Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16™) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4140

House Bill No,

Introduced by Hon. Lorna Q. Velasco

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Traffic lights and pedestrian lanes are provided for in intersections to enhance safety of
pedestrians and motorists, alike. However, since time immemorial, traffic lights have
been designed to cater to the general public without any consideration for persons with
disability (PWDs), the elderly and pregnant women. The absence of devices in traffic
lights that will assist them in crossing pedestrian lanes places them and others,
especially motorists, in danger. This makes it a matter of public concern.

This bill seeks to require the installation of audible traffic signals (ATS) and push
buttons for the benefit of PWDs, the elderly and pregnant women in every traffic light
within the country. The audible traffic signal will provide information about the status and
relative position of pedestrian light signals while the push button will give more time to
PWDs, the elderly and pregnant women to cross intersections.

The installation of ATS and push buttons in every traffic light is consistent with the
mandate of R.A. 7277 which provides:

“Disabled persons are part of the Philippine society, thus the State shall
give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled
persons and their integration into the mainstream of society.

Toward this end, the State shall adopt policies ensuring the rehabilitation,
self-development and self-reliance of disabled persons.”

The passage of this bill will surely contribute significantly in the goal of making persons
with disability (PWD), as well as the elderly and pregnant women, self-reliant. Thus,
passage thereof is earnestly sought.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16™) CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4140

Introduced by Hon. Lorna Q. Velasco

AN
ACT REQUIRING ALL TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO BE EQUIPPED WITH AUDIBLE
TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND PUSH BUTTONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF PERSONS WITH
DISABILITY, THE ELDERLY AND PREGNANT WOMEN

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

Section 1. Short Title — This act shall be known as “Person With Disability, Elderly and
Pregnant Woman Pedestrians’ Welfare Act of 2014”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy — Disabled persons are part of the Philippine society,
thus, the State shall give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of
disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of society.

Accordingly, the State hereby declares to uphold the rights of PWD, the elderly and

pregnant women to live a normal life, as far as practicable, by formulating, establishing
and implementing policies that empower and make them self-reliant.

Section 3. Purpose ~ This Act has the following purposes:
1.) To provide safety for person with disability, elderly and
pregnant woman pedestrians;
2.) To improve the motorists and public safety;

3.) To improve traffic flow and congestion;

Section 4. Audible Traffic Signal — Audible Traffic Signal provides information about the
status and relative position of pedestrian light signals for blind or visually impaired
pedestrians.

An audible traffic signal includes two speakers at the ends of a crosswalk and a control
section. The control section navigates a person crossing by simultaneously emitting
sounds as in “back and forth call” operation from the two speakers disposed at the two
ends of the crosswalk for a period during which crossing is permitted.


Section 5. Push Button For PWDs, The Elderly And Pregnant Women — The push
button, whenever activated by a pedestrian crossing an intersection, shall trigger a
countdown timer in the traffic light which will give ample time for a person with disability,
an elderly person or a pregnant woman to cross the pedestrian lane.

The Land Transportation Office or appropriate government agency shall conduct a time
and motion study to determine the sufficient time that will give PWDs, the elderly and
pregnant women enough time to cross intersections safely.

Section 6. Implementation - There shall be an Audible Traffic Signal and Push Button
for PWDs, the elderly and pregnant women in all pedestrian crossings with traffic
signals that regulate vehicular traffic.

Section 7. Fines and Penalties - The Push Button shall be for the exclusive use of
PWDs, the elderly and pregnant women. Any person found guilty of violating this Act
shall suffer:

a.) First Offense — Fine of Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00)

b.) Second Offense — Fine of Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P2,500.00)

c.) Third Offense — Fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) and/or one (1)
day to thirty (30) days of imprisonment.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations — This Act, including its implementing
rules and regulations, shall be implemented by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)
and other concerned agencies.

Section 9. Budgetary Appropriation - Such amount as may be necessary to effectively
implement this Act shall be provided for by Congress in the annual General
Appropriation Act.

Section 10. Effectivity — This act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after publication in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,