Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bit. no,_3626

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 2017, the Philippines lost an estimated P3.5 billion a day due to traffic congestion in Metro
Manila while traffic costs in Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal amounted to P2.3 billion. However,
a COA 2015 audit report of the MMDA shows that only 927 out of the 2,382 personnel have

sufficient training to handle traffic.

Efficient traffic enforcement is an essential component in not just reducing the worsening traffic
congestions in several parts of the country but also in preventing road accidents nationwide.

Traffic enforcers play a crucial role in achieving these goals.

As such, this bill seeks to establish a National Traffic Enforcement and Management Center which
will be responsible for the capacity-building of traffic enforcers in the country, assessment of
road transportation projects and traffic management schemes, and research on road accidents.
The Traffic Center will create a mandatory program for the formal instruction and training of
traffic law enforcement officers, not just in Metro Manila but in local government units and/or
national government agencies. It addresses the systemic lack of training among traffic
enforcement personnel which contributes to the worsening traffic situation in the country
especially in urban areas by providing sufficient, comprehensive, and continuous trainings of
newly hired and existing enforcers for effective traffic and transportation management
Moreover, it seeks to promote greater understanding and promotion of our land transportation

system and traffic management specifically on issues on road safety, enforcement, accident


investigation, driver training, post-accident management, traffic engineering, and understanding

of violations.

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

ALFRED Vi

“PH loses P3.5B a day due to Metro Manila traffic -JICA,” CNN Philippines, February 24, 2018,

Commission on Audit,"Executive Summary: Metropolitan Manila Development Authority 2015,” july 11,
2016,https://www.coa gov.ph/index/component/phocadownload/category/S890-metropolitan-manila-
development-authorityi


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._3626

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
AND MANAGEMENT CENTER, DEFINING ITS POWERS,
FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES AND APPRORIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “National Traffic Enforcement and
management Act.”

SEC. 2. National Traffic Enforcement and Management Center. ~ There is hereby established a
National Traffic Enforcement and Management Center, hereinafter referred to as the Traffic
Center, which shall be attached to the Department of Transportation for policy and program
coordination.

SEC. 3. Purposes and Objectives. - The Traffic Center shall have the following Purposes and
Objectives:

a) To build capacity of traffic enforcers through trainings and instruction in all the areas
of traffic management including road safety, enforcement, accident, investigation,
driver training, post-accident management, traffic engineering, and understanding
violation;

b) To train personnel involved in traffic enforcement and management in analyzing
accidents and accident-prone areas , potential risk parameters speed analysis, volume
counts, study of violations and the identification of deficiencies in geometric design,
road infrastructure, and engineering principle;

c) To assess the capability of traffic enforcement and management personnel of the
various local government units (LGUs)


d) To scientifically research the causes and consequences of road collisions and accidents
as well as prepare effective systems for their analysis in order to provide remedial
measures;

e) To undertake road safety audits on highways and road transportation projects and
traffic management schemes and to identify road risks and hazards;

f)Todevelop a module and methodology for teaching and safety education to the public
particularly to primary and tertiary students through the existing academic curriculum
subjects;

8) To train the public in the basics of road traffic laws, driver education and behaviour,
current status of road environment and enforcement, causes and hazards which lead
to road accidents, and post-accident management; and

h) To perform such functions related to road traffic enforcement, education and
management that will redound to the benefit of the public.

Sec. 4. Power of the Traffic Center. - The Traffic Center shall have the following powers
a) To adopt, alter and use of an official seal;
b) Tocollect, receive and maintain a fund or funds from government appropriations and
from donations, grants, gifts, bequests, loans from domestic and foreign sources, and

to apply the income and principal thereof to the promotion of its aims and purposes;

c) To own, manage and hold such real and personal property as shall be necessary for
the Traffic Center’s purposes;

d) In furtherance of its purpose and objectives, to extend financial assistance to, and
enter into contracts of every kind and for any lawful purpose, with any person, firm,
association or corporation, domestic or foreign, or other in which it has a lawful
interest; and

e) In general, to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to carry into effect the
provisions of this Act.

The administration of the Traffic Center and the exercise of its corporate powers shall be
vested exclusively in its Board of Trustees.

