TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
liDfiui- ol 1.;
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1016
25 AUG-6 A10:51
I
ri;ceivldb\,___ ..............
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF COMMUTERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Mobility and transportation are an integral part of economic development, 
allowing the movement of individuals and goods as well as access to essential services. 
Filipino commuters however, especially in urban areas, face a myriad of issues on their 
commute with regard to safety, comfort, and reliability. Among these issues are 
navigation overcrowded public transportation and nonexistent timetables. For many 
of the populace, taking public transportation is the only resort but this is made even 
more challenging by having to get up extra early to ensure that they get to catch a 
mode of transportation to get to school or work, or lining up for hours in the scorching 
heat or in torrential rain along roads. Apart from affecting the wellbeing of commuters, 
impacts on the increased demand of transportation include traffic congestion and road 
traffic accidental injuries and deaths.
This proposed measure seeks to provide a framework which will specify and 
uphold the rights of commuters, including ensuring adequate public transportation 
services that will meet the mobility requirements of commuters, reliable and affordable 
public transport services, infrastructure accessible to persons with disabilities and 
impaired movement, fair share of public road space, access to clean air quality during 
travel, among others.


It is imperative to uphold the rights of commuters to ensure access to safe, 
efficient, reliable, and cost-effective modes of transportation. This measure will not 
only allow for convenience in travel and mobility, but will also promote equality of 
opportunity.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
lY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
s. No. 1016
' . ' .-''(©ff.'CP of 
,
25 AUG-6 AID :51
RlTEiVfiC a\.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF COMMUTERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of
2 
Commuterd'.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
guarantee the rights of all sectors, including the commuter sector, to participate in the
5 
policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights, welfare, and privileges.
6 
Mobility is a basic human need. Commuters have the right to travel safely and
7 
conveniently on reliable modes of transportation. Without mobility, citizens are unable
8 
to access basic services such as education, employment, and healthcare, or enjoy
9 
fundamental freedoms. Moreover, mobility should be enjoyed by people of all ages,
10 
abilities, gender, and economic status.
11 
The State also reaffirms the right of all citizens to participate in the policy
12 
formulation, planning, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of
13 
all institutions, programs, projects, and services related to upholding the rights of
14 
commuters.
15 
In all decisions related to the provision of mobility infrastructure and
16 
transportation services, the welfare of the commuter shall be the paramount objective.


1 
While the interests of the transportation industry, private motor vehicle users, and
2 
other stakeholders should also be considered any decision, these interests should be
3 
secondary to the welfare of the commuting public.
4 
To attain the foregoing policy, the State shall provide the necessary
5 
mechanisms, human and financial resources, and legal measures to enable its citizens
6 
to fully enjoy the rights embodied in this Act.
7 
CHAPTER II
8 
DEFINITION OF TERMS
9 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes in this Act, the following terms shall
10 
mean:
11 
a) Active transport refers to non-motorized means of travel, including walking
12 
or using a bicycle;
13 
b) Activity Center refers to a place in a city or municipality where people gather
14 
regularly for work, worship, education, social events, trade, exercise,
15 
leisure, or other common interests and purposes;
16 
c) Advance Notice refers to the provision of early information regarding any
17 
consultations with stakeholders, for which the period from the
18 
announcement or delivery of the invitation to the consultation event will be
19 
a minimum of ten (10) working days;
20 
d) Commuter refers to a person that needs to travel from one place to another,
21 
often using a combination of transportation modes to get to their
22 
destination;
23 
e) Greenway refers to a road, street, or path with ample greenery and shade
24 
where private motorized transport is not ailowed to welcome and encourage
25 
environmentally sustainable transportation 
modes, especially walking and
26 
cycling;
27 
f) High-Voiume Transport Corridor refers to walkways, paths, roads, bridges,
28 
streets, or mass transportation terminals where the flow of people is at least
29 
2,000 persons per hour per direction during peak travel periods;
30 
g) Mobiiity refers to the ability of a person to travel from one place to another
31 
to conduct daily and extraordinary activities and business;


