EPRES,
S “ay
RECEIVED Al

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _1655

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. ALMARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) records 6,440 deaths due to
transportation accidents between January to September 2021, a 4.2%
increase from the previous year. Considering mobility restrictions were still
being enforced because of the pandemic, the reported number of accident
cases with no significant decrease is very alarming.

Most road accidents in the country are caused by human error.
Unfortunately, one of the contributing factors is missing, damaged, or
vandalized road and traffic signages. This reprehensible practice, which to
some perpetrators is just a prank, is costly and inconvenient, to say the least.
For one, it costs taxpayers money to replace new signs. Another is extracting
expense and nuisance to people whose properties are damaged. Most
tragically, it could lead to death for road users like motorists, passengers,
drivers, and pedestrians.

In view of the above, this bill seeks to improve road conditions and ensure
road safety for road users with proper signs and preventive devices. The
proposed measure aims to discourage theft and vandalism of government
roads and traffic signs and similar devices through stiffer penalties.

A similar version of this bill was filed in the 18" Congress, passed the
Third and Final Reading, and transmitted to the Senate on December 16,
2020. And was previously filed by this representation during the 19%
Congress. Support for this bill is earnestly sought.

CHEENO M1 . ALMARIO
Représ:
2nd District, Davao Oriental


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1655

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE CHEENO MIGUEL D. ALMARIO

AN ACT
IMPOSING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR THE OFFENSES OF STEALING OR
VANDALIZING OF GOVERNMENT ROAD AND TRAFFIC SIGNS,
WARNING DEVICES, ACCESSORIES AND OTHER FACILTIES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Stealing or
Vandalizing of Government Road and Traffic Signs and Devices Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the State to protect
the safety of people and their property, in this regard, the State shall endeavor
to continually improve the condition of roads and make vehicular traffic as
safe as possible by providing motorists with appropriate information through
signs and accident-prevention devices. In pursuit of this end, the State shall
mandate concerned government agencies and instrumentalities to install, in
conspicuous and appropriate places, road and traffic signs and devices, to
warn motorists of risks and dangers on the road.

SEC. 3. Theft and Damage of Government Traffic and Road Signs
and Devices - It shall be unlawful to steal or vandalize government road and
traffic signs, warning devices, accessories, and other facilities, installed by
national and local governments to caution motorists of imminent dangers
along the road.

SEC. 4. Government Road and Traffic Signs Warning Devices and
Accessories — As used in this Act, the term “road and traffic signs, warning
devices and accessories, and other facilities” shall mean road or traffic signs
exemplified by the signs “Stop”, “Yield”, “Slippery When Wet’. Signs indicating
zigzagging sections of roads, railings, and similar devices shall serve to provide

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road information, notices, and warnings to motorists and the public to
facilitate vehicular traffic and avoid the occurrence of accidents and loss of
life, and damage to property. A man-hole cover shall be considered a road
accident-prevention accessory.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall provide a
list of all lawful road and traffic signs, warning devices and accessories, and
other facilities owned by the government. The list shall be updated as the need

arises.

SEC. 5. Prohibited Acts - It shall be unlawful for any person to commit
any of the following acts:

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. Steal government road and traffic signs, warning devices,

accessories, and other facilities or any parts thereof, installed by
national and local governments, listed and duly provided by the
DPWH under Section 4 of this Act;

. Vandalize, damage, destroy, dismantle, or disassemble

government road and traffic signs, warning devices, accessories,
and other facilities or any part thereof, installed by national and
local governments, listed and duly provided by the DPWH under
Section 4 of this Act;

. Sell or buy stolen road and traffic signs, warning devices,

accessories, and other facilities or any part thereof, listed and
duly provided by the DPWH under Section 4 of this Act;

. Attempt to commit any of the aforementioned prohibited acts; and
. Benefit from the proceeds or fruits of any of the abovementioned

prohibited acts knowing that the same is derived from the
commission of a prohibited act.

SEC. 6. Penalties - The violation of this Act shall be punished with the
following penalties:

a.

The penalty of imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years but
not more than (15) years or a fine twice (2x) the market value of
the government property stolen in Philippine Currency, or both,
at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed on any person
found guilty of stealing government road and traffic signs,
warning devices, accessories, and other facilities or any part
thereof, including manhole covers as defined in Section 4 of this
‘Act;

. The same penalty provided under paragraph (a) of this Section

shall be imposed on any person found guilty of selling or buying
government road and traffic signs, other risk reduction or warning
devices, accessories, and other facilities or any part thereof as
defined in Section 4 of this Act;


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c. The penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not
more than ten (10) years or a fine twice (2x) the market value of
the government property in Philippine Currency, or both, at the
discretion of the court, shall be imposed on any person found
guilty of vandalizing, destroying, damaging, tempering, and
disassembling government road and traffic signs, warning
devices, accessories, and other facilities or any part thereof,
including manhole covers as defined in Section 4 of this Act;

d. The penalty of imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not
more than seven (7) years or a fine twice (2x) the market value of
the government property in Philippine Currency, or both, at the
discretion of the court, shall be imposed on any person found
guilty of unlawfully benefiting from the proceeds or fruits of any
of the prohibited acts enumerated in Section 4 of this Act; and

e. Government employees found guilty of a violation of this Act either
as principal or as an accomplice shall be penalized according to
the penalties prescribed in Section 6 of this Act. In addition, such
government employees shall forfeit all their retirement benefits
and shall be barred from further employment with the
government.

SEC. 7. Incentives - Cash incentives shall be provided to a person or
persons who will provide information leading to the apprehension of violators
of this Act. The amount of incentives shall be provided for in the rules and
regulations to be promulgated to implement this Act.

SEC. 8. Non-applicability of Articles 308, 309, and 310 of the
Revised Penal Code - Articles 308, 309, and 310 of the Revised Penal Code
shall not apply to cases contemplated or enumerated in this Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations — Within one hundred
cighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DPWH shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations for its implementation.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause - Any portion or provision of this Act
which may be declared unconstitutional or contrary to any existing law shall
not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions hereof.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause - All other laws, ordinances, rules,
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with
this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.