NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No.
^rnaie
<r>(ficp of tljf fe: rrd.irji
23 FEB “9 P6:15
RliCEiVED BV:
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG RE VILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF TRICYCLE DRIVERS AND 
OPERATORS, INSTITUTIONALIZING MECHANISMS FOR ITS 
IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Tricycles are considered as the " vehicle of the massed'. It is often the 
transportation option of many low-income households to major thoroughfares, and a 
significant income source of many Filipinos displaced in the formal working sector due 
to lack of employable skills. Oftentimes, driving a tricycle will be the only mode of 
livelihood until retirement.
According to the 2022 Annual Report of the Land Transportation Office, there 
are more than 1.5 million registered tricycles in the country. It is high time that we 
give value to our tricycle drivers and operators for their contribution to the daily life 
of the ordinary Filipinos and to economic development.
This measure ensures the welfare of the tricycle drivers and operators for a 
more organized sector by defining the requirements for proper operation of tricycles 
and simplifying the registration system imposed in the application and issuance of 
motorized tricycle operator permit (MTOP).
It also mandates the establishment of one-stop-shop in every local government 
unit to cater for all the transactions of tricycle drivers and operators. It advances the 
welfare of the tricycle sector by mandating the Social Security System and the 
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to assure their provision of health care and 
social benefits. The measure outlines the significant role of the Local Government 
Units and other government agencies in supporting the sector.
In view of advancing the tricycle sector, the passage of this measure is 
earnestly sought.
RAMOt^ONG REVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of II;? S£. f Cl.’r.rp
23 FEB-9 P6:15
SENATE 
s. No. 18B.5
RtCEIVED BY: A
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF TRICYCLE DRIVERS AND 
OPERATORS, INSTITUTIONALIZING MECHANISMS FOR ITS 
IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shail be known as the "Magna Carta for Tricycle
2 
Drivers and Operators Act of2023."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is the policy of the State:
4 
a. To nurture and protect the interests of the tricycle sector by providing them
5 
with adequate and timely social, economic and legal services, as well as
6 
mechanisms that shall protect their rights and promote benefits that ensure
7 
their dignified existence and economic advancement;
8 
b. To recognize, promote, protect the rights of every worker in the tricycle sector
9 
including the right to self-organization, the right to decent work, just and
10 
humane working conditions, access to social protection, and the right to
11 
represent their organizations in a continuing process of consultation and
12 
dialogue towards maximizing the provision of a comprehensive package of
13 
reforms, interventions, and services in accordance with their articulated needs
14 
and interests;
15 
c. To promote gender equity and equality through elimination of gender
16 
stereotypes attached to this sector and redefining tricycle drivers as not only
17 
males but also females;


1 
d. To protect women workers in the tricycle sector against gender-based
2 
discrimination, exploitation, violence and abuse;
3 
e. To progressively eliminate child labor in the tricycle sector through the creation
4 
of more quality jobs for adults, effective enforcement of laws against child
5 
labor, improved access to universal education and elimination of cultural factors
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that tolerate child labor; and
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f. To develop the local economy through maximization of the potential and
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contribution of the tricycle sector.
9 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - Pursuant to this Act, the following terms shall
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mean:
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a. ^Coloruni' refers to a private vehicle operated as a public utility without the
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benefit of a valid and existing special permit, provisional authority, or franchise;
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b. "Motorized Tricycie Operator's Permit or MTOP' refers to the permit that
14 
authorizes the holder to operate a tricycle for public transport;
15 
c. "Periodic maintenancd' refers to the cleaning and replacing of parts that have
16 
been exhausted of their effective service life.
17 
d. "Preventive maintenance ''refe rs to the regular cleaning of the engine and other
18 
related parts that affect its performance;
19 
e. "Sangguniad' refers to the Sangguniang Panlungsod or the Sangguniang
20 
Bayan, as the case may be;
21 
f. " Tricydd' refers to motor vehicle composed of a motorcycle fitted with a single
22 
wheel sidecar, or a motorcycle with a two-wheel rear cab, the former having a
23 
total of three wheels and the latter having a total of four wheels, otherwise
24 
known as the motorcycle;
25 
g. "Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Association or TODA' refers to the organization
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of tricycle operators and drivers in a given local government unit;
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h. " Tricycie Sectof refers to the drivers and operators of tricycles for public
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transportation in the Philippines.
29 
Sec. 4. Authority to Regulate and to Grant MTOP. - Subject to the guidelines to
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be prescribed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation
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Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB),
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cities and municipalities shall have the power to regulate the operation of tricycles and


