NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines has been hit by a numerous maritime tragedies that claimed over 4,000 
lives in the past 25 years. On December 20, 1987, MV Dona Paz collided with MT Vector. The 
disaster was considered the deadliest ferry disaster in maritime history with more than 4,000 
people died. Recently, the country experienced a series of maritime tragedies with the sinking 
of MV Catalyn B on December 24, 2009, and MV Baleno 9 on December 26, 2009. 
Other sea mishaps include the sinking of MV Dona Marilyn on October 24, 1988; MV 
Princess of the Orient on September 18, 1998; and MV Princess of the Stars on June 21, 
2008. On May 23, 2009, a small passenger boat Commando 6 capsized. Last August 16, 
2013, the MV St. Thomas Aquinas sank after colliding with a cargo ship, MV Sulpicio Express 
Siete claiming 114 lives.  
Alarmed by the successive maritime tragedies, there is an immediate need to 
investigate these maritime accidents, determine the probable or root cause(s) thereof, issue 
recommendations for maritime safety measures, and a thorough evaluation of the 
effectiveness of government agencies involved in maritime transportation. 
Aside from these marine tragedies, there are vehicular accidents that occur on a daily 
basis. From simple fender benders to tragedies where buses fall off ravines causing numerous 
casualties.  
At present, various government agencies have jurisdiction on different types of 
accidents be it the MARINA or the DOTR or CAAP. It is about time that we have one 
independent government agency having jurisdiction over transport safety. 
The bill therefore seeks for the creation of an independent Philippine Transportation 
Safety Board. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
April 11, 2023
8:00 am
7836


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1.  Short Title.  – This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Transportation 
Safety Board Act.” 
SEC. 2.  Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
maintain a safe, viable, efficient, and dependable transportation system as it plays an 
important role in nation-building and in promoting economic growth. 
Consistent with this policy, the State recognizes the importance of preventing 
transportation accidents thereby saving lives and property.  Towards this end, there shall be 
established a government agency tasked with promoting safety and efficiency in the 
transportation of people, property and goods, and conducting investigations to determine the 
cause of transportation accidents. 
ARTICLE II 
CREATION 
SEC. 3.  Philippine Transportation Safety Board.  – There is hereby created a 
Philippine Transportation Safety Board (PTSB), an independent and a non-regulatory agency 
under the Office of the President. The PTSB shall develop appropriate safety standards to be 
followed and implemented by concerned agencies.  
It shall have the following objectives: 
(a)
Improve transportation safety measures in order to prevent transportation
accidents and mitigate dangers to human lives and property; and 
(b)
Ensure the implementation of transportation safety standards.
The PTSB shall be the primary government body that shall investigate and determine
the facts, conditions, circumstances and the causes of any major or fatal air, maritime, and 
land transportation accident, or threat of a major or fatal air, maritime, or rail accident.   
SEC. 4. Jurisdiction. – The PTSB shall have jurisdiction over all major or fatal 
transportation accidents or those of alarming nature resulting in serious physical injury or loss 
of life or property or causing substantial damage to or destruction of property or surroundings. 
A major or fatal transportation accident shall include: 
(a) Capsizing or grounding of a ship or marine vessel;
(b) Collision of ships or vessels;
(c) Air crash or collision of aircrafts;
(d) Overshooting or emergency landing of an aircraft;
(e) Vehicular crash or collision of motor vehicles; and
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(f) Derailment of trains. 
The jurisdiction of the PTSB shall extend to any similar accident or incident with 
alarming magnitude such as: 
(a) Contamination of air or water due to pipe leakage; and 
(b) Failure or defect of transportation infrastructure facilities. 
Accidents involving aircrafts, vessels, and vehicles operated by the Armed Forces of 
the Philippines (AFP), or occurring within military sites in the Philippines, or those involving 
solely aircrafts, vessels and vehicles of the armed forces of any foreign country occurring in 
the Philippines shall be the responsibility of the AFP. 
 
