Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

Regular Session

6509

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide special lanes and mechanism in crossing the
street for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and pregnant women.

The Constitution, in its declaration of State Policies, provides under
Section 12 thereof that the State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall
protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It
shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn child from
conception.

The State affirms and mandates the rehabilitation, self-development and
integration of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) into the mainstream society
through Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Persons with
Disabilities.

The “Special Lane" will be for the exclusive use of senior citizens, persons
with disabilities (PWDs) or medical conditions, and pregnant women. Although
there is already a law which establishes special lanes within certain
establishments, however there is a need to extend such accommodation
outside the streets where they are expose to higher risk and danger.

There is a need therefore for the government to provide special lanes for
person with disabilities, senior citizens and pregnant women to afford the much
needed protection, allow them freedom of movement without hindrance and
aid them in their needs as members of our society. Those mentioned persons
deserve special concern, compassion and courtesy because of their condition.

The foregoing reasons warrant the approval of this measure.
ee

REP, EVELIO R. LEONARDIA
Lone District, Bacolod City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Regular Session

6509

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING SPECIAL LANES AND PROVIDING MECHANISM IN
CROSSING THE STREET FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, SENIOR
CITIZENS AND PREGNANT WOMEN

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 “Special Lanes and
Mechanisms in Crossing the Streets Act of 2016",

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the State to
provide assistance and protect the welfare of pregnant women, senior citizen
and person with disabilities because of their fragile condition which requires
the understanding and assistance of the society which they are a part of.
Toward this end, it is necessary to ensure their safety and protection by
providing special lanes and mechanisms in crossing the streets as well as to
ensure the safety and systematic order in our public roads.

Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution, provides that the State shall
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development
which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social
services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for
the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children
Article XV, Section 4 of the Constitution, further, declares that it is the duty of
the family to take care of its elderly members while the State may design
programs of social security for them.

This Act seeks to cater the special needs of the aforementioned persons
who are subjected to cross busy streets where fast moving vehicles pass by
and who may not be capable of traversing the staircase of an overpass. This
Act thus assures the safety of such persons while traveling within the city sans
any hindrance in their movement or fear in crossing streets.


Section 3. Definition, For the purpose of this Act, the following shall refer
to:

“Pregnant woman” means a woman expecting to deliver a child or children
which condition shall continue until she has delivered such child or children or
has suffered a miscarriage.

“Senior Citizen” or elderly refers to any person at least sixty (60) years old;

“Person with Disabilities’ or Disabled Persons are those suffering from
restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory
impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered
normal for a human being;

“A pedestrian crossing or crosswalk’ is a place designated for pedestrians
to cross a road, Crosswalks are designed to keep pedestrians together where
they can be seen by motorists, and where they can cross most safely across
the flow of vehicular traffic.

“Special Lane” is a lane for crossing the streets for the exclusive use of
persons with disabilities, senior citizens and pregnant women. It shall have
distinguishing features for easier access and accommodation of the
aforementioned individuals.

“Mechanism is a process that has been set up to accomplish a particular
goal.

“Enhancements” are enhanced features to assist disabled people in
pedestrian controlled crossings.

Section 4. Enhancements. Pedestrian controlled crossings will be
provided with enhanced features to assist the disabled. Enhancements may
include, but are not limited to:

1. Tactile cones near or under the control button. These rotate or shake
when the pedestrian signal is green - the image of a "green man. This
is for pedestrians with visual impairments.

2. Tactile surfacing pattern (or tactile paving) laid flush within the adjacent
footways, so that visually impaired pedestrians can locate the control
box and cone device and know when they have reached the other side.

3. Audible signals, such as beeps or a rapid tick in order to help blind or
partially sighted pedestrians; or a short recorded message, beeps (or
clicks) with long intervals in-between signifying "don't walk" mode and
beeps with very short intervals signifying "walk" mode.

4, Electrostatic, touch-sensitive buttons; these require no force to activate.
To confirm that a request has been registered, the buttons usually emit
a chirp or other sound. They also offer anti-vandalism benefits due to


not including moving parts which are sometimes jammed on traditional
push-button units.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of
Transportation and Communication, the Secretary of DILG in consultation with
the heads and leaders of duly recognized organizations of the local
government, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act.

Section 6, Budget. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be included in the budget of concerned government agencies in
the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and
thereafter.

Section 7. Separability Clause. \f any part, section or provision of this Act
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected therein
‘shall remain in force and effect.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees and executive orders
inconsistent with this act is repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15 ) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.