Topic 1: Road Traffic

Facts

 Cause. Traffic often occurs by road accidents such as the cause of such as an

increase in average speed is directly related both to the likelihood of a crash

occurring and to the severity of the consequences of the crash. Driving under the

influence of alcohol and any psychoactive substance or drug increases the risk of

a crash that results in death or serious injuries. Nonuse of motorcycle helmets,

seat-belts, and child restraints. Using a phone while driving slows reaction times

(notably braking reaction time, but also reaction to traffic signals), and makes it

difficult to keep in the correct lane, and to keep the correct following distances.

The design of roads can have a considerable impact on their safety. Ideally,

roads should be designed keeping in mind the safety of all road users. If traffic

laws on drink-driving, seat-belt wearing, speed limits, helmets, and child

restraints are not enforced, they cannot bring about the expected reduction in

road traffic fatalities and injuries related to specific behaviours.

 Effects. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and

young adults aged 5-29 years. Road traffic injuries cause considerable economic

losses to individuals, their families, and to nations as a whole. These losses arise

from the cost of treatment as well as lost productivity for those killed or disabled

by their injuries, and for family members who need to take time off work or school

to care for the injured.

 Approach. The Safe System approach to road safety aims to ensure a safe

transport system for all road users. Such an approach takes into account

people’s vulnerability to serious injuries in road traffic crashes and recognizes

that the system should be designed to be forgiving of human error. The

cornerstones of this approach are safe roads and roadsides, safe speeds, safe

vehicles, and safe road users, all of which must be addressed in order to

eliminate fatal crashes and reduce serious injuries.

  Responsibility. Road safety is a shared responsibility. Reducing risk in the

world’s road traffic systems requires commitment and informed decision-making

by government, industry, non-governmental organizations and international

agencies. It also requires the participation of people from many different

disciplines, including road engineers, motor vehicle designers, law enforcement

officers, health professionals, educators, and community groups.

 Intervention. Road traffic crashes are predictable and can be prevented. Many

countries have shown sharp reductions in the number of crashes and casualties

by taking actions including: Raising awareness of, legislating and enforcing laws

governing speed limits, alcohol impairment, seat-belt use, child restraints and

safety helmets. Formulating and implementing transport and land-use policies

that promote safer and more efficient trips; encouraging the use of safer modes

of travel, such as public transport; and incorporating injury prevention measures

into traffic management and road design. Making vehicles more protective and

visible for occupants, pedestrians and cyclists; using daytime running lights,

high-mounted brake lights and reflective materials on cycles, carts, rickshaws

and other non-motorized forms of transport.

 Recommendation. The World Report on Road Traffic Injury and Prevention

(WHO) suggests: Identify a lead agency in government to guide the national

road traffic safety effort. Assess problems, policies, institutional settings and

capacity relating to road traffic injury. Prepare a national road safety strategy and

plan of action. Allocate financial and human resources to address the problem.

Implement specific actions to prevent road traffic crashes, minimize injuries and

their consequences, and evaluate the impact of these actions. Support the

development of national capacity and international cooperation.

Statistics

 Every year the lives of approximately 1.35 million people are cut short as a result

of a road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal
 injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury. Road traffic

injuries cause considerable economic losses to individuals, their families, and to

nations as a whole. These losses arise from the cost of treatment as well as lost

productivity for those killed or disabled by their injuries, and for family members

who need to take time off work or school to care for the injured.

 Road traffic crashes cost most countries 3% of their gross domestic product.

More than 90% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Road traffic injury death rates are highest in the African region. Even within high-

income countries, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely

to be involved in road traffic crashes. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause

of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.

 From a young age, males are more likely to be involved in road traffic crashes

than females. About three quarters (73%) of all road traffic deaths occur among

young males under the age of 25 years who are almost 3 times as likely to be

killed in a road traffic crash as young females.

 Correct helmet use can lead to a 42% reduction in the risk of fatal injuries and a

69% reduction in the risk of head injuries.Wearing a seat-belt reduces the risk of

death among drivers and front seat occupants by 45 - 50%, and the risk of death

and serious injuries among rear seat occupants by 25%. The use of child

restraints can lead to a 60% reduction in deaths.

Interview

 Mr. Oliver O. Leyros Sr. - there are certain causes why road traffics are happening

anywhere in different roads of our city. It might be because of collision accidents

such as through vehicle to pedestrian, vehicle to vehicle, and vehicle to properties.

Traffic can also be possible when there is a natural calamities. For us to avoid these

problem, drivers should check their vehicle if the breaks are functioning well and

also the spear parts. They should also follow the road rules such as traffic lights,

maximum speed limits, and avoid drunk driving. The pedestrians should also walk
 on pedestrian lanes when crossing to avoid accidents. WIth this kept in mind, we

could help reduce road traffic accidents in our society.

Research

Law

REPUBLIC ACT No. 4136

AN ACT TO COMPILE THE LAWS RELATIVE TO LAND TRANSPORTATION AND

TRAFFIC RULES, TO CREATE A LAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS ARTICLE

ARTICLE I
Title and Scope of Act

Section 1. Title of Act. - This Act shall be known as the "Land Transportation and Traffic

Code."

Section 2. Scope of Act. - The provisions of this Act shall control, as far as they apply,

the registration and operation of motor vehicles and the licensing of owners, dealers,

conductors, drivers, and similar matters.

ARTICLE II

Definitions

Section 3. Words and phrases defined. - As used in this Act:

(a) "Motor Vehicle" shall mean any vehicle propelled by any power other than muscular

power using the public highways, but excepting road rollers, trolley cars, street-

sweepers, sprinklers, lawn mowers, bulldozers, graders, fork-lifts, amphibian trucks, and

cranes if not used on public highways, vehicles which run only on rails or tracks, and

tractors, trailers and traction engines of all kinds used exclusively for agricultural

purposes.

(b) "Passenger automobiles" shall mean all pneumatic-tire vehicles of types similar to

those usually known under the following terms: touring car, command car, speedster,

sports car, roadster, jeep, cycle, car (except motor wheel and similar small outfits which
are classified with motorcycles), coupe, landaulet, closed car, limousine, cabriolet, and

sedan.

(c) "Articulated vehicle" shall mean any motor vehicle with a trailer having no front axle

and so attached that part of the trailer rests upon motor vehicle and a substantial part of

the weight of the trailer and of its load is borne by the motor vehicle. (d) "Driver" shall

mean every and any licensed operator of a motor vehicle.

(e) "Professional driver" shall mean every and any driver hired or paid for driving or

operating a motor vehicle, whether for private use or for hire to the public. Any person

driving his own motor vehicle for hire is a professional driver.

(f) "Owner" shall mean the actual legal owner of a motor vehicle, in whose name such

vehicle is duly registered with the Land Transportation Commission. The "owner" of a

government-owned motor vehicle is the head of the office or the chief of the Bureau to

which the said motor vehicle belongs.

(g) "Dealer" shall mean every person, association, partnership, or corporation making,

manufacturing, constructing, assembling, remodeling, rebuilding, or setting up motor

vehicles; and every such entity acting as agent for the sale of one or more makes,

styles, or kinds of motor vehicles, dealing in motor vehicles, keeping the same in stock

or selling same or handling with a view to trading same.

(h) "Garage" shall mean any building in which two or more motor vehicles, either with or

without drivers, are kept ready for hire to the public, but shall not include street stands,

public service stations, or other public places designated by proper authority as parking

spaces for motor vehicles for hire while awaiting or soliciting business.

(i) "Gross weight" shall mean the measured weight of a motor vehicle plus the maximum

allowable carrying capacity in merchandise, freight and/or passenger, as determined by

the Commissioner of Land Transportation.

(j) "Highways" shall mean every public thoroughfare, public boulevard, driveway,

avenue, park, alley and callejon, but shall not include roadway upon grounds owned by

private persons, colleges, universities, or other similar institutions.

(k) "The Commissioner of Land Transportation or his deputies" shall mean the actual or

acting chief of the Land Transportation Commission or such representatives, deputies,

or assistants as he may, with the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and

Communications, appoint or designate in writing for the purpose contemplated by this

Act.

(l) "Parking or parked", for the purposes of this Act, shall mean that a motor vehicle is

"parked" or "parking" if it has been brought to a stop on the shoulder or proper edge of a

highway, and remains inactive in that place or close thereto for an appreciable period of

time.

(m) "Tourist" shall mean a foreigner who travels from place to place for pleasure or

culture.

ARTICLE III

Administration of Act

Section 4. Creation of the Commission. -

(a) There is created under the Department of Public Works and Communications an

office which shall be designated and known as the Land Transportation Commission,

composed of one Commissioner and one Deputy Commissioner, who shall be vested

with the powers and duties hereafter specified. Whenever the word "Commission" is

used in this Act, it shall be deemed to mean the Land Transportation Commission, and

whenever the word "Commissioner" is used in this Act, it shall be taken to mean the

Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.

The Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner shall be natural-born citizens and

residents of the Philippines, and they shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the Congress of

the Philippines: Provided, however, That the present Administrator, Assistant

Administrator and the personnel of the Motor Vehicles Office shall continue in office

without the necessity of reappointment.

(b) The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner shall hold office until removed in

accordance with the provisions of the Revised Administrative Code.

(c) The Commissioner shall receive an annual compensation of twelve thousand pesos

and the Deputy Commissioner, an annual compensation of ten thousand four hundred

pesos. The Commissioner shall be assisted by one head executive assistant (MV

regulation adviser or chief), one administrative officer, one registration regulation chief,

one inspection, examination and licensing regulation chief, one law and traffic

enforcement regulation chief, one provincial regulation chief, one utility and property

regulation chief, one accounting officer, one internal chief auditor, and one personnel

officer, who shall receive an annual compensation of nine thousand pesos each; eight

land transportation regional directors who shall receive an annual compensation of eight

thousand four hundred pesos each and eight land transportation assistant regional

directors, who shall receive an annual compensation of seven thousand pesos each

and ten assistant regulation chiefs, who shall receive an annual compensation of seven

thousand pesos each.

(d) The Commission shall have its offices in Quezon City where the present Motor

Vehicle Office is located, and shall establish a regional branch office each in

Tuguegarao (Cagayan), Baguio City, Pasig (Rizal), Lipa City, San Fernando (La Union),

Naga City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Davao City, to be headed by

a regional director who will have immediate administration, supervision and control over

activities and administration of the Commission in the respective regions.

The Commissioner shall be responsible for the administration of this Act and shall have,

in connection therewith, the following powers and duties, in addition to those mentioned

elsewhere in this Act:

(1) With the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications, to issue

rules and regulations not in conflict with the provisions of this Act, prescribing the

procedure for the examination, licensing and bonding of drivers; the registration and re-

registration of motor vehicles, transfer of ownership, change of status; the replacement

of lost certificates, licenses, badges, permits or number plates; and to prescribe the

minimum standards and specifications including allowable gross weight, allowable

length, width and height or motor vehicles, distribution of loads, allowable loads on tires,

change of tire sizes, body design or carrying capacity subsequent to registration and all

other special cases which may arise for which no specific provision is otherwise made in

this Act.

(2) To compile and arrange all applications, certificates, permits, licenses, and to enter,

note and record thereon transfers, notifications, suspensions, revocations, or judgments

of conviction rendered by competent courts concerning violations of this Act, with the

end in view of preserving and making easily available such documents and records to

public officers and private persons properly and legitimately interested therein.

(3) To give public notice of the certificates, permits, licenses and badges issued,

suspended or revoked and/or motor vehicles transferred and/or drivers bonded under

the provisions of this Act.

(4) The Commissioner of Land Transportation, with the approval of the Secretary of

Public Works and Communications, may designate as his deputy and agent any

employee of the Land Transportation Commission, or such other government

employees as he may deem expedient to assist in the carrying out the provisions of this

Act.
(5) The Commissioner of Land Transportation and his deputies are hereby authorized to

make arrest for violations of the provisions of this Act in so far as motor vehicles are

concerned; to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to compel the appearance of

motor vehicle operators and divers and/or other persons or conductors; and to use all

reasonable means within their powers to secure enforcement of the provisions of this

Act.

(6) The Commissioner of Land Transportation or his deputies may at any time examine

and inspect any motor vehicle to determine whether such motor vehicle is registered, or

is unsightly, unsafe, overloaded, improperly marked or equipped, or otherwise unfit to

be operated because of possible excessive damage to highways, bridges and/or

culverts.

(7) The Philippine Constabulary and the city and municipal police forces are hereby

given the authority and the primary responsibility and duty to prevent violations of this

Act, and to carry out the police provisions hereof within their respective jurisdiction:

Provided, That all apprehensions made shall be submitted for final disposition to the

Commissioner and his deputies within twenty-four hours from the date of apprehension.

(8) All cases involving violations of this Act shall be endorsed immediately by the

apprehending officer to the Land Transportation Commission. Where such violations

necessitate immediate action, the same shall be endorsed to the traffic court, city or

municipal court for summary investigation, hearing and disposition, but in all such

cases, appropriate notices of the apprehensions and the dispositions thereof shall be

given to the Commissioner of Land Transportation by the law-enforcement agency and

the court concerned.

