Manila, March 7 -- 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 increas...