Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 9g9

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B, BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The right o travel is one of the basic rights provided for under the Constitution. Technology
and innovation through the years have made travelling much easier and faster. Although some
people prefer to travel in the comfort of their own vehicles, the majority of the populace still take
public transport as a mode of travel. In the country’s large cities, buses, jeepneys and taxis still
crowd the streets and are almost always fully loaded. The same can be observed with the MRT,
LRT and the PNR train systems in Metro Manila, as well as in our airports and seaport

‘The current problems plaguing the transport sector have put the commuters right in the
middle of the fray, left with almost no choice but fo swallow the bitter pill that has been dealt to
them. It is in this light that something should dons to improve the quality of services provided to
the riding public,

In the exigency and for the best interest of the public, this bill proposes the creation of the
Office of Commuter Affairs at the Department of Transportation - Central Office and in key
development areas specified in the Road Map of Philippine Transport

It is envisioned that this office will be comin‘tted to ensure the safety, convenience, comfort
and betterment of the over-all travel experience of sommuters, Through inter-agency linkages and
coordination, much-needed assistance could be readily given to commuters who require so. The
office could also help in the easy identification and apprehension of erting and abusive drivers and
operators through reports coming from the often-victimized riding public. These and much more
could be done to maximize government resources through the proposed office that would
ultimately redound to the benefit of our commuters.

With the premises being considered, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Lone District, Muntinlupa City



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV!
Quezon

y

EIGHTEENTH CONGRE
First Regular |

House Bill No.

AN ACT
CREATING THE OFFICE OF COMMUTER AFFAIRS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND

PROVIDING FUNE

THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1, Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Office of Commuter Affairs
Act’, '

See. 2, Declaration of Policy. ~ The State recognizes the rights of commuters and of the
riding public in general. Such recognition goes with the government's responsibility to provide the
same with quality services, ensure their safety and offer valuable assistance specially during
emergency situations. Toward this end, it is imperative to create a dedicated office in the
Department of Transportation to oversee all the above-mentioned concerns.

See. 3. Creation of the Office of Commuter Affairs. — There is hereby created an office to
be known as the Office of Commuter Affairs hereinafter referred to as Office, in the Department
of Transportation (DOTr). The Office shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary of the DOTr who
shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, It shall maintain its principal
office in Metro Manila and establish regional offices as may be necessary for the proper conduct
of its operations.

Sec. 4, Functions and Responsibilities of the Office. ~ The Office of Commuter Affairs
shall be tasked to perform the following functions and responsibilities:

a, Coordinate with other DOTr agencies as well as law enforcement agencies dealing with
road, rail, air and maritime transportation to ensure safe, efficient and comfortable

travel of commuters; i


b, Operate help desks for the riding public;

Assist the commuters whenever the safety and efficiency of travel is compromised;

d. Undertake massive commuter edu
s and responsibilities;

n programs for the traveling public to know their

¢. Ensure legal assistance fi

commuters, when the need at

f, Reactivate the DOTr Action Center by the use of landline, web, social media, radio and.
television.

See. 5, Divisions Under the Office and Their Respective Functions, ~ the Office of
Commuter Affairs shall have the following divisions:

1, Commuter Welfare Division. — The division that takes charge of ensuring safe,
efficient and comfortable travel of passengers from arrival to departure at terminals,
train stations, airports and seaports. '

Commuter Education Division, — The division that is responsible for public, school
and corporate trainings and publications on all modes of transportation.

3. Commuter Communications Division. ~ The division tasked to manage the DOTr
Central Office (DOTY-CO) Hotline and call center, website and social media tor
commuters’ complaints, concerns and suggestions.

For this purpose, the existing DOr Action Center shall be transferred from the Offic
of the Assistant Secretary for Communications to the Office of Commuter ATi

4, Legal Assistance Division. ~ The division t
commuters and to the Office itself,

ed to provide legal assistance to affected

See. 6, Interagency Cooperation. ~The Office of Commuter Affairs shall work hand-in-
hand with existing DOTr offices, such as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Communications, the Department's Legal Service as well as the Driver’s Academy under the Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on areas of mutual concerns and

common interests for the greater good and welfare of the riding public. '
©. 7. Funding and Manpower Requirements, ~ Funding tor the manpower and

operational activities, programs as well as other needs of the Office of Commuter Affairs shall be
sourced from the General Appropriations Act (GAA), subject to the applicable accounting and
auditing rules and regulations.

Support assistance from the Administrative, Finance and Management Comptrollership Services
of the DOTr-CO shall be made available for the operationalization of the said Office,


Sec. 8. Separability Clause. ~ Should any provision of this Act be subsequently declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not so declared and not affected by such
declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 9, Repealing Clause. ~ All other laws, issuances, orders, rules and regulations which
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity, ~ This Act shall take effect afier fifteen (15) days from its publi
in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation,

Approved,