1 
h) Mobility Infrastructure refers to physical facilities, such as foot paths, bicycle
2 
lanes, roads, public utility vehicle (PUV) loading and unloading bays, PUV
3 
terminals, and public transport systems that support and enhance a person's
4 
mobility;
5 
i) Private Motorized Transport refers to motorized vehicles weighing more
6 
than 100 kilograms; and
7 
j) Public Transport refers to public sector and franchised private sector
8 
services that transport people over land or water, including jeepneys, UV
9 
Express, buses, minibuses, railways, ferries, taxis, and tricycles.
10 
CHAPTER III
11 
RIGHTS OF COMMUTERS
12 
Sec. 4. Right to Public Transportation Services that Meet Commuters' Mobility
13 
Requirements. - The State shall ensure that adequate public transportation services
14 
are available to meet the needs of its citizens. Public transportation services and
15 
infrastructure plans and programs should be prepared and updated on an annual basis
16 
in order to satisfy the evolving mobility requirements in our communities, especially in
17 
urban areas.
18 
It will be the responsibility of metropolitan authorities and local government
19 
units to measure, analyze, and update the mobility requirements in each locality and
20 
to develop plans and programs to address the mobility requirements of their citizens.
21 
The State shall ensure that:
22 
a) Every town and municipality will have a community-wide network of safe
23 
sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and roads to enable travel around the city entirely
24 
by foot, bicycle, or by other forms of light mobility;
25 
b) Public Transport services are available within a 500-meter walk from any
26 
residence or Activity Center in a city;
27 
c) Public Transport services are connected to another public service within a
28 
300-meter walk to promote seamless connectivity;
29 
d) Public Transport services are in sufficient quantity and frequency so that
30 
commuter waiting time at stops and terminals do not exceed 10 minutes
31 
during peak demand periods;


1 
e) Public Transport is accorded priority in the use of road space and traffic
2 
signal operation so that it is able to traverse 15 kilometers within 1 hour,
3 
including all scheduled stops;
4 
f) Public Transport services are supported by properly equipped, adequately-
5 
sized and well-maintained terminals and stops, with attention to the safety
6 
and comfort of commuters;
7 
g) Every road with a speed limit of over 20 kilometers per hour (kph) and under
8 
60 kph shall feature dedicated pedestrian infrastructure, in the form of an
9 
unobstructed walking path of at least 2.5 meters wide in each direction; and
10 
h) Every road with a speed limit of under 60 kph shall feature dedicated bike
11 
lanes which are wide enough to comfortably accommodate at least two (2)
12 
bikes side by side.
13 
The State shall ensure that Transport Services are inclusive, so that they are
14 
accessible to persons of all ages and abilities. Public Transport infrastructure and
15 
vehicles shall be designed and implemented so that persons with disabilities or special
16 
needs are not excluded from their use.
17 
The State shall ensure that in all renovations of existing infrastructure or
18 
construction of new infrastructure, preserving or improving the travel time impact on
19 
Public Transport, bicycles, and pedestrians shall be prioritized over preserving or
20 
improving travel time impact on private motorized transport. The State shall generally
21 
avoid the implementation of projects that produce a positive impact on the travel time
22 
of users of private motorized modes at large expense to Public Transport, bicycles,
23 
and pedestrians.
24 
Sec. 5. Right to Safe, Convenient, and Affordabie Public Transport Services. -
25 
The State shall ensure that Public Transport services are safe, dignified, convenient,
26 
comfortable, and reliable while remaining affordable to the general public.
27 
Concessional or discounted fares shall be offered for disadvantaged or special
28 
groups, such as students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. The State shall
29 
provide subsidies to compensate for discounts offered to special or disadvantaged
30 
groups.
31 
The State shall reward the use of Public Transport through financial and non-
32 
financial incentives to promote the frequent use of Public Transport. The State shall


