NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 571
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*22 JUL 14 A10 *46
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Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF COMMUTERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Mobility provides one of the groundwork through which a person gains access 
to basic human needs, such as food, water, healthcare, education, and employment 
opportunities. The lack of connectivity further deprives the individual of the many 
social, medical, technological, educational, and other benefits that are made available 
to society. Mobility or connectivity is therefore essential to human growth, creativity, 
meaning, and experience. Conversely, the lack of proper, efficient, and effective 
mobility and connectivity limits an individual’s opportunities and growth and affects not 
only the individual or a specific sector in the community, but the society at large.
Regrettably, countless Filipinos continue to suffer from lack of adequate 
mobility and connectivity. This perennial issue affects most the vulnerable sectors in 
the country: the young, the elderly, the women, the poor, the working class, and 
persons with disabilities.
This problem on mobility is exacerbated by the fact that while 69% of daily trips 
are made through public transport, 78% of road space is being taken up by private 
transport.1
it is, therefore, high time that the State takes another look into mobility issues 
that continue to beset the country and the Filipino people. Extra attention should be 
given most especially to the vulnerable sectors, the commuting public, the elderly, the 
women, the children, and others who mostly rely on public transportation and active 
transport whether in urban or rural areas.
1 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and National Economic Development Authority 
(NEDA), Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and Its Surrounding 
Areas ’ (Region III and Region IV-A), March 2014, accessible at 
https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12149597.pdf, {last accessed July 11, 2022).


This bill seeks to bring us a step closer toward addressing mobility and 
connectivity issues by redirecting the State’s focus on giving priority to walking and 
public transport in road space allocation, as well as on developing and establishing 
infrastructures that maximize the use and benefits of the scarce public space through 
the use of high-occupancy public transport, or space-efficient pedestrian and cycling 
facilities. Efforts likewise are directed toward prohibiting boundary and commission- 
based revenue system that forces drivers, including jeepney and bus drivers, to 
compete for passengers and follow unsafe driving practices. This bills also aims to 
define with more definitiveness the rights of the commuting public—from public 
transportation services to safe and accessible infrastructure to clean air during travel 
and to commuter representation and participation—as well as the duties of the State, 
including the local governments, in ensuring these rights are recognized, protected, 
advanced, and implemented.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought
SENATOR J0EL VILLANUEVA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 571
7#ff(cp o( the
*22 JUL 14 AlO :46
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Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF COMMUTERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta of 
Commuters.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State hereby recognizes mobility as a 
basic human need. Without mobility, citizens are unable to access basic services such 
as healthcare and education, or enjoy fundamental freedoms. Thus, the State shall 
ensure that mobility is enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, gender, and economic 
status, and not only by those who are physically fit, with private motor vehicles, or with 
financial means.
The State further recognizes the right of the commuters to travel safely, 
conveniently, and reliably. To this end, the State shall develop and establish mobility 
infrastructures and transportation services aimed at promoting the welfare of the 
commuters and improving their mobility. The welfare of the commuter shall also be the 
paramount objective in all decisions related to the provision of mobility infrastructure 
and transportation services.
The State further guarantees the rights of all citizens, including the commuter 
sector, to participate in the policy formulation, planning, implementation, management, 
monitoring, evaluation, and decision-making processes of all institutions, programs, 
projects, and services affecting the rights, welfare, and privileges of the commuters.
To attain the foregoing policy, the State shall provide the necessary 
mechanisms, human and financial resources, and legal measures to enable its citizens 
to enjoy fully the rights embodied in this Act.


