by LTO on road
safety; and
e.   Other  qualifications  as  may  be  determined  by  the  Secretaries  of
Education and Transportation.
The  Secretary of Education  shall,  in coordination with the  Secretary of
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22     Budget  and  Management,  determine  the  number  of required  instructors -and
23      their employment status and salary grades.
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25                SEC.  6.   Sfwde#f Dri.tter's Pe""i.f.  -The Department of Education and
26     LTO  shall  issue,  free  of charge,  a  student  driver's  permit to  every  qualified
27      student who has successfully completed the road discipline and safety education
28     curiculun.
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After passing the required theoretical and practical examinations  set by
LTO and determining the proper condition and restriction code applicable, the
student may secure either a non-professional or professional driver' s license.
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34                 SEC.7.       4aprop".¢froro.   -   The   amount   necessary   for   the   initial
35      implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriation of
36     the Department of Education.   Thereafter,  such sums as may be necessary for
37     the  continued  implementation  of  this  Act  shall  be  included  in  the  armual
38      General Appropriations Act.
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4o       ^        FEC:^8. I.in.plen'!:¥fing Rules and Regulations. -W.Tthininrty (90rty days
41      from the effectivity of this Act, the secretary of Education shall, in coordination
42     with  the  Secretary  of  Transportation  and  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Land
43      Transportation office, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
44      implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 9. Repe¢/I.#g C7¢#se. -All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules,
and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. EJ7rccrz.vrty. -This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15) days after its
publication in the Qorcz.cz/ Gczzezfe or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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