1 
ensure that it is more economical for commuters to use Public Transport more
2 
frequently rather than less frequently.
3 
The State shall ensure that it is more economical for commuters to use Active
4 
Transport or Public Transport more frequently than to use private motorized transport.
5 
During periods when transportation services are deficient, the State shall
6 
employ alternative approaches for enabling additional mobility options for its citizens,
7 
including through the use of public resources to fill temporary gaps in services, such
8 
as through government-owned vehicles or through the government charter or lease
9 
of private vehicles.
10 
The State shall promote safe and efficient driving behavior by Public Transport
11 
drivers through mandatory trainings and more stringent licensing. All Public Transport
12 
vehicles will be required to install electronic vehicle tracking devices and Closed-circuit
13 
televisions that will enable concerned authorities to conduct real-time monitoring of
14 
vehicle location, vehicle speed, and driver status. Dangerous on-street competition
15 
and behavior among Public Transport drivers shall be eliminated through the removal
16 
of any incentive for drivers that is related to ridership or fare revenue. Streets must
17 
be designed in accordance with international best practices in road safety design to
18 
reduce the occurrence of dangerous driving behavior.
19 
Sec. 6. Right to Infrastructure for Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Persons with
20 
Disabilities. - The State shall accord priority to the development of adequate sidewalks
21 
and networks of bicycle lanes that encourage Active Transport and that provide safe
22 
and direct access to priority destinations such as housing, education, and business
23 
centers, as well as Public Transport nodes.
24 
The State shall ensure that all Public Transport stops are accessible to persons
25 
with disabilities and impaired movement. The State shall ensure that ease of access
26 
by pedestrians especially at Public Transport stops and government facilities is
27 
prioritized over mobility of private motorized transport.
28 
The State shall ensure that safe and adequate walking and cycling
29 
infrastructure is incorporated in the design and implementation of road transport
30 
projects at national and local government levels. The State shall ensure that the
31 
Comprehensive Land Use Plan of every city (and municipality) includes the
32 
development of a city-wide network of safe sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and road lanes


1 
to enable travel around the city entirely by foot, bicycle, or by other forms of light
2 
mobility.
3 
The State shall ensure that travel by walking or cycling is no less direct to
4 
destinations than travel by private motorized transport. No commuter shall be made
5 
to travel above or below street level to cross any street or intersection if it is possible
6 
to implement an at-grade crossing. No commuter, when traveling or walking or
7 
cycling, shall be made to diverge from his or her route of travel if a commuter traveling
8 
by private motorized vehicle would have enjoyed a more direct trip.
9 
In cities and municipalities, the State shall ensure that the infrastructure of
10 
each barangay includes:
11 
a) Safe foot paths or sidewalks, free of obstruction, well-protected from
12 
automobiles, compliant with universal design guidelines, and accessible to
13 
pregnant women, elderly, and persons with strollers or wheelchairs;
14 
b) Networks of greenways to encourage active transport modes (walking and
15 
cycling);
16 
c) Proper lighting on all roads and footpaths to allow safe travel even after dark;
17 
d) Tactile paving on sidewalks of high-volume transport corridors for the benefit
18 
of pedestrians who are visually-impaired;
19 
e) Bicycle racks in every transportation hub or terminal and in every commercial,
20 
community, and activity center; and
21 
f) Safe intersections and pedestrian crossings such as provision of raised
22 
pedestrian platforms, highly visible advance warning signages, adequate street
23 
lighting, mid-crossing refuges, traffic calming for motorized vehicles and curb
24 
outstands to reduce road pavement crossing width.
25 
The State shall not require parking for cars to be built in any buildings, and shall
26 
encourage commercial development and the built environment to accommodate non-
27 
car travel. The State promote light mobility by requiring that buildings provide bicycle
28 
racks that can accommodate ten percent (10%) of the anticipated users of any
29 
building.
30 
The State shall adopt the Vision Zero in road safety and ensure that road crashes
31 
are eliminated particularly those of vulnerable road users. The State shall implement
32 
a comprehensive road safety program and will allocate funding to implement activities


