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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by S.enator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Common carriers, by the very nature of their business and for reasons of public policy, 
have a duty to exercise extraordinary diligence in protecting the safety of its passengers. The 
Civil Code, Article 1755 provides: 
A common carrier is bound to carry passengers safely as far as human 
care and foresight can provide, using the utmost diligence of very 
cautious persons, with a due regard for all the circumstances. 
The Department of Transportation and Communications reported that more than 60% of 
passengers use public utility vehicles as opposed to private vehicles. Tricycles, in particular, 
have been occupying a larger role in the public commuter's life. 
In a 1999 study conducted by the Asian Development Bank on the transport industry in 
Quezon City and Palawan with particular focus on the tricycle sub-sector, it was found that while 
jeepneys and buses ply the primary roads of Quezon City; tricycles on the other hand, dominate 
the inner areas and communities. 
Furthermore, many commuters were found to h a d  preferred 
the use of tricycles for reasons such as (i) high accessibility; (ii) availability; (iii) affordability; 
(iv) no waiting time; and (v) convenience. 
Because of the demand for tricycles and the relatively small capital needed to start a 
tricycle business, a proliferation of tricycles over the past years is noticeable. Based on an LTO 
1990-2003 survey, motorcycle and tricycle registration generated a 212% increase in the Quezon 
City area. In 2004, the Tricycle Regulation Unit (TRU) of Quezon City reported a total of 20,316 
registered tricycles. 
Unfortunately, the increased volume of vehicles and commuters has also translated into a 
higher number of accidents. Pedestrian and vehicular accidents, when combined as traffc- 
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related injuries, account for 30% of injury in previously healthy children; passenger tricycle 
injury ranks 4"' in causing motor vehicle injury. 
Since an increasing number of commuters rely on tricycles, the grauting of fianchises to 
operators of these vehicles must be accompanied by adequate measures that ensure driver safety 
skills. Tricycles handle differently than standard motorcycles; unfortunately, there are no 
mandatory tricycle driver safety training and awareness programs at the moment. This bill aims 
for such a program to be instituted at the national level with specific tasks to be delegated to the 
local government units. 
The power to regulate tricycles has devolved from the Land 
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to the cities and municipalities. 
Hence, each local government unit has the responsibility to ensure that safely driven tricycles ply 
their roads. This can be done through the establishment of a mandatory national safety program. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING TRICYCLE DRIVER TRAINING AND 
MOTORIST AWARENESS PROGRAMS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Tricycle Driver Safety Act” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - The State shall endeavor to protect commuters and 
the general public by ensuring that transport operators and drivers, most notably, tricycle drivers, 
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are adequately trained in safe driving techniques. 
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SECTION 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
A. TRICYCLE - means a motor vehicle composed of a motorcyclc with not more 
tlmn two (2) cylinders of five hundred cubic centimeters (500cc) engine capacity 
fillcd with single-wheel side car designed to acconimodatc four (4) passcngcrs only 
including the driver. 
B. TRICYCLE DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM - means any forinal program of 
instruction that provides accident avoidance .aid other safety-oriented ope~atioim1 
skills to tricycle drivers, including innovative training to mect unique regional 
needs. 
C. MOI‘OKIS‘I’ AWARENESS - means individual or collcctivc motorist awareness 
Of-- 
(1) The presence of tricycles inotorcycles on or ncar roadways; 
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bicyclists and pcdcstriaiis: 
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D. LTO means the Land Transportation Ol'lice; 
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(2) Safe driving practices that avoid injury to tricycles, motorcyclists, 
E, 1'1 Nl.4 - incans the Technical Education and Skills 1)cvclopmcnt Authority. 
F. TODA - tricycle operators and drivers' association 
G. DOTC -Department of Transportation and Communication 
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SECTION 4. Creation and Implementation of a Tricycle Driver Safety Program. 
The LTO with the assistance of TESDA shall : 
(1) 
Develop and implement a nationwide Tricycle Driver Safety Program. All 
tricycle drivers must enroll in this program. Once the driver has passed this 
program, the LTO shall issue a certification to the driver bearing such 
information. 
Develop and implement a nationwide Motorist Awareness Program. 
Collect and analyze data on tricycle accidents and other information that can 
be used to monitor the effectivity of the programs and for research, technical 
assistance, and policy development; 
Provide continuous illformation and awareness campaigns to the target 
drivers and the general public on transportation safety issues. 
(2) 
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(4) 
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SECTION 5. Role of Local Government Units. - Each local government unit shall 
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coordinate with the LTO in the implementation of the Tricycle Driver Safety Program and the 
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Motorist Awareness Program. A franchise shall not be granted to the operator until all the 
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drivers of the said operator have been issued a certification from the LTO that they have passed 
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the Tricycle Driver Safety Program. 
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SECTION 6. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against 'the appropriations of the DOTC under the current General 
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Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its fulr implementation shall 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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