HOUSE WF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE!
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
758

House Bill No. _‘*

RESSTRATION UNIT
GILLS «ND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Emmeline Y. Aglipay — Villar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

To say that the traffic throughout the nation has gone from bad to worse is definitely
an understatement, It takes time away from our families and causes not only a multitude of
personal inconveniences but also losses in our country’s economy by way of lost investments
and potential income. A number of solutions have been tried out by the government but it .
seems that the problem is just too overwhelming now to overcome.

There is one solution though that most people are in common agreement ~ that is, to
discourage private car ownership and use by elevating the level of our public transportation
system 10 world class level. One of the means by which most people use as their means of
transportation is our taxi system. Unfortunately, it has gained notoriety in the eyes of the
riding public because almost everyday in the news, we hear various incidents of passengers
complaining about abusive and discourteous taxi drivers who either pick their passengers
based on their personal convenience, or charge excessive fares without using their taximeters.
Worse, there are even some passengers who have been held up or mugged by their own
1s. Such incidents have even led to the emergence of “alternative taxi” systems such as
Uber and Grab, which according to most passengers, provide better services compared to the
traditional taxis. However, such services will not be able to supply the rising need of the
riding public to an efficient, safe and accessible public transportation system. That is why this
bill, a consolidation of House Bills 797 (Rep. Harlin Cast. Abayon), 2346 (Rep. Lucy Torres-
Gomez), 2669 (Rep. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo and Rep Gloria Macapagal Arroyo), 3371,
3503 (Rep. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.), 3543 (Rep. Eric L. Olivarez), 3681 (Rep.
Sherwin T. Gatchalian) and 4016 (Rep. Estrellita “Ging” B. Suansing) filed in the 16"
Congress, seeks to overhaul and finally cure our infamous taxi system.

Not only will this bill ease the traffic by discouraging private car ownership and use,
it will also serve the benefit of the riding public, as well as generate more revenue for our taxi
drivers and taxi operators in the long run. For these reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly
sought,

Lavontens te. Villon
EMMELINE Y. AGLIPAY - VILLAR
Representative, DIWA Party-list

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

758

House Bill No. _ ©

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Emmeline Y. Aglipay — Villar

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF ACTIVITIES OF TAXI
DRIVERS AND OPERATORS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Taxi Transport
Practices Regulation Act of 2016".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State values the dignity of every human
person and guarantees full respect for human rights. To this end, it shall be the
policy of the State to establish a world class public transportation system by providing
passenger safety to the general public. To this end, the State shall establish transportation
service standards that shall address the basic rights of the passengers as may be
provided by law. Particularly, the State shall afford the public their established
passenger rights and the principles that will outline their expectations, on their
commute to ensure their safety, and improve taxi service in the country.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as
follows:

(a) “Taxi” shall include any motor vehicle-for-hire held out for public transport, usually a car
installed with a taximeter, which transports a passenger or passengers, with no fixed route
within a specified area.

(© “Taxi operators and companies" shall refer to any individual, partnership, cooperative
and corporate entities engaged in the business of operating and maintaining taxi units.

(©) "Taximeter" shall be understood as a device or instrument found inside a taxi unit that
shows the fare due.

(d) “Global Positioning System (GPS)” ~ a space-based satellite navigation system that
provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the
Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.

SECTION 4. Rights of Taxi Passengers. ~ Every Taxi Passenger shall have the right to:

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(a) A licensed driver who is properly dressed, as provided in Section 7 of this Act, as
well as one who is courteous and is not under the influence of alcohol or illegal
drugs;

(b) A clean and safe taxis

(©) Be picked up and transported to the passenger’s stated destination subject to
applicable traffic regulations;

(d)__ A fare meter conspicuously displayed in front of the taxi which is duly calibrated and
sealed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB);

(e) Travel with an assistance dog or portable mobility aid;

(8) Direct the route, or expect the most economical route;

(g) View the metered fare and to receive a receipt;

(a) Refuse multiple hiring; «

(i) Have the air conditioning on or off;

(i) Have the lighting equipment on or off;

(k) See the driver's identification card, which shall state clearly the driver's name and the
taxi operator's name, place of business, and contract numbers, and shall contain a
picture of the driver.

