Stricter penalties for theft and possession of road signs and manhole covers sought

A lawmaker has filed a bill that seeks to impose stiffer penalties to reduce, if not eliminate, the theft or illegal possession of manhole covers and road signs to safeguard Filipino drivers and pedestrians.

Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas III of the Fifth District of Quezon City said House Bill 6490 imposes the penalty of 12 to 15 years in prison or a fine of P200,000 to P500,000, or both, at the discretion of the court on any person found guilty of stealing or in possession of road signs and warning devices, including manhole covers.

Likewise, the same penalty is imposed on any person selling or buying disaster-warning and risk-reduction instruments and their accessories.

On the other hand, any person found guilty of damaging/vandalizing or destroying road signs and warning devices and their accessories shall be given a six-to-10 year prison sentence or a P100,000 to P150,000 fine or both, depending on the discretion of the court.

Under the bill, to be known as the “Stealing and Vandalism of Traffic Signs Act of 2016,” it shall be unlawful to dismantle, remove, transfer, and take into possession the road-warning devices installed by national and local governments or non-government organizations for the purpose of warning motorists of dangers on the road.

The measure refers to traffic signs and accident warning devices and instruments as road or traffic signs exemplified by “stop,” “yield,” “slippery when wet,” signs of zigzagging sections of roads, railings, and similar devices.

Manhole covers shall also be included as part of accident-prevention devices warning the public to avert, or prevent the loss and (of) properties covered under the bill.

Vargas, the vice chairman of the House Committees on Health and on Social Services, explained that road accidents are one of the leading causes of deaths in the country.

“According to the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, the number of road accidents in the country is going up every year due to human errors and lack of discipline,” Vargas said.

According to Vargas, one critical factor that leads to road accidents is the lack of proper road signs.
“In the Philippines, in particular, these are either stolen or vandalized,” he said.

Citing a report by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Vargas said 42,558 road signs were stolen and vandalized in 2013.

“The reported vandalized road signs can still be seen in various areas in Metro Manila and rendered almost useless,” he said.

The bill provides incentives to a person or persons who will provide information leading to the apprehension of violators of the proposed law.