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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINE§ 
. . ,  ‘ 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
57 
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a multi-sectoral study conducted on children’s welfare in the Philippines, 
it has been revealed that child death rate caused by accidental injuries has 
tripled in the last 30 years, and was recorded to be the third leading cause of 
death for children ages 1 to 14. According to the 2003 Philippine National Injury 
Survey, road accident is the second leading cause of death among children at 
5.85 per 100,000 
In a similar study data released by SAFE KIDS Philippines, a global non- 
governmental organization dedicated to the prevention of unintentional injuries to 
children also shows that at least 20 million children are at risk of dying or being 
injured in road accidents every year. It says 35,000 Filipino children get injured or 
die in road accidents each year or about 263 a day. Studies show that in about 
3,000 children who had suffered injuries, 56 percent of them were hurt in road 
accidents 
primarily 
involving bicycles, motor vehicles, 
and pedicabs. 
The worst part is, children mostly belonging to poor families are the biggest 
victims. 
It is evident that road condition in the Philippines is hazardous specially 
for thousands of kid pedestrians roaming the metropolis everyday. 
Such 
accidents can possibly be attributed to a number of factors like vehicle over- 


speeding, undisciplined drivers, road works obstructions, lack of pedestrian 
lanes, sidewalks given to garbage and vendors, laxity in the enforcement of road 
safety rules, and lack of proper public education on road safety measures. 
The government should not wait for these unnecessary and preventable 
accidents that happen in the roads to escalate further. Considering that road 
accident is one of the prevalent causes of serious injuries to children, the 
authorities should waste no time to put in place policy measures to address the 
safety issues of our young citizens. 
This piece of legislation will put in place additional road safety regulations 
to be strictly enforced to all motorists, pedestrians and all concerned sectors in 
order to minimize, if not totally eliminate, accidents involving children. Aside from 
this, all local government units will be mandated to institute awareness programs 
on road and pedestrian traffic safety precautions to educate parents and children 
alike in every barangay. 
This bill will also further the call of our President to encourage different 
sectors in the society to come-up with concerted efforts to ensure the success of 
this advocacy for our children by means of institutionalizing PROCLAMATION 
NO. 852 issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, DECLARING THE 
THIRD WEEK OF JUNE OF EVERY YEAR AS “SAFE KIDS’S WEEK’. 
I urge my colleagues to help support the immediate passage of this 
measure to address the alarming concern on our children’s welfare. 
MA 6- 
EL “LITO” M. LAPID 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
j- 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING A POLICY FOR NATIONAL ROAD ACCIDENT PREVENTION 
AND SAFETY AWARENESS SCHEME FOR CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 'I. Shod i'itie - This Act shall be known as the "Road Safety for Children 
Act of 2007." 
Section 2. Policy - It is the policy of the State to protect the general welfare and 
well being of children. It is also the policy of the State, consistent with the 
Constitutional provisions to protect and safeguard the children from accidental 
road injuries and promote awareness and instill consciousness among motorists 
the importance of child pedestrian safety. For these purposes, the government 
shall institute a policy whereby all concerned shall be encouraged to strictly 
follow regulations and cooperate in programs to help prevent accidental road 
injuries and death to children. 
Section 3. Purpose - It is the main purpose of this Act to: 
a. Promote a road safety environment for children; 
b. Implement a school and community based educational program on the 
proper pedestrian safeguards on accidental road injuries of children; 
c. Impose extra regulations for pedestrian and traffic practice; 


d. Institutionalize the declaration of a “Kids Road Safety Awareness 
Month” to encourage all concerned from the private and government 
sectors to come up with programs and actions for the advancement of 
measures on road safety ; and 
e. Create an Inter-Agency Committee on Road Safety for Kids to oversee 
the implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
Section 4. Definition of Terms - Whenever used in this Act: 
a. “Children“ - refer to persons below 18; 
b. “Vehicles” - refer to any motorized vehicles, karitelas, bicycles and 
pedicabs; 
c. “four-wheeler motor vehicles” - refer to automobiles, jeepneys, trucks, 
and trailers 
d. “Local Government Units” - refer to Provincial, City, Municipality, and 
Barangay Sanggunian 
e. ”PUV Stops” - refer to Public Utility Vehicles loading and unloading 
areas 
f. “Schools” - refer to public and private elementary educational 
institutions 
g. “Streets” - all forms of roads that can accommodate non-pedestrian 
traffic not otherwise considered as avenues, local and national 
highways 
h. “Roads” - refer to streets, avenues, local and national highways 
CHILDREN’S ROAD SAFETY REGULATIONS 
Section 5. 30 kph Speed Limit Zones- All vehicles traversing any local street 
and road shall be restricted to drive not beyond thirty kilometers per hour in 
areas to be designated as “30 kph zones”. For this purpose, the Local 


