Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5518

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable CARMELO B. LAZATIN I

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Driving a vehicle is a privilege that should be accorded only to those who are found to be fit and competent
‘enough to take on the responsibilities that the act entails. This is Precisely the reason why obtaining a license to
drive is a mandatory requirement for every would-be driver in the country.

But when abused or given to someone unfit for it, this privilege can result in deadly consequences,
According to the Global Status Report on Road Safety by the World Health Organization (WHO), 10,379 Filipinos
died as a result of road traffic accidents in 2015. Of this number, 19% were pedestrians, 14% were drivers of four-
wheeled vehicles, and 11% were vehicle passengers. Data from the Road Crash Statistics Report of the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDAY's Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System
reveals that in the National Capital Region (NCR) alone, there were 95,615 reported road accidents in 2015, of
which 519 resulted in actual deaths.

‘The causes of road accidents are varied, ranging from loss of control of the vehicle in cases such as
mechanical malfunctions and lost brakes, to dismal knowledge of driving rules in cases such as over speeding,
abrupt maneuvers, bad turns and reverse, as well as overtaking

The license requirement for all would-be drivers is supposed to filter potentially good drivers from those
‘who are not ready to take on the road with a vehicle. However, the alarming data cited in the foregoing paragraphs
highlights the need to strengthen drivers’ education even prior to the procurement of a driver's license in order to
mitigate, if not altogether eliminate, the likelihood of figuring in road accidents,

By implementing a drivers’ education program as an elective among senior high school students in public
secondary schools in the country, students will have a greater and in-depth knowledge of both the theoretical and
Practical aspects of driving. Equipping would-be drivers with the know-how needed to carry out good and safe
driving is one of the key measures necessary in ensuring safer roads for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.

In view of the foregoing premises, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

LE pic

First District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5518

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable CARMELO B, LAZATIN IT

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR DRIVERS’ EDUCATION AS AN ELECTIVE
FOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Drivers’ Education Elective Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State recognizes its duty of ensuring road safety as a means of
upholding its mandate of protecting its citizenry from the ruinous and injurious effects of road accidents.

Equipping would-be drivers with the knowledge needed to carry out good and safe driving is one of the key
‘measures necessary in ensuring safer roads for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.

Towards this end, the State shall provide a Drivers’ Education Program as an elective among senior high school
students in public secondary schools in the country.

SECTION 3. Inclusion of Drivers’ Education as an Elective for Senior High School Students in Public Secondary
‘Schools. ~ A Drivers’ Education Program shall be offered as an elective class for students in Grades 11 and 12 in
Public Secondary High Schools all over the country.

SECTION 4. Eligibility of Students to Enroll in the Drivers’ Education Elective. ~ To be qualified to enroll in
the Drivers’ Education Program, the student must be in his or her 11th or 12th Grade and enrolled in a Public
‘Secondary High School. In addition, said student must be at least 17 years old, in accordance with the age
requirement set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for the issuance of Student Driver's Permit.

SECTION 5. Divers’ Education Instructors. - The driving instructors who will be in charge of the Drivers’
Education Program in Public Secondary Schools shall be duly accredited and licensed by the LTO as professional
driving instructors.

SECTION 6. Phases of Instruction. — The Drivers’ Education Program shall last for ten (10) days and shall be
composed of two phases: the Classroom Instruction phase and the Behind-the-Wheel phase.

The Classroom Instruction phase shall be conducted over the course of seven (7) days, The Driver Education
Instructor shall provide the theoretical aspects of driving, as well as the applicable laws and regulations relating
to the act. The completion of this phase is a requisite before proceeding to the next phase.


‘The Behind-the-Wheel phase shall be conducted over the course of three (3) successive days. Three (3) hours of
‘actual behind-the-wheel instruction shall be allotted for each day. The completion of this phase is necessary before
the student is conferred a Certificate of Completion.

SECTION 7. Provision for Student Driver's Permit. ~ The Certificate of Completion issued upon the completion
of the Drivers’ Education Program shall be sufficient for the issuance of Student Driver’s Permit in lieu of the
requisites imposed by the LTO for the issuance of the same,

SECTION 8. Parinership with Private Driving Schools, - The DepEd and the LTO may, in its discretion, forge
4 partnership with Private Driving Schools, for the latter to provide the car units that shall be used by the
participating students during the Behind-the-Wheel phase. Such partnership shall be reflected in a Memorandum
of Agreement, and subject to reasonable compensation.

SECTION 9. Appropriation. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against
the current appropriations for the Department of Education (DepEd) and the LTO. Thereafter, such amount as
‘may be necessary for the continued operation of the Drivers’ Education Program shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 10. implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this
Act, the LTO and the DepEd, in coordination with other concerned agencies, shall promulgate the rules and
regulations and other issuances as may be necessary, to ensure the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause ~ Should any part of this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other
provisions hereof that are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, and
issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,