CHAPTER II

REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

ARTICLE I

Duty to Register, Reports, Applications, Classifications

Section 5. All motor vehicles and other vehicles must be registered.

(a) No motor vehicle shall be used or operated on or upon any public highway of the

Philippines unless the same is properly registered for the current year in accordance

with the provisions of this Act.

(b) Any registration of motor vehicles not renewed on or before the date fixed for

different classifications, as provided hereunder shall become delinquent and invalid:

1. For hire motor vehicles - on or before the last working day of February.

2. Privately-owned motor vehicles - from March one to the last working day of May.

3. All other motor vehicles - from June one to the last working day of June; except when

the plates of such motor vehicles are returned to the Commission in Quezon City or to

the Office of the Motor Vehicles Registrar in the provincial or city agency of the

Commission on or before the last working day of December of the year of issue.

(c) Dealer's reports - The Commissioner of Land Transportation shall require dealers to

furnish him with such information and reports concerning the sale, importation,

manufacture, number of stocks, transfer or other transactions affecting motor vehicles

as may be necessary for the effective enforcement of the provisions of this Act.

(d) Change of motor number prohibited. - No repair or change in the motor vehicle

involving the exchange, elimination, effacing, or replacing of the original or registered

serial or motor number as stamped or imprinted, shall be allowed, and any motor

vehicle with a trace of having its motor number altered or tampered with shall be

refused registration or re-registration, unless such is satisfactorily explained and

approved by the Commissioner.

(e) Encumbrances of motor vehicles. - Mortgages, attachments, and other

encumbrances of motor vehicles, in order to be valid, must be recorded in the Land

Transportation Commission and must be properly recorded on the face of all

outstanding copies of the certificates of registration of the vehicle concerned.

Cancellation or foreclosure of such mortgages, attachments, and other encumbrances

shall likewise be recorded, and in the absence of such cancellation, no certificate of

registration shall be issued without the corresponding notation of mortgage, attachment

and/or other encumbrances.

Section 6. Application and payments for registration. - Applications and payments for

registration shall be made either personally or by registered mail, and the date of the

cancellation of the postage stamps of envelopes containing money order or check shall

be taken as the date of the application and/or payment for registration: Provided, That

the application is properly prepared and the payment for registration is sufficient as

required by law.

Section 7. Registration Classification. - Every motor vehicle shall be registered under

one of the following described classifications:

(a) private passenger automobiles; (b) private trucks; and (c) private motorcycles,

scooters, or motor wheel attachments. Motor vehicles registered under these

classifications shall not be used for hire under any circumstances and shall not be used

to solicit, accept, or be used to transport passengers or freight for pay.

Laborers necessary to handle freight on board private trucks may ride on such trucks:

Provided, That seats shall not be installed in the rear compartment thereof and that only

such number of laborers, not exceeding ten, as may be needed to handle the kind of

freight carried, shall ride on the truck: Provided, further, That the combined weight of

cargo and passengers does not exceed the registered net capacity of the truck.

For the purpose of this section, a vehicle habitually used to carry freight not belonging to

the registered owner thereof, or passengers not related by consanguinity or affinity

within the fourth civil degree to such owner, shall be conclusively presumed to be "for

hire."

(d) Public utility automobiles; e) public utility trucks; (f) taxis and auto-calesas; (g)

garage automobiles; (h) garage trucks; (i) hire trucks: and (j) trucks owned by
contractors and customs brokers and customs agents. Application for registration under

these classifications shall be accompanied by a certificate of public convenience or a

special permit issued by the Public Service Commission, and motor vehicles registered

under these classifications shall be subject to the Public Service Law, rules and

regulations, as well as the provisions of this Act.

(k) Undertakes

(l) Dealers - Registrations under this classification are intended to cover generally and

successively all the motor vehicles imported or handled by dealers for sale. Motor

vehicles registered under the dealer's classification shall, under no circumstances, be

employed to carry passengers or freight in the dealer's business, or for hire.

(m) Government automobiles; (n) government trucks; and (o) government motorcycles.

Motor vehicles owned by the Government of the Philippines or any of its political

subdivisions shall be registered under these classifications. Motor vehicles owned by

government corporations, by government employees or by foreign governments shall

not be registered under this classification.

(p) Tourists bringing their own motor vehicles to the Philippines may, without registering

such motor vehicles, use the same during but not after ninety days of their sojourn:

Provided, That the motor vehicle displays the number plates for the current year of

some other country or state, and said number plates as well as the name and address

(permanent and temporary) of the owner thereof are registered in the Land

Transportation Commission prior to the operation of the motor vehicle.

(q) Special. The Commissioner of Land Transportation may, in his discretion, allow the

registration under this classification of motor vehicles which do not conform to the

foregoing described regular classification.

ARTICLE II

Registration Fees
Section 8. Schedule of registration fees. - Except as otherwise specifically provided in

this Act, each application for renewal of registration of motor vehicles shall be

accompanied by an annual registration fee in accordance with the following schedule:

(a) Private automobiles with pneumatic rubber tires, an amount based on their

respective shipping weight or factory weight as indicated in the following schedule:

1,000 kilos or less P75.00

1,000 to 1,500 kilos 100.00

1,501 to 2,000 kilos 135.00

2,001 kilos and above 180.00

The factory or shipping weight of a private automobile shall be obtained from the Red

Book edited by the National Market Report, Inc., of the United States of America:

Provided, further, That in the case of automobiles with altered, changed or rebuilt

bodies, the weight as obtained: by actual weighing shall be considered the vehicles

weight: Provided, furthermore, That the increase registration fees herein prescribed

shall not apply to jeeps and jeepneys for private use or for hire and the fees hereof shall

be those prescribed for them before the approval of this Act.

The registered passenger capacity of passenger automobiles operated for hire or for

private use shall be determined as follows:

1. For each adult passenger, a horizontal rectangular area, including seat and feet

space, not less than thirty-five centimeters wide and sixty centimeters long, except in

the front seat, which shall allow an area fifty centimeters wide for the operator.

2. For each half passenger, a horizontal rectangular area, including seat and feet

spaces, not less that seventeen and a half centimeters wide by sixty centimeters long,

provided, that each continuous row of seats shall not be allowed to have more that one-

half passenger.
(b) Private motor trucks, passenger buses and trailers with pneumatic rubber tires, the

sum of five pesos for every hundred kilograms of maximum allowable gross weight or

fraction thereof.

(c) Private motor trucks, passenger buses and trailers with solid rubber tires or with

part-solid and part-pneumatic rubber tires, the sum of seven pesos for every hundred

kilograms of maximum allowable gross weight or fraction thereof.

(d) Private motorcycles and scooters of two or three wheels and bicycles with motor

attachments, the sum of thirty pesos.

(e) The fee for registration of motor vehicles for hire shall be sixty percent more than the

fee prescribed for private motor vehicles of the same category.

(f) The fee for registration of diesel-consuming vehicles shall be fifty percent more than

that of vehicles using motor fuel other than diesel oil. The fee for registration of motor

vehicles for hire shall be sixty percent more than the fees prescribed for private motor

vehicles.

(g) No regular registration fees shall be charged for the general registration of motor

vehicles contemplated under the dealer's classification: Provided, That the

Commissioner of Land Transportation shall provide appropriate dealer's number plates

corresponding to the classification of vehicles hereinbelow described, and registration

fee for every set of such dealer's number plates shall be in accordance with the

following schedule of rates;

Two hundred pesos for each truck or trailer;

One hundred pesos for each passenger automobile; and

Twenty pesos for each motorcycle and the like.

(h) Registration under the "Government Motor Vehicle" classification shall be free of

charge, upon request of the chief of bureau or office concerned.

(i) Motor vehicles not intended to be operated or used upon any public highway, or

which are operated on highways not constructed or maintained by the Government, or

are intended not to be used or operated at all, shall be exempt from payment of the

registration fees provided in this Act, but shall each pay an annual recording and service

fee of fifteen pesos: Provided, however, That no refund, credit for, or reimbursement of

registration fees or part thereof shall be made to any owner on account of the

discontinuance of the use or operation of a motor vehicle subsequent to the payment of

such registration fees: Provided, further, That in the event motor vehicles exempted

under this section shall be found operated on any public highways, the regular

registration fees and surcharges shall be collected in addition to whatever penalties may

be imposed for violation of this Act. The Commissioner of Land Transportation shall

provide distinctive number plates for vehicles exempted from payment of regular

registration fees, and the owner of the vehicles concerned shall pay four pesos for each

set of such number plates.

(j) The maximum allowable gross weight of a motor truck, passenger bus, or trailer,

upon which to compute the registration fee thereof, shall be determined by the

Commissioner of Land Transportation. He shall, from time to time as the need of the

service may require, prepare, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Public Works

and Communications, suitable tables of maximum allowable loads per wheel for

different sizes kinds of tires.

(k) The registration fees provided in this Act for trucks may be payable in two equal

installment, the first to be paid on or before the last working day of February if for hire,

and in March if private; and the second to be paid on or before the last working day of

August: Provided, That the fifty per cent penalty shall apply only to the unpaid balance

of the remaining period of delinquency.

Section 9. Permissible weights and dimensions of vehicles in highways traffic.

(a) The maximum gross weight and measurement of motor vehicles, unladen or with

load, permissible on public highways shall be as specified hereunder, subject to such

regulations as the Commissioner with the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and

Communications, may promulgate, from time to time, as the conditions of the public

highways may warrant and the needs of the service may require.

(b) No motor vehicle operating as a single unit shall exceed the following dimensions:

Overall width two and five-tenths meters

Overall height four meters

Overall length:

Freight vehicles with two axles ten meters

Passenger vehicles with two axles eleven meters

Vehicles with three or more axles fourteen meters

(c) No motor vehicle and/or trailer combination shall exceed eighteen meters in overall

projected length, including any load carried on such vehicle and trailer.

(d) No articulated vehicles shall be allowed to draw or pull a trailer and no vehicle

already drawing a trailer shall draw another.

Section 10. Special permits, fees for. - The Commissioner with the approval of the

Secretary of Public Works and Communications, shall issue regulations and schedules

of additional fees under which special permits may be issued in the discretion of the

Commissioner or his deputies for each of the following special cases, without which

special permit no vehicles shall be operated on the public highways:

(a) To operate a motor vehicle or trailer outfit with wheel, axle, or axle group loads in

excess of the limits fixed in subsection (a) of Section nine hereof or in any regulation

issued by the Commissioner.

(b) To operate a motor vehicle the size of which exceeds the limit of permissible

dimensions specified in paragraph (b) of Section nine hereof.

(c) To operate a motor vehicle with any part of the load extending beyond the projected

width of the vehicle.

(d) To pull two trailers behind a motor vehicle.

(e) For any other special authority relating to the use of vehicles, not otherwise

specifically provided herein.

Section 11. Additional fees. - In addition to the fees elsewhere provided in this Act, for

each change of registration, from private to for hire or vice-versa; revision of gross

weight rating, change of tire size; transfer of ownership; replacement of a lost

registration certificate, number plate, driver's license or permit; badge; preparation of

affidavit or certified copy of records, or for any similar circumstances requiring the issue,

revision, or reissue of a certificate of registration, driver's license, badge, permit, or

other document, a fee of two pesos shall be collected.

Section 12. Fee for original registration for part of year. - If any application for the

original registration is made during the first quarter of a calendar year, the total annual

fee for the year shall be paid, if made during the second quarter, three-fourths of the

annual fee for that year shall be paid, if made during the third quarter, one half of the

annual fee shall be paid, and if made during the fourth quarter, one-fourth of the annual

fee shall be paid.

Section 13. Payment of taxes upon registration. - No original registration of motor

vehicles subject to payment of taxes, customs duties or other charges shall be accepted

unless proof of payment of the taxes due thereon has been presented to the

Commission.

ARTICLE III

Registration Certificates, Records, Number Plates

Section 14. Issuance of certificates of registration. - A properly numbered certificate of

registration shall be issued for each separate motor vehicle after due inspection and

payment of corresponding registration fees.

Section 15. Use and authority of certificate of registration.

(a) The said certificate shall be preserved and carried in the car by the owner as

evidence of the registration of the motor vehicle described therein, and shall be

presented with subsequent applications for re-registration, transfer of ownership, or

recording of encumbrances: Provided, That in lieu of the certificate of registration a true

copy or photostat thereof may be carried in the motor vehicle.

(b) The certificate of registration issued under the provisions of this Act for any motor

vehicle shall, while the same is valid and effective and has not been suspended or

revoked, be the authority for the operation of such motor vehicle.

(c) No motor vehicle shall be operated on the public highways in a manner which would

place it under a classification requiring the payment of a larger registration fee than that

stated in the certificate of registration.

Section 16. Suspension of registration certificate. - If on inspection, as provided in

paragraph (6) of Section four hereof, any motor vehicle is found to be unsightly, unsafe,

overloaded, improperly marked or equipped, or otherwise unfit to be operated, or

capable of causing excessive damage to the highways, or not conforming to minimum

standards and specifications, the Commissioner may refuse to register the said motor

vehicle, or if already registered, may require the number plates thereof to be

surrendered to him, and upon seventy-two hours notice to the owner of the motor

vehicle, suspend such registration until the defects of the vehicle are corrected and/or

the minimum standards and specifications fully complied with.

