Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL No.7902
INTRODUCED BY
HON. AUGUSTINA DOMINIQUE "Ditse Tina" C. PANCHO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
lt is the declared policy of the State to ensure an improved quality of life for all
through  continuing  efforts  to  improve  physical  structures  in  our  communities.  This
underscores  the  fact  that  mere  presence  of  infrastructure  is  not  relevant  if  the
availability or accessibility of services to users is impeded due to congestion or severe
deterioration.  More  critically,  the  quality  and  efficiency  of the  existing  infrastructure
must   be   examined    because    infrastructure's   actual    contribution    to   economic
development is through  improvement in the quality of life and  its  positive effects on
private sector output and productivity.
Efforts of the State therefore to protect public health and safety, particularly of
our pedestrians, should always be integrated in the policies and plans of our national
and  local  governments.  This  includes  making  sure  that  our  public  structures  like
pedestrian  overpasses  provide  for  the  safety,  convenience,  visibility,  shelter  and
shade, attractive and clean environment for pedestrians.
Currently there is no national legislation to address this important concern. This
bill seeks to address this need and help guarantee that our pedestrians will not only
become safe from vehicular traffic, but
and nuances to improve the genera
With  this  purpose  in   mi
requested.
o from inclement weather and other hazards
fe of our citizens.
diate  a proval   of  this   bill
strongly
AUGuSTINA D
E ``Ditse Tina" C. PANCHO
d District,  Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HoUSE BILL No7902
INTRODUCED BY
HON. AUGUSTINA DOMINIQUE ``Ditse Tina" C.  PANCHO
AN ACT REQUIRING ALL PEDESTRIAN OVERPASSES T0 BE MADE CLllvIATE
CHANGE FRIENDLY, AND PROVIDING PENALTY FOR VIOLATION THEREOF;
Be it enacted  by the  Senate and the House of Representatives in  Congress of the
Philippines assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title .--- This Act shall be known as "Pedestrian Overpass
Act of 2023''.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared that:
The State shall pursue a policy to protect and promote the rights of the people
to  health,  a  balanced  and  healthful  ecology and  instill  health  consciousness among
them.  It  shall  pursue  a  policy  of sustainable  development,  balancing  progress,  the
protection of the environment, and the health and welfare of its people. This includes
recognizing the mandate of the State provide public structures to protect the welfare
and  safety  of the  commuting  public,  all  road  users  and  pedestrians  from  all  road
hazards and inclemency of weather.
Towards this end, the  State shall  require that all  pedestrian overpasses shall
be  properiy constructed to address protection  of the public from  inclement weather
and guarantee the safety of pedestrians using the facility.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.
"Approved Budgct for the Contract' refers to the budget for the contract duly
approved by the Sanggunian in the case of LGUs. "Approved Budget for the Contract",
and   ``Approved    Budget"   shall    have   the   same   meaning   and   shall   be   used
interohangeably.
``DPWH"   means   the   Department   of   Public   Works   and   Highways   which
maintains exclusive control over national RROWs.


"Intersections" are common surface areas or spaces shared by two (2) or more
national  RROWs,  similar ROWs or legal easements or a mix of such public spaces,
which form part of the public domain.
"IRR" means the lmplementing Rules and Regulations.
"LGu"  means  the  Local  Government  Unit  (LGU)  as  defined  under  RA.  No.
7160, otherwise known as the 1990 Local Government Code.
"Lighting   System"   means  the   luminaries/  complete   lighting   units,   power
source and connections, controls and all support structures/ devices that ensure the
continuous illumination of a display.
"Pedestrian" shall mean any person who is afoot or who is using a wheelchair,
roller skates, skateboards or a means of conveyance propelled by human power other
than a bicycle.
"Pedestrian Overpass" means any portion of a roadway, designated by by-law
of a  municipality,  at an  intersection  or elsewhere,  distinctly indicated  for pedestrian
crossing  by signs on the highway and lines or other markings on the surface of the
roadway as prescribed by the regulations;
SECTION  4.  Scope.  This  Act  shall  cover  all  existing  overpasses  found  in
municipalities and cities in the country.
SECTIO"  5.  Regulation  of  Pedestrian  Overpasses.  Existing  pedestrian
overpasses shall be modified and rehabilitated according to the requirements of this
Act. Likewise the Approved Budget for the Contract Of pedestrian overpasses that will
be    erected,    modified,    rehabilitated    or   otherwise    altered    from    the    date    of
implementation  of  this  Act  shall  include  expenses  for  strict  compliance  with  the
following requirements:
a/         Sufficient  Lighting.  All   parts  of  pedestrian  overpasses  shall   have
sufficient light to  insure safety and  protection  of life and  property.  The average light
intensity measured at floor level shall be not less than 200 LUX.
b/         Shade and shelter. Pedestrian overpasses including its stairways shall
be designed to ensure that pedestrians will be secured against displacement by wind
forces, rain and exposure to heat of the sun.
c/         Safety.   Railways   and   other   safety   features   including   appropriate
signage, visibility, angle of inclination of stairways, and  barriers shall be mandatory in
the design of all pedestrian overpasses.
SECTION 6. Responsibility for Administration and Enforcement. /f sha// be
the  primary  duty  of  the  DPWH  and  LGUs,  in  collaboration  with  the  Professional
Regulatory Boards (PRBs) of Architecture and Environmental  planning to effectively
enforoe the provisions of this Act. All duly constituted law enforcement agencies and


officers  of  national,   provincial,   city  or  municipal   government  or  of  any   political
subdivision thereof,  shall,  upon the call or request of the  DPWH,  render unqualified/
unconditional assistance in enforcing the provisions of this Act and to prosecute any
person  violating  the  provisions  of the  same.  The  Secretary  of  Justice  or  his  duly
designated  representative  shall  act as  legal  adviser to the  DPWH  and  shall  render
legal assistance as may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act.
SECTION I, Appropriation. The initial funding required for the implementation
of  this  Act  shall   be  sourced  from  the  savings  of  the  Executive  Branch  of  the
government and other possible sources that may be determined by the Office of the
President,   and   subsequent   funds   needed   shall   be   included   in   the   General
Appropriations Act for the year following the implementation of this Act.
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days
after the  effectivity of this Act,  the  DPWH,  in full  consultation  with the  Professional
Regulatory  Boards  (PRBs)  of  Architecture  and  Environmental  Planning  under the
PRC,  and with the PRC-Accredited Professional Organizations (APOs) of Architects
and  Environmental  Planners,  and in coordination with other agencies of the national
and  local  governments,  shall  adopt  and  promulgate  such  rules  and  regulations,  to
carry  out  the  provisions  of  this  Act  and  which  shall  be  effective  fifteen  (15)  days
following their publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) major daily newspapers
of general circulation.
SECTION  9.  Separability  clause.  If for  any  reason,  any  provision  of  part
hereof is declared invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.
SECTION  10.  Repealing  clause.  -  Any  provision  of the  law,  presidential
decree, executive orders, rules and regulations contrary to the provision of this Act is
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SECTION 11. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation, whichever comes eariier.
Approved,