Republic of the Philippines 26SEP 2012

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 30
Quezon City c
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
House Bill No,__ 6603

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Itis the primary objective of the State to guarantee and promote the public
safety especially in the transportation of passengers. When we talk of the
transporting of people, particularly school children, then it becomes the more
urgent that their safety and well-being is secured.

To be able to achieve this objective, it is essential that the State prescribe
minimum design standards of school buses for the safety of student passengers.
Given that our children spend a huge portion of their time in school, we must be
vigilant in ensuring that their mode of transport is efficient and safe.

The bill, therefore, seeks to prescribe regulations to mitigate the effects of
vehicular accidents by prescribing safety standards for school buses

In view of the foregoing, the bill's immediate passage into law is earnestly
requested.

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORIA PAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

6603

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be called the "School Bus Safety
Act of 2012."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby the policy of the State to
promote safety in order to protect passengers of school buses from injury in case
of accidents.

SECTION 3. Definitions of Terms. — For purposes of this Act the term:

(A) "Bus" means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer,
designed for carrying more than ten (10) persons;

(B) "School Bus" means a bus that is used for purposes that include
carrying students to and from public or private school or school-related
events on a regular basis, but does not include a transit bus or a school-
chartered bus;

(C) "School-Chartered Bus" means a bus that is operated under a short
term contract with the school authorities who have acquired exclusive use


of the bus at a fixed charge in order to provide transportation for a group
of pupils to a special school related event;

(D) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation and
Communication;

(E) "Seat Belts" refer to the combined lap belt and shoulder strap that
fasten a rider to a moving vehicle and prevent him from being thrown out
or against the interior of the vehicle during sudden stops;

SECTION 4. Proficiency Standards for School Bus Drivers. -

(A) Requirement. - Not later than one (1) year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shalll prescribe proficiency standards for school
bus drivers who are required to possess a professional license to operate
a school bus.

(B) Demonstration of Proficiency. - Upon the prescription of standards
under paragraph (A), each school bus driver referred to in paragraph (A)
shall demonstrate at such interval as the Secretary shall prescribe to the
employer of the driver, the school, the licensing agency, or other person or
agency responsible for regulating school bus drivers the proficiency of
such drivers in operating a school bus in accordance with the proficiency
standards prescribed under paragraph (A) or the proficiency standards
established by the State concerned, as the case may be.

SECTION 5. Seat Belts in School Buses. -

(A) Requirement for Installation. - Not later than one (1) year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations
requiring driver seat belts and passenger seat belts (including lap safety
belts or other child safety devices meeting applicable government safety
standards) for each sealing position in any newly manufactured school
bus. Owners of school buses which are not currently equipped with seat
belts shall be given a period of six (6) months from the publication of the
regulations by the Secretary to install the necessary seat belts in their
school buses.

(B) Promotion of Seat Belt Usage. -

(1) In General. - The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate
safety organizations and parent-teacher organizations, shall
conduct a program to promote and encourage the use of seat belts
in school buses.


(2) Elements of Program. - In conducting the program required
under this subsection, the Secretary shall -

(a) Encourage the local governments to monitor the
mandatory usage of seat belts in school buses;

(b) Develop and disseminate educational materials on the
importance of using seat belts to passengers and drivers of
school buses; and

(c) Recognize in an appropriate manner school that achieve
a high level of seat belt usage by passengers and drivers of
school bus.

SECTION 6. Determination of Practicability and Feasibility of Certain
Safety and Access Requirements for School Buses. -

(A) Commencement of Rulemaking Process. - Immediately upon the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall begin a rulemaking process to
determine the feasibility and practicability of a requirement for a decrease
in the flammability of the material used in the construction of the interiors
of school buses.

(B) Final Rule. - Not later than one (1) year after such date, the Secretary
shall promulgate a final rule providing for any requirement or standard that
the Secretary determines to be feasible and practicable.

SECTION 7. Registration. — No school bus shall be allowed to acquire,
maintain and renew registration unless it is equipped ‘with the necessary seat
belts

SECTION 8. Implementing Authority. - The Secretary shall be primarily
responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. The Secretary may
provide for a reasonable period for public notice and comment consistent with
ensuring expeditious but full implementation of the prescribed safety requirement
of this Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If any provisions 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 10. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or
regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby
repealed, modified or amended accordingly.


SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,