FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUsLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S.No. SENY 
671 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 1998, it was reported that there were 449 deaths per 100,000 population of the 5 - 9 
year old age group in. In the Philippines, motor vehicle crashes were the third leading cause of 
overall mortality in the 10-14 year old age group. These accounted for 299 deaths per 100,000 
population of the age group in 1998. 
According to a study made by the Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc. in 2004, private 
owned motor vehicles make up 79.6% of all vehicles on Philippine roads. In the 5 -15 year old 
age group, traffic crashes are the 3"d leading overall cause of mortality. Lack of seat belts or 
improper use of restraints may account for a substantial portion of these deaths. 
Adult seat belts are ill equipped to protect young children. Child seats provide effective 
restraint for young children riding in motor vehicles and minimize risk of death and injury during 
car crashes. However, the implementation of mandatory child seats may not be feasible, 
affordable, and sustainable in developing countries such as the Philippines. 
Republic Act 8750 mandates the installation and use of adult seat belts in front and rear 
seats of any private motor vehicle. Children below six years of age are likewise prohibited from 
occupying the front seat of any moving motor vehicle. However, the Republic Act No. 8750 does 
not require the use of specialized seats or restraints for young children. This bill seeks to address 
that deficiency.* 
' This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, Third Regular Session. 


4 
5 
S 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
I 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
IEQUIRING THE USE OF SAFETY DEVICES FOR CHILDREN 
RIDING IN MOTOR VEHICLES 
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 “Child Safety Device Act of 
2007.” 
SECTION 2. Declavation of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the general 
welfare of the people. Pursuant to this policy, and emphasizing that safe driving practices and 
proper use of safety devices remain the best way to protect children from traffic crashes and 
injuries resulting from vehicular accidents, this Act seeks to penalize any driver of a motor 
vehicle to travel which children on board without providing a safety device for such children 
SECTION 3. DeJnition of Terms. -As used in this Act, the term: 
(A) “Adult” means any person eighteen (1 8) years old and above. 
(B) “Child” or “children” means any person or persons twelve (12) years and below. 
(C) “Motor vehicle” means every vehicle operated or driven upon a public highway 
which is propelled by any power other than muscular power and is being used in any way to 
carry any child from one place to another 
(D) “Safety devices” shall mean any device approved by the Land Transportation Office 
to ensure the safety of children riding in motor vehicles. 
SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts and Penalties for Violation thereoj - It shall be unlawful 
for any driver of a motor vehicle to travel which children on board without providing a safety 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
device for such children. Any driver in violation of this provision shall be punished by a fine of 
One Thousand Pesos (Pl,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, or both at 
the discretion of the court, taking into consideration all attending circumstances. 
The license of such driver shall also be revoked upon final conviction for two (2) 
violations of this provision. Such revocation shall prohibit the grant of a new driver’s license for 
the twelve (12) months from the date of the conviction. 
It shall also be unlawhl for any adult accompanying any child or to allow such child to 
travel on a motor vehicle which does not have safety devices for children, unless such adult 
provides one for the child’s own use. Any person in violation of this provision shall be punished 
by a fine of Two Thousand Pesos (P2,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, 
or both at the discretion of the court, taking into consideration all attending circumstances. 
SECTION 5. Exceptions. - The provisions of this Act shall not apply to public utility 
vehicles such as, but not limited to, jeepneys and buses, as well as to emergency vehicles. It shall 
likewise not apply to medical emergencies or when, because of the circumstances of the 
situation, riding in a motor vehicle without a safety device removes such child from an even 
greater or more imminent danger. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. - The Land Transportation Office shall be the 
primary implementing and supervising agency for the implementation of this Act. It shall 
formulate the necessary implementing rules and regulations immediately upon the approval of 
this Act which it shall promulgate not more than sixty (60) days after the approval such approval. 
It shall likewise formulate a procedure for the approval of safety devices for use by children in 
motor vehicles and to publish a list of such approved devices not more than ninety (90) days 
after the approval of this Act. 
SECTION 7. 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. 
2 


1 
2 
3 
SECTION 8. 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. 
4 
5 
SECTION 9. E’ectivity 
Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afrer its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
6 
Approved, 
RCC/8-18-06 
3