SEC. 5.  Powers and functions of the PTSB.  –The PTSB shall have the following 
powers and functions: 
(a) 
Evaluate and harmonize transportation safety standards with international 
safety standards of applicable conventions, treaties, and best practices in transportation safety 
including those developed by transportation agencies, and recommend its implementation to 
all sectors of Philippine transportation; 
(b) 
Conduct hearings and investigations concerning any major or fatal 
transportation accident, and conduct special studies on matters pertaining to safety in 
transportation: Provided, That the Board shall not be prevented from making further inquiries 
on accidents subject of past investigations and shall require the investigating bodies to submit 
the pertinent records, reports, findings and recommendations: Provided further, That other 
agencies mandated to investigate concurrently such accidents shall coordinate with, 
cooperate with and extend its full support to the Board during the conduct of investigation; 
(c) 
Require the involvement or collaboration of the members of the academe and 
the non-government organizations in investigations requiring their expertise and knowledge; 
(d) 
Recommend to the concerned government agencies and private organizations 
the adoption of transportation safety standards and measures that will improve transportation 
safety; 
(e) 
Prepare written reports regarding its investigations and special studies, 
including the findings and safety recommendations thereon and make such reports available 
to the public; 
(f) 
Assess and evaluate the techniques and methods of accident investigation and 
prepare and publish from time to time the recommended procedures for accident 
investigations; 
 
ARTICLE III 
ORGANIZATION 
 
SEC. 6.  Composition, Qualifications, and Appointment of the Members of the 
Governing Board.  – The governing Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, shall be 
composed of five (5) full-time members, including a Chairperson.  All the members of the 
Board shall have extensive training and experience in their respective transportation fields and 
each must have adequate knowledge in investigation, analysis, and evaluation of 
transportation accidents, particularly in the field of accident reconstruction, safety engineering, 
or transportation safety. 
The members shall be Filipino citizens and residents of the Philippines, at least thirty-
five (35) years of age, and persons of good moral character, unquestionable integrity, and 
recognized probity and competence. 
Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the President of the Philippines 
shall appoint the members of the Board.   Any member may be removed by the President for 
cause as provided for by law. 
In case of incapacity or absence of the Chairperson, the members shall choose from 
among themselves an acting Chairperson.  
SEC. 7.  Term of Office.  – All members shall have a fixed term of six (6) years.  Of 
those first appointed, the Chairperson shall hold office for six (6) years, two (2) members shall 


hold office for four (4) years and the remaining two (2) members shall hold office for two (2) 
years.  Upon the expiration of one’s term of office, the member shall continue to serve until a 
successor is appointed and qualified.  Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the 
unexpired term of the predecessor.  Such vacancy shall be filled within sixty (60) days from 
the date of its occurrence. 
 
SEC. 8.  Powers and Functions of the Governing Board.  – The powers and 
functions of the PTSB shall be vested in and exercised by the Board.   
The Board shall have the following powers and functions: 
(a) 
Cite for contempt any person for refusing to obey a subpoena, an order, or an 
inspection notice of the Board; 
(b) 
Authorize any of its officers or officials to enter any property where a 
transportation accident has occurred, or where wreckage is found, or where any such accident 
is located, and conduct a proper investigation thereon. The authorized officer or official may 
inspect, at a reasonable time, records, files, processes, controls and facilities relevant to the 
investigation of such accident. Each inspection shall be commenced and completed with 
reasonable promptness and the results thereof shall be made available to the concerned 
parties; 
(c) 
Enter into contracts or agreements with any person or entity as may be 
necessary in the conduct of its powers and functions, including the employment of experts on 
accidents under investigation; 
(d) 
Use, when appropriate, available services, equipment, personnel and facilities 
of the other agencies and instrumentalities of the government in the conduct of its 
investigation; 
(e) 
Establish and maintain an adequately staffed laboratory and ancillary facilities 
for the purpose of examining evidence obtained during the course of its investigation; 
(f) 
Create advisory committees composed of qualified private citizens and 
government officials as may be necessary or appropriate; 
(g) 
Authorize an autopsy to be performed and the conduct of other tests when 
necessary to investigate an accident: Provided, That local or national laws protecting religious 
beliefs related to autopsies shall be observed to the extent that will meet the requirements of 
a proper investigation:  Provided, further,  That the Board shall be provided with a copy, free 
of charge, of any autopsy report performed by a national or local authority; 
(h) 
Require government agencies and persons engaged in transportation services 
to submit a written report with respect to any matter pertinent to transportation safety, such 
report to be submitted within a reasonable period of time as may be determined by the PTSB;  
(i) 
Promulgate, in coordination with the relevant law enforcement and 
investigating agencies, the necessary protocols in the conduct of its investigations; 
(j) 
Delegate any of its powers and functions to the heads of the different bureaus, 
divisions or offices of the PTSB to further facilitate the implementation of the provisions of this 
Act; and 
(k) 
Accept 
voluntary 
and 
uncompensated 
services, 
gifts 
or 
donations 
notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary. 
 
