19 NOV 2013.
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) [esas fai Zi

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRE: IVE:
Sano odes

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the objective of the State to promote public safety in the transportation of
passengers, particularly school children. To achieve this objective, it is essential that the
State shall prescribe minimum design standards of school buses for the safety of the
student passengers.

The bill speaks for itself. This bill seeks to prescribe regulations to mitigate the
effects of vehicular accidents by prescribing safety standards for school buses.

MARK A. VILLAR


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HBNo__ 3383

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR:

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING SCHOOL BUS SAFETY STANDARDS
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the “School Bus Safety Act of
13."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to promote safety in order to protect passengers of school buses from injury in case of
accidents.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act the term:

a) Bus" means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed for carrying
more than 10 persons.

b) "School Bus" means a bus that is used for purposes that include carrying students to
and from public or private school or school-related events on a regular basis, but does
not include a transit bus or a school-chartered bus.

¢) "School-Chartered Bus" means a bus that is operated under a short-term contract
with the school authorities who have acquired exclusive use of the bus at a fixed charge
in order to provide transportation for a group of pupils to a special school related event.


d) "Seats Belts” refer to the combined lap belt and shoulder strap that fasten a rider
to moving vehicle and prevent him from being thrown out or against the interior of the
vehicle during sudden stops.

SECTION. 4. Proficiency Standards for School Bus Drivers.

a) Requirement - Not later than one (1) year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) shall prescribe proficiency
standards for school bus drivers who are required to possess a professional license to
operate a school bus.

b) Demonstration of Proficiency - Upon the prescription of standards under subsection
(a), each school bus driver referred to in subsection (a) shall demonstrate at such
interval as the DOTC shall prescribe to the employer of the driver, the school, the
licensing agency, or other person or agency responsible for regulating school bus
drivers the proficiency of such driver in operating a school bus in accordance with the
proficiency standards prescribed under subsection (a) or the proficiency standards
established by the State concemed, as the case may be.

SECTION 5. Seat Belts in School Buses.

a) Requirement for Installation - Not later than one (1) year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the DOTC shall prescribe regulations requiring driver seat
belts and passenger seat belts (including lap safety belts or other child safety devices
meeting applicable government safety standards) for each seating position in any
newly-manufactured school bus. Owners of school buses which are not currently
equipped with seat belts shall be given a period of six (6) months from the publication of
the regulations of this Act to install the necessary seat belts in their school buses.

b) Promotion of Seat Belt Usage
4) In General - The DOTC, in consultation with appropriate safety organizations and
parent-teacher organizations, shall conduct a program to promote and encourage the
se of seat belts in school buses.

2) Elements of Program - In conducting the program required under this subsection, the
DOTC shall:

i. Encourage the local governments to monitor the mandatory usage of seat
belts in school buses;

ii, Develop and disseminate educational materials on the importance of
using seat belts to passengers and drivers of school buses; and

Recognize in an appropriate manner school that achieve a high level of
seat belt usage by passengers and drivers of school buses.



SECTION 6. Registration. - No school bus shall be allowed to acquire, maintain
and renew registration unless it is equipped with the necessary seat belts.

SECTION 7. Implementing Authority. - The DOTC shall be primarily
responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. For this purpose, in
consultation with relevant government agencies and private citizens organizations and
stakeholders, the DOTC shall issue within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this
Act, the relevant implementing rules and regulations.

The Secretary may provide for a reasonable period for public notice and
comment consistent with ensuring expeditious but full implementation of the prescribed
safety requirement of this Act.

SECTION. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to
or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever
comes earlier.

Approved,