TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.  
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was approved by the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress. 
Section 7(a) of Republic Act No. 4136 provides: 
Section 7. Registration Classification. - Every motor vehicle shall be 
registered under one of the following described classifications: 
(a) private passenger automobiles; (b) private trucks; and (c) private
motorcycles, scooters, or motor wheel attachments. Motor vehicles
registered under these classifications shall not be used for hire
under any circumstances and shall not be used to solicit, accept, or
be used to transport passengers or freight for pay.
XXX  XXX 
XXX 
The law thus prohibits the use of private motorcycles for public transport. 
However, with the worsening traffic situation in the country, more and more people are turning 
to motorcycles-for-hire, more commonly known as habal-habal or angkas. Habal-habal or 
angkas is being considered as an alternative to other modes of public transportation because 
some see it as the most convenient and cheapest means of transportation. This despite the 
lack of a law authorizing this mode of public transportation and the lack of regulations over it. 
This proposed amendment to Republic Act No. 4136 solve the existing inadequacies in our 
laws and shall promote the safety and welfare of people who patronage motorcycles-for-hire 
known as habal-habal or angkas.  Any two-wheeled motor vehicle known as motorcycles-for-
hire may be registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as for hire and may be used 
as a commercial vehicle to transport passengers and goods.  Application for registration under 
this classification shall be accompanied by certificate of public convenience or a special permit 
issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).  This will 
ensure that operators and drivers will be held responsible for the negligent operation of their 
motorcycles. The same will likewise prevent abuse from owners, operators and drivers, thus 
ensuring low-cost transportation. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.
July 7, 2025
3:45 pm
1496


TWENTIETH CONGRESS   
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLES-FOR-HIRE AND PROVIDING 
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Motorcycles-for-Hire Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the importance of transportation in 
economic development. Recent innovations in technology have opened an opportunity for 
other modes of public conveyance, such as motorcycles-for-hire, to thrive as a reliable and 
accessible mode of transportation. However, despite its promise of convenience and fast 
service, it must be regulated to ensure that the interest of the general public is protected. Thus, 
the State shall allow the regulated operation of motorcycles-for-hire to provide the public with 
an additional mode of public transportation, which is sufficient, safe, secure and economical. 
To this end, the State shall establish mechanisms and guidelines in regulating all the 
operational aspects of motorcycles-for-hire. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a) Digital platform refers to information and communications technology-enabled
mechanism that connects and integrate producers and users in online environments where 
goods and services are requested, developed, and sold, and data is generated and 
exchanged; 
b) Motorcycle refers to any two (2)-wheeled motor vehicle without appendages;
c) Motorcycle-for-hire refers to a motorcycle, duly registered as such under this Act, and
used to carry passengers or goods on a for hire basis, offering its services to the public. A 
motorcycle-for-hire shall be considered a public utility vehicle and its operation a public utility; 
d) Motorcycle taxi platform provider (MTPP) refers to an entity which provides pre-
arranged transportation services for compensation using a digital platform to connect clients 
with riders to facilitate a contract of carriage of persons using a motorcycle-for-hire; 
e) Multi-homing refers to an approach where an operator may accredit a particular
motorcycle-for-hire to more than one digital platform providers in delivering transport services; 
f) Online E-commerce platform provider (OEPP) refers to an entity which provides pre-
arranged transportation services for compensation using a digital platform to connect clients 
with transport services to facilitate a contract of carriage of goods, including carriage of goods 
over goods sold on said digital platform; 
g) Operator refers to the person in whose name the motorcycle-for-hire is registered;
h) Parcel means a package or rectangular box, the dimension and weight of which is as
specified in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, containing goods or some form 
of transportable property intended for delivery to an addressee prominently displayed on at 
least one (1) of its sides; and 
i) Rider refers to the driver of the motorcycle-for-hire.
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SEC. 4. Scope and Application. – This Act shall apply to all aspects of the operation of 
motorcycles used as a common carrier for the transportation of passengers or goods. For this 
purpose, goods shall include parcels and mail. This Act shall not apply to motorcycles directly 
owned by entities and used exclusively in the line of business for delivery of goods and other 
services. 
 
