THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHfLlPPlNES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensoi. Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the objective of the state to promote pthlic saSety in the transportntion of 
passengers, particiilarly school children. To achieve this objective, it is essential that the 
state shall prescribe minimum design standards of school buses for the safety of the student 
passengers. 
This bill seeks to prescribe regulations 
accidents by prescribing safety standards for sctiool buses 
to mitigale the effects of vehicular 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPI?ES 
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-1 
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1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STAMIARDS 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1, Short Title. This Act may be cited as the “School Bus Safety Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby the policy of the State to 
promote safety in order to protect passengers of school buses kom injury in case of 
accidents 
SECTION 3. Dejiiition of Terms - For purposes of this Act the term: 
(1) c’Bus” means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, 
designed for carrying more than 10 persons. 
(2)“School Bus” means a bus that is used for purposes that include 
carrying students to and from public or private school or school-related 
events on a regular basis, but does not include a transit bus or a school- 
chartered bus. 
(3) “School-Chartered Bus” means a bus that is operated under a short- 
term contract with the school authorities who have acquired exclusive use of the 
bus at a fixed charge in order to provide transportation for a group of pupils to a 
special school-related event. 
(4) 
“Secretary” 
means 
the 
Secretary 
of 
Transportation 
and 
Communications. 


(5) “Seat Belts” refer to the combined lap belt and shoulder strap that 
fasten a rider to a moving vehicle and prevent him from being thrown out or 
against the interior of the vehicle during sudden stops. 
SECTION 4. Proficiency Standards For School Bus Drivers, 
(a) Requirement- Not later than one (1) year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary 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 Secretary 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 
SECTION 5 .  Seat Belts in School Buses. 
(A) 
Requirement for Installation- Not later than one (1) year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretq 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 
by the Secretary to install the necessary seat belts in their school buses. 
(B) Promotion of Seat Belt Usage- 
(1) In General- The Secretary, 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- ln conducting the program required 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall- 
(A) encourage the local governments to monitor the 
mandatory usage of seat belts in school buses; 
(B) develop and disseminate educational materials 
on the importance of using seat belts to passengers and 
drivers of school buses; and 
(C) recognize in an appropriate manner school that 
achieve a high level of seat belt usage by passengers and 
drivers of school buses. 
SECTION 6. Determination Of Practicability And Feasibility Of Certain Safety 
and Access Requirements for School Buses. 
(a) Commencement of Rulemaking Process- Immediately upon the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall begin a rulemaking process to determine the feasibility and 
practicability of the following: 
(1) A requirement for a decrease in the flammability of the 
materials used in the construction of the interiors of school buses. 
(b) Final Rule- Not later than 1 year after such date, the Secretary shall promulgate 
a final rule providing for any requirement or standard referred to in paragraph (1) of 
subsection (a) that the Secretary determines to be feasible and practicable. 
SECTION 7. Registration. - No school bus shall be allowed to acquire, maintain 
and renew registration unless it is equipped with the necessary seat belts. 
SECTION 8. 
Implementing Authority. - The Secretary shall be primarily 
responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. 


The Secretary may provide for a reasonable period for public notice and comment 
consistent with ensuring expeditious but full implementation of the prescribed safety 
requirement of this Act. 
SECTION. 9. Sepuru6ility 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. 
SECTION 10. Repealing Cluuse. - 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. 
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fiReen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved 
RC 
29 July 1998