Senate bill calls for mandatory seat belts for school buses

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 2958, or the School Bus Safety Act, which requires school buses to be equipped with seat belts, including lap safety belts, to reduce the risk of injury in case of accidents. (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – A senator has filed a bill for mandatory seat belts in all school buses to safeguard students during their daily commute, citing the rising number of road accidents in the country.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 2958, or the School Bus Safety Act, which requires school buses to be equipped with seat belts, including lap safety belts, to reduce the risk of injury in case of accidents.

“The safety and security of our students are fundamental to our national progress. By ensuring their protection during transport, we are investing in the future of our nation,” he said in a news release Friday.

Estrada cited a Philippine Statistics Authority report showing a 39-percent increase in road traffic fatalities over a decade, from 7,938 deaths in 2011 to 11,096 in 2021.

His measure mandates that all newly manufactured school buses must have seat belts before registration.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will oversee the implementation, requiring compliance with modern safety standards within one year of the bill’s enactment.

Owners of existing school buses will have six months to install seat belts once the regulations are published.

Beyond seat belts, the bill also calls for stricter safety regulations, including driver training programs and local government monitoring of school bus safety.

DOTr also needs to launch campaigns to educate students, parents, and drivers on the importance of seat belt use.

Schools with high compliance rates will be recognized for their commitment to student safety.

“This bill prioritizes safety, holds transport providers accountable and aligns with global road safety standards. As parents, we all want to ensure our children’s safety when using school transportation services,” Estrada said.