NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 408
'ft
of the f
72 JUL12 P 2 -09
RECEIVED BV..„
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991," BY EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS7 POWER OVER LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 
SYSTEMS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 25 of the Constitution mandates the State to "ensure the 
autonomy of local governments". This policy is echoed in Section 2(a) of the Local 
Government Code of 1991, which states that "the State shall provide for a more 
responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system 
of decentralization whereby local government units shall be given more powers, 
authority, responsibilities, and resources." Decentralization broadens the base of 
government power and produces a highly responsive and tailor-fit approach, which 
makes LGUs more effective partners of the national, government in the pursuit of 
development and social progress.
Undoubtedly, development includes access to sustainable transportation and 
the freedom of movement. Mobility rights or the right to travel is both a basic 
human right and an enabling right. Access to social services and enjoyment of civil 
liberties are intricately tied with an individual's capability to move from place to 
place. The international community also recognizes this right. As a matter of fact it is 
part of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal No. 11 to make cities and 
human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, and specifically Goal 
11.2 which AIMS that by 2030, to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and


sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding 
public transport. Property rights are affected by the ability to get to the workplace; 
the right to life may be jeopardized by a traffic jam en route to the hospital; inability 
to go to school interferes with a child's right to education. These are some of the 
mobility obstacles that impact the quality of life of citizens.
In a report by Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global statistics database, the 
Philippines placed ninth among 84 countries with the worst traffic in the world in 
2020. The Philippines also placed worst in Southeast Asia. The report studied traffic 
situations in 84 countries with criteria ranging from C02 consumption related to 
traffic, time consumed in traffic, time consumption dissatisfaction, and inefficiencies 
in the traffic system.
Since March 2022, when government eased quarantine restrictions in light of 
the drop in COVID-19 infections due to increased vaccinations, long traffic jams are 
back in Metro Manila and other urban areas in the country.
In light of the present traffic situation of the country, it is crucial to review the 
functions and capabilities of LCDs in addressing road congestion and creating 
balanced transport systems. Notably, LGUs not only possess a mastery of their own 
mobility demands but also Institutional memory of local policies addressing local 
transport problems as well as local transport needs within their jurisdiction.
This bill aims to expand the powers of LGUs over transportation systems 
through loans, grants, capital investments, partnerships, and joint ventures with 
both private and public institutions or entities, whether domestic or international, 
without sovereign guaranty, for the conceptualization, establishment, operation, and 
maintenance of transportation systems in order to achieve sustainable traffic 
solutions and mobility similar to best practices in other countries for the creation of 
livable and sustainable smart cities. Considering the foregoing, the immediate
enactment of this bill is respectfully requested.
TOL" N. TOLENTINO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 408
'O^fftCP of llU' ~ ; ‘‘t'
72 JUL12 P2 ‘09
RECEIVED LV
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991," BY EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS' POWERS OVER LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 
SYSTEMS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "LGU Public
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Transportation Act."
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Sec. 2. Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local
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Government Code of 1991", is hereby amended as follows:
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"Section 17. Basic Services and Facilities. -
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XXX
(K) ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS SHALL 
ENDEAVOR TO PROVIDE SAFE, AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE 
AND SUSTAINABLE MASS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 
SYSTEMS, SUCH AS MODERN RAIL-BASED SYSTEMS, 
PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEMS, MONORAILS, 
RAILWAYS, SUBWAYS, CABLE CARS, TRAMS, BUS RAPID 
TRANSITS, AND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION


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CONSISTENT WITH THE CONCEPT OF LIVABLE AND 
SUSTAINABLE SMART CITIES, THROUGH LOANS, GRANTS, 
CAPITAL INVESMENTS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND JOINT 
VENTURES WITH BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC 
INSTITUTIONS OR ENTITIES, WHETHER DOMESTIC OR 
INTERNATIONAL, WITHOUT SOVEREIGN GUARANTY, FOR 
THE CONCEPTUALIZATION, ESTABLISHMENT, OPERATION, 
AND MAINTENANCE OF MODERN AND STATE-OF-THE-ART 
MASS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS; PROVIDED THAT, 
INTERCONNECTIVITY AND INTEGRATION WITH EXISTING 
AND 
PROPOSED 
NATIONAL INTERMODAL
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AS WELL AS THOSE OF OTHER 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS SHALL BE CONSIDERED AND 
CONSULTATIONS WITH RELEVANT NATIONAL 
GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTATION AND PLANNING 
AGENCIES SHALL BE CONDUCTED.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS MAY, THROUGH 
APPROPRIATE ORDINANCES, CONSOLIDATE OR 
COORDINATE THEIR EFFORTS, SERVICES, AND 
RESOURCES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS 
UNDER THE PROGRAM TO ENSURE THE ENHANCEMENT OF 
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF 
PUBLIC RESOURCES, REALIZATION OF PROJECT 
OUTCOMES, AND STRENGHTENING OF MECHANISMS FOR 
INTER-LOCAL COOPERATION. IN SUPPORT OF SUCH 
UNDERTAKING, THE LGUS CONCERNED MAY CONTRIBUTE 
FUNDS, REAL ESTATE, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER KINDS OF 
PROPERTY AND APPOINT OR ASSIGN PERSONNEL UNDER 
SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS MAY BE AGREED UPON 
BY THE PARTICIPATING LGUS THROUGH A MEMORANDUM 
OF AGREEMENT.


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Costs may also be charged for the delivery of basic services
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or facilities enumerated in this Section."
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Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
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from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of the Interior and Local
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Government, in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management, the
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Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and Highways,
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Department of Finance, the National Economic and Development Authority, League
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of Provinces, League of Cities, League of Municipalities, Liga ng mga Barangay and
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other government agencies concerned, shall jointly promulgate the implementing
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rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act 
is held
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unconstitutional or Invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain
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in full force and effect.
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Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, 
executive 
orders,
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proclamations, and other executive issuances which are inconsistent with or contrary
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to the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, amended, or repealed accordingly.
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Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,