(0) See the plate number of the taxi and emergency numbers for assistance by the
Philippine National Police prominently displayed on the side doors and other
conspicuous places within the taxi;

(m) A quiet atmosphere, upon request;

(a) _ Pay the rate exactly as posted in the meter, subject to other government sanctioned
fees;

(0) Receive an exact change;

(p) Embark and disembark at any point, subject to existing traffic rules and regulations:
and

(@)__A substitute taxi, or an assistance to procure one, in case of mechanical or engine
trouble that hinders the continuation of cariage, together with the waiver of the
payment of the running metered fare.

SECTION 5. Taxi Passengers’ Rights Notification. - The taxi passengers! rights as

enumerated in Section 4 of this Act shall be prominently displayed inside the taxi cab. Such
Rotification shall also contain a brief description of the procedure on how to file a complaint

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for violation of any of the rights enumerated, as well as, the necessary contact
information provided by the LTFRB to handle such complaints.

SECTION 6. Issuance of Receipts. - All taxi drivers are required to furnish their passengers,
upon arrival at their destination with a receipt detailing the following information: name,
address and telephone number of the taxi company and/or operator of the vehicle, the name
of the driver, the distance traveled and the corresponding fare. The driver is mandated to keep
a copy of every issued receipt and should submit these at the end of his shift to the company
for record-keeping purposes.

SECTION 7. Uniform for Taxi Drivers. -All taxi operators shall require their drivers to
wear a company-prescribed uniform while driving, and with readable name plates on right
breast sides, and long pants. All drivers are likewise required to wear closed shoes while
driving

SECTION 8. Taxi Equipped with 2 liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or Compressed
Natural Gas (CNG) Fuel System, - A taxi equipped with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or
compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system must display a current Alternative Fuel Inspection
Certificate to be issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the fuel system must
be maintained in a safe condition. An identification label must be fitted to the vehicle that is
equipped with an LPG or CNG fuel system, positioned in a clearly visible location as close as
practicable to the front and rear registration plates.

SECTION 9. Automatic Door Locks. - A door in a taxi must not lock automatically when it
is closed. Automatically operating central locking devices and speed-sensitive door locks
must be permanently deactivated or removed

SECTION 10. Mandatory Installation of GPS - All taxi owners/operators, whether
under an existing franchise or upon application of a new one, are hereby required
to install a GPS devise in every taxi unit he/she presently owns/operates or will
own/operate in the future. Owners/ Operators of taxi cabs under an existing
franchise are given two (2) months from promulgation of this Act to comply
with the requirement of installing GPS device in their taxi cabs. The LTFRB
shall conduct regular ocular inspections after the lapse of two (2) mon ths from the
promulgation of this Act to ensure that all licensed taxi owners/operators have
complied with the requirements of this Act. Application for a franchise to
operate a taxi business by a person or persons who wish to own/operate taxi
cabs as public utility vehicles, shall not be granted until and unless the owner
or operator, upon the inspection and assessment of the LTO, is ready and/or
equipped to install a GPS devise for every taxi cab it owns/ will operate.
Applicants of a new franchise shall obtain a certification from LTFRB stating
that it is equipped with a GPS Devise, and the said certification shall be
attached or incorporated to the other pertinent documents necessary for the
application process of a franchise to operate a taxi business. Applications for
franchise already filed before the LIFRB but pending approval thereof upon
the promulgation of this Act shall be deferred until and unless applicants
comply with the additional requirement as provided under this Act and
thereby acquire and/or equip their business with necessary GPS devise. An
additional requirement of obtaining Certification from the LTFRB as in this
Section shall be submitted by the applicants whose franchise applications are
pending. Only upon the attainment and submission of the said certification,

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along with compliance with other requirements as required by existing laws,
shall the application be finally granted or approved

SECTION 11. Unannounced Inspections. - Authorized personnel of the
LTFRB may conduct unannounced or surprised inspections of any taxi
business to ensure compliance with this Act.

