TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE
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ot lilf ■' n.’i;’
25 AUG-7 P2S8
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RtCEH/ED BY;
S.B. No. 1110
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
EStd AMiSHING THE RIGHTS 0F passengers of taxis, tourist car
TRANSPORT SERVICES AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES FOR HIRE
explanatory NOTF
For an ordinary Filipino worker, it is more practical to avail of the transp„; r services 
of taxis or other similar vehicles for hire, such as Grab, Angkus, JoyRide, and InDrive, 
among others, in going to worK or elsewhere. Aside from convenience and safety as 
compared to other modes of public transportal,o,„ u.ese transport services are also more 
affordable than buying and maintaining a private vehicle, especially at a time of rising 
fuel prices. These transport senrices are most helpful and are In demand during rush 
hour, holiday season, rainy season, and even during late nights when passenger safety 
and availability of other modes of public transportation are primary concerns.
However, we have seen countless videos and heard sordid stories of passengers 
Who were preyed on or became victims of abusive or negligent drivers of taxis or other 
similar vehicles for hire. Instead of convenience or cost savings, many passengers have 
expenenced being refused carriage depending on the destination, forced to pay an extra 
amount on top of the metered fare, or were tricked into going on longer routes in order


to drive up the rates. There have also been numerous reports fmm tourists who come to 
our country and have fallen victim to these enterprising drivers. Sadly, these instances
ave been tolerated and ignored due to the lack of laws sufficiently protecting our 
commuting public. 
a
While Article 1755 of the New Civil Code lays down the required diligence in 
ransporbng passengers of common carriers, we still do not have a law establishing 
passengers’ rights to improve the standards of transport sereices. Thus, to address this 
problem and prevent any more untoward incidents of this nature, a passenger bill of 
rights IS hereby proposed to protect the commuting public from abusive and discourteous 
dnvers of taxis and similar vehicles for hire, provide sanctions for offenses committed 
against the riding public, and elevate the standards in rendering transport services.
sought
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this
is earnestly


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
■ 
rsV^I lie V
' V , ' ,X)ffirr of i:’r ' ■' >
25 AUG-7 P2S8
RtCEiVED liV:
S.B. No.
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
ES™fLISHING THE RIGHTS 0F passengers of taxis, tourist car
TRANSPORT SERVICES AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES FOR HIRE
,n Con^JssZZ2: andH°USe 
ofthe Philippines
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Bill of Rights of Passengers 
of Taxis, Tourist Car Transport Services and Other Similar Vehicles for Hire".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to make available 
a world-class transportation system that primariiy takes into consideration the safety and
reliability of transportation service and integrates and use customer feedback in improving 
the quality of service.
To this end, the State shall establish transportation service standards that shall 
promote the development and maintenance of safe, efficient and reliable public and 
private transportation service by establishing the basic rights of passengers of taxis, 
tourist car transport sen/ices and other similar vehicles for hire.


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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a) 7aA7'refers to a public utility vehicle as defined and duly franchised by the Land 
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), offering 
transportation services to the public for a fee on an exclusive basis;
b) Tourist Car Transport Services (TCTS) refers to metered taxi, coupon taxi or 
rent-a-car transport service duly franchised by the LTFRB that provides 
transport services to tourists;
c) Covered Vehicle refers to any taxi, TCTS or vehicle for hire (VFH) as defined 
under this Act;
d) Muitipie Hiring refers to the act of a driver in accepting more than one client in 
a single journey, whether or not the clients come from the same point of origin;
e) Seminar refers to an activity prescribed by the LTFRB or Land Transportation 
Office (LTO) for erring drivers and operators as a requirement for reinstatement 
of license or continued operation of franchise;
f) 
Vehicle for Hire refers to vehicles offering transportation services to the public
for a fee, regardless of fare-setting mechanism, mode of payment or manner 
of engagement.
SEC. 4. Standards of Service. - Only a duly licensed professional driver can be
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authorized to drive a covered vehicle. All covered vehicles shall be duly registered with
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the LTFRB, are being operated using the proper license required under the law, and shall 
be clean, safe, smoke-free, and in good condition.
SEC. 5. Rights of Passengers of Covered Vehicies - Passengers of covered vehicles 
shall have the right to:
a) Be served by a driver who is properly dressed and groomed. Operators of 
covered vehicles should ensure that their drivers wear the prescribed uniform 
and company identification card (ID) at all times while on duty. In addition, 
the LTFRB shall issue an official ID to all drivers containing the driver's name 
and picture, and the operator's information and contact numbers. The


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prescribed ID cards must be prominently displayed inside the covered vehicle 
within the view of the passenger;
b) Be served by a courteous driver who shall provide assistance, if requested;
c) Be served by a driver who is not under the influence of alcohol or dangerous 
drugs;
d) Be informed of the plate number of the covered vehicle and emergency 
numbers for assistance by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other 
concerned agencies by the prominent display of these information on the side 
door or in any other conspicuous place within the covered vehicle;
e) Be picked up and transported to their stated destination, regardless of the 
length of the journey or traffic condition, by any available on duty driver, 
subject to applicable traffic regulations;
f) Direct the route, or expect the most economical route, except where such
route will endanger the lives of the occupants or will cause damage to the 
covered vehicle;
g) Where applicable, view the fare meter that shall be duly calibrated and sealed 
by the proper authorities;
h) Pay the rate exactly as posted in the meter or in the booking application,
subject to other government sanctioned fees, such -,o toll fees, among others, 
and as may be applicable, not be 
t0 pay a fjxed rate^ whjch js
higher than the regular metered rate, due to heavy traffic and inclement 
weather;
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Be given the exact amount of change;
j) Be issued a printed official receipt in accordance with the requirement of the 
National Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations issued by the 
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR);
k) Travel with an animal assistant or portable mobility aid, if passenger is with 
disability;
l) Refuse multiple hiring, unless passengers are informed of such arrangement 
and consented thereto prior to the trip;