SEC. 9.  Chairperson; Duties and Powers. — The Chairperson shall be the chief 
executive and administrative officer of the PTSB.  The Chairperson shall: 
(a) 
Administer oaths, sign and issue subpoena duces tecum or subpoena ad 
testificandum which may be served by any officer, personnel or employee of the PTSB as 
designated by the Chairperson; 
(b) 
Execute the policies, decisions, orders, and resolutions approved by the Board; 
(c) 
Direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the PTSB, 
including enforcement of disciplinary actions; 
(d) 
Sign appointments, make temporary assignments, rotate and transfer of 
personnel in accordance with law; 
(e) 
Prepare the annual budget of the PTSB for approval by the Board; 


(f)
Supervise the expenditures of the PTSB;
(g)
Delegate authority, in whole or in part, to other officials of the PTSB in
accordance with Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 
1987, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Board; and 
(h)
Perform such other functions as may be authorized by the Board.
SEC. 10.  Quorum.  – The presence of at least three (3) members shall constitute a 
quorum and the majority vote of members present shall be necessary for the adoption of any 
rule, ruling, order, resolution, decision or other acts of the Board. 
SEC. 11.  Compensation.  – The salary of the Chairperson and the members of the 
Board shall be the same as those of the Chairperson and members of the different 
Constitutional Commissions.  They shall be entitled to representation and transportation 
allowances under existing laws.  
SEC. 12. Offices of the PTSB.  – For the proper management and effective 
implementation of the objectives of the PTSB, the following offices are hereby established: 
(a) Office of the Executive Director. – The PTSB shall have an Executive Director who
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Board. 
The Executive Director must be at least thirty-five (35) years of age at the time of appointment, 
a member of the Philippine bar, and engaged in the practice of law for at least ten (10) years 
prior to the date of appointment.  The appointee must not have been a candidate for any 
elective position in the elections immediately preceding the appointment. 
The Executive Director shall assist the Chairperson in the discharge of the latter’s 
functions as executive and administrative head of the Board and be responsible for the day-
to-day management of the PTSB; record and report the proceedings of the Board; act as 
custodian of records, maps, profiles, reports, and other documents filed in connection with any 
case or proceedings before the PTSB; supervise the PTSB laboratory; and, perform such 
other functions as may be assigned by the Chairperson or the Board.  
(b) Office of Aviation Safety. – The Office of Aviation Safety shall conduct investigations
of all aviation accidents and submit the corresponding reports and necessary transportation 
safety recommendations to the Board. 
(c) Office of Maritime Safety. – The Office of Maritime Safety shall conduct investigations
of all maritime accidents and submit the corresponding reports and necessary transportation 
safety recommendations to the Board 
(d) Office of Surface Transportation Safety. – The Office of Surface Transportation
Safety shall conduct investigations of road transportation, railroad, and pipeline accidents and 
submit the corresponding reports and necessary transportation safety recommendations to 
the Board. 
(e) Office of Transportation Safety Standards. – The Office of Transportation Safety
Standards shall prescribe safety standards in all transportation systems; establish and update 
transportation safety standards through continuing research and in-depth studies; and 
oversee the implementation of the safety recommendations program of the PTSB. 
(f) Office of Research and Engineering. – The Office of Research and Engineering shall
provide technical advice and services to the PTSB; conduct research and carry out analytical 
studies and tests on all aspects of the PTSB’s transportation accident investigation, accident 
prevention, and safety promotion activities; conduct safety studies on specific safety issues; 
perform statistical analyses of transportation accident and incident data; maintain archival 
records of the PTSB’s accident investigation and safety promotion activities; and, support the 
PTSB’s data processing, computing and information management requirements. 
(g) Office of the General Counsel. – The Office of the General Counsel shall provide
legal advice and assistance to the PTSB and its officers, personnel and employees; prepare 
rules, opinions and orders; and represent the PTSB in court actions and other proceedings. 
(h) Office of Public Affairs. – The Office of Public Affairs shall provide the general public,
including Congress and the national agencies, the transportation industry, and the media with 


