Senate Bill No.
1 2 8 4
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
O FTH E  PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S enate 
.
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*16 DEC 14 P3 29
WCEiVtD BY;
Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committees on Pubiic Services; Constitutional 
Amendments and Revision of Codes; and Finance with Senators Drilon, Ejercito, 
Cayetano, Gatchalian, Recto, Ejercito, Poe and Zubiri as authors thereof
AN ACT
COM PELLING 
THE 
GOVERNM ENT 
TO 
ADDRESS 
THE 
TRANSPORTATION AND CONGESTION CRISIS THROUGH THE 
GRANT OF EMERGENCY POW ERS TO THE PRESIDENT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Traffic 
and Congestion Crisis Act of 2016."
SECTION 2. Declaration o f Policy and the Existence o f Traffic 
and Congestion Crisis. -  Philippine transportation infrastructure at 
present has become unable to keep up with the demands of a rising 
economy and growing population. The traffic and congestion crisis in 
Greater Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, as manifested in the debilitated 
long hours of daily commute, have assumed the nature and magnitude
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of a public calamity. It is a crisis of national significance, because losses
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due to traffic congestion have amounted to three billion pesos a day;
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thus, 
requiring urgent, immediate, and focused actions from the 
government. 
Likewise, the em ergent traffic jam s 
in 
other highly 
urbanized areas, such as Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City, 
although not yet at a critical level, should be mitigated by ensuring the 
formulation of a transportation master plan to address the impending 
traffic and congestion crisis in those areas.
Thus, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to adopt 
adequate, responsive, comprehensive and effective measures that will 
immediately address the crisis. Consistent with the Constitutional 
mandate to promote the general welfare and social justice in all phases 
of national development, the State shall promote a shift towards safe, 
secure, 
efficient, 
viable, 
competitive, 
dependable, 
integrated, 
environmentally 
sustainable, 
people-oriented, 
and 
inclusive 
transportation system for the benefit of all citizens, the economy, and 
society.
Towards this end, the State shall harmonize all traffic rules, 
regulations, ordinances, issuances, and policies in the Metropolitan 
Areas to achieve a com prehensive and integrated statutory and 
regulatory framework for land-based traffic. The State shall also properly 
plan infrastructure projects that will respond to this paradigm shift in the
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transportation system, increase mobility options of the general public,
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and promote the use of alternative modes of transportation to address
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the crisis and increase economic productivity and tourism appeal.
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Likewise, 
it shall 
adopt a 
strong 
system 
of 
accountability and
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transparency in the pursuit of its objectives.
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It is also declared a policy of the State to adopt the use of


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information and com munications technology (ICT) as a tool to manage 
and mitigate the problem of traffic congestion in the Philippines, 
especially in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized areas. The State 
shall therefore establish a holistic enabling environment in promoting 
and propagating telecomm uting, both in the private and public sectors, 
and to capacitate public sector institutions and their personnel in the 
adoption of telecommuting and the use of ICT to improve planning, 
management, delivery of functions and monitoring and evaluation. The 
State shall likewise adopt telecommuting in the long-term as a means to 
foster 
global 
competitiveness 
of 
the 
Filipino 
workforce 
and 
institutionalize 
other 
related 
and 
relevant transportation 
demand- 
management strategies and incentives in furtherance of this policy.
The extraordinary remedy of granting emergency powers to the 
President or his designated officer shall be limited to the period specified 
in this Act. In line with this, the State shall, after the period of the 
emergency, adopt mid-term, and long-term developm ent plans for the 
efficient and cheaper transport of people and delivery of goods and
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services, as well as a com prehensive long-term national transport policy,
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in order to sustain the significant gains and to meaningfully reduce the 
risk of a traffic and congestion crisis from happening again in the future.
SECTION 3. Objectives and Scope. -  The Act shall be limited in 
scope, application and effectivity to Greater Metro Manila and Metro 
Cebu as to projects, programs, policies, rules, and regulations that will 
have immediate, significant, and measurable impact on the land-based
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traffic crisis. Accordingly, the following measures shall be undertaken:
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1) Maximize the productivity of existing public and private roads.


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by way of but not limited to the following:
a. Effective 
and 
coordinated 
traffic 
m anagement 
and 
enforcement:
b. Traffic 
engineering 
measures, 
including 
expanded 
coverage of an upgraded computerized and coordinated 
traffic signaling system;
c. Traffic education, particularly drivers of public transport 
conveyances and traffic enforcers;
d. Adoption of administrative and/or economic measures to 
ration the use of scarce road space efficiently and 
equitably in favor of high-occupancy vehicles.
2) Make public transport the preferred mode of travel within the 
urban areas by transforming their service delivery model into an 
inter-connected, 
low 
emission, 
comfortable, 
convenient, 
integrated and reliable mode of transport offering a diverse 
range of services that are priced according to their value 
proposition, by way of but not limited to the following:
a. Re-structuring of bus and jeepney routes and operations, 
and modifications or cancellation of their corresponding 
Certificates of Public Convenience m otu propio\
b. Replacement of public transport vehicles not com pliant 
with 
internationally-accepted 
technical 
standards 
on 
emission, noise, configuration, safety, and suitability for 
urban usage;
c. Establishment of a regime of integrated operations either 
through consolidation into one entity, or under one or 
more duly-authorized Traffic Crisis Manager.
