Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House Bill No,__8098

Introduced by Representatives EDGAR MARY S. SARMIENTO , MANUEL JOSE
MANNIX” M. DALIPE, ALOYSIA T. LIM

AN ACT INTEGRATING ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULUM OF
THE BASIC EDUCATION (K TO 12) PROGRAM

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Road traffic injury is a major public health concern. It kills 1.35 million people around the
world annually and is among the top ten leading causes of death, being the only cause of
death due to injury. Developing countries such as the Philippines bear the heaviest burden
and are disproportionately affected by road traffic injuries. According to the World Health
Organization, low- and middle-income countries account for more than 90% of road traffic
deaths despite having only 54% of the world’s registered vehicles’.

Children and the youth are most vulnerable to road traffic injuries as it is the leading cause of
death for ages 5-29 years old”, this vulnerability is further exacerbated by children who have
long commutes to and from school, and children with disabilities are at an increased risk when
traveling on roads not supported by disabled access signs.

This situation is reflected in the Philippines due to the increasing rate of deaths cause by road
traffic accidents in the past decade with 6,869 deaths recorded in 2006 and 11,360 in 2017,
Road traffic injury also has severe consequences on social and economic outcomes, not only
by the loss of life affecting families and the communities but also by the productivity loss
affecting the nation.

As part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, integrating road
safety education in the school curricula concretizes the country’s commitment to the ideals
of Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 in achieving the target to halve the number of global
deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2020. This is also in line with the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 24 in ensuring that all segments of

+ WHO, Globo! stotus report on road safety 2016.
? WHO, Globo stotus report on road safety 2018.
2 k. Sy, "IN NUMBERS: Road erash incidents in the Phillpines’,Rappler

DEC 01 2020


society, in particular parents and children, are informed, have access to education and are
Supported in the use of basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the advantages of
breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation and the prevention of accidents.*

The proposed measure seeks to reduce the number of injury and fatality caused by road traffic
accidents by integrating road safety education in the school curricula. The bill seeks to
motivate the children and the youth to become responsible road users by equipping them
with basic road safety knowledge to prevent road safety accidents and fulfilling the
Philippine’s commitment to achieving the SDG 3.6. As classes prepare for a blended program
of learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to prepare the roads and
strengthen the protection of children when face-to-face classes resume.

Edgah\Mary §, Sarmiento wba Dfipe

“UN Commission on Human Rights, Convention on the Rights of the Child


CoVanawne

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 8098

Introduced by
Representatives EDGAR MARY S. SARMIENTO, MANUEL JOSE “MANNIX” M.
DALIPE, ALOYSIA T. LIM

AN ACT INTEGRATING ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION IN THE CURRICULUM OF
THE BASIC EDUCATION (K TO 12) PROGRAM

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Road Safety Education in
Schools Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby the policy of the State to ensure the
safety and security of its citizens through road safety infrastructures, legislations and
programs. Further, the State recognizes that road accidents and deaths are urgent
national health and development concerns that gravely affect children and the
economy of the State.

As a signatory to the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the state remains committed to
fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals particularly SDG 3.6 on Good Health and
Well-being and to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic
accidents by 2020. Towards this end, the state shall establish an inclusive mechanism
that instills road safety consciousness to students and ensures their safety in and
outside of the school.

Section 3. Road safety education, which includes but not limited to pedestrian safety,
car passenger safety, driving safety, safety near roads, traffic signage, is hereby
required to be part of the curriculum for the K to 12 Program.
Section 4. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act:

(a) “Basic road safety” — refers to the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians
and commuters in their use of all types of roads used for transportation in


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order to reduce the incidence of road accidents. It shall include, but not be
limited te ad awareness, road signages, responsible commuting, and the
responsibilities of pedestrians;

(b) “Comprehensive Drivers Education” — refers to the rights and
responsibilities of drivers in their use of on all types of roads used for
transportation in order to reduce incidence of road accidents. It shall include
but not be limited to basic road safety and its components, education on
pertinent laws and rules and regulations on driving, traffic signages, driving
safety, and car passenger safety;

(c) “K to 12” — refers to the enhanced basic education program created under
Republic Act No. 10533, otherwise known as the “Enhanced Basic
Education Act of 2013".

(d) “Children with disabilities” — refers to persons below 18 years old who have
long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which in
interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective
participation in society on an equal basis with others, such as but not limited
to children with physical or orthopedic disability; intellectual disability,
learning disability, communication disability including deaf and hard of
hearing; visual disability or psychosocial disability.

Section 5. /ntegration into Curriculum. — Basic road safety and comprehensive driver's
education are hereby integrated into the curriculum of the K to 12 program. Basic road
safety shall be made part of the elementary curriculum. Comprehensive driver's
education shall be made part of the junior and senior high school and higher education
curricula.

Section 6. Teaching Modules. - The scope of the teaching modules for each grade
level shall be identified by the Department of Education (DepEd), taking into
consideration the age and the level of comprehension of the students.

The UP-National Center for Transportation Studies Foundation, Inc. shall assist
the DepEd in designing the teaching modules on road safety and traffic education.

Section 7. Education Materials. — all grade schools and high schools shall keep in
their libraries an adequate number of copies of the textbook, primer and leaflet on road
safety and traffic education prescribed by the DepEd, The adequacy of the number of
books shalll also be determined by the DepEd.

Section 8. Road Safety Facilities and Traffic Signs. — to enable students to recognize
signs and use available road safety facilities properly.

Section 9. Funding Source. — The funds needed for the purpose of implementing this
Act shall be sourced from the Road Safety Fund which is 7.5% of the Motor Vehicle's
User's Charge.

Section 10. Implementation. — Within sixty (60) days after the implementation of this
Act, the Department of Education in coordination with the Department of
Transportation shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to govern the
effective implementation of this Act.


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Section 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof,

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.