EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
ft's 
Senate
tr >f 
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S E N A T E
20 JAN-7 P2 35
Introd uced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ALLOWING AND REGULATING THE USE OF MOTORCYCLES AS PUBLIC 
U TILITY VEHICLES, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
4136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC 
CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In cities, municipalities, and barangays across the nation, the transportation 
situation has worsened over the recent years; mainly due to the substantial growth in 
the number of motor vehicles in our country, be it motorcycles or cars or trucks. The 
numbers have grown exponentially, and with the increase of the vehicle population 
come the decrease of space on our already narrow roads. The traffic situation has 
become a real problem that it has affected our economy, our psyche and our physical 
health. The nation currently moves forward with exhaustion as commuting in the 
Philippines has now become a dreaded necessity.
With that being said, our citizens are forced to find other means of travelling 
amidst the transportation crisis. There is now a proliferation of motorcycles-for-hire 
recently known as habal-habal's, for our commuters. This is their saving grace in their 
day-to-day travels as working citizens are left with no other options. It is considered 
to be the most convenient and cheapest way to get from point A to point B, for the 
lack of other means of transportation. Some companies have already "officialised" this


type of ride-hailing service such as Angkas and other companies that use technology 
to bring it together.
Despite the benefits and convenience this alternative mode of transportation 
bring to the table for our citizens, the dangers and risks entailed cannot be ignored or 
denied. The absence of laws regulating the operation of motorcycles-for-hire or habal- 
habal's pose a great threat to the riding public.
This Act, therefore, proposes to amend Section 7 (c) of Republic Act No. 4136 
-  Land Transportation and Traffic Code. This measure will resolve the existing 
inadequacies in our laws and shall promote the safety and welfare of people who 
patronage motorcycles-for-hire known as habal-habal. Any two-wheeled motor vehicle 
known as motorcycles-for-hire may be registered with the Land Transportation Office 
(LTO) as for hire and may be used as a commercial vehicle to transport passengers 
and goods. Application for registration under this classification shall be accompanied 
by certificate of public convenience or a special permit issued by the Land 
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). This will ensure that 
operators and drivers will be held responsible for the negligent operation of their own 
motorcycles. The same will likewise prevent abuse from owners, operators and drivers, 
thus ensuring low-cost and safe transportation.
It may be noted that this bill has already passed on third and final reading in 
the House of Representatives during the 17th Congress.
The passage of this bill into law is earnestly sought.
RAM O^BONG REVILLA,


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S enate
/7O fticr of tb? fc rtrftn rp
20 JAN-7 P2 35
In tro d u ce d  by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ALLOWING AND REGULATING THE USE OF MOTORCYCLES AS PUBLIC 
U TILITY VEHICLES, AMENDING FOR TH IS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
4136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAND TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC 
CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled:
Section 1. Title. -T h is Act shall be known as the "Motorcycles-for-Hire Act". 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is the policy of the Senate to render basic 
services to the people and promote their safety and general welfare. Toward this end, 
the use of motorcycles as an alternative mode of public transportation is hereby 
allowed and regulated in recognition of the need to provide convenience and ease of 
commute in urban and rural areas while ensuring public safety and the efficiency of 
the transportation system as a whole.
Sec. 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and 
Traffic Code is hereby amended by adding a new word which shall be defined as 
follows:
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"(N ) 
MOTORCYCLES-FOR-HIRE 
-  ANY 
TWO-WHEELED 
MOTOR
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VEHICLE THAT MAY BE REGISTERED W ITH THE LAND TRANSPORTATION
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OFFICE AS FOR HIRE AND MAY BE USED AS A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE TO
XXX