3) Upgrade the capacities of existing rail-based mass transit 
system and fast-track the implementation of mass transit


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projects in the priority list of the applicable m aster plans for the 
urban areas;
4) Fast track the implementation of new roads and road-related 
projects in the priority list of the applicable m aster plans for the 
urban areas, including advancing the completion of projects 
with subsisting contracts;
5) Adopt such other measures related and supportive of the above 
steps, including formulation of plans and adoption of remedial 
steps towards the following:
a. Decongestion of the Port of Manila in the case of Metro 
Manila, and the Port of Cebu in the case of Metro Cebu, 
and/or reduce truck volumes in their respective urban 
road network;
b. Rapid development an alternative airport to relieve the 
pressures on the congested runways and airspace of 
Manila’s domestic and international airports;
c. Recommend 
the 
construction 
of 
parallel 
runways, 
buildings 
of 
new 
infrastructure 
facilities, 
repair, 
rehabilitation, improvem ent of existing airport runways, 
facilities and other sim ilar infrastructures;
d. Harmonization of traffic rules and regulations, including 
those enacted by City and municipal ordinances;
e. Relocation of the national administrative capital;
f. Improvement of the Manila International Airport;
g. Reduction of car-based trips by private and public 
employers, as well as educational institutions with high 
concentration of student population by implementing 
telecomm uting programs as defined in Section 4 of this 
Act or by adopting alternative forms of working as defined


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in Section 12 of this Act;
h. Submission to Congress of proposed amendments or 
revisions to the charters of the Covered Agencies.
Notwithstanding the limited scope of this Act, the Traffic Crisis 
Manager may implement similar system s and mechanisms provided in 
this Act in Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Lipa City, Baguio City, Iloilo 
City, and other highly urbanized cities and municipalities that are 
suffering from a land traffic crisis; Provided, that immediate solutions 
shall still form part of a master transportation plan in those areas.
SECTION 4. Definition o f Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the 
following term s shall mean:
a. 
“Covered Agencies” shall refer to any and all government 
agencies, officer, bureau, and units tasked or empowered by law or 
regulation to control, oversee, regulate or manage any aspect of land- 
based traffic and/or road use in any or all of the Metropolitan Areas;
b. 
“Emergency Powers” shall refer to the authority granted by 
Congress to the President under Section 23 (2), Article VI of the 1987 
Philippine Constitution, to exercise, for a limited period and subject to 
such restrictions as the form er may prescribe, powers necessary and
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proper to carry out a declared policy.
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c. 
“DENR” shall refer to the Department of Environment and
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Natural Resources;
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d. 
“DICT” shall refer to the Department of Information and
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Communications Technology;
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e. 
“DOTr” shall refer to the Departm ent of Transportation;
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f. 
“DPW H” shall refer to the Department of Public W orks and


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Highways;
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g. 
“Congressional Oversight Com m ittee” or COC shall refer to
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the 
committee 
consisting 
of 
members 
of 
the 
House 
of 
the
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Representatives and the Senate, to be constituted under Section 26 of
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this Act;
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h. 
“LGUs” shall mean Local Governm ent Units;
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i. 
‘Traffic and Congestion Crisis” shall refer to the prevailing
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and exponentially worsening land traffic congestion and gridlock; and
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infrastructure and mass transportation shortage and inefficiency in
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Greater Metro Manila and Metro Cebu;
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j. 
“Greater Metro Manila” shall mean the National Capital
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Region (NCR) of the Philippines and its nearby localities, such as,
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Antipolo, Taytay, Binangonan, and Angono in the province of Rizal; San
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Pedro, Bihan, Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao, and Calamba in the province of
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Laguna: Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta, and Cavite City in the province
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of Cavite; San Jose del Monte, Obando, Marilao, Meycauayan, and
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Bocaue in the province of Bulacan;
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k. 
“LTFRB” shall refer to the Land Transportation Franchising
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and Regulatory Board;
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I. 
“LTO” shall refer to the Land Transportation Office;
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m. “MCDCB” shall refer to the Metro Cebu Development and
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Coordinating Board;
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n. 
“Metro Cebu” shall refer to the cities of Cebu, Mandaue,
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Talisay, Danao, and Lapu-Lapu; and the municipalities of Carcar, San
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Fernando, Naga, Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and
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Cordova;
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0. 
“Metropolitan Areas” shall refer to either or both the Greater
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Metro Manila Area and Metro Cebu, as the case may be;
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p. 
“MMDA” shall refer to the Metro Manila Development


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Authority;
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q. 
“NEDA” shall mean the National Economic Development
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Agency;
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r. 
“Procuring Entity” shall mean any branch, department,
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office, agency, or instrumentality of the government procuring goods,
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infrastructure, and consulting services for Transportation Projects, as
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hereinafter defined;
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s. 
‘Transportation Project” shall refer to a project involving the
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construction, 
repair, 
rehabilitation, 
improvement, 
operation, 
or
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maintenance of any public transportation facility and mass transportation
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system that will directly address the Traffic and Congestion Crisis to
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ensure the safety and convenience of the commuting public, including all
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projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the Metropolitan Areas;
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t. 
‘Telecom m uting” shall refer to a work arrangem ent in which
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employees do not commute or travel by land to a central place of work.