Government Units are authorized to identify “30 kph zones” after going through a 
study and plan on traffic schemes in their respective localities taking into 
consideration the road safety benefits of children. Provided, however, that in the 
case of Avenues and Provincial Highways, the City and the Provincial 
Government concerned may determine and set speed limit restrictions. 
Section 6. Designation of Bicycle and Motorcycle Lanes - There shall be a 
designated Bicycle and Motorcycle Lanes herein referred to as BlMO Lanes in 
selected roads as exclusive access use for riders of bicycles and motorcycles. 
The BlMO lanes will be separated by a physical barrier from four-wheeler motor 
vehicles and clearly identified with signs and/or pavement markings. Provided, 
however that every person riding along BlMO Lanes shall be granted all of the 
rights and shall be subjected to all applicable laws and traffic regulations of the 
National Government and the concerned Local Government Units. Provided, 
further, that every bicycle and motorcycle in BlMO Lanes shall be operated under 
the following conditions: 
equipped with a braking system to enable the operator to bring 
the bicycle to a smooth safe stop; 
whenever in use during the period from six p.m. to five a.m., 
bicycles and motorcycles shall be equipped with a lamp on the 
front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance to the 
front and a red lamp or a red reflector at the rear and shall 
display either on each pedal, in case of a bicycle, a reflectorized 
material which is visible from all angles; 
shall give an audible warning whenever necessary to insure the 
safe operation of the bicycle; 
shall not carry any package, bundle or article except in a basket, 
rack, trailer or other device designated for such purpose. The 
rider shall at all times keep both hands on the handle bars; and 


e.) 
child riding a bicycle or being carried as a passenger on a 
bicycle shall wear a helmet. 
Section 7. School Children Crossing Patrol, Designated Pedestrian 
Crossing Lane, Loading 81 Unloading Area - Every school shall be assigned 
with their respective “School Children Crossing Patrol” which shall have the 
exclusive duty of assisting school children in crossing a designated Pedestrian 
Crossing Lane leading to a designated Loading & Unloading Area, to be 
appointed by the concerned Sangguniang Barangay. All school crossing patrol 
shall undergo basic training to be administered by the Children Road Safety 
Committee which will be created herein. 
The CHIROSA Committee shall, in close coordination with the 
Sangguniang Barangay, identify and designate pedestrian crossing lane and 
Loading and Unloading Areas for PUVs to be placed at least within one (1) 
kilometer radius in all schools. The pedestrian crossing lane and the loading and 
unloading area shall at all times be visible with a signage at any portion of the 
roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines on the road surface or 
by other markings or signs. 
Section 8. Sidewalk Clearing - Sidewalks shall be for exclusive use of 
pedestrians. For this purpose, sidewalks shall at all times be clear from any form 
of obstructions that can cause injury to or unduly interfere with any person using 
the sidewalk. Local Government Units shall clear or remove or cause to be 
cleared or removed erected structures whether permanent or temporary from any 
existing sidewalks. 
ROAD SAFETY INFORMATION CAMPAIGN 
Section 8. Community Based Child Pedestrian Trainings - A practical 
roadside child pedestrian training scheme shall be implemented in all barangays 


to be conducted every year during the month-long celebration of the Kids Road 
Safety Awareness Month as provided for in this Act. For this purpose, a Child 
Pedestrian Training Coordinator shall be assigned in every barangay to train and 
disseminate information on, but not limited to, basic practice on pedestrian 
crossing, road safety precautions, danger awareness, identification of safer 
pedestrian path and routes to develop in children the understanding, attitudes 
and skills of a responsible pedestrian. 
Educational road safety leaflets shall be produced and distributed during 
the conduct of the training as training materials. 
Section 10. School Based Road Safety Education -A national educational 
guidelines on road safety for schoolchildren shall be integrated in the syllabus of 
primary education from pre-school to grade 3. The road safety lesson plan to be 
used by teachers shall be designed and developed in close coordination with the 
CHIROSA Committee. 
Section 11 - Declaration - The month of June of every year is hereby declared 
the “Kids Road Safety Awareness Month”. The CHIROSA Committee shall take 
the lead role in the conduct of month long observance from the national down to 
the barangay level. 
Anytime during the month long celebration, the CHIROSA Committee 
shall carry out festive activities to be participated by children and parents alike in 
all barangays to promote children’s road safety awareness and road accident 
prevention. 
All Local Government Units and educational institutions throughout the 
country are hereby enjoined to give their support to the observance by providing 
assistance and participation in the conduct of activities. 


