Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

Introduced by:

Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles
Second District
Province of Rizal

5653
Explanatory Note

Improving mobility propels economic growth and reduces inequality. Mobility allows
access to food, water, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. The lack of
proper connectivity is therefore more than an issue of congestion or inaccessibility. It
limits opportunities and stunts growth, especially for those who are already
marginalized and disadvantaged.

Unfortunately, Filipinos have long suffered mobility issues. This disproportionately
affects the most vulnerable in the country: the young and the elderly, the women, the
poor, the working class, and the persons-with-disabilities who mostly rely on public
transportation and active transport in every part of the country whether in urban or
rural areas.

In Metro Manila alone, the inequality in mobility can be seen in the number of registered
vehicles and the amount of road space given to public transport vis a vis the travel mode
used by everyday Filipinos. While 80% of daily trips are made either through public
transport or walking (JICA, 2014), public transport is only given 20% of the road space
(Regidor and Javier, 2015). These data clearly reveal that private vehicle owners are
prioritized over the majority who are commuters.

‘This prioritization, seen in the current land use model throughout the country, is not
sustainable. The private vehicle is not the transport mode of the majority, it contributes
greatly to pollution and emissions, and its low passenger capacity ultimately leads to
more congestion. Based on the recent 2019 elections, only 6% of voters come from ABC
socio- economic bracket while 94% of voters come from the DE socio-economic bracket,
for whom mobility is most inconvenient and for whom every working hour is crucial.

This inequality is further exacerbated by poor infrastructure planning and operations.
Travelling by private motorized vehicle is an inefficient use of scarce public space
compared to more sustainable modes such as the high-occupancy public transport or


the space-efficient walking and cycling.

Road transport services (i.e. buses and jeepneys) are still operating individually in a
boundary and commission-based revenue system. This business model force drivers to
compete for passengers and follow unsafe driving practices. For the commuter, this
means increased travel times, stress, and safety risks.

What little pedestrian and cycling facilities are provided are usually either in poor
conditions or lacking, especially for persons-with-disabilities. At least 32 people are
dying every day due to road crashes (PSA, 2016), a huge percentage of which are
pedestrians. In addition, landscapes, townscapes, and natural resources are exploited
and destroyed to make way for highways.

Air quality is also worsening due to the increase in cars. According to the World Health
Organization (WHO, 2018), there were about 45.3 deaths per 100,0000 individuals due
to outdoor air pollution in the Philippines, ranking third worldwide. Additionally, the
transport sector produces 23% of global energy-related CO2 emissions and is the
fastest-growing sector in terms of greenhouse gas emissions (International Energy
Agency, 2016).

All of these issues point to the urgent need to improve the welfare and lives of
commuters. Hence, this Magna Carta for Commuters.

‘The proposed bill aims to enumerate and uphold the rights of the commuting public.
These rights range from public transportation services to safe and accessible
infrastructure to clean air during travel and to commuter representation and
participation.

Ultimately, this Magna Carta calls for a shift from car-centric public policy and
infrastructure to sustainable transport and mobility, one that provides safe access and
mobility to all, promotes economic development, protects and preserves the
environment, and uplifts the life of the Filipino commuter.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

faidd, Maal
ep. Fidel Kograles

2nd District of Rizal Province


Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

- 565
House Bill No. e35ih
November __ 2019

Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles, 24 District, Rizal

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:

CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Magna Carta of
Commuters”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to guarantee
the rights of all sectors, including the commuter sector to participate in the policy and
decision making processes affecting their rights, welfare, and privileges. Mobility is a
basic human need; commuters have rights to travel safely, conveniently, and reliably.
Without mobility, citizens are unable to access basic services such as healthcare and
education, or enjoy fundamental freedoms. Moreover, mobility should be enjoyed by
people of all ages, abilities, gender, and economic status, not only by those who are
physically fit, with private motor vehicles or with financial means.

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. The State also reaffirms the right of all citizens to participate in
the policy formulation, planning, implementation, management, monitoring and
evaluation of all institutions, programs, projects and services related to upholding the
rights of commuters.