Section 17. Number plates, preparation, preparation and issuance of . -

(a) The Commissioner shall cause number plates to be prepared and issued to owners

of motor vehicles and trailers registered under this Act, charging a fee of four pesos for

each pair including the numerals indicating the year of registry: Provided, however, That

in case no number plates are available, the Commissioner or his deputies may issue,

without charge, a written permit temporarily authorizing the operation of any motor

vehicles with other means of identification: Provided, further, That all motor vehicles

exempted from payment of registration fees, motor vehicles for hire, and privately-

owned motor vehicles shall bear plates so designed and painted with different colors to

distinguish one class from another: Provided, furthermore, That the plates of motor

vehicles exempted from payment of registration fees shall be permanently assigned to

such motor vehicles during their entire lifetime while exempted from payment of the

fees: And, provided, finally, That the owner thereof shall return such plates to the Land

Transportation Commission within a period of seven working days after such owner has

lost his exemption privilege or has transferred the vehicle to a non-exempt owner.

(b) In case the design of the number plate is such that the numerals indicating the year

of registry are on a detachable tag, the Commissioner or his deputies may, in their

discretion, issue the said tag only for subsequent re-registration charging a fee of one

peso for each tag issued.

Section 18. Use of number plates. - At all times, every motor vehicle shall display in

conspicuous places, one in front and one in the rear thereof, the said number plates.

The number plates shall be kept clean and cared for, and shall be firmly affixed to the

motor vehicle in such a manner as will make it entirely visible and always legible.

Except in the case of dealer's number plates which may be used successively on

various motor vehicles in stock, no person shall transfer number plates from motor

vehicle to another.
No dealer's number plate shall be used on any motor vehicle after said vehicle has been

sold and delivered to a purchaser, and no dealer shall allow such dealer's number

plates to be used on any motor vehicle after its sale and delivery to a purchaser.

CHAPTER III

OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE

ARTICLE I

License to Drive Motor Vehicles

Section 19. Duty to procure license. - Except as otherwise specifically provided in this

Act, no person shall operate any motor vehicle without first procuring a license to drive a

motor vehicle for the current year, nor while such license is delinquent, invalid,

suspended or revoked. The license shall be carried by the driver at all times when

operating a motor vehicle, and shall be shown and/or surrendered for cause and upon

demand to any person with authority under this Act to confiscate the same.

Section 20. License for enlisted men operating Government motor vehicles. - Enlisted

men operating a motor vehicle owned by the Government of the Philippines shall be

licensed in accordance with the provisions of this Act, but no license or delinquency

fees shall be collected therefrom. All licenses so issued shall bear the words "For

Government Vehicles Only" plainly marked or stamped in red ink across the face

thereof.

Section 21. Operation of motor vehicles by tourists. - Bona fide tourist and similar

transients who are duly licensed to operate motor vehicles in their respective countries

may be allowed to operate motor vehicles during but not after ninety days of their

sojourn in the Philippines.

Section 22. Driver's license, fees, examination. - Every person who desires personally

to operate any motor vehicle shall file an application to the Commissioner or his

deputies for a license to drive motor vehicles: Provided, however, That no person shall
be issued a professional driver's license who is suffering from highly contagious

diseases, such as, advanced tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilis, and the like.

Section 23. Issuance of driver's license. - If, after such examination, the Commissioner

or his deputy believes that the applicant possesses the necessary qualifications and is

proficient in the operation of motor vehicles, a license shall be issued to such applicant

upon payment of five pesos, but prior to the issuance of said license, the applicant shall

furnish three copies of his recent photograph to be securely attached to the license, and

two copies to be filed and kept as provided by this Act. All driver's licenses shall bear

the signature and right-hand thumb print of the licensee.

Section 24. Use of driver's license and badge. - Every license issued under the

provisions of this Act to any driver shall entitle the holder thereof, while the same is valid

and effective and not suspended or revoked, to operate the motor vehicles described in

such license: Provided, however, That every licensed professional driver, before

operating a public service motor vehicle registered under classifications (d) to (j)

inclusive of Section seven hereof, shall secure from the Commissioner, upon payment

of the sum of one peso, a driver's badge which he shall, at all times while so operating a

motor vehicle, display in plain sight on the band of his cap or on his coat or shirt. Such

driver's badge shall be of metal with a plainly readable number assigned to the licensee

stamped thereon.

Section 25. Driver's records. - Any driver who changes his address shall, within fifteen

days, notify the Commissioner in writing of his new address, name and address of his

new employer, the number of the motor vehicle he is employed to operate, and such

other information as the Commissioner may require.

Section 26. Renewal of license. - Any license not renewed on or before the last working

day of the month when the applicant was born shall become delinquent and invalid,

except when the license is surrendered to the Commissioner or his deputies before the
last working day of the month of his birth in order to avoid payment of the delinquency

fees.

The fee for renewal of delinquent license shall be five pesos in addition to the basic fee

as hereinabove prescribed. Every applicant for renewal of license to operate any motor

vehicle shall present to the Commissioner, in person or by mail or messenger, the

license issued to the applicant for the previous year, together with the proper fee of five

pesos and, in the case of professional chauffeurs, three copies of a readily-recognized

photograph of the applicant, which photograph shall have been taken not exceeding

three years prior to the date of applicant for renewal.

Lost license. - In case the license for the previous year has been lost or cannot be

produced, the applicant shall obtain a duplicate in accord with Section eleven of this

Act, on penalty of refusal, by the Commissioner or his deputies, to renew the license:

Provided, however, That the Commissioner or his deputies may, in their discretion

accept in lieu of the previous years license, the duly signed and sworn statement of an

operator to the effect that he has not operated any motor vehicle in the Philippines

during the year or years to which no license was issued in his name.

Section 27. Suspension, revocation of driver's license.

(a) The Commissioner may suspend for a period not exceeding three months or, after

hearing, revoke any driver's license issued under the provisions of this Act, and may

order any such license to be delivered to him whenever he has reason to believe that

the holder thereof is an improper person to operate motor vehicles, or in operating or

using a motor vehicle in, or as an accessory to, the commission of any crime or act

which endangers the public.

(b) Whenever during any twelve-month period a driver shall have been convicted at

least three times for the violations of any provisions of this Act or of any regulation

issued by the Commissioner or any municipal or city ordinance relating to motor vehicle

traffic not in conflict with any of the provisions of this Act, the Commissioner may, in his
discretion, revoke or suspend the license of such driver for a period not exceeding two

years.

(c) The license suspended or revoked under the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of

this section shall not be reinstated unless the driver has furnished a bond in accordance

with Section twenty-nine of this Act and only after the Commissioner has satisfied

himself that such driver may again safely be permitted to operate a motor vehicle.

(d) A decision of the Commissioner revoking or refusing the reinstatement of a license

under the provisions of this Section may be appealed to the Secretary of Public Works

and Communications.

Section 28. Driver's bond. - The Commissioner before reinstating any driver's license

which has been suspended or revoked under the provisions of the preceding section or

of any provisions of this Act, may require such driver to post a bond in the sum of one

thousand pesos conditioned upon the satisfaction and payment of any claim which may

be filed or of any execution which may be issued against such driver in any case

wherein said driver may be held answerable while operating motor vehicles.

Section 29. Confiscation of driver's licenses. - Law enforcement and peace officers duly

designated by the Commissioner shall, in apprehending any driver for violations of this

Act or of any regulations issued pursuant thereto, or of local traffic rules and regulations,

confiscate the license of the driver concerned and issue a receipt prescribed and issued

by the Commission therefor which shall authorize the driver to operate a motor vehicle

for a period not exceeding seventy-two hours from the time and date of issue of said

receipt.

Section 30. Student-driver's permit. - Upon proper application and the payment of three

pesos, the Commissioner or his deputy may issue student-driver's permits, valid for six

months to persons not under eighteen years of age, who desire to learn to operate

motor vehicles. No application for driver's license shall be received unless the applicant

has undergone instruction in the operation of motor vehicles for at least a month and
has a valid student-driver's permit: Provided, however, That any person who has a

license to operate vehicles in other countries may, upon presentation of appropriate

evidence of such license, be allowed to pay for a driver's license without presenting a

student driver's permit.

ARTICLE II

Illegal Use of Licenses, Number Plates, Etc.

Section 31. Imitation and false representations. - No person shall make or use attempt

to make or use a driver's license, badge, certificate of registration, number plate, tag, or

permit in imitation or similitude of those issued under this Act, or intended to be used as

or for a legal license, badge, certificate, plate, tag or permit, or with intent to sell or

otherwise dispose of the same to another. No person shall falsely or fraudulently

represent as valid and in force any driver's license, badge, certificate, plate, tag or

permit issued under this Act which is delinquent or which has been revoked or

suspended.

ARTICLE III

Passenger and Freight

Section 32. Exceeding registered capacity. - No person operating any vehicle shall

allow more passenger or more freight or cargo in his vehicle than its registered carrying

capacity. In the case of public utility trucks or buses, the conductor shall be exclusively

liable for violations of this section or of Section thirty-two, letter (c) hereof: Provided,

That the conductor, before being employed by any public service operator, shall get a

permit or license from the Commission and pay five pesos annually for said license or

permit issued in his favor, and the same is renewable on or before the last working day

of the month of his birth, attaching a readily recognizable photograph and after

(b) Carrying of passengers and freight on top of vehicles. - No person operating a motor

vehicle shall allow any passenger to ride on the cover or top of such vehicles: Provided,

however, That subject to such conditions as may be contained in permits that may be
issued by the Commissioner, baggage or freight may be carried on the top of a truck

provided the weight thereof does not exceed twenty kilos per square meter and is

distributed in such a manner as not to endanger the passengers or stability of the truck.

(c) Riding on running boards. - No driver shall permit any person to ride on the running

board, step board, or mudguard of his motor vehicle for any purpose except to make

repair or adjustment in the motor or to collect fares.

Section 33. Passenger or freight capacity marked on vehicle. - All passengers

automobiles for hire shall have the registered passenger capacity plainly and

conspicuously marked on both sides thereof, in letters and numerals not less than five

centimeters in height. All motor trucks, whether for passenger or freight, private, or for

hire, shall have the registered passenger gross and net weight capacities plainly and

conspicuously marked on both sides thereof, in letters and numerals not less than five

centimeters in height.

ARTICLE IV

Accessories of Motor Vehicles

Section 34.

(a) Tires of motor vehicles. - No motor vehicle with metallic tires shall be operated upon

any public highway, and solid tires whenever used shall be of sufficient thickness to

prevent the metal rims thereof from coming in direct contact with the road.

(b) Brakes - Every motor vehicle with four or more wheels shall be provided with dual

hydraulic brake system so that in case of hydraulic line failure affecting the braking

efficiency of any of the four wheels at least either the front or rear wheels shall retain

normal braking capabilities. In the absence of such dual braking system every motor

vehicle with four or more wheels shall be provided with safety valve devices of such

design and make so that failure of the hydraulic braking system of the vehicle because

of leakage in the line of other parts of the system will not affect all wheels but rather
render at all times effective the braking power of either the two front wheels or the two

rear wheels when brakes are applied.

(b-1) Horns. - Every motor vehicle shall be provided with a horn or signalling devise in

good working order: Provided, however, That no horn or signalling device emitting an

exceptionally loud, startling, or disagreeable sound shall be installed or used on any

motor vehicle. All authorized emergency vehicles, such as ambulance and police cars

and fire wagons used for emergency calls shall be equipped with a bell, siren, or

exhaust whistle of a type approved by the Commissioner, and no such device shall be

installed or used in any other vehicle.

(c) Headlights. - Every motor vehicle of more than one meter of projected width, while in

use on any public highway shall bear two headlights, one on each side, with white or

yellowish light visible from the front, which, not later than one-half hour after sunset and

until at least one-half four before sunrise and whenever weather conditions so require,

shall both be lighted. Additional lamps and light may be carried, but no red lights shall

be visible forward or ahead of the vehicle. Trucks, buses, trailers, and other similar

vehicles must carry, while in use on any public highway during night-time, colored riding

lights on each of the four corners not more than ten centimeters from the top.

(d) Taillights. - Every motor vehicle and trailer shall, during the above-mentioned hours,

also bear on each side in the rear a lamp showing a red light visible at least one

hundred meters from the rear of the vehicle and a lamp throwing a white light upon the

number plate issued for such vehicle.

(e) Stop lights. - Every motor vehicle shall be equipped at the rear with at least one

lamp which shall throw a sustained bright red light visible under all conditions, even

under bright sunlight, when the brakes are applied. Each bus, truck, trailer or similar

vehicle shall be equipped, as its stop light at or near its rear center, with a lamp at least

twelve centimeters in diameter with the word "stop" inscribed in the center.
(f) Motorcycle and other vehicle lights. - Every motor vehicle of less than one meter of

projected width shall be subject to the preceding provisions of this section, except that

one headlight and one taillight shall be required. No signal light shall be necessary.

Additional lamps may be carried provided they comply with the preceding provisions of

this section.

(g) Lights when parked or disabled. - Appropriate parking lights or flares visible one

hundred meters away shall be displayed at a corner of the vehicle whenever such

vehicle is parked on highways or in places that are not well-lighted or is placed in such

manner as to endanger passing traffic.

(h) Windshield wiper. - Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mechanically or

electrically operated device for wiping off raindrops or other moisture from its front

windshield.

(i) Use of red flag. - Whenever the load of any vehicle extends more than one meter

beyond the bed or body thereof, there shall be displayed at every projecting end of such

load a red flag not less than thirty centimeters both in length and width, except that

during the hours fixed under subsection (c), there shall be displayed, in lieu of the

required red flags, red lights visible at least fifty meters away.

(j) Mufflers. - Every motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall be

equipped with a muffler, and whenever said motor vehicle passes through a street of

any city, municipality, or thickly populated district or barrio, the muffler shall not be cut

out or disconnected. No motor vehicle shall be operated in such a manner as to cause it

to emit or make any unnecessary or disagreeable odor, smoke or noise.

CHAPTER IV

TRAFFIC RULES

ARTICLE I

Speed Limit and Keeping to the Right

Section 35. Restriction as to speed. -

(a) Any person driving a motor vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at a careful

and prudent speed, not greater nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due

regard for the traffic, the width of the highway, and of any other condition then and there

existing; and no person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway at such a speed

as to endanger the life, limb and property of any person, nor at a speed greater than will

permit him to bring the vehicle to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the rate of speed of any motor

vehicle shall not exceed the following:

(c) The rates of speed hereinabove prescribed shall not apply to the following:

(1) A physician or his driver when the former responds to emergency calls;

(2) The driver of a hospital ambulance on the way to and from the place of accident or

other emergency;

(3) Any driver bringing a wounded or sick person for emergency treatment to a hospital,

clinic, or any other similar place;

(4) The driver of a motor vehicle belonging to the Armed Forces while in use for official

purposes in times of riot, insurrection or invasion;

(5) The driver of a vehicle, when he or his passengers are in pursuit of a criminal;

(6) A law-enforcement officer who is trying to overtake a violator of traffic laws; and

(7) The driver officially operating a motor vehicle of any fire department, provided that

exemption shall not be construed to allow unless or unnecessary fast driving of drivers

aforementioned.

Section 36. Speed limits uniform throughout the Philippines. - No provincial, city or

municipal authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance or resolution specifying

maximum allowable speeds other than those provided in this Act.

Section 37. Driving on right side of highway. - Unless a different course of action is

required in the interest of the safety and the security of life, person or property, or

because of unreasonable difficulty of operation in compliance herewith, every person

operating a motor vehicle or an animal-drawn vehicle on a highway shall pass to the

right when meeting persons or vehicles coming toward him, and to the left when

overtaking persons or vehicles going the same direction, and when turning to the left in

going from one highway to another, every vehicle shall be conducted to the right of the

center of the intersection of the highway.

Section 38. Classification of highways. - Public highways shall be properly classified for

traffic purposes by the provincial board, municipal board or city council having

jurisdiction over them, and said provincial board, municipal board or city council shall

provide appropriate signs therefor, subject to the approval of the Commissioner. It shall

be the duty of every provincial, city and municipal secretary to certify to the

Commissioner the names, locations, and limits of all "through streets" designated as

such by the provincial board, municipal board or council.

ARTICLE II

Overtaking and Passing a Vehicle, and Turning at Intersections

Section 39. Overtaking a vehicle. - The driver of any motor vehicle overtaking another

vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance to the left thereof,

and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until safety clear of such

overtaken vehicle except that on a highway, within a business or residential district,

having two or more lanes for the movement of traffic in one direction, the driver of a

vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right. Nothing in this section shall

be construed to prohibit a driver overtaking and passing, upon the right, another vehicle

which is making or about to make a left turn.

Section 40. Driver to give way to overtaking vehicle. - The driver of a vehicle about to

be overtaken and passed by another vehicle approaching from the rear shall give way
to the overtaking vehicle on suitable and audible signal being given by the driver of the

overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely

passed by the overtaking vehicle.

Section 41. Restrictions on overtaking and passing.

(a) The driver of a vehicle shall not drive to the left side of the center line of a highway in

overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, unless such left

side is clearly visible, and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to

permit such overtaking or passing to be made in safety.

(b) The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake or pass another vehicle proceeding in the

same direction, when approaching the crest of a grade, not upon a curve in the

highway, where the driver's view along the highway is obstructed within a distance of

five hundred feet ahead, except on a highway having two or more lanes for movement

of traffic in one direction where the driver of a vehicle may overtake or pass another

vehicle: Provided, That on a highway within a business or residential district, having two

or more lanes for movement of traffic in one direction, the driver of a vehicle may

overtake or pass another vehicle on the right.

(c) The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake or pass any other vehicle proceeding in the

same direction, at any railway grade crossing, not at any intersection of highways

unless such intersection or crossing is controlled by traffic signal, or unless permitted to

do so by a watchman or a peace officer, except on a highway having two or more lanes

for movement of traffic in one direction where the driver of a vehicle may overtake or

pass another vehicle on the right.

(d) The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake or pass, or attempt to pass, any other

vehicle, proceeding in the same direction, between any points indicated by the placing

of official temporary warning or caution signs indicating that men are working on the

highway.
(e) The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake or pass, or attempt to overtake or pass,

any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction in any "no-passing or overtaking

zone."

ARTICLE III

Right of Way and Signals

Section 42. Right of way.

(a) When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection at approximately the same

time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the

right, except as otherwise hereinafter provided. The driver of any vehicle traveling at an

unlawful speed shall forfeit any right of way which he might otherwise have hereunder.

(b) The driver of a vehicle approaching but not having entered an intersection, shall

yield the right of way to a vehicle within such intersection or turning therein to the left

across the line of travel of such first-mentioned vehicle, provided the driver of the

vehicle turning left has given a plainly visible signal of intention to turn as required in this

Act.

(c) The driver of any vehicle upon a highway within a business or residential district

shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing such highway within a crosswalk,

except at intersections where the movement of traffic is being regulated by a peace

officer or by traffic signal. Every pedestrian crossing a highway within a business or

residential district, at any point other than a crosswalk shall yield the right of way to

vehicles upon the highway.

(d) The driver of a vehicle upon a highway shall bring to a full stop such vehicle before

traversing any "through highway" or railroad crossing: Provided, That when it is

apparent that no hazard exists, the vehicle may be slowed down to five miles per hour

instead of bringing it to a full stop.

Section 43. Exception to the right of way rule.

(a) The driver of a vehicle entering a highway from a private road or drive shall yield the

right of way to all vehicles approaching on such highway.

(b) The driver of a vehicle upon a highway shall yield the right of way to police or fire

department vehicles and ambulances when such vehicles are operated on official

business and the drivers thereof sound audible signal of their approach.

(c) The driver of a vehicle entering a "through highway" or a "stop intersection" shall

yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching to either direction on such "through

highway": Provided, That nothing in this subsection shall be construed as relieving the

driver of any vehicle being operated on a "through highway" from the duty of driving with

due regard for the safety of vehicles entering such "through highway" nor as protecting

the said driver from the consequence of an arbitrary exercise off such right of way.

Section 44. Signals on starting, stopping or turning. -

(a) The driver of any vehicle upon a highway, before starting, stopping or turning from a

direct line, shall first see that such movement can be made in safety, and if any

pedestrian may be affected by such movement, shall give a clearly audible signal by

sounding the horn, and whenever the operation of any other vehicle approaching or

following may be affected by such movement, shall give a signal plainly visible to the

driver of such other vehicles of the intention to make such movement.

(b) The signal herein required shall be given by means of extending the hand and arm

beyond the left side of the vehicle, or by an approved mechanical or electrical signal

device.

ARTICLE IV

Turning and Parking

Section 45. Turning at intersections. -

(a) The drive of a vehicle intending to run to the right at an intersection shall approach

such intersection in the lane for traffic nearest to the right-hand side of the highway and,

in turning, shall keep as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the highway.

(b) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left shall approach such intersection in

the lane for traffic to the right of and nearest to the center line of the highway, and, in

turning, shall pass to the left of the center of the intersection, except that, upon

highways laned for traffic and upon one-way highways, a left turn shall be made from

the left lane of traffic in the direction in which the vehicle is proceeding.

(c) For the purpose of this section, the center of the intersection shall mean the meeting

point of the medial lines of the highways intersecting one another, except when it is

occupied by a monument, grass plot or any permanent structure, other than traffic

control device.

Section 46. Parking prohibited in specified places. - No driver shall park a vehicle, or

permit it to stand, whether attended or unattended, upon a highway in any of the

following places:

(a) Within an intersection

(b) On a crosswalk

(c) Within six meters of the intersection of curb lines.

(d) Within four meters of the driveway entrance to and fire station.

(e) Within four meters of fire hydrant

(f) In front of a private driveway

(g) On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the curb or edge of the

highway

(h) At any place where official signs have been erected prohibiting parking.
Section 47. Parked vehicle. - Whenever a motor vehicle is parked unattended on any

highway, the driver thereof must turn off the ignition switch and stop the motor and

notch effectively the hand brake.

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous Traffic Rules

Section 48. Reckless driving. - No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any highway

recklessly or without reasonable caution considering the width, traffic, grades, crossing,

curvatures, visibility and other conditions of the highway and the conditions of the

atmosphere and weather, or so as to endanger the property or the safety or rights of

any person or so as to cause excessive or unreasonable damage to the highway.

Section 49. Right of way for police and other emergency vehicles. - Upon the approach

of any police or fire department vehicle, or of an ambulance giving audible signal, the

driver of every other vehicle shall immediately drive the same to a position as near as

possible and parallel to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any

intersection of highways, and shall stop and remain in such position, unless otherwise

directed by a peace officer, until such vehicle shall have passed.

Section 50. Tampering with vehicles. - No unauthorized person shall sound the horn,

handle the levers or set in motion or in any way tamper with a damage or deface any

motor vehicle.

Section 51. Hitching to a vehicle. - No person shall hang on to, ride on, the outside or

the rear end of any vehicle, and no person on a bicycle, roller skate or other similar

device, shall hold fast to or hitch on to any moving vehicle, and no driver shall knowingly

permit any person to hang on to or ride, the outside or rear end of his vehicle or allow

any person on a bicycle, roller skate or other similar device to hold fast or hitch to his

vehicle.
Section 52. Driving or parking on sidewalk. - No person shall drive or park a motor

vehicle upon or along any sidewalk, path or alley not intended for vehicular traffic or

parking.

Section 53. Driving while under the influence of liquor or narcotic drug. - No person

shall drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor or narcotic drug.

Section 54. Obstruction of traffic. - No person shall drive his motor vehicle in such a

manner as to obstruct or impede the passage of any vehicle, nor, while discharging or

taking on passengers or loading or unloading freight, obstruct the free passage of other

vehicles on the highway.

Section 55. Duty of driver in case of accident. - In the event that any accident should

occur as a result of the operation of a motor vehicle upon a highway, the driver present,

shall show his driver's license, give his true name and address and also the true name

CHAPTER V

PENAL AND OTHER PROVISIONS

ARTICLE I

Penalties

Section 56. Penalty for violation. - The following penalties shall be imposed for

violations of this Act:

(a) For registering later than seven days after acquiring title to an unregistered motor

vehicle or after conversion of a registered motor vehicle requiring larger registration fee

than that for which it was originally registered, or for renewal of a delinquent registration,

the penalty shall be a fine fifty per cent of the registration fees corresponding to the

portion of the year for which the vehicle is registered for use.

(b) For failure to sign driver's license or to carry same while driving, twenty pesos fine.

(c) Driving a vehicle with a delinquent or invalid driver's license, fifty pesos fine.
(d) Driving a motor vehicle with delinquent, suspended or invalid registration, or without

registration or without the proper license plate for the current year, three hundred pesos

fine.

(e) Driving a motor vehicle without first securing a driver's license, three hundred pesos

fine.

(f) Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor or narcotic drug, a fine of

not less than two hundred pesos nor more than five hundred pesos, or imprisonment of

not more than three months, or both, at the discretion of the Court.

(g) Violation of Section thirty-two, thirty-four (a), (b) and (b-1), thirty-five and forty-six a

fine not exceeding one hundred pesos: Provided, however, That in the case of violation

of Section 34 (b) the vehicle or vehicles affected may not be allowed to operate unless

the requirements provided in this section are complied with.

(h) Violations of Sections forty-nine, fifty and fifty-two, a fine not exceeding fifty pesos.

(i) For making, using or attempting to make or use a driver's license, badge, certificate

or registration, number plate, tag or permit in imitation or similitude of those issued

under this Act, or intended to be used as or for a legal license, badge, certificate, plate,

tag or permit or with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of the same to another, or false

or fraudulently represent as valid and in force any driver's license, badge, certificate,

plate, tag or permit issued under this Act which is delinquent or which has been

suspended or revoked, a fine of not exceeding three hundred pesos.

(j) For using private passenger automobiles, private trucks, private motorcycles, and

motor wheel attachments for hire, in violation of Section seven, subsections (a), (b), and

(c), of this Act, a fine of two hundred pesos and suspension of driver's license for a

period of three months for the first conviction; a fine of three hundred pesos and six

months imprisonment for the second conviction; and an imprisonment of one year and

permanent revocation of the driver's license for the third conviction.

(k) For permitting, allowing, consenting to, or tolerating the use of a privately-owned

motor vehicle for hire in violation of Section seven, subsections (a), (b), and (c), of this

Act, there shall be imposed upon the owner of the vehicle a fine of five hundred pesos

and the certificate of registration shall be suspended for a period of three months for the

first conviction, and an increase of one hundred pesos in the fine and one month's

suspension of the registration for each subsequent conviction.

(l) For violation of any provisions of this Act or regulations promulgated pursuant hereto,

not hereinbefore specifically punished, a fine of not less than ten or more than fifty

pesos shall be imposed.

(m) In the event an offender cannot pay any fine imposed pursuant to the provisions of

this Act, he shall be made to undergo subsidiary imprisonment as provided for in the

Revised Penal Code.

(n) If, as the result of negligence or reckless or unreasonable fast driving, any accident

occurs resulting in death or injury of any person, the motor vehicle operator at fault

shall, upon conviction, be punished under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

Section 57. Punishment for other offenses. - The conviction of any person for any

offense under this Act shall not bar his prosecution for any other offense which may

have been committed by such person concurrently with the commission of the offense

of which he was convicted or in doing the act or series of acts which constituted the

offense of which he was convicted.

Section 58. Duty of clerks of court. - It is hereby made the duty of clerks of the Court of

First Instance, the City Court of Municipal Court trying traffic violation cases to certify to

the Commission the result of any case, whether criminal or civil, involving violations of

any provision of this Act or of other laws and ordinances relating to motor vehicles. Said

certificate shall specifically contain the name of the driver or owner of the vehicle

involved, his address, the number of his license and/or of the certificate or registration of
his vehicle, and the date thereof, and the offense of which he was convicted or

acquitted.

ARTICLE II

Collection of Fees, Taxes and Fines, Liens, Allotment of Funds

Section 59. (a) Collection of fees; national and local taxes; toll fees. - The collection of

all fees, taxes, and fines, under the provisions of this Act shall be made in accordance

with regulations to be prescribed by the Commissioner and approved jointly by the

Auditor General.

(b) No taxes or fees other than those prescribed in this Act shall be imposed for the

registration or operation or on the ownership of any motor vehicle, or for the exercise of

the profession of chauffeur, by any municipal corporation, the provisions of any city

charter to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, however, That any provincial board,

city or municipal council or board or other competent authority may enact and collect

such reasonable and equitable toll fees for the use of such bridges and ferries, within

their respective jurisdiction, as may be authorized and approved by the Secretary of

Public Works and Communications, and also for the use of such public roads, as may

be authorized by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the

Secretary of Public Works and Communications, but in none of these cases shall any

toll fees be charged or collected until and unless the approved schedule of tolls has

been posted legibly in a conspicuous place at such toll station.

Section 60. The lien upon motor vehicles. - Any balance of fees for registration, re-

registration or delinquent registration of a motor vehicle, remaining unpaid and all fines

imposed upon any vehicle owner, shall constitute a first lien upon the motor vehicle

concerned.

Section 61. Disposal of monies collected. - Monies collected under the provisions of

this Act shall be deposited in a special trust account in the National Treasury to

constitute the Highway Special Fund, which shall be apportioned and expended in
accordance with the provisions of the "Philippine Highway Act of 1953": Provided,

however, That the amount necessary to maintain and equip the Land Transportation

Commission but not to exceed fifteen per cent of the total collections during any one

year, shall be set aside for the purpose.

ARTICLE III

Final Provisions

Section 62. No provincial board, city or municipal board or council shall enact or

enforce any ordinance or resolution in conflict with the provisions of this Act, or

prohibiting any deputy or agent of the Commission to enforce this Act within their

respective territorial jurisdiction and the provisions of any charter to the contrary

notwithstanding.

Section 63. Repeal of laws and ordinances. - Act Numbered Thirty-nine hundred

ninety-two, as amended, and all laws, executive orders, ordinances, resolutions,

regulations, or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this Act are repealed:

Provided, however, That nothing contained in this Act shall be construed as limiting or

superseding any provisions of the Public Service Act, as amended, with respect to the

control by the Public Service Commission of motor vehicles operating as public service,

nor shall any provision of this Act be construed as limiting or abridging the powers

conferred upon and exercised by the Public Service Commission with regards to the

control and supervision of the operation of such motor vehicles as public service.

Section 64. Appropriation. - To carry out effectively the provisions of this Act, the

amount of two hundred fifty thousand pesos is hereby appropriated out of the fees

collected under this Act, in addition to the appropriations provided in the General

Appropriations Act, for the expense of this Commission for the fiscal year beginning July

first, nineteen hundred and sixty-four, to June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and sixty-five:

Provided, however, That any savings in the appropriations of the Motor Vehicles Office
for the fiscal year beginning July first, nineteen hundred and sixty-three, to June

thirtieth, nineteen hundred and sixty-four shall likewise be available for this purpose.

Section 65. Separability. - If any provisions of this Act or the application thereof to any

person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, and the application of

such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.

Section 66. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 20, 1964

Topic 2: Fire

Facts

 Fire Triangle. A simplified cousin to the fire tetrahedron, the triangle represents

the three components that fires need to exist: heat, oxygen and fuel. If one of

these components is missing, a fire can’t ignite. Heat can be generated by a

cigarette, an electrical current or a home heater. Fuel can be anything

combustible, such as wood, paper, clothing, furniture, gases or chemicals. Once

a fire starts, if any of the three components is removed, the fire is extinguished.

Water is used to cool a fire and take away the heat source. Oxygen can be

removed by smothering a fire with dirt, sand, a chemical agent or a blanket.

 Leading Cause. According to the BFP, the top three causes of fires are

electrical connection, lighted cigarette butt and open flame. Fire originating from

electrical connections may either be triggered by electrical overload, electrical arc

or electrical short circuit. Lighted cigarette butts that caused fires are those

usually indiscriminately thrown away by cigarette smokers, accidentally touching

flammable material that starts a fire. Fires caused by open flames can either be

triggered by torch, candle or burning gas stove left unattended.

 Smoke. More people die from smoke inhalation than flames. Fire can suck all of

the oxygen from a room and replace it with poisonous smoke and gases before

flames even reach a room. Many times people die from lack of oxygen before the

fire reaches their room.

 Smoke Alarms. Approximately two-thirds of all fire deaths happen in homes

where there’s no working fire alarm. Your chance of dying in a home fire is cut in

half if you have a working smoke alarm.

Statistics

 Every year more than 3,800 people die fire related deaths in the U.S.

Approximately 18,300 people are injured every year in fires. Most of these fires

could have been prevented by practicing proper fire safety and having fire

alarms. On average more than 60 firefighters die every year in the line of duty.

 From 2013 to 2017, the BFP recorded a total of 77,724 fire incidents, or an

average of 15,545 fire incidents every year or 42 fire incidents a day. During the

period, the total estimated damage to property reached P23.273 billion or an

average of P4.65 billion every year.

 Also during the period, 1,257 people were killed or an average of 251 deaths

every year. The number of injured persons during the five-year period reached

4,239, or an average of 848 persons suffering from fire-related injuries that could

have been avoided.

Interview

 Mrs. Judith F. Marcaida - in our school we already incorporate some preventive

measures for possible fire tragedies that could happen. Such as fire campaigns, fire

education and awareness, two doors requirements for each classrooms for both

entrance and exit when there is a possible fire, fire alarms, and fire drills. We are

also required not to charge our gadgets, doing wrong acts like multiple plugging of

devices in one extension wire or octopus wiring, handling fire elements in laboratory

and the fire triangle which can trigger sparks. These overall are the cause of this

problem, we should always be careful and help prevent fire from happening.

Research

Law
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9514

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES,

REPEALING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1185 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008”.

SECTION 2. It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety, promote economic

development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds, of destructive fires,

and promote the professionalization of the fire service as a profession. Towards this

end, the State shall enforce all laws, rules and regulations to ensure adherence to

standard fire prevention and safety measures, and promote accountability in the fire

protection and prevention service.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Fire Code, the following words and

phrases shall mean and be construed as indicated:

Abatement - Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.

Administrator - Any person who acts as agent of the owner and manages the use of a

building for him.

Blasting Agent - Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off

explosives. 2009lawsprem

Cellulose Nitrate or Nitro Cellulose - A highly combustible and explosive compound

produced by the reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.

Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) - Any plastic substance, materials or compound

having cellulose nitrate (nitro cellulose) as base.

Combustible Flammable or Inflammable - Descriptive of materials that are easily set on

fire.

Combustible Fiber - Any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such as cotton, oakum,

rags, waste cloth, waste paper, kapok, hay, straw, spanish moss, excelsior and other

similar materials commonly used in commerce.

Combustible Liquid - Any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8°C (100 °F).

Corrosive Liquid - Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic matter or

with certain chemicals.

Curtain Board - A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive materials attached to

and extending below the bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of the

roof into separate compartments so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a

roof vent.

Cryogenic - Descriptive of any material which by its nature or as a result of its reaction

with other elements produces a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate

surroundings.

Damper - A normally open device installed inside air duct system which automatically

closes to restrict the passage of smoke or fire.

Distillation - The process of first raising the temperature in separate the more volatile

from the less volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to

produce a nearly purified substance.

Duct System - A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.

Dust - A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the proper proportion

and ignited will cause an explosion.

Electrical Arc - An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of an electric

current across a space between two conductors or terminals due to the incandescence

of the conducting vapor.

Ember - A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is

still oxidizing without the manifestation of flames.

Finishes - Materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or protective

purposes.

Fire - The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.

Fire Trap - A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it

lacks adequate exits or fire escapes.

Fire Alarm - Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warn the

occupants of the building or fire fighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to

enable them to undertake immediate action to save life and property and to suppress

the fire.
Fire Door - A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or

partitions.

Fire Hazard - Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in the

probability of the occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere

with fire fighting operations and the safeguarding of life and property.

Fire Lane - The portion of a roadway or public-way that should be kept opened and

unobstructed at all times for the expedient operation of fire fighting units.

Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device - Any device intended for the protection of

buildings or persons to include, but not limited to, built-in protection system such as

sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing system, detectors for heat, smoke and

combustion products and other warning system components, personal protective

equipment such as fire blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and other garments that may

be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.

Fire Safety Constructions - Refers to design and installation of walls, barriers, doors,

windows, vents, means of egress etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or

structure in order to minimize danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the

building is evacuated. These features are also designed to achieve, among others, safe

and rapid evacuation of people through means of egress on construction which are

sealed from smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the room or floor of origin

and delay their spread to other parts of the building by means of smoke sealed and fire

resistant doors, walls and floors. It shall also mean to include the treatment of buildings

components or contents with flame retardant chemicals.

Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in

sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air.

Forcing - A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or

dimensions.

Fulminate - A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion.

Hazardous Operation/Process - Any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, etc.,

that uses or produces materials which are likely to cause fires or explosions.

Horizontal Exit - Passageway from one building to another or through or around a wall

in approximately the same floor level.

Hose Box - A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment are stored

and arranged for fire fighting.

Hose Reel - A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire hose is wound

and connected.

Hypergolic Fuel - A rocket or liquid propellant which consist of combinations of fuels and

oxidizers which ignite spontaneously on contact with each other.

Industrial Baking and Drying - The industrial process of subjecting materials to heat for

the purpose of removing solvents or moisture from the same, and/or to fuse certain

chemical salts to form a uniform glazing on the surface of materials being treated.

Jumper - A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a safety device in

an electrical system.

Occupancy - The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to

be used.
Occupant - Any person actually occupying and using a building or portions thereof by

virtue of a lease contract with the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance

of the latter.

Organic Peroxide - A strong oxidizing organic compound which releases oxygen readily.

It causes fire when in contact with combustible materials especially under conditions of

high temperature.

Overloading - The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which draw or

consume electrical current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical

system.

Owner - The person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a building or real

property.

Oxidizing Material - A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to

stimulate or support combustion.

Pressurized or Forced Draft Burning Equipment - Type of burner where the fuel is

subjected to pressure prior to discharge into the combustion chamber and/or which

includes fans or other provisions for the introduction of air at above normal atmospheric

pressure into the same combustion chamber.

Public Assembly Building - Any building or structure where fifty (50) or more people

congregate, gather, or assemble for any purpose.

Public Way - Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the

sky, deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated for public use.

Pyrophoric - Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when exposed to

air.

Refining - A process where impurities and/or deleterious materials are removed from a

mixture in order to produce a pure element or compound. It shall also refer to partial

distillation and electrolysis.

Self-closing Doors - Automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and

heat and delay the spread of fire.

Smelting - Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to separate impurities

from pure metals.

Sprinkler System - An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping installed in a

building, structure or area with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which

automatically discharges water when activated by heat or combustion products from a

fire.

Standpipe System - A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can be

attached on each floor, including a system by which water is made available to the

outlets as needed.

Vestibule - A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior

parts of a house or building.

Vertical Shaft - An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor,

as well as from the base to the top of the building.

