NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. B. No. 2 833

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
ALLOWING THE USE OF MOTORCYCLES AS PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4136, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODE”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act (R.A.) No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code
mandates that motorcycles can only be registered as private vehicles or as
government vehicles, but not vehicles for hire. Under the law, motorcycles cannot be
used as public utility vehicles, thus making the operations of motorcycles-for-hire
and motorcycle ride-hailing apps like Angkas illegal.”

Motorcycles, however, are a common mode of transportation in the
Philippines. In 2018, Angkas had over 27,000 riders and its app got over 3 million
downloads because it has made a reputation of providing fast and reliable service.
In the recent years, motorcycles-for-hire also known as habal-habal, have been
considered as the fastest means of transportation, particularly amidst traffic
congestion in urban areas like Metro Manila. In some rural areas, it has always been
the only mode of transportation in rugged, winding and narrow roads that cannot be
negotiated by regular vehicles. Unfortunately, haba/-habal is an unregulated, illegal
mode of transport and considered colorum, despite being widely used in rural areas
and increasingly in urban locales.

‘Subingaubng. Kasi Jansits 18.2019) “DOT pfs amendmen egal mgs” Incematon rettene
Sana 2h, 2018

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In recognition of the viability of motorcycles as a mode of public
transportation, the Department of Transportation issued General Guidelines for the
Pilot Implementation of Motorcycle Taxis in May 2019 which declared a six-month
pilot run of motorcycle taxis beginning in June 2019. The test run aimed to further
study the legalization of motorcycle taxis through testing its safety and economic
viability. On the same year, the House of Representatives passed House Bill No.
8959 to legalize motorcycle taxis, however, the Senate, failed to pass the same
measure before the 17" Congress ended.

With the worsening traffic situation coupled with the lack of better options,
‘hatal-habals became a means to ease the suffering of the riding public. This is the
reason why there is a need to allow motorcycles-for-hire to operate because they
help in ferrying people. Legalizing motorcycles-for-hire would help regulate
its operations, at the same time protect both the operator and the riding public. This
‘move will also allow our fellow Filipinos a decent livelihood as motorcycles-for-hire
drivers or operators.

It is high time for the government to listen to the growing clamor from the
commuters to legalize the operations of motorcycles-for-hire and motorcycle ride-
hailing apps like Angkas.

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



NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B.No. 2833

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
ALLOWING THE USE OF MOTORCYCLES AS PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4136, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CODE”

Se it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:
‘Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 4136 shall be amended to read
as follows:
“SEC. 3. Words and Phrases Defined. - As used in this Act:
“(@) 2005,
“S005;
“(m) 200; AND
“(N) PUBLIC UTILITY MOTORCYCLES — ANY TWO-WHEELED
MOTOR VEHICLE WEIGHING LESS THAN ONE THOUSAND
KILOGRAMS (1,000 KG) THAT CAN TRAVEL FASTER THAN
FIFTY KILOMETERS PER HOUR (50 KM/H) AND HAS AN
ENGINE CAPACITY OF AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED TWENTY
FIVE CUBIC CENTIMETERS (125 CM°) SHALL BE
REGISTERED WITH THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE
(LTO) AS FOR HIRE AND MAY BE USED AS COMMERCIAL
VEHICLE TO FERRY THE COMMUTING PASSENGERS.”


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Sec. 2. Section 7 of R.A. No. 4136 shall be amended to read as follows:

“SEC.

7. Registration Classification.- Every motor vehicle shall be
registered under one of the following described dassifications:
(© 0%;

"(d) Public utility automobiles; e) public utility trucks; (f) taxis
and auto-calesas; (g) garage automobiles; (h) garage trucks; (i)
hire trucks; [and] (j) trucks owned by contractors and customs
brokers and customs agents[.] ; AND K) PUBLIC UTILITY
MOTORCYCLES. Application for registration under these
classifications shall be accompanied by a certificate of public
convenience or a special permit issued by the [Public Service
Commission] LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND
REGULATORY BOARD (LTFRB), and motor vehicles
registered under these classifications shall be subject to the
Public Service Law, rules and regulations, as well as the
provisions of this Act.”

300K.

Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of Transportation
shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations for its proper implementation.

Sec. 4. Separability Clause.— If any part, section or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, no other parts, sections or provisions hereof shali
be affected thereby.

Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. — Nil laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations,
other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the
Official Gazette.

Approved,