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It shall also refer to a work arrangem ent in which employees regularly
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perform their work outside of the traditional on-site working environment.
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It shall include:
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i. Teleworking -  a subset of telecomm uting, refers to a
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form of organizing and/or performing work, using or
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assisted by information technology, where work is
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carried out away from centrally located workspace on a
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regular basis (including work undertaken in the home,
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outside calls, etc.) or any form of substitution of
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information technologies (such as telecomm unications
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and/or computers) for normal work-related travel;
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ii. Telepresence -  refers to the use of videoconferencing
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and remote presence technology to conduct face-to-
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face meetings; and
Hi. Teleiearning -  refers to the use of ICT to allow 
students and faculty to conduct classes and other 
school activities in remote locations and without having 
to physically appear in campus.
SECTION 
5. 
Grant 
o f 
Em ergency 
Powers 
to 
the 
President/Executive Branch. - The President is hereby authorized to 
exercise all powers necessary and proper to carry out the above- 
declared State policy. As such, the President is hereby granted 
Emergency 
Powers to 
urgently 
utilize 
all 
necessary government 
resources, exercise police power, including eminent domain, and 
employ executive actions and measures to ensure the effective 
implementation, reconfiguration, and harmonization of national and local 
government projects intended to directly address the traffic and 
congestion crisis.
SECTION 6. Creation o f the Office o f the Traffic Crisis Manager. 
- There is hereby created an Office of the Traffic Crisis Manager under 
the Office of the President. 
The Office of the Traffic Crisis Manager 
shall be headed by the Traffic Crisis Manager
The Traffic Crisis Manager shall be appointed by the President 
and shall have the rank, emoluments, benefits and privileges of a 
Member of the Cabinet. The President shall exercise supervision and 
control over the Traffic Crisis Manager and the Office of the Traffic Crisis 
Manager. The Traffic Crisis Manager shall hold office for the duration of 
the grant of Emergency Powers to the President as provided in Section 
27 of this Act. Other pertinent details on the creation of such Office, in


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consonance with the provisions of this Act, shall be through an executive 
order issued by the President.
The Traffic Crisis Manager shall be ultimately responsible for 
transportation and traffic-related functions; thus, exercising overall traffic 
management and overseeing the execution of the Traffic Crisis Action 
and Decongestion Plan. For the duration of the emergency powers, the 
Traffic Crisis Manager as the delegated representative of the President, 
shall have all the authority to implement a policy fram ework and manage 
agency functions over land, air, and seaport traffic, and shall coordinate 
with the relevant local government units on the implementation of 
projects that will facilitate the ease of traffic in the Metropolitan Areas.
SECTION 7. Powers o f the Traffic Crisis Manager. - As the alter 
ego of the President, the Traffic Crisis M anager is hereby authorized to 
exercise all powers necessary, and to utilize all necessary government 
resources, exercise police power, and employ executive actions and 
measures to ensure the effective implementation of the program of
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action stipulated in Section 3 of the Act. More specifically, the Traffic
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Crisis Manager shall have the following powers:
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a. Formulate, coordinate, and monitor policies, 
standards,
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programs, and projects to rationalize the existing public
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transport operations, infrastructure requirements, the use of
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thoroughfares, 
and 
promotion 
of safe 
and 
convenient
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movement of persons and goods;
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b. Create such inter-agency task forces and designate Action
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Officers therefor, comprising of personnel and resources
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from national and local governm ent units and agencies, as
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may be necessary to achieve specific goals within specified 
time frames:
c. Create 
a 
centralized 
air traffic 
authority to 
introduce 
innovative 
and 
more 
responsive 
aviation 
management 
service that shall streamline private and public coordination;
d. Re-structure the routes and operating protocols imposed on 
road-based public transport service providers, encompassing 
provincial and intra-city buses, jeepneys, taxis, shared taxis, 
garage-to-terminal express, and sim ilar categories;
e. Order the modification, revision, amendment, substitution, 
suspension or revocation of franchises issued by the LTFRB 
and those issued by local government units for tri-mobiles;
f. Issue a uniform Traffic Code that will 
harmonize the 
provisions of all laws that relate to traffic m anagement of 
both land, air, and seaport; 
road use; 
and all 
rules, 
regulations, ordinances, and orders duly issued and enacted 
by the covered agency and local governm ent unit pursuant to 
such legislation, to the end of having, in each of the 
Metropolitan Areas: (i) a single traffic coordinator; (ii) single 
ticketing 
system 
for 
traffic 
violations: 
and 
(iii) 
a 
comprehensive, unified road use plan; and if necessary, 
suspend, 
modify, 
revise 
or amend any affected 
local 
ordinances or existing traffic regulations; Provided, that in 
crafting the Traffic Code, the Traffic Crisis Manager shall 
coordinate with all concerned local government units and 
pertinent agencies:
g. Determine the priority infrastructure projects that may be 
implemented by agencies responsible for roads, railways.
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traffic 
engineering, 
public 
transport 
facilities 
such 
as 
terminals, stations, and passenger interchange structures;
h. Set a limit, reduce, or manage the volume of users in 
gateway seaports and airports, for immediate execution of 
the responsible governm ent authorities;
i. Appoint, hire, contract experts and qualified personnel as 
may be necessary, but not otherwise available in the 
cooperating agencies; and
j. 
Exercise other powers as may be necessary to fulfill the 
declaration of policy of this Act.
