FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriguez al
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. S098
EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2004, road
traffic injuries accounted for 2.2% of total deaths making it the 9" leading cause of
death. However, the WHO estimates that in 2030, this percentage will increase to
3.5% making it the 5” leading cause of death only behind heart disease,
cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower
respiratory infections.

In the Philippines, the WHO reported last April 2011 that road traffic accidents
deaths in Philippines reached 8,175 or 1.94% of total deaths. There seems to be a
growing number of traffic accidents in the country which can be attributed mainly to
the sheer disregard of traffic laws or ignorance thereof. Further, attempts to curb
traffic law violations have not been totally successful.

There is, therefore, a need to inculcate the values of road courtesy and
discipline back into our culture and what better way than to start with the children,
Section 13, Article 11 of the 1987 Constitution provides that: “The state shall
recognize the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect
their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in
the youth patriotism, nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic
affairs.”

It is therefore apparent that we should start early in instilling discipline, road
courtesy and obedience to traffic laws. In Cagayan de Oro, our civic minded citizens
organized the Cagayan de Oro Campaigners for Road Courtesy and Discipline, Inc.
as an avenue to volunteer and educate the people on how to act while on the road.
We should follow their lead and expand the education all over the country.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested

.

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

meth, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

"Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
_ Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No, GO98

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
SCHOOLS TO INCLUDE THE SUBJECT ROAD AND TRAFFICE SAFETY
EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULUM BEGINNING SCHOOL YEAR 2012

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in the Philippines in
Congress assembled.

Section 1. Title — This bill shall be known as “THE ROAD COURTESY, DISCIPLINE
AND TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION ACT OF 2012”.

Section 2. Scope of Application — This bill provides for the guidelines and
implementation of the new school subject, Road Courtesy, Discipline and Traffic
Safety Education, which all private and public elementary and secondary schools
all over the Philippines are required to include in their curriculum. This includes
Grades 1 to 6 and 1" to 4" Year High Schools levels.

Section 3. Declaration of Policy — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote and protect the rights of students hence the following shall be the basic
guiding principles:

a) The educational system being the principal institutional mechanism for
imparting knowledge shall be responsible in instructing school children the
basic road and traffic laws;

b) Education is a right and not a mere privilege. It is therefore the responsibility
of the State to provide quality education for all Filipinos at all levels;

Section 4. Definition of Terms — As used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean

a) ‘Students’ — any person enrolled in and regularly attending school in the
elementary and secondary levels.

b) ‘School’ — any private, public or government-run and funded academic
educational institution offering any or all above-mentioned levels: Grades 1 to
6 for Elementary and ‘st to 4th year for Secondary or High School level;

©) ‘Road and Traffic Safety’ — An additional subject to be included in the school
curriculum


Section 5. New subject called Road and Traffic Safety Education — there shall be
a new subject called Road Courtesy, Discipline and Traffic Safety Education that
will be included in the school curriculum which will be taught starting from Grade 1
level up to 4 Year High School. The topics in this subject will include, among others,
the following:

a) Traffic Signs and what they mean — To familiarize students with the traffic
signs, what they mean and to teach them to obey these signs:

&

Rights and Obligations of Pedestrians — Students will be taught to use the
pedestrian lanes or walkways, when to cross the street, the use of
overpasses, etc:

©

Rights and Obligations of Pedestrians — Students compose a large
percentage of commuters. They should be taught where and when to get
rides and alight from vehicles, etc;

&

Rights and Obligations of Drivers — Students will eventually be newly licensed
drivers and they should know the proper way of driving, their responsibilities
as such, the importance of road courtesy and discipline, traffic safety, etc;

e

Rights and Obligations of Vehicle Owners (motorcycles, cars, trucks, etc.) —
When students know the rights and obligations of vehicle owners, they will
grow up knowing what is expected of them once they will have their own
vehicle/s;

f) Public Utility Vehicles (jeepneys, taxis and buses) — Knowing the rights and
obligations of these public utility vehicles, pertinent provisions of the Civil
Code on the Contract of Carriage, and where and how to ride these types of
vehicles will greatly help the students;

The Land Transportation Office — a basic knowledge of the organizational set-
up and how to obtain a driver's license is important;

g,

h) Philippine Laws on Driving, Fines and Penalties — knowing what the laws in

driving are in the Philippines as another must for students,

i) Local Traffic Code — each city or province has its own local traffic code that
students should be aware of,

j) And such other topics related to road courtesy and discipline and traffic
safety.

Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulation — Within Sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Department of Education in collaboration with the Land
Transportation Office shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to
implement the provision of Act.


Section 7. _Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the
remainder thereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect

Section 8. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, order, rules and regulations or
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved,