THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Millions of lives have been claimed by various sea and air mishaps. Despite 
this, the Philippines had failed to enact a measure to ensure the safety of passengers 
and crew in sea and air travel, and punish offenses of shipping companies and 
aircraft operators. 
This bill prohibits sea vessels and aircrafts from traveling, when Storm Signal 
No. 1 is raised by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services 
Administration (PAGASA) dong the route of the vessel or aircraft. Continued travel 
despite a storm will result to a fine of P50,OOO.OO to P500,OOO.OO and a suspension 01- 
revocation of the Certificate of the h b l i c  Convenience of the shipping company or 
aircraft operator. 
Concerned officers or representatives of government agencies, such as the 
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Philippine Coast Guard, the Maritime 
Group of the Philippine National Police (MARG-PNP) , and the Air Transportation Office 
(ATO), shall also be held liable, if as a result of negligence or omission, have allowed 
sea and air travel despite PAGASA’s issuance of Storm Signal No. 1. 
. The “Sea and Air Transport Safety Act” ensures the protection of all sea and air 
travelers. 
Immediate approval of this bill is sought. 
MANUEL B. V LLAR, JR. 
t 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO ENSURE SAFETY DURING SEA AND AIR TRAVEL, PROVIDING PENALTIES 
FOR VIOLATION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
I * *  . 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This law shall be shown as the 'I Sea and Air Transport 
Safety Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration ofPolicy. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the 
State to provide and ensure protection and safety for all passengers and crew 
members of all shipping vessels and other seacrafts and all commercial or private 
aircraft traveling within Philippine territory. Towards this end it is the primordial duty 
of the state to ensure the safety of all sea and air travelers. 
SECTION 3. Disallowed Acts. All sea going vessels and other seacrafts, whether 
for cargo or for passenger, or for both, and all types of commercial or private aircraft 
shall not be allowed to travel or to go to sea or take to the skies or fly whenever the 
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration 
(PAGASA) detects a storm and raises Storm Signal No. 1 along the routes of the vessel 
or aircraft, unless a clearance is given by the PAGASA. If PAGASA raises the Storm 
Signal to No. 2 or higher, absolutely no vessel or aircraft shall be allowed to travel. 
SECTION 4. Role of Government Agencies. The Department of Transportation 
and Communication ( DOTC ) through the Maritime Industry Authority ( MARINA) and 
the Philippine Coast Guard, and The Department of the Interior and Local Government 
through the Maritime Group of the Philippine National Police (MARG-PNP) in the case 
of sea travel and the Air Transportation Office ( ATO) of the DOTC in case of air travel 
shall monitor the strict implementation of the provision of this act. 
SECTION 5. Penalties. Any Shipping line or company or vessel owner and Any 
owner or operator of any commercial or private aircraft who violates the provision of 
Section 3 hereof shall be liable: 


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1. 
For the First Offense- A fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos 
(P50,OOO.OO) but not more than one hundred thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) 
shall be imposed on the owner of the vessel or operator of the Shipping Lines or 
to the owner and operator of the commercial or private aircraft. 
2. 
For the Second offense- Suspension of the Certificate of the Public 
Convenience for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days of the shipping line or 
vessels owner or commercial aircraft or in case of privately owned aircraft, their 
license, and a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (100,OO.OO) 
but not more than two hundred pesos (200,OO.OO) 
3. 
For the third offense- Revocation of the Certificate of the Public 
Convenience of the shipping lines or the commercial aircraft or in case of a 
privately owned aircraft, their license, and a fine of not less than two hundred 
thousand pesos (P200,OOO.OO) but not more than five hundred thousand pesos 
(P500,OOO.OO). 
The additional penalty of Prison Mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed 
on the owner/operator of the shipping line or vessel, or on the owner/operator of the 
airline or aircraft, if the vessel or the aircraft sinks or crashes as a result of the storm. 
The Penalty of Prison Mayor in its maximum period shall however be imposed on the 
owner/operator of the shipping vessel or airline if death to any of the passengers of the 
vessels or aircraft occurs. 
SECTION 6. Liability of Government Agencies. If as a result of the negligence or 
omission of the concerned officer or representatives of the above mentioned 
government agencies, sea vessel or an aircraft was authorized to travel despite the 
storm signal No.1 issued by PAGASA, or without a clearance from PAGASA, the said 
officer or representative shall be held liable and shall suffer as follows: 
1. 
The penalty of Suspension without pay for a period not to exceed 
ninety (90) days if the officer/representatives authorized the travel without the 
clearance from PAGASA even if no untoward incident occurred to the vessel or 
aircraft. 
2. The penalty of dismissal from the service and a fine of two hundred 
thousand pesos (200,OO.OO) shall be imposed if the vessel or aircraft sank or 
crashed, without causing death to any of the passengers or crew members of 
the vessel or aircraft. 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of 
Transportation and Communications in coordination with the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government shall within sixty (60) days from the approval of this 


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act, promulgate Rules and Regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this 
act. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. If any provision of this act is declared to be 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this act are hereby deemed repealed 
or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved,