Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__2304

Introduced by Honorable Godofredo V. Arquiza

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to require all Filipino Student Drivers to undergo
formal training in duly accredited driving schools before they will be
issued a Non-Professional Driver's License. This will promote safe driving
and enforce road rules which will benefit the entire community and make
roads safer for all road users.

Section 9, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states:

“The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order
that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation
and free the people from poverty through policies that provide
adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.”

Comprehensive education in driving should be required for all
student drivers to formally give them an in-depth study of a multitude of
topics to include a functional understanding of the rules of the road, right-
of-way law, and the incompatibility of behaviors such as substance abuse,
distracted driving, and aggressive driving or “drunk driving.”

We cannot ignore the fact that several road accidents happen due to
reckless driving. These accidents have been happening on a daily basis
primarily due to irresponsible and unschooled drivers who were not
formally trained in a legitimate driving school and only learned to drive
thru their friends, relatives or neighbors. Unfortunately, these drivers
become jeepney drivers or bus drivers who cater to the general public
transport services and get involved with road accidents.


‘As a consequence many innocent passengers and pedestrians have
lost their lives. With more than 92 million people, the Philippines is the
world's 12% most populous country and it faces this growing problem on
road accidents. Deaths due to road crashes reached 624 in the first half
of 2009, and went up by 8.7 percent from 573 a year ago, according to the
Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).
This upward trend will continue unless some action is taken by the
government to reduce this.

Unfortunately, the Land Transportation Office only require the
submission of the following documents for a Student Driver's License,
namely: a) a duly accomplished Application Form, b) Proof of identity; c)
any legal or government issued document to prove his age and identity; d)
a Taxpayer's Identification Number; and e) if the applicant is a minor
between 16-18 years old, he is required to submit a duly notarized letter of
consent from his parent or guardian.

Likewise, a Non-Professional Driver’s License requires the following
qualifications, namely: a) a duly accomplished application form; b) a valid
student permit (at least one month old); c) a medical certificate; d) a
negative Drug Test Result; e) a Valid TIN Number; and f) must have passed
written and practical examinations.

It’s high time that the government provide stricter measures to avoid
and reduce accidents on the road. It is in this regard that the government
should require a formal training for all new student drivers to properly
inform them of road rules and signs, road courtesy and responsibility.

In view of the foregoing considerations, approval of this bill is
earnestly sought.

GODQFREDO V. ARQUIZA


Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _230 A

Introduced by Honorable Godofredo V. Arquiza

AN ACT REQUIRING
STUDENT DRIVERS
TO UNDERGO FORMAL TRAINING
WITH ACCREDITED DRIVING SCHOOLS

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “An Act Requiring
Student Drivers to Undergo Formal Training with Accredited Driving
Schools.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy.- Section 9, Article Il of the 1987
Constitution states:

“The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that
will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and
free the people from poverty through policies that provide
adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.”

Consonant with these constitutional principle, the following are the
Declared Policies of this Act:

(a) To take cognizance of road accidents that have been
increasing yearly; and

b) To recognize the vital role of the Land Transportation Office
(LTO) and actively seek its partnership so it can give its full
support to achieve this purpose;


In accordance with these policies, this Act aims to:

(1) adopt measures whereby the Land Transportation Office
(LTO) shall require student drivers to undergo Formal training
with Accredited Driving Schools before the issuance of a Non-
Professional Driver's License ; and

(2) establish a policy or program towards the achievement of
this objective.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms are
defined as follows:

(a) “Student Drivers” shall mean those who have applied for a
Student Permit with the LTO starting age 16 and upwards ;

(b) “Land Transportation Office” shall mean the Transportation
Office in the Philippines that provide transportation laws, rules
and regulations;

(c) “Accredited Driving Schools” shall mean a driving school
duly licensed and accredited by the LTO to operate as a driving
school within the Republic of the Philippines ;

Section 4. Manner of Implementing . - Every Filipino Student Driver,
shall be required by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), among other
things, to undergo a formal and practical training on the rules of driving in
a legitimate and accredited Driving School recognized by the LTO before
issuance of a Non-Professional Driver's License .

Section 5. Duty of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) - The LTO is
directed to issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act and refuse to allow the issuance of a Non-
Professional Driver's License to those who failed to submit proof of formal
training on driving as required under this Act.

Section 6. Government Assistance. - The Land Transportation Office
(LTO) shall implement and institute policies and programs in pursuance of
the objectives of this Act and shall have the following functions:

(a) To enhance, implement and monitor yearly programs in
pursuance of the objectives of this Act; and


(b) To serve as a General Information and Liaison Center and
monitor compliance of the provisions of this Act ;

Section 7. LTO Responsibility. - It shall be the responsibility of the Land
Transportation Office (LTO) to prominently display posters, stickers, and
other notices that will generate public awareness of this Act and ensure
that the provisions of this Act are implemented to its fullest.

Section 8. Partnership of the National and Local Government Units. -
The national government and local government units shall undertake to
ensure the implementation of this Act in their respective territorial
jurisdictions.

Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Land
Transportation Office (LTO) within ninety (90) days from the approval of
this Act, shall promulgate the implementing, rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act in consultation and
coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
(MMDA).

Section 10. Appropriation. - The necessary appropriation for the
operation of this Act shall be appropriated and approved by the Land
Transportation Office. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act upon its effectivity shall be charged out of the funds of the Office of
the President. Thereafter, any such sum as shall be needed for the regular
implementation of this Act shall be included in subsequent General
Appropriations Act following its enactment into law.

Section 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days
after publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,

GODOFREDO V. ARQUIZA