Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Introduced by HON. RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The traffic situation in the country today has gone from bad to worse. It has become
so bad, it has now escalated into a traffic crisis in the metropolitan areas. Despite
the government's efforts to improve our transport infrastructure, the populace is
just growing too fast for the development to catch up. The past few years have seen
a growth in the automotive industry in the double digits, signifying a constant rapid
increase in the number of motor vehicles plying our streets. Nowadays, a 10-km
commute in the metropolitan areas would take at least 30 minutes. On bad days,
you could even find yourself stuck in a gridlock of traffic.

Aside from the extra cost from increased fuel consumption, traffic congestion is
costing the economy more in the form of reduced productivity. As our countrymen
have no choice but to brave through traffic every day, this bill proposes to adopt a
comprehensive land-based traffic management policy to address traffic woes in the
three metropolitan areas: Manila, Cebu, and Davao.

This bill names the Secretary of Transportation as the de officio traffic chief, and
mandates the formulation of specially-designed traffic management plans for each of
the three areas.

As traffic conditions will only continue to worsen without appropriate measures,
passage of this Bill is highly recommended.

RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

18% Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. Bog

Introduced by HON. RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING AN URGENT, COMPREHENSIVE, AND INTEGRATED
LAND-BASED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE
TRAFFIC CONGESTION CRISIS IN MANILA, METROPOLITAN CEBU, AND
METROPOLITAN DAVAO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Traffic Crisis Act of 2019.
Makiisa. Makisama. Magkaisa”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — it is hereby declared the policy of the State to:

(a) Adopt responsive, effective, and comprehensive measures that address the
crisis brought about by land traffic congestion and gridlock and the shortage of
efficient, safe, secure, and accessible mass transportation in the Metropolitan
Manila, Metropolitan Cebu, and Metropolitan Davao;

(b) Establish a strong primary policy-making, planning, programming,
coordinating, implementing, regulating, enforcement authority under the control and
supervision of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) vested with exclusive power
to control, manage, and regulate land-based traffic and structure in Metropolitan
Manila, Metropolitan Cebu, and Metropolitan Davao;

(c) Harmonize all traffic rules, regulations, ordinances, issuances, and policies
in the metropolitan areas to achieve a comprehensive, cohesive and integrated
statutory and regulatory framework for land-based traffic;

(d) Reform, modernize, and streamline the mass transportation systems for
the purpose of attaining sustainable, organized, predictable, accessible and safe
networks of public transportation leading into and out of and within the metropolitan
areas;

(c) Institute a system of responsibility and accountability for all land-based
traffic stakeholders, including public officials, public utility operators, road users,
private property owners and business establishments, in the furtherance of mobility
within the metropolitan areas; and


We

( Ensure transparency, accountability and compliance with applicable legal
requirements in the procurement, award and execution of all projects implemented
pursuant to this Act and with the objective of alleviating the land-traffic crisis.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a) Covered agencies refer to the government agencies, offices, bureaus and
units enumerated under Section 6 of this Act and any and all other government
agencies, bureaus, and offices tasked or empowered by law or regulation to control,
oversee, regulate, or manage any aspect of land-based traffic or road use in any or
all of the metropolitan areas;

(b) Metropolitan Manila refers to the National Capital Region of the Philippines
composed of the cities of Manila, Quezon, Caloocan, Las Pifias, Makati, Malabon,
Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parafiaque, Pasay, Pasig, San Juan,
Taguig, and Valenzuela and the Municipality of Pateros;

(c) Metropolitan refers to any or all, as the case may be, of the three (3)
metropolitan areas, namely: the Metropolitan Manila Area, Metropolitan Cebu, and
Davao City;

(d) Metropolitan Cebu refers to the area composed of the cities of Cebu,
Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and any other city or municipality in the Province of Cebu as
may be identified for inchasion by the Traffic Chief, upon the recommendation of the
Metropolitan Cebu Traffic Coordinating Council;

{e) Metropolitan Davao refers to the City of Davao;

(| Priority projects refer to the projects identified by the Traffic Chief and
submitted to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) as priority or
critical undertakings for the purpose of immediately alleviating and managing the
traffic crisis; and

(g) Traffic crisis refers to the prevailing and exponentially worsening land traffic
congestion and gridlock and mass transportation shortage and inefficiency within
the metropolitan areas and in the areas leading into and out of these areas that
disrupt the country’s economic and social growth and development, and recognized
to be of such nature, scope, and magnitude as to be considered a national emergency.

SEC. 4. Coverage. — This Act shall be limited in scope, application and effect
to the metropolitan areas and the priority projects to be implemented under this Act.
This Act shall authorize and apply only to such priority projects, programs, policies,
rules, and regulations that will have immediate, significant, and measurable impact
on the land-based traffic crisis as defined herein.

Notwithstanding the limited scope of this Act, the Traffic Chief may implement
similar systems and mechanisms provided in this Act in other cities and
municipalities experiencing land traffic crisis as defined in this Act.

SEC. 5. Duration of the Act. — Except as otherwise provided herein, the
authority granted under this Act shall subsist and be valid and effective for a period
of three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, unless sooner withdrawn by a Joint
Resolution of Congress, without prejudice to the rights and benefits that may have
been vested and culpabilities and liabilities that may have been incurred under its
provisions.