1 
under the five pillars of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan, namely: Road Safety
2 
Management, Safer Roads, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users, and Post-Crash
3 
Response. The State shall also create a National Road Safety Unit under the
4 
Department of Transportation (DOTr) and shall also implement a national road crash
5 
database for effective road safety planning.
6 
Sec. 7. Right to a Fair Share of Pubiic Road Space. - The State shall ensure that
7 
public road space is used in a manner that delivers the greatest socio-economic
8 
benefit. The State shall ensure that the safety or road users, especially non-motorized
9 
and vulnerable users, shall be prioritized over the mobility of motorized modes of
10 
transport. The State shall employ treatments to the design, engineering, and operation
11 
of road infrastructure in order to achieve the goal of road safety and access for non-
12 
motorized and vulnerable users.
13 
Because roads are a scarce public asset, the State shall ensure that road space is
14 
prioritized for modes of travel, such as public transport, walking, cycling, that move
15 
more people and maximize the productivity and social benefit of the public asset. The
16 
planning and design of roads must prioritize the needs of private motor vehicles. Public
17 
Transport shall have priority use of road space over private motor vehicles.
18 
The State shall ensure that there will be no private appropriation of public road
19 
space and foot paths for parking, commerce, or other activities that will restrict public
20 
use of, or access to, the road.
21 
Sec. 8. Right to Breathe dean Air during Travel. - The State shall take
22 
measures to ensure that commuters are able to travel using Public Transport or active
23 
transport (walking or cycling) without compromising their health.
24 
The State shall ensure that all Public Transport vehicles comply with the emission
25 
standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
26 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and/or the Land Transportation Franchising
27 
and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), whichever is more stringent.
28 
The State shall provide programs which reduce the volume of motorized vehicles
29 
to reduce vehicle-related pollution emissions. The State shall also provide facilities and
30 
programs which support and incentivize the use of cleaner alternative fuels.
31 
Recognizing that non-exhaust emissions make up a significant portion of total pollutant
32 
emissions and that the levels of such emissions are dependent on vehicle weight, the


1 
state shall provide programs that encourage the reduction of average vehicle weight
2 
and encourage citizens to commute using cycling or other lighter vehicles.
3 
The State shall measure air quality along the major transport corridors in all cities
4 
and municipalities and provide this information to the public in real time. When air
5 
quality exceeds safe levels according to internationally-accepted standards,
6 
particularly from the World Health Organization, the State shall activate emergency
7 
procedures with the aim of reducing the exposure of the public, especially the young
8 
and the elderly, to unclean air.
9 
Sec. 9. Right to Information for Efficient and Convenient Travei. - The State
10 
shall provide timely and adequate information so that commuters are able to make
11 
good travel plans and choices about modes and routes. The State shall make publicly
12 
available information on all Public Transport services, including route maps, fares,
13 
schedules, and real time vehicle location and availability, for the convenience of
14 
commuters. The State shall ensure that such information is prominently displayed at
15 
all stops of public transport services and at other locations deemed necessary or
16 
beneficial to commuters.
17 
The State shall establish technical standards and regulation for the display of
18 
street maps at strategic locations in each neighborhood, for the reference of residents
19 
and visitors.
20 
The State shall ensure that, at all ports and terminals, a 24-hour information or
21 
assistance counter will be available to serve the needs of travelers.
22 
The State shall establish a National Transport Data and Planning Center
23 
(NTDPC) which will collect and process the mobility data for evidence-based transport
24 
planning which can quickly adapt to the evolving mobility requirements in our
25 
communities. The NTDPC shall ensure that data in aid of policy and research on
26 
mobility be open and available to the public. The data shall include reliable and
27 
accurate road crash data, air pollution levels, public transport routes, and travel time
28 
information, among others.
29 
Sec. 10. Right to Speciai Attention during Service Breakdov\/ns and to
30 
Compensation for Deficiencies in Service. - The State shall ensure that in case of a
31 
breakdown in a Public Transport service, passengers shall be entitled to receive from


