TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No.____S.
25 JUL-2 P4:12 
/\
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JV EJERCITO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COMMUTER-CENTERED POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR 
TRANSPORTATION POLICY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
"If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic.
If you plan for people and places, you get people and places."
- Frank Kent1
Transportation mobiiity is a basic human right2. The abiiity of our citizens to 
move freely and efficiently is an indispensabie facet of a free society and enables our 
citizens to grow the economy, and to access essential public services such as education 
and healthcare.
In its current state, the transportation system in the Greater Manila Area, 
composed of Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces of Rizal, Cavite Bulacan and 
Laguna is overwhelmingly dominated by automobiles. This "automobilization" has 
profoundly affected and deterred national development and Is a direct contributor to 
the severe traffic crisis that has plagued the National Capital Region and its 
surrounding provinces.3
1 Kent, F. (2005). Streets are People Places. Project for Public Spaces.
2 United Nations General Assembly. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
3 National Economic and Development Authority-Region 4A (2023). CALABARZON Regional 
Development Plan 2023-2028.
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The economic and human development repercussions of such a car-centric 
paradigm are staggering with Metro Manila consistently ranking as having the worst 
traffic in the world.4 In 2017, a study made by the Japan International Cooperation 
Agency (JICA) estimated at 3.5 billion per day or 1.27 trillion annually, and might 
increase to 5.4 billion pesos by 2035 if no substantial policy solutions are initiated.
The same issues of transport congestion are also starting to dramatically 
emerge in our other metropolitan areas such as Baguio, Cebu and Davao which has a 
direct effect of stifling and paralyzing economic progress across the nation.5
Charting a new path forward necessitates transformative and bold policy 
solutions that fundamentally challenges the prevailing car-centric paradigm in our 
country. Through the enactment of this measure, we are poised to establish a policy 
framework that not only recognizes the fundamental right of Filipino commuters, but 
expands and champions it.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JV EJERCITO
4 Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (2024). Traffic Congestion in Metro Manila
5 The Philippine Star. (2018). Traffic making Philippine cities uninhabitable.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No.____ 3.
25 JUL-2 P4 -12
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JV EJERCITO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COMMUTER-CENTERED POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR 
TRANSPORTATION POLICY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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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ARTICLE I
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Filipino
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Commuters' Rights and Welfare Act of 2025".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to guarantee safe,
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convenient, reliable, affordable and dignified mobility for all. Recognizing this as a
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fundamental human need vital for accessing freedoms, work, and essential public
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services.
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To uphold this, the State commits resources to protect commuters, ensure
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universal mobility across age, physical ability, gender, or economic standing,
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safeguard the commuting public's welfare in transport decisions, and strengthen
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citizen participation.
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Sec. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean;
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(a) "Active Transport" - refers to non-motorized means of travel, including
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walking or using a bicycle.
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(b) "Activity Centef'- refers to a place in a city or municipality where people
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gather regularly for work, worship, education, social events, trade,
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exercise, leisure or other common interests and purposes.
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(c) "Advance Noticd'- 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.
(d) " Commutei>' - 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.
(e) "Greenwaf- 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.
(f) "High-Volume Transport Corridof- 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.
(i) "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.
(l) " 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.


1 
ARTICLE II
2 
RIGHTS OF COMMUTERS
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Sec. 4. Right to Adequate and Responsive Public Transportation and Mobility
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Services. - The State shall ensure that adequate public transportation services are
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avaiiable to meet the needs of its citizens. Public transportation services and
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infrastructure pians and programs should be prepared and updated on an annual basis
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in order to satisfy the evolving mobility requirements in our communities, especially in
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urban areas.
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It will be the responsibility of metropolitan authorities and local government
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units to measure, analyze and update the mobility requirements in each locality and
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to develop plans and programs to address the mobility requirements of their citizens.