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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms.
shall mean;
For purposes of this Act, the following terms
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
Active Transport refers to non-motorized means of travel, including walking or 
using a bicycle;
Activity Center refers to a place in a city or municipality where people gather 
regularly for work, worship, education, social events, trade, exercise, leisure or 
other common interests and purposes;
Advance Notice refers to the provision of early information regarding any 
consultations with stakeholders, for which the period from the announcement or 
delivery of the invitation to the consultation event will be a minimum of 10 working 
days;
Commuter refers to a person who needs to travel from one place to another, 
often using a combination of transportation modes to get to his/her destination;
Greenway refers to a road, street, or path with ample greenery and shade where 
private motorized transport is not allowed, that also serves as recreational space 
or a public park, in order to welcome and encourage environmentally sustainable 
transportation modes, especially walking and cycling;
High-Volume Transport Corridor refers to walkways, paths, roads, bridges, 
streets or mass transportation terminals where the flow of people is at least 2,000 
persons per hour per direction during peak travel periods;
Micromobility refers to travel using 
weighing not more than 100 kilograms;
electronic or non-motorized vehicles
Mobility refers to the ability of a person to travel from one place to another to 
conduct daily and extraordinary activities and business;
Mobility Infrastructure refers to physical facilities, such as foot paths, bicycle 
lanes, roads, PUV loading/unloading bays, PUV terminals, and public transport 
systems, that support and enhance a person's mobility.
Private Motorized Transport refers to privately owned motorized vehicles 
weighing more than 100 kilograms;
Public Transport refers to public sector and franchised private sector services 
that transport people over land or water, including but not limited to jeepneys, 
utility vehicles (UVs), buses, minibuses, railways, ferries, taxis and tricycles; and
Urbanized Mun;cipality refers to a municipality in the Philippines where the 
aggregate area in the municipality zoned as residential, commercial or industrial 
exceeds 40% of the total land area of the municipality.


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SEC 4. Right to Public Transportation Services that Satisfy Commuters’ 
Mobility Requirements. - The State shall ensure that adequate public transportation 
services are available to meet the needs of its citizens in the most prompt, convenient, 
and accessible manner possible.
The State shall ensure that:
a) 
Every town and municipality will have a community-wide network of safe 
sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and roads to enable safe and convenient travel around 
the city entirely by foot, bicycle or by other forms of light mobility;
b) 
Public Transport services are available within a 500-meter walk from any 
residence or activity center in a city;
c) 
Public Transport services are connected to another public service within a 300- 
meter walk to promote seamless connectivity;
d) 
Public Transport services are in sufficient quantity and frequency so that 
commuter waiting time at stops and terminals do not exceed 10 minutes during 
peakdemand periods;
e) 
Public Transport is accorded priority in the use of road space and traffic signal 
operation so that it is able to traverse 15 kilometers within 1 hour, including ail 
scheduled stops;
f) 
Public Transport services are supported by properly equipped, adequately-sized, 
and well-maintained terminals and stops, with attention to the safety and comfort 
of commuters;
g) 
Every road with a speed limit of over 20 kilometers per hour (kph) and under 60 
kph shall feature dedicated pedestrian infrastructure, in the form of an 
unobstructed walking path of at least 2.5 meters wide in each direction;
h) 
Every road with a speed limit of under 60 kph shall feature dedicated bike lanes 
which are wide enough to comfortably accommodate at least two bikes side by 
side;
i) 
Transport services are inclusive, so that they are conveniently accessible to 
persons of all ages and abilities. Public Transport infrastructure and vehicles 
shall be designed and implemented so that persons with disabilities or special 
needs, including senior citizens, are not excluded from their use; and
j) 
In all renovations of existing infrastructure or construction of new infrastructure, 
preserving or improving the travel time impact on Public Transport, bicycles, and 
pedestrians shall be prioritized over preserving or improving travel time impact 
on private motorized transport. The State shall generally avoid the 
implementation of projects that produce a positive impact on the travel time of 
users of private motorized modes at large expense to Public Transport, bicycles, 
and pedestrians.
SEC. 5. Right to Safe, Convenient, and Affordable Public Transport Services.
-The State shall ensure that Public Transport services are safe, dignified, convenient, 
comfortable, easily accessible, and reliable, while remaining affordable to the general 
public.