In all decisions related to the provision of mobility infrastructure and transportation
services, the welfare of the commuter shall be the paramount objective. While the
interests of the transportation industry, private motor vehicle users, and other


stakeholders should also be considered in any decision, these interests should be
secondary to the welfare of the commuting public.

CHAPTER II DEFINITION OF TERMS
SECTION 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

(a) “Active Transport” refers to non-motorized means of travel, including walking
or using a bicycle.

(vb) “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.

(c) “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.

(a) “Commuter” refers to a person that needs to travel from one place to another,
often using a combination of transportation modes to get to his/her destination.

(c) “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.

(8 “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.

(g) “Micromobility” refers to travel using electronic or non-motorized vehicles
weighing not more than 100 kg.

(h) “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.

(j) “Private Motorized Transport” refers to motorized vehicles weighing more than
100 kg.

(k) “Public Transport” refers to public sector and franchised private sector services
that transport people over land or water, including jeepneys, UVs, buses, minibuses,
railways, ferries, taxis and tricycles.
() “Urbanized Municipality” 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.



CHAPTER III RIGHTS OF COMMUTERS:

SECTION 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. Public transportation services and
infrastructure plans and programs should be prepared and updated on an annual basis
in order to satisfy the evolving mobility requirements in our communities, especially in
urban areas.

It will be the responsibility of metropolitan authorities and local government units to
measure, analyze and update the mobility requirements in each locality and to develop
plans and programs to address the mobility requirements of their citizens.

‘The State shall ensure that:

() Every town and municipality will have a community-wide network of safe
sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and roads to enable travel around the city entirely by foot,
bicycle or by other forms of light mobility;

(ii) | Public Transport services are available within a 500-meter walk from any
residence or activity center in a city;

(iii) Public Transport services are connected to another public service within a 300-
meter walk to promote seamless connectivity;

(iv) Public Transport services are in sufficient quantity and frequency so that
commuter waiting time at stops and terminals do not exceed 10 minutes during peak
demand periods;

(v) 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 all
scheduled stops;

(vi) 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;

(vii) Every road with a speed limit of over 20 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; and

(viii) 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.
(ix) The State will ensure that transport services are inclusive, so that they are
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 are not excluded from their use.

(x) The State shall ensure that 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.

SECTION 5. Right to Safe, Convenient and Affordable Public Transport Services. -
The State shall ensure that Public Transport services are safe, dignified, convenient,
comfortable and reliable, while remaining affordable to the general public.

Concessional or discounted fares shall be offered for disadvantaged or special groups
(ie, students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, poor households). The State shall
provide subsidies to compensate for discounts offered to special or disadvantaged
groups.

The State shall 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.

‘The State shall apply financial and non-financial disincentives to reduce the use of
private motorized transport. Funding earned from such disincentives must be utilized
for

funding of Mobility Infrastructure in favor of Active Transport and Public Transport.
The State shall ensure that it is more economical for commuters to use Active Transport
or Public Transport more frequently than to use private motorized transport.

During periods when transportation services are deficient, the State shall employ
alternative approaches for enabling additional mobility options for its citizens,
including through the use of public resources to fill temporary gaps in services, such as
through government- owned vehicles or through the government charter or lease of
private vehicles.

The State will promote safe and efficient driving behavior by Public Transport drivers
through mandatory trainings and more stringent licensing. All Public Transport
vehicles will be required to install electronic vehicle tracking devices and CCTVs that
will enable concerned authorities to conduct real-time monitoring of vehicle location,
vehicle speed, and driver status. Dangerous on-street competition and behavior among
Public Transport drivers shall be eliminated through the removal of any incentive for
drivers that is related to ridership or fare revenue. Streets must be designed in
accordance with international best practices in road safety design to reduce the
‘occurrence of dangerous driving behavior.

SECTION 6. Right to Infrastructure for Pedestrians, Cyclists and Persons with
Disabilities. - The State shall accord priority to the development of adequate sidewalks
and networks of bicycle lanes that encourage Active Transport and that provide safe
and direct access to priority destinations such as housing, education, and business


centers as well as Public Transport nodes.

