EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
mnm
a( tljc l&if.n'tBO/
20 MAY *-4
SENATE
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF COMMUTERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Mobility provides one of the groundwork through which a person gains access 
to basic human needs, such as food, water, healthcare, education, and employment 
opportunities. The lack of connectivity further deprives the individual of the many 
social, medical, technological, educational, and other benefits that are made available 
to society. Mobility or connectivity is therefore essential to human growth, creativity, 
meaning, and experience. Conversely, the lack of proper, efficient, and effective 
mobility and connectivity limits an individual’s opportunities and growth and affects not 
only the individual or a specific sector in the community, but the society at large.
Regrettably, countless Filipinos continue to suffer from lack of adequate 
mobility and connectivity. This perennial issue affects most the vulnerable sectors in 
the country: the young, the elderly, the women, the poor, the working class, and 
persons with disabilities.
This problem on mobility is exacerbated by the fact that while 69% of daily trips 
are made through public transport, 78% of road space is being taken up by private 
transport.1 It is, therefore, high time that the State takes another look into mobility 
issues that continue to beset the country and the Filipino people. Extra attention should 
be given most especially to the vulnerable sectors, the commuting public, the elderly, 
the women, the children, and others who mostly rely on public transportation and 
active transport whether in urban or rural areas.
1 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and National Economic Development Authority 
(NEDA), Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and Its Surrounding 
Areas (Region III and Region IV-A), March 2014. https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12149597 pdf 
accessed on 6 April 2020.


This bill seeks to bring us a step closer toward addressing mobilitv and 
connectivity issues by redirecting the State’s focus on giving priority to walking and 
pu lie transport in road space allocation, as well as on developing and establishing 
infrastructures that maximize the use and benefits of the scarcepubiic space through
adlUtes EK;°,rPanCy PU.bliC ,ranSp0rt' 0r 
pedS
Efforts llkewise are directed toward prohibiting boundary and commission-
based revenue system that forces drivers, including jeepney and bus drivers to
compete for passengers and follow unsafe driving practices. This bills also aims to
m0re .definit,veness the rights of the commuting public—from public
anritP rtatl0nfervices t0 safe and accessible infrastructure to clean air during travel
rnctdinCn°rfr |epresentat,on and participation—as well as the duties of the State
advanced!^^jmplernent^en*S' in enSUrin9 ‘heSe ri9htS are reC°9niZed' pr0tected’
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought
SENATOJyJOEL VILLANUEVA


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
<0U\ti of tiji? &rcri’ta -p
20 MAY “4 /All :42
SENATE
RECEIVED 5Y:
S. B. NO.
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF COMMUTERS
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 of 
Commuters.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State hereby recognizes mobility as a basic 
human need. Without mobility, citizens are unable to access basic services such as 
healthcare and education, or enjoy fundamental freedoms. Thus, the State shall 
ensure that mobility is enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, gender, and economic
status, and not only by those who are physically fit, with private motor vehicles or with 
financial means.
The State further recognizes the right of the commuters to travel safely, conveniently, 
and reliably. To this end, the State shall develop and establish mobility infrastructures 
and transportation services aimed at promoting the welfare of the commuters and 
improving their mobility. The welfare of the commuter shall also be the paramount 
objective in all decisions related to the provision of mobility infrastructure and 
transportation services.
The State further guarantees the rights of all citizens, including the commuter sector, 
to participate in the policy formulation, planning, implementation, management, 
monitoring, evaluation, and decision-making processes of all institutions, programs! 
projects, and services affecting the rights, welfare, and privileges of the commuters.
To attain the foregoing policy, the State shall provide the necessary mechanisms, 
human and financial resources, and legal measures to enable its citizens to enjoy fuliv 
the rights embodied in this Act.


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SEC. 3. Definitions. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
Active Transport refers to non-motorized means of travel, including walkinq or 
using a bicycle; 
a y
Activity Center refers to a place in a city or municipality where people gather 
regularly for work, worship, education, social events, trade, exercise, leisure or 
other common interests and purposes;
Advance Notice refers to the provision of early information regarding anv 
consultations with stakeholders, for which the period from the announcement or 
days^1^ inv,^a^'on consultation event will be a minimum of 10 working
Commuter refers to a person who needs to travel from one place to another 
often using a combination of transportation modes to get to his/her destination; ’
Greenway refers to a road, street, or path with ample greenery and shade where 
private motorized transport is not allowed, that also serves as recreational space 
ora public park, in order to welcome and encourage environmentally sustainable 
transportation modes, especially walking and cycling;
High-Volume Transport Corridor refers to walkways, paths, roads, bridges 
streets or mass transportation terminals where the flow of people is at least 2 000 
persons per hour per direction during peak travel periods;
Micromobility refers to travel using electronic or non-motorized vehicles 
weighing not more than 100 kilograms;
Mobility refers to the ability of a person to travel from one place to another to 
conduct daily and extraordinary activities and business;
Mobility Infrastructure refers to physical facilities, such as foot paths, bicycle 
lanes, roads, PUV loading/unloading bays, PUV terminals, and public transport 
systems, that support and enhance a person's mobility.
^°*or*ze<^ Transport refers to motorized vehicles weighing more than 
100 kilograms;
Public Transport refers to public sector and franchised private sector services 
that transport people over land or water, including jeepneys, UVs, buses 
minibuses, railways, ferries, taxis and tricycles; and
Urbanized Municipality refers to a municipality in the Philippines where the 
aggregate area in the municipality zoned as residential, commercial or industrial 
exceeds 40% of the total land area of the municipality.


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Public Transportation Services that Satisfy Commuters’ Mobiiity 
~ The State shall ensure that adequate public transportation services 
are avanable to meet the needs of its citizens in the most prompt, convenient and 
accessible manner possible.
The State shall ensure that:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Every town and municipality will have a community-wide network of safe 
sidewalks, mcycle lanes, and roads to enable safe and convenient travel around 
the city entirely by foot, bicycle or by other forms of light mobility;
Public Transport services are available within a 500-meter walk from anv 
residence or activity center in a city; 
y
Public Transport services are connected to another public service within a 300- 
meter walk to promote seamless connectivity;
Public Transport services are in sufficient quantity and frequency so that 
comnriuter waiting time at stops and terminals do not exceed 10 minutes durino 
peak demand periods;
Public Transport is accorded priority in the use of road space and traffic signal 
operations0 that it is able to traverse 15 kilometers within 1 hour, including all 
scheduled stops;
Public Transport services are supported by properly equipped, adequately-sized 
and well-maintained terminals and stops, with attention to the safety and comfort 
of commuters;
Every road with a speed limit of over 20 kilometers per hours (kph) and under 60 
kph shall feature dedicated pedestrian infrastructure, in the form of an 
unobstructed walking path of at least 2.5 meters wide in each direction;
h) 
Every road with a speed limit of under 60 kph shall feature dedicated bike lanes
which are wide enough to comfortably accommodate at least two bikes side bv 
side. 
J
i) 
Transport services are inclusive, so that they are conveniently accessible to
a^es anc* abilities. Public Transport infrastructure and vehicles 
Shall be designed and implemented so that persons with disabilities or special 
needs, including senior citizens, are not excluded from their use; and
j) 
In all renovations of existing infrastructure or construction of new infrastructure
preseiving or improving the travel time impact on Public Transport, bicycles, and 
pedestrians shall be prioritized over preserving or improving travel time impact 
on private motorized transport. The State shall generally avoid the 
implementation of projects that produce a positive impact on the travel time of 
users of private motorized modes at large expense to Public Transport, bicycles 
and pedestrians. 
t' < j
SEC. 5. Right to Safe, Convenient, and Affordable Public Transport Services. -
The State shall ensure that Public Transport services are safe, dignified, convenient,
comfortable, easily accessible, and reliable, while remaining affordable to the general
public.