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TRANSPORT 
PASSENGERS 
AND 
GOODS: 
PROVIDED, 
THAT, 
FOR
TRANSPORTING 
PASSENGERS, 
THE 
MOTORCYCLES 
SHALL 
HAVE 
A 
M IN IM U M  ENGINE DISPLACEMENT OF 125 CUBIC CENTIMETERS AND A 
BACKBONE TYPE BUILT."
Sec. 4. -  Section 7 (d) of Republic Act No. 4136 is hereby amended to read as 
follows:
"Sec. 7. Registration Classification -  Every motor vehicle shall be registered 
under one of the following described classifications:
(a ) x X X
(b ) x X X
(c) X X X
(d) Public utility automobiles; e) public utility trucks; (f) taxis and auto-calesas; 
(g) garage automobiles; (h) garage trucks; (i) fire trucks; [and] (j) trucks 
owned by contractors and customs brokers and custom agents [.] AND (K ) 
MOTORCYCLES-FOR-HIRE. Application for registration under these 
classifications shall be accompanied by a certificate of public convenience 
or 
a 
special 
permit 
issued 
by 
the 
LAND 
TRANSPORTATION 
FRANCHISING 
AND 
REGULATORY 
BOARD 
[Public 
Service 
Commission], and motor vehicles registered under these classifications shall 
be subject to the Public Service Law, rules and regulations as well as the 
provisions of this Act.
XXX."
Sec. 5. Roadworthiness o f Motorcydes-for-Hire. -  The Land Transportation 
Office (LTO) shall ensure the roadworthiness of motorcycles-for-hire before 
registration or renewal of registration. To further ensure safety, no modification shall 
be made on motorcycles for hire, except the installation, based on safe engineering 
design specifications, of motorcycle luggage carrier, saddlebag, step board or foot peg 
and appropriate speed limiter and monitoring device.


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Sec. 6. Issuance o f Driver's License. -  Pursuant to Section 23-A of the Land
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Transportation and Traffic Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10930, the LTO
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shall promulgate the necessary prerequisites and guidelines for the issuance of
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licenses to the driver-applicants, including the theoretical and practical examinations
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appropriate for motorcycles-for-hire. The LTO shall also ensure the continuous safety
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training of licensed drivers of motorcycles-for-hire.
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Sec. 7. Fare Setting. -  The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
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Board (LTFRB) shall determine, prescribe, approve and periodically review and adjust,
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reasonable fares, rates and other related charges for the operation of motorcycles-
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for-hire. The LTFRB may allow motorcycles-for-hire to choose and use online ride-
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hailing or pre-arranged transportation platforms, accredited by the proper government
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agency under existing laws, but the said companies or platforms shall comply with this
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Act and other regulations on motorcycles-for-hire, including fare setting.
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Sec. 8. Prescribing o f Routes. -  In prescribing routes. Department of
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Transportation (DOTr) and the LTFRB shall give priority to higher-capacity vehicles or
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mass transit systems in accordance with route rationalization studies. Motorcycles-for-
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hire may be allowed to operate for a limited period, with limited number of units and
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in specific routes only, as may be determined by DOTr and the LTRFB, in coordination
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with concerned local government units.
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Sec. 9. Penalties. -T h e  operation of motorcycles-for-hire in violation of this Act
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shall be penalized pursuant to the violations and fines and penalties provided under
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existing laws and agency regulations: Provided, that companies, or the officers or
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directors thereof, providing online ride-hailing or pre-arranged transportation
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platforms involving motorcycles without a valid franchise, shall have solidary liability
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and shall be penalized accordingly.
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Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -T he DOTr, LTO and LTFRB, in
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collaboration with the MMDA, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine
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National Police -  Highway Patrol Group, Department of Health and other agencies and
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stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations
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(IRR) within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.
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The IRR shall include, among others, limitation on the number of riders and the
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weight or load capacity that can be carried as certified safe by manufactures, with the


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requirement that such limitations must be indicated on the motorcycles; the applicable
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speed limits; the road safety and traffic laws and regulations that need to be complied
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with; the necessary insurance policy covering the driver, rider and third party,
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including extent of liabilities; the designation of terminals; and other requirements for
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the safety, security and health of the driver and rider.
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Sec. 11. Separability Clause. -  If, for any reason, any part or provision of this
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Act is declared invalid, such declaration shall not affect other provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. -A ny law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, administrative order, rules or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
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Sec. 13. Effectivity. -T h is Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
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publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
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Approved,