IMPLEMENTING AGENCY AND PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE 
Section 12 - Creation of Inter-Agency CHLDREN ROAD 
SAFETY 
COMMITTEE - An inter-agency committee to be known as Child Road Safety 
Committee (CHIROSA Committee) is hereby created to have the power and 
function to administer and implement the provisions of this Act. The CHIROSA 
Committee shall be composed of the following: 
a. Secretary of the Department of Transportation 
b. Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local 
and Communications (DOTC) 
- 
Chairman 
Government (DILG) 
- 
Vice Chairman 
c. Secretary of the Department of Education (DEPed) - 
Member 
d. President of the League of Provinces 
- 
Member 
e. President of the League of Cities 
- 
Member 
f. President of the League of Municipalities 
- 
Member 
g. President of the Liga ng mga Barangays 
- 
Member 
h. A representative from a non-government 
- 
Member 
organization (NGO) with a national membership 
or international affiliations involved in the advocacy 
of children’s welfare 
Section 13. Penalties -The following penalties shall apply: 
a. Operators of Vehicles in Violation of Section 5. - On the first offense, a 
fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (Php1,000.00) but not more than One 
Thousand Five Hundred (Phpl,500.00) shall be imposed. 
On the second offense, a fine of not less than One Thousand Five 
Hundred Pesos (Php1,500.00) but not more than Five Thousand Pesos 
(Php5,000.00) shall be imposed. 
On the third offense, in addition to a fine of not less than Five Thousand 
Pesos (P5,OOO.OO) but not more than Ten Thousand pesos (Php10,000.00), the 


driver's license issued by the Land Transportation Office shall be cancelled or 
revoked. 
b. Bicycle and motorcycle in BlMO Lanes operating in violation of the 
conditions set forth in Sec. 6.- 
On the first offense, a fine of One Hundred 
Pesos (PhplOO.OO) in the case of bicycle and Two hundred Hundred Pesos 
(Php 200.00) in the case of motorcycle shall be imposed. 
On the second offense, a fine of Two Hundred Pesos (Php200.00) in the 
Three Hundred Pesos (Php 300.00) in the case of 
case of bicycle and 
motorcycle shall be imposed. 
On the third offense, a fine of Three Hundred Pesos (Php300.00) in the 
case of bicycle and Five Hundred Pesos (Php 500.00) and cancellation of the 
driver's licenses issued by the Land Transportation Office in the case of 
motorcycle shall be imposed. 
Provided, however, that the aforementioned penalties shall not be 
applicable if the violations are committed by a child bicycle rider, but will instead 
be brought to the Sangguniang barangay where the child violator is a registered 
resident. It shall be the duty of the Sangguniang Barangay concerned to 
immediately require the child together with his or her parents or guardian to 
undergo counseling. 
c. Vendors Operating on Sidewalks in Violation of Section 8 - Any person 
or any business entity or establishment vending or performing promotional 
operations on sidewalks shall be fined the amount of not less than Five 
Thousand Pesos (Php5,000.00) or an imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) 
days. Provided, however, if the violation is by an establishment or business 
entity, the owner, president, or the board of directors thereof shall be liable for 
the offense. 


MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION 
Section 14. Implementing Rules. - The CHIROSA Committee shall promulgate 
such rules and regulations necessary for effective implementation of this Act 
within six (6) months from the date of its publication. 
Section 15. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of 
all the national government agencies which are part of the CHIROSA Committee. 
Thereafter, such funds as may be necessary for the continued implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the budgets of the concerned national government 
agencies under the annual General Appropriations Act. 
Section 16. Repealing Clause. - Proclamation No. 852 s. 1995 is hereby 
repealed. All other laws, Presidential Decree, Issuance, Executive Order, Letter 
of Instruction, rules or regulations or portions thereof inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Section 17. Separability Clause. - Should any provision c. this Act be 
subsequently declared unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
Section 18. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from 
the date of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,