At the Traffic Crisis M anager’s sound discretion and in the interest 
of 
efficiency, 
he 
shall 
consult 
and 
may 
delegate 
any 
of 
the 
aforementioned powers and authority to the MMDA for Greater Metro 
Manila, and the MCDCB for Metro Cebu.
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SECTION 8. Advisory Council to the Traffic Crisis Manager. -  A
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Traffic Crisis Advisory Council is hereby created to guide and advise the
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Traffic Crisis M anager in his exercise of the powers and performance of
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the functions granted to him under this Act. The Council shall be
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composed of the following:
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(a) 
A representative of the National Center for Transportation
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Studies of the University of the Philippines, who shall serve as Chairman
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of the Council;
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(b) 
Two (2) technical experts in traffic management or traffic
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engineering from civil society;
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(c) 
The Secretary of the DPWH or one of his undersecretaries;
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(d) 
The Assistant Secretary of the LTO;
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(e) 
The Chairman of the LTFRB;
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(f) 
The Chairman of the MMDA;
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(f) 
The Chairman of the MCDCB;
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(g) 
A representative from the com m uters’ group in Greater
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Metro Manila, to be designated by the Traffic Crisis Manager;
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(h) 
A representative from the com m uters’ group in Metro Cebu
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to be designated by the Traffic Crisis Manager;
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(i) 
A representative of the transportation sector in Greater
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Metro Manila to be designated by the Traffic Crisis Manager; and
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G) 
A representative of the transportation sector in Metro Cebu
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to be designated by the Traffic Crisis Manager;
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The Council shall make periodic recommendations to the Traffic 
Crisis Manager with respect to his exercise of the powers and functions 
granted to him under this Act; Provided, that, such recommendations 
shall not be binding on the Traffic Crisis Manager.
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SECTION 9. Involvem ent o f Local Governm ent Units and O ther 
Agencies. -  The effectivity of local ordinances and regulations that are 
inimical or contrary to the borderless flow of people, goods, and motor
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vehicles may be suspended by the Traffic Crisis Manager subject to five
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(5) working days’ notice. The LGUs shall not issue or pass any rule or 
ordinance in conflict with the provisions of this Act.
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The DPWH shall continue to be responsible for all road works on 
national 
roads 
and 
shall 
accelerate the completion 
of on-going 
construction, upon instruction from the Traffic Crisis Manager.
The Metro Manila Development Authority shall exercise all the 
powers and functions of the Metro Manila Council as provided under
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Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7924, and shall coordinate with the LGUs 
with regard to land-use planning.
The 
National 
Housing 
Authority, 
in 
cooperation 
with 
the 
Department of Interior and Local Government, the Commission on 
Human Rights, and other relevant agencies shall be responsible for the 
resettlement of informal settler families. They shall be given additional 
budget, if necessary, to carry out their mandate to support the projects 
to be implemented through this Act.
In coordination with the Traffic Crisis Manager, the DICT shall take 
the lead in promoting telecomm uting and other alternative forms of
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working, the extensive use of car-sharing and car-pooling application,
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the adoption of virtual conferencing by public sector agencies, the
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change in government transaction procedures that will reduce the 
number and need for the public to travel.
The Civil Service Commission shall undertake a job exchange 
program within the bureaucracy to reduce home-to-work and work-to- 
home trip distances of government employees.
SECTION 
10. 
Formulation o f the 
Traffic Crisis Action and 
Decongestion Plan. - The Traffic Crisis Manager, in coordination with the
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Traffic Crisis Advisory Council, shall create a Traffic Crisis Action and
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Decongestion Plan, which shall sufficiently detail the concrete steps to
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be taken to immediately and effectively alleviate the traffic crisis in the
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Greater Metro Manila and Metro Cebu in a measurable/quantifiable
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manner. The Traffic Crisis Action and Decongestion Plan shall include
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the following minimum components:
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a. Organizational structure allocating the respective duties and 
responsibilities 
of 
the 
Covered 
Agencies 
for 
traffic 
management 
and 
regulation, 
including 
traffic 
law 
enforcement:
b. Priority Projects as defined in Section 14 of this Act;
c. Expedite 
route 
rationalization 
of 
public 
utility vehicles 
(PUVs):
d. Coordinated odd-even, number coding, or other vehicle 
volume 
reduction 
scheme 
throughout the 
Metropolitan 
Areas;
e. Synchronized truck ban throughout the Metropolitan Areas;
f. Creation of a traffic flow system, including identification and 
designation of one-way streets and U-turn slots;
g. Identification 
of 
friendship 
routes 
and 
private 
village/subdivision roads to serve as alternate or secondary 
routes:
h. Designation of PUV terminals, including the relocation of 
existing and/or removal of illegal terminals;
i. Removal of traffic signs and PUV stops which block or 
encroach 
upon 
the 
right 
of way to 
or along 
major 
thoroughfares:
]. 
