, , 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENi)..Tll 
S.No. 
~~2S 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
SENt,n 
OFfICE .)" ,"iE ~,'r.tIr::TI,R'\· 
" n !IU6 -2 P 1 :50 
m,"l-nrT I':ri" @ 
n~<'~<' e:".1''YF ' 
,_"." 
In an article published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 21 April 2007, it was reported 
that the World Health Organization (WHO) is considering deaths and injuries from motorcycle 
accidents as a "public health epidemic" in many countries in Asia, including in the Philippines. 
In its report, the WHO said nearly 1.2 million persons die of road traffic accidents every year, 40 
percent of which are under the age of 25. Between 20 million and 50 million are injured every 
year. Young motorcyclists make up a significant percentage of injuries and fatalities ani"oIig '~oad ........ -
users in many Asian countries. The report also identified overspeeding, non-use of helmets, risk-
taking behavior, and drunk -driving as factors which contribute to the rising trend. 
An Asian Development Bank (ADB) report on road safety in the Philippines said that 
pedestrians were most at risk of being killed or injured in a road accident. Motorcyclists were a 
far second, but the report said they were a "growing concern" as the number of motorcycles has 
been growing by 40 percent per year in the last three years. 
According to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Metropolitan Road 
Safety Unit of their Traffic Operations Center made a report on the distribution of vehicles 
involved in accidents from January to December 2006. The report showed that motorcycles have 
the highest fatality accident rate with 122 motorcycles involved or 23.60 per cent of the total 
fatal accidents, followed by cars with I13 total or 21.86 per cent respectively. For non-fatal 
accidents, cars have the highest rate with 30.22 per cent share followed by motorcycles with 
29.59 per cent. 
1 


It is imperative that a law be passed to establish guidelines that will prevent road 
=id~", p"",colMly llio", '''oly'o, ;c~ 
D~'R1;~ 
I This bill was originally filed in the Thirteenth Congress, Third Regular Session. 
2 


sri\:~'¥'r 
01!HCE <.\1' 0:, I"~ SF <' ":!: TM.V 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
I [J 
AUG ~2 P 1 :50 
• SEN,u;a 
S. No. 
i!i!28 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
BANNING MOTORCYCLES FROM USING MAIN ROADS, HIGHWAYS, AND 
3 
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
4 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Motorcycle and Pedestrian 
5 
Safety Act." 
6 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to: (l) 
7 
protect the safety of pedestrians, (2) promote the safety of motorcycle drivers and passengers, 
8 
and (3) formulate legislation that will promote traffic decongestion. The state shall provide 
9 
specific and adequate guidelines to prevent road accidents involving motorcycles. 
10 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. 
11 
1. Motorcycles - any two-wheeled vehicle such as motorcycles and bicycles 
12 
2. Highways and national highways - roads designated by the government or local 
13 
government units as highways or national highways 
14 
3. Main roads - roads designated by local government units as main roads 
15 
4. Sidewalks - paved walkways at the side of the street intended for the use of 
16 
pedestrians 
17 
5, Helmets - protective head cover used by motorcycle drivers and 24 passengers. 
18 
SECTION 4. Where motorcycles prohibited. - Motorcycles and other twowheeled 
19 
vehicles such as bicycles shall be prohibited from using main roads, highways, and national 
1 


1 
highways as designated by the government or by the various local government units throughout 
2 
the country. 
3 
SECTION 5. When motorcycles prohibited. - Motorcycles and other two-wheeled 
4 
vehicles such as bicycles shall be prohibited daily along all main roads, highways and national 
5 
highways throughout the couutry during the hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 8:00 
6 
p.m. to 6:00 a.m., except during Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. 
7 
SECTION 6. Exceptions. Exceptions may be made in provinces wherein there is no 
8 
considerable vehicular traffic and where bicycles, tricycles, and motorcycle are the primary 
9 
means of transportation. Exceptions can also be made in far fluug places in the provinces where 
10 
motorcycles are the only means of transportation. 
11 
SECTION 7. Use of helmets. It shall be mandatory for all motorcycle drivers and 
-!.-
--
_ •• _--
- --
-
. 
12 
passengers to wear appropriate helmet. Children shall also be required to wear the appropriately-
13 
sized helmet while riding motorcycles. 
14 
SECTION 8. Use of sidewalks. It shall be prohibited for motorcycles to use the sidewalk 
15 
intended for the use of pedestrians . 
. 16 
SECTION 9. Compulsory use of daytime running lights - It shall be compulsory for 
17 
motorcycles to use daylight running lights and motorcycle headlights during daytime to allow 
18 
riders to clearly see the road and other vehicles. 
19 
SECTION 10. Implementing Agency. The overall implementing agency for this Act shall 
20 
be the Land Transportation office (LTO). In the Metropolitan Manila area, the LTO shall be 
21 
assisted by the local traffic enforcers. In the provinces, the respective local 26 government units 
22 
shall implement the provisions of this Act. 
23 
SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The LTO shall formulate the 
24 
implementing rules and regulation for this Act not later than 120 days after its passage into law. 
2 


• 
• 
1 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
2 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
3 
valid and subsisting. 
4 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
5 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
6 
with the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
7 
SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
8 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
/ptmt05july2010 
3