Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____________ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT CREATING THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 
DRIVERS, PROMOTING THEIR RIGHTS, WELFARE, AND SOCIAL PROTECTION, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Public transportation drivers are the backbone of the country’s mobility system. Every 
day, they transport millions of Filipinos to work, school, and essential services—playing a 
central role in national productivity and social cohesion. Yet despite their importance, these 
drivers often work in precarious conditions, with little to no access to formal employment 
benefits, job security, or social protection. 
This bill seeks to establish a Magna Carta for Public Transportation Drivers to formally 
recognize their role in national development and to guarantee their basic rights and welfare. It 
aims to uplift their status as workers by ensuring access to fair compensation, social security 
coverage, safe working conditions, access to health care, legal protection, and opportunities for 
training and career development. 
It also responds to the urgent need to provide clear standards and safeguards for drivers 
amid the ongoing implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program. 
As the transport system evolves, the State must ensure that no driver is left behind or displaced 
without proper support and safeguards. 
July 10, 2025
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This measure affirms the government’s duty to protect the dignity of labor and to promote 
inclusive, equitable, and humane modernization in the public transport sector. By enacting this 
Magna Carta, we empower transport workers, strengthen the sector, and bring the country closer 
to a fair and resilient mobility system. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____________ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by Representative 
BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT CREATING THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 
DRIVERS, PROMOTING THEIR RIGHTS, WELFARE, AND SOCIAL PROTECTION, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 "Magna Carta for Public Transportation 
Drivers." 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize the 
vital role of public transportation drivers in national development and to promote their rights, 
welfare, safety, and dignity. The State shall adopt measures that ensure decent working 
conditions, job security, access to social protection, training, and participation in 
decision-making processes affecting the transport sector. 
Section 3. Coverage. – This Act shall apply to all public transportation drivers, including but not 
limited to drivers of jeepneys, buses, taxis, UV Express vans, and other land-based public utility 
vehicles, whether operating under traditional or modernized fleet systems. 
Section 4. Rights and Benefits of Public Transport Drivers. – Public transport drivers shall 
enjoy the following rights and benefits:​
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a) The right to a fair and livable minimum wage;​
b) Mandatory coverage under the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and the 
Pag-IBIG Fund;​
c) Access to retirement and other social insurance benefits;​
d) The right to safe and healthy working conditions, including regular physical and 
mental health check-ups;​
e) The right to self-organization and to collectively negotiate with the government, 
operators, or other entities, free from political interference or favor;​
f) Access to legal aid for work-related cases through government legal services;​
g) Protection against unfair termination or arbitrary reduction of work or routes without 
due process;​
h) The right to grievance redress mechanisms to address concerns with employers, 
operators, or government agencies. 
Section 5. Employment Contracts. – All public transport drivers shall be entitled to written and 
formal employment contracts that specify work terms, compensation, benefits, work hours, rest 
periods, and grievance procedures. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall 
issue the minimum standards for such contracts. 
Section 6. Profit-Sharing Mechanism. – A fair profit-sharing scheme between drivers and 
operators shall be developed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), in consultation with 
stakeholders. The scheme shall ensure equitable income for drivers while balancing the 
sustainability of transport services. Additional details shall be determined through public 
hearings and consultations. 
Section 7. Social Protection During Modernization. – The DOTr, in coordination with DOLE 
and relevant government agencies, shall ensure job security for drivers affected by the Public 
Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program. Displaced drivers shall be:​
a) Given priority for reassignment or reemployment within modernized fleets;​
b) Provided financial and livelihood support;​
c) Assured of non-discriminatory rehiring practices by consolidated entities. 
Section 8. Driver’s Welfare Fund. – There shall be established a Driver’s Welfare Fund, to be 
administered by the DOTr, sourced from government appropriations.  
The Fund shall be used exclusively for: 
1.​ Emergency assistance to drivers; 
2.​ Health care and mental health support; 
3.​ Training programs; 
4.​ Legal assistance; 
5.​ Crisis response during emergencies or pandemics. 


Section 9. Training and Skills Development. – All public transport drivers shall be entitled to 
free or subsidized access to skills training, upgrading, and certification programs through the 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other accredited providers. 
Such programs shall include road safety, customer service, digital literacy, and emerging 
technologies in transport systems. 
Section 10. Occupational Health and Safety. – The DOLE, in coordination with the 
Department of Health (DOH), shall enforce occupational health and safety standards in the 
transport sector. Public transport drivers shall undergo: 
a) Annual physical and mental health check-ups;​
b) Workplace safety orientations;​
c) Free vaccinations and health services during public health emergencies. 
Section 11. Grievance Mechanism. – The DOTr, in coordination with DOLE and concerned 
LGUs, shall establish a grievance mechanism to address and resolve complaints raised by public 
transport drivers, including issues involving violations of this Act, labor disputes, abuse, and 
safety concerns. 
Section 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOTr, DOLE, and other concerned agencies shall issue the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) in consultation with transport associations, labor 
groups, civil society, and the private sector. 
Section 13. Appropriations. – The initial funding for the implementation of this Act shall be 
sourced from the current budget of concerned implementing agencies. Thereafter, the necessary 
amounts shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
Section 14. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. 
Section 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Section 16. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
 


Approved, 
 
 
 
HON. BRIAN DANIEL POE LLAMANZARES, PhD, MNSA 
Representative 
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List