SECTION 4. Applicability of the Code. - The provisions of the Fire Code shall apply to

all persons and all private and public buildings, facilities or structures erected or

constructed before and after its effectivity.

SECTION 5. Responsibility for the Enforcement of this Code. - This Code shall be

administered and enforced by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), under the direct

supervision and control of the Chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection, through the

hierarchy of organization as provided for in Chapter VI of Republic Act No. 6975. With

the approval of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government

(DILG), the Chief, BFP, is hereby authorized to:

a. Issue implementing rules and regulations, and prescribe standards, schedules of

fees/fire service charges and administrative penalties therefor as provided in the

pertinent provisions of this Code;

b. Reorganize the BFP as may be necessary and appropriate;

c. Support and assist fire volunteers, practitioners and fire volunteer organizations in the

country who shall undergo mandatory fire suppression, inspection, rescue, emergency

medical services and related emergency response trainings and competency

evaluations to be conducted by the BFP. In the case of the fire practitioners, they shall

undergo mandatory continuous professional education and competency evaluation of

their expertise, knowledge and skills in the area of fire science, engineering and

technology to be conducted by the .

The BFP may enter into external party agreements for the conduct of trainings,

education and evaluation of fire volunteers, practitioners and fire volunteer

organizations, which shall be under the full control and supervision of the BFP:
Provided, however, That during firefighting operations, fire volunteer organizations shall

be under the direct operational control of the fire ground commanders of the BFP;

d. Enter into long term agreement, either through public biddings or negotiations in

accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the

Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003, for the acquisition of fire prevention, fire

protection and fire fighting investigation, rescue, paramedics, hazardous material

handling equipment, supplies, materials and related technical services necessary for the

fire service;

e. Enter into Memoranda of Agreement with other departments, bureaus, agencies,

offices and corporations of the government, as well as private institutions, in order to

define areas of cooperation and coordination and delineate responsibility on fire

prevention education, fire safety, fire prevention, fire suppression and other matters of

common concern;

f. Call on the police, other law enforcement agencies, and local government assistance

to render necessary assistance in the enforcement of this Code;

g. Designate a fire safety inspector through his/her duly authorized representative, who

shall conduct an inspection of every building or structure within his area of responsibility

at least once a year and every time the owner, administrator or occupant shall renew

his/her business permit or permit to operate;

No occupancy permit, business or permit to operate shall be issued without securing a

Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) from the Chief, BFP, or his/her duly authorized

representative;
h. Inspect at reasonable time, any building, structure, installation or premises for

dangerous or hazardous conditions or materials as set forth in this Code, provided that

in case of single family dwelling, an inspection must be upon the consent of the

occupant or upon lawful order from the proper court. The Chief, BFP or his/her duly

authorized representative shall order the owner/occupant to remove hazardous

materials and/or stop hazardous operation/process in accordance with the standards

set by this Code or its implementing rules or regulations or other pertinent laws;

i. Where conditions exist and are deemed hazardous to life and property, to order the

owner/occupant of any building or structure to summarily abate such hazardous

conditions;

j. Require the building owner/occupant to submit plans and specifications, and other

pertinent documents of said building to ensure compliance with applicable codes and

standards; and

k. Issue a written notice to the owner and/or contractor to stop work on portion of any

work due to absence, or in violation of approved plans and specifications, permit and/or

clearance or certification as approved by the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized

representative. The notice shall state the nature of the violation and no work shall be

continued on that portion until the violation had been corrected.

SECTION 6. Technical Staff. - The Chief, BFP shall constitute a technical staff of highly

qualified persons who are knowledgeable on fire prevention, fire safety, and fire

suppression. They may be drawn not only from the organic members of the BFP and

other government offices and agencies, but also from other sources in the latter case,

they will either be appointed into the service or hired as consultants in accordance with

law. The technical staff shall study, review and evaluate latest developments and

standards on fire technology; prepare plans/programs, on fire safety, prevention and

suppression and evaluate implementation thereof; develop programs on the

professionalization of the fire service; coordinate with appropriate government and

private institutions for the offering of college courses on fire technology and fire

protection engineering; propose amendments to the Fire Code; advise the Chief, BFP

on any matter brought to his attention; and perform such other functions as directed on

any matter brought to his attention and perform such other functions as directed by

higher authorities.

SECTION 7. Inspections, Safety Measures, Fire Safety, Constructions and Protective

and/or Warning Systems. - As may be defined and provided in the rules and

regulations, owners, administrators or occupants of buildings, structures and their

premises or facilities and other responsible persons shall be required to comply with the

following, as may be appropriate:

a) Inspection Requirement - A fire safety inspection shall be conducted by the Chief,

BFP or his duly authorized representative as prerequisite to the grants of permits and/or

licenses by local governments and other government agencies concerned, for the:

(1) Use or occupancy of buildings, structures, facilities or their premises including the

installation or fire protection and fire safety equipment, and electrical system in any

building structure or facility; and

(2) Storage, handling and/or use of explosives or of combustible, flammable, toxic and

other hazardous materials;

b) Safety Measures for Hazardous Materials - Fire safety measures shall be required for

the manufacture, storage, handling and/or use of hazardous materials involving:

(1) cellulose nitrate plastic of any kind;

(2) combustible fibers;

(3) cellular materials such as foam, rubber, sponge rubber and plastic foam;

(4) flammable and combustible liquids or gases of any classification;

(5) flammable paints, varnishes, stains and organic coatings;

(6) high-piled or widely spread combustible stock;

(7) metallic magnesium in any form;

(8) corrosive liquids, oxidizing materials, organic peroxide, nitromethane, ammonium

nitrate, or any amount of highly toxic, pyrophoric, hypergolic, or cryogenic materials or

poisonous gases as well as material compounds which when exposed to heat or flame

become a fire conductor, or generate excessive smoke or toxic gases;

(9) blasting agents, explosives and special industrial explosive materials, blasting caps,

black powder, liquid nitro-glycerine, dynamite, nitro cellulose, fulminates of any kind,

and plastic explosives containing ammonium salt or chlorate;

(10) firework materials of any kind or form;

(11) matches in commercial quantities;

(12) hot ashes, live coals and embers;

(13) mineral, vegetable or animal oils and other derivatives/by-products;

(14) combustible waste materials for recycling or resale;

(15) explosive dusts and vapors; and

(16) agriculture, forest, marine or mineral products which may undergo spontaneous

combustion;

(17) any other substance with potential to cause harm to persons, property or the

environment because of one or more of the following: a) The chemical properties of the

substance; b) The physical properties of the substance; c) The biological properties of

the substance. Without limiting the definition of hazardous material, all dangerous

goods, combustible liquids and chemicals are hazardous materials.

c) Safety Measures for Hazardous Operation/Processes - Fire safety measures shall be

required for the following hazardous operation/processes:

(1) welding or soldering;

(2) industrial baking and drying;

(3) waste disposal;

(4) pressurized/forced-draft burning equipment;

(5) smelting and forging;

(6) motion picture projection using electrical arc lamps;

(7) refining, distillation and solvent extraction; and

(8) such other operations or processes as may hereafter be prescribed in the rules and

regulations.

d) Provision on Fire Safety Construction, Protective and Warning System - Owners,

occupants or administrator or buildings, structures and their premises or facilities,

except such other buildings or structures as may be exempted in the rules and

regulations to be promulgated under Section 5 hereof, shall incorporate and provide

therein fire safety construction, protective and warning system, and shall develop and

implement fire safety programs, to wit:

(1) Fire protection features such as sprinkler systems, hose boxes, hose reels or

standpipe systems and other fire fighting equipment;

(2) Fire alarm systems;

(3) Fire walls to separate adjoining buildings, or warehouses and storage areas from

other occupancies in the same building;

(4) Provisions for confining the fire at its source such as fire resistive floors and walls

extending up to the next floor slab or roof, curtain boards and other fire containing or

stopping components;

(5) Termination of all exits in an area affording safe passage to a public way or safe

dispersal area;

(6) Stairway, vertical shafts, horizontal exits and other means of egress sealed from

smoke and heat;

(7) A fire exit plan for each floor of the building showing the routes from each other room

to appropriate exits, displayed prominently on the door of such room;

(8) Self-closing fire resistive doors leading to corridors;

(9) Fire dampers in centralized airconditioning ducts;

(10) Roof vents for use by fire fighters; and

(11) Properly marked and lighted exits with provision for emergency lights to adequately

illuminate exit ways in case of power failure.

SECTION 8. Prohibited Acts. - The following are declared as prohibited act and

omission:

a. Obstructing or blocking the exit ways or across to buildings clearly marked for fire

safety purposes, such as but not limited to aisles in interior rooms, any part of stairways,

hallways, corridors, vestibules, balconies or bridges leading to a stairway or exit of any

kind, or tolerating or allowing said violations;

b. Constructing gates, entrances and walkways to building components and yards, and

temporary or permanent structures on public ways, which obstruct the orderly and easy

passage of fire fighting vehicles and equipment;

c. Prevention, interference or obstruction of any operation of the fire service, or of duly

organized and authorized fire brigades;

d. Obstructing designated fire lanes or access to fire hydrants;

e. Overcrowding or admission of persons beyond the authorized capacity in movie

houses, theaters, coliseums, auditoriums or other public assembly buildings, except in

other assembly areas on the ground floor with open sides or open doors sufficient to

provide safe exits;

f. Locking fire exits during period when people are inside the building;

g. Prevention or obstruction of the automatic closure of fire doors or smoke partitions or

dampers;

h. Use of fire protective or fire fighting equipment of the fire service other than for fire

fighting except in other emergencies where their use are justified;

i. Giving false or malicious fire alarms;

j. Smoking in prohibited areas as may be determined by fire service, or throwing of

cigars, cigarettes, burning objects in places which may start or cause fire;

k. Abandoning or leaving a building or structure by the occupant or owner without

appropriate safety measures;

l. Removing, destroying, tampering or obliterating any authorized mark, seal, sign or tag

posted or required by the fire service for fire safety in any building, structure or

processing equipment; and

m. Use of jumpers or tampering with electrical wiring or overloading the electrical

system beyond its designated capacity or such other practices that would tend to

undermine the fire safety features of the electrical system.

SECTION 9. Violations, Penalties and Abatement of Fire Hazards. - Fire hazards shall

be abated immediately. The Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized representative, upon

the report that a violation of this Code or other pertinent laws, rules and regulations is

being committed, shall issue notice/order to comply to the owner, administrator,

occupant or other person responsible for the condition of the building or structure,

indicating among other things, the period within which compliance shall be effected,

which shall be within ten (10) to fifteen (15) days after the receipt of the notice/order,

depending on the reasonableness to adequately comply with the same.

If after the lapse of the aforesaid period, the owner, administrator, occupant or other

responsible persons failed to comply, the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized

representative shall put up a sign in front of the building or structure that it is a fire

hazard. Specifically, the notice shall bear the words “WARNING: THIS

BUILDING/STRUCTURE IS A FIRE HAZARD”, which shall remain posted until such

time that the owner, administrator, occupant or other persons responsible for the

condition of the building, structure and their premises or facilities abate the same, but

such period shall not exceed fifteen (15) days from the lapse of the initial period given in

the notice/order to comply.

Finally, with the failure of the owner, administrator, occupant or other persons

responsible for the condition of the building, structure and their premises or facilities to

comply within the period specified above, the Chief, BFP may issue order for such

abatement. If the owner, administrator or occupant of buildings, structure and their

premises or facilities does not abate the same within the period fixed in said order, the

building, structure, premises or facilities shall be ordered closed by the Chief, BFP or

his/her duly authorized representative notwithstanding any permit clearance or

certificate earlier issued by the local authorities.

Any building or structure assessed and declared by the Chief, BFP or his/her duly

authorized representative as a firetrap on account of the gravity or palpability of the

violation or is causing clear and present imminent fire danger to adjoining

establishments and habitations shall be declared a public nuisance, as defined in the

Civil Code of the Philippines in a notice to be issued to the owner, administrator,

occupant or other person responsible for the condition of the building, structure and

their premises or facilities. If the assessed value of the nuisance or the amount to be

spent in abating the same is not more than One hundred thousand pesos

(P100,000.00), the owner, administrator or occupant thereof shall abate the hazard

within Fifteen (15) days, or if the assessed value is more than One hundred thousand

pesos (P100,000.00), within thirty (30) days from receipt of the order declaring said

building or structure a public nuisance; otherwise, the Chief, BFP or his/her duly

authorized representative shall forthwith cause its summary abatement. Failure to

comply within five (5) days from the receipt of the notice shall cause the Chief, BFP or

his/her duly authorized representative to put up a sign in front of the building or

structure, at or near the entrance of such premises, notifying the public that such

building or structure is a “FIRE TRAP”, which shall remain until the owner, administrator,

occupant or other person responsible for the condition of the building, structure and

their premises or facilities abate the same within the specified period.

Summary abatement as used herein shall mean all corrective measures undertaken to

abate hazards which shall include, but not limited to remodeling, repairing,

strengthening, reconstructing, removal and demolition, either partial or total, of the

building or structure. The expenses incurred by the government for such summary

abatement shall be borne by the owner, administrator or occupant. These expenses

shall constitute a prior lien upon such property.

