Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESNTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No;_4594

Introduced by Representative ARNEL U. TY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks to improve the working conditions of drivers of bus as a
public utility vehicle (PUV) by providing them with a fixed monthly income
and incentives.

By virtue of the fixed monthly income, bus drivers will no longer be
subjected to extended working hours and unfair practices of public
transport operators who are profit oriented. It has been reported that
drivers of bus, as a PUV, earn their income either on commission basis or
from the “boundary” system where they get what is left from net profit of bus
operators (i.e. gross income minus amortization of bus, gasoline and vehicle
maintenance).

These bus drivers have no option but to accept longer working hours,
varying work shifts and participate in aggressive competition risking and
endangering the safety not only of their passengers and commuters but also
public and private properties. Harsh working conditions and self-imposed
targets for quotas to earn bigger commissions often lead to reckless driving,
vehicular accidents and deaths.

Much has been said about the recklessness of drivers of bus, as a and
the long list of casualties but it is also opportune to look into their actual
working conditions and the situations they face in order to provide the basic
needs of their families. Drivers of bus, as a public utility vehicle, should be
acknowledged as part of the working force who need to be equally protected
under the Labor Code and be given salaries and benefits due them. For
these reasons, immediate approval of this bill is highly recommended.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESNTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 4594

Introduced by Representative ARNEL U. TY

AN ACT REGULATING THE COMPENSATION OF PUBLIC UTILITY
VEHICLE DRIVERS BY REQUIRING PUBLIC TRANSPORT
OPERATORS TO PAY THEM FIXED MONTHLY SALARIES AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as “The
Bus Drivers and Safety Act of 2011.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy — It is hereby declared as the
policy of the State to uphold the safety of the commuters and the
general public and the rights of bus drivers. Towards this end, the
State shall ensure that transport operators and bus drivers are
adequately trained in safe driving techniques.

SEC. 3. Creation and Implementation of a Bus Drivers
Safety Program - The Land Transportation Franchising and
Regulatory Board (LTFRB) with the assistance of Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall Develop and
implement a nationwide Bus Driver Safety Program (Program). All
persons who want to work as a driver of a bus as a public utility
vehicle shall undergo and pass this Program. Once the driver has
passed this Program, the LTFRB shall issue a certification bearing
such information.


SEC. 4. Coverage - All persons who have been issued a
Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) to operate a bus as a public
utility vehicle shall employ only bus drivers who passed the Program

Me HAVE GOEL OU a CUMIN Lay DHE Bey WUE ULeeLO 4UE
work performed a fixed monthly salary which shall not be less than
the minimum wage fixed by law, plus benefits and incentives,
Provided that a bus driver shall not be required and/or allowed to

work for more than sixteen (16) hours a day.

SEC. 5. Penalty - For any violation of this Act, the operator of
any public utility vehicle service shall be fined not less than One
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Five
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) and suspension of the
franchise to operate, Provided, That the suspension of the franchise to
operate shall only be made until such time that the operator has
complied and paid the drivers of their back wages and appropriate
benefits,

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The
Chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
Board (LTFRB) shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor and
Employment, issue the necessary rules and regulations within ninety
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause - If any provision or part hereof is
held invalid, or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the

provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees or
issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative

orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the


provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its complete publication in at least two {2) newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved.