Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1567 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Tricycles are one of the most widely used forms of public transportation in the 
Philippines, especially in urban and rural communities where other transport options are 
limited. Despite their critical role in ensuring mobility and supporting local economies, the 
tricycle sector has long remained informal, largely unregulated, and vulnerable to systemic 
neglect. Tricycle drivers and operators—many of whom come from low-income and 
marginalized sectors—often face insecure working conditions, lack of access to social 
protection, and discrimination. There is a pressing need to institutionalize a framework that 
protects their rights, regulates their operations, and integrates their contributions into 
national and local development planning. 
This bill seeks to provide a magna carta for tricycle drivers and operators in the 
country. This bill has already been approved by the House of Representatives on its 3rd and 
final reading in the 17th Congress. On account of the necessity to provide uniform guidelines 
for the use of tricycle drivers and operators, this bill is being refiled. 
This bill has for its purpose the effective operation and management of tricycles 
throughout the country. In a country where tricycles have become a primary mode of 
transportation, necessity dictates that we have to revisit laws and regulations governing the 
operation and management of tricycle drivers and operators. Local government units are the 
primary authority tasked to regulate tricycle operations and grant franchises. However, 
tricycle drivers are geographically separated by regions and are individually set apart by 
localized limitations and delimitations. Without an institutionalized mechanism through 
which uniform regulations can be appropriately prescribed, the protection of welfare and of 
drivers and operators can never be achieved. For the protection of drivers and operators, so 
as not to be subjected to individual and local prejudice, there is a need to institutionalize a 
magna carta wherein uniform guidelines will be followed. 
The State recognizes the sanctity of human life. To this end, laws, rules and 
regulations are enacted to secure the preservation of life to its fullest. This legislative 
measure seeks for the inclusion of motorcycle-for-hire within the realm and definition of 
public utility vehicles. Every year, approximately 1.2 million people around the of life to 
its fullest. This legislative measure seeks for the inclusion of motorcycle-for-hire within the 
realm and definition of public utility vehicles. Every year, approximately 1.2 million people 
around the world die in road traffic accidents. In the Philippines, motorcycle riders have 
constantly been the top victim of road crash injuries since 2010. Unfortunately, most of 
them are aged between 15 to 29 years. Road traffic incidents are debilitating as they expose 
the riders to injuries, financial loss, and possible death. Regrettably, motorcycles are not 
public utility vehicles hence are not allowed to ply routes without certificates of public 
convenience, and yet, they are being used as motorcycles-for-hire in the country. Absent 
their status as public utility vehicles, claims arising from accidents will not give rise to any 
liability from insurance companies. 
Hence, the need to regulate the use of motorcycles as public utility vehicles to 
July 8, 2025
10:24 am


protect the riding public from undue harm. 
Accordingly, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1567 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR REGULATION OF TRICYCLES, 
INSTITUTIONALIZING MECHANISMS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta for Tricycle 
Drivers and Operators” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State; 
a)
To promote and improve the total well-being of the members of the tricycle
sector particularly the marginalized low-level income earners by providing them
with adequate and timely social, economic and legal services, as well as
mechanism that shall protect their rights and promote benefits that ensure their
dignified existence and economic advancement;
b)
To recognize, promote, protect and fulfill the rights of every member of the
tricycle sector including the right to self organization, the right to decent work,
just and humane working conditions, access to social protection, and the right
to represent their organizations in a continuing process of consultation and
dialogue towards maximizing the provision of a comprehensive package of
reforms, interventions, and services in accordance with their articulated needs
and interests;
c)
To give the highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and
enhance the rights of all people to human dignity, reduce social, economic and
political inequalities and remove cultural inequities by diffusing wealth and
political power for the common good and providing environments at national
and local levels that enable all workers to fully develop into productive and
responsible citizens.
d)
To recognize the roles and contributions of members of the tricycles sector,
make them visible in the national and local statistics and develop the local
economy by maximizing their potential;
e)
To promote gender equity and equality through elimination of gender
stereotypes attached to this sector, redefining tricycle drivers as not merely
males but also females and protecting the women workers against gender-based
discrimination, exploitation, violence and abuse;
f)
To protect vulnerable groups in the sector such as the elderly and differently-
abled persons from safety issues, discrimination, and harassment; and
g)
To eliminate child labor in the tricycle sector through effective enforcement of
laws against child labor and the creation of more quality jobs for adults.
SEC. 3. Framework and Principles. - Local Government Units (LGUs) shall pursue 
and implement a comprehensive, rights-based, participatory and gender responsive 
framework for members of the tricycle sector that includes: 
a)
Putting in place policies and programs that will bring members of the tricycle


sector to the economic and social mainstream; 
b) 
Pursuing structural reforms in all relevant levels of LGUs by creating 
committees, special offices for development and protection of members of the 
tricycle sector and supporting their representational rights through their 
organizations; 
c) 
Extending coverage of accessible and affordable social security and health care 
benefits to workers in the tricycle sector; and 
d) 
Exacting responsibility on the part of the tricycle sector members: Provided that 
the State shall recognize their rights and put in place responsive, transparent and 
accountable mechanisms to ensure the protection, promotion and realization of 
those rights. 
SEC.4. Definitions- As used in this Act:  
 