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grant permits for the operation thereof within their respective territorial jurisdictions.
2 
Before it can issue the MTOP, the concerned LGU is required to submit a tricycle
3 
operation plan which includes, among others, the tricycle routes and zones,
4 
designation of terminals and maximum number of tricycles operating within its
5 
jurisdiction. Such a plan shall be subject to the approval of the DOTr and must comply
6 
with the guidelines promulgated therefore with the end goal of ensuring overall
7 
efficiency, integration and safety of the transportation system.
8 
Sec. 5. Uniform and Standardized Set of Requirements. - The local government
9 
units (LGUs) having jurisdiction over the city or municipality where the tricycle is
10 
registered shall impose no other requirement, restriction, or condition for its operation,
11 
except the following:
12 
a. For safety reasons, no tricycle should operate on national highways utilized by
13 
4-wheel vehicles greater than four (4) tons and where normal speed exceeds
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forty (40) kilometers per hour. However, the concerned LGU may provide
15 
exceptions if there are no transportation services or modes servicing the said
16 
route, either along the highway or crossing the same, other than tricycle,
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subject to the approval of the DOTr: Provided, however. That when such
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operation is allowed, the LGU is mandated to provide appropriate signages,
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marks for lanes and other safety features to guide and protect the tricycles
20 
utilizing the highways.
21 
b. Zones must be within the boundaries of the municipality/city. Existing zones
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within more than one municipality or city, however, shall be maintained:
23 
Provided, That operators servicing said zones shall secure MTOPs from each of
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the municipalities and/or cities having jurisdiction over the areas covered by
25 
the zone.
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c. A common color for tricycles-for-hire operating in the same zone may be
27 
imposed. Each unit shall be assigned and bear an identification number, aside
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from its LTO license plate number.
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d. An operator wishing to terminate or suspend its service for more than one
30 
month should report in writing such termination or suspension to the
31 
Sanggunian which originally granted the MTOP.


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e. The MTOP shall be valid for three (3) years, renewable for the same period.
2 
Transfer to another zone, change of ownership of a unit or transfer of MTOP
3 
shail be construed as an amendment to an MTOP and shali require appropriate
4 
approval of the Sanggunian.
5 
f. Operators shall employ only drivers possessing professional licenses duly issued
6 
by the LTO. For this purpose, the LTO shall issue guidelines, including
7 
theoretical and practical examinations, appropriate for drivers of tricycles.
8 
g. No tricycle-for-hire shall be allowed to carry more passengers and/or goods
9 
than it is designed for.
10 
h. A tricycle-for-hire shall be allowed to operate like a taxi service where, aside
11 
from rendering services in the designated terminals, the tricycle can be flagged-
12 
down or engaged by passengers on the road within its authorized zone of
13 
operation.
14 
Sec. 6. Registration. - There shall be a simplified procedure of registration and
15 
issuance of MTOP in accordance with the framework and principles of this Act. The
16 
registration fee for the application for an MTOP shall not exceed One thousand pesos
17 
(PI,000.00). The validity of MTOP shall be for three years. The said fee shall cover
18 
the cost of the issuance of the MTOP, the filing fee, franchise fee, inspection fee, fare
19 
adjustment fee, amendment, regulatory, and all other fees. No other fees shall be
20 
exacted from the tricycle sector business activities or enterprise other than the
21 
registration fee as mentioned above.
22 
Sec. 7. Estabiishment of One-Stop Shop for the Tricycie Sector. - All LGUs shall
23 
establish a One-Stop Shop Center for the Tricycle Sector (the "Center') which shall
24 
handle all transactions and processing of the business permit applications within their
25 
respective jurisdiction. The Center shall ensure that the processing of the MTOP shall
26 
commence on the day of their application and the registration shall be released within
27 
forty-eight (48) hours upon submission of the complete requirements. To facilitate
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efficient and expeditious processing of MTOP applications, LGUs shall formulate a
29 
uniform and simple checklist of requirements for registration such as valid proof of
30 
identity (barangay clearance, certificate of residency, etc.) and flowchart of the
31 
procedure of registration. LGUs shall be responsible in translating the checklist of
32 
requirements and flowchart of procedure of registration in their own locai dialect. LGUs


