TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-3 P4 58
SENATE 
S. No. 93
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF COMMUTERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Mobility facilitates access to basic human needs such as food, water, 
healthcare, education, and employment. Vulnerable sectors face serious barriers to 
opportunity, growth, and participation in society if there is a lack of mobility and 
connectivity. This situation affects the poor, elderly, women, youth, persons with 
disabilities, and workers who rely on public transportation. It continues to be a potent 
barrier in optimizing the benefits of accessible and reliable public transportation 
systems.
Commuting in general has been consistently plagued with a number of serious 
problems. Its lamentable state pales in comparison with our neighboring countries, 
whose functional public transport network directly and indirectly contributes to thriving 
economic activities like tourism boost. Stemming from several recurring issues, our 
transportation woes immediately need comprehensive, innovative, integrated and 
adaptable solutions.
This bill seeks to address these mobility challenges by promoting walking and 
the use of high-capacity public transportation. It advocates for infrastructure that 
maximizes limited public space such as pedestrian pathways, bike lanes, and efficient 
transit systems.
This measure likewise aims to uphold the right of commuters to affordable, 
safe, reliable and inclusive transport, and clean air during travel.


' *
In view of the foregoing, the approvai of this biii is sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-3 P4-.58
S. No.
SENATE
93
Ri;.
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
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:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of
2 
Commuters."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State hereby recognizes mobility as a basic
4 
human need. Without mobility, citizens are unable to access basic services such as
5 
healthcare and education, or enjoy fundamental freedoms. Thus, the State shall
6 
ensure that mobility is enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, gender, and economic
7 
status, and not only by those who are physically fit, with private motor vehicles, or
8 
with financial means.
9 
The State further recognizes the right of the commuters to travel safely,
10 
conveniently, and reliably. To this end, the State shall develop and establish mobility
11 
infrastructures and transportation services aimed at promoting the welfare of the
12 
commuters and improving their mobility. The welfare of the commuter shall also be
13 
the paramount objective in all decisions related 
to the provision of mobility
14 
infrastructure and transportation services.
15 
The State further guarantees the rights of all citizens, including the commuter
16 
sector, to participate in the 
policy formulation, planning, implementation,
17 
management, monitoring, evaluation, and decision-making processes of all
18 
institutions, programs, projects, and services affecting the rights, welfare, and
19 
privileges of the commuters.


1 
To attain the foregoing policy, the State shall provide the necessary
2 
mechanisms, human and financial resources, and legal measures to enable its citizens
3 
to fully enjoy the rights embodied in this Act.
4 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
5 
mean;
6 
a) Active Transport refers to non-motorized means of travel, including
7 
walking or using a bicycle;
8 
b) Activity Center refers to a place in a city or municipality where people
9 
gather regularly for work, worship, education, social events, trade, exercise,
10 
leisure or other common interests and purposes;
11 
c) Advance Notice refers to the provision of early information regarding any
12 
consultations with stakeholders, for which the period from the
13 
announcement or delivery of the invitation to the consultation event will be
14 
a minimum of 10 working days;
15 
d) Commuter refers to a person who needs to travel from one place to
16 
another, often using a combination of transportation modes to get to his/her
17 
destination;
18 
e) Greenway refers to a road, street, or path with ample greenery and shade
19 
where private motorized transport is not allowed, that also serves as
20 
recreational space or a public park, in order to welcome and encourage
21 
environmentally sustainable transportation modes, especially walking and
22 
cycling;
23 
f) High-Volume Transport Corridor refers to walkways, paths, roads,
24 
bridges, streets or mass transportation terminals where the flow of people
25 
is at least 2,000 persons per hour per direction during peak travel periods;
26 
g) Micromobility refers to travel using electronic or non-motorized vehicles
27 
weighing not more than 100 kilograms;
28 
h) Mobility refers to the ability of a person to travel from one place to another
29 
to conduct daily and extraordinary activities and business;
30 
i) Mobility Infrastructure refers to physical facilities, such as foot paths,
31 
bicycle lanes, roads, PUV loading/unloading bays, PUV terminals, and public
32 
transport systems, that support and enhance a person's mobility.


1 
j) Private Motorized Transport refers to privately owned motorized
2 
vehicles weighing more than 100 kilograms;
3 
k) Public Transport refers to public sector and franchised private sector
4 
services that transport people over land or water, including but not limited
5 
to jeepneys, utility vehicles (UVs), buses, minibuses, railways, ferries, taxis
6 
and tricycles; and
7 
I) Urbanized Municipality refers to a municipality in the Philippines where
8 
the aggregate area in the municipality zoned as residential, commercial or
9 
industrial exceeds 40% of the total land area of the municipality.
10 
Sec 4. Right to Public Transportation Services that Satisfy Commuters' Mobility
11 
Requirements. - The State shall ensure that adequate public transportation services
12 
are available to meet the needs of its citizens in the most prompt, convenient, and
13 
accessible manner possible.
14 
The State shall ensure that:
15 
a) Every town and municipality will have a community-wide network of safe
16 
sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and roads to enable safe and convenient travel
17 
around the city entirely by foot, bicycle or by other forms of light mobility;
18 
b) Public Transport services are available within a 500-meter walk from any
19 
residence or activity center in a city;
20 
c) Public Transport services are connected to another public service within a
21 
300-meter walk to promote seamless connectivity;
22 
d) Public Transport services are in sufficient quantity and frequency so that
23 
commuter waiting time at stops and terminals do not exceed 10 minutes
24 
during peak demand periods;
25 
e) Public Transport is accorded priority in the use of road space and traffic
26 
signal operation so that it is able to traverse 15 kilometers within 1 hour,
27 
including ail scheduled stops;
28 
f) Public Transport services are supported by properly equipped, adequately-
29 
sized, and well-maintained terminals and stops, with attention to the safety
30 
and comfort of commuters;
31 
g) Every road with a speed limit of over 20 kiiometers per hour (kph) and under


1 
60 kph shall feature dedicated pedestrian infrastructure, in the form of an
2 
unobstructed walking path of at least 2.5 meters wide in each direction;
3 
h) Every road with a speed limit of under 60 kph shall feature dedicated bike
4 
lanes which are wide enough to comfortably accommodate at least two
5 
bikes side by side;
6 
i) Transport services are inclusive, so that they are conveniently accessible to
7 
persons of all ages and abilities. Public Transport infrastructure and vehicles
8 
shall be designed and implemented so that persons with disabilities or
9 
special needs, including senior citizens, are not excluded from their use; and
10 
j) In all renovations of existing infrastructure or construction of new
11 
infrastructure, preserving or improving the travel time impact on Public
12 
Transport, bicycles, and pedestrians shall be prioritized over preserving or
13 
improving travel time impact on private motorized transport. The State shall
14 
generally avoid the implementation of projects that produce a positive
15 
impact on the travel time of users of private motorized modes at large
16 
expense to Public Transport, bicycles, and pedestrians.
17 
Sec. 5. Right to Safe, Convenient, and Affordable Public Transport Services. -
18 
The State shall ensure that Public Transport services are safe, dignified, convenient,
19 
comfortable, easily accessible, and reliable, while remaining affordable to the general
20 
public.
21 
Concessional or discounted fares shall be offered for disadvantaged or special
22 
groups, such as students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, in accordance
23 
with law. The State shall endeavor to provide subsidies or incentives to compensate
24 
for discounts offered to special or disadvantaged groups other than the incentives
25 
provided under existing laws.
26 
The State shall also reward the use of Public Transport via financial and
27 
nonfinancial incentives to promote the frequent use of Public Transport. The State
28 
shall ensure that it is more economical for commuters to use Public Transport more
29 
frequently rather than less frequently.
30 
During periods when transportation services are deficient, the State shall
31 
employ alternative approaches to enable additional mobility options for its citizens,
32 
including the use of public resources to fill temporary gaps in services, such as


