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Friday, March 29, 2024

House ratifies bicam report on protection of child riders

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Very soon, all motor vehicles in the country will be required to have child restraint systems to prevent serious injuries in case of accidents or sudden stops.

This, as the House of Representatives already ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the reconciled version of House Bill 6938 and Senate Bill 1971 which provide special protection of child passengers in motor vehicles.

As defined in the measure, “child” is any person aged 12 years old and below.

It defines “child restraint system” as a device approved in accordance with standards established by the measure and capable of accommodating a child occupant in a sitting or supine position. 

A child restraint system is designed to diminish the risk of injury to the wearer, in the event of a collision or of abrupt deceleration of the vehicle, by limiting the child’s body.

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At the House, Rep. Mariano Velarde Jr. of Buhay party-list authored HB 6938.

He said the measure hoped to ensure the safety and welfare of infants and children and prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries.

In sponsoring the bill, its authors acknowleged the need to adequately, consistently and objectively require, regulate, promote, and inform the public on the use of child restraint systems in motor vehicles.

SB 1971 is principally authored by Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito. 

The measure provides that it is unlawful for the driver of a covered vehicle not to properly secure at all times a child, in a child restraint system while the engine is running or transporting such child unless the child is at least 150 centimeters or 59 inches in height and is properly secured using the regular seat belt.

Moreover, no child shall be allowed to sit in a front seat of a motor vehicle with a running engine or while such child is being transported, unless the child meets the height requirement.

Any driver in violation of these provisions shall be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, P5,000 and suspension of the driver’s license for a period of one year for the third and succeeding offenses.

The Department of Trade and Industry is mandated to use standards set forth in United Nations Regulation 44 and United Nations Regulation 129, including its evolving standards and other acceptable international standards in the approval or disapproval of child restraint systems that will be manufactured, sold, distributed, and used in the Philippines.

Manufacturers, importers, distributors and sellers of child restraint systems are required to secure from the Bureau of Product Standards a Philippine Standards mark license or Import Clearance Certificate license prior to the marketing, sale and distribution of their products.

The use of child restraint system prior to the effectivity of the measure shall be allowed, provided that the device is not expired.

It shall be unlawful to manufacture, use, import, sell, distribute, donate, lease, promote or market the use of substandard or expired child restraint systems.

Any manufacturer, distributor, importer, retailer, and seller in violation of the safety standards and prohibition on substandard or expired child restraint system shall be punished with a fine of P50,000 to P100,000 for each and every child restraint system product manufactured, distributed, imported and/or sold.

Additionally, any driver who allows the use of substandard and/or expired child restraint system or permits the use of child restraint system that does not bear the PS mark or ICC sticker and certificate shall be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 and suspension of license for one year for the third and succeeding offenses.

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