SEC. 5. Motorcycles-For-Hire as Common Carriers. – The operation of motorcycles-for-hire is 
imbued with public interest. As such, the same shall be governed by the applicable provisions 
of the Civil Code of the Philippines and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations on common 
carriers, particularly on the required degree of diligence to be observed in the course of 
transporting passengers or goods, and on the presumption of culpability in case of breach of 
a contract of carriage.  
MTPPs and OEPPs should exercise extraordinary diligence in the accreditation and 
supervision of motorcycle-for-hire operators and riders operating under their platforms. 
 
SEC. 6. Registration of Motorcycles-For-Hire.  – A motorcycle intended to be used as a 
motorcycle-for-hire must be duly registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in 
accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 7 of this Act. The LTO shall ensure the 
roadworthiness of all motorcycles-for-hire before their registration, or any renewal thereof. 
 
SEC. 7. Standards and Specifications of Motorcycles-For-Hire. – The Department of 
Transportation (DOTr), upon the recommendation of the Department of Trade and Industry 
(DTI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, LTO and Land Transportation 
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), shall prescribe in the implementing rules and 
regulations the standards and specifications of motorcycles that may be allowed to operate 
as motorcycles-for-hire, taking into consideration the safety of the passengers and riders and 
the protection of goods.  
No modifications shall be made on any motorcycles-for-hire, except for the installation 
of the appropriate accessories, such as motorcycle bracket, top box, luggage carrier, 
saddlebag, step board or foot rest, crash guards, speed limiter or monitoring devices, in 
accordance with the standards approved by the DTI, if applicable, and shall be used as 
reference by the LTO for registration purposes.  In case the DTI has no approved standards, 
the LTO, upon consultation and agreement with all stakeholders, shall prescribe the same, 
taking into consideration road worthiness and road safety, until such time the DTI has issued 
appropriate standards.  
Within five (5) years upon the enactment of this Act, the DTI shall ensure the availability 
of standards of all products and parts covered by this Act and its implementing rules and 
regulations, and its future amendments or revisions.  
 
SEC. 8. Authority to Grant Franchise to Operate Motorcycles-For-Hire. – The franchising or 
grant of authority to operate motorcycles-for-hire shall be as follows:  
a) Motorcycles-for-Hire Under MTPPs. – In areas with an existing and operating 
MTPPs, the authority and regulation of the operation of motorcycles-for-hire is vested in the 
LTFRB through a franchise or certificate of public convenience (CPC). The LTFRB shall set 
forth in the franchise the terms and conditions to be observed in the operation of motorcycles-
for-hire.  In determining the number of franchises to be issued, the LTFRB shall take into 
consideration the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) or studies approved by the 
DOTr and their impact on the other modes of public transportation. The franchise fee shall be 
determined by the LTFRB after public consultation and shall only be implemented upon the 
approval of the DOTr.  
b) Motorcycles-for-Hire in Areas Without an Operating MTPP or OEPP. – The authority 
and regulation of operation of motorcycles-for-hire in areas without an operating MTPP or 
OEPP is vested in the LTFRB. The number of routes or motorcycles-for-hire that may be 
allowed to operate shall be determined in accordance with the LPTRP as recommended by 
the local government unit (LGU) concerned.  


The LTFRB shall provide uniform guidelines as to the standards of operation of 
motorcycles-for-hire in consultation with the LGUs and stakeholders. 
c) 
Motorcycles-for-Hire Operating Under an OEPP. – Motorcycles-for-Hire operating 
under an OEPP shall be regulated by the LTFRB in accordance with its mandate to issue 
CPC, subject to compliance with the requirements provided under the applicable provisions of 
this Act. 
 
SEC. 9. Requirements for the Grant of a Franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience. – A 
CPC shall only be issued to an operator upon submission or determination of the presence of 
the following requirements: 
a) Proof of Filipino citizenship; 
b) Financial capacity the standard of which to be determined by the LTFRB; 
c) 
Certificate of Registration duly issued by the LTO; 
d) Insurance coverage for the death of or injuries suffered by the rider, passenger or 
any third party or damage to property by reason or on occasion of its operation; and  
e) Tax Identification Number or Certificate of Registration as Common Carrier issued 
by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), if applicable. 
No operator shall operate more than one (1) franchise nor operate more than one (1) 
motorcycle-for-hire in a franchise.  
 