SECTION 12. - Prohibited Practices. - It shall be unlawful for any taxi driver and operator
to engage in the following practices

(a) Asking passengers their intended destination without allowing them inside the vehicle
first;

(b) Refusing to accept and convey passengers to their intended destination for any reason(s).
However, refusal to convey passengers on the basis any of the following grounds shall not
be deemed unlawful:

(mechanical failure;

(2)low fuel;

(3)carbarn time, or the time a taxi driver is expected to return his vehicle to the
home garage of the operator, either to cease operation for the day or to
change shift with another driver;

(4) potential threats against the person or property of the driver as determined
from a certain notoriety of the place or palpable danger signs such as isolated
and dark areas;

(S)excess of cargo or passenger limit;

(6)conveyance of hazardous or dangerous cargoes and materials; or

(passenger's refusal {o use the seatbelt or any other lawful obligation

(c) Charging a specific sum of money as fare, or the practice of imposing a fixed amount to
be paid by the passengers upon arrival at their intended destination without using their
taximeters;

(d) Asking passengers to pay an amount over and above the fare reflected in the taximeter;

(e) Operating with a set route or in a specific area in violation of their franchise agreement
and refusing to convey passengers beyond that route or area:

(f) Not employing a taximeter inside their vehicles or utilizing tampered meters;

(g) Violating their respective franchise agreements, rules and guidelines set by the LTFRB
and the Department of Transportation and Communication governing their operations;

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(h) Failure or refusal to be in prescribed uniform;

(i) Discourtesy or arrogance towards passengers;

(j) Failure or refusal to use seatbelts and follow other lawful obligations;
(k Failure or refusal to issue receipts;

(I) Installing advertising signs without a permit,

(m) Using unauthorized commercial or business name or allowing another to use his
commercial or business name;

(n) Engaging in “kabit system” or the multiple use of taxi units under one franchise.

SECTION 13. Penalties. - The following penalties shall be imposed on taxi companies,
operators and drivers found violating any of the provisions of this Act

(a) First (st) Offense - suspension of the license of the erring driver for a period of seven
(7) days and a fine amounting to two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) imposed upon the taxi
company or operator,

(b) Second (2nd) Offense - suspension of the license of the erring driver for a period of one
(1) month, if it is the same driver mentioned in paragraph (a); otherwise, it will be
considered only as a first offense with respect to that driver. In either case, the operating
franchise shall be suspended for a period of six (6) months and a fine of ten thousand
pesos (P 10,000.00) imposed upon the taxi company/operator for the second
violation;

(©) Third (3rd) Offense ~ revocation of the driver's license and franchise, including a
fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) shall be imposed upon the erring taxi
‘company or operator

The LTFRB shall be vested with the authority to act on all verified complaints by the
commuting public of violations of the provisions of this Act within a period of thirty (30)
calendar days from receipt of such complaints with due notice and hearing.

SECTION 14. Special Fund /or Education Seminars. - Fines paid by the offending
parties for violations of this Act shall accrue to a special fund to be held by the LTFRB
for the benefit of taxi drivers and operators. The fund shall be disbursed exclusively for
the educational seminars of erring taxi drivers and operators. Attendance by the
concerned drivers and operators in such seminars shall be mandatory, failure of which
shall constitute a violation of this Act punishable under Section 13 hereof,

SECTION 15. Summary Procedure in Investigation and Hearing. - The investigation
or hearing of any complaint under this Act shall be summary in nature and without

regard to technicalities of law or procedure, all in the interest of due process, provided
that the operator shall be duly notified of the same.

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SECTION 16. Independence of Action. - The liability under this Act shall be
independent from, and be without prejudice to, any liability under other laws.

SECTION 17. Nationwide Public Information Campaign. - The LTFRB, in coordination
with the Philippine Information Agency, the Department of Education, and private
agencies and organizations, shall undertake a nationwide information, education and
communication campaign for the attainment of the objectives of this “ct. The LTFRB, in
coordination with the local government units, shall likewise utilize the services of
citizen groups and community organizations for the promotion of public safety awareness in
observance of this Act.

SECTION 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The LTFRB, in consultation with
the LTO, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this
‘Act within 60 days from the effectivity of this Act

SECTION 19. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the
LTFRB under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as
may be necessary for its full implementation shall be included in the GAA as a
distinct and separate item. The amount of fines collected in the enforcement of this
Act shall be used exclusively in the furtherance of its effective implementation
including information disseminations, education and awareness campaigns, as
provided under Section 17

SECTION 20. Repealing Clause. - All acts, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
and other issuances o parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, modified or amended

SECTION 21. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any portion or provision of this Act
be declared invalid or unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
either in the Official Gazette or in 2 newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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