NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
mm
of tl)f
'22 JUL 18 PI 56
SENATE
S. NO. 717
BOTIVFDRV-
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR STRICTER ENFORCEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION, 
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY SIGNAGES
iL
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 1973, the goverhment ratified the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs 
and Signals with the end goal of harmonizing our traffic signs and symbols with the 
international community as well as propelling the government's campaign for road 
safety.1
Many years after the convention, however, road crashes are still prevalent in 
the country, claiming thousands of lives every year. In 2016, the World Health 
Organization estimated that around 12,690 individuals lost their lives due to road 
crashes—at least 12 deaths per 100,000 individuals.2 77% of road crash fatalities 
and injuries are also within the economically productive age group3, which have cost 
our country a considerable amount in terms productivity and potential contribution.
In 2019, the MMDA registered a total of 121,771 cases of road crash In Metro 
Manila, 372 of which were fatal.4 This means that In that single year, there were at 
least 334 cases of road crashes per day, and at least 1 fatal road crash per day.5 In 
2020, MMDA was able to register only 65,032 cases of road crashes in Metro Manila, 
with around 337 fatal crashes.6 This decrease in incidents may be attributed to the 
lockdowns implemented in light of the pandemic.
1 Presidential Decree No. 207 (1973).
2 Global Road Safety Facility, (n.d.) Philippines: Philippines's Road Safety Country Profile. (^Accessed from: 
https://www.roadsafetyfacility.org/country/philippines)
3 Ibid.
4 Metro Manila Development Authority. (2019). MMDA-TEC-ROAD SAFETY UNIT: MMARAS Annual Report
2019. 
(Accessed 
from:
https://mmda.gov.ph/images/Home/FOI/MMARAS/MMARAS_Annual_Report_2019.pdf)
5 Ibid.
6 Metro Manila Development Authority. (2020). MMDA-TEC-ROAD SAFETY UNIT: MMARAS Annual Report
2020. 
(Accessed 
from:
https://mmda.gov.ph/images/Home/FOI/MMARAS/MMARAS_Annual_Report_2020.pdf)


There are of course a multitude of factors that contribute to these statistics, 
but one identified factor is the faulty road signs installed throughout the streets and 
highways of the country. Just recently, a bridge repair in Cavite claimed one life and 
injured five others when two vehicles plunged Into the river below.7 It was reported 
that in addition to insufficient lighting, the early warning device was not visible and 
was improperly placed as it was near the hole of the bridge instead of being placed 
100 meters away, essentially rendering the drivers unaware of the repairs.8 Similar 
incidents and images of faulty or questionable signages have been reported 
throughout the years9, yet it still remains as an evident threat to both motorists and 
pedestrians. Hence, this bill.
i
The present bill aiijns to improve the public safety signages in the country by 
mandating enforcement | entities such as DPWH, MMDA, and various LGUs to 
construct, Install and maintain signs that are in accordance with both local and 
international standards o|i public safety signages, with corresponding penalties for 
failure to do so. Additionally, signages for geologic hazards are likewise required to 
be placed at corresponding danger areas as a way of promptly warning those 
passing by.
Along with other measures, this bill will help guide motorists as they traverse
the roads and will hopefu ly lead to safer roads and less lives lost.
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is urgently sought.
7 Abrina, Dennis. (23 November 2021). "1 Dead, 5 Hurt in Cavite Bridge Accidents". The Manila Times.
Accessed from: https://www.marrilatimes.net/2021/ll/23/news/regions/l-dead-5-hurt-in-cavite-bridge- 
accidents/1823270)
8 Marquez, Consuelo. (23 Novemb er 2021). "Early Warning Device atTanza, Cavite Bridge Repair Not Early 
Enough". GMA News. Accessed from: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/811869/early- 
warning-device-at-tanza-cavite-bridge-repair-not-early-enough/story/
9 Rappler. (2018, January 11). [Rhjht of Way] The Fault in Our Signs, Part 1 [video]. YouTube. (Accessed from: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5njD3qAaa44);
Consunji, Robby. (2018, August 18). How to Contest a Violation Because of a Hidden 'No Entry'Sign. TopGear 
Philippines. (Accessed from: https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/feature-articles/philippine-street-sign- 
standards-a50-20180818);
Imperial, Maria Feona. (2018, AptI 26). Vera Files at 10: Inadequate Road Signs, 'Speeding' Driver Factors in 
Tanay Crash. Vera Files. (Accessed from: /?ttp5://verafiles.org/articles/inadequate-road-signs-speeding-driver- 
factors-tanay-crash).