Prohibition against and designation of parking areas on 
certain roads;
k. Moratorium on the construction of high-density commercially 
oriented mixed-use developments along main avenues;
l. Clearing of sidewalks and identification of need for elevated 
crosswalks;
m. Comprehensive traffic rules and regulations handbook which
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identifies traffic-related violations and offenses and imposes 
corresponding graduated penalties;
n. Traffic system for roads leading to airport terminals and 
ports:
0. A system to expedite the reporting and clearing of vehicular 
accidents, which shall include the admissibility of videos and 
digital 
photographs 
of the 
accident 
as sufficient and 
acceptable basis of any police report and insurance claims;
p. Upgrade the drainage systems of affected areas and 
improve surface pavements of major streets;
q. A Clark Airport Development Plan, to be developed in 
coordination with the Clark 
International 
Airport, 
Clark 
Development Authority, Department of Tourism, POEA, and 
the Regional Development Council; and
r. A recommendation on whether to buy-out MRT3 or to 
commence 
negotiations/procurement 
of 
a 
maintenance 
contract that will be coterminous with the MRT concession 
period in 2025.
Except for the Route Rationalization plan for public utility 
vehicles, which must be studied and completed within six (6) months 
from the approval of this Act, the Traffic Crisis Action and Decongestion 
Plan must be completed within thirty (30) calendar days from approval of
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this Act. The Traffic Crisis Action and Decongestion Plan shall also
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consider the local development investment program of cities and 
municipalities in the affected Metropolitan Areas.
The Traffic Crisis Manager may also submit a Transportation 
Reform Plan for Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Lipa City, Baguio
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City, Iloilo City, and other highly urbanized cities and municipalities, 
which he deems to be undergoing an impending traffic crisis.
SECTION 11. Transportation M aster Plan for G reater Metro 
Manila and Metro Cebu. -  The Traffic Crisis Action and Decongestion 
Plan shall not preclude the implementation of NEDA-approved long-term 
projects For Greater Metro Manila and Metro Cebu under their 
respective m aster plans. The applicable master plan for Greater Metro 
Manila shall be the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development 
as approved by the NEDA Board in June 2014. For Metro Cebu, the 
applicable master plan shall be the Roadmap Study for Sustainable 
Development in 
Metro Cebu as approved by the 
NEDA Board 
Infrastructure Committee in July 2015.
SECTION 12. Alternative Forms o f Working. -  In order to reduce
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total daily trips during working days, all private and public entities, as
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well as educational institutions, shall be allowed to adopt and implement
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telecommuting, telelearning, telepresence, 
car-pooling, 
share-a-ride
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programs, flexible working hours and school days, staggered schedules
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of attendance, and similar transport demand management schemes.
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The provisions of labor laws and regulations that restrict or prohibit
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these acts shall be deemed suspended during the effectivity of this Act.
23
The Traffic Crisis Manager, in consultation with the Civil Service 
Commission 
and 
the 
Department 
of 
Education 
shall 
implement 
staggered 
working 
or 
school 
hours 
between 
the 
government 
employment sector and public elementary and secondary schools.
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SECTION 13. Alternative Methods o f Procurement. -  Pursuant to 
the above policy declaring the traffic and congestion crisis a national 
public calamity, the existence of emergency and/or extraordinary cases 
is presumed. To expedite the implementation of all projects covered by 
this Act, the Alternative Methods of Procurement provided in Article XV 
of Republic Act No. 9184 and Rule XVI of its Implementing Rules and 
Regulations shall be utilized.
The benefits of shorter completion time may, at the discretion of 
the Head of the Procuring 
Entity concerned, be applied in the 
determination 
of 
the 
Lowest 
Calculated 
Bid 
or 
Highest 
Rated 
Responsive Bid. The Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) under R.A. 
No. 9184 shall incorporate such costs necessary for shorter completion.
14 
The amount stipulated for penalties of delay in the Contract of Award
15 
shall also be the same amount for incentive bonus of early completion,
16 
which shall be explicitly indicated in the contract. In the absence of such 
valuation, the NEDA shall determine the value of such benefits 
applicable to the contract for purposes of granting the incentive bonus.
The time duration specified in the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 6957, as amended by R.A. No. 
7718, may also be shortened or abbreviated, without prejudice to or 
constraining competition, and Rule 9 of the same IRR invoked; 
Provided, that the modality exclude contractual arrangem ents that entail 
sovereign guarantees or regular payments from the government.
The Government Procurement Policy Board and the NEDA, in 
consultation with the Traffic Crisis Manager, shall issue the proper 
guidelines within fifteen (15) days upon effectivity of this Act with regard
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to this section.
SECTION 14. Priority Projects. -  Priority projects are those listed 
in the Three-year Rolling Infrastructure Program (TRIP) of NEDA for 
years 2017 to 2019. These projects shall be in the medium-term 
program up to year 2020 of the applicable master plan. Projects with 
capital cost below One Billion Pesos (Php 1,000,000,000) not otherwise 
eligible, may still be undertaken through Section 13 of this Act, if and 
only if they are approved by the NEDA.
Projects with a capital cost above One Billion Pesos (Php 
1,000,000,000) may still be undertaken if these are i) approved by the 
NEDA and ii) undergo the regular procurement process as specified 
under R.A. No. 9184. However, these projects shall be covered by the 
other provisions of this Act, with the exception of Section 13.
The contracts for Projects to be carried out pursuant to and in 
accordance with this Act shall be awarded only to contractors or project 
proponents 
with; 
(i) 
proven 
competence 
in, 
and 
capability 
and 
experience with sim ilar projects; (ii) com petent and qualified key 
personnel and sufficient and reliable equipm ent and facilities: and (iii) 
sound financial capacity.
