, . . , 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
{lijlft" "f til' ~'m.t .. ~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
AUG 22 p 5 :11 
SEN.t~47 
S. No. ----
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______________________ 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The ConstitutioN, Article 2, Section 5 provides: 
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and 
property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by 
all the people of the blessings of democracy, 
A High-intensity discharge (HID) lamp is a kind of electrical lamp that makes light by 
means of an electric arc between tungsten electrodes placed inside a translucent or transparent 
fused quartz or fused alumina arc tube. When compared with conventional fluorescent and 
incandescent lamps, HID lamps are shown to have higher luminous efficacy since a bigger 
proportion of their radiation is in visible light as opposed to heat. The overall luminous efficacy 
of HID lamps is also higher, meaning that they produce a greater amount of light output per watt 
of electricity input. 
Since the 1990' s, HID lamps have found their way in motor vehicle headlamps. This 
application has met with different responses from the motoring public, who appreciate the 
improved night time visibility from HID headlamps but object to the glare they can result to, 
Studies have demonstrated drivers react faster and more accurately to roadway obstacles with 
good HID headlamps rather than halogen ones. Scientific study of headlamp glare has shown 
that for any given intensity level, the light from HID headlamps is 40% more glaring than the 
light from tungsten-halogen headlamps. Internationalized European vehicle regulations require 
such headlamps to be equipped with lens cleaners and an automatic self-levelling system to keep 
the beams aimed cOlTectly regardless of vehicle load and attitude. The arc light source in an HID 
headlamp is fundamentally different in shape, size, orientation and luminosity distribution when 
compared to the filament light source fOUl~d in tungsten-halogen headlamps. For that reason', 
I 


HID-specific optics are used to collect and distribute the light. HID burners cannot effectively or 
safely be installed in optics designed to take filament bulbs. This retrofitting results in 
improperly-focused beam patterns and excessive glare, and has been made illegal in almost all 
countries. These retrofitted headlamps have been known to cause accidents on the road and have 
generally inconvenienced those who drive at night. 
This bill aims to limit the use of HID headlamps to vehicles with headlamp housings 
originally designed for HID use, and not those designed for conventional halogen or tungsten 
, 
types . 
• This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
2 


" 
-SPlwtr 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
(~ffl;r "f t4'~\'mt .. ~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
I\UG 22 P5 :11 
SENAIE 
S,No, 
1~47 
~ 
________________________ 
R=E~C~!'_.!'_·,'_f_n HV:--a--
I. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
REGULATING THE USE OF HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE I-IEADLAMPS IN MOTOR 
3 
VEHICLES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House 0/ Representatives 0/ the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
4 
SECTION L Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "High Intensity Discharge 
5 
Headlamp Regulation Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition a/Terms. - As used in this Act, the term-
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(A) 
"High Intensity Discharge Headlamp" refers to headlamps that produce light 
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through an electric arc that comes from metallic salts that are vaporized within an arc chamber; 
9 
(B) 
"Headlamp housing or optics designed for HID use" refers to a head lamp system 
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that consists of a set of type-approved HID headlamps, an automatic head lamp leveling device, 
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and a headlamp cleaning system; and 
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(C) "Office" refers to the Land Transportation Office. 
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SECTION 3. Prohibition a/the Use a/Retrofitted HID Headlamps. - It shall be unlawful 
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to use an HID headlamp in a vehicle with headlamp housings or optics not designed for HID use. 
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Only vehicles with housings or optics originally designed for HID use can use HID headlamps. 
I 
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SECTION 4. Penalties, - The Office is empowered to establish and assess penalties or 
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fines against the registered owner of a vehicle for violations of this Act. In no circumstance will 
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any penalty or fine exceed FI0,OOO.OO. 
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I, 
1 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. -
If any provision of this Act is declared 
2 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
3 
shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
4 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
5 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
6 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
7 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
8 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2