Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Housé BILL No. 42768

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
here in the Philippines by compelling these operators/companies to comply with the
established standards provided by the International Organization for Standardization

According to the 2010 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the
National Statistics Office, the Philippines has a population of 92.34 million. Given,
therefore, the low motorization which is estimated at 9 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 utility bus
companies/operators 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 utllties are privately owned
and operated businesses whose services are essential 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

2" Distric Galoocan City


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Queson Gity

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 427

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 THEREFOR 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 the policy of the
State to promote the safety of the commuting public in riding public utility buses.

SECTION 3. (SO Certified, - All public utllity bus operators/companies
registered and operating in or engaged in the transportation of the commuting public
and granted franchises therefor 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 therefor or renewal thereof, of all 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,