HOUSE OF. REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED
aes 0 JUN 2018
Republic of the Philippines a a UN
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE! sins 4 b
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Quezon City - EEG.

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 168

Introduced by Hon, Tricia Nicole V. Catera

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Traffic Lights and Pedestrian Lanes are provided for in intersections to enhance safety of
pedestrians and motorists, alike. However, since time immemorial, traffic lights have been
designed to cater to the general public without any consideration for persons with disability
(PWDs), the elderly and pregnant women. The absence of devices in traffic lights that will assist
them in crossing pedestrian lanes places them and others, especially motorists, in danger. This
makes it a matter of public concern,

‘This bill seeks to require the installation of audible traffic signals (ATS) and push buttons for the
benefit of PWDs, the elderly and pregnant women in every traffic light within the country. The
audible traffic signal will provide information about the status and relative position of pedestrian
light signals while the push button will give more time to PWDs, the elderly and pregnant
‘women to cross intersections.

The installation of ATS and push buttons in every traffic light is consistent with the mandate of
R.A. 7277 or “Magna Carta of Disabled Persons” which provides:

“Disabled persons are part of the Philippine society, thus the state shall give full
support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their
integration into the mainstream of society.


Toward this end, State shall adopt policies ensuring the rehabilitation, self-
development and self-reliance of disabled persons.”

The passage of this bill will surely contribute significantly in the goal of making persons with
disability (PWD), as well as the elderly and pregnant women, self-reliant. Thus, passage thereof
is eamestly sought.

TRIQKA NICOLE V. CATERA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 168

Introduced by Hon. Tricia Nicole V. Catera

AN ACT REQUIRING ALL TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO BE EQUIPPED WITH AUDIBLE
‘TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND PUSH BUTTONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES, THE ELDERLY AND PREGNANT WOMEN

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

SECTION 1. Short Title ~ This Act shall be known as “Audible Traffic Signals Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy ~ Disabled persons are part of the Philippine society, thus,
the State shall give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons
and their integration into the mainstream of society.

‘Accordingly, the State hereby declares to uphold the rights of PWDs, the elderly and pregnant
women to live a normal life, as far as practicable, by formulating, establishing and implementing
policies that empower and make them self-reliant.

SECTION 3. Purpose ~ This Act has the following purposes:

1.) To provide safety for persons with disabilities, elderly, and pregnant women
pedestrians;

2.) To improve the motorists and public safety;

3.) To improve traffic flow and congestion;


SECTION 4, Audible Traffic Signal — Audible Traffic Signal provides information about the
status and relative position of pedestrian light signals for blind or visually-impaired pedestrians.

‘An audible traffic signal includes two speakers at the ends of a crosswalk and a control section.
The control section navigates a person crossing by simultaneously emitting sounds as in “back
and forth call” operation from the two speakers disposed at the two ends of crosswalk for a
period during which crossing is permitted.

SECTION 5. Push Buttons for PWDs, The Elderly and Pregnant Women - The push button,
whenever activated by a pedestrian crossing an intersection, shall trigger a countdown timer in
the traffic light which will give ample time for a person with disability, an elderly person or a
pregnant woman to cross the pedestrian lane.

‘The Land Transportation Office or appropriate government agency shall conduct a time and
motion study to determine the sufficient time that will give PWDs, the elderly and pregnant
women enough time to cross intersections safely.

SECTION 6. Implementation ~ There shall be an Audible Traffic Signal and Push Buttons for
PWDs, the elderly and pregnant woman in all pedestrian crossings with traffic signals that
regulate vehicular traffic.

SECTION 7. Fines and Penalties ~The Push Button shall be for the exclusive use of PWDs, the
elderly and pregnant women. Any person found guilty or violating this Act shall suffer:

1.) First Offense ~ Fine of Five Hundred Pesos (PS00.00)

2.) Second Offense ~ Fine of Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P2,500.00)

3.) Third Offense - Fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P 10,000.00) and/or one (1) day to
thirty (30) days of imprisonment.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations — This Act including its implementing rules
and regulations, shall be implemented by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other
concemed agencies.

SECTION 9. Budgetary Appropriation - Such amount as may be necessary to effectively
implement this Act shall be provided for by Congress in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after publication in at least
two (2) national newspapers of general circulations.

Approved,