The State shall ensure that all Public Transport stops are accessible to persons with
disabilities and impaired movement. The State shall ensure that ease of access by
pedestrians especially at Public Transport stops and government facilities is prioritized
‘over mobility of private motorized transport.

The State shall 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. The State shall ensure that the Comprehensive Land Use
Plan of every city includes the development of a city-wide network of safe sidewalks,
bicycle lanes, and roads lanes to enable travel around the city entirely by foot, bicycle or
by other forms of light mobility.

The State shall 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 motorized
vehicle would have enjoyed a more direct trip.

‘The State shall require all government offices and buildings to have shower facilities for
the use of commuters. If these buildings receive citizens in the delivery of front-line
services, these shower facilities must be open to the public. The State shall offer
incentives to private sector for the provision of shower facilities in their offices and
buildings.

In Philippine cities and urbanized municipalities, the State shall ensure that the
infrastructure of each barangay includes:

(0) safe foot paths or sidewalks, free of obstructions, well-protected from
automobiles, compliant with universal design guidelines, and accessible by pregnant
women, elderly, and persons with strollers or wheelchairs;

(ii) networks of greenways to encourage active transport modes (walking and
cycling);

(iii) proper lighting on all roads and footpaths to allow safe travel even after dark;
(iv) _ tactile paving on sidewalks of high-volume transport corridors for the benefit of
pedestrians who are blind; and

(v) _ 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.

(vi) 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 kerb outstands to reduce
road pavement crossing width.


The State shall not require parking for cars to be built in any buildings, and shall
encourage commercial development and the built environment to accommodate non-
car travel. The State shall promote light mobility by requiring that buildings provide
bicycle racks that can accommodate 10% of the anticipated users of any building.

The State shall adopt the Vision Zero in road safety and ensure that road crashes are
eliminated particularly those of vulnerable road users. The State shall implement a
comprehensive road safety program and will 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.
The State must also create a National Road Safety Unit under the Department of
Transportation and must also implement a national road crash database for road safety
planning.

SECTION 7. Right to a Fair Share of Public Road Space. - The State will ensure that
public road space is used in a manner that delivers the greatest socio-economic benefit.
‘The State shall ensure that safety of road users, especially non-motorized and vulnerable
users, shall be prioritized over the mobility of motorized modes of transport. The State
shall employ treatments to the design, engineering and operation of road infrastructure
in order 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 above the needs of private motor vehicles. Public
Transport shall have priority use of road space over private motor vehicles.

The State will 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.

To ensure that government officials are able to properly empathize with the needs of
commuters, no travel incentive or privilege shall be given to any government official
that shall favor the use of private car travel. This restriction includes allowance for fuel
for personal travel, designation of exclusive car parking space, or personal assignment
of a service car or driver.

All government officials shall commute to their workplace by public transport or by
bicycle at least once per week.


SECTION 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
(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 (DENR),
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and/or the Land Transportation Franchising
and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), whichever is more stringent.

‘The State shall provide programs which reduce the volume of motorized vehicles to
reduce vehicle-related pollution emissions. The State shall also provide facilities and
programs which support and incentivize the use of cleaner alternative fuels.
Recognizing that non- exhaust emissions make up a significant portion of total pollutant
emissions and that the levels of such emissions are dependent on vehicle weight, the
State shall provide programs that encourage the reduction of average vehicle weight
and encourage citizens to commute using cycling or other lighter vehicles.

‘The State will measure air quality along the 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 will activate emergency procedures with the aim of reducing the
exposure of the public, especially the young and the elderly, to unclean air.

SECTION 9. Right to Information for Efficient and Convenient Travel. - The State will
provide timely and adequate information so that commuters are able to make good
travel plans and choices about modes and routes. The State shall make publicly
available information on all Public Transport services, including route maps, fares,
schedules, and real time vehicle location and availability, for the convenience of
commuters. The State shalll ensure that such information is prominently displayed at all
stops of public transport services and at other locations deemed necessary or beneficial
to commuters.

‘The State will establish technical standards and regulations for the display of street maps
at strategic locations in each neighborhood, for the reference of residents and visitors.

