Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3503

Introduced by: Hon, Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

‘An efficient, safe and world class public transportation is an essential element in the
country’s development. It remains the preferred mode of most Filipinos especially in the face of
the increasing price of fuel made private transportation less practical. Public transportation is
also important in boosting our tourism industry as it allows tourists to travel around the country.

‘Taxi is considered as one of the primary means of public transportation in reaching a
destination promptly and safely. Regrettably, many of the taxi drivers and operators abuse the
reliance of the riding public, especially the tourists. Many taxi drivers and operators devise
schemes and some of them resort to criminal activities to increase their earnings.

This measure secks to acknowledge the rights of taxi passengers and penalizes both the
taxi driver and the operator who violates these rights. Such initiative is essential to protect our
commuting public and tourists from the predatory practices of some drivers and operators of taxi
cabs and raise the standards of public transportation service.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Ahn
ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 3503

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” DL. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING TAXI PASSENGERS’ RIGHTS AND SAFETY

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Taxi Passengers’ Rights and Safety
Act.”

SECTION 2, Declaration of Poli shall be the policy of the State to establish a world class
public transportation system. To this end, the State shall establish transportation service
standards that shall address the basic rights of the passengers as maybe provided by law.

SECTION 3. Rights of Taxi Passengers, - Taxi Passengers shall have the right to:

a. Be picked up and transported to their stated destination by any available on duty taxi driver,
subject to applicable traffic regulations;

b. A fare meter duly calibrated and sealed by proper authorities that must be displayed in a
position where it is readily visible to all passengers.

c. A properly dressed and courteous driver who provides assistance,
d. Travel with an assistance dog or portable mobility aid;

e. A taxi that is , smoke free, and in good repair;

f, Direct the route, or expect the most economical route;

g. See the taxi met
h. Refuse multiple hiring;

i, Have the air conditioning on or off;

j. Have the lighting equipment on or off

k. See the driver's identification card, which shall state clearly the driver's name and the taxi
operator's name, place of business, and contract numbers, and shall contain a picture of the
driver. Copies of such identification d shall be displayed prominently inside the taxi;

1. See the plate number of the taxi and emergency numbers for assistance by the Philippine
National Police prominently displayed on the side doors and other conspicuous places within the
taxi;

m. A quiet atmosphere, upon request;
n. Pay the rate exactly as posted in the meter, subject to other government sanctioned fees;
o. A detailed receipt; and

p. Embark and disembark at any point, subject to existing traffic rules and regulations

requested;

SEC. 4. Taxi Equipped with a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or Compressed Natural Gas


(CNG) Fuel System. ~ A taxi vehicle equipped with a liquefied petroleum gas or compressed
natural gas fuel system must display a current Alternative Fuel Inspection Certificate to be issued
by the LTO and the fuel system must be maintained in a safe condition. An identification label
must be fitted to the vehicle that is equipped with an LPG or CNG fuel system, positioned in a
clearly visible location as close as practicable to the front and rear registration plates.

SECTION 5. Taxi Passengers’ Rights Notification, - The taxi passengers! rights as enumerated in
Section 3 shall be prominently displayed in the taxi cab. Such notification shall also contain a
brief description of the procedure on how to file a complaint for violation of any of the rights
‘enumerated as well as the necessary contact information provided by the Land Transportation
and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to handle such complaints.

SEC. 6, Automatic door locks. - A door in a taxi must not lock automatically when it is closed.
Automatically operating central locking devices and speed-sensitive door locks must be
permanently deactivated or removed.

SECTION 7. Period of Implementation. - The LTERB shall be the agency primarily responsible
in the enforcement and implementation of this Act. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of
this Act, the LTERB shall formulate and issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations
and shall mobilize available resources to assure the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Penalties and Fines, - In the enforcement of this Act, the LTFRB shall impose
fines against drivers and operators, solidarily for violation of this Act.

The following shall be the basis in defining the fine and penalty provisions of the implementing
rules and regulations to be promulgated pursuant to Section 7 hereof, provided that six (6)
months grace period shall be allowed to lapse to conduct a nationwide information campaign.

For failure to observe any of the rights enumerated in Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 the following shall
be imposed:

a) a minimum fine of Five hundred pesos (Php500) but not to exceed Two thousand pesos
(Php2,000) for the first violation;

b) a minimum fine of One thousand pesos (Php1,000) but not to exceed Five thousand pesos and
suspension of driver's license and/or the Certificate of Public Convenience for a period of one (1)
week for the second violation; and

c) a minimum fine of Three thousand pesos (Php3,000) but not to exceed Ten thousand pesos
(Php 10,000) and revocation or cancellation of driver’s license and/or the Certificate of Public
Convenience for the succeeding violation,

SECTION 9. Nationwide Public Information Campaign.

a. The LTFRB, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of
Education, and private agencies and organizations, shall undertake @ nationwide information,
education, and communication (IEC) campaign for the attainment of the objectives of this Act,

b. The LTERB, in coordination with the local government units, shall likewise utilize the
services of citizen groups and community organizations for the promotion of public safety
awareness in observance of this Act.

c. The fines that will be collected for the enforcement of this Act shall be used exclusively for
the implementation of the provisions of this Act, including the necessary information campaigns.

SECTION 10. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act


shall be charged against the appropriations of the LTFRB under the current General
‘Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full implementation shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item.

SECTION 11. 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.

TION 12. 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.

SECTION 13. Bffectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,