FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
, SENATE 
S.No. 
1519 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
1~ Jl.l 19 1\10 :31 
.. ' 
In 1998, it was reported that there were 449 deaths per 100,000 population of the 5 - 9 
year old age group in. In the Philippines, motor vehicle crashes were the third leading cause of 
overall mortality in the 10-14 year old age group. These accounted for 299 deaths per 100,000 
population ofthe age group in 1998. 
According to a study made by the Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc. in 2004, private 
owned motor vehicles make up 79.6% of all vehicles on Philippine roads. In the 5 -15 year old 
age group, traffic crashes are the 3,d leading overall cause of mortality. Lack of seat belts or 
improper use of restraints may account fot a substantial portion of these deaths. 
Adult seat belts are ill equipped to protect young children. Child seats provide effective 
restraint for young children riding in motor vehicles and minimize risk of death and injury during 
car crashes. However, the implementation of mandatory child seats may not be feasible, 
affordable, and sustainable in developing countries such as the Philippines. 
Republic Act 8750 mandates the installation and use of adult seat belts in front and rear 
seats of any private motor vehicle. Children below six years of age are likewise prohibited from 
occupying the front seat of any moving motor vehicle. However, the Republic Act No. 8750 does 
not require the use of specialized seats or restraints for young children. This bill seeks to address 
that deficiency.' 
II . ~ \.,. .k \;t.vt~ t.;;t::';'; 
~ 
~AM 
D'lfF~NSOR S,KNTIAfO 
• This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, Third Regular Session. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
.' SENAf'519 
S.No. ___ _ 
I/,')"O'!l 
________ 
In_t_ro_d_u_c_e_d_b_y_S_e_n_m_o_r_~_i_ri_run_D_e_D_e_ns_o_r_s_a_ll_i_ag_o ___ 
'_'_'_' _"'_~_'V_-_~~' 
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. AN ACT 
2 
REQUIRING THE USE OF SAFETY DEVICES FOR CHILDREN RIDING IN ~OTOR 
3 
VEHICLES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Child Safety Device Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the general 
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welfare of the people. Pursuant to this policy, and emphasizing that safe driving practices and 
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proper use of safety devices remain the', best way to protect children from traffic crashes and 
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injuries resulting from vehicular accidents, this Act seeks to penalize any driver of a motor 
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vehicle to travel which children on board :.vithout providing a safety device for such children 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
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(A) "Adult" means any person eighteen (18) years old and above. 
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(B) "Child" or "children" means any person or persons twelve (12) years and below. 
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(C) "~otor vehicle" means every vehicle operated or driven upon a public highway 
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which is propelled by any power other than muscular power and is being used in any way to 
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carry any child from one place to another: 
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(D) "Safety devices" shall mean ally device approved by the Land Transportation Office 
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to ensure the safety of children riding in motor vehicles. 
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SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts and Penalties for Violation thereof - It shall be unlawful 
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for any driver of a motor vehicle to trav~l which children on board without providing a safety 
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device for such children. Any driver in violation of this provision shall be punished by a fine of 


One Thousand Pesos (Pl,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, or both at 
2 
the discretion of the court, taking into consideration all attending circumstances. 
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The license of such driver shall also be revoked upon final conviction for two (2) 
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violations of this provision. Such revocation shall prohibit the grant of a new driver's license for 
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the twelve (I2) months from the date of the conviction. 
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It shall also be unlawful for any adult accompanying any child or to allow such child to 
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travel on a motor vehicle which does not have safety devices for children, unless such adult 
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provides one for the child's own use. Any person in violation of this provision shall be punished 
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by a fine of Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, 
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or both at the discretion of the court, taking into consideration all attending circumstances. 
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SECTION 5. Exceptions. - The provisions of this Act shall not apply to public utility 
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vehicles such 'as, but not limited to, jeepneys and buses, as well as to emergency vehicles. It shall 
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likewise not apply to medical emergencies or when, because of the circumstances of the 
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situation, riding in a motor vehicle without a safety device removes such child from an even 
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greater or more imminent danger. 
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SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. - The Land Transportation Office shall be the 
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primary implementing and supervising agency for the implementation of this Act. It shall 
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formulate the necessary implementing rules and regulations immediately upon the approval of 
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this Act which it shall promulgate not more than sixty (60) days after the approval such approval. 
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It shall likewise formulate a procedure for the approval of safety devices for use by children in 
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motor vehicles and to publish a list of such approved devices not more than ninety (90) days 
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after the approval of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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