Republic of the Whilippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Queson City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NOo.4694

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In a transport study conducted in 2012', the Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) estimated that with a traffic demand of 12.8 million per day, traffic and
congestion in Metropolitan Manila incurs an extra transport operating cost of 2.4
billion pesos (or 51 million US dollars) daily. Without a solution to this ongoing
problem, the financial and economic losses, as JICA predicts, will likely increase to 6
billion pesos per day. And while the rapid growth of Metropolitan Manila is seen in its
traffic jams and gridlocks, it has become a major urban problem.for the capital city.

Numbeo, a research and database website of user-contributed data, placed
the Philippines at the tenth (10") spot”, below Russia, in its 2016 Mid-Year report
with a Traffic Index of 199.66, stating that the average one-way travel time in Manila
alone is 58.85 minutes*.. Cars account for 48.5% of the total means of transportation
in Manila, followed by 18.2% of people working from home (and avoiding traffic), and
12.1% walking to school or work, according to Numbeo's data.

This bill seeks to address this problem by creating a National Traffic
Engineering Center to aid in decongesting and solving traffic concerns in
Metropolitan Manila, as well as in other major cities in the Philippines. It also
mandates a compulsory subject on road safety in the Enhanced K to 12 Basic
Education Program to ensure that the future drivers of the country will be well-
equipped with knowledge on proper road safety and courtesy. This is believed to be

"Japan International Cooperation Agency. “Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure. Development for Metro Manila and Its
‘Surrounding Areas (Region IMl and Region IV-A)", National Economic and Development Authority, 2014

? traffic Index for Country 2016 Mid Year”. Numbeo, hitps:/vww.numbeo.convtraffie/rankings_ by country jsp.
Accessed September 30, 2016.

3 traffic in Manila, Philippines”. Numbeo, htps:/www.numbeo.com/trafliclin’ Manila, Accessed September 30, 2016.

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a big step towards safer and more useable roads.

This bill is likewise filed in support of bills filed granting President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte emergency powers to address the massive traffic congestion

In view of the foregoing, the early approval of this bill is earnestly requested,

HON. RAYMUNI RAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 4694

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
CREATING A NATIONAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN

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 “National Traffic
Management Plan Act of 2016.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the
State that the promotion of the safety and economic well-being of the people shall be
pursued by providing them the necessary facilities for safe and convenient travel,

SECTION 3. Creation of the National Traffic Engineering Center. — There is
hereby created a National Traffic Engineering Center which shall be an attached
agency under the Department of Transportation.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the term:

(A) “Traffic Engineering Facilities and Equipment’ include traffic control
systems, geometric improvement of intersections, sidewalks and
median islands, road signs and pavement markings, pedestrian
overpasses, waiting sheds and other traffic safety amenities.

(8) “Traffic Control System” includes traffic signal, local signal controllers,
vehicle detectors, control center and related facilities and equipment
such as close-circuit television cameras and signal lanterns.


(C) “Traffic Control Signal” includes any device using a word or words,
symbol or symbols, a color light or lights or any combination thereof
operated mechanically, electrically or manually.

(D) “Local Signal Controllers’ mean any equipment controlling the signal
switching time for signal lanterns from green to orange to red color
based and the command sent by the computer at the control center.

(E) “Vehicle Detectors" include such equipment installed near signalized
intersection which measures the number and speed of vehicles and
sends the data to the computer at the control center.

(F) “Control Center” is the place which houses the central computer room,
computer room for traffic control signals and radio communication
equipment.

(G) “Road traffic safety subject” means the separate subject that teaches
either basic and/or advanced safety driving, road hazards, driving rules
and offenses, and use of traffic signs

(H) “DepEd” means the Department of Education
() “Department” shall refer to the Department of Transportation

(J) “UP-NCTSFI" means the University of the Philippines National Center
for Transport Studies Foundation, Inc.

