Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1637

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Road accidents are one of the leading causes of deaths in the Philippines.
According to the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, the number of road
accidents in the country is going up every year due to 'human errors and lack of road

One critical factor that leads to road accidents is the lack of proper road si
In the Philippines, in particular, these are cither stolen or vandalized.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways. a total of 42.558 road
signs have already been stolen and vandalized in 2013. ‘The reported vandalized
road signs can still be seen in various areas in Metro Manila and are rendered
almost useless.

The State values life and so shall promote road safety to prevent accidents.
This bill seeks to impose stricter penalties for stealing or vandalizing road signs.
Through this. we will be able to help prevent people from stealing or damaging road
signs and ensure that these road signs serve their purpose—to safeguard Filipino
drivers and pedestrians.

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

Rp. ALFRED If. VARGAS
Fifth District,


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1637

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
IMPOSING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR THE STEALING OR VANDALIZING
OF GOVERNMENT ROAD SIGNS AND OTHER RISK REDUCTION DEVICES,
ACCESSORIES AND OTHER FACILITIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

CTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Stealing and
Vandalism of Traffic Signs Act of 2019."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared as the policy of the
State to protect the people from damage to property and loss of lives by improving
conditions of roads and» making vehicular traffic as safe as possible by
providing effective driver information through signs and accident-prevention devices
In pursuit of this. the State has mandated concerned government agencies and
instrumentalities to install in conspicuous and appropriate places road signs and
devices to warn drivers of risks and dangers on the road.

SEC. 3. Theft and damage of waffic signs and road safety devices. - It shall be
unlawful to dismantle, remove, transfer, and take into possession the road warming
devices installed by national and local__governments or __ non-government
organizations for the purpose of warning motorists of dangers along the road.

SEC. 4. Traffic signs and accident warning devices and instruments. - For the
purpose of this Act. “traffic signs and accident warning devices and instruments" shall
mean road or traffic signs exemplified by signs of "stop", "yield", "slippery when wet”.
signs of zigzagging sections of roads. railings, and similar devices. Man-hole covers
shall also be included as part of the accident-prevention devices warning the public to
avert, or prevent the loss and properties covered under this Act.

The Department of Public Works and Highways shall provide a list of all traffic
signs and accident reduction/prevention devices and instruments. The list shall be
updated as the need arises.


The Department of Public Works and Highways shall provide a list of all traffic signs
and accident reduction/prevention devices and instruments. The list shall be updated as
the need arise

SEC. 8, Punishable actions under this Act ~ The following actions are punishable
under this Act

(A) Mere possession without authority of any devices or instrument. or
piece of
equipment listed under Section 4 of this Act or accessories thereof:

(B) Selling or buying of stolen traffic signs and warning devices listed under
Section

4 of this Act or any accessories thereof.

(C) Vandalizing or damaging of road signs and warning devices under Section
4 of
this Act or any accessories thereof.

SEC. 6. Penalties. - The following penalties shall apply to violations under this
Act

Ay Stealing of or possessing road signs and warming devices including
man-hole
covers. and their accessories. ~ The penalty of Twelve (12) to Fifteen (IS)
years of
mprisonment or a fine ranging from Two Hundred ‘Thousand
Pesos (Php200,000.00) to Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00)
or both. at the discretion of the court. shall he imposed on any person
found guilty of stealing or in possession of road signs and warning
devices inchiding man-hole covers as defined in Section 4 of this Act:

(B) Damaging/vandalizing or destroying road signs and warning devices
eluding
man-hole covers. and their accessories. - The penalty of Six (6) to Ten
(10) years
of imprisonment or a fine ranging from One Hundred Thousand Pesos
(Php100, 000.00) to One Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php150, 000.00)
or both, at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed on any
person found guilty of damaging/vandalizing or destroying road. signs
and warning devices and their accessories including man-hole covers as
defined in Section 4 of this Act

(©) Selling or buying of road siens and warning devices including man-hole
and: their
accessories. ~ The penalty of sclling or buying disaster warning and risk

reduction instruments and their accessories as defined in Section 4 of

this Act shall he similar to those under paragraph (A) of the same Section of
this Act: and


(D) Government employees as accomplice in the violation of provisions of this
let -
Government employees found guilty of this Act either as principal or as
an
accomplice shall be penalized according to the same Section of this
Act. In addition, such government employee shall forfeit all his/her
retirement benefits and shall be barred from any employment within the
government service,

SEC, 7. Incentives. ~ Incentives shall be provided to a person or persons who
Will provide information leading to the apprehension of violators of this Act. The
nature and amount of incentives shall be provided for in the implementing rules and
regulations of this Act

SEC. 8. Non-applicability: of Articles 308. 309. 310 and 311 of the Revised Penal
Code -
Articles 308. 309, 310 and 311 of the Revised Penal Code. as amended, shall
not be applicable to cases contemplated or enumerated in this Act. For theft cases.
the provisions in this Act shall apply

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Public
Works and Highways shall issue within One Hundred Eighty (180) days from the date
of the approval of this Act. the implementing rules and regulations

SEC. 10, Separabilin: Clause. = Any portion or provision of this Act. whieh
may he declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying

other portions or provisions hereof.

SEC. 11 Repealing Clause. ~All other laws. ordinances, rules and
regulations. and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent of this Act,

are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SEC 12. Effectivity Clause, - ‘This Act shall take effect immediately after
its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved