Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF PUBLIC UTILITY BUS DRIVERS AND 
CONDUCTORS TO A FIXED MONTHLY SALARY, SECURITY OF TENURE, AND 
SELF-ORGANIZATION AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The current minimum wage in Metro Manila in 2022 ranges from five hundred thirty-seven 
(PHP 537.00) to five hundred seventy pesos (PHP 570.00). This translates to ten 
thousand four hundred pesos (PHP 11, 400.00) of income in a month, considering that 
they render eight (8) hours of work for five days. The prevalent practice is to hire bus 
drivers and conductors on the boundary or commission-based compensation schemes. 
Commission rates are often dictated by bus operators and owners. Bus drivers and 
conductors are usually expected to meet daily quotas, so that they may be able to earn 
additional compensation for the day. In some cases, bus companies also charge bus 
drivers and conductors for their share of fuel, should they not meet the agreed-upon 
quota.  
Even with the implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Department 
Order No. 118-12, series of 2012, which established the rules and regulations governing 
the employment and working conditions of drivers and conductors in the public utility bus 
transport industry, bus companies have found ways to circumvent the policy and pay 
drivers and conductors less than what is established in the said Department Order. 
The abovementioned practice is extremely exploitative and endangers the lives of not 
only the bus drivers and conductors but also those of the passengers they have on board. 
In 2019, there is a total of 121,771 road accidents for the whole year, with 372 fatal road 
incidents recorded. 111 of these incidents took place from 1 am to 5 am. As it is, public 
utility buses are notorious for vehicular accidents, especially during the 1 am to 5 am 
window, because most drivers tend to extend their work hours beyond 8 hours so that 
they may be able to meet quotas which increases their income for the day. Bus drivers 
also tend to compete with other drivers in getting more passengers so that they can get 
larger commissions.  
September 5, 2022
9:03 am
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Considering the detrimental effects these abusive compensation schemes may cause, 
the State must take the necessary steps in putting an end to this practice. Moreover, it is 
also the State’s responsibility to ensure that the rights of public utility bus workers to just, 
sufficient and livable wages and their right to just and humane working conditions are 
realized. 
 
This proposed measure seeks to enhance the economic status of bus drivers and 
conductors by improving the working conditions and terms of employment of public utility 
bus drivers and conductors. In the same way, this measure will also promote the general 
welfare of the riding public by ensuring that they can travel from one point to another 
safely.  
 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good 
of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF PUBLIC UTILITY BUS DRIVERS AND 
CONDUCTORS TO A FIXED MONTHLY SALARY, SECURITY OF TENURE, AND 
SELF-ORGANIZATION AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF 
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 "Bus Drivers and Conductors' 
Welfare Act of 2022." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State: 
a) To grant just and humane working conditions for public utility bus drivers and
conductors;
b) To secure and safeguard citizens from the risks of vehicular accidents and traffic
problems caused by competing and overworked public utility bus drivers;
Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to improve the working conditions and terms 
of employment of public utility bus drivers and conductors through the recognition and 
protection of their rights to just and regular wages, security of tenure, and self-
organization.  
SECTION 3. Coverage. – All persons who have been issued a Certificate of Public 
Convenience (CPC) to operate a public utility bus service shall pay their PUB drivers and 
conductors as compensation for work performed a fixed monthly salary which shall not 
be less than the minimum wage fixed by law, plus benefits and incentives.  
SECTION 4. Driver and Conductor Qualifications and Standards. – All operators of 
public utility bus services shall comply with the driver and conduct qualifications and 
standards which shall be established by the Land Transportation and Franchising and 
Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ensure the employment of qualified and experienced 
drivers and conductors.  
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SECTION 5. Driving Hours. – All operators of public utility bus services shall require 
their drivers to observe the following work scheme: 
a. Regular driving hours shall not exceed eight (8) hours inclusive of the rest period; 
b. A two-shift system shall be employed; and 
c. There should be at least one (1) hour of rest per working day. 
d. Overtime work may be performed following pertinent provisions of the Labor Code, 
but must not exceed 12 hours within 24 hours. 
SECTION 6. Daily Time Record or Trip Report Monitoring System. – All PUH 
operators shall require their drivers to submit daily time records or trip reports to monitor 
the number of trips made and the number of driving hours worked. A copy of the summary 
of the daily time records or trip report shall be submitted to the L TFRB as a requirement 
for the annual renewal of registration of the PUB.  
SECTION 7. Payment of Monthly Salary. – The monthly salary of PUB drivers and 
conductors shall not be less than the minimum wage fixed by law. Salaries shall be paid 
in cash at least once every two (2) weeks and shall be paid directly to the PUB drivers 
and conductors. Benefits and incentives as stipulated in the Labor Code and related laws, 
and/or in collective bargaining agreements, shall also be accorded to drivers and 
conductors.  
SECTION 8. Status of Employment. – All public utility bus drivers and conductors, 
except those under probationary employment, shall be considered regular workers and 
shall enjoy all the rights and privileges granted to regular workers under the provisions of 
the Labor Code.  
SECTION 9. Security of Tenure. All public utility bus drivers and conductors shall 
have the right to security of tenure. – Public utility bus drivers and conductors can only 
be terminated for just or authorized causes under the provisions of the Labor Code and 
subject to the requirements of due process.  
SECTION 10. Right to Self-Organization. – All public utility bus drivers and conductors 
shall enjoy the right to self-organization, and to freely form, join, or assist organizations 
of their own choice for collective bargaining, for the protection of their interests, and to 
obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful concerted activities.  
SECTION 11. Penalties. – For any violation or circumvention of this Act, the operator of 
any public utility bus service shall be fined not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P100,000.00) but not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) and 
suspension of the franchise to operate.  
Provided, that the suspension of the franchise to operate shall only be until such time that 
the operator has complied and paid the drivers and conductors their back wages and 
appropriate benefits.  
SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Chairman of the Land 
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) shall, in coordination with the 


Secretary of Labor and Employment, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act.  
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations, and other issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
SECTION 14. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication: 
in the Official Gazette or two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,