FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
s:·No.248 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The general welfare of the public, specifically the commuters, should be at all times protected 
from the dangers brought about by other moving vehicles or carriages that are not easily seen in 
the street. 
In 2008, reports have shown that road accidents are becoming the fourth leading killer in the 
Philippines . Road accidents, especially those involving public utility vehicles, figure highly in 
the national accident statistics. 
Informal transport modes such as karitons, fishball carts, power hand tractor (kuliglig) with 
trailer, and horse carriages also contribute to these road accidents for the reason that they do not 
have headlights or backlights, rendering them inconspicuous in roads. The kuliglig in particular, 
has been one of the major culprits in rural accidents - causing fatalities to pedestrians and public 
transport users. From May to November 2007, reports have shown that kuliglig-related accidents 
in Pangasinan alone resulted to the death of seven people and more than sixty injured persons. 
It may be true that acciqents are part of our lives. However, there will always be a way to prevent 
these accidents from occurring. It is high time that we put a greater emphasis on improving road 
safety, particularly in the implementation of an effective road safety program. 
This bill seeks to put an end to the numerous deaths and accidents, most especially during 
nighttimes, caused by the informal transport modes traversing the roads. This bill distinctively 
requires the said vehicles traversing main and secondary roads to use reflectors. To further 
achieve the objectives of this measure, concerned government agencies shall be mandated to 
provide programs to educate the general public concerning the same matter. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
-r~~O~"S-O-:~~~ 
Senator 
1 www.gbjhtar.com on 27 April 2009. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.No·--2A8 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN VEHICLES/CARRIAGES 
SECONDARY 
ROADS 
TO 
USE 
REFLECTORS, 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
TRAVERSING MAIN AND 
PROVIDING 
PENALTIES 
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 may be cited as the "Rejlectorized Vehicles and 
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Carriages Act". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
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the general welfare of the public, specifically the commuters, and protect them from the dangers 
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brought about by other moving vehicles or carriages that are not easily seen in the street. It is 
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also the policy of the State to implement measures that aim to achieve road safety and provide 
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programs to educate the general public concerning the same matter. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be 
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defined as follows: 
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a) carriage/vehicle - means any moving improvised wheeled-vehicle or carriage: 
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1) which crosses the main and secondary roads; 
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2) including, but not limited to: karitons, fishball carts, hand tractor or the power 
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hand tractor (kuliglig) with trailer, and horse carriages; 
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3) that do not have headlights or backlights, conspicuous in the streets or roads; 
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and 
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4) other similar informal transport modes; 
b) Department -
means the Department of Transportation and Communications 
(DOTC); 
c) informal transport mode - means any vehicle not governed by the laws regarding land 
transportation and traffic code in the country and is not issued permit to operate on 
public roads; 
d) kuliglig - means: 
1) a two-wheeled trailer pulled by a two-wheeled tractor; 
2) a multi-purpose diesel or gasoline engine commonly used in provinces and 
other rural areas in the country; 
3) an informal and improvised transport mode commonly used by farmers to 
carry their produce from the field to the market, and also sometimes loaded 
with passengers; 
e) reflectors - means any material or sticker that reflects and Can be easily visible 
especially at night. 
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SEC. 4. Mandatory Use of Reflectors on Carriages. - All vehicles/carriages covered 
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within this Act shall use such reflectors as herein mandated. Otherwise, they shall be absolutely 
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prohibited from traversing all main and secondary roads of the country. 
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Within ninety (90) days from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department, in 
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coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), local government units, and other 
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concerned agencies, shall issue the necessary guidelines and requirements for the mandatory use 
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of reflectors on carriages crossing the main and secondary roads nationwide. 
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SEC. 5. Informatioll, Education and Communicatioll Campaign. - The Department, in 
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cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is hereby mandated to conduct a 
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comprehensive and nationwide information, education and communication campaign in order to 
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inform the general public of the purpose and objectives envisioned under this Act. 
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SEC. 6. Penalties. -
Violation of the provisions of this Act shall be subject to 
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impounding of the carriage/vehicle involved. If violation of this Act results to any accident, the 
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owner, possessor and/or operator thereof at the time of the accident shall be subject to a fine of 
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not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO) but not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos 
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(P200,OOO) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than four (4) years or 
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both, at the discretion of the court. 
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SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be found to 
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be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such declaration shall 
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remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent with the 
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
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its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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