Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF TRICYCLE DRIVERS AND 
OPERATORS, INSTITUTIONALIZING MECHANISMS FOR ITS 
IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Tricycles remain the “vehicle of the masses” that is commonly utilized 
by many low-income households as means of transportation to major 
thoroughfares whilst also serving as a significant income source of many 
Filipinos displaced in the formal working sector due to lack of employable 
skills. Oftentimes, driving a tricycle will be the only mode of livelihood until 
retirement. 
The Land Transportation Office reported that in 2022, there are more 
than 1.5 million registered tricycles in the country. With this number, it is 
high time that we give value to our tricycles as well as their drivers and 
operators for providing the mobility to the average Filipino as much as their 
contribution to the economic development.  
This measure seeks to protect the welfare of the tricycle drivers and 
operators through a more organized sector by defining the requirements for 
proper operation of tricycles and simplifying the registration system imposed 
in the application and issuance of motorized tricycle operator permit (MTOP). 
It further mandates the establishment of one-stop-shop in every local 
government unit to cater for all the transactions of tricycle drivers and 
operators. It advances the welfare of the tricycle sector by mandating the 
Social Security System and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to 
assure their provision of health care and social benefits. The measure also 
May 24, 2023
4:02 pm
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outlines the significant role of the Local Government Units and other 
government agencies in supporting the sector. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF TRICYCLE DRIVERS AND 
OPERATORS, INSTITUTIONALIZING MECHANISMS FOR ITS 
IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 for 
Tricycle Drivers and Operators Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. – It is the policy of the State: 
a. To nurture and protect the interests of the tricycle sector by providing
them with adequate and timely social, economic, and legal services, as
well as mechanisms that shall protect their rights and promote benefits
that ensure their dignified existence and economic advancement;
b. To recognize, promote, and protect the rights of every worker in the
tricycle sector including the right to self-organization, the right to
decent work, just and humane working conditions, access to social
protection, and the right to represent their organizations in a
continuing process of consultation and dialogue towards maximizing
the provision of a comprehensive package of reforms, interventions, and
services in accordance with their articulated needs and interest;
c. To promote gender equity and equality through the elimination of
gender stereotypes attached to this sector and redefining tricycle drivers
as not only males but also females;
d. To protect women workers in the tricycle sector against gender-based
discrimination, exploitation, violence, and abuse;
e. To progressively eliminate children in the tricycle sector through the
creation of more quality jobs for adults, effective enforcement of laws
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against child labor, improved access to universal education and 
elimination of cultural factors that tolerate child labor; and 
f. To develop the local economy through maximization of the potential and 
contribution of the tricycle sector. 
 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – Pursuant to this Act, the following terms 
shall mean: 
 
a. “Colorum” refers to a private vehicle operated as a public utility without 
the benefit of a valid and existing special permit, provisional authority, 
or franchise; 
b. “Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit or MTOP” refers to the permit that 
authorizes the holder to operate a tricycle for public transport; 
c. “Periodic maintenance” refers to the cleaning and replacing of parts that 
have been exhausted from their effective service life. 
d. “Preventive maintenance” refers to the regular cleaning of the engine 
and other related parts that affect its performance; 
e. “Sanggunian” 
refers 
to 
the 
Sangguniang 
Panlungsod 
or 
the 
Sangguniang Bayan, as the case may be; 
f. “Tricycle Sector” refers to the drivers and operators of tricycles for public 
transportation in the Philippines. 
 
SECTION 4. Authority to Regulate and to Grant MTOP. – Subject to the 
guidelines to be prescribed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the 
Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising 
and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), cities and municipalities shall have the power 
to regulate the operation of tricycles and grand permits for the operation 
thereof within their respective territorial jurisdictions. Before it can issue the 
MTOP, the concerned LGU is required to submit a tricycle operation plan 
which includes, among others, the tricycle routes and zones, designation of 
terminals and maximum number of tricycles operating within its jurisdiction. 
Such a plan shall be subject to the approval of the DOTr and must comply 
with the guidelines promulgated therefore with the end goal of ensuring 
overall efficiency, integration and safety of the transportation system. 
 
