SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is advocating for a bill that would require all school buses to be equipped with seatbelts, including lap safety belts, to protect students from injury in case of accidents.

“The safety and security of our students are not just priorities but foundational to our national progress. By ensuring that our students are protected during their daily commute, we are investing in the future of our nation,” Estrada said in his filed Senate Bill No. 2958, or the proposed School Bus Safety Act.

In pushing for the measure, Estrada highlighted a Philippine Statistics Authority report showing a 39 percent increase in road traffic fatalities from 2011 to 2021, rising from 7,938 deaths in 2011 to 11,096 in 2021.

“The lack of regulated safety standards for school buses and drivers exposes students to unnecessary risks, jeopardizing their well-being,” the senator said.

Estrada said the measure would not only require driver and passenger seat belts for all school bus passengers but also seeks to strengthen school transportation safety by mandating driver training and compliance with modern safety standards.

Under the proposed bill, school buses cannot be registered without the required seat belts.

Estrada said the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the primary agency responsible for implementing the proposed measure, will issue regulations requiring seat belts in newly manufactured school buses, including lap belts or child safety devices that meet safety standards, within one year of the bill’s enactment.

Owners of school buses without seat belts will have six months from the publication of the regulations to install them.

Additionally, the DOTr will run a program to promote seatbelt use in school buses, encourage local governments to monitor seatbelt usage, and create educational materials on the importance of using seatbelts for passengers and drivers.

Estrada also proposed giving recognition to schools with high levels of seatbelt usage in their school buses.

“This bill makes safety a top priority, holds transport providers accountable, and aligns with global road safety standards. In every situation, we want to ensure that parents can trust the safety of their children using these transportation services,” he said.