(a) Colorum - refers to a private vehicle operated as a public utility without the 
benefit of a valid and existing special permit, provisional authority, or franchise. 
(b) Motorist Awareness Program - refers to any information or public awareness 
program designed to enhance on the presence of tricycles on or near roadways. 
 
(c) Motorized Tricycle Operators Permit (MTOP) - refers to the permit that 
authorizes the holder to operate a tricycle for public transport; 
 
(d) Sanggunian - refers to the sangguniang panlungsod or the sangguniang bayan, 
as the case may be; 
 
(e) Tricycle - refers to a a motor vehicle composed of a motorcycle fitted with a 
single-wheel sidecar, or a motorcycle with a two wheel rear cab, the former 
having a total of three wheels and the latter having a total of four wheels, 
otherwise known as the motorela. 
 
(f) Tricycle Drivers Safety Program - refers to any formal program of instruction 
that provides accident avoidance, compliance to road safety laws and best 
practices and other safety-oriented operational skills to tricycle drivers, 
including innovative training to meet unique regional needs. 
 
(g) Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association or TODA-reiers to the 
organization of tricycle operators and drivers recognized by an LGU. 
 
(h) Tricycle Sector - refers to a group consisting of drivers and operators of tricycles 
for public transportation in the Philippines. 
 
SEC. 5. Tricycle Operating Requirements. Tricycle shall be operated subject to the 
following: 
(a) 
Subject to the guidelines to be prescribed by the Department of Transportation 
(DOTr), the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation 
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the cities and municipalities shall 
have the power to regulate the operation of tricycles and grant permits for the 
operation thereof within their territorial jurisdiction. Before it can issue the 
MTOP, the concerned LGU is required to submit a tricycle operation plan which 
includes, among others, the tricycle routes and zones, designation of terminals 
and maximum number of tricycles operating within their jurisdiction. Such plan 
shall be subject to the approval of the DOTr and must comply with the guidelines 
promulgated therefor with the end goal of ensuring overall efficiency, 
integration and safety of the transportation system. 
(b) For safety reasons, no tricycle shall operate on national highways utilized by 
4-wheel vehicles greater than four (4) tons and where normal speed exceed 
forty(40) kilometers per hour. However, the concerned Sanggunian may provide 
exceptions if there are no transportation services or modes servicing the said 
route, either along the highway or crossing the same, other than tricycles, subject 


to the approval of the DOTr: Provided, however, That when such operation is 
allowed, the LGU is mandated to provide appropriate signage’s, marks or lanes 
and other safety features to guide and protect the tricycles utilizing the 
highways. 
(c) 
Operators shall employ only drivers possessing professional licenses duly issued 
by the LTO. For this purpose, the LTO shall issue guidelines, including 
theoretical and practical examinations, appropriate for drivers of tricycles. 
(d) 
The LTO shall ensure the roadworthiness of tricycles before registration or 
renewal of registration, including compliance with environmental laws. In 
coordination with motorcycle and tricycle manufacturers and the Department of 
Trade and Industry (DTI), the LTO shall formulate safety standards and the 
allowable designs and modification, taking into consideration the needs of the 
vulnerable groups, and determining the limitations on passengers and weight or 
load capacity. Such limitations shall be indicated on the body of the tricycles. 
(e) 
Zones must be within the boundaries of the city concerned or municipality. 
However, existing operating zones traversing two (2) or more LGUs shall be 
maintained: Provided, that operators serving said zones shall secure the 
necessary MTOP from each of the LGU having jurisdiction over the covered 
areas. 
(f) 
An LGU may adopt a common color-coding scheme for tricycles operating in 
the same zone. Each unit shall be assigned and bear an identification number, 
aside from its license plate number issued by the LTO. 
(g) 
An operator wishing to completely terminate its service should report in writing 
such termination to the Sanggunian which originally granted the MTOP. 
(h) 
The MTOP shall be valid for three (3) years, renewable for the same period. 
Transfer to another zone, change of unit or transfer of the MTOP shall be 
construed as an amendment to an MTOP and shall require appropriate approval 
of the concerned Sanggunian. 
(i) 
A tricycle shall be allowed to operate like a taxi service where, aside from 
rendering services in the designated terminals, the tricycle can be flagged-down or 
engaged by passengers on the road within its authorized zone of operation. The 
concerned LGUs shall impose no other additional requirement for tricycle operation, 
except those provided under this Act. 
SEC. 6. Registration and Issuance of the MTOP. - There shall be a simple system and 
procedure for registration and issuance of the MTOP in accordance with the framework 
and principles of this Act. The registration fee for the application for an MTOP, which 
shall be valid for a three-year period, shall not exceed one thousand pesos (PhP 
1,000.00). The said fee shall cover the cost of the issuance of the MTOP, the filing fee, 
franchise fee, inspection fee, fare adjustment fee, amendment, regulatory, and all other 
fees. No other fees shall be exacted from the tricycle sector business activities or 
enterprise other than the registration fee as mentioned above. 
The LGU may increase or adjust the fee imposed once every five (5) years: 
Provided, That in no case shall the increase be more than 10% of the prevailing amount. 
SEC. 7. Tricycle Sector One-Stop Shop Center. - All cities and municipalities shall 
establish a Tricycle Sector One-Stop Shop Center which shall handle all transactions 
and processing of the business permit applications within their respective jurisdiction. 
The Center shall ensure that the processing of the MTOP of the members of the tricycle 
sector shall commence on the day of their application and the registration shall be 
released within thirty-six (36) hours upon submission of the complete requirements. To 
facilitate efficient and expeditious processing of the MTOP applications, the LGUs shall 
also formulate a uniform and simple checklist of requirements for registration such as 
valid proof of identity (barangay clearance, certificate of residency, etc.) and flowchart 
of the procedure of registration. The LGUs shall also be responsible in translating the 
checklist of requirements and flowchart of procedure of registration in their local dialect. 
The LGUs shall cause the posting of the checklist and flowchart of registration 