current and accurate information concerning the activities, programs and objectives of the 
PTSB. 
(i) Administration Office. – The Administration Office shall provide administrative support 
in the following aspects: budget; accounting and audit; human resource management; 
information and automatic data processing management; property, space, communications, 
facilities and transportation management; and, printing, publications, correspondence, 
procurement, contracting, and accident inquiry services. 
 
SEC. 13.  Personnel.  – Subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations, and the 
approval of the Department of Budget and Management, the Board shall determine its own 
staffing pattern and the number of personnel of the organization.  The Board shall,                        
in accordance with existing laws and policies, select, appoint, employ, and fix the 
compensation of such officers and employees, including investigators, and attorneys, as may 
be necessary to carry out its powers and duties. 
 
SEC. 14.  Prohibited Interests.  – The Chairperson, members of the Board, officers, 
and employees shall not, during their tenure, hold any other office or employment. Neither 
shall they engage in the practice of any profession or in the active management or control of 
any business which, in any way, may be affected by the functions of their office, nor shall 
they be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract with, or in any franchise or 
privilege granted by the government and its subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, 
including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. They shall 
directly avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office. 
No spouse or relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree and no 
law, business, or professional partner, or associate of the Chairperson or members may 
appear as counsel or agent on any matter pending before the Board, or transact business 
directly or indirectly therewith. 
The disqualification shall apply during the tenure of the official concerned and one (1) 
year thereafter.                                    
Any violation of this section shall be a ground for removal from the PTSB as well as 
administrative, civil, or criminal prosecution under applicable laws. 
 
SEC. 15.  Recommendations of the Board.  – The Board shall submit its 
recommendation on transportation safety to appropriate government agencies which shall 
respond formally and in writing not later than thirty (30) days after receipt thereof.  The failure 
on the part of the concerned agency to abide by the recommendation of the Board without any 
justifiable reason shall be a ground for administrative liability of the head of the agency or 
concerned official including other penalties as provided under existing laws. 
The Board shall recommend to the appropriate government agencies the recall of 
defective means of transportation and to cause the installation of the required part or parts to 
make those safe and notify not only the distributor or purchaser but also the public of such 
defect.  It shall also recommend the grounding of any defective means of transportation 
pending the investigation of the cause or nature of its defect.  Moreover, the Board may also 
recommend the denial, amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of a certificate of 
public convenience, registration or franchise of the shipping, air transport, or land transport 
company if found negligent, as well as the suspension or revocation of their license to operate, 
as the case may be. 
In its report, the Board shall include the accountabilities of officials and employees of 
regulatory transport agencies who fail to properly implement the transportation safety 
standards provided under pertinent or applicable conventions, treaties, laws, rules and 
regulations. 
 
