Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2.8 Ju 205
Quezon City i ¥
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS \ Hint

Second Regular Session

House Bill No. __ 5380

Introduced by Representative ESTRELLITA “GING” B. SUANSING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is almost every day that we hear about road traffic accidents reported by
the media, involving public transport vehicles and trucks, some of which would
have been highly preventable had the person behind the wheel practiced road
courtesy and showed discipline while driving. Sadly however, many of those
privileged to drive display a lack thereof, leading to everyday traffic jams and
altercations.

On 2012, there is an average of 227 road accidents per day according to the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; most traffic accidents involve common
carriers and professional drivers (drivers hired or paid for driving or operating a

motor vehicle for private use or for hire).

This proposed measure aims to establish and institutionalize a program
intended to promote road safety by requiring professional drivers to go through a
mandatory driver’s education and road safety program. This will help promote
professionalism in the industry, instill in the drivers discipline while on the road,
and provide commuters and the general public more safeguard against unskilled

and reckless drivers.

Another salient feature of this bill is the accreditation of professional drivers
from the Land Transportation Office, with the Certificate of Completion of a
Professional Driver’s Education and Road Safety Program as one of the

requirements for accreditation.

In view of the above, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ESTRELLITA B. SUANSING

1s! District, Nueva Ecija


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5380

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ESTRELLITA “GING” B, SUANSING

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS TO UNDERGO DRIVER’S
EDUCATION AND ROAD SAFETY PROGRAM, PROVIDING FOR THEIR
ACCREDITATION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short title. - This Act shall be known as the “Professional
Driver’s Education Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to maintain
peace and order, protect life, liberty, and property, and promote the general
welfare for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

The State upholds the safety of commuters and the general public.
Towards this end, the State shall ensure that public transport operators and
drivers, most notably professional drivers, are adequately trained in safe

driving techniques.

SECTION 8. Professional Driver’s Education and Road Safety Program. - The
Land Transportation Office (LTO) shall:

(@) Develop and implement a nationwide Professional Driver's
Education and Road Safety Program. All drivers in the public
transportation industry applying for a professional driver's

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license, as well as professional drivers applying for the renewal
of their license, must, as a prerequisite, enroll in this program.
Once the driver has passed this program, the LTO shall issue a
certification to the driver bearing such information;

(b) Collect and analyze data on vehicular accidents and other
information than can be used to monitor the effectivity of the
program and for research, technical assistance, and policy
development.

(c) Provide continuous information and awareness campaigns to
the target drivers and the general public on transportation

safety issues.

SECTION 4. Participants of the Professional Driver's Education and Road
Safety Program. - The application for a professional driver's license and
renewal of the same shall require completion of the Professional Driver’s
Education and Road Safety Program for drivers in the following industries:

(a) Provincial and city bus operations;
(b) Public utility jeepneys;

(c) Taxi cabs;

(d) Public shuttles and van services.

SECTION 5. Accreditation of Professional Drivers. - There shall be an
accreditation of professional drivers to be implemented by the Land

Transportation Office (LTO), after meeting the following requirements:

(a) Valid professional driver’s license;

(b) Certificate of Completion of a Professional Driver’s Education
and Road Safety Program issued by the LTO;

() Neuro-psychiatric clearance with Official Receipt from LTO
accredited or government physician;

(4) Negative drug test result from a DOH accredited drug testing
center or government hospital;

(e) NBI clearance.

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SECTION 6. Renewal of Accreditation of Professional Drivers. - The renewal
of accreditation of professional drivers shall be every three (3) years. It may
be denied if the professional driver fails to comply with any of the
requirements of this Act.

SECTION 7. Sanctions for non-compliance of professional drivers. -
Professional drivers who fail to comply with Sections 4 and 5 of this Act
shall not be eligible for the application or renewal of a professional driver’s
license.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the LTO shall promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the existing
appropriation of the LTO. Thereafter, the amounts needed for the full
implementation of this Act shall be included in the budget of the LTO in the

succeeding General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If ant provision, or part thereof, is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the
provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or
issuances, executive orders, letter of instruction, administrative orders,
rules or regulations contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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CEIVED
Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5381

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ESTRELLITA “GING” B, SUANSING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Visual impairment among the elderly is a consequence of a functional
loss of vision. This can be caused by degenerative eye disorders and other
underlying diseases. Senior citizens with functional visual impairment are
more prone to falis, burns, and other form of injuries, as well as bouts of
depression. Because visual impairment substantially interferes with a
person’s activities of daily’living, and with frail bodies, senior citizens rely
and become dependent on others for their care. There is also the matter of
costly medical services, which most of our senior citizens are unable to

avail.

By intervening in a timely fashion and linking senior citizens to
appropriate services, the State can assist in maintaining the health, welfare,

and improve the quality of life of our elderly.

This bill seeks to establish a national senior vision services program
which will provide comprehensive services to the elderly who suffer from
functional visual impairments. The services included in the program are
rehabilitation and equipment service; advice, information and signposting
service; and a registry for senior citizens with functional visual impairments.
Client assessment, information and referral for health care services, as well

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: 28a 2015