Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

/S RECEIVED
© oaredUL 09 2019
EO i

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.!785

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State continuously endeavors to ensure that its public roads and highways are
safe for all. In the midst of the various transportation problems that besiege the
country, this bill proposes a closer regulation of trucks or vehicles that weigh more
than 3,000 kilograms and usually ferry goods and other cargoes from one destination
to another.

There are at least 80,000 trucks plying the roads of Metro Manila alone on a daily
basis , with 800,000 registered in 2015. They share the roads with some 2.2 million
more vehicles which are relatively smaller and lighter than these trucks. Given the
current condition of some roads and weather in the country, this bill seeks to require
the installation of mudguards in all trucks navigating through public roads and
highways to prevent instances of rocks, mud, water, grime, and other debris from
hitting the vehicles near and/or around these trucks, causing accidents.

Motorcycles and trucks have top the list of modes of transportation with the most
number of deaths or injuries from road accidents in 2015, the main reason is usually
not human error, but poor and improper maintenance of vehicles cannot be
discounted as a factor.



This representation believes that one injury or death is one too many. It is about time

that we require trucks to attach such mudguards to the rear wheels of their vehicles,
or face penalties.

In consideration of the foregoing premises, the quick passage of this bill is humbly
sought.

(

LUIS Ri IND AY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 1765
eee

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF MUDGUARDS IN TRUCKS AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE

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

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Truck Mudguards Act of 2017".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to ensure the safety of its
roads, motorists, pedestrians, and residents in areas by roads and highways. Hence,
it is incumbent upon the State to closely regulate vehicles, especially trucks, which
impose heavier burden upon its public roads and highways, and pose greater danger
to other road users due to the overall tonnage of these vehicles, including the weight
of their cargo.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
mean:

@. Mudguard: an automotive accessory made of flexible material that helps
prevent dirt and grime from reaching sensitive parts of the vehicle specially
the under carriage;

b. Trucks: all vehicles including trailers, trucks, truck-tractors and/or semitrailers
with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 3,000 Ibs.;


C. Road: a stretch with smooth or paced surface, made for travelling by
motorized and non-motorized vehicles, and to which the public has access;
and

d. Motorist: any person operating a motor vehicle.

SECTION 4. Installation of Mud Guards. — All buses, trucks and semi-trailers
shall have mudguards sufficiently covering the rear of the rear wheel to prevent
as far as practicable gravel, stones or other materials from being thrown into the
windshields of other vehicles.

Mudguards shall be attached directly to the rear of the rearmost wheels, hanging
perpendicularly at right angles to the body of the vehicle, and parallel with the
rearmost axle. They shall be of such size, weight and substance as to prevent the
bulk of the spray or other substance picked up from the roadway from being
thrown on the windshield of a following vehicle. Mudguards shall maintain
distance from the ground.

They shall be at least as wide as the tires they are protecting. If said rearmost
Wheels are not adequately covered at the top by fenders, body or other parts of
the vehicle, said mud guards shall be extended to a point directly above the
rearmost axle.

Lamps or wiring shall not be attached to mudguards, and any reflectors or
reflectorized material attached to or made a part mudguards shall be in addition
to the reflectors required by law on the vehicle.

SECTION 5. Prohibited Acts. — No truck shall be driven or operated in any road
at any time of the day without the prescribed mud guards, and attached as
provided in SECTION 5 of this Act.

SECTION 6. Penalties. — Any motorist caught driving or operating a truck without
mudguards on any road or highway at any time of the day shall be liable to pay
the amount of five thousand pesos (P 5,000.00).

A second offense will be meted with a fine of ten thousand pesos (P
10,000.00) and one-month suspension of the driver's license. Additionally, the
owner of the vehicle is required to explain in writing (within three (3) business days
from the date of the violation), the reason for the failure to attach the required
mudguards despite a prior violation. Failure to submit a written explanation
addressed to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) shall automatically warrant a
fine of twenty thousand pesos (P 20,000.00) upon the registered owner of the
vehicle.



Any succeeding offense shall result in the six-month suspension of the
motorist's driver's license, and a fine of twenty-five thousand pesos (P 25,000.00)
upon the registered owner of the vehicle.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions shall not be affected.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, Presidential decrees, executive
orders and rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the
date of its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,