Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS z
First Regular Session RECEIVED

. 01 JUL 2013
HE:
737 it, RIGEE BY

HOUSE BILL

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Icis 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.

This bill seeks to prescribe regulations to mitigate the effects of vehicular accidents by
prescribing safety standards for school buses. This measure was previously filed by Senator
Manny Villar in the 15" Congress, Passage of this Rill is carnestly being sought now in the 16"

Congress.

HARTIN CAST. ABAYON
Representative
First District of Northern Samar



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

737

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

ANACT
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."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby 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:

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

(2) “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.

(3) "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.

(4) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Transportation and Communications.

(5) "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 Secretary
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 Secretary
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 S. 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 Secretary 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 by the Secretary to install the necessary seat belts
in their school buses.

(B) Promotion of Seat Belt Usage -

(1) In General- The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate safety organizations and parent-
teacher organizations, shall conduct a program to promote and encourage the use of seat belts in
school buses.
(2) Elements of Program- In conducting the program required under this subsection, the
Secretary shall:
(A) Encourage the local governments to monitor the mandatory usage of seat belts in
school buses;
(B) Develop and disseminate educational materials on the importance of using seat belts
to passengers and drivers of school buses; and
(C) Recognize in an appropriate manner school that achieve a high level of seat belt
usage by passengers and drivers of school buses

SECTION 6. Determination of Practicability and Feasibility of Certain Safety and Access
Requirements for School Buses.

(a) Commencement of Rule-making Process- Immediately upon the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall begin a rule-making process to determine the feasibility and practicability of the
following:
(1) A requirement for a decrease in the flammability of the materials used in the
construction of the interiors of school buses
(b) Final Rule- Not later than 1 year after such date, the Secretary shall promulgate a final rule
providing for any requirement or standard referred to in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) that the
Secretary determines to be feasible and practicable.


SECTION 7. Registration. - No school bus shall be allowed to acquire, maintain and renew
registration unless it is equipped with the necessary seat belts.

SECTION 8. Implementing Authority. - The Secretary shall be primarily responsible for the
enforcement of the provisions of this Act. 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. 9. 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 10. 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 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.