SECTION 5. Uniform and Standardized Set of Requirements. – The local 
government units (LGUs) having jurisdiction over the city or municipality 
where the tricycle is registered shall impose no other requirement, restriction, 
or condition for its operation, except the following: 
a. For safety reasons, no tricycle should operate on national highway 
utilized by 4-wheel vehicles greater than four (4) tons and where 
normal speed exceeds forty (40) kilometres per hour. However, the 
concerned 
LGU 
may 
provide 
exceptions 
if 
there 
are 
no 


transportation services or modes servicing the said route, either 
along the highway or crossing the same, other than tricycle, subject 
to the approval of the DOTr: Provided, however, That when such 
operation is allowed, the LGU is mandated to provide appropriate 
signages, marks for lanes and other safety features to guide and 
protect the tricycles utilizing the highways. 
b. Zones must be within the boundaries of the municipality/city. 
Existing zones within more than one municipality or city, however, 
shall be maintained: Provided, That operators servicing said zones 
shall secure MTOPs from each of the municipalities and/or cities 
having jurisdiction over the areas covered by the zone. 
c. A common color for tricycles-for-hire operating in the same zone may 
be imposed. Each unit shall be assigned and bear an identification 
number, aside from its LTO license plate number. 
d. An operator wishing to terminate or suspend its service for more 
than one month should report in writing such termination or 
suspension to the Sanggunian which originally granted the MTOP. 
e. The MTOP shall be valid for three (3) years, renewable for the same 
period. Transfer to another zone, change of ownership of a unit or 
transfer of MTOP shall be construed as an amendment to an MTOP 
and shall require appropriate approval of the Sanggunian. 
f. Operators shall employ only drivers possessing professional licenses 
duly issued by the LTO. For this purpose, the LTO shall issue 
guidelines, including theoretical and practical examinations, 
appropriate for drivers of tricycles. 
g. No tricycle-for-hire shall be allowed to carry more passenger and/or 
goods than it is designed for. 
h. A tricycle-for-hire shall be allowed to operate like a taxi service 
where, aside from rendering services in the designated terminals, the 
tricycle can be flagged-down or engaged by passengers on the road 
within its authorized zone of operation. 
 
SECTION 6. Registration. – There shall be a simplified procedure for 
registration and issuance of MTOP in accordance with the framework and 
principles of this Act. The registration fee for the application for an MTOP 
shall not exceed One thousand pesos (1,000.00). The validity of MTOP shall 
be for three years. The said fee shall cover the cost of the issuance of the 
MTOP, the filing fee, franchise fee, inspection fee, fare adjustment fee, 
amendment, regulatory, and all other fees. No other fees shall be exacted from 
the tricycle sector business activities or enterprise other than the registration 
fee as mentioned above. 
 


SECTION 7. Establishment of One-Stop Shop for the Tricycle Sector. – 
All LGUs shall establish a One-Stop Shop Center for the Tricycle Sector (the 
“Center”) which shall handle all transactions and processing of the business 
permit applications within their respective jurisdiction. The Center shall 
ensure that the processing of the MTOP shall commence on the day of their 
application and the registration shall be released within forty-eight (48) hours 
upon submission of the complete requirements. To facilitate efficient and 
expeditious processing of MTOP applications, LGUs shall formulate a uniform 
and simple checklist of requirements for registration such as valid proof of 
identity (barangay clearance, certificate of residency, etc.) and a flowchart of 
the procedure of registration. LGUs shall be responsible for translating the 
checklist of requirements and flowchart of a procedure of registration in their 
own local dialect. LGUs shall cause the posting of the checklist and flowchart 
of a procedure of registration in at least three (3) conspicuous areas, 
preferably public areas, in the community the publication of the same in the 
local newspaper, if there be any. 
 