1 
government-owned vehicles or through government charter or lease of private
2 
vehicles.
3 
The State shall also promote and ensure safe and efficient driving behavior by
4 
Public Transport drivers through mandatory training and more stringent licensing.
5 
Streets shall also be designed in accordance with international best practices in
6 
road safety design to reduce the occurrence of dangerous driving behavior.
7 
Sec. 6. Right to Infrastructure for Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Persons with
8 
Disabilities. -The State shall ensure that roads are accessible to persons with impaired
9 
mobility, among others, and that adequate and appropriate bicycle lanes are available.
10 
For this purpose, the State shall:
11 
a) Accord priority to the development of adequate sidewalks and networks of
12 
bicycle lanes that encourage Active Transport and provide safe and direct
13 
access to priority destinations, such as housing, education, business
14 
centers, markets and grocery stores, and Public Transport nodes;
15 
b) Ensure that all Public Transport stops are accessible to persons with
16 
disabilities and impaired movement, including senior citizens;
17 
c) Prioritize ease of access by pedestrians, especially at Public Transport stops
18 
and government facilities, over mobility of private motorized transport;
19 
d) Ensure that safe and adequate walking and cycling infrastructure is
20 
incorporated in the design and implementation of road transport projects at
21 
national and local government levels;
22 
e) Ensure that the comprehensive land use plan of every city includes the
23 
development of a city-wide network of safe sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and
24 
road lanes to enable travel around the city entirely by foot, bicycle, or by
25 
other forms of light mobility; and
26 
f) Ensure that travel by walking or cycling is no less direct to destinations than
27 
travel by private motorized transport. No commuter shall be made to travel
28 
above or below street level to cross any street or intersection if it is possible
29 
to implement an at-grade crossing. No commuter, when traveling by
30 
walking or cycling, shall be made to diverge from his or her route of travel
31 
if a commuter traveling by private motorized vehicle would have enjoyed a
32 
more direct trip.


1 
In cities and urbanized municipalities, the State shall ensure that the
2 
infrastructure of each barangay includes;
3 
a) safe foot paths or sidewalks, free of obstructions, well-protected from
4 
automobiles, compliant with universal design guidelines, and friendly and
5 
accessible to pregnant women, elderly, and persons with strollers or
6 
wheelchairs;
7 
b) networks of greenways to encourage active transport modes (walking
8 
and cycling);
9 
c) proper lighting on all roads and footpaths to allow safe travel even after
10 
dark;
11 
d) tactile paving on sidewalks of high-volume transport corridors for the
12 
benefit of pedestrians who are blind;
13 
e) bicycle racks in every transportation hub or terminal and in every
14 
commercial, community and activity center. Such racks shall be provided at
15 
street level if possible, and at most one level above or below the street; and
16 
f) Safe intersections and pedestrian crossings such as provision of raised
17 
pedestrian platforms, highly visible advance warning signages, adequate
18 
street lighting, mid crossing refuges, traffic calming for motorized vehicles
19 
and curb outstands to reduce road pavement crossing width.
20 
In addition, the State shall promote light mobility by requiring that buildings
21 
have adequate bicycle racks that can accommodate ten percent (10%) of the
22 
anticipated users of such buildings.
23 
Sec. 7. Right to a Fair Share of Pubiic Road Space. - The State shall ensure
24 
that public road space is used in a manner that delivers the greatest socio-economic
25 
benefit. The State shall also ensure and prioritize the safety of road users. For this
26 
purpose, it shall ensure that the design, engineering, and operation of road
27 
infrastructure are appropriate to achieve the goal of road safety and access for non
28 
motorized and vulnerable users.
29 
Because roads are a scarce public asset, the State shall ensure that road space
30 
is prioritized for modes of travel (e.g., public transport, walking, cycling, etc.) that
31 
move more people and maximize the productivity and social benefit of the public asset.
32 
The planning and design of roads must prioritize the needs of pedestrians, micro


1 
mobility users, and Public Transport users. Public Transport shall also have priority
2 
use of road space over private motor vehicles.
3 
The State shall ensure that there is no private appropriation of public road
4 
space and foot paths for parking, commerce, or other activities that will restrict public
5 
use of, or access to the road.
6 
Sec. 8. Right to Breathe Clean Air during Travel. - The State shall take
7 
measures to ensure that commuters are able to travel using Public Transport or active
8 
transport (e.g., walking or cycling) without compromising their health.
9 
The State shall ensure that all Public Transport vehicles comply with emission
10 
standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
11 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and/or the Land Transportation Franchising
12 
and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
13 
The State shall also formulate and implement programs and policies aimed at
14 
encouraging citizens to commute using cycling or other lighter vehicles, thus reducing
15 
vehicle-related pollution emissions. The State shall also provide facilities and programs
16 
which support and incentivize the use of cleaner alternative fuels, other types of
17 
renewable energy and electric vehicles.
18 
The State shall measure air quality along major transport corridors in all cities
19 
and provide this information to the public in real time. When air quality exceeds safe
20 
levels according to internationally accepted standards, particularly from the World
21 
Health Organization, the State shall activate emergency procedures with a view to
22 
reducing the exposure of the public, especially the young and the elderly, to unclean
23 
air.
24 
Sec. 9. Right to Information for Efficient and Convenient Travel. - The State
25 
shall provide timely and adequate information so that commuters are able to make
26 
good travel plans and choices about modes and routes. For this purpose, the State
27 
shall;
28 
a) Make publicly available information on all Public Transport services, including
29 
route maps, fares, schedules, and real time vehicle location and availability,
30 
inciuding traffic situation, for the convenience of commuters;
31 
b) Ensure that such information is prominently displayed at all stops of public
32 
transport services and at other iocations deemed necessary or beneficial to


1 
commuters:
2 
c) Establish technical standards and regulations for the display of street maps
3 
at strategic locations in each neighborhood, for the reference of residents and
4 
visitors; and
5 
d) Ensure 
that, 
at all ports, airports, 
and terminals, 
a 24-hour
6 
information/assistance counters will be available 
to serve the 
needs of
7 
travelers.
8 
Sec. 10. Right to Special Attention during Service Breakdowns and to
9 
Compensation for Deficiencies in Service. - In the event of a breakdown in a Public
10 
Transport service, passengers shall be entitled to receive promptly and without delay,
11 
from the transport operator, a full refund of the fare and assistance in securing onward
12 
journeys.
13 
Stranded passengers shall be informed in a timely manner about how they will
14 
be redirected to their final destination. If onward journeys are unavailable or
15 
unreasonably delayed for more than twelve (12) hours, the transport operator shall
16 
provide its passengers with access to food, water, and waiting area with clean
17 
restrooms and ventilation.
18 
Sec. 11. Right to Representation and Participation. -The State shall ensure
19 
that the welfare and interest of commuters are considered in all decision-making
20 
related to mobility and transportation services. Commuters shall be adequately
21 
consulted on all matters affecting the welfare and mobility of commuters.
22 
Sec. 12. Annual Public Transportation Services and Infrastructure Plans and
23 
Programs. - The Department of Transportation (DOTr), in coordination with local
24 
government units and other concerned stakeholders, shall prepare, annually, a
25 
national public transportation services and infrastructure plan and program to satisfy
26 
the evolving mobility requirements in the country, especially in urban areas.
27 
Local government units shall also prepare their own local public transportation
28 
services and infrastructure plan to ensure the mobility of their citizens within the
29 
context of their situation, needs and stages of development.
30 
Metropolitan authorities and local government units shall also be responsible
31 
for measuring, analyzing, and updating the mobility requirements in each locality and
32 
to develop plans and programs to address the mobility requirements of their citizens.


1 
Sec. 13. Vision Zero in Road Safety. -The State shall adopt the Vision Zero in
2 
road safety, which aims to achieve a highway system with no fatalities or serious
3 
injuries involving road traffic. For this purpose, the State shall implement a
4 
comprehensive road safety program and allocate funding to implement activities under
5 
the five pillars of the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan, namely Road Safety
6 
Management, Safer Roads, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users, and Post-Crash
7 
Response.
8 
Sec. 14. Implementing Agencies. - The DOTr, DENR, DTI, Department of
9 
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government
10 
(DILG), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other metropolitan
11 
councils, shall be the implementing agencies for this Act, with DOTr as the lead
12 
implementing agency with responsibility for coordinating and monitoring all
13 
implementation activities.
14 
The foregoing agencies shall include in their respective budget's funds for the
15 
effective implementation of this Act.
16 
Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, all concerned government
17 
agencies, including local government units, shall ensure that relevant technical
18 
standards, guidelines, and manuals are amended to incorporate the requirements of
19 
this Act.
20 
Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred and eighty
21 
(180) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOTr and the other implementing
22 
agencies, upon consultation with relevant government agencies and other
23 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for the effective
24 
implementation of this Act.
25 
Sec. 16. Pena! Provisions. - Any person in violation of any of the provisions of
26 
this Act shall be fined not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (PHP 10,000) but not more
27 
than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 500,000).
28 
If the offender is a public official, he/she shall also suffer the penalty of
29 
perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and be dismissed from
30 
government service, after due process.


1 
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
2 
unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected thereby shall remain in
3 
full force and effect.
4 
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
5 
memoranda, circulars and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
6 
with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
7 
Sec. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
8 
publication in the Official Gazetteov at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
10