SECTION 5. Relationship with the Local Government Units. - The Center
shall provide technical assistance to local governments units on matters pertaining to
traffic engineering, including but not limited to, providing traffic control devices and
related facilities and equipment available at the Center and assistance in the
preparation of related documents/supporting papers and studies, preparation and/or
implementation of traffic management plans, conduct of traffic studies, and
coordinative/monitoring support on traffic engineering and management. The Center
shall likewise provide the necessary technical training to local government personnel
in the operation and maintenance of traffic control system and related facilities and
equipment with the end in view of transferring the management of the technologies
and equipment to local government units

SECTION 6. Duties and Responsibilities. - The Center shall have the
following duties and responsibilities:

(A)Assist in the development and implementation of policies for urban and
regional transport;

(B) Provide technical the planning, services for the planning, design, installation,
and construction, operation and maintenance of traffic engineering and
management facilities and equipment nationwide;


(C)Develop and implement a national code of standards, specifications, and
operational, guidelines for the design, installation, operation and maintenance
of traffic control systems:

(D)Assist other agencies including the local government units, in finding solutions
to local traffic problems;

(E) Review and approve all design plans for traffic engineering and management
proposed by any government agency or local government units to ensure
uniformity and standardization;

(F) Coordinate with other agencies and authorities created for special
metropolitan political subdivisions tasked with transport and_ traffic
engineering management in the development of comprehensive plans and
strategies for urban traffic and transport;

(G) Formulate plans and programs to train and educate the motorists and the
general public on the important use of the various traffic control facilities and
other aspects of road safety and courtesy;

(H) Conduct researches, studies and seminars on traffic engineering and
management with emphasis on accident prevention and efficient traffic
control; and

(I) Receive donations from local and foreign institutions or agencies for the
purpose of carrying out its objectives.

SECTION 7. Executive Director. - The Center shall be headed by an
Executive Director who shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of
the Secretary of Transportation. The Executive Director shall have a rank equivalent
to an Executive Director IV position. The Executive Director shall be assisted by two
(2) Deputy Executive Directors; one (1) Deputy Executive Director for Project
Planning, Design and Implementation and one (1) for Administration, Operations and
Maintenance Of Traffic Control System. The Deputy Executive Directors shall have
the rank equivalent to Deputy Executive Director IV to be appointed by the Secretary
of Transportation.

SEC. 8. General Powers and Duties of the Executive Director and the Deputy
Executive Directors. —

(A) The general powers and duties of the Executive Director shall be as
follows:

1) To implement the policies, programs, projects, guidelines, procedures,
rules and regulations promulgated, prescribed, issued or adopted by the Center for
urban regional transport;

2) To manage the day-to-day affairs of the Center, and to ensure the
operational efficiency of the traffic engineering and management facilities and
equipment nationwide;

3) To head the technical, consultative and management staff of the Center;

4) To undertake the conduct of traffic survey, planning and design of traffic
engineering and management measures and services, the conduct of transportation
and traffic related research and studies and the preparation and updating of the
Code of Traffic Management and Operations;


5) To determine the organization of the Center and create such functional
units therein as deemed necessary in the proper and efficient implementation of the
functions and purposes of the Center, including recommending the appointment of
Officials and employees, it being understood that the security of tenure of these
workers shall be respected consisting of existing laws; and

6) Performs other related functions that may be assigned by the Secretary of
Transportation and the Secretary of Public Works and Highways or as may be
necessary and the convenient for attainment of the objectives of the Center;

(B) The Deputy Executive Directors of the Center shall have the following
general powers, functions and duties:

1) To assist the Executive Director in implementing, enforcing, and applying
the policies, programs, projects, guidelines, procedures, rules and regulations
promulgated, prescribed, issued, or adopted by the Center;

2) To assist the Executive Director in the performance of his other functions
and duties; and

3) To perform such other duties and functions as the Executive Director may
assign from time to time.

SECTION 9. Road Traffic Safety Subject. — The teaching of a separate and
compulsory subject called Road Traffic Safety shall be included at grade six and
grade tweive of the Enhanced K to 12 Basic Education Program. This subject shall
include defensive driving, basic traffic rules, the importance of road safety, road
hazards, and the steps to take in case of a road accident

SECTION 10. Implementing Agency. — The Secretary of Education is hereby
authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and carry out the provisions
of Section 9.

SECTION 11. Coordinating Agency. - The UP-NCTSFI is hereby authorized
to assist the DepEd in designing the teaching module on road traffic safety,

SECTION 12 Educational Materials. — It shall be obligatory on all
elementary and secondary schools to keep in their libraries an adequate number of
copies of the textbook, primer, and leaflet on Road Traffic Safety to be issued by the
DepEd, The DepEd shall determine the adequacy of the number of books,
depending upon the enrollment of the elementary and secondary school students

SECTION 13, Appropriations. - The amount of TWO BILLION PESOS
(P2,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial year of implementation of
this Act. Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act under the Department of Transportation

SECTION 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary


to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,