SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and \

House Bill No. 4460

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2004, road traffic
injuries accounted for 2.2% of total deaths making it the 9” leading cause of death
However, the WHO estimates that in 2030, this percentage will increase to 3.5% making it
the 5" leading cause of death only behind heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and lower respiratory infections.

In the Philippines, the WHO reported last April 2011 that road traffic accidents deaths
in Philippines reached 8,175 or 1.94% of total deaths. There seems to be a growing number
of traffic accidents in the country which can be attributed mainly to the sheer disregard of
traffic laws or ignorance thereof. Further, attempts to curb traffic law violations have not been
totally successful

There is, therefore, a need to inculcate the values of road courtesy and discipline
back into our culture and what better way than to start with the children. Section 13, Article
11 of the 1987 Constitution provides that: “The state shall recognize 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, nationalism and
encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”

Itis therefore apparent that we should start early in instilling discipline, road courtesy
and obedience to traffic laws. In Cagayan de Oro, our civic minded citizens organized the
Cagayan de Oro Campaigners for Road Courtesy and Discipline, Inc. as an avenue to
volunteer and educate the people on how to act while on the road, We should follow their
lead and expand the education all over the country.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

RUFUS‘®B. RODRIGVEZ

Ds
MAXIMO B. eds JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus a eerie and
Representative Maxin

House Bill No.

- "4160

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
TO INCLUDE THE SUBJECT ROAD AND TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION IN THE
CURRICULUM BEGINNING SCHOOL YEAR 2012

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

Section 1. Title — This bill shall be known as “The Road Courtesy, Discipline And Traffic
Safety Education Act Of 2014”.

Section 2. Scope of Application - This bill provides for the guidelines and
implementation of the new school subject, Road Courtesy, Discipline and Traffic Safety
Education, which all private and public elementary and secondary schools all over the
Philippines are required to include in their curriculum. This includes Grades 1 to 6 and 1* to
4" Year High Schools levels

Section 3. Declaration of Policy — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
and protect the rights of students hence the following shalll be the basic guiding principles:

a) The educational system being the principal institutional mechanism for imparting
knowledge shall be responsible in instructing school children the basic road and
traffic laws;

b) Education is a right and not a mere privilege, It is therefore the responsibility of the
State to provide quality education for all Filipinos at all levels;

Section 4. Definition of Terms — As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a) ‘Students’ ~ any person enrolled in and regularly attending school in the elementary
and secondary levels

b) ‘Schoo! ~ any private, public or government-run and funded academic educational
institution offering any or all above-mentioned levels: Grades 1 to 6 for Elementary
and ‘stto 4th year for Secondary or High Schoo! level;

¢) ‘Road and Traffic Safety’ - An additional subject to be included in the school
curriculum

Section 5. New subject called Road and Traffic Safety Education — there shall be a new
subject called Road Courtesy, Discipline and Traffic Safety Education that will be
included in the school curriculum which will be taught starting from Grade 4 level up to 4”
Year High School. The topics in this subject will include, among others, the following:


a)

Traffic Signs and what they mean ~ To familiarize students with the traffic signs, what
they mean and to teach them to obey these signs;

=

Rights and Obligations of Pedestrians ~ Students will be taught to use the pedestrian
lanes or walkways, when to cross the street, the use of overpasses, etc;

¢)

Rights and Obligations of Pedestrians — Students compose a large percentage of
commuters, They should be taught where and when to get rides and alight from
Vehicles, etc;

d) Rights and Obligations of Drivers - Students will eventually be newly licensed drivers
and they should know the proper way of driving, their responsibilities as such, the

importance of road courtesy and discipline, traffic safety, etc;

@) Rights and Obligations of Vehicle Owners (motorcycles, cars, trucks, etc.) - When
students know the rights and obligations of vehicle owners, they will grow up knowing
what is expected of them once they will have their own vehicle/s;

Public Utility Vehicles (jeepneys, taxis and buses) ~ Knowing the rights and
obligations of these public utility vehicles, pertinent provisions of the Civil Code on
the Contract of Carriage, and where and how to ride these types of vehicles will

greatly help the students;
g) The Land Transportation Office — a basic knowledge of the organizational set-up and
how to obtain a driver's license is important;
h) Philippine Laws on Driving, Fines and Penalties - knowing what the laws in driving

are in the Philippines as another must for students;

Local Traffic Code — each city or province has its own local traffic code that students
should be aware of,

j) And such other topics related to road courtesy and discipline and traffic safety.

Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulation - Within Sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Department of Education in collaboration with the Land
Transportation Office shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provision of Act

Section 7. Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the
remainder thereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 8. — Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, order, rules and regulations or other
issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 9. _Effectivity — This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved,