Republic of the Philippines
House of Representutines
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

>,

BS
Mozy SZ

HOUSE BILLNO. 3221

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to improve and standardize the quality of the services being
delivered by public utility bus operators/companies authorized to engage in business
of public transportation here in the Philippines by compelling these
Operatorsicompanies to comply with the established standards provided by the
International Organization for Standardization.

According to the 2015 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the
Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippines has @ population of 100.98 Million.
Given, therefore, the low motorization which is estimated at a ratio of 30 cars per
1,000 people, bus transport verily plays an important role in the economy by
providing an affordable mode of transportation. Concomitant with the essential role
of public utlity bus company/operator is their responsibility to observe extraordinary
diligence in the transportation of commuting public and ensure their safety.

As aptly described by the Supreme Court, public utilities are privately owned
and operated businesses whose services are essential and of paramount importance
to the general public. They are enterprises which specially cater to the needs of the
public and conduce to their comfort and Convenience. As such, public utility services
are impressed with public interest and concern. The same is true with respect to the
business of common carrier which holds such a peculiar relation to the public interest
that there is superinduced upon it the right of public regulation when private
Properties are affected with public interest, hence, they cease to be juris privati only.
When, therefore, one devotes his property to a use in which the public has an
interest, he, in effect grants to the public an interest in that use, and must submit to
the control by the public for the common good, to the extent of the interest he has
thus created (Pantranco v. Public Service Commission, 70 Phil. 221.)

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

2D



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatines
xeon Eity

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._3221

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL PUBLIC UTILITY BUS OPERATORS/COMPANIES
REGISTERED AND OPERATING IN OR ENGAGED IN BUSINESS IN THE
PHILIPPINES AND GRANTED FRANCHISES THEREOF TO SECURE
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE APPROPRIATE STANDARDS SET
BY THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (ISO)
FROM ACCREDITED CERTIFYING AGENCIES.

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be called the “Public Utility Bus
Safety Act of 2014."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared as the policy of the
State to promote the safety of the commuting public in riding public utility buses.

SECTION 3. /SO Certified. - All public utility bus operators/companies
registered and operating in or engaged in the transportation of the commuting public
who were granted franchises thereof are hereby required to secure certificate of
compliance with the appropriate standards set by the International Organization
(ISO) from accredited certifying agencies within 1 year from the enactment of this
law.

SECTION 4. Penalty. — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
Board (LTFRB) is hereby authorized and mandated to revoke the franchises, deny
application therefore or renewal thereof, of ail public utility bus operators/companies
which failed to comply with the above requirement within the period provided.

SECTION 5. Grace Period. - LTFRB has discretionary authority to grant, for
justifiable reasons, a non-extendible grace period of not more than 90 days to
comply with the above requirement

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting


SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary
to or inconsistent’ with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,