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Conoessional or discounted fares shall be offered for disadvantaged or special groups 
suGh as students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, in accordance with law! 
The State ^ail endeavor to provide subsidies or incentives to compensate for 
discounts offered to special or disadvantaged groups other than the incentives 
provided under existing laws.
The State shall also reward the use of Public Transport via financial and non-financial 
incentives to promote the frequent use of Public Transport. The State shall ensure that 
It IS more economical for commuters to use Public Transport more frequently rather 
than less frequently.
During periods when transportation services are deficient, the State shall employ 
fhie,!?oatlVe. aPP[!oaches enable additional mobility options for its citizens, including 
the use of public resources to fill temporary gaps in services, such as government- 
owned vehicles or through government charter or lease of private vehicies.
The State shall promote and ensure safe and efficient driving behavior by Pubiic 
Transport drivers through mandatory trainings and more stringent licensing. To 
eliminate dangerous on-street competition and behavior among Public Transport 
drivers, any law, rules, regulations, policies, and practices which provide incentive for 
drivers related to ridership or fare revenue are hereby repealed and prohibited. Any 
such agreernent between the management of Public Transport companies and Public 
Transport driyers shall be yoid for being contrary to law and public policy.
Streets shall also be designed in accordance with international best practices in road 
safety design to reduce the occurrence of dangerous driying behavior.
nECu r* Right t°u ,nIrastructure for Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Persons with 
Disabilities. — The State shall ensure that roads are accessible to persons with 
impaired mobility, among others, and that adequate and appropriate bicycle lanes are 
available. For this purpose, the State shall:
a)
b)
Accord priority to the development of adequate sidewalks and networks of bicycle 
lanes that encourage Active Transport and provide safe and direct access to 
priority destinations, such as housing, education, business centers, markets and 
grocery stores, and Public Transport nodes;
Ensure that ail Public Transport stops are accessible to persons with disabilities 
and impaired movement, including senior citizens;
c) 
Prioritize ease of access by pedestrians, especially at Public Transport stops and 
government facilities, over mobility of private motorized transport;
d) 
Ensure that safe and adequate walking and cyciing infrastructure is incorporated
in the design and implementation of road transport projects at national and local 
government levels;
e) 
Ensure that the comprehensive land use plan of every city includes the 
development of a city-wide network of safe sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and road 
aries to enable travel around the city entirely by foot, bicycle, or by other forms of 
light mobility;


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f) Ensure that travel by walking or cycling is no less direct to destinations than travel 
by private motorized transport. No commuter shall be made to travel above or 
below street level to cross any street or intersection if it is possible to implement 
an at-grade crossing. No commuter, when traveling by walking or cycling, shall 
be made to diverge from his or her route of travel if a commuter traveling by private 
motorized vehicle would have enjoyed a more direct trip.
In Philippine cities and urbanized municipalities, the State shall ensure that the 
infrastructure of each barangay includes:
a) 
safe foot paths or sidewalks, free of obstructions, well-protected from 
automobiles, compliant with universal design guidelines, and accessible by 
pregnant women, elderly, and persons with strollers or wheelchairs;
b) 
networks of greenways to encourage active transport modes (walking and cycling);
c) 
proper lighting on all roads and footpaths to allow safe travel even after dark;
d) 
tactile paving on sidewalks of high-volume transport corridors for the benefit of 
pedestrians who are blind;
e) 
bicycle racks in every transportation hub or terminal and in every commercial 
community and activity center. Such racks shall be provided at street level if 
possible, and at most one level above or below the street; and
f) 
Safe intersections and pedestrian crossings such as provision of raised 
pedestrian platfornis, highly visible advance warning signages, adequate street 
lighting, mid crossing refuges, traffic calming for motorized vehicles and curb 
outstands to reduce road pavement crossing width.
In addition, the State shall promote light mobility by requiring that buildings have 
adequate bicycle racks that can accommodate 10% of the anticipated users of such 
building.
SEC. 7. Right to a Fair Share of Pubiic Road Space. — The State shall ensure that 
public road space is used in a manner that delivers the greatest socio-economic 
benefit. The State shall also ensure and prioritize the safety of road users. For this 
purpose, it shall ensure that the design, engineering, and operation of road 
infrastructure are appropriate to achieve the goal of road safety and access for non- 
motorized and vulnerable users.
Because roads are a scarce public asset, the State shall ensure that road space is 
prioritized for modes of travel (e.g., public transport, walking, cycling, etc.) that move 
more people and maximize the productivity and social benefit of the public asset. The 
planning and design of roads must prioritize the needs of pedestrians, micromobility 
users, and Public Transport users. Public Transport shall also have priority use of road 
space over private motor vehicles.
The State shall ensure that there is no private appropriation of public road space and 
foot paths for parking, commerce, or other activities that will restrict public use of, or 
access to, the road.


