Bill banning unattended children in vehicles OK’d on 2nd reading

FILE: The House approved on second reading through voice vote House Bill No. 6570, which seeks to prohibit adults from leaving children under age 8 unattended in a vehicle when the engine is running, or key is inside the vehicle. (Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — The House of Representatives is pushing for a child safety bill penalizing the act of leaving children unattended in motor vehicles.

The House approved on second reading through voice vote House Bill No. 6570, which seeks to prohibit adults from leaving children under age 8 unattended in a vehicle when the engine is running, or key is inside the vehicle.

The bill seeks to penalize first-time offenders with a PHP5,000 fine; second-time offenders with a PHP10,000 fine; and third-time violators with a PHP50,000 fine plus confiscation of the driver’s license.

Any subsequent offense shall carry the penalty of revocation of the driver’s license.

The measure also mandates the conduct of public awareness campaigns nationwide regarding this prohibition and the dangers of leaving children unattended inside motor vehicles.

The LTO, in consultation with the member-agencies of the Council for the Welfare of Children, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of the measure once it is enacted into law.

Among the principal authors of the bill are Cavite Rep.

Strike Revilla and Pampanga Rep.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (PNA)