FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
., 
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S. No. sENf% 
2 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Every year, 1.2 million people die Erom road and traffic injuries. Studies undertaken by 
the World Health Organization show that this figure will increase, making road accidents the 
third leading cause of premature death by 2020. The death rate is highest in developing 
countries such as the Philippines, where poverty has caused people to take road safety for 
granted. 
The use of non-motorized means of commuting such as bicycling and walking is 
environment-friendly and more affordable. It instills health consciousness among people, 
increases physical fitness, provides affordable mobility, alleviates traffic congestion, and does 
not pollute the air or emit climate-dismpting carbon dioxide. In China, there are more bicycle 
than automobile owners; and bicycle ownership in the country is still on the rise. 
The bill seeks to integrate non-motorized means of commuting into the country's 
transportation planning. 
It also seeks to direct the Department of Transportation and 
Communications to develop a comprehensive plan and program to ensure the safety of 
pedestrian, bicycle, and other non-motorized transportation, especially for schoolchildren.* 
* This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
s . N ~ .  1772 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY, IN THE VICINITY OF SCHOOLS 
TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Safe Routes to Schools Act 
of 2007.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared policy of the State to ensure that the 
needs and safety of all road users, in particular the need for pedestrian and bicycle safety are 
fully integrated into the planning, design, operation and maintenance of the country’s 
transportation system. 
Moreover, the State recognizes the need for cheap alternative means of commuting and 
encourages the use of non-motorized, environment-friendly transportation. 
Towards this end, the Secretary shall use take such actions as are necessary to the 
maximum extent practicable, encouraging Filipinos, particularly schoolchildren, to make trips by 
foot or bicycle while simultaneously reducing crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists. 
SECTION 3. Definitions of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Department” means the Department of Transportation and Communications. 
(B) “In the Vicinity of Schools” means, with respect to primary and secondary schools as 
defined below, the area within bicycling and walking distance of the primary and secondary 
schools, or approximately three (3) kilometers. 
(C) “Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety” means any plan or method of action that promotes 
the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians. 


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(D) “Primary Schools” mean schools providing pre-school education through the sixth or 
seventh grade. 
(E) “Secondary Schools” mean schools providing education from the first through the 
fourth year high school. 
(F) 
Communications. 
“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and 
SECTION &. 
Safe Routes to Schools Program. - 
(A) In General. - The Department shall establish and carry out safe routes to schools 
program for the benefit of students in primary and secondary schools. The purposes of the 
program are - 
(1) To enable and encourage children, including students with disabilities, to walk 
and bicycle to primary and secondary schools; 
(2) To make walking and bicycling to primary and secondary schools a safer and 
more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active 
lifestyle from an early age; and 
(3) To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and 
activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution 
in the vicinity of primary and secondary schools. 
(B) Safe Routes to School Coordinator. - Each Local Government Unit receiving an 
apportionment under Section 5 for a fiscal year shall use a sufficient amount of the 
apportionment to fund a full-time position of coordinator of the “Safe Routes to Schools 
Program” of the city or municipality. 
(C) Long-Range Transportation Plans. - The LGU Coordinator shall develop and adopt 
a long-range transportation plan that - 
(1) Includes the most recent data available on the percentage of trips made by foot 
and by bicycle in their locality; 
(2) Includes a target level for pedestrian and bicycle trips that is commensurate 
with the goal of doubling the percentage of trips made by foot and bicycle; and 
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(3) Identify the contribution made by projects under the transportation 
improvement program of the organization toward meeting the goal of doubling the 
percentage of trips made by foot and bicycle. 
(D) Eligible Projects and Activities. - 
(1) Infrastructure-Related Projects. - Amounts apportioned to a Local 
Government Unit under Section 5 may be used for the planning, design, and construction 
of infrastructure-related projects that will substantially improve the ability of students to 
walk and bicycle to primary and secondary schools in the vicinity of primary and 
secondary schools, including - 
(a) Sidewalk improvements; 
(b) Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements; 
(c) Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements; 
(d) On-street bicycle facilities; 
(e) Off-street pedestrian and bicycle facilities; 
(f) Secure bicycle parking facilities; and 
(8) Traffic diversion improvements. 
An infrastructure-related project under subparagraph (1) may be carried out on 
any public road or any bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail in the Vicinity of a primary 
or secondary school. 
(2) Non-Infrastructure-Related Activities. - In addition to projects described in 
paragraph (l), 
amounts apportioned to a locality under Section 5 may be used for 
noninfrastructure-related activities to encourage walking and bicycling to primary and 
secondary schools, including-- 
(a) Public awareness campaigns and outreach to press and community 
leaders; 
(b) Traffic education and enforcement in the vicinity of primary and 
middle schools; 
(c) Student sessions on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health, and 
environment; and 
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(d) Funding for training, volunteers, and managers of safe routes to 
schools programs. 
(3) Allocation. - Not less than 10 percent and not more than 30 percent of the 
amount apportioned to a Local Government Unit for a fiscal year shall be used for 
noninfrastructure-related activities under this paragraph. 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. - 
(A) In General. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sums as may be necessary 
are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
(E%) Apportionment of Funds. - Subject to the preceding paragraph, amounts made 
available to carry out this program for a fiscal year shall be apportioned among the local 
government units in the ratio that bears to the total student enrollment in primary and secondary 
schools in each cityhunicipality bears to; or the total student enrollment in primary and 
secondary schools in the country. 
(C) Determination of Student Enrollments. - 
concerning student enrollments shall be made by the Secretary. 
Determinations under this subsection 
SECTION 6. Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program. - 
(A) Establishment. - The Secretary of Transportation and Communication shall establish 
and carry out a non-motorized transportation pilot program to construct, in four communities 
selected by the Secretary, a network of non-motorized transportation infrastructure facilities, 
including sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian and bicycle trails, that connect directly with 
transit stations, schools, residences, businesses, recreation areas, and other community activity 
centers. 
(B) Purpose. - The purpose of the program shall be to demonstrate the extent to which 
bicycling and walking can ease the burden on transportation systems, and represent a major 
portion of the transportation needs that are met, within selected communities. 
(C) Grants. - 
(1) In General. - In carrying out the program, the Secretary may make grants to 
local government units, and non-governmental organizations that the Secretary 
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(1) Zn General. - In carrying out the program, the Secretary may make grants to 
local government units, and non-governmental organizations that the Secretary 
determines axe suitably equipped and organized to carry out the objectives and 
requirements of this subsection. 
(2) Sub-allocation. - A Local Government Unit that receives a grant under this 
section may sub-allocate grant funds to a nonprofit organization to carry out the program 
under this section. 
(3) Availability. - Funds made available to carry out this section shall not be 
transferable and shall remain available until expended. 
(D) Statistical Information. - In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall - 
(1) Develop statistical information on changes in motor vehicle, non-motorized 
transportation, and public transportation usage in communities participating in the 
program; and 
(2) Assess how the changes - 
(a) Decrease congestion and energy usage; 
(b) Increase the frequency of biking and walking; and 
(c) Promote better health and a cleaner environment. 
(E) Reports. - The Secretary shall submit to Congress an interim report not later than 30 
September of the year following the promulgation of this Act, and a final report not later than 30 
September three (3) years thereafter, on the results of the program. 
(F) Appropriations. - To carry out the non-motorized pilot program under this section, 
such sums as may be necessary are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National 
Treasury. 
SECTION 7. 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. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Efeectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulations. 
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Approved, 
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