Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Every year, 1.2 million people die from 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. 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-disrupting 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 to 
develop a comprehensive plan and program to ensure the safety of pedestrian, 
bicycle, and other non-motorized transportation, especially for schoolchildren. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
August 3, 2023
2:05 pm
8770


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION, 
INCLUDING PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY, IN THE VICINITY OF 
SCHOOLS 
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.” 
Sec. 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.    
Sec. 3. Definitions of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the term: 
8770


 
(A)  
“Department” means the Department of Transportation. 
 
(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.   
 
(D)  
“Primary Schools” mean schools providing pre-school education through the 
sixth or seventh grade. 
 
(E)  
“Secondary Schools” mean schools providing education from the seventh 
through the twelfth year of school. 
 
(F)  
“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and 
Communications. 
 
Sec. 4. 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 
(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  
(g)  
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 (1), amounts apportioned to a locality under Section 5 may 


 
be used for non-infrastructure-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 
(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 non-infrastructure-related activities under this paragraph. 
 
Sec. 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. 
(B)  
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 city/municipality bears to; or the total 
student enrollment in primary and secondary schools in the country. 
(C)  
Determination of Student Enrollments. –  Determinations under this subsection 
concerning student enrollments shall be made by the Secretary. 
 
 
Sec. 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 determines are 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.   


 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. –  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulations. 
 
Approved,