The following provisions of this Act shail continue to take effect unless revoked
or repealed by other subsequent laws:

(a) Section 6 on the continuing reorganization power of the President of the
Philippines;


(b) Section 9 and 10 on the existence of the Metropolitan Cebu Traffic
Coordinating Council and the Davao Traffic Administrator, without prejudice to the
prerogative and power of Congress to replace the same and create new development
authorities covering the said areas, and Section 11 on their policy-making power,
including that of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA);

(c) Section 7(c) which will then be continuing powers of the MMDA and the
Metropolitan Cebu Traffic Coordinating Council and the Davao Traffic Administrator
or the development authorities as may have been created, to issue and enact, and
review, harmonize, amend, revise, or repeal regulations, policies, ordinances, orders,
and circulars issued and enacted by the covered agencies and the component local
government units (LGUs) pertaining to land-based traffic and road use, regulation,
and management;

(4) Section 13, on the mandatory updating of the Traffic Management Plan
(TMP) at least once a year and its continued implementation;

{e) Section 14, on the extension of the opening of friendship routes, private
village and subdivision roads as additional access points for motorists subject to the
determination of the Traffic Chief that the necessity for the use of such additional
access road still exists and compliance with the minimum procedure and standards
set forth in Section 14;

(f) Section 15, on continued route rationalization;

{g) Section 19, on public utility vehicle (PUV) operator obligations and
responsibilities;

(h) Section 21, on the requirement of obtaining a development clearance
certificate from the relevant metropolitan development authority;

(i) Sections 24, on testing for professional driver’s license holders;

(j) Sections 25, on roadworthiness testing; and

(k) Section 37, on the requirements for publication of information.

SEC. 6. The Traffic Chief; Supervision and Control, — The Secretary of
Transportation is hereby designated as the de officio Traffic Chief during the
effectivity of this Act, with full power and authority as herein provided, to streamline
the management of traffic and transportation, and to control road use in the
identified metropolitan areas.

During the effectivity of this Act, the Traffic Chief shall have the power of
supervision and control over:

(a) Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

(b) Metropolitan Cebu Traffic Coordinating Council created under Section 9 of
this Act;

(c) Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG);

(d) Land Transportation Office (LTO);

(e| Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB}

(f) Road Board;

(g) All other executive agencies, bureaus, and offices with functions related to
land transportation regulation; and

(h) Davao Traffic Administrator created under Section 10 of this Act.

The Traffic Chief shall supervise all LGUs within the metropolitan areas with
respect to the enforcement of rules, regulations, policies, and programs enacted
pursuant to this Act and for the harmonization and enforcement of all traffic rules
and regulations, the implementation of this Act and the unified traffic system
throughout each of the metropolitan areas, inclusive of ingress and egress into such
areas.


‘The primary authority for the implementation of the plans, programs, and
priority projects pursuant to this Act shall be with the Traffic Chief, who may delegate
the same to the MMDA, Metropolitan Cebu Traffic Coordinating Council, or the
Davao Traffic Administrator, in coordination with the component LGUs, the covered
agencies, and other relevant and appropriate national government agencies.

To ensure the effective management of land-based traffic during the effectivity
of this Act, the President of the Philippines may abolish or create offices; split, group,
or merge offices; transfer functions, equipment, properties, records, and personnel
in accordance with existing law; and take such other actions necessary to carry out
the purposes of this Act: Provided, That there is no resulting diminution of the
present salaries and benefits of the personnel of the agencies and any official or
employee who may be terminated from employment by reason of the reorganization
is entitled to such benefits as may be provided by existing retirement laws, in
coordination with the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Civil Service Commission
(csc).

SEC. 7. Powers and Functions of the Traffic Chief. — The Traffic Chief shall
have the following powers and functions during the effective period of this Act:

(a) Formulate, coordinate and monitor policies, standards, programs, and
projects to rationalize the existing public transport operations, infrastructure
requirements, the use of thoroughfares, and promotion of safe and convenient
movement of persons and goods;

(b) Administer and implement alf traffic enforcement operations, traffic
engineering, services, and traffic education programs;

(c) Issue, enact, review, harmonize, amend, revise, revoke, or repeal existing
traffic regulations, policies, ordinances, orders, and circulars issued and enacted by
the covered agencies to promote efficient mobility in the three (3) metropolitan areas.
Such issuances and enactments shall specifically address, among others:

(1) Licensing, operation and regulation of PUVs and registration and
regulation of private vehicles;

(2) Testing and licensing of drivers;

(3) Clearing of sidewalks and side streets;

(4) Regulation of street parking of vehicles;

(5) Enforcement of setbacks and construction of driveways, especially on main
thoroughfares;

(6) Establishment and operation of transport terminals and removal of illegal
terminals on the road;

{7) Regulation of licensing of, and commencement and operation of businesses
with direct negative impact on traffic flow; and

(8) Closure of or imposition of monetary and other penalties on businesses
that consistently or continuously impede traffic for, among others, failure to provide
sufficient parking to customers, adequate ingress and egress for PUVs, and the
required setback on streets and main thoroughfares.

(d) Modify, amend, or expand the functions and authority of any of the covered
agencies and officers in relation to matters affecting land-based traffic as approved
by the President of the Philippines;

{e) Ensure a single traffic coordinator in each of the metropolitan areas and
establish and implement therein a comprehensive and unified road use plan and a
unified traffic management system to be followed by all component LGUs, by
harmonizing the provisions of the following existing laws related to traffic


management, road use, and all rules, regulations, ordinances, and orders duly
issued and implemented by the covered agencies pursuant to such laws:

(1) Republic Act No. 7160 or the “Local Government Code of 1991

(2) Republic Act No. 6975 or the “Department of the Interior and Local
Government Act of 1990";

(3) Republic Act No. 7924 or An Act Creating the Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority;

(4) Republic Act No. 4136 or the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code”; and

(5) Executive Order No. 292, as amended or the “Administrative Code of 1987";

() Enforce ali traffic laws and regulations in the metropolitan areas, enlisting
and deputizing for the purpose, members of the PNP-HPG, traffic enforcers of LGUs,
duly licensed security guards, or members of nongovernmental organizations to
whom certain authority may be delegated, subject to such conditions and
requirements as the Traffic Chief may impose;

{g) Review, modify, override, or cancel franchises, concessions, contracts,
permits, and license issued by any of the covered agencies of component LGUs, as
well as the rules of procedures for awarding such;

(h) Establish and administer within each of the metropolitan areas a single
ticketing system which shall fix, impose, and collect unified, graduated fines and
penalties for all kinds of violations of traffic rules and regulations, whether moving
or non-moving in nature; and

(i) Confiscate, suspend, or revoke driver's licenses for violations of traffic laws
and regulations, the provisions of Republic Act No. 4136, Presidential Decree No.
1605, granting the Metropolitan Manila Commission certain powers related to traffic
management and control in Metropolitan Manila, and Republic Act No. 7924 to the
contrary notwithstanding.

In the interest of efficiency, the Traffic Chief may delegate any of the
aforementioned powers and authority to the MMDA, the Metropolitan Cebu Traffic
Coordinating Council, or to the Davao Traffic Administrator.

The Traffic Chief, the Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and Directors
of the DOTr, and officers of the MMDA, Cebu Traffic Coordinating Council
Coordinator, and the Davao Traffic Administrator shall be required to take at least
once a week of mode of public transportation, whether land, rail, or maritime,
primarily used by the masses, in order to monitor the traffic crisis during the
effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 8. Comprehensive Traffic Rule Handbook. — The Traffic Chief, in
coordination with the covered agencies, shall develop and issue a comprehensive
traffic rules and regulations handbook for the metropolitan areas which, among
others, identifies traffic-related violations and offenses and imposes corresponding
graduated penalties, including the following:

(a) Reckless driving;

(b) Obstruction of roads and intersections

(c) Counterflow;

(d) Lack of or inadequate parking spaces, setback, or driveway;

(ec) legal loading and unloading of passengers or cargo; and

(f Such other traffic violations that may be determined by the Traffic Chief to
be contrary to the policies set forth by this Act.

The final list of traffic violations and corresponding penalties shall be
submitted to the JCOC, created under Section 12 hereof, with ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act.


SEC. 9. Metropolitan Cebu Traffic Coordinating Council. — There shall be
established a Metropolitan Cebu Traffic Coordinating Council, hereinafter to be
referred to as the Council, which shall be the sole and central authority for land-
based traffic in Metropolitan Cebu. The decisions of the Council shall be made by a
majority vote of its members in a meeting called for the purpose, there being a
quorum. The Council shall be composed of the local chief executives of component
LGUs of Metropolitan Cebu. It shall convene with fifteen (15) days from the effectivity
of this Act and, within the same period, appoint a Metropolitan Cebu Traffic
Coordinator who must be a resident of Metropolitan Cebu, and must possess the
appropriate academic background and work experience on {and transportation and
traffic management.

In case of the Council’s failure to appoint a Metropolitan Cebu Traffic
Coordinator, the Traffic Chief shall immediately appoint one. Upon the appointment
by the Council or the Traffic Chief, as the case may be, the Metropolitan Cebu Traffic
Coordinator, as alter ego of the Traffic Chief, shall head the Council.

The component LGUs of Metropolitan Cebu and Davao City shail set aside
funds from any available local revenues to fund the creation of the Council and the
Metropolitan Davao Traffic Administrator.

SEC. 10. Davao Traffic Administrator. — The Traffic Chief shall, in
consultation with the component barangays of Davao City, appoint the Davao Traffic
Administrator, who must be a resident of Davao City and must possess the
appropriate academic background and work experience on land transportation and
traffic management.

‘SEC. 11. Policy-Making Power of the MMDA, the Council, and the Davao Traffic
Administrator. — The MMDA, the Council, and the Davao Traffic Administrator, with
the approval of the Traffic Chief, shall set the policies on land-based traffic and road
use in their respective metropolitan areas, and shall coordinate and regulate the
implementation of all programs and projects on traffic management pertaining to
enforcement, engineering and education.

Upon the request of the Traffic Chief, the MMDA, the Council, or the Davao
‘Traffic Administrator, all other government agencies, LGUs and offices involved in
traffic management and enforcement shall provide personnel and logistical support,
among other forms of assistance.

SEC. 12. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. — There is hereby created
a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) tasked with the monitoring of the
implementation of this Act during the effectivity of this Act:
The JCOC shall be composed of the following members:
{a} Senate President;
(b) Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(c) Chairperson of the Committee on Public Services of the Senate;
(d) Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation of the House of
Representatives;
(c) Chairperson of the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
{ Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives;
{g) Member of the Committee on Public Services of the Senate; and


(h) Member of the Committee on Transportation of the House of
Representatives.

The JCOC shall constitute an Executive Committee (ExeCom), to be headed
by an Executive Director, who shall oversee the day-to-day coordination with the
concerned public officers and stakeholders.

The JCOC shall hold bimonthly meetings which shall be hosted alternately by
the Senate and the House of Representatives. Any action or decision of the JCOC as
mandated under this Act must be approved by a majority of its members at a duly
constituted meeting where a quorum is present throughout.

‘The Traffic Chief shal! submit a monthly report to the JCOC on the efficiency
and effectiveness of the measures undertaken to implement this Act and alleviate the
traffic crisis. The JCOC shall conduct ocular inspections of the priority projects at
least once per quarter.

Upon the expiration of the term of the JCOC, which shall be coterminous with
the effectivity period of this Act, the JCOC shall submit a comprehensive report to
Congress on the implementation of this Act and shaif recommend appropriate
measures to ensure the continued effective regulation and management of land
traffic within the metropolitan areas and their surrounding areas.

SEC. 13. Traffic Management Plan. — The Traffic Chief shall, in consultation
with the affected private stakeholders, the MMDA, the Council, and Davao Traffic
Administrator, as the case may be, formulate a separate Traffic Management Plan
(TMP) for each of the metropolitan areas.

