Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the Republic of the Philippines, The Office for Transportation Security 
(OTS) is hereby designated as the single authority responsible for the security of 
the transportation systems of the country, including, but not limited to: 
1. Civil Aviation, by ensuring that Annex 17 to the Convention on
International Civil Aviation, as amended, commonly referred to as
the Standards and Recommended Practices on Security and as
enumerated in the Security Manual for Safeguarding International
Civil Aviation Against Acts of Unlawful Interference, as well as the
National 
Civil 
Aviation 
Security 
Programme 
(NCASP) 
are
implemented;
2. Sea Transport and Maritime Infrastructure, by ensuring that the
International Maritime Organization International Ship and Port
Facility Security Code (ISPS) is implemented, and that a National
Security Programme for Sea Transport and Maritime Infrastructure
is formulated, developed and implemented; and
3. Land Transportation, Rail System and Infrastructure, by ensuring
that a National Security Programme for Land Transportation, Rail
September 20, 2022
9:28AM
5004


System 
and 
Infrastructure 
is 
formulated, 
developed 
and 
implemented. 
This House Bill seeks to provide additional Developmental Funding to the 
(OTS), to ensure that the country fulfills its commitments to all transportation 
security programs, Mandates and agreements. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL FUNDING FOR 
THE OFFICE FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY (OTS), 
STRENGTHENING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY –  It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the State to be committed to the maintenance of safe and dependable 
transportation systems as effective instruments for national recovery and 
economic progress. 
Recent international and domestic events are stark reminders that the nation 
must constantly be vigilant to prevent weapons, explosives, other dangerous 
elements or devices, hazardous materials and cargoes, which may be used to 
commit an act of terrorism and the carriage or bearing of which is not authorized, 
from being introduced into and carried on board a public transport system. 
5004


SECTION 
2. 
DEVELOPMENTAL FUNDING. – The amount of Five 
Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and 
administration of the OTS shall be chargeable against funds for the purpose and 
other sources recommended by the Department of Budget and Management 
(DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the OTS shall be included in the budget 
proposals under the Department of Transportation (DOTr). 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
OTS DEVELOPMENTAL FUND – There is hereby 
created the OTS Developmental Fund to be used exclusively for the OTS 
Developmental Program. 
The OTS Developmental Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the DOTr 
in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing 
rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of the DOTr shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the OTS 
Developmental Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 
and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Energy of the Senate and the House 
of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  


Provided, further, That OTS shall continue develop, modernize and 
constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best global 
practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – The OTS shall continue to 
exercise and uphold the following powers and functions: 
1. Assume the functions of the National Civil Aviation Security 
Committee (NCASC) enumerated in Section 4 of Executive Order No. 
277 dated January 30, 2004 as well as all other powers and 
functions of the NCASC subject, however, to Section 3 of this 
Executive Order; 
2. Exercise operational control and supervision over all units of law 
enforcement agencies and agency personnel providing security 
services in the transportation systems, except for motor vehicles in 
land transportation, jointly with the heads of the bureaus or 
agencies to which the units or personnel organically belong or are 
assigned; 
3. Exercise responsibility for transportation security operations 
including, but not limited to, security screening of passengers, 
baggage and cargoes, and hiring, retention, training and testing of 
security screening personnel; 
4. In 
coordination 
with 
the 
appropriate 
agencies 
and/or 
instrumentalities of the government, formulate, develop, promulgate 
and implement comprehensive security plans, policies, measures, 
strategies and programs to ably and decisively deal with any threat 
to the security of transportation systems, and continually review, 
assess and upgrade such security plans, policies, measures, 
strategies and programs, to improve and enhance transportation 
security and ensure the adequacy of these security measures; 
5. Examine and audit the performance of transportation security 
personnel, equipment and facilities, and, thereafter, establish, on a 
continuing basis, performance standards for such personnel, 
equipment and facilities, including for the training of personnel; 
6. Prepare a security manual/master plan or programme which shall 
prescribe the rules and regulations for the efficient and safe 
operation of all transportation systems, including standards for 
security screening procedures, prior screening or profiling of 
individuals for the issuance of security access passes, and 
determination of levels of security clearances for personnel of the 
OTS, the DOTr and its attached agencies, and other agencies of the 
government; 


7. Prescribe security and safety standards for all transportation 
systems in accordance with existing laws, rules, regulations and 
international conventions; 
8. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the DOTr, issue 
Transportation Security Regulations/Rules and amend, rescind or 
revise such regulations or rules as may be necessary for the security 
of the transportation systems of the country; 
9. Enlist 
the 
assistance 
of 
any 
department, 
bureau, 
office, 
instrumentality, or government-owned or controlled corporation, to 
carry out its functions and mandate including, but not limited to, 
the use of their respective personnel, facilities and resources; 
10. 
Actively coordinate with law enforcement agencies in the 
investigation and prosecution of any illegal act or unlawful 
interference committed at or directed to any public transportation 
system; 
11. 
Perform such other functions necessary to effectively carry out 
the provisions of this Executive Order or as may be directed by the 
Secretary of the DOTr. 
SECTION 
7. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
8. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
9. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
10. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 


SECTION 
11. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,