SECTION 8. Rights and Benefits of Workers in the Tricycle Sector. – The 
members of the tricycle sector shall have the following rights: 
a. Self-organization to collectively negotiate with government and 
other entities in the promotion of their welfare and advancement 
of their interests free from any political interference or favor; 
b. Informed participation in decision-making process relevant to the 
concerns of their sector through their legitimate organizations. 
Towards this end, they shall be represented in all public hearings 
for laws, ordinances, or regulations that will affect their sector; 
c. Safe working conditions with access to medical care services and 
insurance; 
d. Freedom from any form of discrimination, violence, exploitation, 
or harassment; 
e. Freedom from deprivation of property without valid cause and 
due process of law; 
f. All concerned national government agencies, government 
government financial institutions, and local government units 
shall include in their plans, programs, projects and activities 
efforts that are supportive of the concerns of the tricycle sector; 
g. Each LGU shall create a grievance mechanism to deal with the 
concerns of the members of the tricycle sector; 
h. The Social Security System (SSS) and the Philippine Health 
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall, within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate guidelines for the 
mechanism of collecting premiums from members of the tricycle 
sector. The SSS shall also inform its members from the tricycle 
sector of loans that they can avail of; 


i. Any driver shall not be engaged to work in any hazardous work, 
activity or undertaking, and neither shall he/she be exposed to 
hazardous working conditions; and 
j. All persons whether from the private or public sectors are 
prohibited from committing acts of interference or coercion 
against a member of the tricycle sector, including machinations 
to influence political and/or religious beliefs of the member of the 
tricycle sector. 
 
SECTION 9. Role of the Local Government Unit (LGU) - Subject to the 
operating conditions in this Act and the guidelines to be promulgated by the 
DOTr, LTO and LTFRB, cities and municipalities shall have the following 
responsibilities: 
a. The Municipality or City, after consultation with the small 
transport groups, the affected communities, and other sectors or 
groups, shall identify and designate viable routes and terminals 
of tricycles within the municipality or city. Viable terminals shall 
be in proximity to public buildings, markets, commercial 
districts, or commercial establishments and other places which 
the public frequently visits. 
b. The Sanggunian shall, within ninety (90) days after the 
consultation referred to in the preceding paragraph, pass an 
ordinance designating the viable terminals of tricycles as 
specified in this Act. No designation of terminal, however, shall 
be conducted without prior consultation with the tricycle sector, 
the affected inhabitants and other sectors. LGUs that have 
already established or designated routes and terminals of 
tricycles prior to this Act are deemed to have complied with this 
provision: Provided, That the aforesaid establishment or 
designation of terminals have been undertaken after consultation 
with the relevant parties. 
c. LGUs shall also lead a Tricycle Maintenance Program. This shall 
be done by teaching the existing TODAs within their jurisdiction 
on preventive and periodic maintenance. Technical and 
administrative capability shall be sourced through partnerships 
with private institutions and through the Department of Science 
and Technology (DOST). 
d. Vocational education on auto-mechanics and related courses like 
engine repair and maintenance shall also be developed by the 
LGUs in cooperation with the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA). 
e. There shall be a mandatory Tricycle Drivers Safety Program at the 
LGU level. The content and structure of the Tricycle Drivers 
Safety Program shall be formulated by the DOTr, LTO, LTFRB and 
other relevant government agencies. The LGU shall require all 
tricycle drivers within its jurisdiction to undergo this orientation. 
To complement this, the LTO and LTFRB shall include a Motorist 
Awareness Program in all its safety training. 


f. LGUs shall also eliminate illegal or colorum tricycle units. 
g. LGUs shall provide for alternative livelihood and skills-training 
programs to allow tricycle drivers to explore more economically 
rewarding sources of income. 
h. LGUs shall pursue and implement a comprehensive, rights-
based, participatory and gender responsive framework for 
workers in the tricycle sector that includes but is not limited to: 
i. Putting in place policies and programs that will bring 
members of the tricycle sector to the economic and social 
mainstream; 
ii. Pursuing structural reforms in all relevant levels of LGUs 
by creating committees, special offices for development and 
protection of workers in the tricycle sector and supporting 
their representational rights through their organizations; 
iii. Extending coverage of accessible and affordable social 
security and health care benefits to workers in the tricycle 
sector; and 
iv. Exacting responsibility on the part of the tricycle sector 
workers provided that the state shall recognize their rights 
and put in place responsive, transparent and accountable 
mechanisms to ensure the protection, promotion and 
realization of those rights. 
 