The TMP must sufficiently detail the concrete steps to be taken to immediately
and effectively alleviate the traffic crisis in the metropolitan areas in a measurable or
quantifiable manner. The TMP shall include the following minimum components:

(a) Organizational structure allocating the respective duties and
responsibilities of the covered agencies for traffic management and regulation,
including traffic law enforcement;

(b) Route rationalization of PUVs, as provided in Section 15 of this Act;

(c) Promotion of sustainable transport including the setting up of bicycle lanes,

(a) Coordinated, odd-even, number coding or other vehicle volume reduction
scheme throughout the metropolitan areas;

(e) Synchronized truck ban throughout the metropolitan areas;

( Creation of a traffic flow system, including identification and designation of
one-way streets and u-turn slots;

(g) Identification of friendship routes and private village or subdivision roads
to serve as alternate or secondary routes;

(h) Designation of PUV terminals including the relocation of existing or
removal of illegal terminals;

(i) Removal of traffic signs and PUV stops which block or encroach upon the
right-of-way to or along major thoroughfares;

(i) Prohibition against and designation of parking areas on certain roads;

(k) Clearing of sidewalks and determination of the need for elevated crosswalks
and their suitable locations which must be integrated to the designated PUV
terminals and bus stops, and the design for such crosswalks which should be
sustainable, safe, and convenient and accessible to persons with disability;

{l) Efficient and coordinated waste and flood management;

({m) Comprehensive traffic rules and regulations handbook which identifies
traffic-related violations and offenses and imposes corresponding graduated
penalties;


(n) Single ticketing system, including procedures on the confiscation,
suspension, or revocation of driver's licenses for violations of traffic laws and
regulations;

(0) Traffic system for roads leading to airport terminals and ports in the three
(3) metropolitan areas

(p) Procedures for the expeditious reporting, processing and clearing of
vehicular accidents to avoid vehicular congestion, including among others, the
requirements for the filing of the police report or other traffic investigation reports:
Provided, That digital photographs shall be considered as sufficient and acceptable
basis of such reports or any other report of similar nature as may be allowed by the
Insurance Commission for processing of insurance claims;

(q) A clear policy on ridesharing or carpooling technologies and other traffic
management programs; and

(r) A Clark Airport Development Plan, to be developed in coordination with the
Clark International Airport Corporation, Clark Development Corporation,
Department of Tourism (DOT), Bases Conversion and Development Authority
(BCDA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Regional
Development Council (RDC).

Except for the route rationalization plan for PUVs, which must be studied and
completed within eight (8) months from the effectivity of this Act, the TMPs must be
completed within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act. At such time, the
Traffic Chief shall submit the TMPs to the JCOC.

The TMP shall be updated at least once every year, and even after the lapse of
the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 14. Friendship Routes. — The Traffic chief, in coordination with the
component LGUs, shall identify the private subdivision or village roads which shall
be designated as friendship routes and shall serve as additional access points and
secondary channels for road traffic.

The procedures and standards for the establishment of friendship routes are
as follows:

{a) Conduct of two (2) public consultations with the affected private village
residents;

(b) Reasonable determination that there are no other available public route
other than the proposed friendship route;

{c) Implementation by government of other remedial measures such as road
clearing and sidewalk clearing in the contiguous or adjacent public roads; and

(a) Exercise by a private road owner of the option to impose toll fees in the
form of selling pass-through stickers to pay for road maintenance and securit
without prejudice to the government's right to expropriate the private road if
deemed to be in the best interest of the pubiic.

The friendship routes shall be open to the public only during the effective
period of this Act. The opening and public use of any such friendship route may be
extended by the Traffic Chief subject to the determination that the necessity for the
use of such additional access road still exists beyond the duration of this Act and
the observance of the maximum procedures and standards set forth in this section.

‘SEC. 15. Route Rationalization for Public Utility Vehicles. — There shall be
established a Route Rationalization Plan for PUVs which shall be submitted to the
JCOC not later than eight (8) months from the effectivity of this Act. It shall include
the following minimum components:


{a) Procedure for integration of different transportation modes into a unified
public transport infrastructure network;

(b) Identification of the various primary, secondary, and ancillary routes, with
the corresponding determination of the primary and secondary routes’ measured
capacity based on the passenger demand and the destination of the demand during
certain times of the day, with particular focus on traffic rush hours and road size;

(c) Determination of the size, type, and number of PUVs including double-
decker bus, articulated bus, minibus, jeepney, Asian utility vehicle, multicab, and
tricycle appropriate to a particular route’s measured capacity.

(dj Determination of the applicable fares per type of PUV for each of the
identified routes; and

(e) Design, roll-out, and maintenance of unified or single dispatching
mechanism with minimum safe headway between PUVs.

SEC. 16. Revocation and Modification of PUV Franchises and Permits. — The
Traffic Chief, upon consuitation with the LTFRB and other relevant covered agencies
and the conduct of public hearings, may revoke or modify a PUV franchise to conform
to the viable capacity of a certain route.

Upon determination of the optimal number of PUVs in a route and that such
route requires larger PUVs, the Traffic Chief shall, through the LTFRB, restrict the
issuance of PUV franchise to operators employing PUVs with the appropriate capacity
to serve the route. Any previously issued PUV franchise covering smaller capacity
PUVs, such as tricycles and pedicabs, shall be revoked within a period of (6) months
after the publication of the notice of revocation in a newspaper of general circulation
in the locality and the posting of such notice for four (4) consecutive weeks in the
concerned barangay, city and municipal halls.

No cancellation of franchise shall take place without compensation to PUV
operators and proper social support mechanisms provided to the displaced workers
in accordance with Sections 22 and 23 of this Act.

SEC. 17. Suspension of PUV Franchising Authority. — The power of LGUs in
the metropolitan areas to issue franchises to padyak, tricycles, and all other PUV
units as provided in the Local Government Code is hereby suspended during the
effective period of this Act.

The Traffic Chief, or upon delegation, the LTFRB, can revoke or revise the
franchise previously issued by LGUs to tricycles and other forms of PUVs. A franchise
may not be cancelled without compensation to the concerned PUV operator in
accordance with Section 22 of this Act. Likewise, workers displaced by the
cancellation of a franchise shall be socially alleviated in accordance with Section 23
of this Act.

After the effective period of this Act, and upon resumption of the LGUs’
franchise-issuance power under the Local Government Code, the LTFRB shall:

(a) Designate the particular routes in the metropolitan areas which tricycles,
pedicabs, and other small PUVs can ply and for which the LGUs may issue the
appropriate franchise. Such routes shall be limited to secondary and tertiary roads,
which are not serviceable by bigger PUVs such as jeepneys or minibuses; and

(b) Set the maximum number of PUV franchises that an LGU may issue for
each particular route. All PUV franchises to be issued by the LGUs shall be
automatically reviewed by the LTFRB.