The State will ensure that, at all ports, airports, and terminals, a 24-hour information/
assistance counter will be available to serve the needs of travelers.

‘The State shall establish a National Transport Data and Planning Center (NTDPC) which
will collect and process the mobility data for evidence-based transport planning which
can quickly adapt to the evolving mobility requirements in our communities. The
NTDPC shall ensure that data in aid of policy and research on mobility be open and be
made available to the public. These kinds of data include reliable and accurate road
crash data in http:/ / roadsafety.gov-ph, air pollution levels, and Public Transport routes
and travel time information, among others.


SECTION 10. Right to Special Attention During Service Breakdowns and to
Compensation for Deficiencies in Service. - The State shall ensure that, in case of a
breakdown in a Public Transport service, passengers will be entitled to receive from the
transport operator a full refund of the fare and assistance in securing onward journeys.

Stranded passengers should be informed in a timely manner about how they will be
redirected to their final destination. If onward journeys are unavailable for more than
one (1) hour, the transport operator should provide food, water, and access to a waiting
area with restrooms and ventilation.

Any student or employee should not be penalized for arriving late by their school or
employer if the reason for their tardiness was a disruption in a Public Transport service.

SECTION 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. To this end, commuters have a right to advance
notice and information on any proposed policy, regulation, project or service at local or
national level that affect their mobility, including full details on how they will be affected
by the proposed initiative. Affected commuters have a right to provide their comments
and suggestions of the proposed initiative. Affected commuters must receive a response
to such comments from the concerned public official within 20 working days.

If a public consultation will be held regarding any initiative affecting the mobility of
commuters, the consultation meeting shalll be held at a time, even on a weekend or after
office hours, and at a convenient and accessible venue that will maximize the
participation and feedback from affected commuters. In parallel, commuter feedback
shall be solicited through social media and other channels for information exchange.

CHAPTER III INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS

SECTION 12. Establishment of the Office of Commuter Affairs - An Office of
Commuter Affairs shall be established at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) at
the national level, as well as in all city and municipal government units. The Office of
Commuter Affairs shall be under the direct supervision of an Assistant Secretary at the
national level, and a city /municipal administrator at the local level.

SECTION 13. Functions and Responsibilities of the Office of Commuter Affairs — The
Office of Commuter Affairs shall be tasked to perform the following functions and
responsibilities:

1. Coordinate with the respective government agencies dealing with road, rail, air,
and maritime transportation policy to ensure safe, efficient and comfortable travel of
commuters;

2. Operate Help Desks for the riding public;


3. Assist the commuters whenever the safety and efficiency of travel is
compromised;

4. Undertake massive commuter education programs for the travelling public to
know their rights and responsibilities;

5. Ensure legal assistance for commuters, when necessary; and

6. Ensure adequate representation of commuters in any public consultation that
will impact on the welfare and interest of commuters.

SECTION 14. Implementing Agencies. — The Department of Transportation (DOT),
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
(MMDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI), and concerned local government units shall be the
Implementing Agencies for this Act, with DOTr as the lead implementing agency with
responsibility for coordinating and monitoring all implementation activities.

‘The State shalll ensure that the core concepts of this framework is integrated in the annual
government budget process. The State shall ensure that compliance with the provisions
of this Act are included in the annual performance targets of all relevant national and
local government agencies. The State shall ensure that the Implementing Agencies will
annually be allocated budget to strengthen organizational capacities and to sufficiently
fund the establishment and operations of the NTDPC, the Offices of Commuter Affairs,
and other related offices. The State shall ensure that relevant technical standards,
guidelines, and manuals of national and local agencies are amended to incorporate all
requirements under this Act.

SECTION 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
will prepare the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act, with the
participation of non-government organizations, civil society organizations and
academic institutions that champion the welfare of commuters.

SECTION 16. Penal Provisions. — Any person or government agency who has found
to be in violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall be fined not less than Two
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos
(P500,000).

If the offender is a public official, he/she shall be dismissed from government service, in
addition to the penalties above stated.

SECTION 17. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions
or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist
and be given effect in their entirety.


SECTION 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.

SECTION 19. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,