Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. &963

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the exigency and for the best interest of the public, this bill proposes the creation of
the Office of Commuter Affairs at the Department of Transportation - Central Office and in
key development areas specified in the Road Map of Philippine Transport.

The right to travel is one of the basic rights provided for under the Constitution.
Technology and innovation through the years have made travelling much easier and faster.
Although some people prefer to travel in the comfort of their own vehicles, majority of the
populace still take public transport as a mode of travel. In the country’s large cities, buses,
jeepneys and taxis still crowd the streets and are almost always full with passengers. The same
can be observed in our train systems in Metro Manila as well as in our airports and seaports.

Problems plaguing the transport sector have put the commuters right in the middle of
the fray. They are left with almost no choice but to swallow the bitter pill and endure all the
hassles of their daily commute. It is therefore incumbent upon the government to address the
various issues hounding public transportation through the creation of an office that will be
committed to ensure the safety, convenience, comfort and betterment of commuters.

Through inter-agency linkages and coordination, much-needed assistance could be
readily given to commuters. The office could also help in the easy identification and
apprehension of erring and abusive drivers and operators through reports coming from the
often-victimized riding public. These and much more could be done to maximize government
resources through the proposed office that would ultimately redound to the benefit of our
commuters.

With the premises being considered, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RO; iO wlohe B. BIA’

[Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8063

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO Rt

INO B. BIAZON

AN ACT
CREATING THE OFFICE OF COMMUTER AFFAIRS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Office of Commuter Affairs
Act”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State recognizes the rights of commuters and of the
riding public in general. Such recognition goes with the government’ responsibility to provide the
same with quality services, ensure their safety and offer valuable assistance specially during
emergency situations. Toward this end, it is imperative to create a dedicated office in the
Department of Transportation to oversee all the above-mentioned concerns.

Sec. 3. Creation of the Office of Commuter Affairs. — There is hereby created an office to
be known as the Office of Commuter Affairs (OCA) in the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The OCA shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary who shall be appointed by the President of the
Republic of the Philippines. It shall maintain its principal office in Metro Manila and establish
regional offices as may be necessary for the proper conduct of its operations.

es of the Office. — The OCA shall be tasked to perform
ies:

Sec. 4. Functions and Responsi
the following functions and respons

a. Coordinate with other DOTr agencies as well as law enforcement agencies dealing with
road, rail, air and maritime transportation to ensure safe, efficient and comfortable
travel of commuters;

b. Operate help desks for the riding public;

1


c. Assist the commuters whenever the safety and efficiency of travel is compromised;

d. Undertake massive commuter education programs for the traveling public to know their
rights and responsibilities;

e. Ensure legal assistance for commuters, when the need arises;

f. Reactivate the DOTr Action Center by the use of landline, web, social media, radio and
television.

Sec. 5. Divisions Under the OCA. — The OCA shall have the following divisions:

1, Commuter Welfare Division. — The division that takes charge of ensuring safe,
efficient and comfortable travel of passengers from arrival to departure at terminals,
train stations, airports and seaports.

2. Commuter Education Division. — The division that is responsible for public, school
and corporate trainings and publications on all modes of transportation.

3. Commuter Communications Division. ~ The division tasked to manage the DOTr-
Central Office (DOTr-CO) Hotline and call center, website and social media for
‘commuters’ complaints, concerns and suggestions.

For this purpose, the existing DOTr Action Center shall be transferred from the Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Communications to the Office of Commuter Affairs.

4. Legal Assistance Division. — The division tasked to provide legal assistance to affected
commuters and to the Office itself.

Sec. 6. Inter-agency Cooperation. — The OCA shall link and cooperate with existing DOTr
offices, such as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Communications, the Department’s Legal
Service as well as the Driver’s Academy under the Land Transportation Franchising and
Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to address areas of mutual concerns and common interests for the
greater good and welfare of the riding public.

Sec. 7. Funding and Manpower Requirements. — Funding for the manpower and
operational activities, programs as well as other needs of the OCA shall be sourced from the
General Appropriations Act (GAA), subject to the applicable accounting and auditing rules and
regulations.

Support assistance from the Administrative, Finance and Management Comptrollership
Services of the DOTr-CO shall be made available for the operationalization of the said Office.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be subsequently declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not so declared and not affected by such
declaration shall remain in full force and effect.


Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. ~ All other laws, issuances, orders, rules and regulations which
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,