SEC. 10. Qualifications of Motorcycles-For-Hire Riders. – The LTO shall promulgate the 
necessary guidelines setting forth the requirements for the issuance of a professional driver’s 
license, including the content of or the conduct of theoretical and practical examinations, 
appropriate for the operation of a motorcycle-for-hire. Only riders possessing professional 
driver’s license shall be allowed to operate motorcycles-for-hire. The MTPPs and OEPPs shall 
provide and conduct a continuing safety training seminar for riders operating under their 
respective platforms: Provided, That for motorcycles-for-hire riders operating outside the 
digital platform providers, the conduct of continuing safety training seminar shall be conducted 
by the LTO.   
 
SEC. 11. Accreditation Requirements of MTPPs. – A MTPP or OEPP must be duly registered 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 
A MTPP or OEPP, as far as the operation of motorcycles-for-hire is concerned, before 
being allowed to operate as such, must comply with the accreditation requirement of the 
LTFRB. The DTI, LTFRB and Department of Information and Communications Technology 
(DICT) shall jointly issue the guidelines that shall govern the operations of MTPPs and OEPPs. 
MTPPs and OEPPs must possess and maintain the following minimum requirements for 
its accreditation: 
a) Financial capacity the standard of which to be determined in the joint guidelines; 
b) SEC registration; 
c) 
BIR Tax Identification Number;  
d) An established Road Crash Quick Response System; 
e) Capability to evaluate and determine the competence of riders through an 
established training center, duly certified by the LTO and Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA). The LTFRB may, as a requirement for renewal of 
accreditation, consider the previous safety record of the MTPP as certified by the LTO during 
the effectivity of its accreditation being applied for renewal.  
 
SEC. 12. Operation of Motorcycles-For-Hire. – Motorcycles-for-hire may be allowed to operate 
using the digital platforms, or on designated areas of operation. To maximize their operation, 
motorcycles-for-hire shall not be bound by a single MTPP or OEPP but shall be allowed to 
adopt a multi-homing approach within a particular area of operation under the given franchise, 
license or accreditation: Provided, That multi-homing operation shall be limited to two (2)  
digital platforms but in no case shall a motorcycle-for-hire be allowed multi-homing operation 
alternately between two (2) MTPPs or two (2) OEPPs: Provided, further, That a motorcycle-


for-hire accredited under any MTPP or OEPP platform may not be allowed to operate as 
motorcycle-for-hire without using such platform.  
Except for private use, any operation of motorcycle-for-hire in areas with operating 
MTPP or OEPP outside the digital platform shall be considered colorum and, therefore, illegal. 
For purposes of multi-homing operation of motorcycles-for-hire, the platform providers 
may not refuse an application for accreditation solely on the ground that an operator or rider 
is accredited to another platform provider. 
A motorcycle-for-hire may be allowed to carry, alternately, both passengers or goods. 
The maximum number of hours that a rider may operate a motorcycle-for-hire shall be 
specified in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. 
Motorcycles-for-hire shall operate at speeds allowable under Republic Act (RA) No. 
4136, otherwise known as the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code,” as amended, local 
ordinances and other applicable laws: Provided, That in no case shall a motorcycle-for-hire 
operate beyond sixty kilometers per hour (60kph). 
 
SEC. 13. Fare Setting. – The fares, surcharges and other transportation fees that may be 
charged by operators and MTPPs under which they operate for motorcycles-for-hire services 
shall be in accordance with the fare structure and within the parameters determined, 
prescribed and issued by the LTFRB, in consultation with the motorcycle-for-hire industry 
stakeholders. The fare structure shall take into consideration supply and demand components 
and shall allow dynamic pricing on account of market variations based on location and time.  
The fare structure shall also include the maximum percentage that can be charged by the 
MTPPs upon the operators or riders for a particular transaction.  The LTFRB shall periodically 
review the fare structure and parameters of determining the applicable fares.    The booking 
system of MTPPs shall feature a mechanism that enables clients to compare the 
transportation cost charged by each of the available digital platforms.  
In the case of motorcycles-for-hire operating outside the digital platforms, the fare shall 
be determined by the LTFRB, after a public consultation with LGUs, the operators and other 
stakeholders.   
 
SEC. 14. Processing of Personal Data. – Any processing, collection, use and/or storage of 
personal 
information 
and 
sensitive 
personal 
information 
involved 
in 
the 
registration/accreditation of motorcycles-for-hire, digital bookings, and other requirements 
under this Act shall be made in accordance with the provisions of RA 10173, otherwise known 
as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012.” 
 
