TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
)
ifSiffi'.'p of li!'
25 AUG-6 A9 -17
SENATE
S. No. 982
RliCtIV'tD 8V
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In a country where road congestion has become a daily struggle, according to 
the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there has been a significant increase in road 
traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths over the past few years. The lack of regulated 
safety standards for school buses and drivers exposes students to unnecessary risks, 
jeopardizing their well-being.
This measure addresses these challenges by mandating stricter safety 
protocols, such as driver training and the mandatory installation of seat belts, ensuring 
that school transportation is secure and reliable. It also seeks to institutionalize safety 
as a non-negotiable component of school bus operations and emphasizes compiiance 
with modern vehicle safety standards and introduces accountability for transport 
providers, prioritizing child welfare and aligning with giobal standards on road safety.
The bill not only seeks to protect students from unsafe school bus, but also 
aims to foster public trust in school transportation services, ensuring that parents and 
guardians can entrust their chiidren's safety without hesitation.


This initiative reflects the government's unwavering commitment in creating 
safer educational environments and promoting sustainable development. The safety 
and security of our students are not just priorities but are foundational to our national 
progress. By ensuring that our students are protected during their daily commute, we 
are investing in the future of our nation. Safe and secure educational environments 
foster better learning conditions, which in turn produce well-rounded and educated 
citizens who will drive our country's development forward.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
iOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 982
25 AUG-6 A9:17
RtiCEIVLO
a
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title- This Act shall be known as the "School Bus Safety Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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promote safety in order to protect passengers of school buses from injury in case of
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accidents.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms- For purposes of this Act the terms:
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a) Bus means a motor vehicle, except a trailer, designed for carrying more
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than ten (10) persons;
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b) School Bus means a bus that is used for purposes that include carrying
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students to and from public or private school or school-related events on a
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regular basis, but does not include a transit bus or a school-chartered bus;
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c) School-Chartered Bus means a bus that is operated under a short-term
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contract with the school authorities who have acquired exclusive use of the
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bus at a fixed charge in order to provide transportation for a group of pupils
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to a special school related event; and
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d) Seats Belts refer to the combined lap belt and shoulder strap that fasten a
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rider to moving vehicle and prevent the rider from being thrown out or
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against the interior of the vehicle during sudden stops.


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Sec. 4. Proficiency Standards for School Bus Drivers. -
a) Requirement- Not later than one (1) year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Department of Transportation shall prescribe proficiency standards 
for school bus drivers who are required to possess a professional license to 
operate a school bus.
b) Demonstration of Proficiency- Upon the prescription of standards under 
subsection (a), each school bus driver referred to in subsection (a) shall 
demonstrate (at such interval as the Department of Transportation shall 
prescribe) to the employer of the driver, the school, the licensing agency, 
or other person or agency responsible for regulating school bus drivers the 
proficiency of such driver in operating a school bus in accordance with the 
proficiency standards prescribed under subsection (a) or the proficiency 
standards established by the State concerned, as the case may be.
Sec. 5. Seat Beits in School Buses. -
a) Requirement for Installation- Not later than one (1) year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Department of Transportation shall prescribe 
regulations requiring driver seat belts and passenger seat belts (including lap 
safety belts or other child safety devices meeting applicable government 
safety standards) for each seating position in any newly manufactured school 
bus. Owners of school buses which are not currently equipped with seat belts 
shall be given a period of six (6) months from the publication of the 
regulations of this Act to install the necessary seat belts in their school buses,
b) Promotion of Seat Belt Usage-
1) In General - The Department of Transportation, in consultation with 
appropriate safety organizations and parent-teacher organizations, 
shall conduct a program to promote and encourage the use of seat 
belts in school buses.
2) Elements of Program - In conducting the program required under this 
subsection, the Department of Transportation shall:
i. Encourage the local governments to monitor the mandatory 
usage of seat belts in school buses;


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ii. Develop and disseminate educational materials on the
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importance of using seat belts to passengers and drivers of
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school buses; and
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Hi. Recognize schools that achieve a high level of seat belt usage by
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passengers and drivers of school buses.
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Sec. 6. Registration - No school bus shall be allowed to be registered unless it is
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equipped with the necessary seat belts.
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Sec. 7. Impiementing Authority - The Department of Transportation shall be
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primarily responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. For this
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purpose, the Department of Transportation, in consultation with relevant government
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agencies and private citizens organizations and stakeholders, shall issue within ninety
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(90) days from the effectivity of this Act the relevant implementing rules and
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regulations.
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Sec. 8. Separabiiity Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is
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declared invalid or unconstitutional, the sections or provisions which are not affected
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shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, ordinances,
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rules, regulations, other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this
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Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
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Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,