‘The exercise of the LGU's power to issue franchises to PUVs and the franchises
shall be subject to review and amendment by the DOTr, through the LTFRB.


SEC. 18. Government Take-Over of the Operations of a PUV Franchise. — In
accordance with Section 17, article XII of the 1987 constitution, the Traffic Chief may
take over or direct the operation of any PUV franchise as may be necessary to
implement this Act and related rules and regulations. To the extent feasible, the
management of such PUV franchises shall be directed and supervised by the Traffic
Chief, or the latter’s designated representative. The Traffic Chief shall render a full
accounting to the President of the Philippines and the JCOC of the operations of such
transportation services taken over. Provided, That whenever the President or the
Traffic Chief shall determine that the futher use of operation by the government of
such PUV franchise or enterprise is no longer necessary under existing conditions,
the same shall be restored to the person entitled to the possession thereof.

‘SEC. 19. PUV Operator Obligations and Responsibilities. — A PUV driver shall
work no more than twelve (12) hours per shift within a twenty-four (24) hour period.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall determine the appropriate
work shift for the different classes of PUVs.

‘A PUV Operator must ensure compliance with all labor laws and standards,
including the payment to drivers of a minimum prescribed monthly salary based on
applicable laws and regulations. For this purpose, the DOLE and the LTFRB shall,
within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, complete a wage study to
determine, among others, the different minimum wages appropriate and applicable
based on the type of PUV driven by covered drivers. The study shall be submitted to
the JCOC upon completion.

All public transit operators, including taxi operators, must maintain and
update in a publicly accessible website, a list of all drivers in their employ and their
respective professional driver's license details, as well as information on their
franchise number or LTFRB case number and the vehicles or units owned and
operated by the PUV operator under its franchise, including the chassis numbers of
said vehicles.

Failure of the PUV franchise to disclose complete and accurate information
regarding its professional drivers and franchised units shall be a sufficient ground
for the revocation or suspension of such franchise, depending on the gravity of the
nondisclosure or misrepresentation.

SEC. 20. Traffic Impact Plan. — During the effective period of this Act, the
‘Traffic Chief, in coordination with the LGUs and other relevant covered agencies
shall:

{a) Prescribe the rules, regulations, and standards for large mixed-use
property developments to ensure adherence to best practices for long-term
sustainability, avoid disturbance to adjoining communities and public convenience,
and to minimize adverse environmental impact; and

(b) Prescribe rules, regulations, and development standards to optimize and
rationalize land use and transportation development to promote urban dispersal to
decongest the metropolitan areas and provide direction to urban growth and
expansion.

SEC. 21. Development Clearance Certificate. — The Traffic Chief shall pass
upon and approve or disapprove all plans, programs, and projects proposed by LGUs,
government offices and agencies within the metropolitan areas, the Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), public corporations, and private persons or


enterprises where such plans, programs or projects, including expansion or
rehabilitation of existing infrastructure are either located along any of the radial or
circumferential roads and their respective arterial roads within or leading into or out
of the metropolitan areas or any other road, street, or thoroughfare as may be
identified by the Traffic Chief, or are determined to have potential adverse effects on
traffic flow, movement, or management of any of the roads, streets, or thoroughfare
as identified herein, regardless of their location in the metropolitan area.

‘The approval of the Traffic Chief shall take the form of a development clearance
certificate that shall be issued prior to any land development and shall be in lieu of
all other permits such as those issued by the MMDA and the LGUs, except the
Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) or the Environmental Management Bureau. The Traffic
Chief shall issue the development clearance certificate within a non-extendable
period of five (5) working days from the submission of any plan, program or project
to be undertaken within the relevant metropolitan area and the required supporting
documents, otherwise the latter shail be considered approved.

Among other criteria, the Traffic Chief and the LGU concerned shall ensure
compliance with the Traffic Impact Plan, the mandated setbacks, provisions for
sufficient vehicle parking and other requirements of the National Building Code and
other applicable statutes prior to the issuance of the Development Clearance
Certificate.

The Traffic Chief, or any duly designated agent or representative is hereby
empowered to institute necessary legal proceedings before the Special Traffic Crisis
Court to be created under Section 34 of this Act, against any person who shall
commence or continue the implementation, without previous clearance from the
‘Traffic Chief under this section, of any plan, program or project within the relevant
metropolitan area: Provided, That any local government office, agency, public
corporation, private person, or enterprise whose plans, programs, or projects have
been disapproved by the Traffic Chief may, within fifteen (15) days from receipt of
such disapproval, appeal such decision to the Office of the President, whose decision
on the matter shall be final: Provided, further, That the expansion plans of existing
developments shall be considered as new plans subject to the review of the Traffic
Chief.

SEC. 22. Compensation to PUV Operators. — Public transportation operators
whose franchises are revoked or modified as a consequence of the policies carried
out pursuant to this Act, such as the shortening of routes, reduction of covered PUV
units, shall be compensated based on the number of units affected or rendered
redundant.

Compensation shall be based on depreciated value of the units affected, upon.
presentation of the actual unit and validation that the unit and its chassis numbers
are included in the list of registered vehicles that have been issued a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).

Likewise, loss of income shall also be compensation based on the average
annual income generated by that unit from a particular route, as evidenced by the
affected parties’ official receipts and income tax returns filed in the last three (3)
preceding years. The one-time compensation for the loss of income shall be
equivalent to such annual average income and shall be exempt from income and
other taxes.

‘The benefit of compensation under this section, may be availed only if the
franchise holder, within the five (5)-year period immediately preceding the revocation,


has fully complied with all statutory and regulatory requirements pertaining to the
operation of its PUVs and the exercise of its privileges under its franchise, and does
not have any derogatory record with the LTFRB, MMDA, LGU, or any other relevant
government agency or office.

SEC. 23. Social Support Mechanisms. — Drivers, driver's assistants,
mechanics, and other employees of a PUV operator affected by a revocation or
modification of franchise is entitled to financial assistance and other social support
services in the following forms:

(aj The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall extend
financial assistance using funding from available social protection programs and
services. The DSWD shall report the availability of such programs and any
disbursement made to the JCOC. In coordination with the LGUs, the LTFRB shall
identify under oath the displaced employees based on eligibility and profiling
requirements. Upon identification, the employee shall be included and immediately
be classified as qualified persons under the available sociai protection programs of
the DSWD;

(b) The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall
prioritize the training of affected employees in its training courses to empower them
to pursue alternative gainful employment or source of livelihood;

{c) The DOLE and the POEA shall obtain a list of displaced professional drivers
and mechanics and shail assist them in looking for employment, whether here or
abroad;

(d) Displaced employees shall be entitled to separation pay as mandated under
the Labor Code of the Philippines; and

{e) The legal dependents of affected employee shall be qualified for
scholarships from the government. In accordance with the applicable rules and
regulations of the DSWD, the Department of Education (DepEd), or the TESDA.

SEC. 24. Professional Driver's Examination. — Effective January 1, 2019,
licensed professional drivers operating PUVs in the metropolitan areas must undergo
testing and examination prior to the issuance of new professional driver's licenses.
The test shall be specifically designed for the type of vehicle that the driver intends
to operate. The LTO shall administer the retesting free of charge.

Professional drivers operating PUVs within the metropolitan area who are
found to have not complied with this requirement will have their professional driver's
licenses revoked and shall be banned from driving professionally for a period of two
(2) years.

The LTO shall coordinate with established driving schools that have existed,
operated, and have been in good standing for at least ten (10) years, in preparing the
written and driving test appropriate to the vehicle and route the applicant intends to
operate. The LTO is hereby authorized to accredit established driving schools to
conduct the professional driver’s examination.

Only drivers who have passed the new LTO test and provided a suitable bond
as may be required by the LTO, shall be allowed to operate PUVs in the areas covered
by this Act.

New driver’s license cards with special determinable features shall be issued
to professional drivers corresponding exclusively to the type of PUVs they have been
tested for and the metropolitan area where they will be licensed to drive. Such driver’s
license may not be used to lawfully operate any other type of PUV in any other area
or locality.


SEC. 25. Roadworthiness. — Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of
this Act, the LTO shall conduct roadworthiness testing of all PUVs operating within
the metropolitan areas. The testing shall cover the following:

(a) Emission testing;

(b) Chassis stability and actual capacity as determined by the manufacturer

(c) Working headlights, break lights, and signal lights; and

(d) Other testing that may be done by the LTO using equipment that it
presently has.

‘The Secretary of the DOTr, or upon delegation, the LTO, shall work with
established vehicle manufacturers to determine and conduct the appropriate
roadworthiness test and vehicle limitations such as number of passengers and load
limits per type of vehicle. Vehicle manufacturers possessing equipment to determine
roadworthiness of certain types of PUVs can be accredited for this purpose.

New license plates or stickers that make the existing license plates of PUVs
discernible shall be issued to PUVs that have passed the roadworthiness test and
‘shall be authorized to operate within the metropolitan areas. The license plate shall
authorize the PUV to operate only within the designated metropolitan area.

Noncompliance by a PUV operator with the requirement of roadworthiness
testing shall be penalized with the cancellation of the unit's franchise, immediate
impounding, and a fine of not more than ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00)

In the event that the LTO is unable to accredit private vehicle manufacturers
and dealers to conduct the roadworthiness testing of vehicles, the LTO shail directly
conduct such testing in the metropolitan areas.

SEC. 26. Financial Assistance to PUV Modernization. — The Development
Bank of the Philippines (DBP} shall reserve funds to facilitate the improvement and
enhancement of PUVs in the metropolitan areas.

The DBP shall extend financial assistance to existing public transportation
operators with valid franchise to enable them to modernize their units. It shall
provide financial to qualified applicants at preferred rates and shall report to the
JCOC on the funding made available to support the implementation of this section.

‘The DBP can only offer this loan facility for procurement of vehicles with
engines that are Euro 4-compliant, hybrid, fully electric-powered or those which are
more environment-friendly: Provided, That the said vehicles are accessible to persons
with disability.

SEC. 27. Priority Projects. — Pursuant to the enumerated policies of this Act,
it is hereby declared and recognized that the traffic crisis is in the nature of a man-
made calamity or catastrophe; that time is of the essence and immediate action is
urgently necessary to prevent further damage to the national economy, public health,
and social welfare or loss of life and property as a result of the traffic crisis; and that
there is urgent necessity as well to restore, improve, and make accessible vital public
transportation services, infrastructure, and facilities.

As such, the traffic crisis is declared to be an emergency case, as defined in
Section 53 of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act
(GPRA) and Section 53.2 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). In
accordance with Republic Act No. 9184, the President of the Philippines, through the
‘Traffic Chief, is hereby authorized, during the effective period of this Act and without
prejudice to the use of other available procurement methods under the GPRA, to
enter into negotiated contracts for priority projects for the construction, repair,
restoration, rehabilitation, improvement, or maintenance of critical infrastructure,


projects, and facilities, and any directly related procurement of goods or services,
subject to the following requirements and conditions:

(a) The priority projects must be aimed to immediately and effectively alleviate
the traffic crisis, thereby promoting public interest;

(c) The Traffic Chief, in coordination with the covered agencies, must submit
a list of priority projects to the JCOC together with their respective description, the
budgetary estimates, identification of necessary rights-of-way, and other salient
features, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

The bidding or procurement of priority projects submitted to the JCOC shall
be conducted by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and
Management (PS-DBM). The procurement method or negotiated contract process
resorted to for any procurement related to the certified priority projects must be
complete, clear, transparent, and in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184.

‘The contracts for projects to be carried out pursuant to and in accordance
with this Act shall be awarded only to contractors or project proponents with:

(1) Proven competence in, capability and experience with similar projects;

(2) Competent and qualified key personnel and sufficient and reliable
equipment and facilities;

(3) Sound financial capacity; and

(4) Legal capacity consistent with Republic Act No. 9184 and its IRR.