1 
shall cause the posting of the checklist and flowchart of procedure of registration in
2 
at least three (3) conspicuous areas, preferably public areas, in the community and
3 
cause the publication of the same in the local newspaper, if there be any.
4 
Sec. 8. Rights and Benefits of Workers in the Tricycle Sector. - The members
5 
of the tricycle sector shall have the following rights:
6 
a. Self-organization to collectively negotiate with government and other entities
7 
in the promotion of their welfare and advancement of their interests free from
8 
any political interference or favor;
9 
b. Informed participation in decision-making processes relevant to the concerns
10 
of their sector through their legitimate organizations. Towards this end, they
11 
shall be represented in all public hearings for laws, ordinances, or regulations
12 
that will affect their sector;
13 
c. Safe working conditions with access to medical care services and insurance;
14 
d. Freedom from any form of discrimination, violence, exploitation, or harassment;
15 
e. Freedom from deprivation of property without valid cause and due process of
16 
law;
17 
f. All concerned national government agencies, government financial institutions,
18 
and local government units shall include in their plans, programs, projects and
19 
activities efforts that are supportive of the concerns of the tricycle sector;
20 
g. Each LGU shall create a grievance mechanism to deal with the concerns of the
21 
members of the tricycle sector;
22 
h. The Social Security System (SSS) and the Philippine Health Insurance
23 
Corporation (PhilHealth) shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of
24 
this Act, promulgate guidelines for the mechanism of collecting premiums from
25 
members of the tricycle sector. The SSS shall also inform its members from the
26 
tricycle sector of loans that they can avail of;
27 
i. Any driver shall not be engaged to work in any hazardous work, activity or
28 
undertaking, and neither shall he/she be exposed to hazardous working
29 
conditions; and
30 
j. All persons whether from the private or public sectors are prohibited from
31 
committing acts of interference or coercion against a member of the tricycle


1 
sector, including machinations to influence political and/or religious beliefs of
2 
the member of the tricycle sector.
3 
Sec. 9. Role of the Local Government Unit (LGU) - Subject to the operating
4 
conditions in this Act and the guidelines to be promulgated by the DOTr, LTO and
5 
LTFRB, cities and municipalities shall have the following responsibilities:
6 
a. The Municipality or City, after consultation with the small transport groups, the
7 
affected communities, and other sectors or groups, shall identify and designate
8 
viable routes and terminals of tricycles within the municipality or city. Viable
9 
terminals shall be in proximity to public buildings, markets, commercial districts,
10 
or commercial establishments and other places which the public frequently
11 
visits.
12 
b. The Sanggunian shall, within ninety (90) days after the consultation referred to
13 
in the preceding paragraph, pass an ordinance designating the viable terminals
14 
of tricycles as specified in this Act. No designation of terminal, however, shall
15 
be conducted without prior consultation with the tricycle sector, the affected
16 
inhabitants and other sectors. LGUs that have already established or designated
17 
routes and terminals of tricycles prior to this Act are deemed to have complied
18 
with this provision: Provided, That the aforesaid establishment or designation
19 
of terminals have been undertaken after consultation with the relevant parties.
20 
c. LGUs shall also lead a Tricycle Maintenance Program. This shall be done by
21 
teaching the existing TODAs within their jurisdiction on preventive and periodic
22 
maintenance. Technical and administrative capability shall be sourced through
23 
partnerships with private institutions and through the Department of Science
24 
and Technology (DOST).
25 
d. Vocational education on auto-mechanics and related courses like engine repair
26 
and maintenance shall also be developed by the LGUs in cooperation with the
27 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and
28 
Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
29 
e. There shall be a mandatory Tricycle Drivers Safety Program at the LGU level.
30 
The content and structure of the Tricycle Drivers Safety Program shall be
31 
formulated by the DOTr, LTO, LTFRB and other relevant government agencies.
32 
The LGU shall require all tricycle drivers within its jurisdiction to undergo this


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orientation. To complement this, the LTO and LTFRB shall include a Motorist 
Awareness Program in all its safety training.
f. 
LGUs shall also eliminate illegal or colorum tricycle units.
g. LGUs shall provide for alternative livelihood and skills-training programs to allow 
tricycle drivers to explore more economically rewarding sources of income.
h. LGUs shall pursue and implement a comprehensive, rights-based, participatory 
and gender responsive framework for workers in the tricycle sector that 
includes but is not limited to:
i. 
Putting in place policies and programs that will bring members of the 
tricycle sector to the economic and social mainstream;
ii. 
Pursuing structural reforms in all relevant levels of LGUs by creating 
committees, special offices for development and protection of workers 
in the tricycle sector and supporting their representational rights through 
their organizations;
Extending coverage of accessible and affordable social security and 
health care benefits to workers in the tricycle sector; and 
Exacting responsibility on the part of the tricycle sector workers provided 
that the state shall recognize their rights and put in place responsive, 
transparent and accountable mechanisms to ensure the protection, 
promotion and realization of those rights.
Sec. 10. Policy on Impounding of Vehicle and Imposabie Penalties. - Tricycles 
shall not be impounded, confiscated or destroyed for mere violation of license or 
registration or traffic rules and regulations, unless the said vehicle was utilized in the 
conduct of criminal activities. In case of mere violation of traffic rules and regulations, 
a traffic violation ticket shall be issued to the erring driver without impounding the 
said vehicle. The responsible person or officer who violated this Section shall be 
administratively liable under this Act. Nothing herein shall prohibit the aggrieved 
members of the tricycle sector from initiating a criminal or civil action against the 
responsible persons or officers whenever such action is applicable. The imposabie 
penalties for tricycle drivers who are found to violate traffic rules or regulations shall 
be limited to fifty percent of the fine or penalty that can be imposed on drivers of four- 
wheeled vehicles.
III.
IV.


