Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. elise

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE RIGHTS OF PASSENGERS OF TAXIS, TOURIST CAR TRANSPORT
SERVICES (TCTS) AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES FOR HIRE (VFH)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill which was approved by the House of Representatives on Third and Final
Reading during the 17" Congress seeks to provide a safe, efficient, and world-class public
transportation that is an essential element in the country’s development.

Taxis remain to be the preferred mode of most Filipinos, especially in the face of the
increasing price of fuel that made private transportation less practical. Taxis along with tourist
car transport services (TCTS) and other similar vehicles for hire (VFH) are also important in
boosting our tourism industry as they allow foreign and local tourists to travel around the
country.

Taxi, in particular is considered as one of the primary means of public transportation in
reaching a destination promptly and safely. Regrettably, many of the taxi drivers and
operators abuse the reliance of the riding public, especially the tourists. Many taxi drivers and
operators devise schemes and some of them resort to criminal activities to increase their
earnings.

This measure seeks to acknowledge the rights of taxi, TCTS, and VFH passengers and
penalizes both the driver and the operator who violates these rights. Such initiative is essential
to protect our commuting public and tourists from the predatory practices of some drivers and
operators and raise the standards of public transportation service.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

(Cee iin

ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3051

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE RIGHTS OF PASSENGERS OF TAXIS, TOURIST CAR TRANSPORT
SERVICES (TCTS) AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES FOR HIRE (VFH)

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Bill of Rights of Taxi, Tourist
Car Transport Service and Vehicle for Hire Passengers.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the State to establish a world-
class public transportation system. To this end, the State shall establish transportation service
standards that shall address the basic rights of taxi, Tourist Car Transport Service (TCTS) and
Vehicle for Hire (VFH) passengers.

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

(a) Taxirefers to a public utility vehicle as defined and duly franchised by the Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), offering transportation
services to the public for a fee on an exclusive basis;

(b) Tourist Car Transport Service (TCTS) refers to metered taxi, coupon taxi or rent-
a-car transport service (four-door sedan or utility vehicle), duly franchised by the
LTFRB, that provides transport services for tourists;

(©) Covered vehicle refers to any taxi, TCTS or VFH as defined under this Act;

(d) — Multiple hiring refers to the act of a driver in accepting more than one client in a
single journey, whether or not the clients come from the same point of origin or
bound for similar or different destination, unless the clients are informed of such
arrangement and they consented thereto prior to the trip, as may be authorized by
the LTRFB;

(e) Seminar refers to an activity prescribed by the LTFRB or Land Transportation
Office (LTO) for erring drivers and operators as a requirement for reinstatement of
license or continued operation of franchise; and

(f) Vehicle for Hire (VFH) refers to a public utility vehicle similar to a taxi, whether a
sedan, Asian Utility Vehicle, Sports Utility Vehicle or van, which is granted authority
or franchise by the LTFRB to offer transportation services to the public for a fee,
regardless of fare-setting mechanism, mode of payment or manner of engagement,
whether online or street-hailing.


SEC. 4. Standards of Service. - Only a duly licensed professional driver and duly
certified by the Driver’s Academy of the LTFRB can be authorized to drive a covered vehicle.
All covered vehicles shall be clean, safe, smoke and foul odor-free, air conditioned and
roadworthy.

SEC. 5. Rights of Passengers. - Whenever applicable depending on the type of covered
vehicle, passengers shall have the right to:

(a) Be served by a driver who is properly dressed. Taxi, TCTS, and VHF operators
should ensure that their drivers wear the prescribed uniform and company
identification card (ID) at all times while on duty. In addition, the LTRFB shall issue
an official ID to each taxi, TCTS and VFH driver showing therein the driver's name
and picture and the operator's information and contact numbers. The prescribed ID
cards must be prominently displayed inside the vehicle within view of the passenger,
unless digitally provided as may be authorized by the LTRFB;

(b) Be served by a courteous driver who shall provide assistance, if requested;

(c) Be served by a driver who is not under the influence of alcohol or dangerous
drugs

(d) Be informed of the plate number of the covered vehicle and emergency numbers
for assistance by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned agencies
as prominently displayed on the side door or in any other conspicuous place within
the vehicle;

(e) Be picked up and transported to their stated destination, regardless of the length
of the journey or traffic condition, by any available on-duty driver, subject to
applicable traffic regulations. No driver shall, after having been flagged-down or
engaged, refuse to transport any passenger;

(f) Direct the route or expect the most economical route, except where such route
will endanger the lives of the occupants or will cause damage to the covered vehicle

(g) | Where applicable, view the fare meter that shall be duly calibrated and sealed by
the proper authorities;

(h) Pay the rate or fare exactly as posted in the meter or booking application,
subject to other government sanctioned fees;

(i) Be given the exact amount of change;

(j) Be issued a printed, electronic or digital official receipt in accordance with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations issued by the
Bureau of Internal Revenue;

(k) Travel with an animal assistant or portable mobility aid, if the passenger is with
disability;

() Refuse multiple hiring especially for taxis, unless passengers are informed of
such arrangement and they consented thereto prior to the trip, as may be
authorized by the LTFRB

(m) A quiet or silent atmosphere throughout the trip upon request;


(n) Decide on the orientation of air conditioning and lighting systems inside the
covered vehicle; and

(0) Be provided a substitute vehicle or be assisted to secure one in case of
mechanical or engine trouble or other similar instances that hinder the continuation
of carriage. Where substitution of another vehicle by the same operator is available,
no additional fare shall be charged against the passenger. However, if the above
option is not possible or practical, the passenger shall only pay the amount
appearing in the meter less the flag-down or booking fee for meter-oriented fare
vehicles. In the case of other covered vehicles, the fare due to the driver of the
vehicle being substituted or replaced shall be in proportion to the distance travelled,
minus the booking fee, if applicable. be

SEC. 6. Vehicle Equipped with a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or Compound Natural
Gas (CNG) Fuel System. — A covered vehicle equipped with a liquefied petroleum gas or
compressed natural gas fuel system must display a current Motor Vehicle Inspection Report
(MVIR) issued by the LTO. Operators of any covered vehicle running on LPG or CNG must
maintain the safe condition of every unit of taxi through regular maintenance. A sticker
marked “LPG” or “CNG” issued by the LTFRB must be posted to every covered vehicle location
as close as practicable to the front and read registration plates.

SEC. 7. Door Locks. — Every operator shall ensure that each covered vehicle that it
operates is equipped with a functioning automatic door lock system. The central lock system
of every covered vehicle must be disabled to allow the passenger to open the doors at any
time without interference from the driver, with the exception of the rear left door of the
vehicle which the driver may set on child-lock orientation. The operation of a covered vehicle
without the required lock system as prescribed in this section shall constitute a violation and
shall be punishable in accordance with Section 10 of this Act.

SEC. 8. Passengers’ Rights Notification. - The passengers’ rights enumerated in Section
5 of this Act, as well as the remedies and procedures available to the passenger as
promulgated by the LTFRB, shall be prominently displayed inside the covered vehicle or shall
be digitally provided or transmitted, as may be authorized by the LTFRB.

SEC. 9. Filing of Complaint for Violation of Rights. - A passenger whose rights have
been violated may file a complaint against the driver or operator of the covered vehicle with
the LTFRB which shall conduct the investigation and resolve the complaint not later than seven
(7) working days after mediation, or seven (7) working days after adjudication, under such
rules and regulation as it may provide.

The complaint instituted under the provisions of this Act shall not bar the filing of a civil
or criminal complaint for violation of any law, rule or regulation resulting from the same act or
omission, whenever applicable.

SEC. 10. Regional Offices. - In addition to the penalties imposed by any applicable law,
rule or regulation, the violation of any of the provisions of this Act shall be punishable as
follows:

(a) A driver who violates any applicable provision of this Act shall be liable and
penalized as follows:

(1) First Offense — A fine of One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) and suspension of
driver's license for a period of seven (7) calendar days;


(2) Second Offense — A fine of Three thousand pesos (P3,000.00) and suspension
of driver's license for a period of six (6) months; and

(3) Third and Succeeding Offense — A fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00)
and suspension of driver’s license for a period of one (1) year.

(b) The operator who violates any applicable provision of this Act shall pay a fine of
Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00), and Fifteen
thousand pesos (P15,000.00) for the first, second and third offense, respectively,
without prejudice to the revocation of franchises or permit.

The liability of the operator with respect to the fines imposed upon an insolvent
driver shall be subsidiary.

In all cases, the erring driver or operator shall undergo an education seminar
provided under this Act. The attendance by the concerned drivers and operators in
such seminar shall be mandatory, failure of which shall be a ground for non-
reinstatement of the driver's license of the driver or suspension of the franchise of
the operator, as the case may be.

SEC. 11. Review of Penalties. - The fines herein imposed may be increased by the
LTFRB once every five (5) years following the effectivity of this Act, which amount shall not be
more than ten percent (10%) of the amount it seeks to increase.

SEC. 12. Nationwide Public Information Campaign. - The LTFRB, in coordination with
the Philippine Information Agency, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), private agencies
and organizations concerned, shall undertake a nationwide information, education, and
communication campaign for the attainment of the objectives of this Act. It shall likewise
coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) for the purpose of seeking the assistance of
citizens groups and community organizations for the promotion of public safety awareness in
observance of this Act.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DOTr, in coordination with the LTFRB, LTO, PNP and Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and
regulations to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held unconstitutional,
the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, issuances, executive orders, letters of
instruction, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 16. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,