The author of Child Car Seat Law said parents may have to bring their own child safety seats when riding taxis or transport network vehicle service to secure their children.
“Siguro ‘pag meron kayong sanggol, mas maganda meron na rin ho kayong car seat,” former Sen. JV Ejercito told Teleradyo when asked about taxi commuters.
(Maybe if you are traveling with an infant, it’s better if you have your own [child] car seat.)
“Siyempre hindi naman natin siguro mai-eexpect na ang mga taxis ay meron silang car seat.”
(Of course, we can’t expect taxis to have their own [child] car seat.)
Ejercito is the principal author of Republic Act 11229 which requires parents to equip their vehicles with child safety seats.
He said the Department of Transportation would study for a year if the government would require buses and jeepneys to install child seats. It would also include school buses, taxis, vans, coasters, accredited service vehicles of transportation network companies, and all other motor vehicles used for public transport.
“Pero ‘yong sa taxis, they are already equipped with seatbelts. So, puwede na po silang gumamit ng car seat,” he said.
(But for taxis, they are already equipped with seatbelts. So, they should be able to use [child] car seat.)
“Sana po preferably meron na po ‘yong parents na sasakay ng halimbawa Grab or taxi.”
(It’s preferable if parents bring their own [child car seats] when riding, for example, Grab or taxi.)
Parents can bring child safety seats when riding taxis, TNVS – Ejecito
Ejercito said the price of child safety seats, which expires after 5 years from the manufacture date, ranges from P2,000 to P25,000.
Under the Child Car Seat Law, kids 12 years old and below are required to be in a child restraint device or a baby seat.
The law also prohibits children to sit in the front seat. However, if the child is 12 years old and above and is 150 centimeters, they could sit in front provided they could be secured properly by the seatbelt.
Ejercito also lambasted a Land Transportation Office executive for saying that families with bigger kids should get bigger cars to comply.
“Common sense lang naman po dapat ‘yon attorney… I just want to be clear that the use of the child restraint or car seat depends on the size, the weight and the height of the child,” he said.
“Ibig sabihin, ‘pag kasya na po at abot niya na po ang normal na seatbelt, hindi na kinakailangan ang child restraint system or car seat.”
(It means, if the child can fit the normal seatbelt, there’s no need for the child restraint system or child safety seat.)