All Priority Projects shall be subject to existing government 
auditing rules and regulations governing negotiated contracts. Contracts 
or concession agreements covering Priority Projects shall have no 
confidentiality clause, except with respect to matters protected by the 
Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. In case of technology- 
related 
Priority 
Projects, 
the 
terms 
of 
reference 
(TOR) 
and
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contract/agreem ent must explicitly provide for technology transfer and 
assignment of any and all Source Code to the DOTr.
The Protest Mechanism under Article XVII of R.A. No. 9184 is 
deemed suspended or may be disregarded by the Traffic Crisis Manager 
for expediency.
SECTION 15. Responsibilities and Liabilities. -  The Traffic Crisis 
Manager shall be principally responsible for ensuring that all projects 
covered by this Act are implemented and completed in a timely, cost- 
effective and efficient manner. In addition, the Traffic Crisis Manager 
shall be liable for violations of Republic Act No. 9184 and other related 
laws in procurements, contracts and projects in which he has direct 
participation.
With respect to the implementing agencies, the Head of Procuring 
Entity shall be liable for violations of Republic Act No. 9184 and other 
related laws in procurements, contracts and projects covered by this Act.
The President, Chief Executive Officer and members of the boards 
of directors of suppliers, contractors and concessionaires of projects 
covered by this Act shall be solidarily liable with such suppliers, 
contractors 
or concessionaires 
for violations 
of their contractual 
obligations, warranties and representations with respect to procurements 
and contracts for projects covered by this Act.
20


The foregoing shall be without prejudice to the liabilities, whether 
civil, criminal or administrative, which the above-nam ed persons may 
incur under existing laws, rules or regulations.
SECTION 
16. 
Issuance o f Permits/Licenses. -  To promptly 
address the Traffic 
Crisis, 
the following 
are 
hereby temporarily 
suspended throughout the effectivity of this Act, only insofar as they 
apply to the Priority Projects under this Act:
a) Provisions of the Local Governm ent Code requiring prior 
consultation with, and approval of, local government units with 
respect 
to 
traffic-related 
projects 
within 
their 
respective 
localities:
b) Provisions of the 
Local 
Government Code 
requiring► the 
issuance of a building permit;
c) Provisions of the National Building Code requiring building 
permits before any work is started, and other clearances or 
certifications:
d) Provisions of the P.D. No. 1586 and its IRR requiring an 
Environmental Clearance Certificate from the DENR;
e) Provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines requiring 
clearances and permits for the em ploym ent of foreigners with 
regard to foreign technicians and expert working in traffic- 
related projects.
To improve the efficiency of telecomm uting and to improve internet 
connectivity in the country as a means to address the traffic crisis, the 
Traffic Crisis Manager, together with the DICT, shall streamline and limit 
29 
the number of licenses, certificates, and/or permits necessary to
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construct cellular sites in the country. The Traffic Crisis Manager and the 
DICT shall prescribe a uniform set of fees for the construction of cellular 
sites. For the duration of this Act, all Tower Fee Ordinances shall be 
suspended.
SECTION 17. Acquisition o f Rights-of-W ay, Project Sites, and 
Relocation Sites. -  In the implementation of projects covered by this Act, 
the Traffic Crisis Manager or the implementing agency concerned is 
hereby authorized to acquire rights-of-way, project sites and relocation 
sites through negotiated sale as provided in Section 5 of Republic Act 
No. 10752. If the registered owner of the property sought to be acquired 
as a right-of-way, project site or relocation site does not accept the offer 
of payment for his property within a period of thirty (30) calendar days
14 
from his receipt of the offer, the implementing agency concerned may
15 
take possession of the property after depositing in escrow with the Land 
Bank of the Philippines the fair market value of the property, and with 
notice of such deposit to the property owner. 
For purposes of this 
section, the fair market value of the property shall be the sum of the 
following:
(a) 
The current market value of the land,
(b) 
The 
replacement cost of structures and improvements 
therein; and
(c) 
The current market value of crops and trees therein.
To determine the appropriate fair market value, the implementing 
agency may engage the services of a government financial institution 
with adequate experience in property appraisal, or an independent 
property appraiser accredited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
22


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or a professional association of appraisers recognized by the BSP.
2 
Government financial institutions shall issue free of charge the appraisal
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and valuation report for the private property to be expropriated.
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In the case of land occupied by informal settler families, the 
implementing agency shall not take possession of the property until such 
informal settler fam ilies (ISFs) shall have been transferred to a 
tem porary or permanent relocation site. This provision shall not preclude 
the NHA from formulating and implementing long-term resettlement 
plans for ISFs or from carrying out its mandate.
Additional funding for the relocation of ISFs to be given to the 
implementing agency or LGU shall be through a special budget enacted 
by Congress or shall be sourced from any savings from the Special 
Purpose Funds of the President as provided for in Section 30 of this Act.
SECTION 18. Right o f Transport Operators. -  In the event that the 
route re-structuring plan promulgated under Section 3 of this Act shall
17 
greatly displace existing public transport operators with valid and
18 
subsisting 
Certificate of Public Convenience 
(CPC), these public
19 
transport operators shall have the first option to choose their routes or
20 
service areas based on the route re-structuring plan, unless the total
21 
number of units is in excess of the allowable fleet size, in which case,
22 
the immediately succeeding section shall apply.
