Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Introduced by: “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO-
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public transportation is the transport of passengers by group travel systems available for
use by the general public, typically managed on a schedule, operated on established routes and that
charge a posted fee for each trip. Its obligation to its passengers is to bring them to their destination
safely free from injuries or casualties arising from the contract of carriage. As good as it sounds,
the reality is that senior citizens of our country are in disadvantage with regard to the struggle of
riding a public utility vehicle or public mode of transportation.

The purpose of this bill is to provide priority seating for the senior citizen elderly on public
utility jeepney’s buses, train system, and commercial sea and air transport. The bill will aid and
give the senior citizen legislative protection and comfort while using public transport.

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

“KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO
Representative
First District of Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5964

Introduced by: “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO

AN ACT REQUIRING LAND, AIR, AND SEA TRANSPORT PROVIDERS TO
PROVIDE PRIORITY SEATING FOR THE ELDERLY, FURTHER AMENDING FOR
THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432. AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO.

9257 AND 9994. OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZEN'S ACT
OF 2010

Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in Congress
assemble:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Priority Seating for the Elderly
Act"

SECTION 2. Amendatory Provision - For the purposes of this Act, the following provisions
of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257 and 9994. Otherwise known as
the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 is hereby further amended to read as follows.

Section 5. Paragraph (f) of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended," is hereby further amended
to read as follows:

‘SEC. 5. Government Assistance - "(F) PRIORITY SEATING FOR THE
ELDERLY ALL PUBLIC UTILITTY VEHICLES (PUV), PUBLIC UTILITY BUSES
(PUBS), RAIL TRANSPORT PROVIDERS, AND AIR AND SEA TRANSPORT
PROVIDERS, SHALL RESERVE AND DESIGNATE THE BEST POSSIBLE SEATS
FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION (DOTR), IN COORDINATION WITH THE LAND
TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD (LTFRB). THE
MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY (MARINA), THE CIVIL AVIATION
AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES (CAAP), AND THREE (3) REPRESENTATIVES
FROM REPUTABLE AND CONCERNED CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS, AS
DETERMINED BY THE DOTR.

THE PRIORITY SEATS SHALL BE CLEARLY LABELLED TO INDICATE
THAT PASSENGERS MAY USE THEM BUT MUST VACATE THEM IF THEY ARE
NEEDED BY AN ELDERLY PASSENGER PROVIDED, THAT PASSENGERS WHO
ARE PREGNANT OR DISABLED SHALL BE EXEMPTED FROM THIS PROVISION.
COMMERCIAL AIR AND SEA TRANSPORT PROVIDERS SHALL ENSURE THAT
PRIORITY SEATS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO ELDERLY PASSENGERS DURING
THE RESERVATION OF SEATS. ELDERLY PASSENGERS MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED TO OTHER SEATS OR BUMPED OFF WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE
(1) WEEK OF PRIOR NOTICE AND WITHOUT REASON

[The Department of Transportation (DOTr) shall develop a program to assist senior citizens
to fully gain access to public transport facilities]

Section 10 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:


SEC. 10. Penalties - ANY PUV OR PUB OPERATOR WHO FAILS TO COMPLY
WITH SECTION OF THIS ACT SHALL, UPON CONVICTION, BE
IMPRISONED FOR TWO (2) MONTHS TO ONE (1) YEAR OR PAY A FINE
OF ONE THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 1,000) TO FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (PHP
5,000). WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE COMPOSITION OF
ADMINSTRATVE SANCTIONS SUCH AS SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION
OF THEIR FRANCHISE: ANY RAIL TRANSPORT OPERATOR WHO FAILS
TO COMPLY WITH SECTION (F) THIS ACT SHALL, UPON CONVICTION.
BE IMPRISONED FOR FIVE (5) MONTHS TO TWO (2) YEARS OR PAY A
FINE OF THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 30,000) TO FORTY THOUSAND
PESOS (PHP 40,000): ANY COMMERCIAL AIR OR SEA TRANSPORT
PROVIDER WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 5(F) THIS ACT
SHALL, UPON CONVICTION, BE IMPRISONED FOR FIVE (5) TO TEN (10)
YEARS OR PAY A FINE OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (PHP
100.000) TO FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 500,000).

SECTION 3. Appropriations - Such funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included in annual General Appropriations Act

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DOTr, in coordination with the
LTFRB, MARINA, CAAP, and three (3) representatives from reputable and concerned civil
society organizations, as determined by the DOTr, shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations of this Act within fifteen (15) days from its effectivity

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations rules
and regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity“- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or jw newspaper of general circulation.