procedure in at least three (3) conspicuous areas, preferably public areas, in the 
community and cause the publication of the same in the local newspaper if there is any. 
SEC. 8. Rights and Benefits of Workers in the Tricycle Sector.-The members of the 
tricycle sector shall have the following rights: 
(a) 
Self-organization to collectively negotiate with government and other entities in 
the promotion of their welfare and advancement of their interests free from any 
political interference or favor; 
(b) 
Informed participation in decision-making processes relevant to concerns of 
their sector through their legitimate organizations. Towards this end, they shall 
be represented in all public hearings for laws, ordinances, or regulations that 
will affect their sector; 
(c) 
Safe working conditions with access medical care services and Insurance; 
(d) 
Freedom from any form of discrimination, violence, exploitation or harassment; 
(e) 
Freedom from deprivation of property without valid cause and due process of law; 
(f) 
Equal access to information on how to safeguard their rights according to law; 
(g) 
A driver shall not be forced or engaged to work in any hazardous work, activity or 
undertaking, or be exposed to hazardous working conditions; and 
(h) 
A member of the tricycle sector shall be protected from any act of interference, 
coercion, extortion, bureaucratic red tape. 
SEC. 9. Government Support to Tricycle Sector. - All concerned national government 
agencies, government financial institutions, and LGUs shall include in their plans, 
programs, projects and activities efforts that are supportive of the foregoing rights and other 
concerns of the tricycle sector. Each LGU shall also create a grievance mechanism to deal 
with the concerns of the members of the tricycle sector. 
SEC. 10. Mandatory Membership in SSS and Philhealth. - The Social Security System 
(SSS) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall, within ninety 
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate guidelines for the mechanism of 
collecting premiums from members of the tricycle sector. The SSS shall also inform its 
members from the tricycle sector of services and loans that they can avail of. 
SEC. 11. Role of a Local Government Unit- Subject to the operating conditions in Section 
5 of this Act and the guidelines to be promulgated by the DOTr, LTO and LTFRB, cities 
and municipalities shall have the following responsibilities: 
(a) 
An LGU, in coordination with its Informal Sector Local Development Office, after 
consultation with the transport groups, the affected community, and other 
stakeholders, shall identify and designate viable routes and terminals of tricycle 
within the city or municipality. Viable terminals shall be in proximity to public 
buildings, public markets, commercial districts, or commercial establishments and 
other places which the public frequently visits. 
(b) 
The Sanggunian shall, within 90 days after the survey and pursuant to the 
recommendation of the Informal Sector Local Development Office, pass an 
ordinance designating the routes and the terminals of tricycles as specified in this 
Act. However, no designation of terminal shall be conducted without prior 
consultation with the tricycle sector, the affected inhabitants and other sectors. 
An LGU,which has already established or designated routes and terminals 
of tricycles prior to this Act is deemed to have complied with this provision of this 
Act: Provided, that the aforesaid establishment or designation of terminals have 
been undertaken after consultation with the relevant parties. 
(c) 
In coordination with the DOTr, LTO and public and private stakeholders, LGUs 
shall implement a tricycle maintenance program. This shall be done by providing 
the existing TODAs within their jurisdiction, training and instruction on preventive 
and periodic maintenance in tandem with the Development of Science and 


