Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Fist Regular Session

4459

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. Mark Aeron H. Sambar

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

It is common to read about bus related accidents either in Metra Manita ot in the
provinces. When one drives along EDSA, it is easy to see why that is the case, Buses are
notorious for the reckless habits of their drivers as they swerve their way through busy traffic
or careen through open highways. In a developing country like the Philippines, commuters
would rather take the lower fare rates of provincial buses over the more expensive option of
air travel. They are left at the mercy of bus drivers who are sometimes ill equipped to drive
their buses for several straight hours just to make a living wage. Bus drivers operate their _
vehicles in a reckless and speedy manner since their income is dependent on the number of
trips they make and the passengers they ferry in their limited hours of work. They are in
effect always pressured to move fast to “make the pay.” This has ted to a disrepard of traffic
Jaws and regufations and sometimes even of the safety of the bus-riding public.

The news reports and anecdotes are supported by the hard facts, As of the end of
2009, a total of 33,033 buses are registered with the Land Transportation Office.' In 2008, the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)- recorded a total of 4,825 bus
accidents, or an average of 13 per day.* In the first five months of 2009, 1,488 bus related
accidents were recorded by the MMDA. A study conducted by the Department of
Transportation and Communication (DOTC) found that 85% of road accidents are due to

* http://www Ito. gov. ph/Statistics/Stzts2009/n0_of MV_TypeMode_LT02009 html
? fneepJHworw. gmanews.tv/story/171951/ L0-bus-accidents-hit-metro-manila-daily

T


errors made by drivers.’ Studies show that motor vehicle crashes have a disproportionate
impact on the poor and vulnerable in society. These are also the people with usually litte
influence over policy decisions. Poorer people comprise the majority of casualties and tack
ongoing support in the event of long-term injury. Lower socioeconomic groups have limited |
access to post-crash emergency health care. The costs of prolonged medical care, the loss of
the femily breadwinner, the cost of a funeral, and the loss of income duc! to disability can
push families into poverty.*

There is thus a need to address the problems of inadequate driver training and faulty
system eniployed in the public utility bus structure in the Philippines. There is a dearth of
competent training programs to cover the bus driving sector that must be deatt with It will
also help if drivers are made eligible to be paid the minimum wage to curb their irresponsible
driving behavior.

> bmp:fiph news yahoo. com/abs/20110 104/tph-bus-companies-suspended-over-fatal-a-806 1bf7 ham!
“World Report on Road ‘Tralfic Injury Prevention, World Health Organization,
bitp JAvorw-who.invvioteace_injury_prevention/publications/road_traflic/world reporvien/


Bene

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4459

Introduced by Hon. Mark Aeron H. Sambar

AN ACT :
TO PROVIDE FOR A COMPETENCE ACCREDITATION
PROGRAM FOR BUS DRIVERS AND TO REQUIRE THAT THEY
BE PAID THE MINIMUM WAGE

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

SECTION 1, Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Competence
Accreditation Program and Minimum Wage for Bus Drivers Act of 2011."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — Is the policy of the State to affirm labour as a
Primary social economic force. ft shall protect the rights of workers and promote their
welfare.

The State shall also promote the development of skilled workers in afl fields.

The State shall improve the knowledge and skills of bus drivers before they start
driving professionally and improve road safety through better qualified drivers

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms, - As used in this Act, the following terms shall


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(a) bus — shall refer to a long public utility motor vehicle transporting passengers over
a fixed route:
(b) dus driver — a person who operates a bus;
SECTION 4. Payment of Minimum Wage for Bus Drivers. — Bus drivers shall be
entitled to be paid the minimum wage as set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and

Productivity Boards pursuant to Republic Act No. 6727.

SECTION 5, Required Tests for Bus Drivers. — The following tests shall be
administered by the Department of Transportation and Communication for potential bus
drivers

(a) theory and hazard perception tests;

(b) practical driving test;

{c) Driver Accreditation of Professional Competence.

SECTION 6, TESDA Certification Requremens, ~ The Disector General of the
‘Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in consuttation with the Secretary of ©
the Department of Transportation and Communication, shall develop a certification and
training program for bus drivers to ensure the competence and professionalism of the sector.
Afier completion of this program, a driver deemed qualified to be a bus driver shall be issued
@ Driver Accreditation of Professional Competence.

Afier three (3) years from the approval of this Act, only bus drivers with a
TESDA/DOTC accreditation shall be allowed to drive public utility buses. This is apart from
the requirements for obtaining a professional driver's ticense from the Land Transportation

Office,


SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or .
unconstitutional, the remaiiider of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting. "

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidentiat decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Lifectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fiteen (15) days after its
publication in at teast two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,