SECTION 10. Enforcement of the Lien. - If the owner, administrator or occupant fails to

reimburse the government of the expenses incurred in the summary abatement within

ninety (90) days from the completion of such abatement, the building or structure shall
be sold at public auction in accordance with existing laws and rules. No property subject

of lien under Section 9 hereof, may be sold at a price lower than the abatement

expenses incurred by the government. The property shall be forfeited in favor of the

government if the highest bid is not at least equal to the abatement expenses.

SECTION 11. Penalties. -

1. Against the private individual:

a) Administrative fine - Any person who violates any provision of the Fire Code or any of

the rules and regulations promulgated under this Act shall be penalized by an

administrative fine of not exceeding Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) or in the proper

case, by stoppage of operations or by closure of such buildings, structures and their

premises or facilities which do not comply with the requirements or by both such

administrative fine and closure/stoppage of operation to be imposed by the Chief, BFP:

Provided, That the payment of the fine, stoppage of operations and/or closure of such

buildings, structures, and their premises or facilities shall not absolve the violator from

correcting the deficiency or abating the fire hazard. The decision of the Chief, BFP,

under this subsection, may be appealed to the Secretary of the Interior and Local

Government. Unless ordered by the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government the

appeal shall not stay the execution of the order of the Chief, BFP. The decision of the

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government shall be final and executory.

b) Punitive - In case of willful failure to correct the deficiency or abate the fire hazard as

provided in the preceding subsection, the violator shall, upon conviction, be punished by

imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than six (6) years, or by a fine of

not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or both such fine and

imprisonment: Provided, however, That in the case of a corporation, firm, partnership or

association, the fine and/or imprisonment shall be imposed upon its officials responsible
for such violation, and in case the guilty party is an alien, in addition to the penalties

herein prescribed, he shall immediately be deported: Provided, finally, That where the

violation is attended by injury, loss of life and/or damage to property, the violator shall

be proceeded against under the applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

Any person who, without authority, maliciously removes the sign that a building or

structure is a fire hazard/firetrap placed by the authorized person in this Code shall be

liable for imprisonment for thirty (30) days or a fine not exceeding One hundred

thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or both in the discretion of the court.

Any person, who disobeys the lawful order of the fire ground commander during a

firefighting operation shall be penalized with imprisonment of one (1) day to thirty (30)

days and a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00).

2. Against the public officer/employee

a) Administrative - The following acts or omissions shall render the public

officer/employee in charge of the enforcement of this Code, its implementing rules and

regulations and other pertinent laws, administratively liable, and shall be punished by

reprimand, suspension or removal in the discretion of the disciplining authority,

depending on the gravity of the offense and without prejudice to the provisions of other

applicable laws:

(1) Unjustified failure of the public officer/employee to conduct inspection of buildings or

structures at least once a year;

(2) Deliberate failure to put up a sign in front of the building or structure within his/her

area of responsibility found to be violating this Code, its implementing rules and
regulations and other pertinent laws, that the same is a “FIRE HAZARD” or a “FIRE

TRAP”;

(3) Endorsing to the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized representative for the

certification, or submitting a report that the building or structure complies with the

standards set by this Code, its implementing rules or regulations or other pertinent laws

when the same is contrary to fact;

(4) Issuance or renewal of occupancy or business permit without the fire safety

inspection certificate issued by the Chief, BFP or his/her duly authorized representative;

(5) Failure to cancel the occupancy or business permit after the owner, administrator,

occupant or other person responsible for the condition of the building, structure and

other premises failed to comply with the notice/order for compliance with the standards

set by this Code, its implementing rules and regulations and other pertinent laws, within

the specified period;

(6) Failure to abate a public nuisance within fifteen (15) days after the owner,

administrator, occupant or other responsible person failed to abate the same within the

period contained in the notice to abate;

(7) Abusing his/her authority in the performance of his/her duty through acts of

corruption and other unethical practices; or

(8) Other willful impropriety or gross negligence in the performance of his/her duty as

provided in this Act or its implementing rules and regulations.

b) Punitive — In case of willful violation involving the abovementioned acts or omissions

enumerated under Section 11 subparagraph 2(A), the public officer/employee shall,

upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more

than six (6) years, or by a fine of not more than One hundred thousand pesos

(P100,000.00) or both such fine and imprisonment: Provided, That where the violation is

attended by injury, loss of life and/or property, the violator shall be proceeded against

under the applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

SECTION 12. Appropriation and Sources of Income. -

a. To support the manpower; infrastructure and equipment needs of the fire service of

the BFP, such amount as may be necessary to attain the objectives of the Fire Code

shall be appropriated and included in the annual appropriation of the BFP.

b. To partially provide for the funding of the fire service the following taxes and fees

which shall accrue to the general fund of the National Government, are hereby imposed:

(1) Fees to be charged for the issuance of certificates, permits and licenses as provided

for in Section 7 (a) hereof;

(2) One-tenth of one per centum (0.1%) of the verified estimated value of buildings or

structures to be erected, from the owner thereof, but not to exceed Fifty thousand

(P50,000.00) pesos, one half to be paid prior to the issuance of the building permit, and

the balance, after final inspection and prior to the issuance of the use and occupancy

permit;

(3) One-hundredth of one per centum (0.10%) of the assessed value of buildings or

structures annually payable upon payment of the real estate tax, except on structures

used as single family dwellings;

(4) Two per centum (2%) of all premiums, excluding re-insurance premiums for the sale

of fire, earthquake and explosion hazard insurance collected by companies, persons or

agents licensed to sell such insurances in the Philippines;

(5) Two per centum (2%) of gross sales of companies, persons or agents selling fire

fighting equipment, appliances or devices, including hazard detection and warning

systems; and

(6) Two per centum (2%) of the service fees received from fire, earthquake, and

explosion hazard reinsurance surveys and post loss service of insurance adjustment

companies doing business in the Philippines directly through agents.

SECTION 13. Collection of Taxes, Fees and Fines. - All taxes, fees and fines provided

in this Code shall be collected by the BFP: Provided, That twenty percent (20%) of all

such collections shall be set aside and retained for use by the city or municipal

government concerned, which shall appropriate the same exclusively for the use of the

operation and maintenance of its local fire station, including the construction and repair

of fire station: Provided, further, That the remaining eighty (80%) shall be remitted to the

National Treasury under a trust fund assigned for the modernization of the BFP.

SECTION 13-A. Assessment of Fire Code Taxes, Fees and Fines. - The assessment of

fire code taxes, fees and fines is vested upon the BFP. The BFP shall, subject to the

approval of the DILG, prescribe the procedural rules for such purpose.

SECTION 13-B. Collection and Assessment of Local Taxes, Fees and Fines. - The

collection and assessment of taxes, fees and fines as prescribed in the Local

Government Code, except those contained in this Code, shall be the function of the

concerned local government units.

SECTION 13-C. Use of Income Generated from the Enforcement of the Fire

Code. - The Chief, BFP is authorized, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the

Interior and Local Government, to use the income generated under the Fire Code for

procurement of fire protection and fire fighting investigation, rescue, paramedics,

supplies and materials, and related technical services necessary for the fire service and

the improvement of facilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection and abatement of fire

hazards.

The BFP shall determine the optimal number of equipment, including, but not limited to,

fire trucks and fire hydrants, required by every local government unit for the proper

delivery of fire protection services in its jurisdiction.

In the procurement of firefighting and investigation supplies and materials, the Bureau of

Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry shall evaluate, determine

and certify if the supply so procured conforms to the product standards fixed by the

BFP. For this purpose, the BFP shall submit to the Bureau of Product Standards a

detailed set of product standards that must be complied with in the procurement of fire

fighting and investigation supplies and materials within six (6) months from the

effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 13-D. Monitoring the Implementation of the Fire Code and the Amount of the

Fees Collected. - The Chief, BFP shall, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this

Code, submit to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government for his/her approval,

a management tool or mechanism that would ensure effective monitoring of the

enforcement of the Fire Code to include the amount of Fire Code fees collected.

SECTION 14. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the

Interior and Local Government shall issue the rules and regulations for its effective

implementation.
SECTION 15. Presidential Decree No. 1185 is hereby repealed. All laws, presidential

decrees, letters of instructions, executive orders, rules and regulations insofar as they

are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or amended as the case may be.

SECTION 16. In case any provision of this Act or any portion thereof is declared

unconstitutional by a competent court, other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 17. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: December 19, 2008

Published in The Manila Times on January 5, 2009.

Topic 3: Child Foundation

Facts

 Child development. Changes that occur as a child grows and develops in

relation to being physically healthy, mentally alert, emotionally sound, socially

competent and ready to learn.

 Early Years. The first five years of a child's life are fundamentally important.

They are the foundation that shapes children's future health, happiness, growth,

development and learning achievement at school, in the family and community,

and in life in general. Recent research confirms that the first five years are

particularly important for the development of the child's brain, and the first three

years are the most critical in shaping the child's brain architecture. Early

experiences provide the base for the brain's organizational development and

functioning throughout life. They have a direct impact on how children develop

learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities.

 Growing Development. Babies and young children grow, learn and develop

rapidly when they receive love and affection, attention, encouragement and

mental stimulation, as well as nutritious meals and good health care. Throughout

the years of growing they probably should engage in interaction of people

through going to school. Where the child develops his overall development

physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

 Programs. In many settings, early childhood programs support parents and their

children from infancy through age 8, which includes the important transition from

home to school. Maintenance

 Rights. All children have the right to be raised in a family and to have access to

quality health care, good nutrition, education, play and protection from harm,

abuse and discrimination. Children have the right to grow up in an environment in

which they are enabled to reach their full potential in life.

  Responsibility. It is the duty of parents, other caregivers and family members,

communities, civil society and governments to ensure that these rights are

respected, protected and fulfilled.

Statistics

 KIDS COUNT is a national and state-by-state project of the Casey Foundation to

track the status of children in the United States. Data available for analysis include

family and child demographics, and measures of child educational, social,

economic, and physical well-being ( Kids Count U.S. Census DataExternal, 2018).

 The NSCH examines the physical and emotional health of children ages 0-17 years

of age. The survey provides data to estimate national and state-level prevalence of

physical, emotional, and behavioral child health indicators as well as information on

the child’s family context and neighborhood environment (National Survey of

Children’s Health (NSCH)External, 2018).

 According to the National Survey on Drug Use & Health (formerly National

Household Survey on Drug Abuse)ExternalThe NSDUH is an annual nationwide

survey involving interviews with approximately 70,000 randomly selected individuals

aged 12 and older. The Survey provides national and state-level data on the use of

tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs (including non-medical use of prescription drugs) and

mental health in the United States.

 The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) has monitored the health of the nation

since 1957. The NHIS is a large-scale household interview survey of a statistically

representative sample of the U.S. civilian non institutionalized population. Interview

data are collected on a broad range of health topics including, caregiver reports of

child health, mental health and disability status.

 The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) assesses the

health and nutritional status of a nationally representative sample of about 5,000

adults and children in the United States. The survey combines interviews and

physical examinations and includes demographic, socioeconomic, dietary, and

 health-related questions. The examination component consists of medical, dental,

and physiological measurements, as well as laboratory tests administered by highly

trained medical personnel.

 The YRBSS is an ongoing national school-based survey designed to monitor priority

health-risk behaviors and the prevalence of obesity and asthma among youth and

young adults in grades 9-12 in the U.S. Data were collected from students biennially

beginning in 1991. Approximately 16,000 students completed the survey in the most

recent data collection wave in 2009.

 America’s Children is a report on key national indicators of well-being published

annually by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. The

America’s Children series makes Federal data on children and families available in

a nontechnical, easy-to-use format in order to stimulate discussion among data

providers, policymakers, and the public.

 The Survey Measures Catalog of the National Center on Health Statistics provides

an overview of questions about child and adolescent mental health, and functioning

and disability in various surveys of the NCHS Data Systems. Some of the survey

measures are included in both the mental health section and the functioning and

disability section of the catalog.

 ICPSR offers more than 500,000 digital files containing social science research

data. Disciplines represented include political science, sociology, demography,

economics, history, gerontology, criminal justice, public health, foreign policy,

terrorism, health and medical care, early education, education, racial and ethnic

minorities, psychology, law, substance abuse and mental health, and more.

Interview

 Mrs. Analou E. Sobremisana - everything that you do in school is your development;

doing academic tasks and engaging in extracurricular activities are some holistic

approach needed for a child to develop in the stages of his life. Academic and non -

academic both improve our development, it can’t only affect our intellectual ability
 but also our overall well-being: physical, emotional, social, mental, spritual,

everything that you do in school.

Research

Law

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10410

AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE AGE FROM ZERO (0) TO EIGHT (8) YEARS AS THE

FIRST CRUCIAL STAGE OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND

STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT

SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 shall be known as the "Early Years Act (EYA) of

2013″.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

promote the rights of children to survival, development and special protection with full

recognition of the nature of childhood and as well as the need to provide

developmentally appropriate experiences to address their needs; and to support parents

in their roles as primary caregivers and as their children’s first teachers. Further, the

State hereby recognizes the age from zero (0) to eight (8) years as the first crucial stage

of educational development of which the age from zero (0) to four (4) years shall be the

responsibility of the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council.

