FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
8 '!l:l ,( / 
Second Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
Public transportation is an essential element in the development of our country. 
Public transportation is still the preferred mode of most of our countrymen especially 
recently when the increasing price of fuel made private transportation less practical. It is 
also essential to our tourism industry since it allows the tourists to travel around the 
country. 
Regrettably, many of the taxi drivers and operators abuse the reliance of our 
countrymen and tourist. Many drivers and operators devise schemes to increase their 
earnings sacrificing goodwill and quality of service along the way. We need to enact a 
law to protect our commuting public, citizens and tourists alike from predatory practices 
of some taxi drivers and operators and raise the service standards. By doing so, we would 
establish better public perception to the taxi service industry in general. 
This bill seeks to acknowledge the rights of taxi passengers and penalizes both 
driver and the operator of the taxi cab who violates these rights. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE RIGHTS OF TAXI PASSENGERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philigpines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Taxi Passenger Bill of 
Rights Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It 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. 
C. 
A fare meter duly calibrated and.sealed by proper authorities; 
A properly dressed and courteous driver who provides assistance, if 
requested; 
D. 
E. 
F. 
G. 
See the taxi meter; 
H. 
Refuse multiple hiring; 
I. 
Travel with an assistance dog or portable mobility aid; 
A taxi that is clean, smoke free and in good repair; 
Direct the route, or expect the most economical route; 
Have the air conditioning on or off; 


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See the driver’s identification card; 
A quiet atmosphere, upon request; 
Pay the rate exactly as posted in the meter, subject to other government 
sanctioned fees; and 
M. 
A detailed receipt, when requested. 
SECTION 4. 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 LTFRB to handle such complaints. 
SECTION 5. 
Period of Implementation. - The Land Transportation and 
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) shall he the agency primarily responsible in 
the enforcement and implementation of this Act. Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the LTFRB shall formulate and issue the necessary implementing 
rules, regulations and guidelines and shall mobilize available resources to assnre the 
effective implementation of this Act: Provided, That the LTFRB or its successor tasked 
with the implementation of this Act may require the use of special car seats for infants, if 
it is deemed necessary. 
SECTION 6. 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 fine and penalty provisions of the IRR 
to be promulgated pursnant to Section 11 hereof, provided that six (6) months grace 
period shall he allowed to lapse to conduct a nationwide information campaign. 
A. 
For failure to observe any of the rights enumerated in Section 3, a 
minimum fine of Five hundred pesos (P500) but not to exceed Two thousand 
pesos (P2,OOO) for the first violation; a minimum fine of One thousand pesos 
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(PIOOO) but not to exceed Five thousand pesos (P5,OOO) for the second 
violation; and a minimum fine of T h e  thousand pesos (P3000) but not to 
exceed Ten thousand pesos (P10,OOO) and suspension of driver's license 
and/or the Certificate of Public Convenience for a period of one (1) week for 
the third and succeeding violations; 
B. 
For non-compliance on the requirement under Section 4, a minimum fine 
of One thousand (P1,OOO) but not to exceed Five thousand pesos (P3,OOO) for 
every violation. 
SECTION 7. 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 a regular nationwide Information, Education and 
Communication (IEC) campaign for the attainment of the objectives of this 
Act. 
B. 
The LTFRE?, 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 8. 
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. 
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SECTION 9. 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. 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, nile or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
lapm101708 
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