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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.. 3924

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines lost an estimated P35 billion a day due to traffic congestion in Metro
Manila while traffic costs in Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal amounted to P2.3 billion.
However, a Commission on Audit (COA) 2015 report of the MMDA shows that 927 out of
the 2,382 personnel sufficient training to handle traffic.

Efficient traffic enforcement is an essential component in not just reducing the worsening
traffic congestions in several parts of the country but also in preventing road accidents
nationwide. Traffic enforcers play a crucial role in achieving these goals.

As such, this bill seeks to establish a National Traffic Enforcement and Management Center
which will be responsible for the capacity-building of traffic enforcers in the country,
assessment of road transportation projects and traffic management schemes, and research
on road accidents.

The Traffic Center will create a mandatory program for the formal instruction and training
of traffic law enforcement officers, not just in Metro Manila but in local government units
(LGUs) and/or national government agencies. It addresses the systemic lack of training
among traffic enforcement personnel which contributes to the worsening traffic situation
in the country especially in urban areas by providing sufficient, comprehensive, and
continuous trainings of newly hired and existing enforcers for effective traffic and
transportation management.

Moreover, it seeks to promote greater understanding and promotion of our land
transportation system and traffic management specifically on issues on road safety,
enforcement, accident investigation, driver training, post-accident management, traffic

engineering, and understanding of violations.
ALFRED VARGAS

Thus, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3924
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
AND MANAGEMENT CENTER, DEFINING ITS POWERS,
FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES AND APPRORIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “National Traffic Enforcement and
Management Act of 2019.”

SEC. 2. National Traffic Enforcement and Management Center. ~ There is hereby
established a National Traffic Enforcement and Management Center, hereinafter referred
to as the Traffic Center, which shall be attached to the Department of Transportation for
policy and program coordination.

SEC. 3. Purposes and Objectives. - The Traffic Center shall have the following
Purposes and Objectives:

a) To build capacity of traffic enforcers through trainings and instruction in all the
areas of traffic management including road safety, enforcement, accident,
investigation, driver training, post-accident management, traffic engineering,
and understanding violation;

b) To train personnel involved in traffic enforcement and management in analysing
accidents and accident-prone areas , potential risk parameters speed analysis,
volume counts, study of violations and the identification of deficiencies in
geometric design , road infrastructure, and engineering principle;

0)

‘To assess the capability of traffic enforcement and management personnel of the
various local government units (LGUs)


d) To scientifically research the causes and consequences of road collisions and
accidents as well as prepare effective systems for their analysis in order to
provide remedial measures;

e) To undertake road safety audits on highways and road transportation projects
and traffic management schemes and to identify road risks and hazards;

f) To develop a module and methodology for teaching and safety education to the
public particularly to primary and tertiary students through the existing
academic curriculum subjects;

g) To train the public in the basics of road traffic laws, driver education and
behaviour, current status of road environment and enforcement, causes and
hazards which lead to road accidents, and post-accident management; and

h) To perform such functions related to road traffic enforcement, education and
management that will redound to the benefit of the public.

Sec. 4. Power of the Traffic Center. - The Traffic Center shall have the following powers:
a) To adopt, alter and use of an official seal;

b) To collect, receive and maintain a fund or funds from government
appropriations and from donations, grants, gifts, bequests, loans from domestic
and foreign sources, and to apply the income and principal thereof to the
promotion of its aims and purposes;

©) To own, manage and hold such real and personal property as shall be necessary
for the Traffic Center's purposes;

d) In furtherance of its purpose and objectives, to extend financial assistance to,
and enter into contracts of every kind and for any lawful purpose, with any
person, firm, association or corporation, domestic or foreign, or other in which it
has a lawful interest; and

e) In general, to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to carry into effect
the provisions of this Act.

The administration of the Traffic Center and the exercise of its corporate powers
shall be vested exclusively in its Board of Trustees.

SEC. 5. The Governing Board; Manner of Appointment. ~

a) Composition - The governing body of the Traffic Center shall be the Board
of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of the following:


1) Secretary of Transportation, as chairperson;

2) Chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), as Co-
chairperson;

3) Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), as
member

4) Director of the National Center for transportation Studies, as Member;
and,

5) Two (2) private sector representatives who have distinguished
themselves in their professions and in their field of specialization related to the
core competency of the Traffic Center, as members.