SEC. 16.  Disclosure, Availability, and Use of Information.  – (a) Except as provided 
in this section, any copy of record, information or report of investigation submitted to the PTSB 
shall be made available to the public upon request and payment of reasonable cost; 


(b) The Board shall not make the records available for purposes other than accident or 
incident investigation, unless the appropriate authority for the administration of justice 
determines that their disclosure outweighs the adverse domestic and international impact; 
(c) The Board shall not disclose any information related to a trade secret except: 
1. To another department, agency, or instrumentality of the national government, 
when requested for official use; 
2. To a committee of Congress having jurisdiction over the subject matter to which 
the investigation is related, when requested by that committee; 
3. In a judicial proceeding under a court order that preserves the confidentiality of 
the information without impairing the proceeding; and 
4. To the public: Provided, That such disclosure shall be for the protection of 
public health and safety: Provided, further, That the disclosure shall be made in a manner 
designed to protect and preserve its confidentiality. 
(d) The Board shall not publicly disclose any part of a cockpit voice recording or 
transcript of oral communications by and between flight crew members and ground station 
related to an accident or incident investigated by the PTSB: Provided, That the PTSB shall 
make public any part of the transcript that it deems relevant to the said accident or incident: 
1. When the PTSB holds a public hearing on the accident or incident; or 
2. When the PTSB makes public its findings relative to the said accident or 
incident. 
(f) Except as provided in Section 16 (b) of this Act, the Board shall maintain the 
confidentiality of, and exempt from disclosure: 
1. Laboratory records provided to the Board; and 
2. Medical information related to the test or a review of the test voluntarily 
provided to the Board by the tested officer or employee. 
(g) The Board may use a laboratory record of a person made available to it under this 
Act to develop an evidentiary record in its investigation of an accident or incident where the 
fitness of such person is at issue.   
 
SEC. 17.  Non-admissibility as Evidence.  – No part of a report of the PTSB related 
to a transportation accident investigation may be admitted into evidence or used in a civil 
action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report.  Furthermore, the PTSB 
shall have immunity from suits arising from its investigation, pronouncements, and findings. 
 
ARTICLE IV 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 18.  Relationship with Other Government Agencies.  – (a) Nothing in this Act 
shall deprive other government agencies from performing their intrinsic functions, including 
the investigation of accidents or making inquiries thereon: Provided, That the PTSB, at its 
discretion, may require the submission of the records, findings, and recommendations of the 
investigation or inquiry.  For this purpose, the agency concerned shall transmit to the PTSB, 
within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof, said records, findings, and/or recommendations; 
     
(b) In the exercise of its powers, the PTSB shall take into consideration the provisions 
of any treaty entered into by the Republic of the Philippines with other countries relative to the 
investigation of accidents over which the PTSB assumed jurisdiction. 
 
SEC. 19.  Annual Report.  – The PTSB shall submit to both Houses of Congress an 
annual report at the end of each year.   
 
SEC. 20.  Privacy Protection. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed as weakening 
the protections mandated under Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the “Data 
Privacy Act of 2012.”  
 
SEC. 21.  Seal.  – The PTSB shall have a seal which shall be officially recognized. 


 
ARTICLE V 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 22.  Transportation Safety Fund.  – (a) There is hereby created a 
Transportation Safety Fund, hereinafter known as the Fund, to be deposited in a special trust 
fund to be administered by the PTSB. The Fund shall be sourced from: 
1. 
Savings from the annual operating expenses of the PTSB; and 
2. 
Monetary donations and gifts received by the PTSB under Section 8 of this Act. 
(b) Subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations, the Fund shall 
be used exclusively for the following purposes: 
1. 
Operational expenses in investigating transportation accidents; 
2. 
Studies and research on transportation safety; 
3. 
Reimbursement of extraordinary expenditures and expenses of government 
and private agencies and persons mobilized by the Board in investigating transportation 
accidents; and 
4. 
Training and related conferences to enhance the expertise of the officers, 
personnel and employees of the PTSB. 
 
SEC. 23.  Appropriations.  – The amount of Thirty million pesos (P30,000,000.00) is 
appropriated to finance the operation of the PTSB for the first year out of the funds of the 
National Treasury not otherwise appropriated.  Thereafter, such amounts as may be 
necessary and sufficient to finance its operations and activities shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 24.  Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the PTSB, in coordination with the Department of Justice, Department of 
Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Energy, 
Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine National Police, shall promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.  
 
SEC. 25.  Separability Clause.  – If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect. 
 
SEC. 26.  Repealing Clause. 
– All laws, decrees, orders, proclamation, rules 
and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 27.  Effectivity.  – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,