Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bittno.__2480

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the objective of the State to promote public safety in the transportation of
passengers, particularly school children. To achieve this objective, it is essential that the
State shall prescribe minimum design standards of school buses for the safety of the
student passengers.

This bill seeks to prescribe regulations to mitigate the effects of vehicular
accidents by prescribing safety standards for school buses,

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.
Representative
1st District, City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BiLLNo.__2480

INTRODUCED BY REP. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 "Schoo! Bus Safety Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
safety in order to protect passengers of school buses from injury in case of accidents

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term:

A. "Bus" means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed for
carrying more than ten (10) persons;

B. "School Bus" means a bus that is used for purposes that include carrying
students to and from public or private school or school-related events on a
regular basis, but does not include a transit bus or a school-chartered bus;

C. "School-Chartered Bus" means a bus that is operated under a short-term
contract with the school authorities who have acquired exclusive use of the bus
at a fixed charge in order to provide transportation for a group of pupils to a
special school related event;

D. "Secretary" means the Secretary of Transportation and Communication;

E. "Seat Belts" refer to the combined lap belt and shoulder strap that fasten a rider
to a moving vehicle and prevent him or her from being thrown out or against the
interior of the vehicle during sudden stops.

SEC. 4. Proficiency Standards for School Bus Drivers. -

A. Requirement. - Not later than one (1) year after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall prescribe proficiency standards for school bus drivers who
are required to possess a professional license to operate a school bus.

B. Demonstration of Proficiency. - Upon the prescription of standards under
paragraph (A), each school bus driver referred to in paragraph (A) shall
demonstrate at such interval as the Secretary shall prescribe to the employer of
the driver, the school, the licensing agency, or other person or agency
responsible for regulating school bus drivers the proficiency of such drivers in
operating a school bus in accordance with the proficiency standards prescribed
under paragraph (A) or the proficiency standards established by the State
concerned, as the case may be.

SEC. 5. Seat Belts in School Buses. —


A. Requirement for Installation. - Not later than one (1) year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations requiring driver
seat belts and passenger seat belts (including lap safety belts or other child
safety devices meeting applicable government safety standards) for each seating
Position in any newly manufactured school bus. Owners of school buses which
are not currently equipped with seat belts shall be given a period of six (6)
months from the publication of the regulations by the Secretary to install the
necessary seat belts in their school buses.

B. Promotion of Seat Belt Usage. -
1, In General. - The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate safety
organizations and parent-teacher organizations, shall conduct a program to
promote and encourage the use of seat belts in school buses.

2. Elements of Program. - In conducting the program required under this
subsection, the Secretary shall -

‘a. Encourage the local governments to monitor the mandatory usage of seat
belts in school buses;

b, Develop and disseminate educational materials on the importance of
using seat belts to passengers and drivers of school buses; and

Recognize in an appropriate manner the schools that achieve a high level
of seat belt usage by passengers and drivers of school buses.

SEC. 6. Determination of Practicability and Feasibility of Certain Safety and
Access Requirements for School Buses. -

A. Commencement of Rulemaking Process. - Immediately upon the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall begin a rulemaking process to determine the
feasibility and practicability of a requirement for a decrease in the flammability of
the material used in the construction of the interiors of school buses.

B. Final Rule. - Not later than one (1) year after such date, the Secretary shall
promulgate a final rule providing for any requirement or standard that the
Secretary determines to be feasible and practicable.

SEC. 7. Registration. - No school bus shall be allowed to acquire, maintain and renew
registration unless it is equipped with the necessary seat belts.

SEC. 8. Implementing Authority. - The Secretary shall be primarily responsible for the
enforcement of the provisions of this Act. The Secretary may provide for a reasonable
period for public notice and comment consistent with ensuring expeditious but full
implementation of the prescribed safety requirement of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be
affected thereby.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afer its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,