23
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SECTION 
19. 
Compensation 
to 
PU V Operators. 
- 
Public
25 
transportation operators affected by projects or policies carried out
26 
pursuant to this Act that lead to a revocation of franchise, shortening of
27 
routes, or reduction of covered PUV units shall be compensated. This
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Section shall not apply to vehicles under a Transportation Network 
Vehicle Service.
For PUV Operators who shall have inoperative vehicles dues to 
route rationalization, they shall have the option to sell such vehicles to 
the government. Compensation shall be based on depreciated value of 
the units affected, upon presentation of the actual unit and validation that 
the unit and chassis number of the unit is included in the list of 
registered vehicles in the CPC.
Loss of income shall also be compensated, based on average
12 
annual income generated by that unit from that particular route, as
13 
evidenced by the affected parties’ Official Receipts and income tax 
returns (ITR) filed in the last three preceding years. The one-time 
compensation for loss of income shall be equivalent to such annual 
average income and shall be exempt from income and other taxes.
To be entitled to the compensation set forth in this Section, the 
franchise holder must have been, within the five year period immediately 
preceding the revocation: (i) fully com pliant with all statutory and 
regulatory requirements pertaining to the operation of its PUVs and the 
exercise of its privileges under its franchise; and (ii) have no derogatory 
record with the LTFRB, MMDA, LGU, or any other relevant government
24 
agency or office.
25
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The Traffic Crisis Manager, in coordination with the LTFRB,
27 
MMDA, and DBM, shall issue the pertinent guidelines with regard to this
28 
Section.
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SECTION 20. Social Support Mechanisms. -  Drivers, driver’s 
assistants, mechanics, and other employees of the PUV operators 
affected by a revocation or modification of franchise shall be entitled to 
financial assistance in the following forms:
(a) 
Department 
of 
Social 
W elfare 
and 
Development 
using 
Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) funding for the entire 2017. The 
identified employees shall be included and immediately be classified as 
qualified persons under the CCT program;
(b) Displaced employees shall be entitled to separation pay as 
mandated under the Labor Code of the Philippines;
(c) The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA) shall prioritize the affected employees in its training courses;
(d) The Department of Labor and Employment and Philippine 
Overseas Employment Agency shall obtain a list of professional drivers
16 
and mechanics and shall assist them in looking for employment, whether
17 
here or abroad; and
18 
(e) The legal dependents of affected employees shall be qualified
19 
for scholarships from the Government, in accordance with the applicable
20 
rules and regulations of the DSWD, Department of Education, or 
TESDA.
The 
Traffic 
Crisis 
M anager 
may 
recommend 
additional 
compensation that will be provided through the 2018 and 2019 budget 
after consultation with the NEDA, DBM, and LTFRB.
SECTION 21. Private Roads. -  Private roads fenced off from other 
motorists and within villages and subdivisions may be opened for public 
use subject to conditions and limitations that shall be agreed upon
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between the Traffic Crisis Manager, the relevant LGU, and the 
appropriate residential association. The road or section thereof must 
improve overall network connectivity and provide alternative route and 
relief to traffic bottlenecks. In case of refusal of the appropriate 
residential association, or failure to agree within thirty (30) calendar 
days, the government may proceed to acquire the same in accordance 
with R.A. No. 10752.
The Traffic Crisis M anager may order the immediate opening of 
public roads needed by the exigency of traffic m anagement but fenced 
off from other motorists by neighborhood associations and/or barangay 
officials, after ten working days (10) notice. Conditions and limitations for
13 
the use thereof may be imposed by the Traffic Crisis Manager motu
14 
propio, without need of public hearing.
15
SECTION 22. Violations under this Act. -  Any violation of or non- 
compliance with any provision of this Act shall be considered a violation 
of Section 3 of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt 
Practices Act and shall be penalized with imprisonm ent of not less than 
one (1) year nor more than ten (10) years and perpetual disqualification 
from holding any public office.
The violation under this Section proven in a proper administrative 
proceeding shall be sufficient cause for removal or dismissal of a public
25 
officer, even if no criminal prosecution is instituted against him.
26
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Any other act in violation of any provision of this Act that qualifies
28 
as an offense under the Revised Penal Code or any other special act
29 
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Stipulated in such laws; Provided that the maximum applicable penalty 
shall be imposed and convicted public officials shall be further removed 
from office and subject to perpetual disqualification from holding any 
public office.
SECTION 23. 
Prohibition on the Issuance o f Temporary 
Restraining Orders and Preiim inary Injunctions. - In the implementation 
of this Act, no court, except the Supreme Court, may issue any 
tem porary 
restraining 
order or preliminary 
injunction 
against the 
government or any of its subdivisions, official or any person or entity, 
whether public or private, acting under government direction, to restrain, 
prohibit or compel the following acts:
a) Acquisition, clearance, and development of the right-of-way, 
site or location of any transportation project identified by the 
Traffic Crisis Manager;
b) 
Procurement 
of 
transportation 
projects, 
including 
infrastructure projects, goods, and consulting services;
c) 
Commencement, prosecution, execution, implementation, 
operation of any transportation project;
d) 
Opening of any private village gates necessary to provide 
alternate routes throughout the effective period of this Act;
e) 
Termination or rescission of any Transportation Project; and
f) 
Undertaking or authorization of any other lawful activity 
necessary for any Transportation Project.