All awarded priority projects shall be subject to existing government auditing
tules and regulations governing negotiated contracts.

Contracts or concession agreements covering the priority projects shall have
no confidentiality clause, except with respect to matters protected by the intellectual
Property Code of the Philippines. In case of technology-related priority projects, the
terms of reference (TOR) and contract or agreement must explicitly provide for
technology transfer and assignment of any and all source codes to the DOTr.

SEC. 28. Priority Projects, Disclosure Mechanism. — The list of priority projects
and their pertinent details shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation
within the metropolitan area concerned within (15) days from submission to the
JCOC. In addition, the said list shall also be published with its own separate category
in the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) established
under Republic Act No. 9184.

SEC. 29. Rescission or Nullification of Contracts. — Contracts covering the
priority projects and any other procurement of goods and services resorted to in
furtherance of this Act shall be subject to rescission in accordance with Article 1191
of the Civil Code of the Philippines or shall be declared null and void if found to be
manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government, whether or not the public
officer involved profited or will profit thereby. Any action for such rescission or
declaration of nullity shall fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Special Traffic
Crisis Courts to be created under Section 34 of this Act and shall be initiated only
upon the recommendation of the Traffic Chief.

Sufficient funds shall be appropriated to answer for any compensation and
damages that may be adjudicated to the counterparties.

SEC. 30. Suspension of Statutes Otherwise Applicabie to Priority Projects. —
To promptly address the traffic crisis, the following are hereby temporarily suspended
throughout the effectivity of this Act, but only insofar as they apply to the priority
projects under this Act:


(a) Provisions of the Local Government Code requiring prior consultation with,
and approval of LGUs, with respect to traffic-related projects within their respective
localities; and

(b) Provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines requiring clearance and
permits for the employment of foreigners, specifically foreign technicians and experts
working in traffic-related projects.

SEC. 31. Liability for Priority Projects. — The following persons may be held
liable for noncompliance with Republic Act No. 9184 and other applicable statutes
and violations against the provisions of this Act in relation to the implementation of
priority project contracts:

(a) DOTr Secretary;

(b) DOTr Undersecretary responsible;

(c) Chief Executive Officer of President of private concessionaires;

(d) Directors of private concessionaires; and

{e) Persons directly involved in the implementation of the projects.

The liability of the above persons for the violation of Republic Act No. 9184
shall be incurred without prejudice to any criminal liability under any other laws or
statutes, such as the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act, and Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and
Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Presentation or submission to the JCOC of the priority projects shall not
exempt the responsible officials and private persons from criminal or administrative
liability if it is duly proven that they have engaged in acts that influenced the
determination of and award to the winning concessionaire or violated any provision
of other applicable statutes.

SEC. 32. Review of Existing Contracts and Concessions. — The Traffic Chief,
in coordination with the covered agencies, shail review contracts, permits, and
licenses entered into or issued by any of the covered agencies within the metropolitan
areas or component LGUs for the purpose of determining whether they contribute to
the alleviation of the traffic crisis and are advantageous to the government, and the
level of compliance of the other party or grantee with its statutory and contractual
undertakings and obligations.

The review must be completed within forty-five (45) days from the effectivity of
this Act.

Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Traffic Chief shall
submit to the JCOC a list of contracts and concessions that may be the subject of
modification, revocation, rescission, or nullification.

Upon submission to the JCOC, the Traffic Chief, or the duly designated
representative may initiate any action necessary to effect the modification,
revocation, rescission, or nullification of the identified contracts and concessions.

SEC. 33. Power of Eminent Domain. — The Traffic Chief shall reasonably
exercise the power of eminent domain for right-of-way acquisition or expropriation of
private property necessary for priority projects, including the construction,
rehabilitation or maintenance of infrastructure projects, road widening, and
clearance on the construction of road setback.

For the approved priority projects to be implemented under this Act, the DOTr
and the relevant covered agencies must determine whether it is appropriate to lease
real property to facilitate a temporary right-of-way necessary for the construction of


temporary terminals until permanent ones are constructed, or to purchase or
expropriate land for right-of-way purposes.

‘The rules and procedure prescribed under Republic Act No. 10752 or “The
Right-of-Way Act” for the negotiated sale or expropriation of a right-of-way shall apply
to the priority projects.

Government financial institutions shall issue for a reasonable fee the
appraisal and valuation report for the private property to be expropriated for the
priority projects.

SEC. 34. Special Traffic Crisis Court. — There shall be created a Special Traffic
Crisis Court in each of the metropolitan areas. The Special Traffic Crisis Court have
exclusive jurisdiction to hear and expeditiously resolve all actions that may emanate
from the implementation of this Act. These cases include the:

(a) Legality or constitutionality of priority projects, programs, policies, rules
and regulations to be implemented under this Act;

(b} Bidding and award of a priority project and the nullification or rescission
of contracts covering such priority projects;

(c) Necessary right-of-way acq n for the priority projects;

(d) Relocation of utilities or facilities and of informal settlers to implement the
priority projects;

(c) Opening of private village gates necessary to provide alternate routes or
friendship route throughout the effectivity of this Act;

{ Termination or amendment of PUV franchises;

(g) Violations involving the implementation of any plan, program, and project
without the requisite Development Clearance Certificate; and

(h) Criminal violations penalized under this Act, unless they fall within the
exclusive jurisdiction of the Ombudsman and/or Sandiganbayan.

All judicial actions arising from the implementation or violation of this Act
must be heard in accordance with the Supreme Court's guidelines on continuous
trials.

Resolutions, orders, and decisions issued by the Special Traffic Crisis Court
may not be enjoined unless by a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary
injunction issued by the Supreme Court.

Where an action for expropriation of private property is necessary for a priority
project, the government is entitled to the immediate issuance of a writ of possession
over the subject private property upon presentation of an appraisal report issued by
@ government financial institution, and the deposit of just compensation set at one
hundred twenty percent (120%) of fair market value. Right-of-way cases shall be
resolved within thirty (30) days from filing with the Special Traffic Crisis Court.

