NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
jQl Senate
of 11)0 fertrtlaty
72 JUL18 P4 53
SENATE 
S. B NO. 733
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT PROTECTING UNATTENDED CHILDREN 
IN MOTOR VEHICLES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the past years, the number of deaths arising from suffocation in cars has been 
increasing. In the United States, around 682 children died from 1998 to 2019, after 
their parents left them unattended inside a motor vehicle.1 In the Philippines, 10 
children have reportedly died from suffocation inside motor vehicles in 2017. In the 
first quarter of 2019, three young girls were found dead after accidentally locking 
themselves in a car where they suffocated.2
Thus, there is a need to educate our citizens regarding the safety and health 
risks of leaving children inside motor vehicles, especially in periods of extreme weather 
conditions. According to the Spanish Association of Pediatrics3 (Asociacion Espahola 
de Pediatria), children aged zero to five years old are most likely to incur a rise in body 
temperature three to five times faster than that of adults due to a lower water reserve 
and a developing respiratory system. Moreover, a study found that a motor vehicle 
left for an hour in the sun may heat up to 116 degrees, a temperature that may cause 
organ failure, brain damage and death to toddlers.
1 Andrews, Travis M. The Washington Post, Two more children died over the weekend in hot cars. That’s 682 since 1998. It isn’t 
getting better. July 25, 2016, accessible at https://www.washingtonpost.eom/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/07/25/two-children- 
died-over-the-weekend-in-hot-cars-thats-682-since-1998-it-isnt-getting-better/ {last accessed July 13, 2022).
2 Pleasance, Chris. Daily Mail, Three child cousins are found dead after accidentally locking themselves in a car in 35C heat for four 
hours in the Philippines, May 17, 2019, Online, accessible at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7040565/Three-chiId- 
cousins-die-getting-locked-car-35C-heat-Philippines.html {last accessed July 13, 2022).
3 Associacion Espanola de Pediatria, Children Inside Cars and Heat Stroke in Children. May 2016, accessible at 
https://www.aeped.es/sites/default/files/dossier_golpe_de_calor_en.pdf {last accessed July 13, 2022).


This bill seeks to prevent the occurrence of death of, or injury to, unsupervised 
children under nine years old inside motor vehicles, when there are conditions that 
present a significant risk to the child’s health and safety, or when the vehicle’s engine 
is running or the vehicle’s keys are in the ignition, or both. Any person who violates 
the provision of this Act will be penalized with a fine ranging from Ten Thousand Pesos 
(Php10,000.00) to Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhpSO,000.00) depending on the frequency 
of violation committed by the offender. This bill also requires all violators of the Act to 
undergo driver education seminars with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which 
shall include education on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor 
vehicles.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
o( tlif ;&rnttai’p
72 JUL18 P 4 53
SENATE
RECEIVED BY:
S. B. NO. 733
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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AN ACT PROTECTING UNATTENDED CHILDREN 
IN MOTOR VEHICLES
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 “Unattended 
Child in Motor Vehicles Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby the policy of the State to 
defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, 
and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and 
other conditions prejudicial to their development. To this end, the State shall 
adopt a more proactive and preventive approach to secure the safety of 
passengers, especially children, by regulating the operation of vehicle and 
penalizing persons who leave children unattended inside a motor vehicle. The 
State shall also inculcate the standards of safe use of motor vehicles and the 
benefits that may be derived fiom it through institutional programs and 
appropriate public information strategies.
SEC. 3. Unattended Child in Motor Vehicles. — It shall be unlawful for 
a person to intentionally, recklessly, knowingly or negligently cause or permit to 
leave a child under nine (9) years of age inside a motor vehicle without being 
subject to the supervision of a person who is fifteen (15) years old or above, 
under any of the following circumsiances:
a) 
When there are conditions that present a significant risk to the 
child’s health or safety; or
b) 
When the vehicle’s engine is running or the vehicle’s keys are in 
the ignition, or both.


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For the purposes of this Act, the term “motor vehicle” refers to any 
land transportation vehicle propelled by any power other than 
muscular power, excluding tricycle, motorcycle and jeepney.
SEC. 4. Penalty. - Any person who violates the provisions of this Act 
shall be liable for an administrative fine in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos 
(Php10,000.00) for the first offense; Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php20,000.00) 
for the second offense; and Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000.00) for the third 
and succeeding offenses.
If, as a result of such violation, less serious or serious injuries result, the 
offender shall additionally be punished with a penalty of imprisonment of one 
(1) year. If death occurs as a result thereof, a penalty of imprisonment ranging 
from two (2) years to six (6) years shall be additionally imposed on the offender.
Nothing herein shall preclude the filing of charges for violation of Act No. 
3815, otherwise known as “The Revised Penal Code of the Philippines,” as 
amended, and other special laws.
All persons in violation of this Act shall also be required to undergo driver 
education seminars with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which shall 
include education on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor 
vehicles.
SEC. 5. Lead Agency. - The LTO shall take the lead in implementing 
the provisions of this Act. It shall have the authority to deputize members of the 
Philippine National Police (PNP), the Metropolitan Manila Development 
Authority (MMDA), other metropolitan councils, and the responsible officer of 
local government units (LGUs) to enforce the provisions of this Act.
The LTO shall also be empowered to adjust the amount of fines herein 
imposed: Provided, That:
a) 
The adjustment shall be made only once every three (3) years, and 
after public consultation;
b) 
The amount of adjustment shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) 
of the amount sought to be adjusted;
c) 
A thorough study shall have been conducted indicating that the 
existing amounts are no longer an effective deterrent; and
d) 
Current relevant economic indices, such as the Consumer Price 
Index (CPI), have been considered in the determination of the 
adjusted amount.
SEC 6. Public Information Campaign. — The LTO, in coordination with 
the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Education (DepEd), 
Department of Health (DOH), and other relevant stakeholders, shall regularly


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undertake a nationwide information and education campaign regarding the 
provisions of this Act.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days 
after the effectivity of this Act, the LTO, in coordination with the Department of 
Transportation (DOTr), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 
and other relevant government agencies, and in consultation with relevant 
stakeholders, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act.
SEC 8. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or 
provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions 
hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SEC 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, or rules and regulations, 
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
amended or repealed.
SEC 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,