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The State shali ensure that:
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(a) Every town and municipality will have a community-wide network of safe
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sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and roads to enable travel around the city entirely
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by foot, bicycle or by other forms of light mobility;
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(b) Public transport services are available within a 500-meter walk from any
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residence or activity center in a city;
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(c) Public Transport services are connected to another public service within a
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300-meter walk to promote seamless connectivity;
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(d) Public Transport services are in sufficient quantity and frequency so that
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commuter waiting time at stops and terminals do not exceed 10 minutes
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during peak demand periods;
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(e) Public Transport is accorded priority in the use of road space and traffic
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signal operation so that it is able to traverse 15 kilometers within 1 hour,
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including all scheduled stops;
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(f) Public Transport services are supported by properly equipped, adequately-
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sized and well-maintained terminais and stops, with attention to the safety
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and comfort of commuters;
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(g) Every road with a speed limit of over 20 kph and under 60 kph shall feature
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dedicated pedestrian infrastructure, in the form of an unobstructed walking
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path of at least 2.5 meters wide in each direction;


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(h) Every road with a speed limit of under 60 kph shall feature dedicated bike
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lanes which are wide enough to comfortably accommodate at least two
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bikes side by side;
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(i) Transport services are inclusive, so that they are accessible to persons of
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all ages and abilities. Public Transport infrastructure and vehicles shall be
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designed and implemented so that persons with disabilities or special needs
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are not excluded from their use.
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(j) In all renovations of existing infrastructure or construction of new
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infrastructure, preserving or improving the travel time impact on Public
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Transport, bicycles, and pedestrians shall be prioritized over preserving or
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improving travel time impact on private motorized transport. The State shall
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generally avoid the implementation of projects that produce a positive
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impact on the travel time of users of private motorized modes at large
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expense to Public Transport, bicycles, and pedestrians.
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Sec. 5. Right to Safe, Convenient and Affordable Public Transport Services. -
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The State shall ensure that Public Transport services are safe, dignified, convenient,
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comfortable and reliable, while remaining affordable to the general public.
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Concessional or discounted fares shall be offered for disadvantaged or special
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groups (i.e., students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, poor households). The
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State shall provide subsidies to compensate for discounts offered to special or
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disadvantaged groups.
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The State shall reward the use of Public Transport via financial and non-
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financial incentives to promote the frequent use of Public Transport. The State shall
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ensure that it is more economical for commuters to use Public Transport more
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frequently rather than less frequently.
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The State shall apply financial and non-financial disincentives to reduce the use
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of private motorized transport. Funding earned from such disincentives must be
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utilized for funding of Mobility Infrastructure in favor of Active Transport and Public
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Transport. The State shall ensure that it is more economical for commuters to use
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Active Transport or Public Transport more frequently than to use private motorized
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transport.


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During periods when transportation services are deficient, the State shali
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employ alternative approaches for enabling additional mobility options for its citizens,
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including through the use of public resources to fill temporary gaps in services, such
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as through government-owned vehicles or through the government charter or lease
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of private vehicles.
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The State will promote safe and efficient driving behavior by Public Transport
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drivers through mandatory trainings and more stringent licensing. All Public Transport
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vehicles will be required to install electronic vehicle tracking devices and CCTVs that
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will enable concerned authorities to conduct real-time monitoring of vehicle location,
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vehicle speed, and driver status. Dangerous on-street competition and behavior
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among Public Transport drivers shall be eliminated through the removal of any
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incentive for drivers that is related to ridership or fare revenue. Streets must be
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designed in accordance with international best practices in road safety design to
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reduce the occurrence of dangerous driving behavior.
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Sec. 6. Right to Infrastructure for Pedestrians, Cyciists and Persons with
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Disabiiities. - The State shall accord priority to the development of adequate sidewalks
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and networks of bicycle lanes that encourage Active Transport and that provide safe
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and direct access to priority destinations such as housing, education, and business
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centers as well as Public Transport nodes.
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The State shall ensure that all Public Transport stops are accessible to persons
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with disabilities and impaired movement. The State shall ensure that ease of access
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by pedestrians especially at Public Transport stops and government facilities is
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prioritized over mobility of private motorized transport.