Therefore, the responsibility to help develop children in the formative years between

age five (5) to eight (8) years shall be with the Department of Education (DepED).

The State shall institutionalize a National System for Early Childhood Care and

Development (ECCD) that is comprehensive, integrative and sustainable, that involves

multisectoral and interagency collaboration at the national and local levels among

government; among service providers, families and communities, and among the public

and private sectors, nongovernment organizations; professional associations and

academic institutions.
The System shall promote the inclusion of children with special needs, provide for

reasonable accommodation and accessible environments for children with disabilities

and advocate respect for cultural and linguistic diversity, including the use of Filipino

Sign Language as the visual language of the deaf community. It shall be anchored on

complementary strategies for ECCD that include service delivery for children from age

zero (0) to four (4) years, educating parents and caregivers, encouraging the active

involvement of parents and communities in ECCD programs, raising awareness about

the important efforts that improve the quality of life for young children and families.

Section 3. Objectives. – The National ECCD System shall pursue the following

objectives:

(a) To achieve improved infant and child survival rates by ensuring that adequate health

and nutrition programs are accessible to young children and their parents, from the

prenatal period throughout the early childhood years;

(b) To enhance the physical-motor, socio-emotional, cognitive, language, psychological

and spiritual development of young children;

(c) To facilitate a smooth transition from care and education provided at home to

community or school-based setting and to kindergarten;

(d) To ensure that young children are adequately prepared for the formal learning

system that begins at kindergarten;

(e) To establish an efficient system for early identification, prevention, referral and

intervention for the wide range of children with special needs from age zero (0) to four

(4) years;

(f) To upgrade and update the capabilities of service providers and their supervisors to

comply with quality standards for various ECCD programs;

(g) To reinforce the role of parents and other caregivers as the primary caregivers and

educators of their children especially from age zero (0) to four (4) years;

(h) To enhance and sustain the efforts of communities to promote ECCD programs and

ensure that special support is provided for poor, disadvantaged and linguistic minority

communities;
(i) To improve the quality standards of public and private ECCD programs through, but

not limited to, a registration and credential system for ECCD service providers and

facilities,

(j) To ensure that the education of persons, and in particular children, who are blind,

deaf or deafblind, are conducted in the most appropriate languages, modes and means

of communication for the individual, and in environments which maximize academic and

social development; and

(k) To employ teachers, including teachers with disabilities, who are qualified in sign

language and/or braille, and to train professionals and staff who work at all levels of

education.

Section 4. Definitions. – The following terms are defined as follows:

(a) Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System shall refer to the full range

of health, nutrition, early education and social services development programs that

provide for the basic holistic needs of young children from age zero (0) to four (4) years;

and to promote their optimum growth and development.

These programs shall include:

(1) Center-based programs, such as the day care service established under Republic

Act No. 6972, otherwise known as the "Barangay – Level Total Development and

Protection of Children Act", and hereinafter referred to as the child development service,

community or church-based early childhood education programs initiated by

nongovernment organizations or people’s organizations, workplace-related child care

and education programs, child-minding centers, health centers and stations; and

(2) Home-based programs, such as the neighborhood-based play groups, family child

care programs, parent education and home visiting programs.

(b) ECCD Service Providers shall include the various professionals, paraprofessionals

and volunteer caregivers who are directly responsible for the care and education of

young children from age zero (0) to four (4) years through the various centers and

home-based programs. They shall include, but shall not be limited to, day care workers

hereinafter referred to as child development workers, child development teachers,

teacher-aides, rural health midwives, social workers, community health workers,

barangay nutrition scholars, parent effectiveness service volunteers, and family day

care providers.

(c) ECCD Curriculum shall refer to the developmentally-appropriate educational

objectives and practices, programs of activities, organized learning experiences,

recommended learning materials and appropriate assessment for children from age

zero (0) to four (4) years that are implemented by service providers through center and

home-based programs. It shall consist of national program goals and guidelines,

instructional objectives, and content outlines that are age-appropriate, individually

appropriate and culturally relevant.

(d) Parent Education shall refer to the various formal and alternative means of providing

parents with information, skills, and support systems to assist them in their roles as their

children’s primary caregivers and educators. These include public and private parent

education programs linked to center, home and media-based child care and education

programs.

Section 5. System Framework and Components. – The ECCD System shall ensure that

the National ECCD Program is implemented in accordance with quality standards for

accreditation and for this purpose there shall be established a National ECCD

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The ECCD System shall include the following

components:

(a) ECCD Curriculum. – The curriculum shall focus on children’s total development and

take into account age, individual and socio-cultural appropriateness. It shall promote the

delivery of complementary and integrative services for health, nutrition, early childhood

education, sanitation and cultural activities. It shall use the child’s first language as the

medium of instruction;

(b) Parent Education and Involvement, Advocacy and Mobilization of Communities. –

This component shall harness and develop parents’ strengths as providers of ECCD

programs at home, as active partners of other stakeholders, as advocates for

community concerns that affect children, and as pillars of support for local and national

ECCD programs through community organization efforts;

(c) Human Resource Development Program. – The program shall establish

mechanisms for the systematic professionalization of ECCD service providers through

enrolment in educational program in site-based or distance education modes, through

pre-service or in-service training including continuing education programs, whereby a

registration and credential system shall be developed in the ECCD System; and

(d) ECCD Management. – This component shall consist of a continuing process of

planning, implementation, supervision, financial management, monitoring, evaluation

and reporting to persons concerned and shall encourage the active involvement of and

build the capabilities of service providers, parents and local government officials to

sustain the program.

Section 6. Expanding the ECCD System. – The National ECCD System shall

henceforth apply to all provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays as may be

determined by the ECCD Council to achieve universal ECCD coverage for all children

from age zero (0) to four (4) years.

Section 7. Implementing Arrangements and Operational Structures. – The

implementation of the National ECCD System shall be the responsibility of the ECCD

Council.

(a) Responsibilities of the ECCD Council. – The ECCD Council shall he responsible for

establishing national standards, developing policies and programs, ensuring compliance

thereof providing technical assistance and support to the ECCD service providers in

consultation with coordinating committees at the provincial, city, municipal and

barangay levels.

The Department of Education (DepED), the Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the National Nutrition Council

(NNC) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (HEAP) shall meet in an

annual workshop to prepare work and financial plans that will coordinate their technical

assistance and support for the National ECCD Program. They shall observe existing
implementing guidelines that ensure consistency in integrated service delivery within the

National ECCD System, as follows:

(1) The DepED shall recognize the National ECCD Program as the foundation of the

learning continuum and shall promote it for all children from age zero (0) to four (4)

years; and

(2) The DepED, the DSWD, the DOH and the NNC shall provide continuing professional

development program support, supplementary learning materials, reference materials,

supplemental nutrition and health care services.

(b) Responsibilities of Local Government Units. – Local government units (LGUs) shall

include allocations from their Special Education Fund (SEF) and Gender and

Development (GAD) Fund in addition to other local funds to be utilized for the following

purposes:

(1) Support the implementation of their ECCD Program;

(2) Organize and support parent cooperatives to establish community-based ECCD

programs;

(3) Provide counterpart funds for the continuing professional development of their

ECCD public service providers; and

(4) Provide the facilities for the conduct of their ECCD Program.

(c) Responsibilities of Families and Communities. Families and communities shall

support the local ECCD programs by participating in various community-based projects

such as, but not limited to, health, nutrition, social development and early childhood

education projects for the overall development of their children from age zero (0) to four

(4) years.

Section 8. Strengthening the ECCD Council. – The ECCD Council shall be

strengthened to ensure the State’s focus on building a strong foundation for the

development and learning of children during the early years from age zero (0) to four (4)

years, to support the full range of health, nutrition, early education and social

development programs for the child’s holistic development and ensure sustained
interagency and multisectoral collaboration. The Council shall he attached to the

DepED.

Section 9. Organization of the ECCD Council. – The ECCD Council shall be composed

of the following.

(a) ECCD Governing Board. – The ECCD Governing Board shall he composed of:

(1) Secretary of the DepED, as ex officio Chairperson;

(2) Executive Director of the ECCD Council, as Vice Chairperson;

(3) Secretary of the DSWD, as member;

(4) Secretary of the DOH, as member;

(5) Executive Director of the NNC, as member;

(6) President of the ULAP, as member; and

(7) One (1) private individual who is an ECCD practitioner and expert shall be appointed

by the President upon the recommendation of the Board, as member.

The Board shall meet once a month or upon the call of the Chairperson or three (3)

members of the Board.

(b) Council Secretariat. – There shall be established an ECCD Council Secretariat to be

beaded by an Executive Director. The Secretariat shall provide support services for the

coordination and monitoring of the implementation of policies and plans formulated by

the Council subject to the Compensation and Position Classification System and other

existing civil service rules and regulations.

Section 10. Functions of the ECCD Council. – The ECCD Council shall carry out the

objectives of the National ECCD System by performing the following functions:

(a) Promulgate policies and implement guidelines for ECCD programs in consultation

with stakeholders, including the regional level when appropriate, consistent with the

national policy and program frameworks as defined in this Act;

(b) Establish ECCD program standards that reflect developmentally appropriate

practices for ECCD programs, which shall interface with the kindergarten curriculum of

the DepED;
(c) Develop a national system for the recruitment, registration, accreditation, continuing

education and equivalency, and credential system of ECCD service providers,

supervisors and administrators to improve and professionalize the ECCD sector and

upgrade quality standards of public and private ECCD programs;

(d) Develop a national system of awards and recognition to deserving ECCD program

implementers and service providers;

(e) Promote, encourage and coordinate the various ECCD programs of the DepED, the

DSWD, the DOH and the NNC, and monitor the delivery of services to the ECCD

program beneficiaries nationwide;

(f) Evaluate and assess the impact and outcome of various ECCD programs nationwide

through an effective information system;

(g) Develop a national system for early identification, screening and surveillance of

young children from age zero (0) to four (4) years;

(h) Develop various support mechanisms that maximize public and private resources for

implementing ECCD programs, giving priority to the needy and high risk children from

poor communities;

(i) Provide funds to poor and disadvantaged communities for the establishment and

expansion of public ECCD programs, improvement of physical facilities and for hiring of

ECCD service providers;

(j) Promote and encourage private sector initiatives for the establishment of ECCD

programs;

(k) Provide guidelines for the conduct of solicitations from local and international civic

organizations, and request private foundations to supplement available resources; and

(l) Perform such other functions as the ECCD Council may deem necessary.

Section 11. Appropriations. – The amount needed for the initial implementation of this

Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the DepED, the

DSWD, the DOH and the NNC for the purpose. Thereafter, such sums as may be

necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall he included in the annual

General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In addition, the Philippine Amusement and Gaining Corporation shall contribute an

amount of Five hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) per year for five (5) years from

its gross income to fund the establishment of National Child Development Centers and

the conversion of existing Day Care Centers into Child Development Centers in various

LGUs upon approval of this Act. Said amount shall he directly remitted in four (4)

quarterly installments to a special account of the ECCD Council.

Section 12. Financing ECCD Programs. – ECCD programs shall be financed through a

combination of public and private funds. All public ECCD program providers shall

prioritize children from age zero (0) to four (4) years horn families who are in greatest

need and who can least afford private ECCD programs.

(a) Financial and Technical Support. – The DepED, the DSWD and the DOH shall

support the implementation of the National ECCD System by providing financial and

technical support packages to ECCD programs.

(b) Other Forms of Support for ECCD Programs. – LGUs shall be encouraged to

support public ECCD programs in their respective localities. Additional funds may be

generated from intergovernmental donors and government financial institutions to

support the public programs including the urban poor.

(c) Fees and Contributions. – Fees and contributions collected for both public and

private ECCD programs shall be monitored by the ECCD Council to ensure that these

are affordable and within reasonable limits. Families are encouraged to contribute their

time and services to support the ECCD programs.

Section 13. Annual Report. – The ECCD Council shall, at the close of each calendar

year, submit annual physical and financial reports to Congress, giving a detailed

account of its proceedings and accomplishments during the year, making

recommendations for the adoption of measures that will improve the National ECCD

System and ensuring achievement of universal coverage of ECCD benefits to all

children from age zero (0) to four (4) years, within a period of five (5) years.1âwphi1

Section 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The ECCD Council, in consultation

with appropriate government agencies and non government organizations, shall

formulate and issue the necessary rules and regulations within sixty (60) days after the

effectivity of this Act.

Section 15. Repealing Clause. – Republic Act No. 8980, otherwise known as "An Act

Promulgating A Comprehensive Policy And A National System For Early Childhood

Care And Development (ECCD), Providing Funds Therefor And For Other Purposes", is

hereby repealed.

All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or

parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby

repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 16. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any portion of this Act shall be

declared unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall

continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 17. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general

circulation. Approved,

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE (Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

President of the Senate Speaker of the House of

Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 6694 and Senate Bill No. 3206 was

finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on November 28, 2012

and January 23, 2013, respectively.

(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES (Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary of Senate Secretary General

House of Representatives

Approved: MAR 26 2013

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

President of the Philippines