SECTION 24. Transparency and Right to Information. -  The 
Traffic Crisis Manager, in coordination with the DICT, must maintain a 
separate 
website 
for the 
publication 
of 
complete 
and 
accurate
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information regarding the implementation of this Act. This shall include
2 
information on;
3 
a) 
All traffic-related policies, rules, regulations with updates on
4 
all new issuances;
5 
b) 
Traffic Crisis Action and Decongestion Plan, other pertinent
6 
plans and their updates;
7 
c) 
Information on traffic data and projects;
8 
d) 
Information on the Priority Projects and policies that are
9 
being or intended to be implemented under this Act;
10 
e) 
Status of Priority Projects during bidding/negotiation, award,
11 
and implementation;
12 
f) 
Project budget and implementation status (including ROW
13 
acquisition);
14 
g) 
Funding for all projects, with clear source and breakdown of
15 
allocation;
16 
h) 
Contracts and Terms of Reference of all projects, including
17 
the 
term s 
and 
conditions 
of 
any 
applicable 
concession
18 
agreements;
19 
i) 
Detailed minutes of meetings (pre-bid and negotiations)
20 
during bidding and awarding of projects;
21 
j) 
Master list of all franchised/licensed public transit operators
22 
in the Metropolitan Areas, with the names and license details of
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their PUV drivers and the types and chassis numbers of the
24 
vehicles covered by the respective franchises;
25 
k) 
List of Public Officials involved in the implementation of the
26 
Priority Projects, including their Statement of Assets, Liabilities,
27 
and Net W orth of Public Officials involved in the bidding and
28 
negotiation of Priority Projects;
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I) 
List of consultants and contractors engaged for the Priority
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Project 
with 
sworn 
statement 
on 
previous 
em ploym ent 
or
projects/experience; and
m) 
Centralized database for traffic violations.
SECTION 25. Traffic Education. -  The DOTr, LTO, LTFRB, 
DepEd, and TESDA shall jointly develop a program for driver's 
education and road and pedestrian etiquette education that shall be 
incorporated as a mandatory subject in the Senior High School 
curriculum.
SECTION 26. Capacity Buiiding. -  The Traffic Crisis Manager 
shall promote and encourage capacity-building and the sharing of best 
practices with local government units and other government agencies 
with regard to transportation planning, and traffic management, and 
enforcement.
SECTION 27. Duration o f Powers. -  The authority granted to the 
Executive Branch under this Act shall be valid and effective until the next 
adjournment of Congress, unless sooner withdrawn by a joint resolution 
of Congress upon a finding by the COC that the traffic and congestion 
crisis has been significantly abated, without prejudice to rights and 
benefits that may have been vested and liabilities that may have been 
incurred in the meantime.
SECTION 28. Congressional O versight Committee. -  There is 
hereby created a Congressional Oversight Comm ittee (COC) involving 
both Houses of Congress, which shail monitor the implementation of this 
Act and the exercise of the powers herein granted. The Committee shail
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be composed of the Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services: 
the Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation: 
and two (2) other members from each House, to be designated by the 
Senate President, in the case of the Senate, and the Speaker, in the 
case of the House of Representatives.
The Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services and the 
Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation 
shall constitute an Executive Committee, to be headed by an Executive 
Director, who will oversee day-to-day coordination with the concerned 
officials and stakeholders affected by this Act. Funding for the Executive 
Committee shall be sourced from the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge 
Fund.
The Traffic Crisis Manager shall submit a monthly report to the
16 
COC on the efficiency and effectiveness of the measures undertaken to
17 
implement this Act and alleviate the Traffic Crisis. The COC shall 
conduct ocular inspections of the Priority Projects at least once per 
quarter.
Upon the expiration of the term of the COC, which shall be 
conterminous with the effective period of this Act, the COC shall make a
23 
comprehensive report and give its recommendations.
24
SECTION 29. Report to Congress. -  The Executive Branch shall 
submit a quarterly report to Congress, through the COC, on the 
implementation of this Act.
SECTION 
30. 
Funding. 
-  
The 
amount 
needed 
for 
the
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implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the following:
a. The General Appropriations Act;
b. By way of a special budget enacted by Congress:
c. The Motor Vehicle User’s Charge Fund under R.A. No. 8794;
d. Special appropriations from local government units in support of 
projects and measures within their respective jurisdictions;
e. Any savings and/or unexpended portion from the Special 
Purpose Funds of the President, for other expenses and/or to 
augment the preceding items; and the
f. Official Development Assistance loan, where applicable.
SECTION 31. 
Transitory Provision. -  As far as practicable, the 
provisions of this Act shall apply to all perfected procurement contracts 
involving only transport projects, which have already commenced but 
with no Notice of Award yet issued.
SECTION 32. Separability Clause. -  In the event that any 
provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, invalid, or illegal, the
20 
constitutionality, validity, or legality of the remainder of the provisions of
21 
this Act shall not be affected thereby.
22
23 
SECTION 33. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, presidential decrees,
24 
letters of instructions, executive orders, rules, regulations, and other
25 
issuances or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with the
26 
provisions of -this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, amended or
27 
modified accordingly.
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SECTION 34. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
2 
days foliowing the compietion of its pubiication in two (2) newspapers of
3 
generai circulation.
Approved.
32