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The State shall ensure that safe and adequate walking and cycling
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infrastructure is incorporated in the design and implementation of road transport
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projects at national and local government levels. The State shall ensure that the
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Comprehensive Land Use Plan of every city includes the development of a city-wide
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network of safe sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and roads lanes to enable travel around the
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city entirely by foot, bicycle or by other forms of light mobility.
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The State shall ensure that travel by walking or cycling is no less direct to
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destinations than travel by private motorized transport. No commuter shall be made
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to travel above or below street level to cross any street or intersection if it is possible


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to implement an at-grade crossing. No commuter, when traveling by walking or
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cyciing, shall be made to diverge from his or her route of travel if a commuter traveling
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by private motorized vehicle would have enjoyed a more direct trip.
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The State shail require ail government offices and buildings to have shower
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facilities for the use of commuters. If these buildings receive citizens in the delivery of
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front-line services, these shower faciiities must be open to the public. The State shail
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offer Incentives to private sector for the provision of shower facilities in their offices
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and buildings.
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In Philippine cities and urbanized municipaiities, the State shail ensure that the
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infrastructure of each barangay inciudes:
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(a) Safe foot paths or sidewalks, free of obstructions, well-protected from
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automobiles, compliant with universai design guidelines, and accessible by
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pregnant women, elderly, and persons with strollers or wheelchairs;
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(b) Networks of greenways to encourage active transport modes (waiking and
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cyciing)
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(c) Proper lighting on all roads and footpaths to allow safe travel even after
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dark;
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(d) Tactile paving on sidewalks of high-volume transport corridors for the
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benefit of pedestrians who are blind;
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(e) Bicycle racks in every transportation hub or terminai and in every
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commercial, community and activity center. Such racks shali be provided at
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street level if possible, and at most one level above or below the street; and
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(0 Safe intersections and pedestrian crossings such as provision of raised
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pedestrian platforms, highly visible advance warning signages, adequate
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street lighting, mid crossing refuges, traffic caiming for motorized vehicles
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and curb outstands to reduce road pavement crossing width.
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The State shall not require parking for cars to be built In any buildings, and
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shall encourage commercial development and the built environment to accommodate
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non-car travel. The State shall promote light mobility by requiring that buildings
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provide bicycie racks that can accommodate 10% of the anticipated users of any
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building.


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The State shall adopt the Vision Zero in road safety and ensure that road
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crashes are eliminated particularly those of vulnerable road users. The State shall
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implement a comprehensive road safety program and will allocate funding to
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implement activities under the five pillars of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan
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namely Road Safety Management, Safer Roads, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users, and
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Post-Crash Response. The State must also create a National Road Safety Unit under
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the Department of Transportation and must aiso implement a national road crash
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database for road safety planning.
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Sec. 7. Right to a Fair Share of Pubiic Road Space. - The State will ensure that
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public road space is used in a manner that delivers the greatest socio-economic
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benefit. The State shall ensure that safety of road users, especially non-motorized and
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vulnerable users, shall be prioritized over the mobility of motorized modes of transport.
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The State shall employ treatments to the design, engineering and operation of road
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infrastructure in order to achieve the goal of road safety and access for non-motorized
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and vulnerable users.
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Because roads are a scarce public asset, the State shali ensure that road space
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is prioritized for modes of travel (e.g., public transport, walking, cycling, etc.) that
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move more people and maximize the productivity and social benefit of the public asset.
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The planning and design of roads must prioritize the needs of pedestrians,
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micromobility users, and Public Transport users above the needs of private motor
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vehicles. Public Transport shall have priority use of road space over private motor
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vehicles.
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The State will ensure that there is no private appropriation of public road space
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and foot paths for parking, commerce or other activities that will restrict public use of,
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or access to, the road.
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Sec. 8. Right to Breathe dean Air During Travei. - The State shall take measures
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to ensure that commuters are able to travel using Public Transport or active transport
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(walking or cycling) without compromising their health.
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The State shall ensure that all Public Transport vehicles comply with the
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emission standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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(DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and/or the Land Transportation
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Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), whichever is more stringent.