All right-of-way and expropriation cases pending in other courts that will affect
any priority project shall immediately be transferred to the Special Traffic Crisis
Courts for immediate resolution.

SEC. 35. Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). — In the implementation of this
Act and except as otherwise provided herein, no other court other than the Supreme
Court may issue a TRO or preliminary injunction against the government or any of
its subdivisions, officials, or any person or entity, whether public or private acting
under government direction, to restrain, prohibit or compel the following acts:

(a) Bidding out or procurement of the priority projects, including
infrastructure projects, software or information technology components and


attendant acquisition of necessary goods and consulting services, as identified by the
‘Traffic Chief and submitted to the JCOC;

{b) Acquisition, clearance, and development of the right-of-way or site of
location of any transportation project identified by the Traffic Chief and submitted to
the JCOC;

(c) Commencement, prosecution, execution, implementation, and operation of
any transportation project;

{d) Termination or cancellation of any transportation project;

(c) Opening of private village gates necessary to provide alternate routes
throughout the effective period of this Act;

(f) Termination or amendment of PUV franchises; and

(g) Undertaking or authorization of any other lawful activity necessary for any
transportation project.

Upon their creation, the Special Traffic Crisis Courts shall have the power to
issue TROs and preliminary injunctions on matters enumerated herein.

SEC. 36. Actions of the Commission on Audit and the Civil Service Commission.
—The COA and the CSC shall resolve issues arising from the implementation of this
Act falling within their constitutional and statutory jurisdiction within thirty (30)
days from their cognizance of such issues.

The COA and the CSC shall monitor the implementation of this Act,
immediately determine possible issues, and recommend measures to rectify such
issues.

‘SEC. 37. Publication of Information. — The DOTr must maintain a separate
website for the publication of complete accurate information regarding the
implementation of this Act. The website should contain information on:

(a) All traffic-related policies, rules, and regulations with updates on all new
issuances;

(b) The TMP and its updates;

(c) Information on traffic data and projects;

(a) information on the priority projects and policies that are being or intended
to be implemented under this Act;

{e) Status of priority projects during bidding or negotiation, award, and
implementation;

() Project budget and implementation status including right-of-way
acquisition;

(g) Cost of each project indicating the specific source of funds and the
breakdown of allocations;

(h) Terms of reference of the priority projects, including the terms and
conditions of any applicable concession agreements;

(i) Detailed minutes of meetings including pre-bid and negotiations, during
bidding and awarding of projects;

(i) Master list of all franchised and licensed public transit operators in the
metropolitan areas, with the names and license details of their PUV drivers and the
brands, types, models and chassis numbers of the vehicles covered by the respective
franchises;

(k) List of public officials involved in the implementation of the priority
projects, including the statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth of public officials
involved in the bidding and negotiation of priority projects;


(i) List of consultants and contractors engaged for the priority projects with
sworn statement on previous employment, projects undertaken, and experience; and
(m) Centralized database for traffic violations.

SEC. 38. Protection Against Law Suits. — Public officers involved in the
implementation of policies and priority projects covered by this Act shall be insured
against litigation by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in the event
that the Office of the Solicitor General or the Office of the Government Corporate
Counsel is not authorized to represent them. The concerned public officer shall
obtain the needed insurance coverage from the GSIS and hire legal counsel, unless
the GSIS itself determines that such official has clearly violated the laws.

‘SEC. 39. Penalties for Violations Under this Act. — As part of the TMP, the
Traffic Chief, in coordination with the MMDA, Council, and Davao Traffic
Administrator, shall, within the metropolitan areas:

(a) Formulate and administer a single ticketing system;

(b} Fix, impose and collect graduated fines and penalties for all kinds of
violations of traffic rules and regulations, whether moving or non-moving in nature;
and

(c) Confiscate and suspend or revoke driver's licenses in the enforcement of
such traffic rules and regulations.

Any violation of or noncompliance with this Act that qualifies as a criminal
offense under the Revised Penal Code or any special penal act shall be subject to the
penalties of imprisonment or fine as stipulated in such other laws: Provided, That
the maximum applicable penalty shall be imposed for violations of this Act. Convicted
public officers shall, in addition to penalties imposed, be removed from the office and
be perpetually disqualified from holding any public office.

‘The resolution of any administrative complaint against a public officer
pertaining to the performance of functions under this Act, including malfeasance,
misfeasance, and nonfeasance in relation to a particular priority project, program,
policy, or the implementation of this Act shall not absolve the erring public officer
concerned from criminal liability under this Act or any other applicable penal statute.

SEC. 40. Appropriation of Funds. — The amount needed for the
implementation of this Act shall be taken from:

(a) The Motor Vehicle User's Charge Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund
created under Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8794 or the “Anti-Overloading Act of
2000”; and

(b) Current fiscal year’s appropriation of the agencies involved in the
implementation of this Act.

Thereafter, the amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 41. Traffic Education. — The DOTr, LTO, LTFRB, DepEd, and TESDA
shall jointly develop a program for driver's education and for road and pedestrian
etiquette education that shall be incorporated as a mandatory subject in the senior
high school curriculum.

SEC. 42. Separability Clause. — In the event that any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, invalid, or illegal, the constitutionality, validity, or legality
of the remaining provisions of this Act shall not be affected thereby.


SEC. 43. Repealing Clause. — Pertinent provisions of the following laws which
are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly:

(a) Sections 21, 25, 447, 458, and 468 of the Local Government Code of 1991;

(b) Republic Act No. 6975, Department of the Interior and Local Government
Act of 1990;

(c) Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980;

{d) Republic Act No. 7924, MMDA Charter;

(c) Presidential Decree No. 1112, Toll Regulatory Board Charter;

(f Republic Act No. 4136, Land Transportation and Traffic Code;

(g) Republic Act No. 9184, Government Procurement Reform Act;

{h) Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8794, creating the Motor Vehicle User’s
Charge; and

{i) Presidential Decree No.612, as amended, or Insurance Code of the
Philippines.

SEC. 44. Hffectivity. — This Act shail take effect fifteen (15} days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,