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SEC. 8. Right to Breathe Clean Air during Travel. — The State shall take measures 
to ensure that commuters are able to travel using Public Transport or active transport 
(e.g., walking or cycling) without compromising their health.
The State shall ensure that all Public Transport vehicles comply with the emission 
standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and/or the Land Transportation Franchising 
and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The State shall also formulate and implement programs and policies aimed at 
encouraging citizens to commute using cycling or other lighter vehicles, thus reducing 
vehicle-related pollution emissions. The State shall also provide facilities and programs 
which support and incentivize the use of cleaner alternative fuels.
The State shall measure air quality along major transport corridors in all cities and 
provide this information to the public in real time. When air quality exceeds safe leveis 
according to internationally-accepted standards, particularly from the World Health 
Organization, the State shall activate emergency procedures with a view to reducing 
the exposure of the public, especially the young and the elderly, to unclean air.
SEC. 9. Right to Information for Efficient and Convenient Travel. — The State shall 
provide timely and adequate information so that commuters are able to make good 
travel plans and choices about modes and routes. For this purpose, the State shall:
a) 
Make publicly available information on all Public Transport services, including 
route maps, fares, schedules, and real time vehicle location and availability, 
including traffic situation, for the convenience of commuters;
b) 
Ensure that such information is prominently displayed at all stops of public 
transport services and at other locations deemed necessary or beneficial to 
commuters;
c) 
Establish technical standards and regulations for the display of street maps at 
strategic locations in each neighborhood, for the reference of residents and 
visitors; and
d) 
Ensure that, at all ports, airports, and terminals, a 24-hour information/assistance 
counter will be available to serve the needs of travelers.
SEC. 10. Right to Special Attention during Service Breakdowns and to 
Compensation for Deficiencies in Service. — In the event of a breakdown in a Public 
Transport service, passengers shall be entitled to receive promptly and without delay, 
from the transport operator, a full refund of the fare and assistance in securing onward 
journeys.
Stranded passengers shall be informed in a timely manner about how they will be 
redirected to their final destination. If onward journeys are unavailable or unreasonably 
delayed, the transport operator shall provide its passengers with access to food, water, 
and waiting area with clean restrooms and ventilation.
SEC. 11. Right to Representation and Participation. — The State shall ensure that 
the welfare and interest of commuters are considered in all decision-making related to 
mobility and transportation services. Commuters shall be adequately consulted on all


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matters affecting the welfare and mobility of commuters.
SEC. 12. Annual Public Transportation Services and Infrastructure Plans and 
Programs. — The Department of Transportation, in coordination with local 
government units and other concerned stakeholders shall prepare, annually, a national 
public transportation services and infrastructure plan and program to satisfy the 
evolving mobility requirements in the country, especially in urban areas.
Local government units shall also prepare their own local public transportation 
services and infrastructure plan to ensure the mobility of their citizens within the 
context of their situation, needs and stages of development.
Metropolitan authorities and local government units shall also be responsible of 
measuring, analyzing, and updating the mobility requirements in each locality and to 
develop plans and programs to address the mobility requirements of their citizens.
SEC. 13. Vision Zero in Road Safety. — The State shall adopt the Vision Zero in road 
safety, which aims to achieve a highway system with no fatalities or serious injuries 
involving road traffic. For this purpose, the State shall implement a comprehensive 
road safety program and allocate funding to implement activities under the five pillars 
of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan, namely Road Safety Management, Safer 
Roads, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users, and Post-Crash Response.
SEC. 14. Establishment of the National Transportation Safety Board. - The State 
shall establish a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) which shall collect and 
process the rnobility data for evidence-based transport planning in light of the evolving 
mobility requirements in the country. The NTSB shall ensure that data in aid of policy 
and lesearch on mobility areopen and areavailable to the public. These data shall include 
reliable and accurate road crash data, air pollution levels, and Public Transport routes 
and travel time information, among others.
SEC. 15. Implementing Agencies. — The Department of Transportation (DOTr), 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Naturai Resources (DENR), 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Metropolitan Maniia Deveiopment Authority 
(MMDA) and other metropoiitan councils, shall be the hfiplementing agencies for this Act, 
with DOTr as the lead implementing agency with responsibility for coordinating and 
monitoring all implementation activities.
The foregoing agencies shall include in their respective budget’s funds for the effective 
implementation of this Act.
Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, all concerned government agencies, 
including local government units, shall ensure that relevant technical standards, 
guidelines, and manuals are amended to incorporate the requirements of this Act.
SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within one hundred and eighty 
(180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr and the other implementing 
agencies, upon consultation with relevant on-government organizations, civil society 
organizations, and academic institutions that champion the welfare of commuters and 
other stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act.


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SEC. 17. Penal Provisions. — Any person in violation of any of the provisions of this 
Act shall be fined not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Phpl 0,000) but not more than 
Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhpSOO.OOO).
If the offender is a public official, he/she shall also suffer the penalty of perpetual 
disqualification from holding public office, and be dismissed from government service, after 
due process.
SEC. 18. Separability Clause. — Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions 
or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist 
and be given effect in their entirety.
SEC. 19. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
memoranda, circulars and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with 
this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 20. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,