SEC. 5. The Governing Board; Manner of Appointment. —

a) Composition ~ The governing body of the Traffic Center shall be the Board of
Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of the followin,

1) Secretary of Transportation, as chairperson;
2) Chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), as Co-
chairperson;


3) Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), as member
4) Director of the National Center for transportation Studies, as Member; and,

5) Two (2) private sector representatives who have distinguished themselves in their
professions and in their field of specialization related to the core competency of the
traffic Center, as members. The two (2) private sector representative shall be
appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary
of Transportation, in consultation with other members of the Board.

5) Term of Office - The private sector representatives shall serve for a term of two (2)
years from the date of appointment.

Sec. 6. Power and Duties of the Board of Trustees. — The Board shall have the following specific
Powers and duties in addition to its general powers of administration and the exercise of all
Powers granted to the board of directors of a Corporation under existing laws.

a) To promulgate rules and regulations, not contrary to laws, which may be necessary to
carry out the purposes and functions of the Traffic Center

b) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided for the support of the Traffic
Center in the manner it may determine, in its discretion, to carry out the purposes
and functions of Traffic Center;

©) To receive in trust legacies, gift and donations of real and personal properties of all
kinds, to administer and dispose of the same when necessary for the benefit of the
Traffic Center, subject to limitations directions and instructions of the donor, if any.

Such donations shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall be considered as
allowable deductions from the gross income in the computation of the income tax of the
donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National internal Revenue Code, as
amended: Provided, that such donations shall not be dispose of, transferred or sold;

d) To fix fees and other necessary charges including training fees as the board may
deem proper to impose. Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and
other incomes generated by the Traffic Center shall constitute a special trust fund
and shall be deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and all
interests that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same fund for the use of
the traffic Center.

If for reasons beyond its controls, the Traffic Center shall not be able to pursue any project for
which funds have been appropriated and allocated under its approved program of expenditures,


the Board may authorize the use of the said funds for any reasonable purpose which, in its
discretion, may be necessary and urgent for the attainment of the objectives and goals of the
Traffic Center;

e)

f)

8)

h)

Hl}

k)

To authorize the construction or repair of the buildings, equipment and other
facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal properties, including
necessary supplies, materials and equipment. Purchases and other transactions
entered into by the Traffic Center through the Board shall be exempted from all taxes
and duties;

To fix and adjust the salaries of officials and employees subject to the provisions of
the revised Compensation and Position Classification System, as amended, and other
pertinent budget and compensation laws governing hours of service, and such other
duties and conditions as it may deem proper, to grans them at its discretion, leaves of
absence under regulations as it may promulgate any provision of existing law to the
contrary no withstanding; and to remove them for cause in accordance with the
requirements of due process of law;

To approve the institutional programs, projects and rules of discipline drawn by the
Executive Director of the Traffic Center;

To establish research and extension centers of the Traffic center where such will
promote the development of the latter,

To delegate any of its powers and duties provided for hereinabove to the executive
director or other officials of the Traffic Center as it may deem appropriate so as to
expedite the administration of the affairs of the Traffic Center;

To develop consortia and other forms of linkages with LGUs, institutions and agencies,
both public and private, local and foreign in furtherance of the purposes and objective
of the Traffic Centers;

To develop arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate
institutions and agencies, public or private , local or foreign and to appoint experts or
specialists as consultants, or visiting or exchange trainers, researchers, as the case
may be; and

To establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-making and
transparency within the Traffic Center;

SEC. 7. Board Meetings; Quorum.- The board shall regularly convene at least once every quarter.

The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees may call a special met

ing whenever necessary:

Provided, That members are notified in writing at least three (3) days prior to said meeting.


A majority of all members holding office shall constitute a quorum for board meetings. The
members shall serve without compensation, but they shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses
incurred in their attendance of meetings of the Board or in connection with their official business
authorized by resolution of the Board, subject to existing laws and regulations.

SEC. 8. Executive Director of the Traffic Center Term of Office; Powers and Duties.- The
administration of the Traffic Center shall be vested in an executive director who shall render full-
time service. The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation
of the Chairperson of the NNDA. The Executive Director shall have a term of four (4) years and
shall be eligible for reappointment for another term.

In case of vacancy by reason of death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause or
incapacity of the Executive Director to perform the functions of the office, the board shall have
the authority to designate an office-in-charge of the Traffic Center within (6) month from the
date of vacancy, pending the appointment of a new Executive Director.