1 
Sec. 11. Phase-in of More Efficient Engines. - Within thirty (30) days after the
2 
effectivity of this Act, the DOST and the DOTr shall partner to create a continuous
3 
program to develop more efficient engines and cleaner technologies that may be used
4 
by the tricycle sector, at the own initiative or volition of tricycle drivers and/or
5 
operators.
6 
Sec. 12. Coordination between Local Government Units and the DOTr. - The
7 
implementation of the national policy as regards curbing traffic must be taken into
8 
consideration in the enforcement of this Act. The DOTr shall ensure that its guidelines
9 
for the regulation of tricycles by LCDs must be mindful of the state of traffic in the
10 
country. Furthermore, the DOTr must efficiently and meaningfully coordinate closely
11 
with the LCDs as regards the regulation of the tricycle sector.
12 
Sec. 13. Mandatory Membership in SSS and Phi!health, Life and Accident
13 
Insurance, andLegaiAssistance. - The SSS and the PhilHealth shall, within ninety (90)
14 
days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate guidelines for the mechanism of
15 
collecting premiums from members of the tricycle sector. Tricycle drivers shall, in
16 
addition to SSS and healthcare coverage, be provided accident Insurance coverage to
17 
compensate for damage or injury acquired such as death, disability, limb amputations,
18 
loss of sight, hearing, and speech, including the loss of thumb or the index finger.
19 
Tricycle drivers are also entitled to legal assistance in the exercise and pursuit of their
20 
rights herein granted.
21 
Sec. 14. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
22 
Act shall be allocated in the Annual General Appropriations Act of the Department of
23 
Transportation.
24 
Sec. 15. Penalties. -
25 
a. Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any member of
26 
the tricycle sector in the exercise of rights, or shall in any manner act in violation
27 
of Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine
28 
of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than Five
29 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding one
30 
(1) year or both, at the discretion of the court.
31 
b. A driver who operates a tricycle without the necessary MTOP to be observed
32 
by the tricycle sector in pursuit of cleaner technologies and in accordance with


1 
Republic Act No. 8479, otherwise known as the "Clean Air Act', including any
2 
who incurs deiinquency in payment of fees that is tantamount to an incomplete
3 
application for an MTOP, operates in highways without vaiid authorization,
4 
transports passenger and/or goods beyond the iimitations on the number of
5 
passengers and on load capacity, or operates a tricycle not compliant with
6 
environmental laws shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred
7 
Pesos (P500.00) but not more than Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00) or the
8 
impoundment of the tricycie by an enforcement agency for a period of two (2)
9 
months.
10 
c. An operator who operates without the necessary MTOP or authority to operate
11 
in highways or employs a driver without the requisite license to drive a tricycle,
12 
including those below the age of majority, or allows a driver to operate a tricycle
13 
that is not roadworthy or with unauthorized modification affecting vehicle
14 
safety, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Pesos
15 
(P500.00) but not more than Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00). The second
16 
and succeeding offenses shall warrant the revocation of the MTOP or franchise
17 
and the perpetual disqualification from being issued the said privilege.
18 
d. If the offender is a public official, the court may, in addition to the penalties
19 
provided in the preceding paragraph, impose 
the penalty of disqualification
20 
from office.
21 
Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - 
The DOTr, in
22 
coordination with the LTO, LTFRB, SSS, PhilHealth, DOLE, TESDA, DOST, DTI and the
23 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall issue the IRR of this
24 
Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity. The IRR shall include the guidelines for
25 
the allocation of the fund for subsidizing the SSS or PhilHealth premiums of the
26 
members of the tricycle sector and the programs that will benefit them.
27 
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
28 
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain
29 
in fuli force and effect.
30 
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or Issuance,
31 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, ordinance, or


1 
regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby
2 
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
3 
Sec. 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
4 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
5 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,
10