SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
First Regular Session 
} 
SENATE 
1378 
S.No. __ _ 
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AUG 28 P 2 :24 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOT~ 
Section 9, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that "the State shall 
promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and 
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies 
that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard 
of living and an improved quality of life for all." Further, Section 18 of Article II 
also states that "the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It 
shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare. " 
The transport sector, particularly the Public Utility Vehicle drivers 
continues to be one of the most neglected sectors in the country. For instance, 
most bus drivers and conductors plying in Metro Manila do not have basic daily 
wages and do not have an eight-hour working day. In fact, most of these drivers 
earn on a commission basis while some earn from a "boundary" scheme which 
only aggravates their poor working conditions. 
According to a report from the Metro Manila Development Authority 
(MMDA), more than 6,000 passenger buses ply the roads in Metro Manila and at 
least 10 bus accidents occur every day in 2010. The Philippine National Police 
(PNP) also reported that traffic accidents from 2001 to 2006 were caused mainly 
by driver's error (26-28%), mechanical defect (12%), overspeeding (18%), and 
damaged roads (5%). (http://bulatlat.com/lndeed,itis timely and appropriate for the 
government to formulate and " implement measures that will improve the working 
condition of PUV drivers. 
This measure seeks to provide additional benefits and protection to all 
Public Utility Vehicle drivers to raise the standard of living of drivers and their 
families. As such, PUV drivers shall be covered in the Social Security System, 
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Home Development Mutual 
Fund and the Employees Compensation Commission. 
Livelihood and credit 
assistance will also be available to help augment their family income. 
PUV 
drivers will also be required to undergo continuing safety education and skills 
development training to enhance driving competencies and road safety rules. In 
view of the foregOing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Y EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC} 
'sl'nntl' 
(~tf.~, uf 14 •. )i,H,,,t ••• 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
First Regular Session 
} 
'13 
AUG 28 P 2 :24 
SENATE 
S.No . .1378 
RECEIVED Hy:_f- \. 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PROTECTION TO PUBLIC 
UTILITY VEHICLE DRIVERS THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A 
COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 
'. 
. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of ~epresentatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -
This Act shall be known as the 
"Comprehensive Assistance Program for Public Utility Vehicle Drivers Acf'. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to affirm labor 
as a primary social force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their 
welfare. As such, 
SEC. 3. Coverage. - Article 82 of Presidential Decree No. 442 is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
"ART. 82. Coverage. - The provisions of this Title shall apply 
to employees in all establishments and undertakings whether for 
profit or no~ but not government to government employees, 
managerial employees, field personnel, members of the family of 
the employer who are dependent on him for support, domestic 
helpers, persons in the personal service of another, and workers 
who are paid by results as determined by the Secretary of Labor in 
appropriate regulations. IT SHALL ALSO COVER PUBLIC UTILITY 
VEHICLE DRIVERS." 
SEC. 4. Additional Benefits. - All Public Utility Vehicle drivers shall be 
covered by the Social Security System (SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance 
Corporation (PHILHEAL TH), the Home Development Mutual Fund or PAG-IBIG 
and Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) in accordance with the 
guidelines and be entitled to all benefits provided by law. 
ihe public utility vehicle operators are hereby mandated to pay the 
equivalent amount of the monthly contribution paid for by the Public Utility 
Vehicle drivers. 
SEC. 5. livelihood and Credit Assistance. - The Office of the Transport 
Cooperative under the Land Transportation Office, in coordination with the 
Cooperative Development Authority and other concerned agencies shall be 
tasked to formulate and implement a comprehensive Livelihood and Credit 


Assistance Program for all Public Utility Vehicle drivers to improve their socio-
economic condition. 
SEC. 6. Continuing Safety Education and Skills Development 
Training. - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), 
in coordination with the Department of Transportation and Communications 
(DOTC) shall undertake a Continuous Education and Skills Development 
Training Program for Public Utility Vehicle drivers to enhance their basic and 
advanced driving competencies, maintenance procedures, driving preparation 
and post-driving procedure, road safety rules·and accident response procedure. 
All Publio Utility Vehiole drivers shall be required to undergo safety re-
training every two years as a prerequisite in the renewal of driver's license. 
SEC. 7. Appropriation. " Such sums as may be necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current appropriations of the 
agency concerned. Thereafter, the fund to carry out the provisions of this Act 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
SEC. 8. Penalties. - Failure of the Public Utility Vehicle corporations 
and/or operators, including the President, Chief Operating Officer and the Board 
of Directors, to comply with the provisions, shall subject them to imprisonment of 
not less than six (6) months nor more than one (1) year or a fine of not less than 
Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) not more than One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P100,000.00) without prejudice to any civil or administrative liability which 
may also arise therefrom. 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of 
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLF:). in collaboration with other government agencies charged 
with the implementation of the provisions of this Act shall, within a period of thirty 
days (30) days from the date of the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the 
necessary implementing rules .and reguh,~tions. 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with, the proviSions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,