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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1953 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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Public transportation is an essential element in the development of our country. Public 
transportation is stilI the preferred mode of most of our countrymen especially recently when the 
increasing price of fuel made private transportation less practical. It is also essential to our 
tourism industry since it allows the tourists to travel around the country. 
Regrettably, many of the taxi drivers and operators abuse the reliance of our countrymen 
and tourist. Many drivers and operators devise schemes to increase their earnings sacrificing 
goodwill and quality of service along the way. We need to enact a law to protect our commuting 
public, citizens and tourists alike from predatory practices of some taxi drivers and operators and 
raise the service standards. By doing so, we would establish better public perception to the taxi 
service industry in general. 
This bill seeks to acknowledge the rights oftaxi passengers and penalizes both driver and 
the operator of the taxi cab who violates these rights. 1 
1 This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth COllgress, Second Regular Session 


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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Hl 
JUL 22 I' 5 :',1 
SENATIl.,. 
S. N~. 19v3 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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ESTABLISHING THE RIGHTS OF TAXI PASSENGERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Taxi Passenger Bill of Rights 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It shall be the policy of the State to establish a 
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world class public transportation system. To this end, the State shall establish transportation 
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service standards that shall address the basic rights of the passengers as maybe provided by law. 
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SECTION 3. Rights of Taxi Passengers - Taxi Passengers shall have the right to: 
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A. 
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Be picked up and transported to their stated destination by any available on duty 
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taxi driver, subject to applicable traffic regulations; 
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B. 
A fare meter duly calibrated and sealed by proper authorities; 
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C. 
A properly dressed and courteous driver who provides assistance, if requested; 
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D. 
Travel with an assistance dog or portable mobility aid; 
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E. 
A taxi that is clean, smoke free and in good repair; 
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F. 
Direct the route, or expect the most economical route; 
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G. 
See the taxi meter; 
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H. 
Refuse multiple hiring; 
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Have the air conditioning 011 or off; 
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J. 
See the driver's identification card; 
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K. 
A quiet atmosphere, upon request; 


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Pay the rate exactly as posted m the meter, subject to other government 
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sanctioned fees; and 
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M. 
A detailed receipt, when requested. 
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SECTION 4. 
Taxi Passengers' Rights Notification. - The taxi passengers' rights as 
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enumerated in Section 3 shall be prominently displayed in the taxi cab. Such notification shall 
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also contain a brief description ofthe procedure on how to file a complaint for violation of any of 
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the rights enumerated as well as the necessary contact information provided by LTFRB to handle 
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such complaints. 
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SECTION 5. Period of Implementation. -
The Land Transportation and Franchising 
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and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) shall be the agency primarily responsible in the enforcement and 
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implementation of this Act. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the LTFRB 
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shall formulate and issue the necessary implementing rules, regulations and guidelines and shall 
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mobilize available resources to assure the effective implementation of this Act: Provided, That 
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the LTFRB or its successor tasked with the implementation of this Act may require the use of 
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special car seats for infants, ifit is deemed necessary. 
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SECTION 6. Penalties and Fines. -
In the enforcement of this Act, the LTFRB shall 
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impose fines against drivers and operators, solidarily, for violation of this Act. 
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The following shall be the basis in defining fine and penalty provisions of the IRR to be 
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promulgated pursuant to Section II hereof, provided that six (6) months grace period shall be 
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allowed to lapse to conduct a nationwide information campaign. 
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A. 
For failure to observe any of the rights enumerated in Section 3, a minimum fine 
of Five hundred pesos (P500) but not to exceed Two thousand pesos (P2,OOO) for the 
first violation; a minimum fine of One thousand pesos (PIOOO) but not to exceed Five 
thousand pesos (P5,OOO) for the second violation; and a minimum fine of Three 
thousand pesos (P3000) but not to exceed Ten thousand pesos (PIO,OOO) and 
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B. 
suspension of driver's license and/or the Certificate of Public Convenience for a 
period of one (1) week for the third and succeeding violations; 
For non-compliance on the requirement under Section 4, a minimum fine of One 
thousand (PI,OOO) but not to exceed Five thousand pesos (P3,OOO) for every violation. 
SECTION 7. Nationwide Public Information Campaign. -
A. 
B. 
C. 
The LTFRB, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) the 
Department of Education and private agencies and organizations, shall undertake a 
regular nationwide Information, Education and Communication (lEC) campaign for 
the attainment of the objectives of this Act. 
The LTFRB, in coordination with the local government units, shall likewise 
utilize the services of citizen groups and community organizations for the promotion 
of public safety awareness in observance ofthis Act. 
The fines that will be collected for the enforcement of this Act shall be used 
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exclusively for the implementation of the provisions of this Act, including the 
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necessary information campaigns. 
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SECTION 8. Appropriations - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
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this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the L TFRB under the current General 
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Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full implementation shall 
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be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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