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The State shall provide programs which reduce the voiume of motorized
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vehicles to reduce vehicle-related pollution emissions. The State shail aiso provide
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faciiities and programs which support and incentivize the use of cleaner alternative
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fuels. Recognizing that non-exhaust emissions make up a significant portion of total
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pollutant emissions and that the leveis of such emissions are dependent on vehicle
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weight, the State shail provide programs that encourage the reduction of average
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vehicle weight and encourage citizens to commute using cyciing or other lighter
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vehicles.
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The State will measure air quality aiong the major transport corridors in all cities
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and provide this information to the public in reai time. When air quality exceeds safe
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ievels according to internationally-accepted standards, particularly from the World
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Health Organization, the State wili activate emergency procedures with the aim of
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reducing the exposure of the public, especially the young and the elderly, to unclean
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air.
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Sec. 9. Right to Information for Efficient and Convenient Travei. - The State wiil
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provide timely and adequate information so that commuters are able to make good
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travel plans and choices about modes and routes. The State shaii make pubiiciy
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available information on all Public Transport services, including route maps, fares,
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schedules, and real time vehicle location and availabiiity, for the convenience of
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commuters. The State shall ensure that such information is prominently displayed at
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all stops of public transport services and at other locations deemed necessary or
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beneficial to commuters.
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The State will establish technicai standards and regulations for the dispiay of
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street maps at strategic locations in each neighborhood, for the reference of residents
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and visitors.
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The State will ensure that, at all ports, airports, and terminais, a 24-hour
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information/assistance counter wili be availabie to serve the needs of traveiers.
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The State shall establish a National Transport Data and Planning Center
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(NTDPC) which wiil collect and process the mobility data for evidence-based transport
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planning which can quickiy adapt to the evolving mobility requirements in our
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communities. The NTDPC shaii ensure that data in aid of policy and research on
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mobility be open and be made available to the public. These kinds of data include
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reliable and accurate road crash data in http://roadsafety.gov.ph, air pollution levels,
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and Public Transport routes and travel time information, among others.
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Sec. 10. Right to Special Attention During Sen/ice Breakdowns and to
4 
Compensation for Deficiencies in Service. - The State shall ensure that, in case of a
5 
breakdown in a Public Transport service, passengers will be entitled to receive from
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the transport operator a full refund of the fare and assistance in securing onward
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journeys.
8 
Stranded passengers should be informed in a timely manner about how they
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will be redirected to their final destination. If onward journeys are unavailable for more
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than one (1) hour, the transport operator should provide food, water, and access to a
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waiting area with restrooms and ventilation. Any student or employee should not be
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penalized for arriving late by their school or employer if the reason for their tardiness
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was a disruption in a Public Transport service.
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Sec. 11. Right to Representation and Participation. - The State shall ensure that
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the welfare and interest of commuters are considered in all decision-making related
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to mobility and transportation services. To this end, commuters have a right to
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advance notice and information on any proposed policy, regulation, project or service
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at locai or national level that affect their mobility, including full details on how they
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will be affected by the proposed initiative. Affected commuters have a right to provide
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their comments and suggestions of the proposed initiative. Affected commuters must
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receive a response to such comments from the concerned public official within 20
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working days.
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If a public consultation will be held regarding any initiative affecting the mobility
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of commuters, the consultation meeting shall be held at a time, even on a weekend
25 
or after office hours, and at a convenient and accessible venue that will maximize the
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participation and feedback from affected commuters. In parallel commuter feedback
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shall be solicited through social media and other channels for information exchange.
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Sec. 12. Right to a Responsive Feedback and Grievance Mechanism. - The State
29 
shall guarantee that all commuters will have access to efficient, transparent and
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responsive mechanisms for providing feedback, suggestions and grievances
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concerning public transportation services and infrastructure.
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The State shall ensure the:


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(a) Establishment of Accessible Channels- The DOTr, in coordination with other 
relevant implementing agencies, shall establish and maintain easily 
accessible channels for the commuting public to submit their feedback, 
complaints and suggestions. These channels shall include a dedicated online 
portal that is user friendly and available 24/7, enabling submission in text, 
photos and videos, with real time tracking of submissions and a toll-free 
hotline for immediate reporting of urgent concerns. Physical desks and 
kiosks that are readily identifiable located at all major public transport 
terminals, interchanges, hubs, and high-volume transport corridors. These 
physical points shall ensure accessibility for commuters who may not have 
digital access.
