Benate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) AUG -5 P3:38 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. - Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STRICTER ENFORCEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY SIGNAGES EXPLANATORY NOTE Public safety signages, including road signs, hazard warnings, and emergency indicators, are vital components in safeguarding the public and ensuring the smooth functioning of daily life. These signages guide us on the road, warn us of potential hazards, and help direct our actions in emergencies. However, despite their critical role, the effectiveness of these signages is often compromised due to inconsistent design, poor visibility, and lack of proper maintenance. As a result, many of these signages fail to provide adequate guidance, leading to confusion, accidents, and, ultimately, unnecessary harm. This proposed measure seeks to address these concerns by establishing clear and uniform standards for the design, installation, and upkeep of public safety signages across the Philippines. This bill mandates the creation of a regulatory framework to ensure that all safety signages are not only functional and durable but also clearly visible and easy to understand. By introducing stringent accountability measures and creating an oversight body, the bill will ensure that public safety signages are consistently maintained and compliant with established standards.
By aligning the objectives of safety with artistry, this bill envisions a future where public signages are not only functional and reliable but also a reflection of Filipino ingenuity, creating a safer and more aesthetically pleasing environment for all. A similar version of this bill was filed by Senator Grace Poe during the 19th Congress. For these reasons, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Sergestat JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) AUG -5 P3:38 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 915 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR STRICTER ENFORCEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY SIGNAGES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Public Safety Signages
2 Accountability Act.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to safeguard
the life, health, property, and the general welfare of the people. Towards this end, the 5 State shall provide the people with appropriate information through the construction, installation, and maintenance of accident-prevention or risk-reduction signages in areas identified as potential risks or dangers.
Sec. 3. Public Safety Signages. - Consistent with the above policy, the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila 10 Development Authority (MMDA), and the local government units (LGUs) shall undertake the construction, installation, and maintenance of public safety signages. 12 They shall ensure that these signages conform to the standard specifications under
Section 4 of this Act and are strategically located, clear, visible and properly
maintained. For purposes of this Act, public safety signages refer to regulatory signs, warning signs, guide or informative signs, signs for expressways, signs for special purposes or traffic instruction signs, hazard markers, road works signs, warning
1 signages in areas vulnerable to landslides, floods, storm surge, and other hazards, as 2 well as other risk reduction signages that are officially designed or erected by the national government, local government, or other pertinent government agencies pursuant to any government project or campaign and for the purpose of public safety.
Sec. 4. Public Safety Signages Standard. - All public safety signages shall
6 conform to the standard specifications prescribed under Presidential Decree No. 1096, 7 otherwise known as the "National Building Code of the Philippines", DPWH Road Signs 8 and Pavement Markings Manual, the Outdoor Landslide Warning Signage of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Mines and Geo Sciences Bureau 10 (DENR-MGB), the pertinent provisions of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, and other relevant international treaties, laws and issuances from government agencies.
Sec. 5. Public Safety Signages on Geologic Hazards. - The DENR-MGB, in
coordination with other pertinent government agencies, shall update the geohazard map and identify areas that are susceptible or prone to various geologic hazards such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and other similar 17 calamities. It shall then coordinate with the affected city and municipal engineers, DPWH, and MMDA for the proper installment of public safety signages on geologic hazards. These signages shall conform to the standard specifications under Section of 20 this Act and should be strategically located, clear, visible, and properly maintained.
Sec. 6. Officer in Charge for Road and Traffic Public Safety Signages. - The
DWH through its respective District Engineers in case of national roads, the MMDA through the Director of the Traffic Engineering Center in case of national roads in Metro Manila, and the LGUs through the City or Municipal engineers in case of local roads, shall be responsible for the duties and responsibilities mentioned under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of this Act.
Sec. 7. Administrative Penalties. - In case an injury or death occurs due to: (a)
lack of an installation of public safety signages despite being identified as areas of potential risk or danger by the DENIR-MGB; (b) construction of public safety signages contrary to the standards provided I under Section 4 of this Act; or (c) lack or poor maintenance of public safety signages, the DPWH district engineer involved, the MMDA Director of the Traffic Engineering Center or the City or Municipal Engineer
1 shall, after due notice and hearing, suffer the administrative penalty of suspension of 2 one (1) month and one (1) day to three (3) months, for the first offense; three (3) months and one (1) day to six (6) months, for the second offense; six (6) months and 4 one (1) day to one (1) year, for the third offense; and dismissal from service, for the 5 fourth offense. Nothing herein shall prohibit the aggrieved party from initiating a criminal or 7 civil action against the responsible officer.
Sec. 8. Funding. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
9 Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the concerned agency or 10 city or municipality. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for continued 11 implementation shall be included in the annual budget of the concerned agency or city or municipality.
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, DPWH, in coordination with DILG, MMDA, and DENR, shall 15 promulgate the necessary rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this 16 Act.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, or rules and regulations
which are inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended 19 or repealed accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
21 publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,