1 
the transport operator a full refund of the fare and assistance in securing onward
2 
journeys.
3 
Any student or employee should not be penalized for arriving late by their
4 
school or employer if the reason for their tardiness was a disruption in a Public
5 
Transport service.
6 
Sec. 11. Right to Representation and Participation. - The State shall ensure
7 
that the welfare and interest of commuters are considered in all decision-making
8 
related to mobility and transportation services. To this end, commuters have a right
9 
to advance notice and information on any proposed policy, regulation, project, or
10 
service at local or national level that affect their mobility, including full details on how
11 
they will be affected by the proposed initiative. Affected commuters have a right to
12 
provide their comments and suggestions of the proposed initiative. Affected
13 
commuters must receive a response to such comments from the concerned public
14 
official within twenty (20) working days.
15 
If a public consultation will be held regarding any initiative affecting the mobility
16 
of commuters, the consultation meeting shall be held at any time, even on a weekend
17 
or after office hours and at a convenient and accessible venue that will maximize the
18 
participation and feedback from affected commuters. In parallel, commuter feedback
19 
shall be solicited through social media and other channels for information exchange.
20 
CHAPTER IV
21 
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS
22 
Sec. 12. Estabiishment of the Office of Commuter Affairs. - An Office of
23 
Commuter Affairs shall be established at the DOTr at the national level, as well as in
24 
all city and municipal government units. The Office of Commuter Affairs shall be under
25 
the direct supervision of an Assistant Secretary at the national level, and a city or
26 
municipal administrator at the local level.
27 
Sec. 13. Functions and Responsibiiities of the Office of Commuter Affairs. - The
28 
Office of Commuter Affairs shall be tasked to perform the following functions and
29 
responsibilities:
30 
a) Coordinate with the respective government agencies dealing with
31 
transportation policy to ensure safe, efficient, and comfortable travel of
32 
commuters;


1 
b) Operate Help Desks for the riding public;
2 
c) Assist commuters whenever the safety and efficiency of travel is
3 
compromised;
4 
d) Undertake massive commuter education programs for the travelling public
5 
to know their rights and responsibilities;
6 
e) Ensure legal assistance for commuters, when necessary; and
7 
f) Ensure adequate representation of commuters in any public consultation
8 
that will impact on the welfare and interest of commuters.
9 
Sec. 14. Pena! Provisions. - Any person or government agency who has been
10 
found to have violated any of the provisions of this Act shall be fined not less than
11 
Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), but not more than Five hundred
12 
thousand pesos (P500,000.00).
13 
If the offender is a public official, they shall be dismissed from government
14 
service, in addition to the penalties above stated.
15 
Sec. 15. Implementing Agencies. - The DOTr, the Department of Public Works
16 
and Highways, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Metropolitan
17 
Manila Development Authority, DENR, DTI, and concerned LGUs shall be the
18 
implementing agencies for this Act, with DOTr as the lead implementing agency with
19 
responsibility for coordinating and monitoring all implementation activities.
20 
The State shall ensure that the core concepts of this framework is integrated
21 
in the annual government budget process. The State shall ensure that compliance with
22 
the provisions of this Act are included in the annual performance targets of all relevant
23 
agencies.
24 
The State shall ensure that the Implementing Agencies will annually be
25 
allocated budget to strengthen organizational capacities and to sufficiently fund the
26 
establishment and operations of the NTDPC, the Offices of Commuter Affairs, and
27 
other related offices.
28 
The State shall ensure that relevant technical standards, guidelines, and
29 
manuals of national and local agencies are amended to incorporate all requirement
30 
under this Act.
31 
Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred and eighty
32 
(180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr and other implementing agencies
10


1 
will prepare the IRR of this Act, with the participation of non-government
2 
organizations, civil society organizations and academic institutions that champion the
3 
welfare of commuters, when applicable.
4 
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared
5 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
6 
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
7 
other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
8 
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
9 
Sec. 19. Effectivlty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
10 publication in the OfTicial Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
11