In case of vacancy in the office of the Executive Director as mentioned in the immediately
preceding paragraph, the successor shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the term.

The salary of the Executive Director of the Traffic Center shall be in accordance with the Revised
Compensation and Position Classification System , as modifies by Joint Resolution No. 4 dated
June 17, 2009 and other pertinent budget and compensation laws, and shall be comparable to
that being received by the Presidents of higher education institutions.

The Executive Director of the Traffic Center shall exercise the following powers and Duties:

a) To submit for the consideration of the Board of Trustees the policies and Measures
necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Traffic Center;

b) To appoint the officials and employees of the Traffic Center in accordance with a
staffing pattern duly approved by the Board;

c) To recommend, coordinate and administer the programs and projects of the Traffic
Center;

d) To direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the Traffic
Center, and to delegate administrative responsibilities in Accordance with the rules
and regulations of the Traffic Center;

e) To submit an annual report to the Board of Trustees setting forth the work of the
Traffic Center during the year, its financial operations and Status, and a program and
budget for the ensuing years; and


f) To exercise such other powers and to discharge such ‘either functions as may be
vested in him by the Board of Trustees.

SEC. 9. Secretary. — The Board shall appoint a Secretary, who shall serve as such for both the
traffic Center and the Board, and shall keep all records of the Board.

SEC. 10. Treasurer.- The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex-officio treasurer of the Traffic
Center.

SEC. 11. Development Plan; Organizational and administrative Structure. — Within one hundred
twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the Traffic Center shall accomplish the following:

a) Submit to the President of the Philippines and to both Houses of Congress a five (5)
year development plan, including program budget; and

b) Set up its organizational and administrative structure, including the appointment of
key officials of the Traffic Center.

SEC. 12. Training of Local Government Units Personnel.- The Traffic Center shall primarily eater
to the training needs to traffic enforcers of LGUs in the country. The training program shall be
crafted and developed by the Traffic Center in coordination with the Traffic Education Division
(TED) and the Institute of Traffic Management of the MMDA.

The head and supervisors of the traffic management office of an LGU, or its equivalent office,
shall be required to undergo training at the Traffic Center not later than ninety (90) days upon
assumption to office. All other personnel who are involved in traffic management and
enforcement in LGUs are also mandated to undergo the training established by the Traffic Center.
LGUs shall coordinate with the Traffic Center for the conduct of training programs in their
respective localities. Traffic enforcement undergone the necessary training to continue in the
performance of their functions not later than six (6) months from appointment or hiring as traffic
enforcement personnel

The Traffic Center shall likewise organize a core group of trainers who will train traffic enforcers
of the various LGUs.

As used in this Act, a traffic management office refers to the office of an LGU in charge of setting
policies concerning traffic in and responsible in coordinating and regulating the implementation
of all programs and project concerning traffic management in the LGU specifically those that
pertains to enforcement engineering and education

SEC. 13. Continuous Training Programs. The traffic Center shall create further training as may be
necessary given new research findings and technologies. All heads, supervisors, and personnel
involved in traffic enforcement in LGUs shall likewise undergo these training and obtain the
certification from the Traffic Center to continue in the performance of their functions.


SEC. 14. Auditing.- All accounts and expenses of the Traffic Center shall be audited by the
Commission on Audit or its duly authorized representative.

SEC. 15. Filing of Report.- Not later than the thirtieth day of December, the Board shall file with
the Office of the President of the Philippines and to both Houses of Congress, a detailed animal
report on the progress, conditions and needs of the Traffic Center.

SEC. 16. Endowment Fund.- There is here by established an Endowment Fund which shall be self-
sustaining and shall consist of contribution, donations grants, or loans from domestic and foreign
sources, government subsidies, and other income accruing from the earning of the Traffic Center
The Amount of One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from any
fund in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated for the initial organization and
operations of the Traffic Center. Thereafter, such sums are may be necessary for the continued
‘operation and maintenance of the Traffic Center shall be generated by the Traffic Center from
the earning of this Endowment Fund

SEC. 17. Repealing Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation, contrary to or inconsistent with the

provisions of this Act is here repealed modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 18. Separability Clause.- If any provision or part of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid,
the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 19. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two
(2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,