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Concessional or discounted fares shall be offered for disadvantaged or special 
groups, such as students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, in accordance 
with law. The State shall endeavor to provide subsidies or incentives to compensate 
for discounts offered to special or disadvantaged groups other than the incentives 
provided under existing laws.
The State shall also reward the use of Public Transport via financial and non- 
financial incentives to promote the frequent use of Public Transport. The State shall 
ensure that it is more economical for commuters to use Public Transport more 
frequently rather than less frequently.
During periods when transportation services are deficient, the State shall employ 
alternative approaches to enable additional mobility options for its citizens, including 
the use of public resources to fill temporary gaps in services, such as government- 
owned vehicles or through government charter or lease of private vehicles.
The State shall also promote and ensure safe and efficient driving behavior by 
Public Transport drivers through mandatory trainings and more stringent licensing.
Streets shall also be designed in accordance with international best practices in 
road safety design to reduce the occurrence of dangerous driving behavior.
SEC. 6. Right to Infrastructure for Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Persons with 
Disabilities. — The State shall ensure that roads are accessible to persons with 
impaired mobility, among others, and that adequate and appropriate bicycle lanes are 
available. For this purpose, the State shall:
a) 
Accord priority to the development of adequate sidewalks and networks of bicycle 
lanes that encourage Active Transport and provide safe and direct access to 
priority destinations, such as housing, education, business centers, markets and 
grocery stores, and Public Transport nodes;
b) 
Ensure that all Public Transport stops are accessible to persons with disabilities 
and impaired movement, including senior citizens;
c) 
Prioritize ease of access by pedestrians, especially at Public Transport stops and 
government facilities, over mobility of private motorized transport;
d) 
Ensure that safe and adequate walking and cycling infrastructure is incorporated 
in the design and implementation of road transport projects at national and local 
government levels;
e) 
Ensure that the comprehensive land use plan of every city includes the 
development of a city-wide network of safe sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and road 
lanes to enable travel around the city entirely by foot, bicycle, or by other forms of 
light mobility; and
f) 
Ensure that travel by walking or cycling is no less direct to destinations than travel 
by private motorized transport. No commuter shall be made to travel above or 
below street level to cross any street or intersection if it is possible to implement 
an at-grade crossing. No commuter, when traveling by walking or cycling, shall 
be made to diverge from his or her route of travel if a commuter traveling by private


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motorized vehicle would have enjoyed a more direct trip.
In cities and urbanized municipalities, the State shall ensure that the 
infrastructure of each barangay includes;
a) 
safe foot paths or sidewalks, free of obstructions, weII-protected from 
automobiles, compliant with universal design guidelines, and friendly and 
accessible to pregnant women, elderly, and persons with strollers or wheelchairs;
b) 
networks of greerways to encourage active transport modes (walking and cycling);
c) 
proper lighting on all roads and footpaths to allow safe travel even after dark;
d) 
tactile paving on sidewalks of high-volume transport corridors for the benefit of 
pedestrians who are blind;
e) 
bicycle racks in every transportation hub or terminal and in every commercial, 
community and activity center. Such racks shall be provided at street level if 
possible, and at most one level above or below the street; and
f) 
Safe intersections and pedestrian crossings such as provision of raised 
pedestrian platforms, highly visible advance warning signages, adequate street 
lighting, mid crossing refuges, traffic calming for motorized vehicles and curb 
outstands to reduce road pavement crossing width.
In addition, the State shall promote light mobility by requiring that buildings have 
adequate bicycle racks that can accommodate ten percent (10%) of the anticipated 
users of such building.
SEC. 7. Right to a Fair Share of Public Road Space. — The State shall ensure 
that public road space is used in a manner that delivers the greatest socio-economic 
benefit. The State shall also ensure and prioritize the safety of road users. For this 
purpose, it shall ensure that the design, engineering, and operation of road 
infrastructure are appropriate to achieve the goal of road safety and access for non- 
motorized and vulnerable users.
Because roads are a scarce public asset, the State shall ensure that road space 
is prioritized for modes of travel (e.g., public transport, walking, cycling, etc.) that move 
more people and maximize the productivity and social benefit of the public asset. The 
planning and design of roads must prioritize the needs of pedestrians, micromobility 
users, and Public Transport users. Public Transport shall also have priority use of road 
space over private motor vehicles.
The State shall ensure that there is no private appropriation of public road space 
and foot paths for parking, commerce, or other activities that will restrict public use of, 
or access to, the road.
SEC. 8. Right to Breathe Clean Air during Travel. — The State shall take 
measures to ensure that commuters are able to travel using Public Transport or active 
transport (e.g., walking or cycling) without compromising their health.
The State shall ensure that all Public Transport vehicles comply with the 
emission standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources


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(DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and/or the Land Transportation 
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The State shall also formulate and implement programs and policies aimed at 
encouraging citizens to commute using cycling or other lighter vehicles, thus reducing 
vehicle-related pollution emissions. The State shall also provide facilities and programs 
which support and incentivize the use of cleaner alternative fuels, other types of 
renewable energy and electric vehicles.
The State shall measure air quality along major transport corridors in all cities 
and provide this information to the public in real time. When air quality exceeds safe 
levels according to internationally accepted standards, particularly from the World 
Health Organization, the State shall activate emergency procedures with a view to 
reducing the exposure of the public, especially the young and the elderly, to unclean 
air.
SEC. 9. Right to Information for Efficient and Convenient Travel. — The
State shall provide timely and adequate information so that commuters are able to 
make good travel plans and choices about modes and routes. For this purpose, the 
State shall;
a) 
Make publicly available information on all Public Transport services, including 
route maps, fares, schedules, and real time vehicle location and availability, 
including traffic situation, for the convenience of commuters;
b) 
Ensure that such information is prominently displayed at all stops of public 
transport services and at other locations deemed necessary or beneficial to 
commuters:
c) 
Establish technical standards and regulations for the display of street maps at 
strategic locations in each neighborhood, for the reference of residents and 
visitors; and
d) 
Ensure that, at all ports, airports, and terminals, a 24-hour information/assistance 
counter will be available to serve the needs of travelers.
SEC. 10. Right to Special Attention during Service Breakdowns and to 
Compensation for Deficiencies in Service. — In the event of a breakdown in a Public 
Transport service, passengers shall be entitled to receive promptly and without delay, 
from the transport operator, a full refund of the fare and assistance in securing onward 
journeys.
Stranded passengers shall be informed in a timely manner about how they will 
be redirected to their final destination. If onward journeys are unavailable or 
unreasonably delayed for more than twelve (12) hours, the transport operator shall 
provide its passengers with access to food, water, and waiting area with clean 
restrooms and ventilation.
SEC. 11. Right to Representation and Participation. — The State shall 
ensure that the welfare and interest of commuters are considered in all decision­
making related to mobility and transportation services. Commuters shall be adequately 
consulted on all matters affecting the welfare and mobility of commuters.


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SEC. 12. Annual Public Transportation Services andinfrestructure Plans 
and Programs. — The Department of Transportation (DOTr), in coordination with local 
government units and other concerned stakeholders shall prepare, annually, a national 
public transportation services and infrastructure plan and program to satisfy the 
evolving mobility requirements in the country, especially in urban areas.
Local government units shall also prepare their own local public transportation 
services and infrastructure plan to ensure the mobility of their citizens within the 
context of their situation, needs and stages of development.
Metropolitan authorities and local government units shall also be responsible 
for measuring, analyzing, and updating the mobility requirements in each locality and 
to develop plans and programs to address the mobility requirements of their citizens.
SEC. 13. Vision Zero in Road Safety. — The State shall adopt the Vision Zero 
in road safety, which aims to achieve a highway system with no fatalities or serious 
injuries involving road traffic. For this purpose, the State shall implement a 
comprehensive road safety program and allocate funding to implement activities under 
the five pillars of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan, namely Road Safety 
Management, Safer Roads, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users, and Post-Crash 
Response.
SEC. 14. Implementing Agencies. — The DOTr, DENR, DTI, Department of 
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government 
(DILG), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other metropolitan 
councils, shall be the mplementing agencies for this Act, with DOTr as the lead 
implementing agency with responsibility for coordinating and monitoring all 
implementation activities.
The foregoing agencies shall include in their respective budget’s funds for the 
effective implementation of this Act.
Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, all concerned government 
agencies, including local government units, shall ensure that relevant technical 
standards, guidelines, and manuals are amended to incorporate the requirements of 
this Act.
SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. —Within one hundred and 
eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr and the other implementing 
agencies, upon consultation with relevant government agencies and other 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act.
SEC. 16. Penal Provisions. — Any person in violation of any of the provisions 
of this Act shall be fined not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Phpl 0,000) but not more 
than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000).
If the offender is a public official, he/she shall also suffer the penalty of perpetual 
disqualification from holding public office, and be dismissed from government service, after 
due process.
SEC. 17. Separability Clause. —Any portion or provisions ofthis Act that may 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other


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portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still 
subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, memoranda, circulars and other issuances or parts thereof, which are 
inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 19. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,