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
SENATE
s. NO. 717
Senate
-tec# 'Bfficp of tijf ^ccrctarp
‘22 JUL 18 PI 56
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR STRICTER ENFORCEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION, 
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY SIGNAGES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -This act shall be known as the Public Safety Signages
2 
Accountability Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to safeguard
4 
the life, health, property, and the general welfare of the people. Towards this end, the
5 
State shall provide the people with appropriate information through the construction,
6 
installation, and maintenance of accident-prevention or risk-reduction signages in areas
7 
identified as potential risks or dangers.
8 
Sec. 3. Public Safety Signages. - Consistent with the above policy, the
9 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila
10 
Development Authority (MMDA), and the local government units (LGUs) shall undertake
11 
the construction, installation, and maintenance of public safety signages. They shall
12 
ensure that these signages conform to the standard specifications under Section 4 of
13 
this Act and are strategically located, clear, visible and properly maintained.
14 
For purposes of this Act, public safety signages refer to regulatory signs, warning
15 
signs, guide or informative signs, signs for expressways, signs for special purposes or
16 
traffic instruction signs, hazard markers, road works signs, warning signages in areas
17 
vulnerable to landslides, floods, storm surge, and other hazards, as well as other risk


1 
reduction signages that are officially designed or erected by the national government,
2 
local government, or other pertinentj government agencies pursuant to any government
3 
project or campaign and for the purpose of public safety.
4 
Sec. 4. Public Safety Signages Standard. - All public safety signages shall
5 
conform to the standard speciflcatiojns prescribed under Presidential Decree No. 1096,
6 
otherwise known as the "National Bdllding Code of the Philippines", DPWH Road Signs
7 
and Pavement Markings Manual, the Outdoor Landslide Warning Signage of the
8 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Mines and Geo Sciences Bureau
9 
(DENR-MGB), the pertinent provisions of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs
10 
and Signals, and other relevant international treaties, laws and issuances from
11 
government agencies.
12 
Sec. 5. Public Safety Signages on Geologic Hazards. - The DENR-MGB, in
13 
coordination with other pertinent government agencies, shaJI update the geohazard
14 
map and identify areas that are susceptible or prone to various geologic hazards such
15 
as floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and other similar
16 
calamities. It shall then coordinate with the affected city and municipal engineers,
17 
DPWH, and MMDA for the proper installment of public safety signages on geologic
18 
hazards. These signages shall conforrn to the standard specifications under Section 4 of
19 
this Act and should be strategically located, clear, visible, and properly maintained.
20 
Sec. 6. Officers in Charge for Road and Traffic Public Safety Signages. - The
21 
DPWH through its respective District Engineers in case of national roads, the MMDA
22 
through the Director of the Traffic Epgineering Center in case of national roads In Metro
23 
Manila, and the LGUs through the dty or Municipal engineers in case of local roads,
24 
shall be responsible for the duties and responsibilities mentioned under Sections 3, 4
25 
and 5 of this Act.
26 
Sec. 7. Administrative Penalties. - In case an injury or death occurs due to: (a)
27 
lack of an installation of public safety signages despite being identified as areas of
28 
potential risk or danger by the DEN|R-MGB; (b) construction of public safety signages
29 
contrary to the standards provided I under Section 4 of this Act; or (c) lack or poor
30 
maintenance of public safety signag^, the DPWH district engineer involved, the MMDA
' 2


1 
Director of the Traffic Engineering Center or the City or Municipal Engineer shall, after
2 
due notice and hearing, suffer the administrative penalty of suspension of one (1)
3 
month and one (1) day to three (3) months, for the first offense; three (3) months and
4 
one (1) day to six (6) months, for the second offense; six (6) months and one (1) day
5 
to one (1) year, for the third offense; and dismissal from service, for the fourth offense.
6 
Nothing herein shall prohibit the aggrieved party from initiating a criminal or
7 
civil action against the responsible officer.
8 
Sec. 8. Funding. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
9 
Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the concerned agency or city
10 
or municipality. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for continued
11 
implementation shall be included In the annual budget of the concerned agency or city
12 
or municipality.
13 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
14 
approval of this Act, DPWH, in coordination with DILG, MMDA, and DENR, shall
15 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act.
16 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, or rules and regulations
17 
which are inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or
18 
repealed accordingly.
19 
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
20 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,