SEC. 15. Liabilities for Death, Injuries or Damage to Property. – The operator and/or the MTPP 
or OEPP providing the digital platform at the time when the death, injury or damage to property 
occurred in the course of operating a motorcycle-for-hire shall be jointly and solidarily liable, 
with rights of subrogation against any party at fault: Provided, That the liability of the MTPP or 
OEPP shall not exceed the amount of the insurance coverage of the operator. 
MTPPs and OEPPs shall be responsible for the insurance coverage of all its accredited 
riders. The MTPP or OEPP shall likewise be responsible for the procurement of Personal 
Passenger Accident Insurance for the protection of the passengers and/or goods, and, Third 
Party Liability insurance to cover for damages caused to any third party in the course of 
operation of motorcycles-for-hire.  
 
SEC. 16. Road Crash Quick Response System. – Each MTPP or OEPP shall establish a quick 
response team to provide immediate medical care or bring any person injured by the operation 
of the motorcycle-for-hire booked through its digital platform to the nearest hospital or medical 
facility. A function that will allow the rider or passenger to alert the quick response team during 
emergency or road crash shall be part of the booking app options of the digital platforms. 
When necessary, the MTPP or OEPP shall advance any amount necessary for the admission 
of such injured person or persons to the hospital or medical facility up to the insured amount. 


SEC. 17. Enforcement. – To ensure the safe and secure operation of motorcycle-for-hire, the 
LTO shall deputize LGUs and other relevant government agencies to assist in the enforcement 
of traffic rules and regulations, and to monitor strict compliance with the provisions of this Act, 
particularly, on the observance of carrying capacity and speed limits. The LTO shall establish 
a centralized database to ensure the accurate recording of violations and road crashes 
involving motorcycles-for-hire for the purpose of applying the penalties as well as other 
sanctions under this Act. It shall publish quarterly and annual reports of such data on its 
website which shall be accessible to the public.  
Consistent with its mandate under RA 7924, entitled “An Act Creating The Metropolitan 
Manila Development Authority, Defining Its Powers And Function, Providing Funds Therefor 
And Other Purposes,” the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shall continue 
to exercise its traffic enforcement functions within Metro Manila in furtherance of this Act. 
All violations related to the terms and conditions of the franchise shall be endorsed by 
the LTO enforcement officers, deputized LGU enforcers and MMDA personnel to the LTFRB 
for appropriate action. 
The foregoing shall not preclude the MTPPs or OEPPs from exercising the power to 
impose sanctions such as suspension or blacklisting of their riders or operators on account of 
violation of internal rules made known to the latter, acts detrimental to safety and security and 
other reasonable or valid grounds. 
 
SEC. 18. Penalties. –  
a) Any rider who operates a motorcycle-for-hire in violation of traffic rules and 
regulations, carrying capacity, and licensing requirement shall suffer the maximum penalty 
imposed under the applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation for such violation. In addition, 
the LTO shall impose a penalty of suspension or revocation of the driver’s license of an erring 
rider commensurate to the gravity of the offense and frequency of commission.  The table of 
penalties shall be included in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.  
b) An operator who allows a rider who does not possess a valid Professional Driver’s 
License to operate a motorcycle-for-hire shall, in addition to penalties under existing laws and 
regulations, suffer a penalty of suspension or revocation of franchise, after due notice and 
hearing. 
c) The penal provisions of RA 7394, otherwise known as the “Consumer Act of the 
Philippines,” RA 11967 or the “Internet Transactions Act of 2023,” and RA 10173, when 
applicable, shall apply for acts or omissions committed in the course of motorcycle-for-hire 
operation. 
 
SEC. 19. Travel Demand and Operational Data. – To assist the DOTr in transportation 
planning and management, the MTPPs and OEPPs shall, not later than thirty (30) calendar 
days after the end of every year, submit to the DOTr their travel demand and operational data.  
 
SEC. 20. Transitory Provision. – In order to provide a smooth transition in the full 
implementation of this Act, the authority and accreditation granted to existing MTPPs, OEPPs 
and operators shall continue to be effective until their expiration or six (6) months from the 
promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, whichever comes later. 
 
SEC. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the DOTr shall, in coordination with the LTFRB, LTO, DTI, DICT, BIR, TESDA, 
Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, MMDA, and 
Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group, and in consultation with stakeholders, 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 22. Separability Clause. – If for any reason any provision of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and 
subsisting. 
 


SEC. 23. Repealing Clause. – All provisions of laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential 
issuances and other administrative rules and regulation, or parts thereof, which are 
incompatible or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly.  
 
SEC. 24. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,