Tix 60 OF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVE
Republic of the Philippines | - D
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DATE:

a
Constitution Hills, Quezon City Tinie:_(0:3
ey. Ze

RECSTRATION UIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1497

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Its 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. This measure was previously filed by Senator

Manny Villar in the 15" Congress. Passage of this bill is earnestly sought now in the 17"

Congress

HAI AL J. ABAYON OL
Representative
Party-List AANGAT TAYO,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1497

Introduced by Representative Harlin Neil J. Abayon III

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the “School Bus Safety Act.”

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

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms — For purposes of this Act the term:

(1) “Bus” means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed for carrying
more than 10 pesos.

(2) “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

(3) “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

(4) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation and Communications

(5) “Seats Belts” refer to the combined lap belt and shoulder strap that fasten a rider to
moving vehicle and prevent him from being thrown out or against the interior of the
vehicle during sudden stops.

SECTION 4. Proficiency Standards for School Bus Drivers.

(a) Requirement — Not later that 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 subsection (a),
each school bus driver referred to in subsection (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 driver in operating a school bus in accordance with the proficiency
standards prescribed under subsection (a) or the proficiency standards established by the
State concerned, as the case may be.

SECTION S. Seat Belts in School Buses.

(A) Requirement for Installation — Not later than one (I) year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribed 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 the appropriate safety organization
and parent-teacher organization, shall conduct a program to promote and encourage
the use of seat belt in school buses.
(2) Elements of Program ~ In conducting 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 the education materials on the importance of using seat
belts to passengers and drivers of school buses; and

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

SECTION 6. Determination of Practicability and Feasibility of Certain Safety and Access
Requirement for School Buses

(a) Commencement of Rule-making process- Immediately upon the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall begin a rule-making process to determine the feasibility and
practicability of the following:

(1) A requirement for a decrease in the flammability of the materials used in the
construction of the interiors of school buses.

(b) Final Rule — Not later than 1 year after such date, the Secretary shall promulgate a final
rule providing for any requirement or standard referred to in paragraph (1) of subsection
(a) that the Secretary determines to be feasible and practicable

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

SECTION 8. Implementing Authority - The Secretary shall be primarily responsible for the
enforcement for the Provisions of the 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

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.


SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule and regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,