Technology (DOST) and other private institutions. 
(d) 
Vocational education on auto-mechanics and related courses like engine repair and 
maintenance shall also be offered by the LGU to the members of the tricycle sector, 
in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 
With the new program of DOLE and TESDA, LGUs shall also provide for 
alternative livelihood and skills-training program, to allow tricycle drivers to 
explore more economically rewarding sources of income. 
(e) 
There shall be a conduct of a mandatory Tricycle Drivers Safety Program at the 
LGU level. The content and structure of the Tricycle Drivers Safety Program shall 
be formulated by the DOTr, LTO,LTFRB and other relevant government agencies. 
The LGU shall require all tricycle drivers within its jurisdiction to undergo this 
orientation. To complement this, the LTO and LTFRB shall include a Motorist 
Awareness Program in all its safety trainings. 
(f) 
The LGUs, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, shall prevent the 
proliferation of illegal or Colorum tricycle units. 
(g) 
The LGU, in coordination with the DOLE and other concerned agencies, shall 
ensure the regular conduct of seminars to prevent the unlawful employment of 
children as tricycle drivers and the gender-based discrimination in granting driver’s 
license. 
(h) 
The LGU are also hereby empowered to provide in its ordinance or as terms 
or condition in the MTOP or franchise issued, additional acts of violation, whether 
relating to existing laws, rules and regulations or to the treatment of tricycle 
passengers and the penalties therefore in accordance with the operation of tricycles 
within their respective jurisdiction. 
SEC 12. Phase-in of More Efficient Engines. - Within thirty (30)days from the effectivity 
of this Act, the DOTr and the DOST shall implement a continuing program to encourage 
manufactures to develop more efficient engines and cleaner technologies to be used by the 
tricycle sector. The DTI-Bureau of Product Standards shall prescribe the standards and 
specifications for tricycle engines to be observed by the tricycle sector in pursuit of cleaner 
technologies and in accordance with Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Clean 
Air Act. 
SEC. 13. Penalties – a) A public officer or employee who acts in violation of Sections 5, 
6, or 7 hereof shall, in addition to administrative and criminal liability under existing laws, 
be penalized with one-monthto six-month suspension from office, at the discretion of the 
court. 
b) 
A driver who operates a tricycle without the necessary MTOP to be observed by the 
tricycle sector in pursuit of cleaner technologies and in accordance with Republic Act 8479, 
otherwise known as the Clean Air Act”, including any who incurs delinquency in payment 
of fees that is tantamount to an incomplete application for an MTOP, operates in highways 
without valid authorization as mentioned in Section 5 (b) hereof transports passenger and/or 
goods beyond the limitations on the number of passengers and on load capacity, or operates 
a tricycle not compliant with environmental laws shall be punished by a fine of not less than 
five hundred pesos (PhP500.00) but not more than Two thousand pesos (PhP2,000.00) or 
the impoundment of the tricycle by an enforcement agency for a period of two (2) months. 
c) 
An operator who operates without the necessary MTOP or authority to operate in 
highways employs a driver without the requisite license to drive a tricycle including those 
below the age of majority or allows a driver to operate a tricycle that is not roadworthy or 
with unauthorized modification affecting vehicle safety, shall be punished by a fine of not 
less than Five hundred pesos (PhP500.00) but not more than Two thousand pesos 
(PhP2,000.00) or the impoundment of the tricycle by an enforcement agency for a period 
of two (2) months. The second and succeeding offenses shall warrant the revocation of the 
MTOP or franchise and the perpetual disqualification from being issued said privilege. 
d) 
Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any member of the 
tricycle sector in the exercise of rights or shall in any manner act in violation of Section 8 


of this Act shall, upon conviction be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand 
pesos(PhP50,000.00) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos(PhP500,000.00) or 
imprisonment not exceeding (1) year or both at the discretion of the court. If the offender is 
a public official, the court may, in addition to the penalties provided in the preceding 
paragraph, impose the penalty of disqualification from office. 
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOTr, in coordination with the LTO, 
LTFRB, the SSS, PhilHealth, DOLE,TESDA, DOST, DTI and the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations (IRR)of 
this Act within Ninety (90) days from its effectiveness. The IRR shall include the guidelines 
for the allocation of the fund for subsidizing the SSS or Philhealth premiums of the members 
of the tricycle sector and the programs that will benefit them. 
SEC. 15. 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. 16. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, ordinance, or regulation contrary to or 
inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly. 
SEC. 17. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect Fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,