Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6229

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. HENRY C. ONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public servants without empathy do not deserve to serve in the Land
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Public service improves
when it is rendered with empathy and compassion. The degree of penalties is
designed to promote compliance and discourage circumvention.

This bill seeks to make it the duty of every LTFRB public servant to ride public
transport during rush hour, once a week during weekdays. First offense for non-
compliance shall be punishable administratively by suspension for one (1) month
without pay while second offense shall have the penalty of six (6) months without
pay. Third offense shall be punishable by dismissal from the service.

Commission of dishonesty as regards compliance with this Act shall come with
the penalty of six (6) months without pay for the first offense and second offense
shall be punishable by dismissal from the service.

The personal, first-hand experience of riding public transportation will enable
LTFRB officials and employees to gain better perspectives and in aid of rendering
judgments and crafting policies. b

Henry C. Ong
Representative,
2" District of Leyte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. S229

Introduced by: Hon. HENRY C. ONG

AN ACT
REQUIRING ALL EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS
OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY
BOARD (LTFRB) TO COMMUTE VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT LEAST ONCE A
WEEK
DURING WEEKDAY RUSH HOURS

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 "LTFRB Servants!
Commuting via Public Transport Act".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the State, as
enshrined in the Constitution, that public officers and employees must at all times be
accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty,
and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.

Section 3. Scope. All employees and officials regardless of employment
status, whether job order, contractual, permanent, appointed or career, working for
the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and its satellite offices in
the regions, shall ride public land transport to and from work and/or for official
businesses, at least once every week during weekday rush hours, defined in this act
as the time range from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and using
any of the various modes that are operating in the geographical area they reside and
work in: passenger buses, commuter trains, light rail, taxis and transport network
vehicle service, public utility jeepneys, and passenger tricycles.


Section 4. Exceptions. The only exceptions to the limitations on land, travel
provided in this Act are:

A) Actual existing physical handicap or serious medical condition that
significantly limits physical movement and mobility as certified by a licensed
Practicing medical specialist, and

B) Employees who are senior citizens.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Civil Service
Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Department of Transportation
shall jointly develop and promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this
Act.

Section 6. Penalties and Fines. Inasmuch as this Act now makes it the duty of
every LTFRB public servant to ride public transport during rush hours once a week
during weekdays as earlier specified, first offense for non-compliance shall therefore
be punishable administratively by suspension for one (1) month without pay. Second
offense shall have the penalty of six (6) months without pay. Third offense shall be
punishable by dismissal from the service.

Commission of dishonesty as regards compliance with this Act shall come with
the penalty of six (6) months without pay for the first offense. Second offense shall
be punishable by dismissal from the service.

Section 7. Appropriations. Funds for the implementation of this Act shall
be sourced from the budget of the Department of Transportation as provided in the
General Appropriations Act.

Section 8. Separability. If any provision or part of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the online version of the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation with established internet website presence.

Approved.