SECTION 10. Policy on Impounding of Vehicle and Imposable Penalties. 
– Tricycles shall not be impounded, confiscated, or destroyed for mere 
violation of license or registration or traffic rules and regulations unless the 
said vehicle was utilized in the conduct of criminal activities. In case of mere 
violation of traffic rules and regulations, a traffic violation ticket shall be 
issued to the erring driver without impounding the said vehicle. The 
responsible person or officer who violated this Section shall be 
administratively liable under this Act. Nothing herein shall prohibit the 
aggrieved members of the tricycle sector from initiating criminal or civil action 
against the responsible persons or officers whenever such action is applicable. 
The imposable penalties for tricycle drivers who are found to violate traffic 
rules or regulations shall be limited to fifty percent of the fine or penalty that 
can be imposed on drivers of four-wheeled vehicles. 
 
SECTION 11. Phase-in of More Efficient Engines. - Within thirty (30) days 
after the effectivity of this Act, the DOST and the DOTr shall partner to create 
a continuous program to develop more efficient engines and cleaner 
technologies that may be used by the tricycle sector, at the own initiative or 
volition of tricycle drivers and/or operators. 
 
SECTION 12. Coordination between Local Government Units and the 
DOTr. – The implementation of the national policy as regards curbing traffic 
must be taken into consideration in the enforcement of this Act. The DOTr 
shall ensure that its guidelines for the regulation of tricycles by LCDs must 
be mindful of the state of traffic in the country. Furthermore, the DOTr must 


efficiently and meaningfully coordinate closely with the LCDs as regards the 
regulation of the tricycle sector. 
 
SECTION 13. Mandatory Membership in SSS and Philhealth, Life and 
Accident Insurance, and Legal Assistance. - The SSS and the PhilHealth 
shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate 
guidelines for the mechanism of collecting premiums from members of the 
tricycle sector. Tricycle drivers shall, in addition to SSS and healthcare 
coverage, be provided accident Insurance coverage to compensate for damage 
or injury acquired such as death, disability, limb amputations, loss of sight, 
hearing, and speech, including the loss of thumb or the index finger. Tricycle 
drivers are also entitled to legal assistance in the exercise and pursuit of their 
rights herein granted. 
 
SECTION 
14. 
Appropriation. 
- 
The 
amount 
necessary 
for 
the 
implementation of this Act shall be allocated in the Annual General 
Appropriations Act of the Department of Transportation. 
 
SECTION 15. Penalties. - 
a. Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce 
any member of the tricycle sector in the exercise of rights, or shall 
in any manner act in violation of Sections 8, 9 or 10 of this Act 
shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than 
Twenty-five Thousand Pesos (P25,000.00) but not more than One 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment not 
exceeding six  (6) months or both, at the discretion of the court. 
b. A driver who operates a tricycle without the necessary MTOP to 
be observed by the tricycle sector in pursuit of cleaner 
technologies and in accordance with Republic Act No. 8479, 
otherwise known as the "Clean Air Act', including any who incurs 
delinquency in payment of fees that are tantamount to an 
incomplete application for an MTOP, operates in highways 
without valid authorization, transports passenger and/or goods 
beyond the limitations on the number of passengers and on load 
capacity, or operates a tricycle not compliant with environmental 
laws shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred 
Pesos (P500.00) but not more than Two Thousand Pesos 
(P2,000.00) or the impoundment of the tricycle by an enforcement 
agency for a period of two (2) months. 
c. An operator who operates without the necessary MTOP or 
authority to operate on highways or employs a driver without the 
requisite license to drive a tricycle, including those below the age 
of majority, or allows a driver to operate a tricycle that is not 
roadworthy or with unauthorized modification affecting vehicle 
safety, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred 
Pesos (P500.00) but not more than Two Thousand Pesos and 
succeeding offenses shall warrant the revocation of the MTOP or 
franchise and the perpetual disqualification from being issued 
the said privilege. 


d. If the offender is a public official, the court may, in addition to 
the penalties provided in the preceding paragraph, impose         
the penalty of disqualification from office. 
 
SECTION 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The DOTr, in 
coordination with the LTO, LTFRB, SSS, PhilHealth, DOLE, TESDA, DOST, 
DTI and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall 
issue the IRR of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity. The IRR 
shall include the guidelines for the allocation of the fund for subsidizing the 
SSS or PhilHealth premiums of the members of the tricycle sector and the 
programs that will benefit them. 
 
SECTION 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or Issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, ordinance, or 
regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby 
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.  
  
 
Approved,