The two (2) private sector representative shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with
other members of the Board.

b) Term of Office - The private sector representatives shall serve for a term of two
(2) years from the date of appointment

Sec. 6. Power and Duties of the Board of Trustees. - The Board shall have the following
specific powers and duties in addition to its general powers of administration and the
exercise of all powers granted to the board of directors of a corporation under existing
laws.

a) To promulgate rules and regulations, not contrary to laws, which may be
necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the Traffic Center

b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of the
Traffic Center in the manner it may determine, in its discretion, to carry out the
purposes and functions of Traffic Center;

c) To receive in trust legacies, gift and donations of real and personal properties of
all kinds, to administer and dispose of the same when necessary for the benefit
of the Traffic Center, subject to limitations directions and instructions of the
donor, if any.

Such donations shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall be
considered as allowable deductions from the gross income in the computation of
the income tax of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National
Internal Revenue Code, as amended: Provided, that such donations shall not be
dispose of, transferred or sold;


d) To fix fees and other necessary charges including training fees as the board may
deem proper to impose. Such fees and charges, including government subsidies
and other incomes generated by the Traffic Center shall constitute a special trust
fund and shalll be deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and
all interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same fund for the
use of the traffic Center.

If for reasons beyond its controls, the Traffic Center shall not be able to pursue
any project for which funds have been appropriated and allocated under its
approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of the said
funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its discretion, may be necessary and
urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals of the Traffic Center;

e) To authorize the construction or repair of the buildings, equipment and other
facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal properties,
including necessary supplies, materials and equipment. Purchases and other
transactions entered into by the Traffic Center through the Board shall be
exempted from all taxes and duties;

f) To fix and adjust the salaries of officials and employees subject to the provisions
of the revised Compensation and Position Classification System, as amended, and
other pertinent budget and compensation laws governing hours of service, and
such other duties and conditions as it may deem proper, to grans them at its
discretion, leaves of absence under regulations as it may promulgate any
provision of existing law to the contrary no withstanding; and to remove them
for cause in accordance with the requirements of due process of law;

g) To approve the institutional programs, projects and rules of discipline drawn by
the Executive Director of the Traffic Center;

h) To establish research and extension centers of the Traffic center where such will
promote the development of the latter;

i) To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to the
executive Director or other officials of the Traffic Center as it may deem
appropriate so as to expedite the administration of the affairs of the Traffic
Center;

j) To develop consortia and other forms of linkages wil.11. LGUs, institutions and
agencies, both public and private, local and foreign in furtherance of the
purposes and objective of the Traffic Centers;

k) To develop arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate
institutions and agencies, public or private , local or foreign and to appoint


experts or specialists as consultants, or visiting or exchange trainers,
researchers, as the case may be; and

1) To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-making
and transparency within the Traffic Center;

SEC. 7. Board Meetings; Quorum.- The board shall regularly convene at least once every
quarter. The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees may call a special meeting whenever
necessary: Provided, That members are notified in writing at least three (3) days prior to
said meeting.

‘A majority of all members holding office shall constitute a quorum for board meetings. The
members shall serve without compensation, but they shall be reimbursed for necessary
expenses incurred in their attendance of meetings of the Board or in connection with their
official business authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and
regulations.

SEC. 8. Executive Director of the Traffic Center Term of Office; Powers and Duties.-
The administration of the Traffic Center shall be vested in an executive director who shall
render full-time service. The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Board upon the
recommendation of the Chairperson of the NNDA. He shall have a term of four (4) years
and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term.

In case of vacancy by reason of death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for
cause or incapacity of the Executive Director to perform the functions of the office, the
Board shall have the authority to designate an office-in-charge of the Traffic Center within
(6) month from the date of vacancy, pending the appointment of a new Executive Director.

In case of vacancy in the office of the Executive Director as mentioned in the immediately
preceding paragraph, the successor shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the
term.