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m) A quiet or silent atmosphere throughout the trip upon request;
n) Decide on the orientation of air conditioning and lighting systems inside the 
covered vehicle; and
o) Be provided a substitute vehicle or to be assisted to procure one in case of 
mechanical or engine trouble or other similar instances that hinder the 
continuation of carriage. Where substitution of another vehicle by the same 
operator is available, no additional fare shall be charged against the 
passenger. However, if substitution is not possible or practical, the passenger 
shall only pay the amount appearing in the meter less the flag-down fee for 
meter-oriented fare vehicles. In the case of other covered vehicles, the fare 
due to the driver of the vehicle being substituted or replaced shall be in 
proportion to the distance travelled, minus the booking fee, if applicable.
SEC. 6. Vehicle Equipped with a Liquefied Petroleum (LPG) or Compressed Natural 
Gas (CNG) Fuel System. - A covered vehicle equipped with a liquefied petroleum gas or 
compressed natural gas fuel system must display a current Motor Vehicle Inspection 
Report (MVIR) issued by the LTO. Operators of covered vehicle running on CNG or LPG 
must maintain the safe condition of every unit through regular maintenance. A sticker 
marked "LPG" or "CNG" issued by the LTFRB must be posted to every covered vehicle
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.
SEC. 7. Door Locks. - Every operator shall ensure that each covered vehicle it
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operates is equipped with a functioning automatic door lock system. The central lock
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system of every covered vehicle must be disabled to allow the passenger to open the 
doors at any time without interference from the driver, with the exception of the rear left 
door of the covered vehicle which the driver may set on child-lock orientation. The 
operation of a covered vehicle without the required lock system as prescribed in this
Section shall constitute a violation and shall be punishable in accordance with Section 10 
of this Act.
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SEC. 8. Notification of Passengers'Rights. - The passenger' rights as enumerated 
m Section 5 of this Act, as weil as the remedies and procedures available to the passenger 
as promulgated by the LTFRB, shall be prominently displayed inside the covered vehicle.
SEC. 9. Fiiing of Compiaint for Vioiation of Rights. - A passenger of a covered vehicle 
whose rights have been violated may file a complaint against the driver or operator of 
the covered vehicle with the LTFRB which shall conduct the investigation and resolve the 
complaint not later than seven (7) working days after mediation, or seven (7) working 
days after adjudicabon, under such rules and regulations as it may provide. The complaint 
inshtuted under the provisions of this Act shall not bar the filing of a civil or criminal
complaint for violation of any law, rule, or regulation msulting from the same act or 
omission, whenever applicable.
SEC. 10. Penaities and Fines - In addition to the penalties imposed by any
applicable law, rule or regulation, the violation of any of the provisions of this Act, shall 
be punishable as follows:
a) Any driver of a covered vehicle who violates the provisions of this Act shall 
be liable and penalized as follows:
1. First Offense - A fine of One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) and 
suspension of driver's license for a period of seven (7) calendar days;
2. Second Offense - A fine of Three Thousand Pesos (Php 3,000.00) and 
suspension of driver's license for a period of six (6) months; and
3. Third and Succeeding Offense - A fine of Five Thousand Pesos (Php
5,000.00) and suspension of driver's license for a period of one (1) 
year.
b) Any operator who violates the applicable provisions of this Act shall pay the 
same amount of fines as prescribed in the foregoing paragraph: Provided, 
That the liability of the operator with respect to the fine herein imposed in 
the case of an insolvent driver shall be subsidiary.


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c) Any person who violates the other provisions of this Act shall be punished
With a fine ranging from One Thousand Pesos (Php 1,000.00) to Five
Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) for every violation at the discretion of the 
LTFRB.
In all cases, the erring driver or operator shall undergo an education seminar
provided under this Act. The attendance by the concerned drivers and operators in such
seminars shall be mandatory, failure of which shall be a ground for non-reinstatement of
the driver’s license of the driver or suspension of the franchise of the operator, as the 
case may be.
SEC. 11. Special Fund for Education Seminars and Public Information Campaign. -
The fines paid by and collected from the offending parties for violations of this Act shall
accrue to a special fund to be held by the LTFRB and shall be disbursed exclusively for
seminars of erring drivers and operators as dehned under Section 3 and other activities 
for the implementation of this Act.
SEC. 12. Nationwide Public Information Campaign. - The LTFRB, in coordination 
With the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) 
and private agencies and organizations concerned, shall undertake a nationwide
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information, education, and communication campaign for the attainment of the objectives
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of this Act. It shall likewise coordinate with the local government units for the purpose of 
seeking the assistance of citizens groups and community organizations for the promoBon 
Of public safety awareness in observance of this Act.
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SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the LTFRB, in consultation with the LTD, shall promulgate the
necessary implementing rules and regulaBons to effectively carry out the provisions of 
this Act.


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SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held
unconstitutional, the other provisions not othen/vise affected shall remain valid and 
subsisting.
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, issuances, executive orders, letters 
of instruction, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, contrary
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,