(b) Clear Response and Resolution Protocols- The DOTr shall develop and 
implement clear protocols for acknowledging, processing, and resolving all 
submitted feedback and grievances. These protocols shall include defined 
timeframes for initial response and complaint resolution, and an escalation 
process for unresolved issues. The privacy, and where appropriate, 
anonymity of compiainants shall be ensured and protected, and mechanisms 
shall be in place to protect individuals reporting misconduct or safety 
violations.
(c) Data Utilization for Improvement - All feedback and grievance data shall be 
systematically collected, categorized, and analyzed. The subsequent 
analysis made by the relevant agencies shall serve as basis for identifying 
systemic issues, which shall inform the necessary policy adjustments, 
evaluating the performance of public transport operators and implementing 
agencies, and guiding the continuous improvement in public transportation 
services and infrastructure.
(d) Integration with National Transport Data and Planning: The data collected 
through this mechanism shali be integrated with the National Transport Data 
and Planning Center (NTDPC) to further enhance evidence-based transport 
planning and adapt to the fast-evolving mobility requirements of the 
commuting public. The NTDPC shall ensure that this relevant data, in aid of
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policy and research efforts, is made openly available in an anonymized
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format.
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ARTICLE III
5 
INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS
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Sec. 13. Establishment of the Office of Commuter Affairs. - An Office of
7 
Commuter Affairs shall be established at the DOTr at the national level, as well as in
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all city and municipal government units. The Office of Commuter Affairs shall be under
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the direct supervision of an Assistant Secretary at the national level, and a
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city/municipal administrator at the local level.
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Sec. 14. Functions and Responsibilities of the Office of Commuter Affairs - The
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Office of Commuter Affairs shall be tasked to perform the following functions and
13 
responsibilities:
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(a) Coordinate with the respective government agencies dealing with road, rail,
15 
air, and maritime transportation policy to ensure safe, efficient and
16 
comfortable travel of commuters;
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(b) Operate Help Desks for the riding public;
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(c) Assist the commuters whenever the safety and efficiency of travel is
19 
compromised;
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(d) Undertake massive commuter education programs for the travelling public
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to know their rights and responsibilities;
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(e) Ensure legal assistance for commuters, when necessary; and
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(f) Ensure adequate representation of commuters in any public consultation
24 
that will impact on the welfare and interest of commuters.
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Sec. 15. Implementing Agencies. — The DOTr, the Department of Public Works
26 
and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the
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Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Environment and
28 
Natural Resources (DENR), DTI, and concerned local government units shall be the
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Implementing Agencies for this Act, with DOTr as the lead implementing agency with
30 
responsibility for coordinating and monitoring all implementation activities.
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The State shall ensure that the core concepts of this framework are integrated
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in the annual government budget process. The State shall ensure that compliance with
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the provisions of this Act is included in the annual performance targets of all relevant
2 
national and local government agencies. The State shali ensure that the Implementing
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Agencies wiil annuaiiy be aliocated budget to strengthen organizational capacities and
4 
to sufficiently fund the establishment and operations of the NTDPC, the Office of
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Commuter Affairs, and other related offices.
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The State shall ensure that relevant technical standards, guidelines, and
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manuals of national and local agencies are amended to incorporate ali requirements
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under this Act.
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Sec. 16. Penai Provisions. - Any person or government agency who has found
10 
to be in violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall be fined not less than Two
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Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos
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(P500,000).
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If the offender is a public official, he/she shall be dismissed from government
14 
service, in addition to the penalties above stated.
15 
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be
16 
declared unconstitutional or invalid shail not have the effect of nullifying other portions
17 
or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist
18 
and be given effect in their entirety.
19 
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
20 
memoranda, circulars and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
21 
with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingiy.
22 
Sec. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
23 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
24 
Approved,
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