‘The salary of the Executive Director of the Traffic Center shall be in accordance with the
Revised Compensation and Position Classification System , as modifies by Joint Resolution
No. 4 dated June 17, 2009 and other pertinent budget and compensation laws, and shall be
comparable to that being received by the presidents of higher education institutions.

‘The Executive Director of the Traffic Center shall exercise the following powers and duties:
a) To submit for the consideration of the Board of Trustees the policies and
measures necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Traffic

Center;

b) To appoint the officials and employees of the Traffic Center in accordance with a
staffing pattern duly approved by the Board;


©) To recommend, coordinate and administer the programs and projects of the
Traffic Center;

d

To direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the Traffic
Center, and to delegate administrative responsibilities in accordance with the
rules and regulations of the Traffic Center;

e)

To submit an annual report to the Board of Trustees setting forth the work of the
‘Traffic Center during the year, its financial operations and status, and a program
and budget for the ensuing years; and

f) To exercise such other powers and to discharge such ‘either functions as may be
vested in him by the Board of Trustees.

SEC. 9. Secretary. - The Board shall appoint a Secretary, who shall serve as such for both
the traffic Center and the Board, and shall keep all records of the Board.

SEC. 10. Treasurer.- The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex-officio treasurer of
the Traffic Center.

SEC. 11, Development Plan; Organizational and administrative Structure. ~ Within one
Hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the Traffic Center shall
Accomplish the following:

a) Submit to the President of the Philippines and to both Houses of Congress a five
(5) year development plan, including program budget; and

b) Set up its organizational and administrative structure, including the
appointment of key officials of the Traffic Center.

SEC. 12. Training of Local Government Units Personnel. ‘The Traffic Center shall
primarily eater to the training needs to traffic enforcers of LGUs in the country. The
training program shall be crafted and developed by the Traffic Center in Coordination with
the Traffic Education Division (TED) and the Institute of Traffic Management of the MMDA.

The head and supervisors of the traffic management office of an LGU, or its equivalent
office, shall be required to undergo training at the Traffic Center not later than ninety (90)
days upon assumption to office. All other personnel who are involved in traffic
Management and enforcement in LGUs are also mandated to undergo the training
established by the Traffic Center. LGUs shall coordinate with the Traffic Center for the
conduct of training programs in their respective localities. Traffic enforcement undergone
the necessary training to continue in the performance of their functions not later than six
(6) months from appointment or hiring as traffic enforcement personnel.

The Traffic Center shall likewise organize a core group of trainers who will train traffic
enforcers of the various LGUs.


As used in this Act, a traffic management office refers to the office of an LGY in charge of
setting policies concerning traffic in and responsible in coordinating and regulating the
implementation of all programs and project concerning traffic management in the LGY
specifically those that pertains to enforcement engineering and education,

SEC. 13. Continuous Training Programs. The traffic Center shall create further training as
may be necessary given new research findings and technologies. All heads, supervisors, and
personnel involved in traffic enforcement in LGUs shall likewise undergo these training and
obtain the certification from the Traffic Center to continue in the performance of their
functions.

SEC. 14. Auditing. All accounts and expenses of the Traffic Center shall be audited by the
Commission on Audit or its duly authorized representative.

SEC. 15. Filing of Report.- Not later than the thirtieth day of December, the Board shall file
with the Office of the President of the Philippines and to both Houses of Congress, a
detailed animal report on the progress, conditions and needs of the Traffic Center.

SEC. 16. Endowment Fund.- There is here by established an Endowment Fund which shall
be self-sustaining and shall consist of contribution, donations grants, or loans from
domestic and foreign sources, government subsidies, and other income accruing from the
earning of the Traffic Center. The Amount of One hundred million Pesos (P100,000,000.00)
is hereby appropriated from any fund in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated
for the initial organization and operations of the Traffic Center. Thereafter, such sums are
may be necessary for the continued operation and maintenance of the Traffic Center shall
be generated by the Traffic Center from the earning of this Endowment Fund.

SEC. 17. Repealing Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation, contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act is here repealed modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 18. Separability Clause.- If any provision or part of this Act is held unconstitutional
or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 19. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
Least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,